Chapter 14: Counter
This story happened quite a while ago.
When an agressive person gets scared, it happens to make them more agressive.
Who knew…?
Well, apparently, the principal didn't understand what being a war veteran against an undead army meant. There are times people acted a bit too actively.
To the point they'd shove their superior in a closet if they said another world about running away. Something something panic something. Maybe about his family.
Whatever the reason was, the white-haired homeroom teacher stood strong.
Using his military long-earned honour and achievements to control the school.
He got everyone into the school auditorium even if they were still reeling from shock. They were supposed to be this era's Heroes, but look at them.
Unable to go out and save their parents while being trapped in this high school.
Was this not hell?
The more time had passed, the worse became the mentality of the students.
Unable to find their dreams.
If not to save their own family, then what was the point of becoming Heroes?
What was the point of fighting disasters?
Those who had lost everything. That's all the white-haired homeroom teacher saw.
Phones had been forbidden. This was in case of trying to call their family's in vain.
The cellphone towers were down. They wouldn't be able to use them anyway.
It only made the students more aware of their loss. Especially if they had photos.
The teacher didn't need students.
He needed true Heroes.
'Where is Lex Lindblum?' He was unsure to why he believed that boy was alive.
Even though all evidence pointed to the him not having the power to save himself.
Dying as a true Hero.
"I'll be going over what our plans are for the upcoming war." The teacher started his speech with an ordinary tone: "As you are all aware, the Black Deaths will be converging into a Lich anyday now."
He continued with a resolved tone: "We will not aimlessly search the city. The best way to preserve your lives is to stay here and fortify our defences further."
Even though no one interrupted him due to his current position, there were more than a few disapproving looks. Unable to believe they were holing up in this place.
Acting scared of zombies.
"I know how you all feel, but if one of the zombies were your parents, would you still pull the trigger on them?" These words eased those stares of disapproval.
None of them could say they would be able to kill their parents. Not one student was that thoughtless and arrogant. They understood, yet still felt real depressed.
Not knowing how to counter those words.
The white-haired teacher knew that simply having a stronger argument didn't make peace. Now was the time to comfort those who could not leave here.
"Thankfully, we won't be passive in this confrontation. Before our homes were destroyed, Faustus City had spread their new technology in hopes of fighting the Dark Muses. The Hero of the New, Celest Vagabond, had sent us three battlesuits."
His words gained their interest. It was a low number not worth mentioning, but the way he brought it up made them think otherwise. What battlesuit was so great?
Was it enough to be significant to them?
"Top Student, Tia Vulcan, and second highest student, Bella Smith. You are to come to my office to get your gear. Your mission will be to avenge student Lex Lindblum." This was when he was halted.
A very devout realist suddenly stood up among the young students and asked:
"Will they really be enough?"
It was an obvious question. How good could these new battlesuits really be?
The diligent homeroom teacher had expected this reaction. He pointed at the youth, and gestured him to come up on stage. It made the youth panic a little.
This old man had already got the other teachers in the area on his side now.
Coercing the students to follow military protocol. Regardless of how they felt.
Prioritising their safety than feelings.
"I remember you in my class last semester. You're a third year now and have showed stunning results in magical theory." The old man recognised him.
Making the youth feel humbled.
"That's me." He scratched his red ear.
"Well then, I'll explain why they will be enough. However, let's get the details straight. What do you think is our greatest weakness right now?" The old teacher patiently guided the interaction.
"Miasma." The student said resolutely.
The certainty came with how the whole school was without any abilities now.
There were many students who had elemental Gifts, or the ability to become physically stronger by an undermined amount via anger. They were all different.
And when they were together? Very strong… Powerful enough to fight back.
However, the Miasma weakened them.
Making them reliant on tools.
"That's right. Miasma stops us from fighting at full potential… but I'm happy to inform you that these battlesuits can enhance the user and make them immune to corrosion." The old man spoke loudly.
