CH. 44 - Class Lessons

A different day during class, in the gymnasium training ground, Alston and Galen spar with their powers back and forth, Teach giving guides and words of encouragement as they go.

“Good. Good. Keep your tempo up and figure out the most creative ways to use your powers. If you let your opponent get used to your powers and skills, you’ll get swept up in their rhythm instead.” Teach says.

Galen has Forge Type chakram in his hand as he launches it at her. Alston narrowly dodges as she rushes him and shoots a blood spear at him but he faints to the side and grabs her neck, driving his knee into her stomach. She gasps from the impact before swinging a heavy blood hammer up with both her arms, striking Galen on the chin. He slides back before reaching out for his chakram that listens to his physical command and flies back towards him. Alston charges as she pulls the blood hammer back, ready to strike. As soon as Galen gets ahold of his chakram, it melts down and wraps around his arm creating a Spirit Shield just like Moshiro’s. Teach is pleasantly surprised by this action as the two students then slam their attacks into each other’s heads before falling back letting out dazed noises as they collapse. A few of the students giggle as Teach exhales and approaches them.

“That was good. Galen, using your Forge Type advantage by activating your Spirit Shield using your weapon was very good. Alston, you’re still not pushing your blood manipulation to its highest potential but focusing on hardening your blood just before impact to minimize damage was still very impressive. Well done.” Teach says as the two students give thumbs up on the ground. Teach’s watch then beeps as he checks it before turning to the class.

“Alright, looks like that’ll be all for today. Let’s head back and get you changed. Ms. Nazuna will handle you for the rest of the day.” Teach says as the class starts moving. As they leave, Phoenix rolls her shoulder letting out a pained sigh.

“Sheesh. Fighting Jeni was hard. I couldn’t even use my shock absorption since she has telekinesis.” Phoenix says.

“Sounds like she’s a perfect sparring partner to help you get better.” Moshiro says back as they go. Yoko floats along before jumping onto Killian’s back and pointing ahead.

“Mush, human! Let us get out of these sweaty clothes!” They command as Killian smiles and marches along.

“Yes sir!” He shouts with a laugh. As they go, Wolf lags behind a little until something catches her attention out the corner of her eye. She looks over and sees three adults in robes of some kind walk along. As she stares, she speaks.

“Are those… priests from the Temple? What’re they doing here?” She asks, looking back at Teach. “Does the ASA work with the Temple of Anaryn?” She asks, a slight of intensity in her eyes. Teach stops, surprised a bit before answering.

“The ASA works with many organizations to help maintain peace around the world. The Temple of Anaryn, the United Districts Committee. We even work with corporations like Ito Industries. All to keep the world functioning properly.” Teach says clearly. Wolf stares at him for a moment before looking down a little.

“Sounds more like the ASA just owns the world…” she mutters. The class stops a bit, noticing the conversation when Angie speaks up.

“It’s a collaborative effort, Wolf. If it’s needed by people, then the ASA will work with them.” She says, trying to be gentle with her words.

“It’s kinda hard to need anything from anyone else when they’ve already monopolized everything…” Wolf says softly. Law and a few others get visibly frustrated by her.

“I don’t like the way you’re talking about the Temple. God offers prayer and comfort to those in need so you better take back your attitude-” Law begins.

“That’s enough.” Teach interrupts. “Wolf’s allowed to express her opinions. Let’s just get you to your next class.” He says, encouraging them along. They scoff but do as he says. As Wolf turns to walk away, she looks back at the priests with intense eyes as the leader of the three subtly shifts his eyes to match her gaze. Wolf’s eyes sharpen a little as Nazuna’s words can be heard.

“Now, everyone knows all living things have a soul. Anything that claims it is, will be and therefore will possess a soul regardless. Now this doesn’t particularly mean in words. To claim oneself alive, you don’t have to verbalize it…”

Nazuna lectures in class, everyone now changed out of their training uniforms. As she gives her lesson, the class begins to zone out. With so many things having occurred outside of normal plans, the class is far more occupied with thoughts racing about such things than the normal curriculum.

“Yo, how was the substitute you guys had the other day?” Alston asks in a whisper to Octavia.

“She was so funny. It took her like an hour to finally compose herself, haha!” Octavia giggles.

“Yeah, it was a pretty chill day.” Angie adds. Ryukyu looks over at Yoko and speaks.

“Did you bring me back something, Yoko?” Ryukyu asks. Yoko perks up as they go under the desk before pulling out a big rock.

“Yes! Check this out! It’s pretty cool if I do say so myself.” Yoko says smugly as Ryukyu sweats. Galen then looks over at Phoenix.

“Hey, do you think they ever caught that guy who invaded the academy a couple weeks back?” He asks Phoenix. She thinks about it before answering.

