The classroom that Kron was in is currently like a dojo. The students are seated at the edge of the room, leaving an empty space in the center where a large mat was placed. Near the corners of the mat, there are multiple weapon racks containing training weapons. There are also shoji-like doors in each side of the room.
Kron sat as far as possible from Guson but he could see that Guson was irritably looking at him. Luckily for him, there are already many students around and Guson has no plans to get everyone's attention.
Finally, their instructor came and he was actually just in the room behind one of the doors. The instructor was a large brown man wearing a sleeveless martial artist uniform paired with some kind of hand wraps. There were a number of scratches on his face and upper arms which the students have rarely seen. It should be noted that science and healing arts in Daan are far above those of Earth.
"Votan. I'll be your basic combat instructor." Instructor Votan looked around slowly.
A spine-chilling aura was felt by every student as his gaze reached them. Those who were previously talking have now closed their mouth shut. They were only able to settle down when Votan suddenly smiled.
"What are you all getting scared for? Am I that scary?" Votan sarcastically said, walking towards the center of the room. "This is no class for the cowards after all. Then let's start with the boring things first."
What he started discussing first was being an enhanced. It is because all awakened are considered enhanced human. The number of people who failed to adapt in this world and didn't become an enhanced wouldn't even surpass ten. Those who didn't become enhanced have all failed to become awakened and most of them didn't live long. In fact, it is said that only one of them lived long enough to have any significant contribution in this city. Though for those successful, they are able to gather and use the energy found in Daan. These energy can be used to power new technology or cast spells.
The enhanced as its title suggests have their physical capabilities amplified. They are stronger, faster, more intelligent and healthier. As a matter of fact, the awakened don't usually get the same sickness that they got from Earth and even if they did, they are not completely helpless and they recover faster. Other than having new resources to work with, it is also the reason why technology advance faster here. Its like everyone become a pro athlete or a genius with more than 150 IQ. Still, there is quite a distance when compared to a superhuman awakened.
Superhumans are not just a simple thing as being just a glorified enhanced. Superhumans have specific capabilities that is not usually possible for normal humans. Some superhumans can survive not breathing for hours or regenerate a lost limb. The superhumans are said to be mostly divided between the physical and mental related abilities but there is still the rarely found superhumans whose advancement is related to the soul or spirit. Additionally, there are the next level superhumans who unlock an entirely different sets of skills.
Speaking of skills, the Attuned have the most varied skills. The students have already seen this during the fights in the training grounds. The attuned normally have greater control and capacity of Daan's energy. This means that they could also use energy based technology better and they could cast stronger spells. Lastly, of course is their connection with the elements. Each attuned is said to be bonded to an elemental spirit. This elemental spirit becomes their bridge to their respective elemental plane.
As for the Invokers, they were blessed with a world of their own. The world inside them could be a garden that accepts only animals or an armory for guns. This world is said to be so special that any things that they store within it would soon become an extension of their own.
"Now that the boring part is over. Anyone want to volunteer?" Votan asked, rotating around to look for students. "If there is no one then, I'll pick one." He then pointed his index finger at a guy on random. "You! Get over here and introduce yourself."
"I am Olav Uaithne. I am an Inv-" Olav went into the center and introduced himself but was interrupted.
"Nu uh! Don't tell your ability! It would be better to surprise each other don't you think?" Votan moved his index finger left and right, looking at Olav. "So who wants to spar with him?"
No one volunteered again and Votan was forced to pick another guy.
"Pratap Ronan!" The new guy also introduced himself.
"The two of you take this!" Votan gave them some kind of edible medicine. "Remember, avoid too much force. Aim to hurt or at most maim but not kill."
A rectangular barrier was then erected on top of the mat. Olav was made to stand on the far right and Pratap stood on the far left.
"Be careful! I have awakened a sword like no other." Olav warned Pratap, before extending his right hand. "I summon the sword of the watcher!"
A large great sword appeared on his hand. Its hilt was sculpted like black wings. In the middle, there was a circular thing embedded in it. The weight of the sword made Olav twist his right hand until the pointed edge of the sword pierced the mat.
