Joshua was trying hard but to no avail he wasn't able to land a single blow on the rabbit.
The instructor made some signs and the rabbit's fur stood up and its size also seemed to increase. In an instant Joshua sent flying out of the arena.
"Next"
As slowly every combat class student got a chance to fight Chika. And no non combat dared to challenge.
"Next." There was only one remaining student.
He looked handsome, a rectangular earring dangling from his ear.
On the non combat group students started to whisper "Hey! Isn't he Souchu Lochan from the Lochan family."
"Yes, he was awakened as a fire mage. His rank is C rank."
"So, He is that prodigy"
"It's a rumor that after just one day of awakening he killed 7 C Rank beasts alone."
Leo was sitting on the back side and listening.
'I haven't met eren since that day. Is he on an adventure with his guild?' Leo had no need to come to the academy. But he needed information on rare material and their location. He wanted to make a trip to the library. Sudden whispering caught his attention.
"A prodigy! Weren't they already admitted to national academies? Is some still remaining? Let me see."
"Appraise"
[Target: Souchu Lochan]
[Grade: C Rank ]
[Description:- Awakened human with fire affinity class.]
Leo used an appraisal skill to see details about him. 'Is that all?
'Come to think of it, I still never used my skills on humans but, this much is a little disappointing. When everyone can see that much what's the use of having my special skills.' Leo was dejected. But a prompt floated in front of his eye.
[Use Origin Eye to see Hidden Details]
'Of course it could. The Appraisal skill is merely E-Rank, while the Origin Eye was EX-Rank—a rank I had never seen or even heard of before. Even so, I didn't dare use it carelessly. It takes too much out of me. But now I am E-Rank, even though not much strong, can still sustain, one time use.'
'I want to see his hidden stats so I can see how far behind I am.'
"Origin Eye"
His right eye stung as it turned a golden hue, focusing solely on the grey-haired man. He could feel his mana slowly draining.
Everything around slowed down. His vision shifted. The world faded, replaced by countless faint threads woven around Lochan.
They intertwined like an invisible tapestry, the more he focused the more threads he saw. Some strands glowed brighter, some were dull, and many tangled together in a pattern Leo could barely comprehend. 'what is this all?!'
He felt that his mana was about to be all dried up and he shut down the golden eye. Before weakness takes over and blood starts to burn, it would be wise to just stop the origin eye.
His vision shattered, and the world snapped back to its normal pace. Lochan stepped into the arena, staff already in his hand.
[Origin Name:- Souchu Lochan IV, Humanus, 16]
[Core strength:- Fire affinity C-Rank, (Can be upgraded)]
[Stats]
STR 66.
AGI 67.
VIT 60.
INT 70.
[Hidden Stats]
WIS 77
PER 50
END 56
LUK 5
CHARM 7
'IVth what does it imply, where is class? Fire affinity that's it..'
'his stats are 3 times more than me, given by system or naturally high.'
[Hidden Skills]
»Flame Knuckle (C Rank) :- Punch releases a burst of flame on impact.
» Blazing Fist (C Rank ) :- Flames cover fists, increasing damage.
» Burning ??? :- .....??
» ?????????
[Gaze was stopped halfway]
"Forget it. It's not like he has anything interesting anyway. If he has skills, he'll show them eventually." Leo said with tiresome gaze.
"Why do you say that?" a student sitting beside Leo asked after hearing his disdainful words.
Did I say that out loud? Leo was startled.
"No— I mean, I was just talking to myself. Don't mind me."
"You were clearly looking down on Souchu, saying there was nothing interesting about him." The guy frowned, forcing the words out.
"What's wrong, brother?" another guy sitting beside him asked, suddenly interested.
''This guy was saying Souchu isn't as strong as we think— that there's nothing special about him.'' He blurted it out loudly, clearly making sure everyone heard him.
"W-what!? That guy… he looks like a commoner. Why would he provoke the nobles?" Suddenly, the whole group of non-combat students began whispering among themselves.
Leo facepalmed and sighed inwardly. What's wrong with these people? Why do they care about what I say or do?
"Huh? Isn't that Leo Hart?" someone whispered.
"Why is he suddenly provoking nobles?"
"Wait… that's Leo? The weakest awakener in the academy?"
"What!!? he is that F-Rank, a trash, how dare a peasant like him defy a noble's prestige."
Leo felt like that headache coming once again. This happens with him whenever he is around the academy this is nothing new his day in were always like this. Nobles form gangs and always bully commoners they do not listen to them. Bullying commoners let them feel a false sense of superiority.
Being awaken is one, but having a powerful background is also kind of a power. In the world where power reigns all over not having power means ants that can be crushed any time and no one will vow for you. This bitter truth Leo already knew since childhood and felt personally when hundreds of commoners lost their homes, got injured like his crushed house and bedridden mom.
"Enough!! I only said he had the skills that now he's gonna show us today. Not anything that he had nothing interesting." Leo nearly let out a screech.
"W-what!!? You dare shout at me. Heir of house Berkshire." A noble' descendant who last spoke, was displeased.
"What's going on here?" Instructor Jason's attention was attracted, after hearing commotion at the non combat group side.
"Teacher, he wants to challenge combat against your tamed beast." A student sitting beside Leo blurted out without giving anyone a chance to speak.
"What? When did i?" Leo sensed the situation going out of hand.
Those students—well known for bullying Leo throughout his school life—had no intention of missing a chance to torment a commoner. Especially after being irritated by Leo's earlier behavior.
"W-what!? Y-you went back on your word too quickly!" one of them stammered, his voice trembling as if he were the wronged party.
"Leo! You're so mean. You wanted the teacher to scold us," another student from a noble family added, pretending to sound hurt.
Leo was dumbfounded, his jaw slightly open.
What the hell is wrong with these people? he thought. Do they really have to act this far?
Teacher Jason was not foolish enough to miss their little charade. Yet he allowed the act to continue and gestured toward the arena.
Moments later, Leo found himself standing inside it.
In front of him was a small rabbit—cute and fluffy. Its eyes looked like tiny black gems, round and harmless.
It seemed completely innocent.
"He'll dance for us for a while," someone said with a laugh.
"Julius, you're so cruel. He was just sitting peacefully. Poor guy." Another student scoffed mockingly. "Though Kaelen used to bully him anyway, so it doesn't really matter."
"It would be a shame if he didn't at least visit Nurse Sofia's department," Julius added with a smirk.
Beside Leo stood the prodigy of House Lochan, looking slightly bewildered.
"Why challenge this? You're too weak," Souchu said flatly. "Even if you win, it won't benefit you. You're still the non-combat class."
He continued, "Didn't you see the merchant's son earlier? He trained in swordsmanship, yet still lost because of his weak class."
Leo sighed.
"I don't want to fight either," he replied quietly. "But things are a little out of my hands."
A moment later, Souchu stepped out of the arena.
Refined for a noble descendant, Leo thought.
Then his attention returned to the rabbit.
What should I do now? he wondered. Maybe I should just let it attack and lose immediately.
Yes… why go through all this? I can admit defeat after one exchange.
Leo exhaled slowly and stood still. He had no real firepower anyway. Ending it quickly seemed like the best option.
The watching students quickly lost interest in what promised to be a dull fight. Even the instructor, standing at the referee's position, expected little from it.
The rabbit's eyes suddenly glowed a deeper red as the instructor gave a signal.
Leo's senses sharpened.
He still planned to do nothing.
That was what he thought.