110 Arc 3: Unknown Discovery - Chapter 21

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Cross-over from various games, books, anime, manga, and movies.

The familiar characters you see here belong to their respected authors and owners.

"Speech"

Arc 3: Unknown Discovery - Chapter 21

Just half an hour had passed since Ruby and Weiss excitedly settled on their first genre to study in high school. As they made their choice, a strange sensation enveloped everyone, and then suddenly, we found ourselves outside in a completely different location.

A big, wide-open field right next to the school. The green grass stretches out in all directions, swaying gently in the breeze. A few trees are scattered around, offering patches of shade here and there. In the distance, you can see the shadowy figure of the school buildings, with its unknown material walls and rows of windows reflecting the sunlight.

I look around to see there are thousands, if not more, going by the incredible size of the various people out here.

"Alright, everyone, quiet down! It's time for class!" The booming voice echoes across the open field, prompting immediate flinches and ear covering from the crowd. Some even grimace, blood seeping from their ears, a testament to the overwhelming volume's damaging impact.

"My ears!" Ruby cries out, pressing her hands against her bleeding ears. Tears well up at the corners of her eyes, a mixture of pain and distress noticeable on her face.

I remove Ruby's hands, then cover her ears with my own as I use Boundary Manipulation to restore them to normal. The same goes for Weiss, though hers isn't bleeding; her sense of hearing won't be good for some time and needs healing. But why wait when I can heal it now?

"Thanks, Jin," Ruby sighed in relief, glancing around for the culprit who had caused her ears, along with everyone else's, to hurt by shouting so loudly.

A brilliant, pure-white light emerges above everyone, encircled by ominous, massive dark clouds.

"I am Shaher, one of the True Crimson Gods from the Element Pantheon. I will be your teacher of the Action Genre." Shaher's voice, gentle this time, didn't cause harm to anyone's ears. However, it is still loud, and some wince in pain.

People would have started whispering among each other if it weren't for the fact that some didn't want to risk drawing attention from Shaher so soon in class. Instead, they remained silent, exchanging cautious glances while trying to avoid attracting any unwanted notice.

"Now, in the Action Genre, it's all about fighting." Shaher explained. "You want it to be flashy, whether it's a long brawl or a spectacular finisher that ends the fight quickly. Maybe throw in a dramatic counter to turn the tide near the end."

I'm starting to think letting Ruby and Weiss take the Action Genre might not be the best idea.

Sure, here's a revised version with added detail and simpler language:

"So, here's the deal: In our Action Genre class, let's kick things off by having all the students' contractors face off against each other in a friendly battle! The last one standing gets a special reward that'll be useful to the student they are contracted with during our time learning about Action Genre!"

Others and I suddenly stand on a vast platform floating in the sky. How do I know we're up high? This platform is transparent, and we can see people below the ground.

Perfect Timing told me precisely what was needed to do right away.

On a massive scale, the Delayed Effect causes everyone's reactions to slow, almost like time has hit a pause button. Following this, using Boundary Manipulation gently nudges their minds from the realm of wakefulness into the cozy embrace of sleep.

This results in an instant slumber for everyone except those under the platform, Shaher and me.

"...Well, I did mention a spectacular finisher to end the fight quickly; however, I emphasized 'spectacular'... Regardless, Sho Jin from the Eldritch pantheon emerges victorious, bringing honor to Ruby Rose and Weiss Schnee!" Shaher announced to the others. "As promised, they will get a special reward that'll be useful throughout their time learning the Action Genre."

I appear next to the girls, then notice Ruby and Weiss are now holding a unique style badge with the two letters AG at the center.

"The badge held by Ruby Rose and Weiss Schnee is called the Protagonist Badge, granting its bearer heightened luck akin to fate's chosen ones. What sets it apart is its ability to fulfill the wearer's wishes rather than leave things to chance." Shaher's explanation drew many envious gazes towards the two.

"I don't like how everyone's staring." Ruby whispers to the others, her back pressed against me, seeking comfort in our closeness.

"Yeah, back home, we dealt with plenty of creeps." Weiss agrees in a hushed tone. "But here, it's like they don't even see us. It's all about the badges." She, too, leans against me for support.

"Well, the Protagonist Badge is among the top-tier items in high school." Alma explains to Ruby and Weiss. "Many students want one, not just for the luck boost, but also because you can trade them for some other items that could be used outside of high school. Since you won't be allowed to keep it once you leave the high school."

"Also, even though the teacher didn't say it. The other students can and will try to steal the badge from you two. So be on guard, you two." Shiki said to Ruby and Weiss, causing both to gulp upon seeing some of the other students and their contractors, who are now awake thanks to Shaher, look ready to pounce on them.

