58 CHPT 58: I hope your ready!
Thursday Oct 19, 2240
Claude was probably the first to wake in the entire University, aside from the night shift Guards who he could hear chatting and walking around their assigned areas. He sat in his room thinking, deeply and thoroughly. He needed to gain serious amounts of strength to retain the little amount of things he had in his life.
"I have to keep Warren and Ursula safe from a possible scorpion demon that infects animals and is supposed to be extinct. I also have to get strong enough to survive the full moon and whats bound to come sometime after....aaand I have to make sure I don't lose control and get myself killed by Det. Cyrene.....IM SO FUCKED!" Claude thought as he meditated at the center of the cool tile floor in his room. He relaxed slowly but the intense lingering anxiety never disappeared completely in his troubled and cluttered mind.
For the past week he'd spent at the University, he woke up around the same time and did more or less the same things including; exercise, elemental practice, shadow boxing and meditation.
He found himself enjoying meditation, he was able to center himself and his senses until he could pour all his focus into one sense and reach new heights with it. A couple days ago, he was able to hear an entire Guards conversation about an eventful night he had at a brothel in a city near SkyHaven, it was some of the nastiest stuff he'd ever heard, but he knew he was hearing someone speak from the opposite side of the building.
His meditation after a light session of shadow boxing was soon interrupted by Arne.
"[You know what you have to do.]"
"What are you talking about?"
"[You need to get stronger— on a real level. The only way to do that is through real combat experience.]"
"What are you suggesting?"
"[You need to register as a Hero and explore the Tangents.]"
Claude choked on his own breath briefly, the idea was incredibly daunting but he'd die if he didn't do anything or take any risks at all.
"Go on." He said with fearful— but peaked, interest.
"[Think about it. As a Lupine you only need four hours of sleep, so during the week you have that extra time to train... but that only benefits you so much. On the weekends you could be in a Tangent, raising your level, strength, combat knowledge and control. Hell, you may even be able to transform before the full moon.]"
"Hmmm. I don't really have any alternatives right now, but won't people slowly learn that I'm not an adult and am breaking the law?"
"[We'll talk about it more on Friday on your way home, continue your training for now.]"
***
Claudes mind was clearer than ever at the moment. He listened to the collective breaths of sleeping students, Guards and Professors walking around in the silent University.
He also heard the gnashing and low growls of Samuel and Tai who he guessed also had nightmares— although not as severe as his own. He couldn't imagine their life has been all that hard aside from being changed into Lupines.
He tried his best to drown them out so he didn't get any ideas of breaking into their rooms and ripping their throats out, or worse.
He instead continued to listen, smell— meditate. Whenever he heard the same noise for too long, he switched the focus of his senses and instead let his nose tell him a different— more vivid story. He could smell the early morning air leaking into his room and the breakfast being prepared in the mess hall, eggs with veggies, sausage and oatmeal. The smell of the sausage was amazing, but after it was cooked it became less enticing— much to Claudes disgust.
DING!
Claudes eyes snapped open and he saw his system screen in front of him standing out under the faint light of the rising sun that leaked into his room.
[Acquired Skill Unlocked: (Sensory Focus LV1)]
Before Claude could read up on the skill he was given another notification.
DING!
[Due to your increased frequency of training and unlocking of Acquired skills, the system has recognized that your current level does not represent your skill or proficiency. You have risen one level!]
[You are now Level 5!]
[New Class Skill Unlocked: (Beast Companion)]
"No way.." Claude thought as he read the explanation of the ability.
[Beast Companion: The Beast Tamer's trademark skill that allows them to forge an unbreakable bond with any of the beasts that the untamed wild-lands of earth have to offer— as long as the Tamers strength and will power are strong, all beasts are fair game. The bond is beneficial to both Beast and Tamer since the two grow together until they become a team that everyone learns to fear, or respect.]
Claude was snapped out of his excitement by the sound of footsteps. Someone was climbing the stairs to get onto their floor.
KNOCK KNOCK!
"Wake up students! We've got a fun event planned in Training today so make sure you go get breakfast." Prof. Brennan said repeatedly as he came down the hall of student rooms.
Claude eventually drowned out the noise and thought over something excitedly.
"I hope your ready, Frosty."
