Kayden had always been somewhat of a bookworm, so the normal classes were easy for him. He was more interested in the other classes and what they had to offer. With so many students in one academy, competition was bound to be fierce. In order to protect his family in the outside, he needed to grow stronger as soon as possible. He needed to ensure that what happened to his cousin would never happen again.
The combat classes were taught by three different teachers since the number of students were many. The class was divided into three groups with each teacher teaching one group. Kayden and his friends made sure they ended up in the same group, while his roommates ended up in a different ground.
"Good afternoon, students," the instructors greeted the students. "I hope you you are familiarizing yourself with the academy so far. As you may know, this is the combat class. Here, we teach you how to fight and defend with nothing but your body. However, the use of abilities is prohibited in this class. Whomever is caught breaking this rule will be punished," they explained.
"For today's lesson, you all will be focusing on a Japanese fighting style called Aikido. It is a martial art that focuses on redirecting attacks away from you. Aikido focuses on throwing, joint locks, traditional Japanese weapons, etcetera. This martial arts style involves grabs, strikes, throws, pins, and joint locks. While some Aikido techniques may look odd, like why do they have a defence against a knife hand strike to the top of the head. No one does that!
"These were originally designed to stop a samurai's sword strike. Moreover, these types of Aikido techniques are useful in order to defend against attackers armed with clubs, sticks, and so on. For the next few weeks, we will be focusing on basic Aikido techniques. At the end of each lesson, you all will be tested to assess what you had learnt during the lesson. You will then be graded based on your progress.
"For today, we will be focusing on an Aikido technique called Ikkyo, also known as the First Teaching. It is a technique that deals with elbow control. This elbow control technique is used in combination with many types of different attacks. It is the most basic of all Aikido techniques, and should be possible to do on any attack. It is also an entrance move for nikyo, sankyo, yonkyo, gokyo, and hijikime osae.
"For other Aikido techniques, please visit the academy's library during your free time. Using this technique, you will be able to use your opponent's movements against them."
The instructors them went on to perform a few demonstrations with each other while the students paid close attention. "You don't fight directly with your partner's line of strength. You follow your own. You raise both of your hands up, away from his line of strength. Then you slide forward. Your backhand is going to meet your opponent's elbow. Then, you turn the hips, and step in to the side.
"Remember, the shoulder should be pinned to the ground. Then down for a pin. This isn't one of the more painful pins, but it works really well in terms of keeping your opponent immobilized. Now that we have shown you how it's down, let's see how you can do it. Everyone pick a partner to practice the technique."
The students then looked at each other and began choosing whom to practice with. Kayden chose to practice with a random student. Since this was their first time seeing and even hearing about the technique, many were unable to execute it. Only a few were able to get it right. Perhaps it was talent, or maybe they knew about the technique prior to this class and how to practice it.
Because this was their first ever combat class, the instructors decided to take it easy on them. However, this grace wouldn't last for long. They displayed the movements to the students again, and they were ordered to repeat the same movements. After almost two hours, it seemed like they weren't making much progress. Although the movements seemed foreign to Kayden, he was gradually picking up on them.
Once the lesson was over, everyone got ready to head towards the next class. The instructors greeted them and asked about how their last class turned out. "Alright students, before this class begins, I we would like to give you an overview of abilities. You see, there are six classes of abilities. You may have already encountered a bunch of them in your previous schools.
"The seven classes are: The Fire Class, The Serpent Class, The Boulder Class, The Wind Class, The Razor Class, The Tracker Class, and finally, The Mystery Class. Since there are six different ability classes, six teachers have been assigned to teach this class. Now, if you would just go and meet the teacher who will be teaching your class, we can begin the class," one of the teachers explained.
In front of each teacher, a sign was placed. On the sign was the name of the ability class they would be teaching. While Kayden had a mystery class ability, Blake had a Fire Class ability, Zain had a Razor Class ability, Carter had a Boulder Class ability, then Madison had a Serpent Class ability. Upon meeting the mystery class teacher, Kayden realized that there weren't many with that ability class. There were oh three students with that kind of ability.
'I guess that's why it's called mystery class,' Kayden thought to himself.Those in the other classes looked at the three who were in the mystery class. Some were envious that they had rare abilities, and wished they were in their place. Mystery abilities were not only rare. There were people who would say that such abilities were special. They said that mystery abilities possessed special traits and set them apart from other abilities.
