I look straight ahead into the eyes of the girl sitting in front of me. She's sitting in the teacher's chair behind the desk. If I knew that chair was a valid target to sit in, I would have asked professor Carmichael for permission, but now it's too late since the bob-haired girl took it for herself.
Taking this awkward silence as an opportunity, I look around the room. This disciplinary station seems to be more of a personnel office. In my opinion, I'd imagine whips and chains hanging on the walls, but instead, it's more of a cozy office feel. Personal items litter the room, and what I believe are photos of the pets professor Carmichael owns. I liked the atmosphere, but the awkward silence was too much for the bob-haired girl.
"Why are you staring at me?"
"What's your name? I've been calling you a bob-haired girl in my mind and it's getting quite old." She seemed surprised at this random statement.
"My name is Amelia. I'm in my second year at Bluefield Institute. I'm a swordswoman."
When she said her name, she touched her hair subconsciously. Maybe because she was contemplating that Bob-haired girl is probably an accurate nickname for her.
"What do you mean by 'second year?' I read in the pamphlet that you could graduate in one year or less?"
She looks at me funny like I said something stupid. I know I rarely say anything stupid, so something must be wrong.
"Well... you could graduate in one year if you are an S-Class student. The average is 4 to 6 years since some students had no connections to any mana before awakening their system. Their first year would be basic information that all mana users should know. After that, it's more practical to study things to prepare you for the real world, where you could get a job after graduating."
Amelia tells me all this new information that I skipped from the pamphlet after reading the first line, "students could graduate within a year." I realize the predicament I am in now. I'll have to stay at this institute for six years unless I can become an S-Class student.
I don't feel too good. To take my mind off my future, I look at my [Status] since I remember a notification I ignored.
[Congratulations, User. A skill has unlocked.]
[Donkey Punch B lv1:
Also known as a sucker punch, this abrupt attack can cause immense damage to those not prepared for it. Critical Hits Ignore Armor
DMG = Might + Agility
Cool Down 1 hour]
I looked blankly at this new ability. I should thank Arlug. To think I would acquire my highest-ranked skill after bashing him in the nose. Oh, but that's not all.
~
Name: Ellis Vincere. Race: Human
Nickname: The Last Winner.
Level: 1 (25/100)
Class: Tamer (Rank D)
Titles: Proud Owner of a Rock
~
I seemed to gain a bit of experience. I thought Arlug would give more. I guess I got less since I technically didn't kill him. I also got a title. I thought they were supposed to be rare. I wonder what it does.
[Proud Owner of a Rock:
All rocks get +5 Vigor, +5 Affinity to rocks]
Why is there no rank? Also, does that mean Flash Gordon has a status? I quickly use [Inspect] on Flash Gordon.
Name: Flash Gordon.
Nickname: Flash Gordon
Species: Rock (Normal Rock)
Level: 1 (25/100)
~
You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author.
Health Points: 75/75
Mana Points: 0/0
Armor Points: 5
~
Might: 0
Agility: 0
Vigor: 15 (10 + 5)
Mind: 0
Spirit: 0
Luck: 5
~
Traits:
Hard as Stone E
Armor is increased by 5
~
Skills:
Who needs Might anyway (A)
Damage is calculated with Vigor instead of Might.
~
What is this [Status]? Why is Flash Gordon listed as a "normal rock?" Flash Gordon is a legendary rock, at minimum. Also, why does he have a higher luck stat than me? The universe says I'm not luckier than a rock. I see how I knocked out Arlug now. I probably did around 45 damage to him using [Donkey Punch] with Flash Gordon. His [Vigor] added to the damage. Wait, how does a rock have Vigor anyway?
"Is that rock really your tamed creature? Can it do anything?"
"Of course, Flash Gordon can do things. Didn't you see him knock out our Arlug in a single strike?"
"You're the one who swung at him. Oh, you probably had the level advantage." She nods to herself like she just solved a great mystery.
That's where she's wrong, but there is one exception. Arlug could have somehow transcended into the negatives.
"I'm level one."
"There's no way you are level one." She looks at me with confusion. Maybe she believes I'm too powerful for a meager level one.
"The minimum for students to apply to Blue Field Institute is level five," she states. She then looks at me like I'm stupid. I'm not stupid.
