During my elementary school days, I was particularly fond of drinking Nestea. The sweet and fruity flavor mixed in with a bit of bitterness was like heaven to my tastebuds. My mom, being the kind and thoughtful person that she is, would always pack me a can of Nestea to drink during lunch. It was something I always looked forward to.
Then one day, one of my friends stole my holy water as a joke. When I opened my lunchbox, specifically a compartment used to store my Nestea, and found it to be empty, I was confused. Maybe my mom forgot to pack it. Doubtful, she never makes careless errors like that. Maybe we ran out? I did consume the drink at an astonishing rate.
When my friends confessed they had taken my can of Nestea and offered it to the holy tree, I was livid.
The holy tree, if anyone is wondering, is a term me and my elementary school buddies coined after an odd looking tree. Near the base, at around the height of an elementary school student, it split into two. The trunk was thick, thicker than me, and the tree was tall, like any other tree. Thing is, the area where the tree split into two was curved inwards. As such, when it rained, water would accumulate.
Being the immature kids that we were, we dubbed it the name 'holy water' and would dare one another to take a sip. Another term we often used for the liquid was tree-piss - it was used after one of us idiots actually went and tried it.
Anyways, finding out my Nestea was dumped into murky waters sent me into a legendary fit - a tantrum of the likes no one has seen before. The tree was blessed with my holy water, but at what cost?
What I'm trying to get at is that I'm not an emotional person. At least, I tend to keep my feelings to myself. But right now, after what just happened, I let all my emotions loose.
A primal roar escaped me as I rushed Kal'tsit with everything I had.
Apart from enhanced strength, senses and intelligence, you also have a very unique ability in relation to members of your harem.
Protecting them.
Blanc's words echoed in my head.
'Let's hope you're right.'
Monst3r didn't need any order, intercepting me on its own initiative. My fist collided with the abomination's sharp claws, and against my expectations, blood started spurting out of my hand at an alarming rate. A sharp sensation of pain shot through my right arm. At the same time, however, Monst3r didn't seem to have escaped unscathed.
A low growl of warning was produced by whatever vocal cords the thing had as it began glowing red.
'Hey, it's just like one of Kal'tsit's skills… oh god I'm fucked, aren't I?'
"Monst3r," Kal'tsit seemed to command, despite only saying the monster's name. In spite of Kal'tsit's lack of instruction, Monst3r seemed to understand what she meant perfectly, immediately standing down.
Realizing the threat to my life was no longer after my blood, I made my way towards Blanc with haste.
"Hey," I said, shaking Blanc lightly. "You okay?"
Blanc's eyes fluttered open, a groan escaping her lips. "Mmm, I'll be okay if you have sex with me."
"I- Blanc, this is serious, please."
"Sorry," the white haired vixen giggled out. "Couldn't help it. But I do need some rest, master. Please, return me to watch form."
I obliged, giving Blanc a tender rub on the head before doing a 180 to face Kal'tsit. My mood did a complete 180 as well.
"Care to explain what the hell all that was about?" I asked, maintaining a level voice. On the inside though, I was furious.
"Your file could barely be called a file," she answered none-chanantly like she didn't just try to murder me. In her hand was a clip-board with some documents on it. She seemed to be recording information on it.
"By attempting murder?" I asked in disbelief.
"Correct," Kal'tsit affirmed, putting down her clip-board. Monst3r was nowhere in sight, conveniently disappeared off to god knows where. "Arts tend to activate in life or death situations."
I tried to wrap my head around what Kal'tsit was saying. While not a totally uncommon trope, being put into life threatening scenarios to activate one's potential, I sure as hell did not enjoy experiencing it first hand.
"What if nothing happened?" I asked.
"Accidents happened," Kal'tsit answered simply, no emotion in her voice. But there was a hidden message behind her words, behind her tone. It was a warning of sorts. I was a wild card, an anomaly inducted into her school. Not only was she prepared to kill me if I stepped out of line, she'd do it without batting an eye and label it as an accident after. It was a warning of sorts.
"I will say," Kal'tsit continued after giving me that chilling answer. "There is something truly unique about that summon of yours-"
"She has a name," I interrupted. "And she's not just a summon."
I received a raised eyebrow in return to my little outburst.
"Blanc."
"Right," Kal'tsit continued on again, unfazed. "Well, you and this Blanc is just another unpredictability factor that is now associated with this school. Once I get back, I'll have to give an earful-"
"I get it," I interrupted once again, preventing her from beginning one of her infamous monologues. "Can we get to the point?"
I did feel bad for my so-called principal though. Sounds like he has a tough time dealing with this catgirl. Oh wow does it feel wrong calling Kal'tsit a catgirl.
"...To get straight to the point, you'll be taking Art Assimilation Class during this period," Kal'tist explained, eyes narrowed. She didn't protest at me calling her out, though. "These classes are special as they aren't divided into grades, but rather level."
"What level am I?"
"Advanced. The day after tomorrow, go to Gymnasium 1A on period 3," was all Kal'tsit said before leaving.
I collapsed onto the library table drained from what had just transpired. Now that the adrenaline was gone, the gravity of the life or death situation that just happened caught up to me.
'I almost fucking died. My life in this new world almost ended right then and there.'