Making sure his voice was heard by everyone. Even the girls he'd just called.
"But will they be enough?" Expectedly, it was hard to believe two students of the Cadet Rank could beat a Named. They were aware of Tia and Bella's strengths.
Still, that couldn't save them.
Rather than refuting blindly, the old man didn't change a shade. Not embarrassed.
Instead choosing to explain:
"Boy, what do think of our current Limiter Technology?" He sat the youth on a seat.
Showing the cross on the back of his right hand. Technology they all had.
"It's good." The boy has no opinion.
"Right. Not only does it convert your Life Force into 'Data', but it can also let you access Spiritual, Emotional, Mental, and Physical Data. An amazing piece of tech that has only one flaw." He threw out bait.
"A flaw?" The student looked at him.
Seemingly worried that the Limiter would break and cause them to die right here.
"Apparently, those who don't believe in having emotions or a soul cannot access this Data. Almost like when not believing in it, you truly affect yourself." These words made the entire auditorium frown.
Even the teachers couldn't believe the words he was saying. It sounded so off.
Did that mean it was up to them if they had souls or not? Was reality that fickle?
In truth, he was being really sincere.
No falsehoods in his words.
"Dark Muses work the same. If we are what you kids call NPCs, then they are the viruses that break the system. By using this logic, an 'antivirus' should be possible to create." The old man spoke.
"That's…" The student wanted to say something, but gradually trailed off.
Being at a loss for what to say.
"Don't fret. Those who qualify after surviving this disaster will be the first batch to test if what I'm saying is true. I will recommend you personally." The old homeroom teacher gave his solid word.
He then sent the youth right back there.
Time passed, and he managed to use this as a leverage. A carrot after the stick.
Awaiting the real Heroes he would create.
…..
….
…
..
.
Tia and Bella arrived on schedule to talk to the middle-aged teacher in charge.
The principal still in a random closet.
They weren't close enough to him to care about it, really… He was kinda mean.
Always making things harder instead of being stricter. An unusual level of pride.
He'd do backflips to defend that little bit he had. Which wasn't really appealing.
"Tia Vulcan…" The old man spoke while shaking her hand as an equal, which was weird considering the circumstances: "I was told to give you it in an emergency."
He handed over a token.
"What is this thing?" Tia tilted it around.
"It's your new battlesuit. I'll show you the method of activating this. Just place it on your Limiter after I awaken your 'Spectral Core' with this." The man pulled a sphere.
The strange object was attached to a stand. Its wheels moved around nicely.
"This is what exactly?" Tia scratched her head. She wasn't that great at theory.
"This is a device that will find the most suitable story that aligns with yours."
"It does what exactly?" Tia tilted her head. Not understanding what he meant.
"…You know how Dark Muses are 'stories' turned sour?" The teacher simplified it.
"Yeah!" She nodded very enthusiastically.
"This will attach a lost story from the Imaginary Realm to your body. When you transform yourself, what kind of Spectral Core you have will change the abilities you have." His words lost her again.
"Did you just say 'transform'?"
"From what Lord Celest said, it will be like a magical girl transformation. I'm not sure what that means, but he said you younglings will understand." The old man really was a boomer from harsher times.
"Did you say MAGICAL GIRL?!" Tia's eyes brightened at the nonsensical statement.
"Tia…" Bella sighed in response.
Holding her face in embarrassment.
To be perfectly honest, it was a childhood dream to her. Becoming a magical girl.
"Let me do it NOW!"
"Wait… You can't just try-" Before he could continue, she grabbed the sphere.
An inter-dimensional force arose from the glass orb. Opening a rift between realms.
She started to hallucinate.
Fire started to surround her. The image of an animal started to appear in her eyes.
Wasn't this… a wolf?
Why was it so angry? No, it was more accurate to say the wolf went feral.
"What do you see?" The teacher was keeping his eyes on her Limiter only.
When it turned red, he noted it down.
