Surrounded by monsters

Dragging my feet a bit, I made sure to keep a bit of distance from the party of three happily conversing in front of me. After having to spend my lunchtime with James, Sarah, and Brad I didn't feel all too bad. Even though I barely said anything, it felt quite nice to be included and it brought me yet another kind of unfamiliar sensation.

'It's warm... Is this what being young Is supposed to be like?'

It was quite a complicated set of feelings. On the one hand, it did feel good to be able to experience something most people took for granted. On the other, there was still the chance that I would die if I interacted with the hero party. Weighing my options I came to the conclusion that I was just gonna go with the flow of things.

'I got reincarnated for a chance of living, not just another chance at staying alive...'

That being said, I did not want to die. Just because it felt exciting and, to some extent, fun being a part of the game I had once played, I was not about to throw battle a demon to the death because of the thrill. No, I still had my goals, my reasons for living.

After listening to the three of them talking as I enjoyed my coffee, they all seemed to be quite nice and upright. Sara was just a sweet and innocent girl, even with her eye-opening curves, though I really wanted her to stop looking at me as if she desperately wanted to pat my head. She was extremely social, just like James, having no issues talking to me even when she was only met with 'yes', 'nos' and 'maybes'.

Albeit a bit quiet and grumpy, Brad also appeared to have his heart in the right place. So far being one of the only people who did not seem to care about my height, even if we would have looked more like a father and his son than classmates. A silent, grumpy but still quite nice young man. That was my first impression of the tanker.

And James? As the hero in the game, I already assumed he would be a righteous and kind man. With that being said, he did seem to be a bit... slow? I honestly couldn't claim that he was dumb. Judging by how he had talked about a few more advanced topics without a hitch during lunch, he probably wasn't stupid. He just appeared to lack some basic social competence at times, but his charisma more than made up for that.

Snapping me back to reality, we had made it to the mana center. A modern building made specifically for mana recording purposes, supposedly the place where a lot of different versions of mana orbs had been developed.

'-So did you guys know about the status measurement we are supposed to undergo beforehand?'

The only question I had asked during the entirety of our break. My inquiry had been answered politely by James, although this was the last straw that broke his impression of me being someone of importance.

'-Oh that. Yea, I knew about it, isn't it common knowledge that there would be a screening before starting our courses? Just like Mr. Borr said, we need to know about each other's strengths and weaknesses. I wouldn't want to rely on someone unsuited for their role.'

***

The class of 1-A was currently standing in line, in front of a big man in a suit next to a mana orb, waiting to get their more detailed combat status measured showing the sub-rank of one's mana grade. Other than that, it would only show the ranks of strength, stamina, speed, and intelligence. Charm was excluded as it was regarded as irrelevant. Behind the man was a giant screen, most likely made to display the status of the subject recorded and measured.

Standing on the leftmost side of the line consisting of my classmates, I clenched my fists. With a churning stomach, as well as sweat running down my brows I felt incredibly stressed. Looking to my right I was met with James's solar plexus. Gazing up towards the giant, he carried an extremely excited smile on his face.

'This is it, the biggest hurdle on my journey so far. I wonder how much I'll get bullied when they see how physically weak I am. Hopefully, my speed will be enough to run away from all the titans trying to harass me.'

*Clap*

Clapping his hands together, Mike started to describe how the process would work.

"You will all take turns measuring your status. The status will be on display on the screen behind me. As you are elites I am assuming you all have had more detailed measurements of your mana grade before. Therefore you should all already know what to expect."

Putting on a huge grin he looked at me once again, just like he had done in our classroom.

*Fuuuueeee*

I sighed deeply.

'Why Mike? Even if we never really hung out much I thought we at least had a somewhat good relationship. Couldn't you have at least told me to get a more accurate mana grade recording? Did you honestly read my mind all those times I thought about you being a gorilla? '

With my thoughts spiraling out of control, Mike broke our eye contact and pointed his arm towards the mana orb.

"Now let's get started. We till start with the rightmost person."

His gaze landed on Arthur Pradd, the pyromancer, who walked up to the mana orb and put his hand on it.

"Mana grade high-rank II as well as a rank IIII intelligence. Not bad, well suited for a mage."

On the screen, I could see a bit of Arthur's status as well as his detailed mana grade record.

===Status===

Name: Arthur Pradd

Rank: II

Strength: II

Speed: II

Stamina: III

Intelligence: IIII

Mana grade: II [High]

==========

With a proud face, he strutted back into the line.

'Even with most of his stats being average the high intelligence does make him suited to be a spellslinger...'

"Next...

As we slowly continued to view each other's statuses I couldn't help but feel a minority complex. Akane with a mana grade II [High], having a well-balanced status with rank III strength and stamina, as well as a rank IIII speed. The only thing a bit lacking was the intelligence rank II, something irrelevant for her combative style.