“I doubt it. I hope they did but I feel like it was a big deal and they’d say something about it.” Phoenix says casually. As the class continues on with their conversations, Nazuna looks back over her shoulder with a pouty look on her face.

‘They’re not even listening to me…’ Nazuna pouts. She then notices Wolf sitting at her desk with her head on her hand, not paying much attention but a particularly vacant expression on her face. Nazuna thinks for a moment before getting an idea. “Hello, class. Eyes up here for a moment.” Nazuna gathers their attention. Knowing they were definitely not paying attention, the class gathers themselves quickly in hopes of not being in trouble. “I can tell you all have lots of questions about everything that’s been going on lately. To say your experience has been bumpy would be an understatement.” Nazuna says.

“Tell me about it.” Cole says, obviously upset at the lack of proper structure.

“That is why I have decided to give us something a little extra.” Nazuna says with a happy smile as the class begins to light up.

Later, well after the sun has set, the class wonders outside being led by Nazuna. Her tail is lifted high and ignited with flames as she guides them around the Academy in the dark. Some of the class is excited while others are a little skeptical about this whole thing.

“All things considered, I think there’s a fair chance she’s taking us out back to kill us.” Harley says.

Killian laughs as Ivailia shakes her head, getting Harley’s attention. Ivailia then crosses her hand in front of her before extending them out then bringing both open hands to her chest with her palms inward, bouncing them a couple times. Then she closes her fist with a thumb out and swings it forward from under her chin and finally bringing her hand back to her chin but open this time and moving it forward, turning it to point down. Harley stares blankly at her for a moment before speaking.

“I’m sorry, am I supposed to know what that means?” She asks.

“Yeah, read the subtitles.” Alston replies sarcastically.

“Shut the fuck up, haha!” Dante says with a laugh. Killian shakes his head with a smile and goes to speak up but before he can, Angie answers.

“She said don’t be afraid. She’s not bad, Ms. Nazuna.” Angie explains. Ivailia smiles and nods. “It’s USL.” Angie says coolly. Harley looks at her.

“Huh. Okay then.” Harley says with a smile.

“It is a little strange that she’s taking us out at night though.” Galen says as Phoenix smirks at him.

“She’s going to steal your toes.” Phoenix teases as Galen chuckles. Wolf walks behind the class with her eyes watching them all closely as if examining them but not saying anything and no one saying anything to her. Nazuna then finally stops.

“Ah, here it is.” She says as she digs through some bushes. The class watches confused until she comes out with an odd looking device in hand. Some of them are intrigued by the device while others don’t really react.

“What is that?” Saika asks.

“This is a Soul Reader. Professor Nobody made it some time ago from an ancient artifact that was capable of absorbing Soul Fuel and an original device that translates certain Frequencies.” Nazuna explains.

“Okay, but why is it out here?” Law asks. Nazuna giggles a little awkwardly.

“Well, we aren’t really supposed to have this. If others found out Nobody used an ancient artifact for a random tool, he’d certainly get in trouble..” Nazuna admits. Cole growls a little as Alston pats him on the back.

“There, there, you’ll live.” She says with a smile.

“Okay everyone! I want you all to line up single file. We’re going to do a practical test.” Nazuna says happily.

The class does as told as one by one, Nazuna places the device over their chests and a green light beeps on the device. Law is first, then Ryukyu, then Killian. As they go, eventually Phoenix comes up and asks a question.

“Ms. Nazuna. I know this is supposed to be educational and all but what exactly are we learning?” Phoenix asks.

“I’m so glad you asked. Since you all weren’t so entertained by my lesson, I thought I’d change the topic. Today, we’ll be learning about Soul Fractures.” Nazuna explains as the device beeps green and Phoenix steps away, now interested, as Saika steps up.

“Teach has already taught you about Soul Exhaustion. When you use all of your Soul Fuel, you will feel fatigued or even pass out. But even in those moments, you can still push past your limits and go beyond, however, that’s when Soul Exhaustion occurs.” Nazuna explains.

“Yeah, it’s not fun…” Wolf mumbles in the back of the line. Killian looks at her, standing with the others who already got scanned.

“What?” He asks. Wolf sighs.

“Nothing.” She says. Saika beeps green and moves on then Moshiro steps up as Nazuna continues her lecture.

“Let Soul Exhaustion go too far and something really bad can occur.” Nazuna explains. The class looks interested as they one by one get checked out. Then steps up Wolf.

“What’s that, Ms. Nazuna?” Saika asks.

“Soul Splinters.” Nazuna says, a bit more seriously. “Push a Soul too hard for too long, the Soul can break. Most experienced or aged people will get Splinters from time to time, a few usually aren’t a big deal. But left unchecked and untreated, a Soul Splinter turns into-”

As she speaks, the device beeps for Wolf but the light turns red.

“A Soul Fracture.” Nazuna says softly, staring at the red light. Wolf notices but doesn’t seem too bothered.

