No Other Choice

Just like every other day, Kayden had a lot of things on his mind. There was his training at the academy. Although his training using the simulation setting had come to an end, he still had a lot to learn from the mystery class division about abilities. Moreover, there was the combat class that was getting more intense than ever. These days, there would always be at least five to ten students who would be sent to the infirmary for a number of reasons.

Kayden was just beginning to get use to his hectic schedule at the academy, as compared to his high school days, when all he had to worry about was getting good grades at his academics to keep up his GPA. Now, he had to worry about training, his family, and now a society that is up to no good.

Of course, he didn't ask for the last part to be added to the list. It was just something that a certain red-haired girl had forcefully made him participate him, telling him that he was somewhat involved in it all.

Other than the fact that he didn't really have a choice in the matter, Kayden was also hoping that it would give him the opportunity to gain more skills and even possibly level up through the system. He had no idea what other monsters he might unlock through the system. Plus, he had barely scratched the surface of what his werewolf form was capable of.

Now, there was the fact that Kayla wanted him to get more involved in what they were doing. Of course, he couldn't refuse, for fear of how she might react to it. Right now, he was struggling to enjoy his breakfast like he usually would.

To distract himself, he began thinking about the day of the inter-student competition, when a rogue Shale had suddenly crashed down from the ceiling, raining terror on them all. His mind then wondered to the news he would constantly see on television back at home about the treaty between the Shales and humanity, stating that both races would go about their lives without interfering in the others.

Thinking about this, his mind suddenly drifted to an ominous scenario. The sound was bright red. There wasn't a single cloud in sight, and all across a vast plane, all that could be seen were dead bodies littering the face of the Earth. Everyone and everything had been killed. The Shales had left no survivors in their quest to conquer.

Then, amongst the dead bodies scattered across the barren plane, his vision suddenly panned on two individuals in particular who were familiar with him. His body suddenly jerked in response, causing him to fall down from his chair.

"You okay?" Kayla asked, raising an eyebrow.

Kayden got off the floor and sat back on his seat. All of a sudden, he began to sweat, so much so that it became obvious to everyone seated round the table. They were all confused, wondering why he was so terrified all of the sudden.

'What's he thinking about?' Kayla wondered. She wanted to ask him herself, but thought that it might have to do with something personal, so she chose not to pry him for any answers. Not long after that, breakfast had come to an end. It was now time for them all to head over to combat class.

During the class, Kayden seemed to be quite distracted, as he was messing up a lot of the movements and forms, giving his sparring partner the opportunity to beat the crap out of him. Although he wasn't offended by this. At the end of the day, they were all just training.

He was more worried about his family back at home. No two people alive in this world were more important to him than Jake and Stacy- his uncle and cousin who were currently back at Black Saber city.

He then remembered the former mystery class division teacher, who had been sent over there to deal with some important issues that required the intervention of people such as her. He couldn't begin to imagine just what might be going on there that required people like her to get involved.

His mind then flashed back to the Shale that had attacked the academy. Could it be that something similar was taking place over there.

'I… I need to do something about that,' Kayden thought, as combat class for the day had come to an end. Before everyone went towards the abilities class, Kayden decided to meet up with Kayla and the others to tell them something.

"What is it?" She asked, seeming irritated that she had called out to her to tell her something out of the blue.

"I… have decided to help you guys… on your mission to find out and destroy the Shade," he said with resolve in his eyes.

Hearing this, Kayla began to laugh. "Like you had a choice in the matter in the first place. Is that all you wish to say, or is there more to it?" She asked.

Kayden nodded his head as he opened his mouth to give a reply. "There is. I wish to grow stronger through helping you. I hope you all can guarantee that at least," he requested, glancing at the faces of everyone standing on either side of her.

Kayla had her chin in her hands as her head faced the floor. She was thinking about what he had just said, before looking straight and giving him an answer.

"As long as you don't end up surpassing me in the process, then I believe we can make that happen," she said, with a smirk on her face. "How can I be in charge if there's someone in the group who can easily put me down?" She asked, before turning around and heading towards the ability class, her convoid following close behind her.

Once they had left, a smirk had suddenly appeared on Kayden's face, as he thought about the last thing she had said before walking off.

'You arrogant bitch. I won't only surpass you one day, but I will make you feel the same level of fear and helplessness you've made me feel so far and in the future,' he thought to himself, before heading over to the ability class, as well.

Kayden was still learning about Mana control, the way it was meant to work and how it would affect the Mana in his body. Thinking about the times when he would transform, a red energy would usually flow throughout his body, energizing and reinforcing his cells, turning him from a boy, into a beast.

'Hold on, the energy that flows through my body when you transform is red. However, it is said that Mana has a yellow colouration. Does that mean that I currently have two separate energies flowing through my body? But that can't be right, since I actually use the Mana in my body to transform and make use of my werewolf form,' Kayden was thinking about this as the class went on.

Lucas, their new mystery class division instructor, had been a kind and patient teacher ever since he had taken over the position of their last instructor, who was mostly cold and nonchalant towards them.

Under his tutorship, they had all grown in strength. Dan, ever since that day in the simulation, when he was forced to decide on what to do when the adventurer had put him in a tough situation, had been quite distant and more quiet than usual. Moreover, he and Marcus were forced to go through punishment, under the iron rule of that scarred military man who took the term punishment to a whole other level.

Between him and Marcus, he seemed to be the most shaken after everything that had taken place since then. Plus, he was terrified for his life the day that that lone Shale had crashed into the academy, into the center of the Arena, catching everyone by surprise.

Thinking about all of this, his mind then drifted towards a few days ago, when a bunch of second year students had approached him, giving him an offer. He was far too tired of being weak and helpless. Though he hadn't felt this way for a long time, right after the incident with the Shale, he was in a far worse place than he ever expected he would end up in.

With no other quick alternative left, he had accepted their offer, and today, he was enjoying the benefits of his decision.

To train his ability properly, Lucas had arranged for some of the students from the other divisions to offer their abilities for Dan to copy and use for himself. Of course, he could only hold two at the end if the day. He had selected the best two abilities out of the other divisions.

Now, he was in a sparring match with the instructor, however, he made sure not to overpower him right off the bat. Instead, he planned to make it a whole lot easier for Dan to fight him and learn to improve his fighting style this way. Though the lessons they had learnt from the combat class were quite useful, certain factors would usually determine which fighting style one may choto utilize in a fight.

It could be out of instinct, or a need to outsmart one's opponent. Right now, Dan was going all out against Lucas, while Kayden and Marcus were watching from the side.

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