Nil

I walked into class, most people still giving me unwelcoming looks as I sat down. Xander noticeably missing from the room.

To be expected I'd be very surprised if he was in the class.

I looked around seeing everyone busy talking with friends with only a few people, including me and Shion, sticking to their own devices like reading books or entertaining themselves on their phones. I glanced at Shion who was buried in her books writing notes, presumably on how to get stronger as an Ethereal. I can't quite tell if she likes me or not considering the mostly emotionless expression that she wears all the time which makes her very hard to read.

"Ok everyone, quiet down! I know your all very excited about the incoming duels." Said Vana Skyline, walking into the class and silencing everyone. "However, we still have two hours before then so I'm going to use that time to teach you all about what and how our universe works."

Everyone let out a loud groan that sounded like a toddler having a tantrum. I even found myself and Shion, the two people who show the least emotion, groaning as well

"Keep groaning and I'll hit you with a heat-based attack that's so hot it will make Solar Magic seem cold." Miss Skyline said, her eyes flashing with balls of fire.

She's definitely a Dragon Rank.

"Miss, why do we have to learn about this stuff? It always gives me a headache." A student said, promoting a glare for Miss Skyline before sighing in frustrated fashion.

"Every damn year with this." She muttered under breath before answering. "Because Ethos allows us to essentially alter our reality and the existence around us. If we do not know how it works and what reality is it can lead to some unpleasant results. You might accidentally shatter a border between realms or enter an alternate universe by accident. Now, I personally don't believe this statement is always correct but in this case class, Knowledge Is Power."

"Ok I'll start with, how big is the universe?" Miss Skyline asked the class.

"Infinite in size." Said Shion after a brief pause, standing up.

"Correct." Miss Skyline replied. "However, is there more Shion?"

Shion nodded and continued when Miss Skyline gestured her to

"We all exist inside a Universe and Timeline that is not only infinite in size but is also a part of an infinitely expanding Multiverse. With every passing nanosecond, a whole new infinite universe and timeline is created and added to this Multiverse."

Miss Skyline nodded approvingly.

"You can sit down Shion. I'll take it from here." She said, turning to the board.

"Now class, pay close attention. This infinitely expanding Multiverse however is not the end. It is housed within one of the countless different constructs called Realities. These Realities also expand at the same rate as the Multiverses they each house within themselves. Realities expand at the same rate because every Nanosecond a new Multiverse also appears, leading to a Reality holding an infinitely increasing number of Multiverses."

She continued writing on the board facing away from the class.

"Now, are there more Realities out there?" She said, pausing for a moment. "Nova?"

I was broken out of my daydream by Miss Skyline to answer the annoying question.

"Yes," I replied, sounding very tired. "Many, many more."

Miss Skyline continued explaining and writing.

"Not only are these Realities expanding at an infinite rate to house more and more Multiverses, but the number of Realities is not finite but in fact Infinite. But is this the end? No." She said.

I had forgotten how infuriatingly large and complex the thing that we live in called existence.

"However seemingly impossible this is all contained within another construct." Vana Skyline continued. "Outside all of this is a construct known as The Beyond. The Beyond houses all the Realities standing above and completely transcending them.

Ah yes this is the plane where our so-called God of Ethereal's dwells if I'm not mistaken

"This is actually where Viro Cosmos himself resides watching over us all." Miss Skyline said.

Just as I thought.

Dude really does believe he's a god living in a dimension like that. Well to be fair to the man, no one is stronger than him.

"There is one more construct, however."

The saying, there's always a bigger fish, suddenly came to mind.

"Discovered by Viro Cosmos himself about 80 years ago, outside the realm of The Beyond and all these constructs exists another plane called simply The Null."

Sounds ominous I know.

"The Null, in some inconceivable way, seems to be larger and more infinite than the infinity of The Beyond and the Actual Infinity that is the number of Realities.

The Null seems to act like its own Reality of sorts that houses The Beyond, all the Realities and the infinitely expanding Multiverses, universes and timelines however nothing exists within this plane. Not a single cell, particle, atom, etc yet it is somehow a plane of existence. This is because it's a plane completely made from Ethos itself. This Ethos however destroys anything that encounters it. Even such things as Space, Time, Concepts, principles among other things. Because of this, although he discovered its existence, not even Viro Cosmos himself can enter The Null. It's a mystery as it holds nothing but an Ethos that can destroy anything that it touches while also being more infinite than every construct ever conceived."

