ICUWSA was known for its diverse cast, some famous, others not so much, but out of all the female characters, there were two most prominent female figures.
And the more renowned of the two, Amelia Reinhart, who was known by her peculiar nickname.
'Neko sensei.'
This name was brought about by her cat-like appearance and tendencies, which made her a fan favourite, and Kai, too, was a fanboy.
"Can you guys head to your seats? I'm too tired to even take you, seriously." She sighed. "Well, we are the class of delinquents, after all."
She turned to the seat Kai sat on and cleared her throat. "Don't you think it's a little too early for that?"
Lilia shrieked and went a few steps down to her seat.
Kai just covered his face with his palm.
It was his turn. His face, this time, was beet red.
It wasn't his fault. How would you react if your favourite character that you fought your colleagues for, the character who filled your storage space, was right in front of you?
'Why did it have to be Neko sensei?'
[Ha… Fanboys]
'Shut it, Alpha; you don't know how I feel.'
A gentle voice that sounded a little like that of a feline pulled him out of his thoughts.
"Hey, pretty boy, are you with us?"
Kai looked around confused; after noticing it was him she was addressing, politely nodded.
"Ok, then we will start our homeroom class on magic history."
Neko-sensei went over to the board and began to write on it, explaining different terms. Not like Kai didn't know all this, so it wasn't his priority.
[He was actually watching her flowing blonde hair and matching lashes, emerald green eyes, perfectly structured face and body, and black gown that was a little provocative.]
'You know you're really annoying, right?'
[...]
Kai sighed. 'I didn't mean it that way, so...'
[I wasn't silent because of you dummy.]
'Really? Then why?'
[You think I couldn't tell.]
'What are you talking about?'
[How you have been trying to play off the message you got after consuming the elixir]
Kai was silent for a moment before answering.
'There was a quote that was told to Matthew before his fight with Adren, the emperor of dragons; it was because he violated this rule that the war even started.'
[And what was that?]
'Simple, actually; don't pry into the secrets of the gods.'
[What's that meant to mean?]
'I don't know either; just like everyone else, I know nothing about the so-called outer world or the outer deities or even the concept of this damn transmigration.'
'But I think that's the reason I survived after entering this world, or I could have been killed for knowing too much.'
[...]
'So let's just leave the future for the future and concentrate on the present.'
[I think you are right; not even I have any information of the outer world except the fact that the Cube originated from there, which you already know.]
'Yeah.'
Kai picked up the school tablet that lay in front of him and began writing down what was going on in the class.
He didn't need the information, but seeing Neko-sensei teach still made the classes enjoyable.
"After the next class, all freshers will have to pick an elective course, so head to the eastern building where A class is located, and then the blah blah blah other lectures say." Neko sensei paused, allowing the class to die down. "Not like you kids need it."
A student who wore tinted glasses with messy black hair raised his hand.
"A question, teacher."
"Yes, weird one, please don't make me stay here any longer."
"It's just, you said that your research showed that the Cube is more than just an alien entity. What does that mean?"
She paused for a moment before answering. "Well, it is just my speculation, but I think it came from one mother host and spread through countless universes, not just ours." She lowered her gaze, staring at her feet. "I call it." She looked straight at the boy with conviction. "The infinite cube theory."
****
The last word from Neko-sensei still played on repeat in Kai's head.
He knew that she was a researcher who, unlike most of ICUWSA's cast, wasn't open to the idea of trusting the Cube.
But he had no idea that it had reached the level of searching about the outer world and other universes.
'That could get her in a lot of trouble.'
[You have your own problems.]
'And that's what?'
[For one, you don't know deep shit about mana or its application.]
'And what does that have to do with anything?'
[Have you forgotten what your next class is?]
Kai raised a brow, a frown appearing on his face before he finally remembered.
"Joint combat training."
"Did you say joint combat training?"
Kai staggered a few steps back, a little pale from the young man's lack of presence.
"Shit, you scared me."
The young man pulled his glasses back and said. "Sorry if I scared you, but it wasn't on purpose."
"Yeah, it wasn't on purpose."
Kia turned once more to see another figure behind him; this time it was Lilia.
'What's wrong with these people?'
[Kai, there is something wrong with that Lilia girl.]
'Tell me something I don't know.'
[No, I mean she is suppressing her presence as if it is second nature.]
[Stay away from her.]
'Can't you do your actual job and tell me her ability or something?'
[You are too weak for me to perform such tasks.]
Kai sighed heavily before turning to the two people who now stood together.
"So where are you guys going?"
Lilia tilted her head slightly. "To the next class."
"Oh."
The silence lingered for a few seconds, approaching a minute, before Kai spoke up.
"Ok then, see you guys later; I have to meet up with my roommate."
"Wait." Lilia gripped Kai at the edge of his jacket.
[Not this again.]
'Damnit, I don't have time for this.'
"Just listen to me for a second."
Kai shifted slightly, facing the petite girl.
"Everything I said back at the class was true."
[You didn't say anything.]
"But you can just discard that, and we can just be friends."
Kai raised a brow slightly, still looking at Lilia's face. "But why exactly do you even like me?"
"Well, because your ability and way of fighting are intriguing."
[What did she just say?]
Kai hesitated for a moment. "I doubt only seeing me fight once will pique your interest that much."
