Jason was frozen, both is shock and delight. Sophia was pressing him in her underwear and being blindfolded allowed his other senses to be heightened. He could feel the way her breasts are pressed against his back. The way her arms wrapped around him like a nice cocoon. He could feel her breathe against the back of his neck and the way her heart was racing.
He held her hand with his own as his own heart was racing. "Sophia, you didn't do anything wrong. I didn't even know about the repercussions of coming back to life in rapid succession."
"I should have, though," she said calmly. All power comes with a cost I just don't know yours was that dangerous. I should have known it would affect you body this way."
She was trying to keep a cool and calm image. She was trying so hard to maintain herself. Yet I knew by the way her breathe was shaking that she was close to losing her composure.
Jason didn't care about the repercussions. He turned and faced her. He wrapped his arms around her and held her close.
"I want to get stronger," Jason said. "You are probably the best chance I have at achieving that. And because of you, I have a better grasp at what I can do than wandering around in the dark. I was a fledgling. A little bird away from his nest lost and alone. One that just wanted to survive with predators everywhere. So thank you for allowing this bird to grow a little today."
Sophia blinked as her breathing started to steady. She closed her eyes and leaned into him. "Just don't expect this to become a habit. We shall go over what I know about you later. Right now, rest little bird."
'Better than being called fried chicken,' Jason thought as he drifted off.
The next morning, Jason woke up. The pain in his body was gone and he felt refreshed. The warm feeling he had before falling asleep wasn't there. Sophia was gone. He quickly got dressed and went to the lecture hall.
The lecture hall was a thousand yard long building with three floors. Its gothic architecture made it look more ancient than modern. Jason walked in through the massive double doors and wandered the hallway to find his home room.
When he got to the classroom, people were already getting into groups and deciding where they wanted to fit in. Some of the girls started creating their own inner circle. Some of the guys wanted to see who was stronger so they started arm wrestling one another. The rest were talking to one another, seeing who can fill whose desire best.
At the front was the teachers desk and behind her was a board.
Jason walked over to a quiet seat in the corner and sat down. He was the type to observe and watch rather than get involved with anything. He was watching some of the guys when one of them noticed him. He was a massive guy. Far larger than Jason. He was 7 feet tall and muscles the size of an RPG barrel. He wore shorts and a muscle shirt. He had a high and tight flat top hairstyle which made it difficult to see what hair color he had.
"You have a problem with me or something?" He asked in a rude and aggressive tone. The whole class got quiet and started looking over at them. He walked over to Jason. "Your staring like your some big shot not worth our time. If you got something to say, just say it."
A lightbulb flashed in Jason's mind. He found a really stupid idea to hit four birds with one stone. Jason looked at him and said, "I don't have anything to say. Your appearance says enough about you."
"Oh? And what does my appearance say to you?"
Jason cleared his throat and said, "that your menstruating and your clearly trying to compensate for something."
The whole class went silent. You could hear a pin drop from a mile away as clear as day.
A being bulged in the guys head. The guy grabbed Jason and picked him up. Jason disappeared in a burst of flames and reappeared on the other side of the classroom.
"Teleportation?" One girl asked.
"What kind of creature does that?" Another said.
"That was awesome!" One man said.
Jason grinned. One, shock the class. Two, insult the bully. Three, test an ability. And four…
"I'm gonna beat you to a pulp." The big guy said.
Jason's grin widened. Fourth bird, daily quest. He wanted to fight. He raised his hand and said come here. He wanted to know just how tough this guy was. Someone like Sophia was clearly stronger than him just by walking. There was no way Jason could tell how strong she was. But this guy? He can tell that he can at least see how strong he was.
Before they could charge at each other, someone entered the room. Professor Invidia walked into the classroom. She wore the same revealing top as yesterday and her blonde hair was in a ponytail. She wore a set of black trousers that stopped at her ankles and a pair of high heels. "Take your seats everyone."
The buff man gave Jason a look that said 'we'll deal with this later.'
Everyone sat down as Professor Invidia started class. "Let's start with getting to know one another shall we? Let's start with the back."
Jason stood up and said, "Jason. My bond is a salamander."
"A salamander can do that?" Some of the students whispered to one another.
"Next up."
Each student was called and each one was unique in their own way. One girl had a mermaid. Another girl had a siren. One guy had a drake. He caused a minor commotion. Drakes are really rare, second only to dragons. The big guy got up. He said, "Name is Anthony. Leviathan." The class roared in disbelief.
