Pompeiii

With a mixture of surprise and amusement, the group followed Lyco into the classroom, where Aurelia couldn't resist playfully smacking him on the head for his comment.

Upon entering the classroom, the group was met with a familiar setup, but this time, the wall behind the teacher's platform bore six intriguing diagrams instead of the usual map. 

Alan's eyes scanned the etchings, spotting a small knife, a bow and arrow, a large sword, and armor, with a circular symbol in last holding etchings of fire, water, air and something that looked like a rock. 

Taking their seats, Alan observed that Armis had chosen to sit beside him, noticeably distancing himself from Leo. Armis's gaze briefly flickered towards Leo before settling on Aurelia and Lyco, seated in front, a faint smile gracing his lips.

Suddenly, a woman dressed in a tight brown robe, her eyes concealed behind large circular glasses, obscuring a significant portion of her face, rushed into the room. She apologized for her tardiness in a low voice, almost as if speaking to herself, before clumsily placing her heavy binder on the platform.

"Is everyone from Group Solis and Luna present?" she asked hesitantly, her voice barely audible.

Once again, Augustus rose from his seat and declared, 

"Dear Master, I assure you, as the esteemed representative of Group Solis, that we are all present and accounted for."

Suddenly Felix's voice rose in retort. "Who died and made you leader, huh? We're perfectly capable of speaking for ourselves, so spare us the unnecessary grandeur." 

His words dripped with sarcasm, left Augustus glaring with a hint of a forced smile.

"Felix has a point, Mr. Augustus, but let's try to maintain civility," the woman responded, her voice now laced with confidence. 

"Thank you for the update. You may take your seat now, Mr. Augustus." 

With that, she opened her binder, pushed back a stray lock of hair, and proceeded with her lecture in a slightly louder tone.

"Good day, class. My name is Clara Augementes, and I'll be your instructor for the 'Art of Wielding.' Before we dive into the subject matter, I want to commend all of you on your outstanding performance in the Trials. It's a privilege to be on the path to becoming a Raider, and you should all take pride in that achievement."

Master Clara's words were accompanied by a warm smile, a stark contrast to the stern demeanor of Master Ortheus, instantly endearing her to the students. 

Flipping through the pages of her book, she observed as everyone took out their notebooks in anticipation of her lecture.

"As the name suggests, I'll be guiding you through the intricacies of wielding marks and their historical significance, which you can then effectively utilise in your training sessions. These marks are unique etchings that every child born after the blessing possesses on their body. While elders were initially baffled by their workings, the brilliant minds of Pompeii conducted extensive research and experimentation, gradually unraveling the mysteries behind these blessings bestowed upon us by the Gods."

Master Clara picked up her binder, gracefully pacing between desks as she continued her lecture, voice calm and confident.

"What we discovered through our research is that marks are integral parts of our bodies, much like our limbs. Just as at a certain age, we can strengthen our limbs through focus, we can also empower our marks. This empowerment manifests in various forms, mirroring the appearance of the dark etchings on our skin."

"In essence, just as we train our physical bodies, we can train our marks by engaging in combat, winning battles, or even slaying monsters in Relic Castle," she explained. At the mention of Relic Castle, Alan's eyes widened with curiosity, following Master Clara's strolling figure, 

Monsters in Pompeii? He almost mumbled aloud, his imagination running on another intriguing revelation that grabbed onto his interest.

"These experiences give our marks strength, altering their shape, structure, and composition. Our marks are truly extensions of our bodies. The pain of losing them is akin to the agony of losing a limb," she concluded, emphasizing the profound connection between wielders and their marks.

Master Clara paused in the middle of her lecture and made her way to the platform. Pointing at the diagrams on the wall, she continued, 

"After fifty years of observation, researchers divided marks into six categories."

She pointed at each diagram one by one, explaining, 

"Close Combat Wielders are those who possess marks or weapons that are efficient and powerful for close-range combat, allowing them to inflict maximum damage."

"Long Ranger Wielders, as the name suggests, wield weapons that are more effective from a distance, enabling them to attack enemies situated far away," she elaborated.

"Next, we have Sword Wielders. Swords were a common weapon in Pompeii, coming in various shapes and sizes, which is why researchers deemed it necessary to classify them separately."

"And fourth one is, seemingly at the very low, we have Defense Wielding," she concluded, highlighting the final category.

