First day of school [2]

'Why is he here?!'

Gazing at the gorilla of a teacher, I couldn't help but let out an internal retort. Although I had spent more than six weeks on academy grounds, I had minimal interaction with my, supposedly, supervisor. With the exception of handing me my uniform, daggers, and sneakers we had almost nothing to do with each other. Our communication had consisted of Mike sending me a weekly text via DAD, asking me if I was still alive, as to which I sent a simple 'Yes'.

That is not to say I didn't try to request his help. Even if I had given up on him helping me with my mana practice, I had asked him several times to guide me through my dagger practice, which had been responded to with a resounding 'No'. Even at the rare occasions where we would see each other outside on the school grounds, he had shown his disapproval through actions. By ignoring me completely, pretending as if I didn't exist.

...

Yea, I couldn't say that we had the best of relations. Even though I didn't think our first encounter was that bad, it still seemed like he didn't want anything to do with the weak-ass squirt. We really did seem to be yin and yang. Mike was big, burly with seemingly no regard for how other people viewed him, and me being small, silent, and trying to hide to the best of my abilities. It was like comparing a gorilla to a hare.

"It seems my students this year are all quite ambitious. I even came earlier than I ever would and you were all already here."

'You were just 5 minutes early old man'

Just as I was thinking rude thoughts Mike threw me a sharp glance as if he had read my mind.

'Woah! The gorilla can read minds?! That's not cool!'

While my mind got ready to go for a spin, Mike's eyes passed me and, while keeping the sharpness in his eyes, he scanned the remaining students as well.

'Seems like he was just trying to inspect the materials he had to work with I guess.'

With all students occupying a seat, there were still a lot of chairs empty. Counting the students, we were just nine students in the class. As there were two rows of four desks, all being able to sit three people, there were still 15 spots to be used. Rubbing his chin while thinking out loud Mike mumbled.

"I thought I had told the janitor to remove most of the tables already... It feels way too desolate when such a small amount of students are sitting spread out. No matter, I will just have to throw them away after class."

'There goes my chance at hiding in class.'

"Now let's get this show on the road shall we! As I am your homeroom teacher we will be meeting a lot. Most of your days will start with a short startup lesson here, before making your way to your corresponding courses. Most of your basic theoretical lessons will also be held here, even if you are likely to become a combatant in the future we can't let students graduate without at least knowing some history, mathematics, and so on."

I was speechless. With a blank face, I felt my temper start going wild.

'Wait... Do I have to study math again? Isn't this the point where I could fully immerse myself into becoming a superman with unmatched power? Calculus won't save my life when a Stone Boar is charging at me!'

"Although most of your grades will be based on combat and mana manipulation we still hold a minimum standard of theoretical knowledge in order for you to proceed into the next year. That being said, if any of you fail to meet the requirements you will most likely be expelled."

Casting me a subtle glance he added with a smirk.

"We are an academy of elites, if you can't even read a textbook and answer some simple questions you do not deserve to be here."

'HEY STOP IT! Why are you looking at me?! You're the gorilla, not me!'

"In the case of the students belonging to the mage division, you will most likely attend more advanced theoretical lessons while learning about conjuring spells, while the students of the martial division will have some limited theoretical lesson on the field."

All students were divided into either the mage division or the martial division, depending on what they were specialized in. As mentioned before, even though everyone could learn to both wield a sword as well as conjure spells it was inefficient. Therefore the academies naturally divided everyone depending on their talents.

Although I had been thinking about being part of the mage division, with the logic being as I had an above-average intelligence rank I could probably somehow get by. This naive thought was bombastically destroyed as I had gotten a letter delivered to my door from the principal stating:

[For a hare to develop to the point of killing a tiger, it needs to adapt to the tiger's den. I have registered you into the martial division in order to let you fully grow your inherent abilities.]

Yea, just a bunch of stupid nonsense. As I tried my luck talking to Mindy about changing to the mage department I was met with a definite refusal. As a matter of fact, the principal had gone out of his way to say that whoever tried to help me change division would face severe consequences.

That being said, now knowing I would have to face greater enemies than I first thought, it didn't seem all that bad. My stats were after all made for close combat, with speed being what I excelled in. I just had to fill my gap in strength with lightning-related martial techniques, although it would be nice if the future would allow me to at least get to a rank II strength.

"Although I can see that you are all here, with the number of students present being the same as my list, we will still do a roll call with a short introduction to get to know each other. Arthur Pradd!"

Standing up, a red-haired young man answered.

"Here! I am Arthur Pradd, heir to the Pradd house. I am a pyromancer who will be joining the mage division."

"Bayyan Rashmir!"

As Arthur sat down a grey-haired man with a similar build to James, although a bit more muscular, stood up.

