Basic Education

"The current ranking system for summoned creatures was adopted when? Anyone?" Mr. McDowell asked the class. Behind him was a large chalkboard covered in charts. It showed the differences between each star. Nine distinct levels.

Besides the star levels, there were also colors that place a creature in a rank. Bronze, silver, gold, and diamond. The more stars a creature held, the more skills it could use. The higher the rank the stronger physically or greater its mana. A one-star silver was generally the strength of a three-star bronze. Even if it only knew one skill.

Depending on the skills a creature could overcome the difference in rank. A bronze 4-star firefox could easily win over a gold nine-star Tree Ent, a creature weak to fire. Firefox is born a bronze four-star but had the potential to evolve into higher ranks.

All first years could easily handle calling on a bronze one-star creature. But a nine-star was difficult for most masters. Not without some kind of aid or extreme price. The blackboard laid it all out with graphs and other data.

An example chart shows rank and level by hypothetical numbers. A bronze one star might have access to 10 units of mana. Able to use its one skill ten times a day. Bronze two star with 20 units and 2 skills. Bronze rank 9 held 90 and nine skills. A silver rank 9 had 900 points with the same nine skills. Many other factors were also used. But a creature's mana pool and skill limit were standard for scoring most creature ranks and levels.

Mr. McDowell pointed to a kid named Wen Jun-ho, a Korean from the earth. "Yes sir, the time period should have been during the second-century earth standard. Records conflict if it was adopted on December 27, 278 the day that evil was born. Or on March 4, 280 the day known as hope renewed." Jun-ho replied verbatim from what he had read in a reference book.

Mr. McDowell's teaching style was a mix of theoretical and practical and today he was focusing on the texts. All practical exercises would be held in his world. There he could control all aspects and guarantee the kid's safety.

Books and lectures covered things he did not feel confident in letting the kids try firsthand. But he was a thorough teacher. He did not skip out on a subject just because he thought it dangerous. Even if he disagreed with it, he would still teach it. The board set the mandate and he did his best to prepare his students.

"Ranking is not everything. The bonds you build with your summons are just as important. A strong bond will lessen your burdens. To be a Summoner is to carry many burdens." Mr. McDowell continued his lecture.

Kaden had already read most of what Mr. McDowell was talking about. Nonetheless, he still paid attention to the lecture. It would be rude not to. He was also unsure if his Gigi was hiding somewhere watching him. Just knowing that lady was about made Kaden vigilant.

His Gigi likes to randomly test his defenses and reflect. If Kaden did not stay alert then she just might kick him in the head. Having a grandma that was a wannabe martial arts movie star kept the poor boy on his toes. Besides the books that recorded some of her past deeds were concerning enough.

Once Kaden's Gigi was cheated out of pay for a contract job she did. Her anger that followed caused a whole star system to collapse. Not literally but her meddling caused a major economic crisis for that small empire.

"Mister Furgason, can you answer for me the uses of meditation?". Mr. McDowell asked abruptly. From time to time he would randomly call out a student. Somehow the man remembered who had a turn and who had not.

Kaden stood up at being called out. "Meditation is a key part of our training and will now always be part of our daily routines. It focuses our minds. Strengthens our mana pools. Allows us to communicate with our contracts without having to enter the other world. Some philosophers believe it also helps improve spell casting, reaction speeds, and proficiency but that's debatable." Kaden answered.

He almost quoted the textbook answer but stopped himself. Mr. McDowellhad already had a chat with him about textbook answers. It was good that Kaden memorized the book's contents. Mr. McDowell though wanted more than that. He wanted the students' own interpretation so he could better grasp their individual understanding. That's why he likes to ask random questions. With their answers, he could better help each one of his charges.

"Well said, I would only add. That by meditating with our school's method our body through mana infusion becomes healthier." Mr. McDowellfollowed up. The school method's cost was also factored into the tuition fees. "Mr. Yun, can you inform the class more about meditation methods? As your family is famous for their monopoly on high tier techniques." Mr. McDowell asked.

The boy he asked was a sickly-looking skinny boy. The ancient garb he wore screamed Chinese. He looked like an extra from an old kung fu movie. Kaden was sure his Gigi would be jealous if the kid had acted in one.

Outside in the vacuum of space and out of the class's view. A dreadnought slowly docked alongside the Five School Campus Space Station. It was only an 8th of the station size but still a huge ship. A moving city that held millions of lives aboard.

"Grandfather, are we the only ones to travel in such a grand fashion? Will it affect my standing with the others? I would not want them to think I like showing off. Or… or spoiled." A girl with burgundy curly hair asked. Some would think she was too young to be a freshman in high school. The excitement mixed with a bit of apprehension was starting to make her nervous and second guess herself.

"Hahaha, the Maximoffs ship is just over there. That gaudy thing makes ours look like a little boat." The man standing next to the little girl said. He fondly patted her head and added. "Your aunty Linda is already here plus all your cousins. Even if she has a grudge against our nation she still cares deeply for you. So what's to worry about?"

The little girl ignored the head pat. Something she disliked as it made her feel little. She knows she is short, she just does not like the reminders. "Grandfather, does this mean you will be staying aboard the Celestite?" She asked knowing the old man would only get beaten by Linda if they met. He did not look old but to the little girl, he was just that.