She then paused for dramatic affect.

"While there's still a lot we don't know about our cosmos, one thing that we do know for sure is that each of these different dimensions don't have the same dimensionality and or status of existence although some of you may have figured that out. Like a hierarchy, each dimension is higher than the last, with a regular universe at the bottom, then a Multiverse, then a Reality, then the Beyond before finally The Null being the highest realm currently known. It should also be noted that the very concept and principles of Space - Time only stretch up to the Realities. In other words The Beyond is completely transcendent over those concepts in every sense of the word. So if somehow any of you reach such realm don't bother using any spatial or temporal abilities you may have as nothing will happen and you'll look like an idiot."

She turned round and let out a breath as if she had been on a long run.

You know I thought to myself. I will never find anything as complex or hard to understand as what our universe is and the way it works.

I leaned back in my chair and let out a sigh trying to process everything that was said. If I'm gonna live a normal life here I'm going to have to at least try to learn. Even if it's something I already know or something as hard to understand as our universe.

"Ok Class that concludes this period." Said Miss Skyline, putting the chalk she was writing with down. "You all have about, let's see…"

She looked at the clock.

"An hour and a half. You all have ninety minutes free time to either relax or get in some last-minute training before the duels begin. Make sure to be at the arena of the school"

It may have been my imagination but I'm pretty sure she paused on me for a few moments.

"Ok, class dismissed."

I got up, put on my bag and left the classroom along with everyone else before breaking away from the group as soon as possible, going outside and behind the building to have some alone time while I thought of a way to try and get out of the duels.

Thirty minutes later, I was leaning on the wall, still wearing my bag and reading a book before I heard a twig snap. I looked to my right and saw a male student staring at me. I recognised him, he's from my class as well. He wasn't very muscular, but he was definitely lean. And tall. He had to be at least six foot five with short blonde hair and bright blue eyes. Those eyes weren't looking at me in a very nice way either. Although he didn't look very intimidating at first glance, I could tell he was strong, not only by the Dragon symbol in the badge on his shoulder but also feeling of the strong Ethos coming off of him like a menacing lion looking down on prey.

"Can I… help you?" I asked.

"So, your Nova Laos huh?" He said, walking up to me. "The infamous Lion Ranked Ethereal who's in the top class of the school."

Oh boy I know where this is going.

"Look mate I don't want any troub-" My sentence was interrupted by the guy snatching the book out of my hand

"I don't care what the teachers say." He snarled, "A Lion Rank has no place being with the higher Ranked Ethereals of this school."

"Listen-" I growled but he tore up the book and I noticed that his skin seemed to suddenly have a rock-like texture.

A Tanker Class then.

I began to feel something beginning to bubble up from within me, a nostalgic feeling that I have tried to suppress for a long time.

"In this school killing goes unpunished if it was provoked by a violent act." I said calmly.

"What's your point?" He sniggered.

"This would count as violent provocation would it not?" I continued casually. "I'm a person who believes in second chances. So, just know this,"

I looked up at him, right into his eyes like snake.

"If you try to hit me one more time, I'll kill you right now.

The guy stared at me as if I said the impossible before bursting into laughter.

"Is that so!?" He mocked. "I'd love to see you try."

His skin seemed to harden even more before then throwing a mountain of a fist to punch me square in the face. Everything seemed to slow down, well for my perspective it did, I was just too fast for the guy. I dodged the punch with the ease of stealing grapes from a baby as his fist smashed into the concrete wall, forming a web of cracks around it, while I then placed my hand on his chest.

He looked at me and froze, stunned by the fact that I was suddenly so close to him with a hand on his chest.

"Three, two, one." I said before every muscle in the guy's body suddenly tensed as if he was being electrocuted. Blood then suddenly exploded out of his nose, ears, eyes and mouth like a fountain of gore while he collapsed to the ground dead. The whole exchange was over in just under four seconds.

I warned you. It's not my fault that you didn't listen.

