Bab 2: No Skill, No Potential
Class began and Sebastian focused his thoughts on the lesson, although he was number one in academics, he couldn't afford to be careless lest someone swept the rug from under him.
All he had going for him in this school was his knowledge, if he didn't have that then he wouldn't have a place anymore—or at least that's how he feels.
"Before we continue on to our next topic, let's do a slight refresher," the professor spoke. "Sir Anton, what is energy?"
One of the students in the front row sat up, his hair was a vibrant blue, "Energy is present in all beings but in 『Inheritors』 such as us, this energy can be harnessed to use in our abilities," the student named Anton looked at Sebastian who sat near the sides, "or at least most of us can."
Even though he was openly being slandered, Sebastian did nothing.
"Very good," the professor spoke without much emotion, it was common knowledge after all. He turned to the board and began writing using chalk.
"As we all know, we 『Inheritors』 get energy from a small organ in our brains, the organ called 'the Mark of the Primogenitors' but more commonly referred to as 'the mark'," the professor drew a small irregular shape attached to a mediocre drawing of a brain and enclosed it in a circle.
"Miss Jane, tell me how a regular person can still have energy within their body," the professor turned his gaze from the board to a female student in the back.
"They have to rely on sleep and food to gain energy but they're incapable of using it for abilities and can only use them in normal tasks," Jane answered. "Though, there are some of us 『Inheritors』 who are incapable of manipulating it despite being born with the mark," she continued.
Although she didn't face Sebastian, it was obvious as to who she was referring to. Some of the students snickered trying to hold their laughter but the professor continued.
"Well said. Sebastian, dictate to me the different tiers that 『Inheritors』 is divided," the professor didn't say 'we 『Inheritors』' nor did he give Sebastian a title before his name.
"Yes," Sebastian stood from his seat then continued, "『Inheritors』 are divided into several divisions, Novice, which most children and young teens are classified in, Apprentice, someone who has passed the test for advancement from Novice, and then Adept which is the required division to qualify to join the Magic Corps.
"Then there's the advanced divisions where most 『Inheritors』 never enter in their lives, Caster, Magus, and Sage," he stopped for a moment to swallow the saliva he built up talking, "there are only six Sages in the entire world and each of them have powers strong enough to rival several countries.
"And finally, the division above 『Inheritors』, 『Primogenitors』," Sebastian concluded his words and sat down.
"Correct," the professor didn't praise him like he did the other two students and just continued with the lessons until the bell rang which signified the end for their academics and beginning for their last class for the day, practicals.
Each section of students only had one teacher for academics and one for practical, an instructor. When the students all left the room, the professor stayed behind.
"Sebastian," the professor called out to Sebastian who was just about to leave, "Head Professor Sol asked you to come to her office after school."
Without waiting for so much as a reply, the professor packed his things and Sebastian used that time to leave.
He headed straight for his next class which was in a large field in the middle of academy grounds, he passed through several classrooms most of which had students sneering at him.
His reputation is horrible, to say the least. Not only is he able to attend one of the most prestigious schools without any qualifications other than his blood, but he also took top place in academics.
Rather than hate for his incompetence, most students who harassed him were mostly just jealous because of his knowledge and close relationship with Amy.
In fact, he had already received such threats in the past.
Sebastian arrived early, most of his classmates hadn't arrived yet. The other side of the field was also occupied by another class. The practical was a joint class and taught by multiple instructors at once.
Sebastian looked around but couldn't see any traces of Amy or her class anywhere, he walked up to one of his classmates and asked, "Feron, do you know where class 2-A is?"
"I heard that they were conducting their monthly bout in the court," Feron replied.
Feron is one of the few in this school that Sebastian can talk to. Although they weren't friends, they weren't enemies either.
"Thanks," Sebastian left those words and found an empty spot to sit on. Although Sebastian and Amy had the same practical class, they don't have the chance to stick together because of how the groups are divided.
"Combat-oriented 『Inheritors』, gather over here!" a loud shout interrupted those on the field and they began to gather. Sebastian also stood up but he went to a different side with only ten or so students waiting.
These were the students whose inherited abilities weren't suited for combat. Eight of them had the ability to heal while the rest of them had creation-related abilities. Although someone who can create weapons can go fight, using a normal weapon to charge towards a 『Inheritors』 was practically suicide.
But nobody looked down on the supports, they could determine life and death in a battle after all. The only reason Sebastian was in support was that he didn't have an ability, he was useless when it came to combat.
"It's Mr. Baggage Carrier!" one of the supports shouted as Sebastian neared.
"Still attending practical? You aren't able to do anything here anyway, why don't you just go and read some more books in the library? Haha!" another laughed. It was common knowledge that in-between classes, Sebastian was almost always inside the library reading a variety of books. His bag also held quite a few that he borrowed from the library.
