- Strength: 214
- Speed: 236
- Stamina: 220
- Endurance: 223
- Durability: 215
- Mana: 110
- Soul Rank: Stable
- Soul Color: Black
Decent.
Name: Elaine Bome
- Strength: 190
- Speed: 208
- Stamina: 218
- Endurance: 220
- Durability: 205
- Mana: 120
- Soul Rank: Stable
- Soul Color: Black
Meh.
Name: Beric Bome
- Strength: 161
- Speed: 166
- Stamina: 179
- Endurance: 184
- Durability: 163
- Mana: 191
- Soul Rank: Tarnished
- Soul Color: Purple
Hmm…….Okay, I now have a general understanding of my classmates' average stats. As you just saw, Arthur and Elaine’s abilities are fairly typical—not particularly weak, but nothing remarkable either. Apart from Arthur’s speed and Elaine’s endurance, their overall stats are fairly unexceptional. The same can be said for most of the class, with the exceptions of Rune and Orion.
“Students, what are the four main classes of magic?” Ms. Lonnie asked while setting up her table.
A brown haired male student raised his hand.
“Yes, Tobias?”
“Arcane, Elemental, Divine, and Cursed.”
“That’s right.” She then started walking around the students, placing a book on top of each desk. “Now, who can tell me more about them? What’s so special about these classes?”
It was Elaine who answered this time. “Arcane magic constitutes the style of unspecific magic, such as barriers and mana missiles. It focuses on pure mana itself for spells, such as summoning and enchanting.”
“Splendid. Elemental?”
Rune was up next. “Elemental magic is fire, water, earth, and wind. It’s also capable of combining these four prime styles into subsets, such as lightning, which is formed from wind and water.”
“Good, good.” Finishing up, Ms. Lonnie returned to her desk. “Let’s see…….” Her eyes gazed around the room, looking for someone who wasn’t paying attention. Of course, her eyes fell on Arthur, who was busy goofing off with his friends.
“Arthur.”
Arthur’s entire body jumped in response. “Uh, yeah, Ms. Lonnie?”
“Could you tell me what Divine and Cursed magic is?”
“........No?”
Ms. Lonnie folded her arms. “I didn’t ask you if you could. I asked you what they are.”
Arthur hung his head in shame.
Rune smirked at that. Of course, he looked ugly doing it.
Ms. Lonnie scanned the room once more, until her eyes fell on me. “Beric.”
All other eyes went to me as well, a sight that I was used to seeing, but still despised.
Glsdoul ckulkc.
“Huh?”
Oh sorry, I was eating. I said good luck.
“Sure you ate. What’d you have, a good helping of watts?”
Yeah.
“......Actually?”
They taste pretty good, you know. They have a…..kick to them, if you know what I’m saying.
“Kick to-Okay, stop. Just tell me what to say.”
Huh? What do you mean?
“Divine and Cursed magic. What they are, usages, whatever.”
Oh, man, that’s easy. Divine is like good magic, and Cursed is like…..bad magic.
“Are you being for real?”
Kinda. That’s what they are, good magic and bad magic.
“Oh my goodness-Okay, just shut up. I’ll handle it.” From what I understand, Divine magic is essentially light magic, while Cursed magic is just dark magic. However, there’s clearly more to them than just that. If we consider Divine magic as light-based, we can guess some of its uses from the games back on Earth. Let’s see……..In some games, light magic allows for healing, increased damage against demons, and even the creation of weapons made from pure light. Cursed magic, on the other hand, is more straightforward—it’s typically associated with demons and often involves blood magic and the dark arts. However, since humans can wield it as well, it might also encompass shadow magic. If that’s the case, it could be useful for stealth tactics…….
I looked right at Ms. Lonnie as I prepared to speak. There was no point in dragging it out any longer. "Divine magic originates from the churches devoted to the gods, with a user's mastery being determined by their faith and the blessings they receive. This magic is particularly effective against creatures such as the undead and demons. Aside from offense, Divine magic excels in healing, support, and even the creation of objects from pure light, much like Arcane magic. Cursed magic, on the other hand, focuses on darkness. One notable substyle is shadow magic, which utilizes stealth and concealment. While not all users of Cursed magic are evil, many have used forbidden techniques, such as blood magic. Additionally, Cursed magic is infamous for being the primary magical art of demonkind."
The entire class was quiet after that. It seemed that everyone was surprised by what I just said. Ms. Lonnie’s eyes could scarcely believe that these words came from the mouth of a five year old.
See what I mean? No one wanted to hear all of that.
“That is…….correct.” Ms. Lonnie smiled out of awe and puzzlement.