Looking at the other two in the class, Kayden had no idea who they were.The woman who would be teaching them had purple long curly hair and an icy expression on her face. She wasn't here to play games. Once everyone was in their class, the lessons began. The rooms for students to learn were large enough to accommodate them with plenty room to spare. Kayden focused intently on everything the woman would say.
The woman proceeded to ask her students of their abilities, from this, he learnt that the other two students had abilities called Memory Alteration and Ability Copy. These two students were Markus and Dan. Kayden told the instructor that his ability was Werewolf transformation.
"Memory Alteration is quite a dangerous ability. Just like every other ability, it requires Mana to use. Your ability allows you to change the memories of those around you. Depending on how much Mana you have and how much of it your body can use at once, you can change the memories of a large number of people. However, I must warn you of this. Your ability, being a mystery class, is one of the most dangerous abilities in the world.
"Even I'm surprised that the higher ups didn't capture you and even allowed you into the academy after learning of your ability. Right now, even I don't know the extent of your ability or what it's truly capable of. I hope you use it for good, in fighting against the Shales in the future."
Markus bowed his head in respect. "I promise that I will only use my abilities for the greater good in the future," he declared.
"I'm glad to hear that," the instructor replied. "Before we start your lesson, I would like to see the capabilities of your ability. So I've arranged for some people to volunteer for today's lesson." Not long after, a group of adults walked into the room.
"These people are ordinary civilians living their lives as taxi drivers. I want you to change that memory into making them believe that they are superheroes sworn to protect humanity," she ordered.
Markus nodded his head and looked at the people. It was time for him to show just what his ability was capable of. Though he hadn't improved much on it, he intended to do the best he could with these five volunteers. Meanwhile, everyone else in the other a ability classes were focused on learning the best thing could from their instructors. Many were doing their best to keep on with the things their instructors were saying and doing.
Since there were only three students with the mystery class ability, Kayden hoped that the teacher wouldn't be too hard on them since she didn't have to teach as much students as the other instructors. Hopefully, it would give him the opportunity to learn more efficiently and without any form of unnecessary stress.
___________I hope you enjoyed the chapter.
My goal is to one day become a famous author. If you want my dream to become a reality, then please keep on reading and support this work.Markus was about to activate his ability and change the memories of these five civilians. Closing his eyes, he began to concentrate. To the others, it seemed like nothing was happening."Done," Markus said, opening his eyes. Kayden and Dan were surprised upon hearing this. They weren't sure whether what Markus was saying was true, but their instructor chose to confirm for herself."Who are you?" she asked one of them."We are the protectors of humanity. It is our sworn duty to defend against the notorious Shales," the man replied. They were even more surprised upon hearing this.'That ability... I better make sure I don't step on his toes while I'm here,' Kayden thought."From this experiment, it is clear that his ability could affect five people at once. However, number is not the only thing that determines the effectiveness of your ability. Things such as someone's will power and mental resolve. Or their overall power can make it harder for your ability to work on them. Take me for
The instructor's expression didn't change despite the look on Dan's face. She was more than ready for whatever was coming her way. Kayden had suffered severe injuries from the blow, but he wasn't out of the fight yet. His injuries would be healed by his Mana. He didn't have much of it left, but he still chose to charge forward.The instructor raised her arm, blocking a hit from Dan. Just like before, it didn't seem like it took much for her to block the strike. Dan may be able to copy people's abilities, that doesn't mean than he can copy their quality as well.His ability was just as strong as Marcus's, but it was no where near the instructor's power. Kayden sprinted forward, joining Dan in the fight against the instructor. Despite the fact that Dan was fighting, Kayden had no idea what the instructor's ability was.It was a Mystery Class, but that was all he knew about it. Still, it allowed Dan to somewhat hold his own against her. Although he knew that she was holding back. The oth
Seeing that most of the students were having trouble activating their weapons, one of the instructors, the one who had been talking the most so far, decided to do for them a little demonstration. Being a high ranking staff in the military base, he was bound to have some good weapons of his own. Reaching into his clothes, he pulled out what looked like a wand.Looking at what was in his hand, the students started to wonder what he planned on doing with it."What I have here is a weapon of the Emperor Grade. With it, I will show you what to expect when you activate your magical weapons which have skills"Everyone's eyes lit you upon hearing the Grade of the wand. Suddenly, everyone wanted to have it for themselves. A blue glow began to surround the tip of the wand. Then what came out of it looked akin to lightning but blue in colour, moving with rapid speed, it changed directions before hitting the ceiling and breaking into pieces of glitter."What you have just seen is a lesser versio