Hearing Master Clara mention his wielding type with such a negative connotation made a squirm almost left from Armis's lips. Alan noticed Armis's gaze shifting downward to the floor. 

If not wrong Alan remembered how people in Pompeii often seemed to look down on Defense Wielding, but he wasn't entirely sure why. He glanced at Master Clara, hoping for further explanation.

"To Elders and Elites alike, Defense Wielding seemed of little use," Master Clara explained, her words echoing the sentiments Armis was likely feeling. 

"While it provides protection to its wielder, its utility is limited compared to other forms of wielding."

Then, Master Clara turned her back to the class and rolled up her sleeve, her voice gaining confidence as she continued, "And finally, we have a wielding that Elders regarded as one of the most rare and valuable resources in the development of Pompeii."

Swiftly, she turned, a ring on her finger enveloped in flames. In an instant, she manifested a fiery emblem that read "Elemental Wielding" in the air before it disintegrated. As Master Clara lowered her arm and rolled down her sleeve, the class was left in awe of the demonstration.

Alan felt a series of shudders, his fists closing as Master Clara's demonstration unfolded before him, where the rest of the class seemed filled with awe and excitement as she continued her explanation.

"For those who didn't bear the mark at birth," Master Clara explained, her voice filled with authority and knowledge, 

"there is always hope. Later in life, some individuals develop a connection to one of the elemental forces of nature—Fire, Wind, Water, or Earth. These wielders possess the rare ability to manipulate these elements, a skill highly valued by Elders and Elites in the rebuilding of Pompeii."

She paused for a moment, allowing her words to sink in before continuing,

"This is why wielders of this type are held in such high regard by Pompeiian society. While almost everyone in Pompeii bears a mark of some type, those who choose to hone and evolve their abilities through academy training have the opportunity to become powerful wielders or even achieve the coveted status of King Level Raider."

As Master Clara concluded her lecture, Alan's mind raced with the realization of a lingering problem: he still hadn't found a solution to imitate the phenomenon of wielding, crucial for blending in with the people of Pompeii and completing his mission. Lost in thought, he pondered over a weapon he possessed but hadn't utilized in a long time. 

——thuompphhhhhh——

But before he could delve deeper into his thoughts, the piercing sound of the horn signaling the end of class disrupted his reverie. Master Clara closed her book with a remark, "And students, always remember that no matter the type of your wielding, just like your body, it holds infinite potential. You only need hard work to tap into it. Also, any other questions?"

Alan raised his hand, seizing the opportunity to seek further clarity. 

"Yes, Master Clara, if you don't mind, could you elaborate on the topic of monsters residing in the Relic Castle?"

Upon hearing Alan's question, Augustus' lips curled into a smirk, accompanied by a concealed remark, "Amateur."

"Please, Mr. Augustus, questions are a good thing; it means you are learning from what is being taught," Master Clara called out to Augustus, who fell silent in frustration as she continued.

"You see sweety, at each floor of the Relic Castle, different types of monsters reside. Upon encounter, you slay them using your mark weapon, which provides you with a life aura that empowers your weapon. Training and practice can enhance your mastery over your weapon. Slaying monsters in the Relic Castle gives your weapon enhanced strength, build, and powers. You will learn more about monsters and the Relic Castle in your class with Master Reiner tomorrow."

Master Clara then announced some news before dismissal. "One week from today, the academy is holding a festival for the founding day of the Chronos Wielding Academy. All groups in the academy are required to present some sort of activity. Please remember this and prepare a show worth your respect towards this institution."

After delivering the announcement, Master Clara made her way out, followed by the other students.

Exiting the classroom, Alan turned to Aurelia to inquire about their next activity, but before she could respond, Lyco leaped in front of them with excitement.

"To the training hall!" Lyco exclaimed, dashing ahead toward the training hall. Armis, Alan, and Aurelia quickly followed suit, eager to continue their day's activities.

Alan and his companions stepped into the expansive training hall, its vastness divided into five distinct sections, each tailored to a specific wielding discipline. Strengthened wooden pallets, reinforced with iron walls, delineated the boundaries of each training area.

At the entrance, labeled "Close Combat," numerous ragdolls with spinning arms awaited eager trainees. Adjacent to it, the long-range training area featured targets set up for precision practice. Further along, the section dedicated to sword wielding boasted massive tree trunks suspended from the ceiling, with giant ragdolls strategically placed at varying distances.