The reaction was shared by many, especially by Arthur who bragged about how I was his brother. Rune tsked in annoyance and glared at me. Elaine…….simply stared at me. A bit of an odd reaction.
Don’t let their reaction confuse you. They may look like they enjoyed that, but really, they were bored out of their minds, listening to you-
“That’s exactly what’s happening with you and me.”
………Damn.
Ms. Lonnie clapped her hands. “Alright, now that we reviewed the four classes of magic, let’s begin reading.”
Arthur let out an audible groan.
Ms. Lonnie didn’t miss that. “Oh, Arthur? It sounds like you’re very excited. How about you read first?”
Arthur’s friends laughed at him as he awkwardly stood up and began reciting the text.
“At the start, there was none. Black and grim, the world was empty. It was only due to the Triad of Creation that the world was filled.”
Triad of Creation? Sounds like they’re the gods of this world. Hmm, maybe going here won’t be a waste of time after all.
"Zaryondor, the dragon god, was born from a colossal egg. Upon hatching, the remnants of his shell scattered across the world, giving shape to the land. The nourishing fluids that once sustained him within the egg dripped downward, gradually forming the vast oceans and winding rivers. Now free, Zaryondor soared through the skies, his shimmering scales shedding as he flew, shaping the towering mountains and rugged landscapes below. As an infant, he underwent the natural process of molting, shedding his fangs and teeth, which ascended into the heavens and became the stars that illuminate the night sky. With the passage of time, Zaryondor reached maturity, his wings attaining their full power. When consumed by fury, a single mighty flap could stir violent storms, ravaging both land and sea. To this day, Zaryondor continues his eternal flight around the world, causing the world to turn with each flight. This is why the world spins."
Dragon god. As expected. There’s usually one or two of those in a fantasy manga.
“Good job Arthur! You didn’t even stutter once that entire time!” Ms. Lonnie was super happy for Arthur.
Arthur grinned in response as he sat back down.
“That’s funny. Imagine being such a bad reader that not stuttering is seen as something to be happy about.” Rune voiced with an ugly smirk.
A group of students laughed near Rune.
Hitchhikers. The people who do whatever they can to stick with the person who’s most ahead. They laugh at their jokes, do whatever they say, feed their bloated egos, all to ensure that they can stay on. Selfish imbeciles.
Arthur’s smile went away as he glared at Rune.
Rune simply smiled back, provoking Arthur to start something.
Ms. Lonnie was quick on moving things along. “Alright, Elaine, can you read next
for us?”
Elaine nodded her head as she stood up. Clearing her throat, she read the next passage.
"The egg of Zaryondor was laid by Nyxiss, a gargantuan serpent who coils around the world, holding it together with her immense form. As the world's eternal guardian, she must remain ever watchful, ensuring its stability for all time. To grant herself moments of rest without forsaking her duty, Nyxiss keeps only one eye open at a time. At night, she opens her pale left eye, casting a gentle glow upon the land. When day arrives, she closes it and opens her crimson right eye, bathing the world in light. This is why the sun and moon exist together in perfect harmony."
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I don’t really see how a snake can lay a dragon egg, but eh, who am I to know? Gods and their mythologies never make sense.
“Amazing job, Elaine!”
Elaine shyly smiled and sat back down.
“Hmmm….” Ms. Lonnie began looking for her next reader. Of course, no one was volunteering……..except for one student.
Ms. Lonnie noticed him too. Rune was raising his hand, even waving it to attract Ms. Lonnie’s attention. Ms. Lonnie made sure to ignore him……..shit, she’s looking at me.
“Well, since Arthur and Elaine have already gone, why not finish the trio of siblings? Beric, do you mind reading for us?”
“Do you think I can refuse?”
If you do, you already know what Rune’s going to say.
Tch. That’s true.
“I can read.” Standing up, I took a small pause as I readied myself.
“The last of the Triad is Unknown.”
…….Wait, actually? Is it actually unknown?
Keep reading.
"Unknown is the entity that bestowed life upon the world. They first created the soul with a gentle breath and formed the body to house it with a tender touch. After man’s creation, Unknown allowed them to live as they wished. However, perceiving that the world remained desolate, Unknown brought forth additional creatures to coexist with humanity. Animals, fish, birds, giants, goblins, slimes, and orcs were all part of the new collective that Unknown introduced. Even then, the world still appeared unexciting to Unknown, so they exhaled another breath—a breath that entered the nostrils of all living beings, giving rise to the mana flow. Through this, Unknown gifted the world with magic. To help regulate this newfound power, Unknown created the Magical Deities. Satisfied that the world now brimmed with endless possibilities and wonder, Unknown relinquished their role as Creator. Now, they watch as an unseen spectator, delighting in the unfolding drama of existence. This is why they are known as Unknown."