Shawn didn't seem like the fighting type. Although he didn't challenge his roommate to a fight the first them they met. The fact that his rank was high was enough proof that he was no where close to being weak. The three chatted about random stuff before finally going to bed. The next day, on his way to class, Kayden was stopped by two students. Looking at their wristwatches, he saw that there ranks were s lit close to his. He was only slightly above them in rank."Look who we have here," one of them said. Titan four. It's nice to see you so early in the morning. So how are you?" he asked, his gaze falling on the wristwatch.Kayden was confident in his strength, he wasn't sure if he could take on two students whose strength were close to his. He decided to play off the situation, hoping that they would let him go peacefully without any trouble."Oh, me? I'm good. Ya know? Just heading to class just like everyone else," he replied. The two students turned to face each other and starte
Kayden knew he needed to grow stronger, but more than that, he desired strength.Coming from an average family that can barely afford to live a fancy life, he hadn't acuired his ability by conventional means. Meaning that he hadn't obtained it with money or other sought-after valuables. No, he had discovered this ability by mistake. Still, he was glad because of it.He knew that his uncle could never afford to get him an ability, not yo mention one that was of the Mystery Class. If he couldn't even get his own daughter an ability, then what could he have done for Kayden.The use of his ability had saved his cousin's life, and it was bound to safe him in the future as well. Kayden knew a lot about different kinds of abilities. Up until he had gotten his, he never knew about one that granted the user the power of transformation. Still, even though his power was rare, he knew that he was still no match for the students who coveted his rank.The fact that they weren't present for magical
Although Kayden had his own problems to deal with, the same could also be said for his friends. One of the was finding it hard to accept the fact that both of his roommates had been severely beaten and sent to the infirmary. He feared that something similar might happen to him if he wasn't careful enough.Carter now had the entire room to himself for the time being. He was kind of glad about it. His roommates weren't exactly the friendly kind of people. So far, his experience at the academy had been nothing but torture. Plus, making it worse was the fact that he couldn't get in touch with his family to seek moral and emotional support from them.The only people he had to share his pains and struggles with were himself and his friends. Still, he thought it would be best to focus more on himself for the time being. There was the match coming up in less than two weeks from today, plus, there was that expedition that would be happening half a year from today. He couldn't afford to slack i
Blake was about to take Carter to the infirmary after beating the absolute crap out of him. Seeing as had gone way too far with the beating, he decided against using so much force next time. Blake and Carter had almost nearly the same rank, but had grown far stronger that Carter over the past few days. He had taken all the classes more seriously than the later and was even more hellbent on surpassing his limits. So much so that he did something kind of crazy. On his way out of the room, his path was immediately blocked by a group of students."Hey, do.you guys kind getting out of the way? I need to get my friend over here to the infirmary," he said, gesturing to the blonde-haired student on his back. The five students looked at each other and smiled."Oh, we don't care about any of that," the leader of the group said, before shooting his hands out. Out came a flash of red light that zapped Blake and Carter where he stood, sending them flying back into the Arena and crashing on the fl
Since he wasn't able to stop both his friends from getting the beating of a lifetime, Kayden had failed the first ever quest which had been given to him by the system. Although there were no consequences for failing a quest, he was still disappointed in himself for not being able yo assist them in their own time of need.He had failed to protect the people he cares about once again. Kayden needed to think of a way to ensure that what happened today never repeated itself in the future.It was clear as day that the school authorities were not going to interfere in the affairs of the students. As long as the offspring of a rich and powerful family doesn't get killed while under the supervision and tutorship of the academy, then they had nothing else to worry about.At the end of the day, no one cared about the interests of those who had no connections to the influencial. Most especially when you look at the Grand scheme of things. In their minds, everything they did was yo ensure that th