Chapter 17: Bulk Up
"Good morning, uh,... all of you."
Zeno greets them by catching up with them. Even though all 6 of them had gone for a hunt together, he didn't bother to remember their names. Luckily they didn't catch on to that fact and greeted him back. Together, they all proceed to walk towards the academy.
On the way, Paul informs Zeno about the news regarding the beast attack last night. Zeno feigns ignorance about the matter rejecting any type of involvement in it. He didn't think that his encounter with the Big Bunny would lead to a group fighy between Hunters and Beasts.
Even though level 3 beasts are not that powerful, they are also not something to be trifled with. Only a true hunter with experience and a minimum of 3rd cosmic grade can put up a fight against it. If the beasts belong to a rare, super rare or ultra rare rating, only higher levelled Advancers can fight par to par with them.
If it was found that, it was just an 8 year old who caused this much trouble, who knows what all damages and reparations would come upon his head.
However, the only thing bothering him now is the latest news provided by Sunny that a new restriction was placed upon the everyone who is going for a hunt into the jungle. Apparently, only a group containing at least one Level 3 Advancer will be allowed to hunt in the forest for the coming couple of days.
While discussing the matter, they didn't notice that they had reached the academy by the time. The girls proceed to leave for their classes while boys leave for theirs. On reaching Primary classes C section, the boys go back to their respective seats with Paul and Zeno sitting in the last row.
"Kid, were you able to sell yesterday's loot?"
Zeno asks Paul now that his friends had gone away. When they were present, he felt like he shouldn't casually talk with the kid anymore as it would hurt the boy's prestige, after all he was acting like their leader and he didn't want to ruin the latter's image.
"Yes, we were able to get 36 copper coins selling all of that. Even though market prices add up to about 50 copper coins, the selling prices were lower than that. Here is your share, bro."
Paul pays Zeno 6 copper coins from his pouch kept in his pocket. Zeno thanks Paul while shoving the coins into his shirt's pocket. He notes to himself to carry a pouch with him next time.
The bell is rung and Miss Sherlyn comes in for the first period to take class on the subject Language studies. It seems she is in a good mood as her face was glowing bright as a tubelight. Her subject focuses on teaching Lingua, the universal language used by every resident of Dominus Continent.
According to Zeno, Lingua is a weird language that is a bit of a mix of every language he had ever heard of in modern Earth. Even though the same language is spoken by everyone, existing number of dialects and accents can said to be almost endless due to its versatility. Lingua could be considered a transformative language as it has the ability to portray a person different from others.
For example when Sherlyn speaks, Zeno understands that she is speaking in Lingua but he could not help but notice how beautiful and melodious it falls on his ears that for one moment he felt like she was speaking in beautiful French. When vice principal Klaus spoke in the assembly, it felt like a stress was being built up in his ears that he thought he was hearing powerful Russian.
Thus, Zeno was having difficulty learning it as it sounded different from different people. No matter how he tried, he could not make his speech sound as melodious as Sherlyn's or powerful as Klaus's. Whenever he reads something, it was like hearing a robot speak.
The only good news was the fact that he could now understand, read and write the characters of Lingua without much effort now. Even Miss Sherlyn was impressed to see Zeno improved from his previous self.
He was tempted to use the Scan and Process skill combo on the textbooks many times but he gave up on it since it felt wrong to do so at that time. If he can't take time and effort to do these sort of simple things by himself, he may end up being lazy to do anything.
Next is the Mathematics subject taught by Mr. Lee. He is a tall lanky man with a thin build who always has a decorative smile on his face. To Zeno, it felt like a mask he was wearing upon himself. That is why he was tempted to use his skill on Lee while he was facing away from the students. Moreover he wanted to test efficiency and selectivity of the skill.
'View>>Emotions'
[Name: Lee
Emotions: Internally depressed]
A small virtual screen detailing only the name and emotional state of Mr. Lee springs up in front of his eyes. Unlike before, not every detail was mentioned which however reduced his energy consumption which is almost next to nothing now.
However, Zeno was more thrilled to know that he could even check a person's emotions now. He could only fathom the applicability of the skill for now. What bothered him most while using the <View> skill was the fact that a lot of info came up that sometimes, he didn't know what to focus upon.
Fortunately, Mr. Lee didn't even notice the skill used upon him as he was concentrating on teaching his students. It seems a certain level of perception must be needed in order to detect the skill.
After Mathematics was the Social Science class taught by Mr. Spock. He is a middle aged man with a thick build and a pot belly. It is said that Mr. Spock was once an Adventurer from the Adventurer's guild from a large town. Apparently he married Miss Sherlyn and settled here a few years ago.