I picked up my book and left the bloody body for some student or teacher to find.

"Let's see I've got about an hour left, might as well get some quick grub and try to figure something out for this whole dual thing."

"It's twelve o'five pm Nova." Miss Skyline said as I entered the room. "You're five minutes late and missed the first duel.

"Sorry miss, I ran into a bit of trouble." I said, breathing heavily as I surveyed the room. I was looking at what seemed like the inside of a colosseum with me standing by the door which was at the top level of seats surrounding the fighting arena. My classmates sat in the seats dotted all over the place, all giving me disapproving stares.

Well, it's better than the other outcome of me arriving on time.

"At least you're here now. Go sit down and watch the other duels while waiting for your own." She said, pointing at a seat which I then sat down in.

It was in the middle row of the many levels of seats that surrounded the concrete arena which looked to have a very battered and unconscious body lying in the middle of it.

Looks like a guy though I can't quite tell from their face. Are they even alive?

My question was answered when I noticed the body's chest ever so slightly rise and fall.

"Someone take him to Medical." Miss Skyline said, quite dismissively, almost disregarding the guy's condition as two students dragged him through one of the two doorways to the arena.

"H-hey can I sit here?"

I looked up to see a girl. She had dark blue eyes, short red hair and wore glasses. She looked quite ruffled as if she had been in a struggle with her hair looking slightly messy while she looked at me with a shy expression on her face.

"Yeah, sure." I said gesturing the seat next to me. "Your name's Lazuli, right?"

Lazuli suddenly looked slightly startled.

"Yeah, that's my name." She had a somewhat timid voice. "How did you know?"

"I have a good memory," I said frankly. "And I remember when Miss asked you a question and said your name yesterday."

What struck me was that she didn't look shocked, suspicious or even scared. Instead, she seemed genuinely interested and listened to me intently with wide eyes. There was not a hint of the fear and dislike that I was getting used to in the school from the other students.

I briefly saw the two students, taking the unconscious body, leave the arena with the body in tow out of the corner of my eye.

"Were you just fighting Lazuli?" I asked.

Lazuli suddenly looked very flustered and seemed a little alarmed or a bit embarrassed.

"Ye-yeah I just did my duel" She said looking down slightly, her face slightly red. "I'm a Tanker Class Ethereal as well as one of the five incarnations, including you, at this school."

Is she really embarrassed about that? Seriously, is she just a little shy or is she actually ashamed about that?

"You know, for someone who acts quite shy," I said. "You sure seem to pack a punch considering the state of that guy. He didn't seem like a pushover either."

"I'm sorry about that." She muttered.

You have got to be kidding.

"Why are you apologising for that?" I said, raising an eyebrow.

Lazuli looked up at me in surprise.

"But doesn't that make me unattractive or something." She said, "Like a girl being a Class that is themed around brute strength and muscle power."

"Ah I see." I nodded.

"You see what?"

"I'm guessing it's a mix of two things. Number one." I said holding up a finger. "A Tanker Class Ethereal is stereotypically seen to be a big man with muscles the size of boulders or something like that. Two. Because of that outlook it's led to dumbasses at this school to not be very welcoming, am I ringing any bells?"

At first Lazuli was still before nodding slightly causing me to sigh.

"Thought so." I muttered leaning back in my seat. "It's stupid to act like that. Ignore those people, personally I think it's great if you're a Tanker Class. They get the most opportunities in Valhalla as they can not only do heavy lifting but also boost the physical attributes of their comrades in any team-based combat work which is very prevalent there."

Lazuli continued to be still while also staring at me intently with wide eyes.

"Tha... that's really interesting and surprising." She said looking up at the ceiling. "I never thought of it that way before."

"The most surprising thing is that you asked to sit next to me." I said, causing her to quickly turn to look at me. "So far you're the only student who has looked at me with a positive attitude."

Lazuli cocked her head to the side in confusion leading me to close my eyes and explain

"Every student who sees me in the labelled Higher Building, or in Class One – S, immediately looks at me with an unwelcoming expression once they see this lion symbol."

I gestured to the badge on my shoulder

"Shion doesn't give me that look but she definitely doesn't look at me with any fondness. So far, I'd say she views me as someone who's a nuisance, annoying, or just something that's below her."