"It was a… I think… a… Feral Wolf?" The young girl wasn't quite sure about it.
"We'll call it that then. Anyway, remember to shout the activation words you 'feel' before using the Spectre Token. It will take all your weapons, bloodline traits, abilities, and Gift… then graft them together into your best form." There was barely much of an explanation given.
"Will it make you look really cute?" Tia looked at the teacher with sparkling eyes.
"Celest Vagabond specifically mentioned to tell you: 'Yes, it will cutify you.'… Is that even a word…? Forget it. Take this with you and give the last battlesuit to Lex if he's still okay." The old man rushed them.
Time was of the essence.
He gave her a marble-sized tool used to awaken Spectral Cores in the Limiter.
Tia was still unsure though.
"This battlesuit is for him?" She was surprised that a higher up noticed him.
"Lex raised his Tier as a Cadet recently by studying alone. He's worth seeing what happens after transformation." This answer made Tia look at him weirdly.
"Will it turn him into a girl?" Tia's words would have made him spit if he could.
What the heck was that?
"No. He will stay male." Why even ask it?
"I mean, you said it was a magical girl transformation. So…" Tia smiled feebly.
"It changes just your clothes, not appearance. It will create a form that brings everything you learnt together into one form, which is bolstered by your Spectre." He pointed at her Limiter.
The red tint in her Data was noticeable.
"But I don't know how to use fire…?" Her Gift had nothing to do with flames, so how was she going to control a Spectre of that affinity? Wasn't this an oversight?
Instead of looking patient, the teacher sighed at how difficult she was to teach.
"Tia Vulcan."
"Just call me Tia."
"If there can be Dark Muses that use Death Force without being taught, then you, who will be transformed by the story of your Spectre, will gain a benefit just like them." He looked at the student.
Seeing that she looked lost.
"…Bella?" He was worried he'd have to take his time teaching both of them.
"I understand." Her words made his heart feel at ease. At least one comprehends it.
"But why Lex though?" Tia didn't let the matter slide. Bringing this up again.
"I just said he came first in theory." Did she not hear? Or was this too complex?
"Knowing stuff isn't the same as being strong enough to fight." Tia surprisingly still felt superior to those who were all brain and no brawn. It was only natural.
She was a marvel who won the genetic literally. Having the best of powers.
She had the Sage Blood lineage, which meant having natural Magic Pathways at birth. Even having innate Magic Circuits from being the daughter of a great Hero.
Being a mixed pot full of blessings.
She was also one of those rare people who learnt a Combat Gift first before awakening an Innate Gift. Having two superpowers to rely on in need.
Someone like her was worthy?
But a nerd also had the same honour?
"Do you know how many subjects it takes to get full marks in theory?" Rather than getting annoyed, the old teacher had a bland tone when asking this question.
"…Not really." She skipped most of them.
"A total of 127 studies that each play a role in the mark you get nationally. He managed to learn every magic to ever be recorded… despite not being able to use them himself." The old teacher corrected.
"…But he can't use them." This was her point. What was the point of knowing?
"If he's still alive, you'll understand what knowing the rules of reality means. He is much more than a simple 'nerd'. That boy is the only true 'Mage'. He earned the title of Mage as his Sub Class!"
Finally, the teacher's words caused the muscle brain, Tia, to reevaluate him.
What was a 'Mage'?
They were able to combine natural forces and runic circles to create their magic.
Ever since the 3rd Eruption a few years ago, Mages had simply become useless.
It was because there was no external magical energy for them to utilise.
Not even being able to conjure fireballs.
Regardless, that only changed Mages from a S Tier Job Class to an A Tier one.
They could still preform a variety of spells if this was learnt as a Job Class.
As for Sub Class onee?
The amount of effort it took to become a true 'Mage' without the Job Class was astronomical. Enough that even geniuses would find learning this Sub Class boring.
Unless you were the highest level of being a bookworm, this was not possible.
A truly scary nerd indeed.
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