His subject deals with geography and history of the Warguard empire mostly. Normally history classes would seem boring and uninteresting for Zeno, but in this case, it was the opposite. Listening to each and every instance of the history sounded like a superpower fiction story. Coupled with Mr. Spock's stories about his adventures gave it a realistic touch on the subject.
Next subject is Basic Science from Mr. Frodo, a tall old man with a crown of white hair and no facial hair. His subject includes the study regarding characteristics of beasts, weaknesses of monsters and medicinal properties of herbs. Mr. Frodo is so impeccable in his teaching that he is always able to answer any questions from students. He always has his own theory of answers to every question a student asks.
Next came the Battle Arts subject, which is taken by Adam. He is the youngest faculty of the Academy admitted since it was set up. Before Adam, the post belonged to Klaus, the vice principal. The Academy must value his teachings that much to urge him to teach these students.
"All of you, follow me to the library. Today our class will be conducted there. Also don't forget to take a note with you."
Adam informs the class on entering. He is in his usual cheery mood like usual. Apparently the kids prefer Adam much better than any other faculty, the reason to which Zeno doesn't understand.
The students look towards each other for a moment and start to line up one by one.
"Bro Zeno, why do you think sir Adam is taking us into the Library?"
Paul asks Zeno since Zeno has much experience being a repeater at Primary classes than any of them there. Wayne and Sunny joins them by lining up in front of Paul, with Zeno ending up on the back of the line.
"I suppose it is to help each of us select an Advancement technique."
Zeno answers by recalling his predecessor's memories. Last time when his predecessor was still in the primary class, everyone had such a session where they were sent to the library to select an Advancement technique.
During that time, since he was unawakened he could not attend the Battle Arts, thus unable to select one for himself. Kid Zeno had never even visited that place and knew nothing more about it other than the fact that it is the most well protected place within the Academy grounds.
Soon they reach another isolated building within the Academy compound, where an old man could be seen standing guard, front of the door. It is a gigantus double door not less than 10 metres high and 1.5 metres wide each, probably made of some sort of alloy. Each of the door must weigh at least more than a ton. If one of its hinges is loose and the door falls upon them, everyone underneath it will be crushed to death. Above the door, there is a plaque with words <Academic Library> on it.
"Sir Fleming, how is your day?"
Adam greets the old man out of respect like a person who was meeting his elders.
"Fine. I heard that you took up Klaus' post. Can't believe that old wolf let you have it.
Boy, you ain't still got a monster core for your Gift? Hasn't more than a year passed since you were stuck in that level?"
Mr. Fleming enquires Adam, like a teacher who was meeting his student after a long time. Zeno didn't know who this old man was nor what his job was since his predecessor had never set his foot in this area before. As for how Adam knows this man, that is his private matter.
"I am still looking for a monster with skill matching my Gift. Sir Klaus is still teaching other sections. He just let me teach the C section of primary and secondary classes. We will talk about that later.
This batch of Primary class student's haven't still gotten their copy of Advancement technique. I want Sir Fleming to give them access to the 1st level of the library."
Paul requests Mr. Fleming hoping he would agree. After all he was in charge of the Academic Library.
This Academic Library could be considered the second most valuable place in this village as it houses the largest collection of techniques pertaining to Advancement, movement and battle. It is a 5 storey building and each storey or level houses a technique with higher rating than one found at the lower level.
Following is the rating of technique found at each level of the Academic Library.
1st level>>Basic
2nd level>>Uncommon
3rd level>>Rare
4th level>>Super rare
5th level>>Ultra rare
For comparison, basic techniques are techniques that are released to the public by the royal and noble families. The military guards use techniques belonging to the rare category while the rich families residing in the Inner section of the village will have techniques belonging to the Super rare category as heirlooms. In case of ultra rare techniques, those are techniques that are used by baron level nobles and their familias.
"You know the rules, boy."
Fleming replies to Adam while coming closer to the group of students he says,
"Listen carefully, everyone of you.
This door will be open for 2 hours. Any of you wanting to learn the Advancement techniques can spend two hours in there and copy it or memorise whatever technique you have chosen.
There will be enough copies of the same book for the lot of you. It would be better if you select one technique each as time is scarce."
He inspects each and every one of them until his gaze lands on Zeno, who was also looking at him just like others.
"You sure, he is in this class?" Flemings asks turning towards Adam.
"Yeah, he is." Adam replies.
