As it turned out Eliza was a Windrunner. Not just any old regular Air user, their abilities were on an entirely different scale.
A Wind Enki was considered a meta ability just like Storm or Magma. Usually when abilities mutate and evolve it’s from a restructuring or addition of genetic code that allows new potential to flourish. Meta abilities however form when code actually compounds into brand new structures that no longer resemble the original code. These didn't even pop up until at least 3rd generation and have evolved even further since then. They're not always more powerful but in her case…It was definitely a leg up. Wind sacrificed precision for large area control, a wider sensory area, and a domineering power. It was also supposed to be hard as hell to handle especially at only Manifested.
How the hell did she learn to fly with it? Then it dawned on him. They shipped her off to train. Maybe Storms Bluff, does it even matter. It no longer stung that she was beating him in the PS rankings. Whatever she went through to get to this point made her more than qualified.
He looked down at his hands. There was so much farther to go and thinking back to the performances of his classmates. This class was full of monsters of every type. For now he had a lead on some but who knows how many of them had special training like Beln whose energy pool was insane despite his late bloomer status. Jorum with his indomitable body and now this, a meta Enki.
He always knew his abilities were unique but up to this point, he was on his own to learn. No family secrets or techniques from his parents. His older brother was still young despite his advancements even so far as to be preparing for his second evo and he had never met another E’ona in his life. If there was one in Handis he’d never heard of them and most of them lived up north but they didnt provide training programs. Supposedly most were self isolating types and the closest he ever came was when he found videos from a Guru Hadlin who talked about the Ether.
Realizing his hands were clenched, he took a deep breath and released his hands.
With Eliza's performance complete, the presentations we're done.
"I'm sure you're all feeling pretty stiff. Let's do some stretching and fitness. Then we'll head back to class for lesson time." Everyone lethargically rose and began stretching.
Back in class Kenning applauded everyone for getting up and showing their skills. In which he spent the next two hours in discussion with the class about different Enki and their functionality. It was incredible to hear about his classmates' abilities in a theoretical discussion. The sheer potential of a lot of their powers was mind boggling even if most of it wouldn't be accessible during their time at school. Primarily because of mutation limits and Evolutions. Skills that would require energy pools that no mere student would possess.
"Now that you've all had a moment to learn about your fellow classmates. It's time for me to talk about the importance of making you all learn about each other and your abilities." Their teacher threw up a display showing a large oval shaped map.
"During the second semester our class will be competing in the annual first years Protogen season. Every 1st year class participates with games once a week for the 5 months of the semester. With a championship tournament being held during the last month."
Dates popped up onto the screen for the event. With all the classes listed in match-ups for the dates.
"The schedule will be randomized during mid semester break. So we won't know until the start of the season what the matchups will be…and before anyone asks. Everyone is required to participate, no exceptions." A few students looked anxious but most seemed excited for the sport.
"Last year's class 105 finished 3rd and although it is commendable. This class is jam packed with some of the most monstrous 1st years I think I've ever seen." The anxious faces began to melt into smiles.
"Next week we will be holding class elections in which you will nominate a class president and VP. These two elected individuals will also be the team captains for our Protogen team. So make sure you trust them to make executive decisions for the class." The class began to buzz and murmur with some people nodding at others about whether they would accept nominations.
"Now I also realize at least a few of you don't actually know what Protogen is or at the very least don't actually know how it's played. I'm going to go over that now and we also have Field 3 reserved every Friday morning. We will be practicing regularly so get comfortable with your classmates."
It was true Koro actually had no idea what Protogen was. He knew that professional sports and other physical entertainment existed in Unatees but District 2 was essentially a farming community. The younger kids would play futbol and other field sports but by 12 if they didn't go to academy they would go to Workforce Skills or Advanced District Schooling for farming. As D2 was responsible for a majority of the food in Handis, producing thousands of pounds of food stuffs daily. So it was no surprise that everyone was too busy for sports. The knowledge that sports and combat simulations would be a part of his regular day to day made the entire prospect of being here that much better.
"Protogen is at its essence a simulation game based on the heroic acts of the 13 founding members."
"Honor to the 13!" A student suddenly blurted out. With several responding with respectful bows. "Yes thank you Merriam" he put his hands up in a gesture to suggest that everyone calm down.
“All right, so the game is played with two teams, blue and red. With the teams switching sides after the first round. The Red Team is representing the Enoma and will play as defenders and captors.” The display showed a series of red dots on the left side of the map.
“It is their job to defend the captives. These will be any of the Blue Team members who are not playing one of the 13 starting positions.” Small clumps of blue dots appeared near some of the red dots.
“Blue Team's job is to extract at a gate on the other side of the map after rescuing as many captured teammates as is possible.” 13 blue dots appeared on the right side of the map and a blue line appeared on the left end representing the extraction gate.
"Points are awarded each round based on getting eliminations, capturing, rescuing,and extracting. The other important factor is that the field can change round to round and these choices can change how you want to set up. Over the semester we will get into more detail on developing strategies and how to organize the team."
Kenning went over some other details of the game before switching to a discussion of grading and how they could succeed in his class.
This content has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.
Koro's wristband vibrated signaling a notification. Noticing his classmates also getting messages, he flicked his wrist to bring up the message into his vision. Their teacher had sent out grading for the week to show how they did with the tests.
Koro Omni
Baseline Testing
Power Score: 12.3
Enki Aptitude Test: S
Physical Aptitude: A
Enki Adaptability: A
Showcase: A
Notes: Exceeds all expectations for baseline testing.
