NOVEL NEXT Chapter 40: 40:The Realms
"Those in the elite course might already know this, but for most of you, it will be the first time," Halton began.
"The Mutation Index is not just a measure of your mutation. It also measures how much cosmic radiation you can absorb and reflect."
He paused and glanced around the room. "Those with a high MI can absorb more and reflect more. That allows them to perform feats that others can't."
"An MI of 100 is considered 1-Star. 500 is 2-Star. 1,000 is 3-Star. But for 4-Star, you need an MI of 10,000."
Gasps filled the room. The students stared at him in shock.
"What… that's a huge gap."
"Significant. It's enormous," Halton agreed.
A voice from the back spoke up. "Sir, is that why you're stuck at 3-Star?"
Halton laughed. "Ouch, that's rude. But yes… it's a bit too much for me."
Another student raised their hand. "How does this relate to superpower abilities?"
"That's a good question," Halton said, nodding. "But I'll leave that for your combat instructor. My job is to give you an overview of the planet's history and how the system was built."
Hex thought Halton seemed easygoing, but once the history lecture began, his mind started to wander. It was a long list of dates, events, and developments in human progress. He forced himself to pay attention, but his eyelids grew heavier by the minute. From the looks on the other students' faces, they felt the same.
By the time Halton finally finished, Hex felt drained. The moment class ended, students muttered, "That was boring," and rushed out as if escaping from a prison.
…
"Hex!"
A familiar voice pulled him from his thoughts. He turned to see Dein waving from across the cafeteria. The sudden friendliness caught Hex off guard.
Hex got his lunch and sat beside him.
"What's with that look?" Dein asked.
"You're being too warm," Hex replied.
"It's because I'm sick of girls hitting on me," Dein said casually. "I don't know anyone else here except you, so I figured you could help by acting like a fly that chases them away."
Hex frowned. "That's the least I can do for repentance, huh?"
"Exactly," Dein said with a smirk.
Hex rubbed his temples and sighed. "You said you don't know anyone else… didn't you make friends during college?"
Dein scooped a spoonful of rice before answering. "People from the True Families don't waste time here. We already have resources at home. Coming here is just about gaining recognition and achievements, maybe networking a little."
Hex went quiet for a moment. For someone like Dein, this place was just another step in a long, easy road. But for someone like Hex, it was a rare chance to grow and prove himself.
"Someone else's casual starting point can be another person's dream," Hex said with a small chuckle, taking a bite of his food.
After Dein finished his bowl, he looked up at Hex. "Which class are you going to now?"
"The one covering the basics."
"Basics… I see," Dein said with a small nod.
"You don't need to focus too much on those. Knowledge can be gained easily if you have access to the right sources. What you should focus on is getting stronger, but…"
"But what?" Hex asked.
Dein shook his head. "Nah… it's nothing."
"Will you attend the combat class?" Hex asked.
"Since we're in the same room, our ranks should be similar. So I'll see you there," Dein replied.
After lunch, Hex headed to another lecture. This one was more bearable than the earlier history lesson. The topic was about beasts and monsters. The instructor, a tall man with a rough voice, projected images onto the screen as he spoke.
"I know it's a bit cumbersome," the man said, "but make sure to note everything down. In a fight, if you can identify a monster and know its weakness, it might one day save your life."
He began scrolling through a series of images showing creatures of different shapes and sizes. "Monsters also undergo mutations when exposed to cosmic energy. They become larger, stronger, and more resilient."
One image caught Hex's eye. The creature had the shape of a massive feline, but its muscles bulged unnaturally and its claws glimmered like blades. The instructor tapped the screen. "This is a 'Steelclaw Panther.' They are fast, silent, and their claws can cut through reinforced armor. Aim for the eyes or the back of the neck if you want a quick kill. Never let them circle behind you."
Another slide appeared, this time showing a hulking beast with rough, stone-like skin. "This is the 'Rockhide Brute.' Physical attacks are useless unless you can hit its mouth or the soft tissue behind its knees. They're slow, but if one gets close enough to grab you, you're as good as dead."
The instructor's tone grew serious. "In the first wave of cosmic mutations, monsters from the Amazon region became far more dangerous. That event caused a massive battle and a great loss of human life. The Federation, despite its reluctance, had to deploy an entire battalion of army to exterminate them. It was a victory, but it came at the cost of most of the region's wildlife."
The screen shifted again, showing maps and diagrams. "After the war, the continents, which had been divided into twelve sectors by Sir Evan in the 21st century, were restructured. This was done under the guidance of Miss Aurora, the world's first and strongest artificial intelligence. She still oversees global law enforcement and regulation today."
Images of futuristic cities appeared. "Now, all major cities are surrounded by high walls and advanced security systems. These prevent beasts from breaching human territories while still allowing wildlife to thrive outside. It is a balance between survival and preservation."
Hex took notes as the instructor spoke, though his mind occasionally drifted. He could not help but think about the opportunities these monsters presented.
'I can't kill humans to get crystals, at least not now,' he thought, tapping his pen against the desk. 'But hunting beasts… that's something I can do if I get the chance.'
The instructor continued, describing more creatures. "This one," he said, pointing to a dark, winged silhouette, "is called a 'Night Harrier.' It attacks in low light and is almost invisible in flight. Listen for the faint whistle in the air,that's the only warning you'll get before it strikes. If you manage to clip its wings, it becomes far less dangerous."
Hex carefully read the descriptions on his display, committing as much as he could to memory. Each creature had its own weaknesses, its own patterns. Knowing them could be the difference between life and death.
By the end of the lecture, he had filled several pages with notes. His eyes lingered on the list of monsters for a moment longer, already picturing himself facing them in the wild.