Free Web NovelChapter 27: Nobody Brags About Becoming Wiser
Silas examined the list of first-year classes offered by the academy.
There were combat courses, lessons on controlling abilities, classes covering the structure of human society and common knowledge of the world, studies of monsters and the various races inhabiting Eldrune, survival courses both inside and outside the Safe Havens, lectures dedicated to Bubbles, meditation sessions, and even classes on Earth’s history.
"I can choose up to five classes because of my ranking," Silas muttered as he browsed through the descriptions. "Meditation is first. After that..."
He took his time reading through each option before making his selections. In the end, he picked Meditation, Survival in the Wilderness Within the Safe Havens, Bubble introduction lectures, The Races of Eldrune, and the Monster Studies classes
In total, he chose five classes.
’It’s a regret I couldn’t pick another one. The class about the structure of human society and common knowledge of the world looks interesting.’
Back at the orphanage, learning had never been a choice. Now, for the first time, there was more knowledge available than he could grasp. And yet he couldn’t pick everything he wanted. Even when he left the orphanage for the academy, he was still limited.
Aside from Meditation, every choice addressed a weakness born from his background. There were simply too many gaps in his knowledge for him to ignore.
"That should prepare me for whatever comes next."
A smile of satisfaction settled over him.
The survival course would be invaluable with the large-scale mission awaiting the first years in less than forty days. Monster Studies class served the same purpose.
During the entrance test, Cassian had been a walking monster encyclopedia. Without him, Silas would have had to learn through trial and error, paying for every mistake himself. Thanks to Cassian, he had gained valuable knowledge about creatures like the frogs and the hounds without risking his life unnecessarily.
As for Bubble Studies and the class on Eldrune’s races, he viewed them as investments in the future. He weighed between these two and the class about the world, and finally settled on postponing the world class for next year.
’Or perhaps I can make my ranking better in the second semester, ending up enlisting in that class by then.’
"Speaking of which..."
Thinking about other races in Eldrune, his thoughts drifted to the dragon-bone badge Cher had shown him.
"I should look into that."
He immediately asked the academy’s AI assistant for information regarding the various badges awarded within the institution.
A lengthy list appeared before him.
Badges, it seemed, were granted for all sorts of achievements: outstanding test performances, mission accomplishments, contributions to academy clubs, and countless other merits.
Silas carefully examined each badge, comparing descriptions and images one by one. Eventually, he leaned back in silence.
"She was right."
After nearly an hour of searching, he had reached an unsettling conclusion.
"That badge doesn’t exist."
’At least, not officially.’
None of the academy records contained anything resembling the dragon-bone emblem Cher possessed. And yet there was a little phrase that appeared on the last line of the long research result.
[These results are based on the information marked as common. For classified information, you’ll need a preset privilege before accessing that!]
"That’s strange..."
He remained seated for several minutes before deciding there was little point dwelling on it. He didn’t know if there was any clue about this badge in the classified knowledge or not. Till he would gain such privilege one day, this route was blocked from him.
’Perhaps I should ask Cher to do it. She is special, and she must have privilege, right?’
A moment passed, then he softly sighed.
’But... Will she agree to do it? We aren’t that close, after all.’ freёwebnoѵel.com
BEEP!
The sudden alarm from his wristwatch jolted him out of his thoughts. When he checked the notification, he found that it was a reminder for his Meditation class.
"I’ve got twenty minutes."
He quickly pulled up the route map. Fortunately, the classroom wasn’t far away. Following the directions displayed on the watch, Silas made his way through the academy.
By the time he arrived, nearly twenty minutes had passed. The class was about to begin, yet something immediately struck him as odd; The hall was empty.
"...Did I come to the wrong place?"
"Oh? You must be Silas Ashborne."
A deep voice echoed through the silent hall.
A middle-aged man emerged from deeper inside the classroom. One of his shoulders bulged unnaturally beneath his clothes, a mutation that gave his otherwise ordinary appearance an unusual asymmetry.
