The Hare, the Gorilla and the Dragon

A small hare, a big gorilla, and an old dragon were sitting in comfortable armchairs next to a fireplace.

Between them was a tray with an assortment of biscuits, as well as a fragrant teapot surrounded by some small teacups.

The little hare broke the silence with a question.

"So, why am I here?"

Even though I already had a pretty clear idea as to why I was attending a meeting with my principal and teacher, the silence was uncomfortable enough to try and speed things up.

The principal answered with his usual gentle appearance and a laugh, "Hohoho! Little hare, why are you here? The answer to your question is not entirely known to us either."

Mike nodded a bit in agreement with his statement while taking a sip of the tea in his hand.

"What do you mean?"

'He doesn't even know why he brought me here? Isn't it just to talk about our individual training lessons?'

"Well you see, it seems to me that you hold quite the amounts of secrets inside of you. Isn't that right, Miren?"

An inquiring look was thrown at me, making me feel some cold sweat accumulating on my back.

'How much does he know? Does he know I'm actually some sort of fused soul from two different worlds? Is it about my Inherent Disposition?'

Thankfully for me, he continued to talk. Still wearing his curious expression, with his blue eyes sharply collecting information. "So little hare, if I'm not mistaken, you seem to have lost your mana?"

"Hmm? Lost my mana? Are you talking about my lightning affinity?"

His statement had gotten my interest piqued, making me sit up a bit more straight, and my ears got ready to listen to every single word he was about to say.

"I guess you could say that. Truth be told, I'm not entirely sure either about what has happened to your body. What I do know is that you do not inhabit any mana anymore, instead it appears that you are full of already converted lightning energy."

The principal had made quite the accurate observation and, maybe because he noticed something in my expression that confirmed his speculation, he continued, "So it is indeed so... That makes things a bit complicated, you know?"

"Why would it make things complicated? Even if I can't use general martial techniques or spells, isn't it a huge boon to my ability to fight?"

This time, it was Mike who responded, "It makes things complicated because of what the nature of your stats suggests. One of the most integral parts of an assassin or a ranger is their ability to scout and obtain information. What do you surmise is the most practical way for them to do this?"

A bit stumped at my earlier ignorance, I quickly found the answer, "Through detection spells..."

"That's correct. Even though most adventurers know how to use at least a basic detection spell, the role of finding out information is almost always designated to the one in the party who is the fastest or the most stealthy. In an ordinary party, this would be you Miren."

"So what do we do?"

Mike and the principal took a couple of seconds to collect their thoughts before disclosing them to me. The dragon spoke, presenting another question instead of an answer, "What do you believe makes one want a specific person in their party? What redeeming qualities are needed to be a part of a group who needs to protect each other's backs as to not die?"

Such a simple, yet so complicated question. What would I look for in my party members, who would be the difference between life and death?

'Strength, intellect, quickness, all of these qualities are important, but I think I know the correct answer.'

"The ability to fulfill an integral role which the party needs, something which depends on the composition as well as the personalities of the group members."

Affirming my conjecture with a big smile, he spoke, "Correct. How strong an individual is, how many spells they can cast, and how much money they can bring are all relative. The only quality that truly matters is the ability to do what is needed to be done."

Mike curtly added, "So we need to create a purpose for you, mold you into a tool that can fulfill a role. Unfortunately, the most logical role is not possible for you anymore. Thus, the only thing we can mold you into now is an executioner."

"An executioner? What do you mean? Wouldn't it be more sensible for me to try and find some other way? You already know my level of strength?"

"I think you have the wrong impression of what an executioner is. A swordsman overpowers his opponent through skill, a tanker protects his party with vigor and strength, a spellslinger brings destruction upon their enemies and an assassin uses stealth to debilitate their enemies."

Confused by his words I had to ask, "So isn't an assassin always an executioner?"

Seemingly a bit humored by my answer, he answered with a slight grin, "That is not always the case. The purpose of an assassin is indeed to kill and they often fulfill the role of an executioner. The difference is that an assassin would try to use stealth and information gathering to gain an advantage. An executioner kills through whatever means they have, no matter what characteristics they may have."

