"Do you mean that you really have more elements?" Kron asked, almost shouting due to his amazement.
"No! I don't mean that. Do you remember when I threw something at that creature?" Ichika bit her lips, as if reminiscing the fear that she felt. "I was about to escape by myself before that."
"Its fine because you-" Kron was about to encourage her. He didn't want her to feel bad but it seems he didn't need to.
"No. Let me continue." Ichika raised her palm, stopping Kron from speaking. "but I also felt that I can't just leave you there. When I decided to help, I suddenly felt something different change in me."
"I also felt that! I felt that I got stronger during that time."
"Yes that. But I don't just meant being physically stronger. My awareness got better. My calculations got better. I could perceive things better and was able to calm myself and help you. I have never made or thrown a bolas before." She continued. Her voice was filled with apprehension as she narrated what happened.
"But isn't that maybe just a result of being an enhanced?" Kron rhetorically said, trying to make sense of what he heard. "Or maybe you have also gotten some superhuman awakening?"
"You could be right and that was also my point. Do you remember the murals I saw after being exposed to that crystal?" Ichika paused, inhaling then exhaling deeply.
Ichika explained that she woke up in a circular room. The walls around her were filled with murals that depicted different kind of worlds. The problem was that they were all incomplete. The figures in each mural were missing something important; whether it was a part of the humanoids or the animals that she didn't recognize or the terrain and the structures in the area. In addition to the murals, there was a well in the center of the room, multiple colored dyes made from grinded plants and inks that could have been made from blood or some type of animal secretion. Lastly, there was a singular large glowing white light above.
At first she didn't know what to do. But when she looked at the well, images started to show that proceeded to enter her mind. She then took the dyes and the inks and started completing the murals subconsciously. The first mural was just a black filled rectangle and what she added were colorful dots and lights. When she finished the first mural, she woke up from her trance and she saw a painting of the cosmos. The most important thing was that there was a second, a third and a fourth light around the first light. That was when she felt the connection with the fire, water and lightning elements. She didn't know much about the white light but she could feel that her enhanced abilities was because of it.
"What I wanted to say was that maybe we have properly awakened even before we are exposed! Not just enhanced." Ichika crossed her two hands like she was praying. It seems she was trying to contain her elation. "Maybe the crystal gave us something new or empowered us."
Kron already knew about the crystal. During their class breakfast last time, Aika told him a lot about it. He learned that people can awaken even without being exposed to the crystal but the catch was that they were mostly natives of this world. This meant that they have been exposed to the Daan's environment since they were born. Now that Kron knew that he has an ability and he actually used it against the creature then he can't reject the fact that he actually awakened by himself for just minutes of being here. Another issue was that Ichika was indirectly telling him that she might have awakened a second time which Aika said was not possible or at least she never heard of. She also said that getting exposed to a crystal after awakening would just get your abilities improved.
"Assuming that you are correct then I do agree that you might be really special and you must also hide that fact for now," Kron smiled at Ichika then paused. He was thinking about his own experience. He only saw a single door and nothing else but he still hasn't seen what was behind that door so there was a chance that Ichika's hypothesis also applies to him. "As for me, I think I'll also take it into consideration. I don't think I've got another ability but my ability is already flexible enough."
"I'm special?" Ichika frowned momentarily before shaking her head. "Well, enough about those things. Have you already thought what you should do? I got a suggestion."
"Let me guess!" Kron nudged his own nose. "You want me to cover up my ability as being an Attuned?"
"How did you know?" Ichika's eyes opened wide with surprise. "Don't tell me that you have telepathy? Hmm.. do you have an element in mind now?"
"Don't joke around. I'm not that lucky." Kron smiled thinking that he might actually got smarter. "Well, metal would be safe since that's what I'm practicing the most."
Ichika stared at Kron sharply as if trying to read his mind. "Are you sure you don't have telepathy? I was also thinking of that!"
Kron softly flicked her forehead. "Okay, stop with that! Shouldn't you be passing your application?"
"Oh yeah! This is your fault for distracting me! Let's go!" Ichika pulled Kron away.
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The group of people applying for the Combatant curriculum can't even be compared to those in the Scholar's Hall. Just the spectacular experience they got from seeing how awakened fought was enough to make most of them apply. Those of the combatant class are on average the strongest students on the campus. Additionally, they are also the most varied. This means that more abilities fit into this path. It should be noted though that the group of applicants are grouped into two. One is for the actual combatants and the other one was support.
Kron looked around, checking out the group of people hanging around. "This is a lot of people. Shouldn't you have submitted your application earlier?"
"With this many people applying, I doubt they will just base it on who applied first." Ichika activated her magical circuit. "But I think I have some advantage to others."
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Resident# : 245,671,144
Name: Ichika Kaneko
Place of Origin: Earth
Stature: J (Newcomer)
Academia: Dracanae Institute (Probationary Phase)
Affiliations: None
....
Classifications: Enhanced, Attuned (Fire, Water)
Positions: N/A
....
Credits: 940
Notes: Possibility of being Superhuman
################
"Wait! They suspect you of being superhuman?" Kron frowned then forcing a smile. "At least they don't suspect you of being attuned to Lightning."
"Hmph!" Ichika snorted. "I doubt that. I believe that bitchy representative from Anthurium and that attuned expert from Acanthus actually knew it."
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"Then you meant," Kron nodded his head. "I see. They probably didn't report it as they don't want you to look that great in Dracanae and they could easily take you from here."
"You are thinking too much. Wait for me here! I'll pass my application first." Ichika walked away, before turning around looking at Kron. "Why don't you try applying too? You also want too right?"
Kron looked sideways. "But I already applied for the Scholar path!"
"Well, who said that you can't apply for both. Come!" Ichika signaled him to come.
The two went to different booths just like what Kron did before with Min-Joon. They then filled up some forms regarding resident number, reason for applying, position desired, etc.
"Based on my files, you already applied to the Scholar's path." The attendant said.
"Uhh, yes!" Kron nodded.
"Hmm.." The attendant frowned. "Are you just taking all paths to check where would you pass?"
Kron shook his head. "No.. No.. I really also want to try this."
"You don't even have an ability. "The attendant sighed, either of pity or sadness. "Fine. I'll tell take this. But actually, for newcomers this application is not really important unless you have unlocked some wondrous skills.
The attendant presented to Kron what really happens after application. For most students, they would be taking similar classes for the first quarter. Each of those classes are a requirement for different paths. This means that they need to pass the required subject for the path that they want. If they pass all of them then they would be able to choose and take the special classes to their chosen path and is finally considered an actual student of that path. Alternatively, they could also take multiple paths like a multiple degree. It is harder to do but many actually do it because it is beneficial for a lot of positions.
After talking with the attendant, Kron took a look at his information again.
################
Resident# : 245,671,143
Name: Kron Alpas
....
....
Classifications: Enhanced
Positions: N/A
....
Notes: Scholar (Waitlisted), Applied for Combatant positions
################
"Hey you!" A slim guy sitting on couch shouted at Kron as he walked quite a distance away from the attendant's window. The guy was currently seated together with 3 more people.
Kron turned and looked at the group. "I don't think I know them. I haven't seen them before in the cabin. Are they natives?"
"Are you deaf?" The guy repeated. "Come here!"
Kron habitually walked towards them. He was shaking a little bit. "Is there anything I can do for you?"
"Did I hear that right? You don't have an ability?" The guy seemed to have a superhuman hearing. The 4 then started to laugh together. "And you are applying for a combatant role?"
"I was just try-" Kron started to mutter.
"Be quiet. What can you even do? Cheer? Bring food to actual combatants?" One other guy who was short but bulky said and they laughed again.
"Kron. Let's go! Why are you wasting time with them?" Ichika appeared beside Kron, pulling at his clothes. She seemed to be ignoring the other four.
Kron's trembling suddenly stopped and he calmed down. "Yeah, let's go!" He then turned around.
"Huh? Are you ignoring us? Miss! Why don't you come and join us here?" The largest of the 4 said, standing up. He has long arms and legs.
"Not her Gus. Let them be!" The man with superhuman hearing said, pulling at his friend to sit down. The reason that they are currently sitting here seemed to be because they are trying to find information regarding the new combatant applicants.
"What are you getting scared Kush? They are non natives, we have been enhanced since we are a child." Guson replied, before looking at Ichika. "What do you say?"
Kron and Ichika continued walking away but Ichika didn't totally ignored Guson. Two water bullets abruptly formed beside her ears and launched towards the eyes of Gus. Gus was not able to react due to the speed of the bullet and he got scared. Luckily, the bullets stopped just before hitting then they disappeared.
"You!" Guson was closing his fists hard due to anger. He wanted to shout at her but they might attract a lot of attention around. "I'll make them pay if I ever meet them in class!" He whispered.
The two didn't really talk much until they were some distance away from the training grounds.
"Hey Kron!" Ichika said, staring directly at him.
Kron started to get nervous. Ichika seemed angry and her face was just a few centimeters away. "Why? Is there something wrong?"
"What are you getting so scared back then?" Ichika asked.
Kron looked away, biting at his lips. "Well, there was 4 of them and I don't want to cause any trouble."
"Is that so?" She moved her head away as she seemed to have calmed down. "So if there was only 1 of them then you won't be afraid."
"Of course! Why would I be?" Kron answered quickly, smiling.
Ichika didn't want to pressure him any further but she could see with her heightened awareness that Kron was not actually that convincing.
The two then returned to their respective rooms. For the next few days, they just prepared for the start of the basic classes.
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World History, Basic World Knowledge, Basic Combat Knowledge and Basic Environment Knowledge are the classes that Kron was required to attend. World History was required for all the non-natives to get. Basic World Knowledge is the prerequisite for the Scholar's path, Basic Combat Knowledge is the prerequisite for the Combatant path and the Basic Environment Knowledge is needed for the Vanguard path.
Luckily for Kron, it seems that he was together with Min-Joon for his first class. Unlike him though, Min-Joon is already accepted as a Scholar student so he was safe even if he failed this subject. Of course, it would not look good for those who are already accepted to fail. There were currently 40 of them in the class and half of them are already accepted. For the rest they just need to pass the subject by the end of the quarter to finally be accepted. The class was divided fairly between natives and the transported. This was also true for the gender in the class which half was male and half was female.
The lessons immediately started and right now it was not that hard. It was mostly memorization and a lot of the things that came out were things that Kron have already read with Min-Joon in the library. As for his classmates, it seems that none of them are actually talkative and everyone were quietly listening and occasionally asking questions. The subject was honestly quite boring for most of the time for regular people. Fortunately, the students here are not like most people and they seem to actually enjoy learning.
Kron didn't really get to know more about his classmates other than their names when they introduced themselves during the start of the class. Still, it was mentioned by their professor that they would soon need to form groups for their activities so he would need to know some of them.
His next class was World History. The great thing about this though is that he was with both Ichika and Min-Joon. Elijah and Cahira were also seated near them. The class discussed about the first group of humans that were sent here. It discussed how many of them died and found this place together with the first 3 awakening crystals. They learned of its ability to awaken each people's potential. After living here for a long time. They also learned that they did not only get stronger but their lifespan seemed to have gotten longer. They seemed to stop aging physically at a certain age. Soon, they were able to create a small village for the survivors.
But the time came when they thought that they were safe until other beings found them and started attacking. The founders called them the invaders and it is the reason that this mega city is walled. They wanted to take the crystals for themselves so a clash between the two groups ensued. The result was that many died from both sides and the invaders failed and were forced to retreat. Due to that attack, they learned that they need to collect other crystals before the invaders do. Otherwise, the time will come when everything will end. Right now though, only 2 other crystals were found and how it was gotten was not explained in their class.
Contrary to what most students thought, the history class didn't actually bore them. Instead, they learned very important things. One, they are not actually completely safe inside the city because anytime invaders could attack. The second one is the true reason for why venturing groups are being sent out. At first, they thought it was just to find new source of food but it was actually for the crystals.
Finally came the combat classes and unlike the two other classes, it seems that Kron would not have a peaceful time. First, Ichika seemed to be in a different class than him. Second, he could see the faces of 2 of the 4 people who targeted him yesterday and one of them was Guson. In fact, even without Guson, Kron might still have a hard time. The reason is that there are close to 80 students in their class; half of them have already been accepted and the half would need to compete for 20 more slots. Unless, they have some specific support related ability then they need to avoid being in the bottom 20. Otherwise, they need to repeat or choose some other path.