Lilia held her two hands tightly. "That's because of my trait."
Both Kai and Alpha waited without flinching for her answer.
"It isn't that strong, but my ability is a wind-type trait, and the name is breath of life..."
"So breath of life..... bu....th.. "
[Kai, did she just say breath of life?]
A wide, uncontrollable grin appeared on Kai's face.
[You know your grin is visible.]
'Who cares? We just hit a jackpot.'
ICUWSA's main cast each had their distinctive trait that set them apart.
And one of the most dangerous characters that could be placed in the top five strongest in their team.
The yandere without a male lead, 'L the Whisperer'.
No one knew where she came from; all they knew was that she attended the academy one time, and Kai too had forgotten the chapter where she said that she was short and shy back at Noctis.
'So L stands for Lilia.'
"So that's all my ability can do. From the breathing of any mage, I can decipher a part of their ability, so ...."
"Sorry," Kai muttered.
Lilia's expression darkened. "What?"
"No, I mean I'm sorry for treating you so badly." He drew closer to her and looked her in the eye. "You're so much more than you think."
'And you're going to be my free ticket to the ultimate carefree life.'
[Hahahaha... I love your way of thinking.]
'Why are you laughing too, Alpha?'
[Having more pawns means that there's less work for me.]
'I could have normally gotten angry, but who doesn't want a carefree life?'
"Kaiser, are you ok?"
Lilia's voice snapped him out of his thoughts. "Yeah, I am, and please call me Kai."
Lilia's face turned deep red. "Ok."
"Are you guys done yet? Our classes are almost starting."
"That's true..umm.…" Lilia paused. "What's your name again?"
'Let his name be something good; yeah, it must be good since he could also sneak up on me.'
[Or maybe your mind wasn't just there.]
"Junpei… I'm Junpei."
[Ha… Another extra.]
'At least he won't bring chaos; that's better than nothing.'
"Ok, Junpei, Kai, why don't we form a team for the next class?" Lilia said, pulling out her student ID. "We can share more information about our ability when we get there."
"Why are you pulling your student ID then?"
Lilia and Junpei stared at him confusedly. Lilia, breaking the silence, shook her head before answering. "You can't enter anywhere that isn't your building without your ID."
"Oh, is that so?"
[You forgot it, didn't you?]
'Yeah, I did.'
*********
After making a roundabout trip from the C building to his dorm, he met back up with Lilia and Junpei and headed for the A building.
"Wow, a lot of students sure attend Noctis."
"Wasn't that obvious during the entrance exam?"
"I know that, but I don't have your ability to tell different people apart just from their breathing."
Kai looked at the figures who discussed in front of him before letting out a gentle smile.
He really was in Noctis, but his expression soon darkened.
'It's time to face the main cast, isn't it?'
[I guess.]
'Are you done with the analysis?'
[Hmm... I got the general idea of what your ability is.]
'What of the stats that make up the core capacity?'
[Wait a second.]
The bright system UI soon appeared in front of Kai; he glanced around, and as he thought, only the owner of the window could see or view it.
Total Stats [Core Capacity]:
Strength (STR) - 50/100
Agility (AGI) - 90/100
Dexterity (DEX) - 60/100
Intelligence (INT) - 50/100
Charm (CHA) - 200/100
Endurance (END) – 150/100
Luck (LUK) - 300/100
Mana (MA) - 100/100
Total = 1000/1000
'So these are my main stats.'
[Your charm, luck and endurance are way overboard.]
'What else would you expect from me?'
[Seems your intelligence is low since you only know magic in theory and not practical.]
'I think so too.'
Kai sighed and dismissed the window before increasing his pace to match Lilia's.
"I feel like the A building is so much bigger than ours."
Unlike C's Building, which was twin buildings merged together, making it look like an H.
The A's building was an estate filled with different high-rise buildings and other infrastructure, including gyms, training areas and even cafes.
'They are really living the good life.'
"Why don't we start heading in?" Lilia's next set of words was drowned by a loud and obnoxious voice.
"Oi, squeaky commoner." A young man who looked way older than Kai, with short auburn hair and a huge build, walked with two others behind him.
"You're the one who defeated Hestia like a rat, weren't you?"
'Bullies'.
"Rodri, that's enough." Lilia retorted.
"Enough, you say. Don't forget your place, Lilia." He added. "Now why don't you answer me, pipsqueak?"
Kai shifted his gaze slightly, just enough to see the towering figure; his eyes were fixed and unwavering.
"I'm not in the mood for this."
Rodri gritted his teeth and moved towards Kai, grabbing him on the shoulder. "Face me when you're talking, you bastard."
Kai paused for a moment and then looked at the hand that was placed on his shoulder and then at the figure; his gaze alone could send a monster running.
"I will give you five seconds."
"What do you mean by that?"
"Rodri I don't like where this is going." One of his followers said.
"Shut up, Derek."
"3… 2…"
'Damn this guy.' Rodri quickly retracted his hands and sighed, rushing into the building.
"Don't make me catch a glimpse of you, or you're dead."
"Kai, are you alright?" Lilia said, rushing to him.
[That was mad.....]
'Shut up, Alpha.'
[Aura!!!!!!!!]
Kai facepalmed himself and walked into the A building.
It was time for joint combat training.