41 Library of Mages (2)

Classroom S10 was in a separate building, in a far corner of the campus. Unlike other buildings, it was only one story and had no windows. Quiet, cold and empty. Inside of the building was all made from concrete, with no other colors than grey. The S10 classroom was at the very end of the building. We opened the steel door and entered the room.

Silence. With no chairs or tables, the students were sitting on the floor and the teacher laying in the corner. "You're late." the teacher said. His skin was pale, and clothes dark, he looked like the grim reaper in human form.

"Sorry about that. We got to hold up in the principal's office." I said.

"Yeah right." He got up walked up to us, placing his arms around us as he looked at the class and said. "These two are going to join our small 'family'. The beauty here is Emily Flores, and the tall guy is Dominique Blake. As for me, you can call me 27."

"27?"

"Exactly. Now, since we know each other already, let me give you a brief overview of my role. I will be more of an advisor rather than a teacher, after observing how you are doing I can tell you how you can improve. Since that is your first day, I want to see how you are now."

"27! Can I test them?" One of the students shouted. Buff like a bodybuilder, wearing jeans and a white shirt, looking like a young Arnold Schwarzenegger. He seemed very eager to act.

"Ike? Sure. Let's move to the Field 3" 27 seamed uninterested, but I was. It was a feeling that Ike was strong, but not stronger than me. "The rest of you are free to go."

Following behind 27 we moved down the corridor and entered through the door on the left. A big hall with water around the outside and an earth island. Connected by a metal bridge, Ike, Emily and I moved across the bridge. 27 and a few students that stayed to watch remained on the bridge and watched from there.

"Ladies first." 27 said.

Ike stood at the center of the island and watched as Emily approached. "When do we start?" she asked.

"Whenever you feel like it."

Emily closed her eyes and summoned black feathers around her, they looked almost the same as the ones symbols on my arm summoned, only more real and solid. She started moving and controlling them with her arms. Ike didn't move, but the earth around him rose and gathered around his body.

Earthen scales. The same martial technique that Marcus used. Earth gathering around Ike's body created armor that looked like scales and on his right hand, a shield the size of his body formed.

The black feathers moved quickly, but Ike was ignoring them and walking towards Emily with a confident step. This was what I believe to be the biggest problem Emily had with her skills. Power output. She was able to create black feathers like it was the second nature of hers, but their individual power was weaker than the ones I used.

With the Elemental Essence, she had now, it was already surprising that she was this strong after two weeks. And as long as she trains diligently… which she doesn't seem interested in, her strength can reach heights much higher then what I was doing.

Emily had little interest in evolving her strength, and if not for me bugging her about it, she would've spent all the time doing research.

The black feathers stuck inside the earthen scales and not able to move any further slowly disappeared. Emily was still calm and watched as Ike walked up to her. When he was arm's length away, she raised her hand and… "I give up." surrendered.

Ike stopped, and 27 waved with his hand. "Ok, come over here Emily. Let's talk, you are up next Dominique."

Ike moved back to the center and waited for me there. "So, is Ike really your name?"

"No. It's Isaac, Isaac Myers. But everyone calls me Ike. You can come at me whenever you want." Just like before Emily started summoning the feathers, he stood there with confidence.

"When did you enter the University?" I asked. Leisurely walking in his direction, my soul essence moving under my skin ready to act at any moment.

"This is my first year here."

"You are freshmen like me then. You awakened six or so months ago then. Considering your physique and use of Martial Techniques, you are a tank. But since you are in the S class… there must be something more to you then just that." With every word, I was a step closer to him, I didn't walk too fast or too slow, just enough to have a conversation.

"True. I have three elements. But Earth is the one I'm most proficient in of the three, and being a tank fits me well."

"Three elements? Damn. But still, you only practiced for six months, and with three elemental essences to grow… you have tons of potential but not enough time to fully realize it. I can only wish you good luck!" Being only a few steps away now, I manifested my soul image and dashed forward.

With one kick I shattered the shield formed around Ike's forearm. Pushed back from the shock of the kick, he took a while to stabilize his stance, but my punches arrived immediately after. I was holding back as to not hurt him but still break the earthen scales.

Ike was surprised by the sudden outburst, but as his armor crumbled and punches landed, he slowly adapted and cast another Martial Technique. Earth armor repaired more and more, and when it was close to its original state… "Iron Castle!" he shouted out!

Metal pieces rose deep to form the ground and created a layer of protection. He had Earth and Metal, not only had the three elements, one of them was mutated!

With the metal surrounding his earth armor, his defense became many times harder. "With a sword world can be split, with a spear… shattered! Spear of Destiny!" And now a spear appeared in his Hand. With an intricate design all around it, the edge looked sharp enough to cut through my soul image.

Evading his spear, I took a few steps back and looked the fully armored Ike. "I thought that you were best with the earth element."

Ike grinned and said, "I didn't say I'm no good with other elements."

"Right. It doesn't matter in the end." I grabbed his spear when he tried to attack me and jerked it out of his grasp. His eyes widened, and the last thing he saw was the blunt end of his spear hitting him in the head.

Knocked out Ike fell flat on the floor. The spear in my hand fell apart followed by the earth and iron from Ike's body turning into dust. I retracted my soul image and walked back to the bridge. "Well done, you won."

"What now?" I asked.

"Now, like a good advisor I'm, I will give you advice. But first a little evaluation of your fight. I could see you were holding back, all of your strikes were cruel and aimed at spots where they would do the most damage and coupled with your overwhelming strength there was no chance for Ike to win.

I don't know who trained you… but if it is fighting, you don't need any more training. For now, learn other skill to supplement it. That's my advice."

That was… an advice…

"If you wish to find me later and we can find something that will fit your skill set. Well, Emily, you know what to do, and you Dominique think what skill to learn. But before that, I need to place you in a team. Dagon you don't mind if I take one of your tanks, right?"

"…" 27 said to a youth, maybe a year or two older than me, with a head full of bright red hair. But Dagon didn't even flinch to 27's words, only with nod agreed to it.

"Perfect! Then, you two go say hi to your teammate, Ike!"