Thoughts of disbelief and relief filled my head. The events of today have led me to a scary conclusion.
This world wasn't like Earth. Not with people wielding all sorts of weapons around, using powers known as Arts. My second chance could be taken from me with the snap of a finger.
'I need to get stronger. I need to unlock and reach my full potential. It's time to start my training arc!'
The bell rang, signaling the end of period 3.
'...After next period.'
Room 228M was where my Mathematics class was. You'd think it would be close to where my Bio class was, indicated by the closeness of the numbers. Well you couldn't be more wrong. My math class was located in what was known to many students and teachers as the 'math cave' - an enclosed area where all math related courses took place.
Why cave? I don't know. Maybe this is the place where the hopes and dreams of many aspiring students are caved in under the pressure of functions and calculus.
Thankfully, no one betted on the lateness of my arrival. The atmosphere here was infinitely different from the P.E. class. Way more serious and way less laid-back. It didn't help that the class was currently taking a test resulting in a dead silent classroom save for the scribbling of pens and the rustling of paper.
The teacher, an aging old man with gray hair and glasses, beckoned me over to his desk. Making sure to make as little noise as possible lest I disturb the class, I quietly walked over to him.
"Please work on this diagnostic test I prepared for you," he whispered before pointing to an isolated room.
"Sure, thanks."
Taking one final quick glance at the class, I took immediate notice of a particular bird. More specifically, the giant scythe she had just casually propped up against the side of her desk.
1. Let f(x) = 3 + x^2 + tan(pi*x/2), where -1 less than x less than 1. Find…
a. f^-1(3)
b. f(f^-1(5))
What the hell was that first question? Nah man, this is supposed to be my 2nd year of high school. I'm supposed to be learning things like how to factor or how to use the quadratic formula. Not this shit.
Whatever, I took calc and advanced functions in my 4th year back on Earth. I shouldn't struggle too much on these questions. I took a deep breath and composed myself.
Time zoomed by and soon enough, from outside the room, I heard the teacher call out to the class, "All right everyone, 5 minutes remaining. You should all be checking your work right now and doing any finishing touches needed."
He then addressed me. "That goes for you too, Hellastic."
HA. That's a funny joke. My diagnostic test lay half finished as I labored on, struggling mightily on every single question.
Once it was time for the teacher to collect my test, I admitted to him, rather sheepishly, that it wasn't complete.
"Ah, that's fine," he said, reassuringly. "You did come in late, so it's not really your fault."
"Haha, yeah," I said, scratching the back of my head. "I expected the class to be close to my other one, Bio, since the room numbers are so close together."
"Oh that. I know the feeling. I get students with similar complaints all the time. Heck, when I first became a teacher here, I was also bewildered by the unusual way the school numbered their rooms. Don't worry too much about it."
He patted me on my shoulder, collected my test and dismissed me. Leaving the isolated room, I was met with a nearly empty classroom with only a few stragglers left behind - perhaps students seeking to ask the teacher questions. The giant scythe was nowhere to be seen as was La Pluma.
I spotted her waiting at the library entrance, her body language a bit restless. No, nervous would be a better description. For some reason, I felt like she had tidied herself up in anticipation of our session - her hair seemed combed and her uniform more crisp and orderly.
"Hey," I greeted. She didn't notice me until I spoke, and when I did, she jumped a little in surprise. "Didn't keep you waiting, did I?"
"No, not at all," she replied rapidly.
"Great. Let's go inside and find ourselves a place to study."
Reed hesitated. "What about the other person?"
"We can find a spot first and wait for her."
"Sure…!"
By fate, we ended up at the same place I occupied during my free period. It was emptiest here and also was clearly visible from the entrance of the library making it objectively the best spot.
After sitting down for a bit, an awkward silence enveloped our table. Reed shifted awkwardly in her seat, looking like she wanted to speak.
"You wanna introduce me to chem?" I asked, seizing the opportunity. "How are the teachers like? How hard is the subject? What should I look out for? Stuff like that."
"Y-Yeah sure," Reed responded. Diving into her backpack, she brought out what seemed to be her textbook and her notes.
"Yo!" a cheerful feminine voice called out to the two of us. "Couldn't help but overhear the two of you. Mind if I sit and chat for a bit?"
Earlier...
As Kal'tsit left the white room, a troubling thought circulated her mind - troublesome wouldn't even begin to describe Hellastic.
'Majority of students, especially the younger years, wouldn't even have the will to fight Mont3r. Their legs would give out or they'd be frozen in fear. Those that overcome that obstacle usually only last a second or two before either being defeated or being consumed by fear. Few can withstand Monst3r's suffocating presence for long, much less actually inflict damage. And yet…'
Of course Kal'tsit knew there were students who could certainly put up a semblance of a fight against Monst3r. They were just wise enough not to, knowing it was an unwinnable battle. That, or they were just plain lazy and whimsical.
The veteran teacher was already keeping a close eye on the new transfer student, but she knew she couldn't be watching him 24/7. To Kal'tsit, the answer to the problem was obvious. The hard part was picking someone.
AN: Thanks to all those who favorited and followed. Ending is abrupt, but it's 3 am. I wanted to get this chapter out before I went to sleep.
MiraculousReader - you were absolutely right