"What is this? This is not the sword that I want." Olav shouted, trying to pick up the sword he summoned.
The people around suddenly started laughing. Instructor Votan started to shake his head. Not only did Olav declared his ability at the start of the fight, he also failed to use it.
"Your sword do look special!" Pratap chuckled. "But if you can't wield it then its useless."
Pratap started gathering energy in his hands then he started murmuring some words which caused the wind essence from within him to mix with the energy. "Prepare to be shredded by the element of wind! Wind! Attack him!"
Olav was so scared as he don't know what to do. He could already feel the flow of the air changing and coming over to him so he tried to hide behind his large sword that is embedded on the ground. He was trying to balance it so it doesn't fall over. But as soon as the wind hit him, the only thing it did was to cause his hair to be blown backward.
"That's it?" Olav frowned then smirked. "You scared me for that?"
Everyone started laughing again. The fight was turning comedic as the two were doing nothing to each other.
If you discover this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.
Olav not wanting to embarrass himself any further, pulled the sword back into his inner world causing it to disappear. "I don't even need a sword to beat you!" He started charging at Pratap.
"Shit! Shit! Why didn't that work?" Pratap seeing Olav charge at him had no choice but to face him head on.
The fight turned into a hand to hand brawl between the two but were stopped by Votan. They were then asked to sit down.
"I won't be angry since this is our first class but next time either train your body to wield that or learn to not summon random weapons." Votan then turned to Pratap. "At least, try to read or learn about the spell that you are using. That was just a wind breeze."
Kron could see that Guson and his friends seem to be having a lot of fun. He couldn't hear what they were saying but he was confident that they are looking down on the two since they were both transported.
The next combatant that was chosen is named Akash. She was a boyish looking girl with short black hair. Against her was a young man who looks like a kid named Erki. Contrary to his looks, Erki looks more than willing to fight. As soon as the battle started Erki summoned a badger like creature. It was small but it had long claws and immediately roared at Akash. Akash found the creature cute but didn't really look down on it.
"Sorry little guy. I don't like losing." Akash' skin grew a bit redder and she had grown a tail.
As soon as the creature attacked, the tail of Akash immediately lashed at the creature. The creature was able to dodge the first few attacks and was even able to counter attack causing Akash to have a bruise on her tail. Still she didn't stop her own attacks and the next lash sent the creature flying. Seeing his creature down, Erki recalled it back. He then ran towards one of the weapon racks and took a short mace and wielded it with both of his hands. He didn't wait for Akash to get near him and he took the initiative to attack her. Unfortunately, Akash' tail was too fast and it coiled at his weapon. Akash then sent two strong punches towards Erki's stomach. Without any hands open to defend, he got hit by the punches directly causing him to stagger and drop down the mat.
"Impressive. You seem to have trained well but you shouldn't just spam your attacks." Votan nodded at Akash before looking at Erki. "You also did well. Unfortunately, your creature didn't have enough growth yet. Additionally, you should have picked a bladed weapon if you are not that confident with your speed. It might be harder for her to take hold of it."
The two thanked the instructor before returning to their seat. Thanks to the medicine given to them, their injuries immediately healed.
"Let's see whos next. You mister why don't you try?" Votan pointed at Kron. "Come up here!"
Kron stood up and moved near the center of the mat. He was currently wearing a long sleeved inner clothing with a green outer jacket-like uniform as he introduced himself to the class.
"Would anyone volunteer to be his opponent or should I pick again?" Votan continued.
"Instructor. I would like to volunteer!" The person who volunteered was the guy beside Guson and he was also one of the 4 people he met yesterday.
Kron already expected it to happen as soon as his name was called. What he didn't expect was that Guson didn't personally volunteer to fight him. Kron already has a theory and he was not that far. He thought that Guson underestimates him and he was right. Guson thinks that Kron was far beneath him and the one he really wanted to fight was actually Ichika. Kron could already see behind the smiles of the two that they are scheming something and he needed to be careful.
"I'm Lanogas." The guy introduced himself, smiling at Kron. "Let's have a good fight." A set of antennae suddenly grew from his forehead. He then ran towards the weapon rack near him and picked a short sword.