“Is that a bad thing?” Wolf asks. Nazuna smiles and stands up.

“A Soul Fracture is most often when a Soul breaks and becomes Torn. It also has many symptoms prior to the full break that are just as unpleasant.” Nazuna says. Wolf sweats a little.

“And that red light wouldn’t have anything to do with them, would it?” Wolf asks.

“Nope!” Nazuna says happily as she stands up. “This is just for Frequency reading, remember? I’m just glad I could finally get my lesson out without you all getting distracted.” Nazuna says with a gentle glare to her students. They sweat and smile awkwardly.

“W-well, what about Torn?” Phoenix asks, trying to seem interested in her lectures. “You said Torn are born after a soul breaks? Is that where they come from?” She asks.

“In a sense, yes.” Nazuna responds. “As some of you now know, ghosts are very much real, like Hunter Crystal. Now you might be wondering, what’s the difference between a ghost and a Torn? How does one become a spirit while the other becomes a rampaging monster?” Nazuna asks with a big smile as the class stares at her blankly. Nazuna sighs.

“Look, this may be a little advanced for you but, every being is composed of three parts: Body, Soul, and Presence. If a person’s Presence is damaged or destroyed but their soul and body remain intact, they become mindless, hollow beings that need special treatment to survive and are highly susceptible to Instability. They also lose any control of their Frequency.” Nazuna explains as the class watches with wide eyes.

“Have we met anyone like that before?” Killian asks.

“You have probably not. They are quite rare since damaging the Presence is incredibly difficult. But they do exist. I’ve even met a couple before.” Nazuna says proudly with a finger wag and a hand on her hip. A couple classmates awe at her as she continues.

“Now, if a person’s body dies but their soul and presence is still intact and willing to stay, then a ghost appears, unable to move on and unable to become human again. This comes with its own set of issues but as you’ve seen, they are still them just without a physical form, a body.” Nazuna says. Some of them nod and understand, taking in the information.

“So we’ve got mindless hollow people, intangible ghosts and…” Saika says.

“Torn.” Tadashi says with a sharp gaze.

“Yes. Finally, when a person’s soul, the most vital and important part of a person, dies but their body and presence remains, a Torn is born.” Nazuna says as everyone focuses up, even Wolf. “I’m certain you’ve all seen a Torn before in person, some of you even fought them. Souless, monstrous beings driven by hunger and violence. This tendency to destroy comes from the empty feeling they have inside. Nothing they consume, nothing they break is ever enough to satisfy what is missing inside. They live to simply consume souls endlessly trying to fill a wound that cannot mend. This is why many Torn still possess their Type powers despite the person’s death and why they seemingly have endless Soul Fuel. Their body and presence still remains.” Nazuna says ominously as a few classmates get a little unsettled.

“That sounds like a horrible way to go…” Phoenix says.

“Constant pain and misery…” Saika says softly.

“It is. That is why we at the ASA fight to protect people. When most people die, all three go together leading to a peaceful death. But when villains attack, when they incite wrongful deaths, that’s when these things can occur. Some have even made it their goal to strip people of their humanity and turn them into monsters. It is our duty to make sure that doesn’t happen, stop anyone and anything that wants to hurt others and end the suffering of the Torn.” Nazuna says as the class gets filled with determination, finding new passion in their goals as heroes. As she talks, Wolf watches with focused eyes silently.

“That is also why we recite the academy’s prayer when we lay Torn to rest. ‘May your lost Soul find rest in the Universal embrace.’ This is to respect the deceased and encourage a peaceful passing. It also eases the minds of families and friends left behind.” Nazuna says softly, lifting her fist to her lips as a couple of other students do the same. As they sit in silence, Wolf decides to speak up, interrupting their silence.

“And the recent increase in Torn attacks? Is there a reason for that?” She asks openly. Some of the others are surprised or offended by her words.

“Wolfy..!” Phoenix says in a firm whisper.

“Quiet, mutt.! We’re taking a moment to respect the dead!” Octavia says harshly. The pack looks at Wolf as she keeps her eyes fixated on Nazuna. Nazuna looks at her for a moment before responding.

“We’re not entirely sure. It is certainly an epidemic with the increase in soul death leaving bodies and presence unwilling to let go. You can be sure the ASA has been looking into it.” Nazuna says with a smile as Wolf lowers her head a little, keeping her gaze fixed ahead. Nazuna then gets up with an exhale and looks at the class, satisfied.

“Well, anyway. I think that’s all for now. Now remember, everything runs on Soul Fuel. Use too much and get Soul Exhaustion. Push yourself too hard too long and you’ll Splinter and break. Don’t break, got it?” Nazuna lectures. The class all nods and understands.

“Good. Then you’re excused.” Nazuna says with a smile as the students all walk off back into the academy. As they go, Nazuna stares at the device in her hand and at the red light shown on it with a concerned look.