"Holy shit!"
"A leviathan?"
"No way!"
Anthony grinned at Jason. Jason just shrugged as if to say 'So what?'
Anthony narrowed his eyes and sat back down. The teacher clapped her hands and said "If that is everyone, let us begin. Today's lesson will be more about the academy and the basics of how being blessed works."
"Just because you know the information doesn't mean that you can forget it." She moved her hand under her desk and grabbed a box. "Each of you will gain an academic smartwatch. This watch will allow you to track your scores across the academy. The higher the score, the better off you will be. The watch will also work as your wallet here. Every day, you will gain $30 currency. That will be enough for three meals with a little extra. Your scores will also affect this amount as well. The higher your score, the more you gain. Your families, if they want to, can also give you more. There is also a basic map installed on each one that will give you directions on where to go for your next lesson. Now everyone come get one."
The students all went up to grab one. Some were fascinated by it like Jason. Others didn't really care about it. 'It seems they are familiar with it,' Jason thought.
"Now that that is out of the way, let's get into the rules of the academy." She raised a delicate finger in the air. "First, mass genocide is not allowed. You are here to train and learn. Not to become serial killers. Just because death is allowed in the arena, does not mean you can get away with murder." She raised a second finger. "Rule number two, keep your desires in check in public settings and always in the class room. I noticed a couple of you were about to have a fight before this lesson. There is an arena for that very purpose."
"Looks like she's letting us go with a slap on the wrist this time." Jason thought looking at Anthony.
"Rule number three," She said raising her third finger in the air. "Don't damage public property. There have been some incidents where students will take their anger out on the buildings and walls of the school. Word of advice, don't do that. You'll end up having to pay for the damages."
Jason winced, not sure how he be able to afford anything here.
She raised a fourth finger. "Rule number four, don't steal the watches from others. Once it's on, it scans the DNA of the one who wears it. If the DNA of another touches it outside of a fight, we will know about it. So think twice before you steal, or sabotage a persons watch."
"With that being said," she continued, "Let's all have a good educational experience."
Professor Invidia started the lecture. Jason and the others were taught how the blessed came to be, the struggles they had to endure, and the war that cane after.
"The Continental War shook the whole world. Every faction on every land was involved. Until he came. William Maverick, the first one to be bonded by a dragon. The world at the time thought the blessed were just weapons of war. William changes their perspective. He fought everyone to a standstill. And on the very battlefield where the war ended, is where we are today. This school's primary purpose is to ensure the peace that William Maverick fought for lasts for as long as possible." The announcement bell rang signaling the end of the lesson. "That is it for today everyone. Enjoy the rest of the day. Jason, a word.m before you leave."
Everyone got up and started to leave. The boys looked at Jason with envious eyes as they walked out the door.
When the last student left, Professor Invidia looked at him with those silver eyes. Jason found himself lost in them. "It's best if you don't look into my eyes for so long Jason. My eyes, as beautiful as they are have consequences when someone stares for too long. You may not come back."
Jason shook his head as her words snapped him out of it. "You called for me Professor?"
"What did you think about the lecture?"
"Easy to both understand and follow along," Jason replied. "Yet I don't understand, if everyone knows so much about this, then why do we need to go over it again?"
"I prefer to start from the beginning and explain things from there. If we were to start in the middle, then young blessed like you would be confused with the lack of knowledge. So I like to keep everyone on the same page. Now for the reason I called you. Later, after your last class, meet me in the research wing of the main building. I'd like to run some tests to figure out your bond."
"Ok I'll make my way there after last class."
"Good. Also, be wary of Anthony." Invidia warned. "Leviathans are not easy to bond with due to their nature as sea creatures. He's very volatile when he loses control of his emotions."
"I'll be careful, Professor." Jason said as he walked out.
He walked out to the hallway when he bumped into Sophia. They both blushed by the incident from last night and Jason looked away. "Sophia cleared her throat before speaking. "I have made an arrangement for you as a proper apology for yesterday."
"Sophia you don't have to do that."
"Its already done so deal with it." She said before giving him an outfit. "Don't worry there is nothing on this one. It's a combat outfit for you. It will survive through your ability so you won't embarrass yourself if it happens."
"Sophia I…" Jason started but Sophia was already walking away. He looked at the outfit in his hand before realizing something. His eyes widened in disbelief as he stared at where Sophia was standing a moment ago.
"She just gave me an artifact."