"That makes sense." Lazuli said, nodding. "About Shion I mean. She's definitely the most powerful person in this school, including the staff. She's only here to master her Skills and increase her Ethos production."

Lazuli was interrupted by Miss Skyline.

"Shion Marble and Kane House. You're up next. Your fight starts when the bell is rung."

"Speak of the devil." I said as Shion and Kane stepped into the arena from opposite ends.

They're both Dragon Ranks so this should be fairly even. Luck of the draw, I guess.

Shion remained completely still, standing up straight, while Kane got into a boxing-like stance. His muscles suddenly seemed to tense and grew almost twice their size as his skin gained a rock like texture to it.

"Those are the Class Specific Skills, Wall and Enchantment Magic with the latter being used to increase his physical strength." Lazuli said focused on the battle.

"Another Tanker Class then." I said.

The bell rang.

As soon as the noise was heard Kane rocketed forwards, the ground almost cracking beneath his feet at the start as he barrelled into Shion.

Or I guess that's what the plan was.

Kane passed right through Shion as if she was made of thin air and then just barley dodged a tennis ball sized blast, that looked like a sun, which smashed into the wall behind him, sending out a small explosion of dust.

"Don't slow down." Shion said and rapidly fired the same blasts again, chasing Kane around the arena.

Kane backflipped over a blast and landed right in front of Shion.

"Got you!" He roared and threw punch after punch and kick after kick, all of which passed right through her body.

A sword seemingly made out of golden orange like flames formed in her hand, swiping it up and drawing a nasty slash across Kane's chest before she then pointblank to the face, blasted him with a mini sun. He yelled in pain as he was thrown across the arena, the smell of burning flesh coming from the slightly smoky slash in his chest as well as his face. He barely had time to recover as he got to his feet before he was then hit with another attack.

A large golden orange beam, that seemed to flicker a little like flames, roared out from her hand and smacked into Kane. He crossed his arms in front of his face as the attack hit him. His feet digging into the concrete ground as he was forced back, the heat coming off the blast was insane.

I was a good distance away from the arena but it was like my face was way up close to a bonfire.

The ground beneath his feet and the wall behind him started to ever so slightly glow red from the heat as his arms were burned horribly; however, he still continued to block Shion's attack. Shion narrowed her eyes and the attack suddenly doubled in size, completely consuming Kane in an instant for a good few seconds before an explosion of flames erupted from the beam, covering half of the entire arena.

The dust eventually cleared revealing an unconscious, horribly burned, but just barely alive Kane laying face first in the ground which was dented and cracked while also slightly glowing a dark red.

"She sure is powerful. I think she actually tried this time as well." Lazuli said, looking at Shion in awe.

"No." I said, causing Lazuli to look at me confused. "She is incredibly powerful. But from what I saw she didn't seem to even be trying nor take it seriously. It was more like a toddler playing with a new toy before throwing it away once they got bored. I didn't see a single drop of effort from her at all."

Lazuli looked at me and then looked back at Shion, who was walking to the closest exit of the arena as people carried off Kane with an expression of fear, a small drop of sweat running down Lazuli's head. She saw the unbelievably bored look on Shion's face.

"I think you're right." She said as Shion exited the arena.

I flicked back my dark blue hair as sat down in my chair and watched two students take the barely living body of Kane out of the colosseum.

Bastard deserves it if you ask me, in fact, he's lucky I didn't kill him. He had been harassing me over text messages and no matter how many times I blocked him he still somehow found a way to text me again. He's got balls I'll give him that but if you think that you can harass The Phantom Mage without any consequence then you have no hope.

I watched Miss Skyline work her magic as she fixed the arena. Our Teacher's Unique Skill, Restore, allows her to repair damaged materials back to their original form before said damage occurred all the way down to their atoms.

She'll probably have to go see Kane herself after what I did to him. I just want this to be done already so I can go back to studying. This is just to check up on our Ranks and our current strength. I don't mean to be arrogant, but I am the strongest Ethereal in the school as even before coming here I demonstrated at my maximum power I can destroy the Solar System about five times over or so. I shouldn't really be here if all I'm going to be tested by are these weaklings.