Zeno doesn't mind it as it was a natural thing to ask. He doesn't care as long as they are not insulting straight to his face.
"Okay everyone, get back a bit."
He advises the group to which Adam brings the kids a bit away from Mr. Fleming. It seems Adam knew what was going to happen now.
Fleming goes on to stand in front of the double door like a person who is ready to face a wave of tsunami by himself. He removes his outer robe to reveal the flabby fat all over his body above which a clipart image of a biceps could be seen. Unlike others, his tattoo was on his back instead of his left hand.
His physique is that of a fat old man with almost the same build as Mr. Spock. He is now wearing just a shorts which seems too loose even for such an obese man like him.
'Is he planning to push it open or what?'
Zeno thinks to himself like all who were watching Fleming. How was that old man going to push open that heavy door by himself, that was the thought in everyone's mind.
Their queries were soon answered as something interesting happened. The tattoo on the back of Fleming glows brightly with the image of the Biceps shown clearly for everyone to see.
"Hmph ho, HMph Ho, HMPH Ho....."
The old man in front of them heaves and pants as he starts to grow ginormously like an expanding balloon. He is turning into a large giant-like figure that which was now reaching the height of an asian elephant from modern earth. He finally stopped expanding when he reached the height of 3 metres and was wide in proportion to his body, that was about 0.8 metres.
*THUMP*THUMP*THUMP*
His heavy footsteps cause large thumping noises on the ground. Hearing the thumping coupled with seeing him enlarged, all kids were terrified of what was happening that they didn't know what to do.
"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHH"
One girl named Magellan was the first one to freak out which is then followed by all other girls. They all run away from the scene towards the playground screaming their lungs out as if they have seen a monster.
Many older students who were passing through the way had their hairs stand on end hearing the screams. They understood what it was since they also at one time had experienced it themselves.
"Is it that time of the year, huh?"
"Hope they don't get too traumatised."
"Ah! How melodious!!"
"Nah, the screams aren't as loud as previous year's. They will be alright."
Students belonging to every class had once gone through this ordeal and it had left a heavy trauma on their mind. Only a few minority of people were able to leave without much humiliation.
The boys were not faring much better than the girls as they could be seen shivering in their legs. They couldn't even bring their legs to move as they felt like it had become jelly.
"I am strong.... I am not afraid... I can do this..."
Sunny was muttering it to himself gathering courage. He tries to hold onto Wayne who was standing in front of him. Just when he tries to hold him Wayne faints upon him with little bubbles forming around his mouth. It seems the visual was too much for him to bear. Similar to him, many of them faint on the spot at the same moment.
"Pfft, PFFFT...."
Adam was snickering to himself looking at the lot of them. Even though he was supposed to act as a teacher, he couldn't help but try to hold himself from laughing. That was when he noticed two of them wasn't fazed at all seeing all of this at all.
"EH.. TWO OF THEM ARE STILL STANDING, IT SEEMS."
A massive voice emerged from the throat of enlarged Fleming which was booming like a thunder from the sky.
One of them was Paul who looks perfectly normal as if this hadn't fazed him at all. It seems he had seen something like this before.
The other was Zeno, even though he was a bit terrified and surprised at first. He was able to calm his mind remembering the fact that this guy is a faculty member and not a beast or monster.
'So, he is a giant or what? Whatever I can just look at his status'
Even though he was fazed for a moment, Zeno doesn't forget to use his skill upon the large living mass of Fleming to know what his ability is.
'View'
🔲🔲🔲🔲🔲🔲🔲🔲🔲🔲🔲🔲🔲🔲🔲🔲🔲
Name: Fleming
Age: 72
Cosmic Grade/Level: 29 {#####/$$$$$M}
Energy Points: #####M
Gift:
1. Super Gift: Gigantification
Traits:
@#%^**!%###!^!&!@^@%@-$^&@@
Techniques:
!$$^*@&%#!&*!*#*#^@(#*#^%*!×^#%@^!*
Inbuilt Skills:
Bulk Up(Currently in use), #%*@#@%%#,@@%
🔲🔲🔲🔲🔲🔲🔲🔲🔲🔲🔲🔲🔲🔲🔲🔲🔲
A blue status screen with many scribbles and symbols unfolds in front of his eyes. Many of the information were adorned with characters that he didn't know what to make out of it.
'Profile, is there some sort of glitch in your ability?'
Zeno asks Profile through his mind looking through the screen.
CREATORS' THOUGHTS 
Zero_Dragnaire
Zero_Dragnaire Sorry for being a bit late to publish the chapter.?
Hope you like the chapter?
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone