POV: Rai Shinsei
"Arthur, do you know what kind of Aspect Aria has?" I asked as Arthur tilted his head in confusion.
"You don't know what Aria's Aspect is?" Arthur asked, his tone testing my intelligence as I nearly lost my composure while he casually took a bite out of his apple.
"Arthur, if I knew what her Aspect was, do you seriously believe I would be asking you?" I replied in a calm manner.
"Good point. I'm surprised you don't know who Aria is though, considering she inherited Joseph's Light Manipulation since she's his granddaughter." Arthur said as his response left me dumbfounded.
Now it makes sense why her name sounded so familiar.
I glanced at Aria, who was bombarded by several students begging her to join their team while Sarah sat quietly beside her, scrolling mindlessly on her phone.
In this world, there's a variety of Aspects, but they're sorted into three main categories.
Normal-type Aspects, which are your most common Aspects that only enhance a specific trait, such as strength, speed, etc.
Unique-type Aspects, which are considered rare among all types of Aspects as it gives your Aspecta special effect, such as the Aspectto swap places with one another or the Aspectto amplify your damage.
Lastly, elemental-type Aspects, which are far more rare than unique-type Aspects as they allow you to manipulate and create a specific element, such as fire, ice and even light itself.
Elemental-type Aspects are also divided into three categories.
Natural, Transcendent and Divine.
Natural elemental-type Aspects would be your basic elements, such as fire, water, earth and wind.
Transcendental elemental-type Aspects allows you to manipulate and create elements derived from your natural ones, such as lightning, ice, gravity and nature.
As for divine elemental aspectors, there's only a handful in the world as you're blessed with the power to manipulate either light or darkness itself and to believe that my own classmate is among the handful of people to possess such power is baffling.
Having her on our team would benefit us greatly since we would have a healer, but it would be problematic if Aria won't join without her friend since there's still a chance that Everett and his friend will join our team also.
I should have thought more deeply about this-
"Rai, I'll join your team." Everett said from behind as I turned around to find him without his friend.
"What about your friend?" I asked.
"Jeffery said he wasn't ready to go on his first mission without a hero supervising him, so he chose to join another team." Everett replied as I noticed him fidgeting with his hands anxiously.
"There won't be a hero supervising us. Are you sure you want to join us, Everett?" I asked with concern as there was hesitation written visibly across his face until he took a deep breath.
"Yeah. It's just as you said. Anybody can be strong as long as they're not restrained by their own fear." Everett replied with a smile as I grinned at his newfound determination.
"It seems like you understood what I was trying to say." I replied as I turned around and looked towards Aria, who was surrounded by several students as I sighed anxiously.
Now let's see if all goes well.
I began heading towards Aria and as I approached her, Sarah was the first to notice my arrival as she shot me a cold glare while Aria's eyes widened in surprise.
"Hey, Rai. Is there something you need?" Aria asked as I felt the unwelcoming glares of the many students surrounding her.
I hope I wasn't too late.
"I wanted to ask if-"
"The answer is no. Aria doesn't need a low-ranking idiot dragging her down on a mission. There's plenty of other low-rankers within the class, so go ask them already and stop pestering us." Sarah chided as a few students snickered at her remark, however, Aria glanced coldly towards Sarah, who averted her gaze as the surrounding students around Aria immediately went silent.
"I'm sorry Rai, can you please ask your question again?" Aria asked with a gentle smile as I felt Sarah's glare piercing through my skull.
"Are you already in a team by any chance?" I asked Aria as I overheard a few of the students surrounding her whisper among themselves.
It seems they don't agree with me taking their goddess away from them.
"Not yet. That's what Sarah and I were trying to decide at the moment." Aria replied as Sarah clicked her tongue in annoyance.
"Who is even on your team to begin with? I hope you don't seriously expect us to join your team when there are obviously better options available." Sarah asked sharply as her bratty attitude began to annoy me.
"Myself, Everett and Arthur." I replied, hiding my irritation.
"Arthur? Why would he waste his time joining you and that other worthless low-ranker who gets his ass beat everyday by Jordan?" Sarah asked incredulously as a few of the students chuckled at her remark, however, my patience was beginning to run thin as I felt myself lose my composure from her mockery of Everett.
"Sarah, that's-"
"That's odd. You're assuming that I'm asking you to join even though I don't recall ever asking you. The only one I want is Aria. Unless you have something to contribute other than your mouth, I don't want a childish brat who refuses to respect those around her. If Aria wants you on the team, then so be it, but if you don't have anything useful to say, then I'd advise you to keep your mouth shut." I said harshly as I glared at Sarah, who clenched her jaw in frustration with cold sweat beading across her forehead while her entourage immediately went silent.
"Who do you think you're talking-"
"We'll be happy to join your team, Rai." Aria said with a smile, leaving Sarah perplexed as she struggled to utter any words.
"Thanks." I replied as Sarah and a few students began questioning her actions while I headed back to my desk, where Arthur was laughing like an idiot as he showed a video on his phone to Everett, whose expression was deadpan.
"Any luck?" Arthur asked, wiping tears of joy from his eyes as I nodded.
"It wasn't easy, but I was able to convince Aria and Sarah to join our team." I replied with a smile.
"Although, what's everyone's Aspect? It would be better to know beforehand." I added, but deep down, I was also curious to know of everyone's Aspect.
