Academy life: getting to know the basics

After leaving the princesses' audience. I went straight to the academy. Good thing it didn't take long. Three copper coins a day. A cheap lodging at the inn is around there, food and drinks excluded.

Everyone is transfer student of different dates due to different birthdays. But I am not introducing myself first thing in the morning with valid reason. Pushing me to the center of attention. 

"I'm Kei, nice to meet you."

Teacher: "That's all?"

"Yup."

"Booooo" jeered the whole class. "Just that is not enough! At least expand to a bit of your hobby or something."

"Looks like we got a guy bad with words."

"What is your AA revealed?"

The teacher forced everyone to be silent for a moment.

"Ahem. My AA is err… ground ball. Hobby wise. Yes. Research! I spend my time thinking of new stuff to try on and also think about the reason on why this world existed and my purpose standing on this ground.." Well, those are not exactly lies. Earth did have ground and is ball shaped.

To allow me to catch up. Today's topic is on dungeon's behavioural pattern. Inside or outside a city, literally anywhere. There could be a dungeon. A dungeon is said to be alive. As they have different timeframes on changing layout. Some changes yearly or even decades. Others can change daily or even hourly.

Meaning to say, updated maps are extremely valuable. But some for some dungeons, the concept of map doesn't exist. Whatever you see today might be changed tomorrow.

"Is kobold meat edible?" "No, it is quite unhygienic.""How about goblins' ?" "Still unhygienic."

"Wee we bat's meat?" "Stop. Please don't eat those stuff inside. Where do you think they got their water source? Do you even know why the dungeon entrance are always guarded?"

Yes, apparently, dungeon species can come out of dungeon. Not only them rampaging can cause damage. Them existing outside dungeon can cause environmental pollution. Even though humans are quite immune. Crops are so going to just die. Cows are going to fall sick.

As expected from almost all the authors on earth, I actually got myself the legendary back row windowed seat. The main character treatment. Sitting beside me is another girl. She is the class representative. It isn't exactly an honoured position. But someone has to take the lead. "The name is Selene. Hi Kei." She introduced herself with her waving "five" hand. But every finger has vines slightly extended. So that was what the classmates meant. No display.

There are more individual combat classes. Very few theoretical class. Practice is the one making perfect. Not exactly theories.

In short, a party minimally will consist of four members. One metallic holds the front, one fire for damage output, one water for water source, one mud user to create walls while resting. One can also hire a plant user or an extra fire user. Depending on the quest needs. On a rescue mission, a plant user can move their vines. Making them the correct person for the job.

The country do have large scale certified squads to handle different dungeon situations and they minimally has 250 people. The academy didn't really tell us what is their real purpose.

————

Selene is one quiet girl in class. She will usually vanish during break time. Usually. Nobody is able to find her, even the teachers have problem finding where she is.

"So there you are, new transfer." I turned my head, and is greeted with a face slap. "This is a greeting from the me, because you failed to introduce yourself to me first day."

"Behave like a good dog in front of Mr. Xavier. Lowly civilian."

Me:??? Wow, a greeting with a slap eh? Typical bully, Xavier eh? Let me save up a silver coin…

If the teachers are not looking into this. That says something about him. Oh wait. I don't even need to save a single copper.

"Sorry Mr. Xavier. It was rude of me not to be finding you the first thing." I gently approached Xavier, not a single speck of apologetic in my mind.

"Mother, I would want to summon a taser's shock. Time it when I touch this Xavier guy."

"No biggie."

I pretended to bow, concealing my so dishonest finger of mine. It casually touched his knee.

Xavier dropped. He didn't even have a chance to make a single sound. Me? I got off since there is no physical trace from me nor mana trace available. All witness saw is me bowing down and him dropping blank.

LOL YAY.

It is after school. I planned to go straight to home. But my legs are kind of trapped to a vine. It seems very alive. It even seems like asking me to follow it.

"Selene? What is this about?" But now I do get why people cannot find her. The school backyard is full of soil and plants. A literal home ground with everyone as away team.

"I do saw it." She declared. But she assures me that she meant no harm. Xavier is a well known bully here. Because of his noble status.

Nobles are direct king's aide. So he might had knew my existence from very first day I met princess Alexander. So basically, not only his family is rich and have status. They even have an army of their own.

"Pretty much everyone gets bullied by him. But you are the first one to down him. Quite an achievement. But please be careful."

She further explained the people around here. Those with status and their relevant AA.

1: With noble/royal status and good AA

2: No royal status and good AA

3: With royal status but no good AA

4: Those without both. (People like me)

People with plant affinity are not generally considered as good due to their limitations. Even when they are ranked three out of five. If you are no good you bad. This is how the kingdom works here.

But hey, a plant user right in front of me. Maybe I can commission her in the future.