The only thing that Sebastian did during practical was practice close combat with an instructor and nothing else. Whenever there was someone injured, the supports would go and check them but Sebastian just stayed at their designated area.
"Sebastian, get over here," an instructor called out. Sebastian quickly headed over as to not invoke the instructor's displeasure. The instructor held out both of his hands, "attack!" the instructor yelled.
Sebastian hurriedly took a stance and punched, "is that all you've got?!" the instructor yelled, "again!" Sebastian moved to use his other arm and punched, "Sebastian, how are you even weaker than last week?!" the instructor roared.
"..." Sebastian stayed silent. "Look, you aren't required to learn close combat—I know that, but you've got to learn how to defend yourself. I'm not telling you to use it on your peers but in the case that an attacker targets you outside, you won't be able to defend yourself like the other 『Inheritors』," the professor said, accompanied with a sigh.
"I understand, Sir Lyons," Sebastian lowered his head.
"I'm not mad at you so don't take it to heart, but I hope that you'll take our sessions seriously starting now," Lyons comforted Sebastian.
Lyons, an instructor that dedicated his free time to teaching Sebastian close combat. Even among the many 『Inheritors』, his ability was outstanding. He inherited a close combat ability that could continuously strengthen his physical abilities so long as he kept it active. Although none of the students personally saw it, the instructors did.
It was even said that Lyons managed to destroy a wall with just his bare fist and took on the attacks of multiple 『Inheritors』 at once.
His character and ability were great so nobody expressed their displeasure about Sebastian in his presence as they would be berated. But most importantly, nobody knew his family name. In this school, family names were something to flaunt about as they indicated status but Lyons willingly hid his own family name from the public, this made more instructors cautious about provoking him.
Sebastian's family, the House of Sol wasn't something to be trifled with and that was the only reason why professors were afraid of openly harassing Sebastian. Students could be excused but they, as adults, couldn't. Even though the House of Sol had all but disowned Sebastian, they couldn't afford the risk, there was also the matter of Amy from the House of Luna supporting him.
In this world built by power, discrimination was commonplace. Those who had abilities could have the luxury of looking down on those who didn't while the common people with nothing could only hope to gaze upon them, and that's why Sebastian was the target of so much harassment.
"Let me show you one more time," Lyons took a pose in front of Sebastian and moved. He used a series of punches thrown at different angles and then ended with a large right hook. He let out a huge breath and faced Sebastian, "those are the punches to use on an opponent who doesn't have the leisure to block."
Sebastian could feel the wind hit his face from the force of Lyons' attack and was awed no matter how many times he saw it.
He had repeated this action in front of Sebastian who knows how many times over the course he taught him but Sebastian had never really gotten it right. Other instructors would've already deemed him having no potential in close combat but Lyons taught him earnestly and with patience.
"Now, use it on me," Lyons opened his arms to the side and allowed Sebastian to attack. Sebastian hesitated for a few moments before attacking, he managed to do the first and second punches correctly along with the last hook but everything else was just an impromptu attack.
"..." Lyons who was the target of Sebastian's assault stood there speechless. "Sebastian, are you messing with me or was that your full power?" this was the first time that he had asked Sebastian to use it on him and he was dumbfounded.
Sebastian awkwardly scratched his cheek. Lyons wasn't surprised at how Sebastian couldn't follow his movements but he was surprised at how weak Sebastian's punches were, they were like punches with pillows attached to the end.
"Hahaha! The inept doesn't have the skill for close combat either!" one of the supports finally couldn't take it anymore and began laughing. Lyons looked at him in displeasure but it was true, Sebastian was taught by him for quite a while but not only was he unable to use a simple move, he also had no power behind his punches.
No skill, no potential, that was the assessment that Lyons had of Sebastian but he didn't let that stop him from training, he already knew that.
Just as Lyons was about to comfort Sebastian, a voice interrupted him by the side.
"Instructor Lyons, I can see that this inept is quite capable in fighting," an instructor that had just arrived, sneered and mocked Sebastian. Lyons furrowed his brows and asked, "what does that have to do with you, Simmons?"
"Nothing, but I have also personally trained someone and he wishes to have a bout with Sebastian, he wishes to test and see if instructor Lyons is capable of teaching," Simmons attacked Lyons instead of Sebastian himself.
Simmons' personal student—Gilbert Walt is the most outstanding student when it comes to close-range combat, the abilities that he inherited are similar to Lyons' enhancement, he has the ability to strengthen his body's muscles.
And that student's instructor had just set his eyes on the student without any ability, Sebastian.
Status Power Mingguan
-- Peringkat
Power 
-- Power
stone