"As you already know, Aria's Aspect is Light Manipulation. I don't know much about Sarah other than her Aspect revolves around healing, but as for my own, my Aspect is a unique-type called Delayed Impact." Arthur replied as I shifted my eyes towards Everett.
"My Aspect is also a unique-type and it's called Energy Transfer, but unfortunately I can't even use it properly." Everett replied with a sheepish laugh as he scratched his cheek.
Delayed Impact and Energy Transfer.
I can understand why Arthur is as strong as he is, but I don't understand how Everett isn't at least a mid-ranker with his Aspect, unless…
I glanced at Everett's frame as he conversed with Arthur.
His body is too weak for his own Aspect.
It's like a glass of water.
Once you fill the glass, the excess water will leak out.
The same can be said with his Aspect.
Once he absorbs too much energy, then the excess energy will began to leak out, resulting in his limbs bursting apart-
"What's your Aspect, Rai?! You must have a crazy Aspect, right?!" Everett asked with a large grin as his eyes brimmed with excitement.
"It's nothing special. My Aspect is a normal-type that enhances my reflexes." I replied as Everett's expression continued to brim with awe while Arthur glanced at me skeptically before letting out a sigh.
An hour passed as the teacher eventually began class after one person from each team informed her of each member that was on their respective team.
She then covered the basics of being a hero and explained the risks and mistakes that heroes can make if they're not careful, however, I eventually ignored her lecture as I began staring outside the window and daydreamed until class ended.
"Alright class. You all know that you have your first mission in two weeks. As for dress code, heroes can wear anything they want as long as it's not inappropriate. If any of you ordered anything inappropriate, then it will be confiscated immediately. Your outfits will take a few days to ship, so please order them within the week. You all are dismissed." The teacher said as she seated herself at her desk while most of the students left the classroom in joy.
Even though this class is only three hours long, it still feels like an eternity, but I guess it's way better than your standard school.
My previous school, I had multiple teachers and the school day was at least seven hours long, consisting of multiple educational classes, gym and lunch.
This school solely focuses on basic education and the fundamentals of becoming a hero with the exception of exams or events that happen occasionally.
I stood from my chair and yawned as I noticed Aria, who was still writing in her notebook as I watched Sarah and a few of her friends leave the classroom together.
"You're not going to leave with your friend?" I asked as my curiosity tempted me to read over her notes.
"I told her that I had something to do today, but the truth is that I don't think I can hang out with her after what she said about you and Everett and besides, I need to focus on my studies anyways." Aria replied with a smile as I noticed a goal written at the top of her notes.
"To become the greatest hero just like my grandfather." I muttered to myself as my comment left Aria flustered.
Did I just say that aloud?
"Sorry, I didn't mean to read-"
"No, it's okay. I know it's a silly goal for somebody like myself." Aria replied with a sheepish smile that showed a hint of sadness within it
"I don't think it's silly at all." I replied earnestly as Aria's eyes widened in surprise.
"Your goal is to become the greatest hero. You're bound to go through the harshest adversities and as you do, everyone's hopes and dreams will be riding on your shoulders. A goal like that has my utmost respect." I voiced as Aria's expression began to brighten, her incandescent eyes bringing a smile to my face.
"Not to mention, the blood of the greatest hero runs through your veins. If anyone has a chance at becoming the greatest, don't you think it would be you?" I added as I heard Arthur calling my name.
"Rai! Let's grab something to eat! Everett said that he's also coming!" Arthur shouted with a large grin as I noticed Everett being forcefully dragged by him while Aria and I looked at him with worried expressions, sharing a single thought in our minds.
Are you sure he asked?
"Sure. I'll meet you outside in a few minutes." I replied as Arthur waved the two of us off while dragging Everett across the floor.
Hang in there, Everett.
"Would you like to come with us, Aria? I'm sure they won't mind." I asked.
"Sure." Aria replied with a smile, putting her notebook away and picking up her school bag as the two of us headed towards the exit until I realized I forgot my school bag at my desk.
"Ah, let me grab my bag. I'll meet you all outside." I said with a sigh as Aria nodded with a giggle while leaving the classroom, leaving just me and Rylie alone as I grabbed my school bag and began heading towards the exit while adjusting my tie.
"Who are you really, Rai Shinsei?" Rylie asked as I stopped before the exit of the classroom.
"You're ranked 200th in the academy and yet, you flawlessly defeated a student who's ranked 62nd without the use of your own Aspect." Rylie stated as she flipped through several pages of student's exam reports until she found mine, which consisted of my photo and a variety of stats.
"Your exam report says your Aspect is a normal-type that enhances your reflexes, but your last name is telling me otherwise." Rylie added as she shifted her gaze onto me once more, narrowing them in the midst.
"Just who are-"
"It's none of your concern." I replied harshly, matching her threatening gaze with my own before I left the classroom.
~
"What took you so long?" Arthur asked as I left the academy while Aria healed a rash around Everett's neck from Arthur's carelessness.
"I had to use the bathroom. Where do you guys wanna eat?" I asked with a smile as the four of us headed towards the academy's food court.
"I heard they opened a new ramen shop last week. Should we try that?" Aria suggested as everyone came to an agreement while I pondered on the future.
A mission in two weeks.
It's been a few years since I last went on a mission, but this is my first time going on one without the supervision of a hero.
As we headed towards the ramen shop, I watched the three of them converse with one another as I couldn't help but smile.
How long has it been since I was able to sit back and enjoy myself like this?
I don't know how dangerous this mission will be, but I'm sure the four of us will make it back together.