As for Kron, he also did the same but he took a spear. He doesn't know what the antennae could do so he needed to maintain distance as he learn about it. The two then slowly walked towards each other and then walked around getting a feel of each other. Kron attacked first with his advantage in reach. Even before he could attack, Lanogas seemed to be dodging already. He could see one of the antennae bended towards him and the other was changing direction randomly.
Seeing an opening, Lanogas then attacked. Kron tried to dodge it but Lanogas matched his moves and the short sword changed in direction. He then stepped back but was still scratched in the neck, causing a visible cut.
Kron further stepped back and touched his neck. There was blood dripping down. "Is he planning to kill me? Should I surrender?"
Lanogas didn't immediately attack again and he seemed to be enjoying Kron's reaction. Seeing Lanogas smiling, Kron remembered his earlier discussion with Ichika.
"No! I can't just surrender without doing everything I can!" Kron thought as he was planning how to attack again. "I need to do something to that Antenna!" Kron could feel that it was the reason why he can't hit and dodge him.
Kron then charged again and targetting the left side of Lanogas' torso. Lanogas, of course was easily able to dodge by bending his body to the right.
"You are open!" Lanogas shouted, hacking his sword at Kron.
To his surprise Kron tried to block the sword with his arm. Lanogos laughed expecting Kron's left arm to be bisected but it didn't happen. The sword seemed to have encountered some armor. It was Kron activating his ability turning his inner uniform sleeves into some kind of steel vambrace. This momentary confusion gave Kron the chance to attack again. He attacked again targeting Lanogas' torso and he successfully hit.
"Ahh!" Lanogas cried out in pain. He tried to swing his sword but it was blocked again.
Kron then pushed the spear deeper, causing Lanogas to drop his sword and focus his two hands to prevent the spear from further pushing in. But Kron was not finished; with Lanogas dropping his sword, his now free left hand reached out towards Lanogas's antennae. Lanogas could understand what Kron was planning to do but he can't easily dodge with a spear stabbed at his stomach.
"I surrender!" Lanogas shouted, as Kron just grabbed his antennae. His antennae was very sensitive and he doesn't know what would happen yet if it would get pulled or cut.
Votan immediately appeared beside the two and stopped the fight. With a snap from Votan's finger the medicine activated causing both of their injuries to heal at a rapid pace. The medicine that Votan gave could be activated in 3 ways. One is sending energy to trigger the medicine. The second was when the user was in a fatal condition and the third was automatic when some time passed after taking the medicine. The downside is that it also uses the energy of the user which would cause them to feel fatigue depending on the intensity of damage that was needed to be cured.
"Not bad. You hid it well kid." Votan smiled at Kron, seemingly understanding that Kron actually have an ability. He then looked at Lanogas. "You could have won if you just kept attacking and not looking down on your opponent."
The class continued with a few more students being chosen to spar. It ended when almost half of them were called. Instructor Votan dismissed the class and said that the remaining students would be sparring during the next session.
"How did you just lose to that no ability transported?" Guson rebuked Lanogas as soon as there was only his group left.
"He was cheating! He has some armor hidden in his clothes!" Lanogas refuted. "I would have won without those."
"What?" Guson scoffed, pausing and then pondering something. "Still, what is the use of those antennae of yours if you can't even detect that!"
"How is that my fault? He must be wearing some special suit. I was only able to feel and hear the vibrations after my sword clashed with his uniform." Lanogas frowned. "I'll take him down next time."
"Hmph! No need. I'll beat him personally next time!" Guson said.
-----------
Kron still couldn't believe that he actually won. This was the second time he felt like he could really do something. The first one was when he killed the pebble deer creature. This time though felt even better because he was able to successfully use his ability of his own free will and not just luck. Still, he knew that his challenges are just starting. He might not be as lucky next time and he doesn't know yet how strong his other classmates are.
The last class that Kron took for the day was the basic environment knowledge class. He thought that the class would start with some type of long lectures like the other classes but he was badly mistaken. The class was immediately divided into groups and they were immediately placed in a simulated environment.