When Miss Skyline finished restoring the arena, she turned round to face her students while also briefly looking in the book she was holding that presumably held the selected opponent matchups for each student.

"Ok this one should be interesting." Miss Skyline said smiling.

Although she'll never admit it, Teach has a very inquisitive and mischievous side to her.

"Nova Laos and Byron Gorgon your up."

My attention was instantly drawn to the two students that would be fighting. Byron was a Dragon Ranked, Mage Class Ethereal who is the second strongest in this school. He's the only person at this Ethation school to actually make me try a little which deserves merit.

If I remember correctly, he specialises in the Skill Lunar Magic with one of the Seven Deadly Sins Skills. I own one myself, the Skill Gluttony which allows me to absorb none-physical attacks from Ethereals who are the same or a lower Rank than myself. I then temporarily stack the power of said attack onto my own.

I put my fingers on my chin in thought.

I believe Bryon possess the Seven Deadly Sins Sloth Skill which is an Active Skill that instantly tells the user what Skills, Rank, etc an opponent has. While not an offensive skill, it can be incredibly useful and allow the user to quickly adapt to their opponent's power and fighting style.

"Yo Nova I'll go easy on ya ok." Byron said in his cocky deep voice. He had a large build and a buzz cut.

"Sure." Nova muttered, entering the arena himself.

Nova Laos. How will you play this out?

The Lion Rank transfer student from Valhalla. The one Lion Rank, who for some reason, is in a class meant for Hydra Ranks or higher. I tired researching up on him, but I found completely nothing, the guy's a complete mystery.

I watched Nova, his face remaining expressionless as he cracked his neck while he got ready to fight.

Even though you say the reason why you're in class 1 – S is because you're a spy of sorts and while that could very well be true, I don't believe it for a second that's all there is to it.

"What are you hiding Lion Rank?" I mumbled to myself.

"Ok Nova let's see what you got." Byron grinned, with a glint in his brown eyes.

Byron may seem like a good guy but he's actually a bit of a scumbag who'll take out anyone no matter who they are.

The bell rung out loud, signalling the fight to begin.

Purple Lunar energy flickered around Byron while he took one step forward while Nova with his right hand by his leg snapped his fingers. In an instant, red lines suddenly drew themselves all over Byron's body as blood gushed out of each line like a fountain of gore before his body then split down the middle into three pieces as he fell to the ground dead. The three, you could almost call them slices, of Byron hit the ground with a wet smack, painting it with blood.

Everything and everyone were still and deadly silent before one female student let out a scream.

Miss Skyline in a flash appeared in front of Nova and I immediately felt the pressure of her Ethos, as if it was almost suffocating.

"What the hell did you just do Nova?" She growled in a voice that was deadly quiet.

Nova stared directly into Miss Skylines furious eyes with his own blue ones, still wearing that expressionless look on his face.

"What do you mean Miss?" He said calmly. "At least in the Ethation Schools in Valhalla, all duels, no matter practice based or official, the act of killing is allowed."

I stared in great interest at the scene unfolding before me, watching Teach release her clenched fists and heaved a very heavy sigh.

"I can't fault you for something you did not know." She said as she began to restore the Colosseum back to its original state as Nova raised an eyebrow. "For the record Nova, killing is not allowed in practice duels such as these. Remember that for next time. Those who've had their duels are dismissed."

Teach sounded very tired as she looked at Nova sternly while he casually walked out of the arena and colosseum like it was another typical day.

WHAT THE HELL!! JUST A SPY MY ASS! HE KILLED A DRAGON RANK ETHEREAL INSTANTLY WITH WHATEVER SKILL THAT WAS!

I clenched my fists as flickering golden orange flames briefly flashed around me.

Nova most likely will try to avoid me until we're back in our dorms so I'll just wait for him there.

"And he will give me the truth." I said, through gritted teeth, before letting out a roar and slamming my fist into the wall behind me. A spiderweb of cracks spread widely around my fist stretching even to the ceiling.

"You okay there Shion?" Miss Skyline called out to me sounding irritated.

"Yeah." I replied, pulling my fist from the wall. The centre of impact glowing a dark hot red. "I'm perfectly fine."