In the Defensive Wielding area, automated darts and arrow-shooting machines lined the walls, offering trainees a chance to hone their defensive skills. Lastly, the Elemental Wielding training hall stood apart, noticeably larger than the others, symbolizing the academy's preference for Elemental Wielders.

The Elemental Wielding training hall was adorned with scorching torches, a serene pond of water, an open and airy space, and a rugged ground for training. While Alan admired the setup, he couldn't help but feel a pang of disappointment at the academy's narrow focus on power-centric training rather than fostering diversity.

Surveying the hall, Alan noted that, unlike the Elemental and Defensive areas, most of the other halls were bustling with students. 

Shedding their upper uniform layers, each of their bodies revealed tank tops provided by the academy.

Alan glanced at Lyco, who was clearly in a trance, his eyes fixed on a singular, bouncing distraction.

Following Lyco's line of sight, Alan's vision landed on Aurelia, who had just changed into her tank top. Her ample, voluptuous curves were on full display, accentuated by the snug fit of the tank top. With every movement, her breasts bounced enticingly, drawing Lyco's unabashed attention.

Alan chuckled at Lyco's predictable behavior, a mixture of amusement and understanding evident on his face. He approached Lyco, aiming to break him out of his trance.

"That's a bit rude, don't you think?" Alan remarked with a playful tone.

Lyco snapped out of his reverie, turning to face Alan with a sheepish smile. Meanwhile, Armis had just finished changing nearby. Coming closer Aurelia had started to speak, but her words trailed off as she caught sight of Armis's chiseled physique, his abs clearly defined in his tank top. Armis, in turn, found his gaze drawn to Aurelia's voluptuous curves, their eyes meeting briefly before they both looked away, cheeks flushed with embarrassment.

From a distance, Alan and Lyco observed the exchange between Armis and Aurelia, sharing knowing smiles. As Armis approached Alan, still visibly blushing, he spoke up.

"Hey, Alan... We were thinking, since you're clearly the strongest among us, we'd really appreciate your help with our training."

Lyco, filled with pride, strutted away from Alan and stopped at the entrance of the Elemental Hall. With a childish yet arrogant tone, he declared, 

"I don't know what you're talking about. I'm clearly stronger than any of you, any day."

As he spoke, he stomped his foot, causing his hat to leap into the air. From the rugged ground of the Elemental Hall, a massive boulder erupted and crashed onto the ground, as if to emphasize Lyco's boast.

"Nah... I still believe Alan is more powerful. Have you not seen his speed?" Armis chimed in, stepping forward with a mischievous grin.

Aurelia joined in, resting her elbow on Armis's shoulder. 

"No, I think the dwarf is right. I mean, what good is speed if you don't have the ground to walk on?"

Lyco, emboldened by Aurelia's compliment, moved towards the entrance of the hall and challenged Alan.

"So, what do you say, Alan? Up for a one-on-one?"

Alan smiled at Armis and Aurelia, understanding their intentions. He bowed mockingly in Lyco's direction. 

"I would be honored, O great almighty!"

With that, Alan, Armis, and Aurelia followed Lyco into the Elemental Hall.

Lyco stood tall, a prideful grin stretching across his face. Alan, on the other hand, maintained his composure, observing as Lyco leaped into the air, boasting his strength by summoning huge boulders from the ground and levitating them mid-air. Alan's response was barely perceptible—a slight twitch of his arm. Lyco panicked, launching the boulders in a desperate flurry.

With a blink of movement, imperceptible as a blur of motion to Armis and Aurelia, Alan closed the distance between himself and Lyco. With his sharp nail poised at Lyco's throat, Alan fixed him with a menacing gaze and whispered in his ear, 

"What do you say now, Mr. Almighty?"

Feeling the surge of fear and panic coursing through Lyco's body, he collapsed to the ground, along with the boulders, his voice trembling as he stammered, "T…te…ta…Teach Me!!!"

Armis and Aurelia came running towards them, witnessing Alan's remarkable display of speed and agility once again. 

Armis, filled with excitement, exclaimed, "See!!! I knew it. Now please help us out with our training; you are our only hope for ever reaching floor 50."

Aurelia, with a playful glare, chimed in, 

"I still believe that you are some superhuman."

Alan, seeing his friends' eagerness for his guidance, couldn't resist their pleas. He gave in and accepted their proposal to help them with their training.