Special consideration for combat.
Approved for Dueling.
Adaptive learner with positive engagement skills.
Concerns: none
He was ecstatic about his results. Not only was he acing his 1st year, even if it was only week one but he was also approved for Dueling.
Zeke had mentioned that challenges for duels could be initiated by any approved members of the student body. The academy encouraged students to grow and develop outside of class. With the belief being duels were effective ways to solve grievances and help students improve. They used the approval system to make sure students that weren't combat types didn't get abused or bullied through duels. His brother had also mentioned that students weren't usually approved until the end of their first year, sometimes longer.
He'd have to ask Kenning about it when he got a chance. All the same he would duel the first time he got a chance.
A second notification popped up.
Mute Credit earned
Balance:1
Memo: For excellency during week 1
His eyes opened up and a grin spread over his face. The effort had paid off.
The weekend had come and gone as Koro's excitement pushed him to train over the weekend. His big brother even took a moment to spar with him. He also made the mistake of telling his parents he got approved for Dueling. To which his mother immediately attempted to shut down. Saying some nonsense about violence not being the only way to solve problems. He ignored the advice despite defeatedly agreeing with her.
Making it to school early on Monday he ran into Beln in the fields after getting off the shuttle.
"KORO HEY!" the small boy yelled, waving his arms around as he ran over to greet his friend.
"Oh hi Beln, didn't expect to see you this way."
"Yeah station 4" pointing back from the way he came. "That's me" , a proud smile on his face.
"Oh cool man, I'm from 2"
"Well I guess you can't learn everything about someone in just a week" the red haired boy scratched the back of his head.
"Nah that would be boring anyways" as he flashed a smile.
They talked together on the path from the stations towards the massive main building where their class was. A just as impressive quad sprawled before its entrance, where well tended gardens and shrubbery hid seating and encircled a massive fountain that held an effigy of Delson Handis. The member of the 13 that was the city's namesake.
Despite the time of day the quad was already bustling as students gathered in clusters, chatting and studying together. Some seemed to be showing off new skills or using their abilities to perform party tricks.The duo walked past it all gawking or commenting on things that happened around them.
The main building was a structure of wonder as a curved roof came up from the ground at a slant creating a 25 foot overhang protecting the main doors. Several side by side sliding glass doors set into a wall completely made of glass. Students poured in and out of the doors into the Atrium that greeted new arrivals.
The Atrium ceiling stood an easy 50 plus feet featuring a second floor balcony that overlooked the open floor. Two impressive curved staircases followed the curvature of the wall up to it. They knew that the gigantic student cafeteria was located up there and they could see the wide opening from the atrium as students walked in and out for breakfast or a snack before class.
Out in front of them the now familiar hallways opened from the Atrium on the other side of the space. It was split into five hallways, one for each of the attending years of students. So they headed left towards the 1st year hallway.
Light gleamed on the polished white floors that had smooth gold curving design lines dance through it. An opening out to the backfield on the far end of the hallway responsible for the brilliant light and down at the end of the hallway on the left side sat the door for Class 105. The door was open to beckon Mr.Kenning's students to take a seat.
There were a few already there, chatting away. Qyara greeted them and they talked as the class slowly filled before the opening bell rang. All of them, hurrying to fill their seats.
Kenning walked in shortly after the bell not seeming to care as he tapped away at the pad in his hands. "Morning class" he said without looking up. "Good Morning" the class replied back in a cacophony of greetings.
"So last week was exciting to say the least. Week one is always the most jam packed as Baseline has a lot of things to go over. With that out of the way we can start on general academics and more detailed lesson plans. As such…" the usual holo display popped up in front of the class with a schedule.
"Since I like to get boring things out of the way. Mondays will start with History and Economics. The educational department requires that everyone have the same right of information about the way our nation operates and how we got here. So this is a requirement unfortunately, one that you'd see even if you didn't come to Academy. Mathematics and science studies will be every Monday and Wednesday and yes I know we have tech for those things but it is still a requirement. Not to mention that you need to keep your mind sharp not just your bodies" a large groan spread out across the class.
"To offset that, those days will also include practical lessons out in the training halls. I need you all to stay limber if we stand a chance next semester for the games." Koro perked up just a bit at that.
"Tuesdays and Thursdays will be a little different with you all having open afternoons. You may choose to just go home but I highly recommend signing up for an elective, joining a club, or taking advantage of training spaces available on site. Speaking of which, Club Day will be this Thursday and clubs will start meeting next week. So make sure to go check it out."
Koro pondered the thought of joining a club but it sounded…anxiety inducing. It was enough just adjusting to his new classmates, which would have been ten times harder had Beln and Jorum not strong-armed their way into being friends.
"I'll just see about using the training halls, that sounds more my speed" he thought to himself.
Kenning continued "Those mornings we will be doing skills training and assessment. Everything is to help myself and the academy push you in the direction that fits you best for your future time here." He took a deep breath before continuing.
"And of course Friday's will be dedicated to practical lessons where we will learn new techniques and in the later part of the semester we will be training for Protogen as well on those days" the corner of his lip came up slightly. "I have no doubt that this class can do well, possibly even win this year" admiration and a slight sense of greed in his eyes as he spoke.
"With the schedule out of the way, my last agenda note is the matter of Class President and VP. We will be voting on Friday and all nominations need to be in by Thursday end of class. Voting will take place first thing Friday morning. Choose wisely, class."
"Now let's start with those history lessons. Today's topic is the Age of Founding." The whole class groaned in unison as the screen changed and their teacher began speaking over them.