The principal added, "As you have no mana, there is a big chance that you will not be able to learn assassination techniques. This leaves only the option to make you into a pure executioner. As you won't be able to fulfill the traditional role of a scouter, spearhead, tanker, or back liner, it leaves you with only being able to kill."

"So I will be an assassin with the only purpose of killing then?" Would that be the executioner role we are looking for?"

"That's right. But there seems to be another reason you are fitting for that role. My [Sleepwalker] has ingrained me with a 'knowing' that you are in the possession of a very special Battle Art, isn't it so, little hare?"

'Ah, that clairvoyance really lets him make some pretty intruding conclusions.'

Taking a sip of my tea, I tried to act unphased, as if he did not just reveal that he knew of one of my biggest secrets. Putting the teacup down on the table, I revealed the truth as it appeared I could not hide it either way.

"That's right. I do have a unique Art, [Overclock]. It lets me absorb energy in the air and simulate higher mana grades in exchange for sustaining damage to my inner organs."

"So that's what happened at the recording!"

Mike had stood up and thrown out his words, seemingly having a eureka moment. When he mentioned the measuring incident, I took my chance to know the truth, "Yes, that's what I assume as well. Now, as I have my secrets on the table, would you mind sharing the full story of what actually happened."

The gorilla flinched and his body looked like he was searching for vines to escape. Luckily for him, the principal took control of the situation, "That would only be fair now, wouldn't it? As you wish, I will let you know what happened. Your Battle Art went out of control, creating a situation where you projected enough pressure and lightning energy to make your classmates faint. Mike then knocked you out and brought you to the infirmary."

A short and succinct answer, which still held all the relevant information I needed to make further conjectures.

"So that means that the looks my classmates gave me were because they were afraid of me, not because they were felt apprehension to socialize with a weakling?"

"That's right. As we wanted to hold this hidden from spreading, we made the other students promise not to talk about it with anyone, including you. Now, it seems like your Battle Art has already fully awakened, so it seems it was for naught forcing them not to reveal it to you."

Suddenly the stealthy butler came out from the shadows, "Sir, we need to get going soon."

A bit surprised at the appearance of his servant, the principal took a quick glance at his DAD and spoke, "Oh, it's already time is it? Well, Mike can conclude this meeting without me."

He stood up and started to gather his mana to teleport himself and the butler to their next destination. Suddenly, he vocalized one last decree, "Little hare, I look forward to teaching you these coming Thursdays and Fridays. I will do my best to make sure you learn of your own strengths. Oh, and make sure you take care of Khanda and Nandaka, they once belonged to a very dear friend of mine."

And with that, they were gone. Left behind were me and my teacher, still sitting with teacups in our hands. They had somehow gotten automatically refilled during our talk, a fact that had gotten unnoticed by me until now.

With a sullen and guilt-ridden face, Mike spoke, "So Miren, now you know the truth..."

Having already figured out the entire situation, I couldn't say I was angry at their lies. Even if it had been unnecessary to lie to me, as I got a part of the answer when I awakened my Battle Art, it was good that they had managed to control the spread of information.

"Yea, although I can't say that I didn't suspect something along these lines before. Teacher, did you know that you really suck at lying?"

Mike looked appalled. No one had ever told him about the fact that he was bad at lying, and as I had played along a bit, he had been sure I didn't have any suspicions about his words.

"Really?"

"Really."

My teacher was defeated, hanging his head a bit in shame. A second later, he recovered himself and spoke, "So this is why I wanted to support you, thinking that we might have led you to a life of isolation. But it seems you have already gotten some friends? I've heard that you have been hanging out with James a lot recently."

"Yea, we have been hanging out a lot during the weekend."

"I see! That's great! Friends are important you know? Oh but maybe it is a bit too early to call him a friend?"

My mind and my throat voiced different statements.

'Yea, it should be way too early.'

"No, he is a friend."