Ms. Lonnie clapped her hands. “Outstanding job, Beric!”
Thank god I’m young. It would have been embarrassing if I had a voice crack.
Sitting back down, my mind started to wander off as Ms. Lonnie began choosing the next reader.
I wonder what Ms. Lonnie’s stats are like?
Name: Elfrida Lonnie
- Strength: 974
- Speed: 1013
- Stamina: 1068
- Endurance: 1103
- Durability: 893
- Mana: 1409
- Soul Rank: Stable
- Soul Color: Green
Holy shit. Am I seeing this right? 1409 for mana?
She’s your teacher for a reason.
I know but…….1409? And a Green soul? What’s she doing here as a teacher for village bumpkins?
You heard what Rune said. She came from the city, but she couldn’t get a job so she took up a post here.
How’s that even possible? Aren’t stats like these amazing?
They are, especially for her age. She’s only in her early 20’s. Typically, people around her age only just now reach Blue.
Damn……..Was she just unlucky?.......Or are the people of this world just that strong?
“Rachel, you’re up.”
A brown haired girl stood up and began reading.
I have to be honest, since the book was now heading into the history of the first civilizations and the beginning of kingdoms, I sort of dozed off. It wasn’t very interesting. But, what did keep me awake was the sudden realization that I hadn’t checked Matthias’ stats yet. Sure, it was probably going to be nothing special, but hey, might as well check.
Name: Matthias Thorbon
- Strength: 192
- Speed: 203
- Stamina: 208
- Endurance: 202
- Durability: 197
- Mana: 161
- Soul Rank: Ethereal
- Soul Color: Purple
Wait, what? 161 mana? Ethereal?........Interesting. Matthias Thorbon, I’ll have to keep a close eye on you.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Oh shit, I actually fell asleep. “Sys, why didn’t you wake me up?”
Relax, school’s just about to end. And besides, nobody noticed you sleeping.
Wiping the drool of my mouth, I strained my eyes to see what was happening. Through my drowsy eyes, I could see that the class was in a sort of “study-hall” period. Some students were reading books, while Arthur and his friends were laughing and cracking jokes. Rune and his band of followers were sneakily laughing at Arthur and Elaine.
Good, I didn’t miss much.
Yawning, I opened my book to pretend that I was reading. If Sys was right, then soon, school should b-
“Students, time’s up.” Ms. Lonnie announced as she flipped an hourglass. “Pack up your belongings and go home.”
Arthur was the first to leave, leaving everyone in the dust.
“I expect tomorrow to go just as well as today. Good job everyone, and Arthur who’s already gone.”
I began packing up as well. Slinging my small sachet to my side, I brought my book to Ms. Lonnie’s table. Before I left, she said to me, “You did excellent, Beric.”
Awkwardly thanking her, I turned to leave, but she stopped me again. Pulling me in close, she whispered, “When Elder Walden is ready, he’ll begin tutoring you on magic. I’ll tell you when that time comes.”
Sweet.
Thanking Ms. Lonnie for the lessons to which I barely paid attention to, I left the school. Hurrying to catch up to Arthur, I realized midway that there was no point in doing that. Instead, I veered off the path to take a small leak.
Seriously?
“You always have to pee after waking up. It’s human nature.”
Finishing my business, I returned to the path. But, before I continued further, I heard a loud commotion to my left, off the path and into the forest. It didn’t sound like animals, but rather the voices of guys.
Woah, no need to include yourself in that.
“That’s true……..buuuuuuut…….I am interested.”
Beric, curiosity killed the cat. You should never go towards sketchy places like the forest just because you heard the sounds of-.......You’re already going, aren’t you?
“Huh? Oh, I’m already here.”
I hid myself behind a bush to see what the commotion was.
Peeking through, I caught glimpses of a small fight. From what I could see and hear, it was Rune and Orion standing over Matthias.
“I really don’t want to hurt you.” Rune said as he squatted. He grabbed Matthias by the hair. “Just comply and we won’t bother you any further.”
……..Yeah, maybe I shouldn’t have come here.
“I’m not doing it.” Matthias responded in a raspy voice.
Rune let out a deep sigh. “Do it.”
Instantly, Orion kicked the side of Matthias’ face. The blow sent him to the base of a tree.
Ouch.
“You’re making this more difficult than it has to be.” Rune walked up to Matthias.
As Matthias layed like a dead man on the ground, he coughed up blood, quickly using his sleeve to clean it up. “I’m not hurting some kid just to please your ego.”
Wait, this is about me?
“Oh, now you care about this random kid?”