Suzuka had a mana grade rank III [Lower]. Having an almost identical status to Arthur, disregarding her overall rank, with the only difference being her stamina rank II.

Taking turns to record our status, Mike had a bit more of a quiet approach than usual, only making some short comments.

"Seems like both of the sisters are up to par, seems like a good duo with one ranged caster and one melee combatant.

Up next was Brad. Mana grade rank II[High] and a whopping rank V stamina complemented by a rank IIII strength, he seemed to be the ideal tanker-type, perfect to support James by sacrificing his own body. With a rank III intelligence, the only weakness was his rank II speed, but as it was still average he couldn't be called slow.

'Although I would kill a man to get my weakest stat to a rank II...'

As Brad's status was shown, our teacher's face lit up. Maybe it was because of the fact that another power type like him had shown up. He commented with a lot more passion than during the earlier recordings.

"Really great! This is what a man should be like! Not like the **** mages out there or the ***** playing with their swords as if they held a ****!"

.....

With the room in absolute silence, and Brad looking like he wanted to die, Mike cleared his throat and got on with the calls as if nothing had happened.

*HRRMM*

"Next, Bayyan Rashmir!

While Bayyan started walking towards the orb I couldn't help but take a quick peek at the silver-haired beauty who was, supposedly, related to the monkey standing in front of us. Lindsey stood expressionlessly, just like the knight she seemed to be, and kept watching the screen.

'Impressive... I would probably have to commit seppuku if my uncle spouted atrocities like Mike just did.'

Just as I was thinking Bayyans status came up on the screen.

===Status===

Name: Bayyan Rashmir

Rank: III

Strength: V

Speed: V

Stamina: III

Intelligence: III

Mana grade: III [Intermediate]

==========

'Holy shit! He is a fucking beast!'

"Now that's another good one! Although your stamina is a bit lacking..."

'WHAT DO YOU MEAN HIS STAMINA IS LACKING, YOU GORILLA?! IT'S A RANK III! AND ALL HIS OTHER PHYSICAL STATS ARE INSANE! Not to mention his intermediate rank III mana..."

"your strength and speed are excellent. Even more impressive, being an intermediate grade III before even starting your courses. You have an incredibly bright future ahead of you!"

'I want to go home, never mind what I thought before. This isn't fun. The others' statuses were also very impressive but this... this isn't right. Wasn't a rank V something most professionals only acquired after working their asses off for years? How am I supposed to make the teachers acknowledge me when I am surrounded by these people?!'

As I clenched my fists hard to contain my surging anger, I couldn't help but notice something strange. In contrast to what I believed to be my inner emotions, my face didn't carry the complementary frown it was supposed to. In fact, even though my mind screeched with the intent of finding a way to escape, it was as if my soul felt otherwise. Plastered all over my face was a huge childlike smile. My fused soul seemed to be dancing with joy, pleased with the fact that I would have to struggle and fight for me to remain standing. Even my mana started to act up, as a small vibration enveloped my closed hand and a purple crackle escaped.

'Ha! Figures... even my mana doesn't agree with me...'

Brushing off the ranging emotions my entity held, I once again look up towards the screen. Now standing at the orb was Sarah, displaying a somewhat more reasonable status.

" Mana grade rank III [Lower], rank IIII intelligence as well as a rank III speed... You will do good as a support!"

'Even without her dual affinity Rize, she seems strong.'

Sarah's other stats were all at rank II, not mattering at all as a support had no need for high strength nor would they need high stamina, except for some very niche situations.

"Lindsey Borr!"

"Yes Sir!"

As the only one who had answered Mike out loud, she also placed her hand on the orb.

....

'Another monster...'

===Status===

Name: Lindsey Borr

Rank: III

Strength: IIII

Speed: IIII

Stamina: IIII

Intelligence: IIII

Mana grade: III [Intermediate]

==========

"As expected of my niece! Completely balanced stats, all on par with geniuses! Oh, you seem to have progressed your mana grade a bit since I last met you. Intermediate rank III, you seem to carry on the Borr legacy well!"

'If my math is correct, she should be about... 20 or 30 times physically stronger than me? Fuck, the swan could probably beat me in arm wrestling just with her pinky finger even if I were to use both of my hands...'

Lindsey responded to Mike's compliments with complete seriousness as always.

"Thank you, Sir! I will do my best!"

'Well, I guess it's time for the monster among monsters... I really don't want to see this...'

Glancing up at James's face, he seemed like he could barely wait for Mike to call his name. With his glowing smile, he looked like he had the self-confidence of Hercules.

"James Lumari"

As Mike was calling his alias out, he walked towards the orb with large steps. As he got closer, I tried to brace myself for what was about to happen. There was no way that the hero would be weaker than anyone else here. As such I could only pray that my inferiority complex wouldn't give me a permanent scar.