"Huh?"
"And that's not even a hard thing to accomplish. You can gain levels before the system is available to you. Usually, the ones that have more levels are the ones that have classes that relate to their lives. I've been training with a sword since I was a kid. I awoke with my swordswomen class at level ten."
I have the class [Tamer], and if you exclude Flash Gordon, I never tamed another creature. I don't think I even befriended anything else. Plus, dogs hate me, and I don't know why. And it's not like my parents would take me to the zoo to jump into the gorilla exhibit and try to befriend my fellow apes. Tamers don't only tame creatures. They use them to fight their battles. Maybe I should have started an illegal cockfighting ring like that forum post on the internet said.
I blame my bad luck.
Amelia seemed to be the type of person who liked to teach others. She talked to me for the rest of the time about the school and its various facilities that, as a student, I can use for free. She also tells me that general classes have schedules. If you don't meet expectations, your school grade will drop. If you do too badly, you'll get kicked from the institute.
Two hours passed, and I quickly made my way to the first class. I was the first one there, so I picked the seat closest to the door. Many people start to show up, filling up the indoor auditorium. The board already has the words "World History 101" written in mana chalk. Professor Carmichael walks into the classroom, causing most students to focus on her and her appearance.
"Welcome new students, I'm professor Carmichael, and I will teach you about world history."
I believe that this class is unnecessary. Most of the stuff I'm going to learn about is stuff I already know. Great Upheaval, The Collision, all the usual stuff is already covered.
"First thing, if the enchantments on your uniform have not activated, don't worry. By the end of my lecture, everything should be working properly."
She makes eye contact with me for a second before continuing with her introduction.
"I know world history is a bore, so I took liberties and changed the curriculum slightly. At least for us humans, the world wouldn't be here if it wasn't for the First Generation. The land we are currently standing in, The Prime Territories, was taken back from the monsters by The Silver Conqueror."
The mention of my grandfather perks me up, but then she went on to mention things I already know. Gramps was born at the tail end of the Great Upheaval and lived through the Collision. When he was twenty, he led his armies against the waves of monsters seizing human cities. He caught the eye of the Undying Warrior, the leader of the first party of humans who ventured into fractured space to find creatures and resources hidden away. The lowest-ranking member was S+. She talks about how Gramps, with the support of the Undying Party, created the Prime Territories, The prime country the humans own.
In my notebook, I start to doodle a picture of my grandfather. He must have conquered male pattern baldness because he had a full head of hair. It used to be platinum-like mine, but it turned stark white with his age. He had such intense eyes. If eyes are the window to the soul, then grandfather's soul was big and bright. His hands were big and rough, but he always held me like he was afraid to hurt somebody. He stayed active even in his old age, more muscular than I am right now, taller than me too. I might be misremembering since my frame of reference is when I was eight. Grandfather had wrinkles showing his age. He was 160 years old when he disappeared.
"Who are you drawing?"
I look up quickly and see professor Carmichael looking down at my drawing. The drawing could be mistaken for a black-and-white photo. My mother always did praise my art skills.
I don't answer her right away. I instead take the time to look around. I'm the only student still in the auditorium.
"It's my grandfather." I don't see the point in lying. Saying it's someone else will not change the fact I wasn't paying attention to her lecture.
"That Grandfather?"
"Yes"
"Can I have it, the picture?"
I rip the paper out of the notebook and look at my professor. She looks at me with gleaming eyes that cause a shiver to run down my spine. I don't like this passion she has for my grandfather's likeness. I hesitate an answer.
"I'll remove the remaining detention you have for the drawing."
"You can do that?"
"Of course, I can. Who do you think I am?" She puffs up with pride.
I don't know who she is, but she probably knows about my grandfather. The man behind the Conqueror's Helmet is an open mystery. His last name Vincere is public knowledge, but only those who were around when he was actively fighting remembered what he looked like, excluding his own family, of course.
"I can draw more. Will that get me out of trouble in the future?" When I blinked, professor Charmicheal took the drawing from my hands.
"You should head to the next class, Ellis."
I take the hint and leave before she changes her mind about removing my punishment. Luck be damned. Getting out of detention from one drawing feels pretty good.