"Here. I am Bayyan Rashmir. I am a swordsman with a dual affinity, forming the steel affinity."

'Holy shit, he is just as handsome as James!'

Incredible jawline, a bit of a rugged face giving the sense of a bad boy, and with insane physical proportions he seemed ready to go on stage for a physique competition at any time.

"Akane Tanaka!"

The students continued to introduce themselves, taking turns standing up and responding.

"Here! I am joining the mage division as an aquamancer. I hope we get along during our years together!"

"Suzuka Tanaka!"

"Here. I am joining the martial division as a wind affinity swordswoman."

'Twins...'

The two girls who had just introduced themselves were twins, having the same smaller than average build and identical faces with the only physical difference being the color of their hair. Akane having a deep blue tone and Suzuka having a dark green. Coincidentally the color of the eyes also had those colors. Mentally though they were probably quite different. With Akane appearing to have a more outgoing and cheerful attitude and Suzuka, seemingly, having a more direct and concise way of acting.

"Brad Lersten!"

"Here! I am Brad, hammer-wielding shielder with earth affinity."

'Another gorilla it seems...'

This was the, to be, tanker of the hero party. With an incredibly large build, comparable to Mike's, and bald head, I somehow knew his style before he said anything. The dark-skinned impregnable shield who kept his part safe. With him having answered the roll call shortly and nonchalantly I couldn't even begin to guess what kind of personality he had.

"Sarah Lindt!"

"Here!"

Another bubbly personality, quite similar to Akane. With long golden hair reaching down to her waist, slight childish cheeks, and amber eyes she could probably charm any man she wanted. Not to mention her incredible body dimensions. Huge chest, slim waist, and perk butt. This was the rize using, cheerful succubus who would be the support of the party.

"My name is Sarah Lindt, heir to the Lindt family who specializes in producing medicine as well as the leading researchers in medical science. My favorite..."

'She just doesn't stop talking does she?'

"and I hope we all get along!"

Even Mike seemed to have been drifting off thinking of other things. When Sarah had ended her life story it seemed like Mike, who had been starting to lean on the podium in front of him, had to reengage himself, straightening his back once more, and with a slight cough, he prepared to continue the roll call.

*Cough*

"Lindsey Borr!"

A silver-haired beauty with excellent athletic proportions stood up. Having a feminine but still powerful physique she might have had one of the most jealous-inducing figures I had ever seen. If I had been a girl I would probably have cursed God for creating such a cool, mature beauty with her accompanying ice blue eyes. She was the one who would become a more controller-type combatant, being able to use both martial techniques as well as conjure ice-elemental spells to both damage and interfere with her enemies' movements.

'Lindsey Borr huh. What a breathtaking beauty. Although Sarah is more of my type I don't think I have ever seen a more beautiful person.'

...

'Wait... Borr? As in Mike Borr!? Is she actually related to Mike? No, there is no way, and if there was she would have to be an incredible distant relative. Swans and gorillas don't belong to the same race!'

"Here. I am the heir of the Borr lineage, son of Justin Borr and Mike Borr's niece. I will be joining the martial division, while still attending some more magic-related courses as I am a hybrid. I wield the traditional Battle Art [Icy Spear], making me a magic spearswoman with an ice affinity."

'Why is she so serious?'

Lindsey seemed to be an incredibly serious woman. She loudly and as a matter of factly talked about herself as if she was going to register in a district-owned party, even going as far as to reveal her unique Battle Art.

'No... That wasn't the important part of what she was saying... HOW CAN THEY BE RELATED?! ISN'T CROSSBREEDING SUPPOSED TO BE ILLEGAL HERE?!'

Even with my rampaging thoughts, the roll call continued. As I was massaging my temples and looking down at the desk Mike's voice could be heard once more.

"James Lumari!"

"Here!"

Still sitting at my side James stood up. As if he was sucking the air towards himself the entire class seemed to be more focused than ever while looking at the illuminating young man. With a clear but still powerful voice, he presented himself.

"At the academy, my alias will be James Lumari but my real name is James Luminary, heir of the Luminary family! Although I have been told to try to keep my identity hidden to the best extent of my abilities, there seems to be no point in lying to my classmates. I wield the unique Battle Art [Shining Sword] and just like Lindsey, I am a hybrid who focuses on close combat and will be joining the martial division. Nice to meet you all!"

'Really? I thought he would have practiced all night in order to keep his identity hidden, but I guess he just didn't care that much after all. If I were the heir of a ruling family, comparable to my own world's royalty, I would have worked my ass off in order to prevent the possibility of getting assassinated.'

With a content smile, James sat back down beside me again.

"So I guess that's everyone then. Now we will..."

*BAM*

"NOW WAIT A MINUTE YOU FUCKING GORILLA!"