Yet Silas barely noticed it. The real problem was the complete absence of other students.
"Excuse me, sir," Silas said cautiously. "Is this the Meditation class?"
The teacher nodded.
"It is."
Silas hesitated.
"Then... where is everyone else?"
A broad smile spread across the man’s face.
"You are everyone else."
"...What?"
"You’re the only first-year student who enrolled in Meditation this year." The man chuckled. "I’m Laros. I’ve been teaching this class for over twenty years now. It’s refreshing to see someone interested in meditation. Most students only care about combat classes."
Silas stared at him. Compared to Dean Leopold, Laros hardly looked like an academy instructor at all. There was an easygoing warmth about him that made him seem more like an eccentric neighbour than an experienced teacher.
Apparently noticing Silas’s confusion, Laros laughed again.
"If you checked your wristwatch, you’ll find more information regarding each class available for your year. Check and see for yourself."
Silas didn’t hesitate to do as he was told. Once he selected the classes again, the classes changed in a way. He didn’t know if it was thanks to already picking classes, but now each class had a number next to it, the number of students enrolled on each of them.
’Combat classes filled the rankings, boasting two hundred and seventy-six of enrolled students. And yet, Meditation had none, Bubble Studies had three, Survival had nine, Monster Studies had fourteen, and the class on Eldrune’s races had five.’
Silas contemplated in silence, and noticing this drove another laugh from Laros.
"Don’t look that surprised," Laros could see through Silas’ thoughts by the look on the latter’s face, "Students chase strength because strength can be counted. Nobody brags about becoming a little wiser."
He then gestured towards Silas.
"Come. Since there are only two of us, we might as well hold the lesson down there."
The classroom resembled a small theatre, with rows of elevated seats surrounding a lower stage. After bypassing the empty class shock, Silas descended the stairs and sat opposite Laros. The older man studied him for a moment.
"I’m curious," he said. "Why choose Meditation during your first year? Most students don’t understand its value until their third year."
"A friend recommended it."
For some reason, Laros reminded Silas of Darius. And experience had taught him that the wisest approach with people like that was to keep his answers brief.
"He must be a wise friend."
Laros chuckled before his expression gradually turned serious.
"Meditation differs greatly from what most people imagine," he said. "At its core, it is an attempt by an Enhancer to deepen the connection between mind, soul, and the world and itself, and the natural powers controlling it."
Silas’s interest sharpened immediately.
"You mean... deepen our connection with Gaia?"
If that was true, then this class was priceless. And Laros nodded approvingly.
"In Eldrune, Gaia is the greatest existence governing the world, while Mana is the force flowing through all things. Meditation is akin to reaching into a vast network and brushing against the consciousness that oversees it."
His voice softened.
"The benefits extend beyond that connection. You’ll notice improvements in how efficiently your monster core absorbs Mana and how naturally your body circulates and handles it."
Silas’s eyes widened.
’This is huge.’
Laros had no idea how different Silas truly was. First, he was Lisan Al-Gaia. If meditation genuinely strengthened one’s connection to Gaia, the effects on him could be extraordinary.
And there was something even more important; unlike other Enhancers, Silas possessed a Mana Heart. Until now, he had relied on sleep and rest to recover depleted Mana. If meditation allowed him to absorb Mana more efficiently from the world... Then everything changed.
’I need to test it.’
’I need to know what this can do for my Mana Heart.’
Excitement surged through him. Laros noticed the sudden light in the boy’s eyes and laughed. fгeewebnovёl.com
"Sharp lad. You’ve already figured out one of the biggest advantages of meditation. Only students in their third year will develop such profound understanding, deeply regretting missing this class in earlier years."
He adjusted his posture before sitting cross-legged on the stage, resting his hands upon his knees.
"This is the standard meditation posture," he said. "Follow my lead."
He inhaled slowly.
"Let’s begin your first meditation session."
A genuine smile appeared on Silas’s face.
Without hesitation, he mirrored Laros’s posture and prepared to take his first step into a new path.
