After several days after that incident, I began physical training. The school knew I had safely emerged from the blue wormhole.
However, the group that helped me got penalties. Anyone involved in Sonia's plan received a one-week suspension from school. Despite this, days passed by as usual, and now everyone is back in the same class as me.
"That's it for today; our class is dismissed. And remember, the exams are approaching. Be careful not to fail. Or you will go into the black section where your other failed classmates are like there," our instructor reminded us.
As I listened, I knew the 'black section' was akin to a parasitic zone; it was best to avoid interaction with those there.
Although this is class, today feels quite different than usual.
"My prince, where are you off to?" Mel asked, clinging to me and whispering.
But before I could answer. "Could you please stop clinging?" I said, gently pushing her away to stand out.
When I looked over at Elina, she was on the other side, accompanied by Sonia, whose is showing her middle finger to me like a demon; her face was really, really creepy. Her beauty became like an ogre on that day. She doesn't even hide her hostility toward me.
"Should I throw her some sand? "I muttered.
Steve chuckled, he held his head like he was really happy observing me.
This main character got a ball to laugh at my situation. This is your story, but why did I get this girl, Mel, instead of Elina? Mel, even you push your boobs on me. I can feel them better if you keep them in your money pouch or something.
"Could you create some space?" I asked Mel, meeting her gaze.
"What, are you thinking something perverted?"
It seemed like Mel was trying to seduce me, transforming me from someone repulsive to someone magnetically appealing.
However, I wasn't thinking in a sexual manner, especially not toward someone resembling a child. I'm not a lolicon.
I decided it would be better to head to the library and learn more about the craftsman. Many of the instructors neglect to teach about technological weapons that could be useful against monsters. If one can use a bow, why can't a person use a gun?
Bullets can even be altered to contain poison or other substances. It's possible to create a non-lethal gun, similar to an airsoft gun. The library seemed like the right place to gather information.
I pushed Mel away.
"What's with that gaze? You're making me feel pitied! Hey, my prince, come back here!" Mel pounded on her table, demanding I return and sit beside her.
I had other responsibilities; my class wasn't like hers. I needed to focus on something important.
When I got into the library, I read some books, but books in digital format are in very high demand. That's why the printed books in the library are not as many as I expected.
[Free use for students] a paper was written on paper that sticks into the cabinet; it was a smart device for reading purposes.
E-books or PDF files were available for reading certain books.
"History of humans, haha!" When I delved into the history I'd crafted in a novel, it felt peculiar. I found myself frustrated that reality often diverged from my perceptions.
"Oh, so there's a unique history class that differs from the standard ones! Thinking about it, Milo and Shakiro attend different classes."
I know how unique class is. That's how I designed Steve to be in the hero class.
Firstly, a child starts without a class. Secondly, a class often emerges from life-and-death situations. Thirdly, a child's emotions shape their class; if they lean towards protection, they become heroes; if they exhibit a penchant for knives, they become swordsmen killers; or if driven by anger, they might turn into berserkers like Milo.
I'm unsure how those two ended up with their classes. It still remains a mystery to me.
"Hmm, augmented skills!" I stumbled upon new information in a book crafted by a unique class.
[Augmented skills define a class and its subclasses: lesser augmentation adds 1 skill, mid-augmentation adds 2 skills, high augmentation adds 3 skills and sacred augmentation adds 4 skills.] This aspect is inherent in humans and cannot be altered.
"Ohh?" I was surprised that there are people researching this. I possess four augments, but there are two that I've yet to unlock. The Arcane book seems useless due to its 4-month cooldown, making the observation skill a better choice.
Leaving the library, I headed to the cafeteria with the same group. Milo and Shakiro were waiting, but Sonia was with them until she abruptly left upon my approach.
What the…?
"What were you discussing?" I asked, but they just grinned like mischievous cats and said, "Nothing."
"Hmm," I observed Sonia joining another table with Mel, Steve, and Elina. They had seemingly established that area as their own. No one tried to occupy that area.
Reflecting on it, I realized I hadn't talked much with them since that incident, except for Mel, who tended to cling to me during classes or whenever we had shared classes.
After the meal, while we were waiting to digest our food, Milo signaled for me to come closer; he wanted to whisper something.
"Did you hear? There's talk of someone infiltrating the school," he shared.
"Are you serious? This is Avalon School, where people are trained to combat monsters, and numerous world-ranked individuals are here, probably around 6 or so," I responded.
"Who's crazy enough to try that?" Shakiro chimed in, finding the notion highly improbable.
"I don't know, but many of the students say that someone leaked information. From the office, that's why they're also looking for the rat who leaks information. That's classified as confidential, you know!"
I suspected Milo might be the one leaking information.
We decided it was best to disregard what he mentioned about that group. Getting involved with such a faction was a risk we weren't willing to take.
"In hindsight, memories are influenced more by the silence of past companions than the words of those against us."
-Aether