Matthias helped himself up into a sitting position. “Not really, but I do care about how you make my life a living hell. If you want to bully this kid, then sure, go ahead. But don’t drag me into it. You’re more than capable of doing it on your own.”
“Ugh, that’s the problem, Matthias. Don’t you see that it’d be obvious Ms. Lonnie would suspect me if something were to happen to Beric? That’s why I need you to take the blame.”
Matthias laughed in disbelief. “You want me to take the blame?”
“Of course. You’re the perfect scapegoat. You sit right next to Beric, and you’re a dirty, lonely, village bum who’d do anything to save his own skin. If needed, I can fabricate an alibi, and insist that you did it of your own accord to appease me. There’s no real evidence that can be linked back to this meeting.”
Matthias simply stared back. No words were exchanged between the two, until Matthias turned to look at the ground. “I still refuse to do it.”
Rune didn’t seem to like that answer. “Orion, help our friend come to an understanding.”
He’s going to get his shit rocked.
And yet you’re hiding here doing nothing.
“What do you want me to do? I’m a five-year old! Do you want me to go get Ms. Lonnie or something?”
That’s not a bad idea.
“Alright, fine.” I carefully stood up and began silently creeping back to t- *crack*
……………………………..
……………………………..
I looked down to see a broken twig.
…….Be for real. Are you doing this on purpose?
“Okay, I swear on everything that twig just spawned there. It was not here when I first came here.”
Unfortunately, the three heard it. Rune and Orion’s eyes quickly scanned for the source. I tried my best to go back into the bushes, but I was too slow to evade the eye of Rune, who smiled mischievously upon seeing my pitiful attempt.
“Hold off, Orion.” Rune then began walking towards my bush. “Beric, didn’t your parents teach you to mind your own business? But then again, I don’t expect your family to know of basic manners.”
He then grabbed me by the back of my tunic and forcefully dragged me to Orion and Matthias.
There was honestly no point in resisting, so I just let it happen.
“Awfully calm, eh Beric?” Rune then threw me next to Matthias.
Matthias had the same look as before, aside from a hint of surprise within his eyes.
“Well, Orion, what should we do with our two friends here?”
Orion looked at Matthias and I. He held a neutral look. “........Is there really a purpose in this?”
“Huh?” Rune was taken aback by that.
“How much more until you’re satisfied?”
Rune’s pale skin took on a hint of rose. “........It was a hypothetical question. I don’t ask you for responses. I ask you for results.”
“.........Right.” Orion eyed us with a tired look.
It looked like he was going to continue what he started. But uh, I’m not trying to get beaten here, so I’ll ask for some help. Right, Shade?
Shade leaped over my head, slamming into Orion and pinning him to the ground. With a swift turn of his jaw, he set his sights on Rune. Before Rune could even react, Shade let out a deep, menacing snarl. That alone was enough, since Rune was already sprinting away before Shade had the chance to bark. With Rune gone, I commanded Shade to release Orion, who wasted no time scrambling to his feet and chasing after him.
Helped up by Shade and dusting myself off, I extended my hand to Matthias.
Throughout the entirety of this, Matthias could only silently watch with bewilderment. Now, he looked at me with a strange look.
“Are you okay?” I asked.
Matthias didn’t answer as he got up on his own. “I didn’t need your help.”
………..Uh, no you did.
I retracted my hand. “What were they asking you to do?”
Matthias froze. “.......Don’t worry about it. Just stay away from me from now on.” And with that, Matthias began walking away.
He seemed very grateful that you helped him.
“Sure did.”
“Are you okay, Master?” Shade licked my clothes in an attempt to clean them.
“Yeah, I am. Thanks for saving me, by the way.” I massaged the back of his ears, a soft spot for Shade.
When Shade had enough, I recalled him back and went on my way to catch up with Arthur and Elaine.
If I had to be honest, what Matthias had said didn’t surprise me too much. If anything, I also expected it.
It was the ego of the silent majority, the shared ego that defined them all. The sense of self, the belief that they were somehow different. It was through this ego that they lived, convinced that their lives held special significance. They were aware of it too, which is why they clung to it, desperately trying to avoid becoming the soulless shells of people they encountered on the path of life. Yet, it is this very ego that blinds them to their true nature. It is through this ego that they fail to recognize their own limitations, never realizing how dull and ordinary their existence truly is. This is why they place greater value on their own lives than on those of others, even though, at their core, all lives hold the same value. This is also why they ignore the rest of the silent majority, why they seek isolation. But they won’t admit it. They won’t admit that they are lonely, unremarkable individuals leading lives devoid of meaning. That’s why they desperately cling to the fragile construct of their egos. That’s why they do it.
That’s why you don’t realize you’re a part of it.