Ruby leaned in, her voice barely above a whisper, "Do you think I should sacrifice it? Maybe I'll get something good out of it and stop others from trying to snatch it from me?" She glanced at Shiki and Alma, seeking their advice. "I mean, is that even an option?"

Shiki shook her head slightly, her expression serious. "I wouldn't do that if I were you. Hang onto that badge for as long as you can. You can always get other stuff, but having luck on your side? That's rare." She glanced at Alma, then back at Ruby. "But if you're really set on ditching it, we can show you where to trade in the badge for something else."

Shaher's voice rang out, breaking the silence that followed the brief fight. "Okay, folks, since that little friendly fight wrapped up quicker than expected, let's switch things up. Instead of rewards, we're gonna have a friendly face-off among all of you students this time." The students vanished from the ground and reappeared on the floating platform suspended in the sky. "No prizes this time, just a chance for everyone to size each other up. Consider it a preview of the folks you'll be with during your time in the Action Genre."

The atmosphere suddenly changed as soon as the students materialized on the platform. Without hesitation, everyone attacks Ruby and Weiss altogether. It was as if they had silently agreed to deal with Ruby and Weiss first before facing each other.

Despite the surprise attack, Ruby and Weiss were not entirely caught off guard. They swiftly sprang into action thanks to their extensive training in handling unexpected attacks. With a synchronized movement, they countered the onslaught, deflecting blows and executing precise maneuvers honed through countless hours of practice.

The attackers soon found themselves facing a formidable defense as Ruby and Weiss skillfully turned the tables. Even when they had numbers on their side for advantage, when there were just two opponents, Ruby and Weiss effortlessly took down many of them in no time.

Turning away from the intense clash between Ruby, Weiss, and their attackers, I was startled by a low growl nearby. My curiosity got the better of me. I glanced toward the sound, raising an eyebrow in uncertainty. A figure emerged from the crowd; he was a large, muscular man with multiple scars all over his body, even his face. His expression twisted in frustration and determination.

I couldn't identify the unfamiliar figure who had growled at me. He seemed out of place, not fitting into any familiar scenes or narratives I could recall from or related materials using Invasion to scan my memories. His presence remained a mystery despite my efforts, leaving me puzzled.

I pulled out the Knife of the Disgraced One from my mindscape, holding it in a reverse grip, and swiftly appeared before the muscular man. In one smooth motion, I split him horizontally from top to bottom using the Ratio Technique, then reappeared next to Shiki and Alma. All this was done within a second.

A sudden roar of rage erupted from the crowd as they witnessed the swift demise of the muscular man before anyone could react. "Bastard!" The voice thundered, filled with anger and disbelief at the sudden turn of events. The atmosphere crackled with tension as the realization of the brutal act sunk in among the onlookers.

"Jin-" Before Alma could continue, I caught sight of the individual who had just insulted me. Reacting swiftly, I cleaved their head from their body with a decisive strike. In an instant, I reappeared beside Shiki and Alma, my actions leaving no room for hesitation or mercy.

As the crowd falls silent, their gazes on me, a noticeable tension fills the air. Uncertainty hangs heavy, like a thick fog, as people shift nervously on their feet, unsure of their next move. Some glance up at the sky, almost as if they're half-expecting Shaher to intervene and give out punishment for my actions. It's as though the very atmosphere holds its breath, waiting for a solution to the uneasy standstill.

Shaher remains eerily silent as tension lingers, refraining from intervening. The crowd's hopes for an immediate solution fade as they realize Shaher's passive stance. They exchange uncertain glances, whispering among themselves as they await some sign of what's to come.

Meanwhile, the friendly fight between the students continues unabated; however, one can tell Ruby and Weiss are slowly growing tired by the second, yet somehow manage to recover their stamina through their own means, prompting many students to accuse them of cheating. Despite this, Shaher remains motionless, the silence stretching on, leaving the crowd on edge, unsure of what might happen next.

"It seems most of these contractors are very new. Like you, Jin." Shiki whispered into my ear.

"Why do you say that?" I whisper back, keeping an eye on the crowd through En. And boy, most of them seem like they've stepped right out of the anime I've watched in the past, and some appear as if they've leaped from the pages of the cultivation novels I've read. Neither is good if I don't demonstrate that I'm not someone to be trifled with.

"Because they don't seem to recognize either Alma or me. Moreover, Shaher has already announced which pantheon you belong to. Yet, more than half of them are looking at you with murderous intent, eager to kill you at the first opportunity. They fail to realize that such an action would lead to a war between pantheons." Shiki continues to whisper.

"Not to mention." Alma adds in a hushed tone, her breath warm against my ear. "They're eyeing us like a piece of meat, ready to do whatever they want with our sexy bodies the moment they kill you, Jin."

"Well, right now, I'm guessing they don't want to risk their lives by gambling on whether they could take me on after the first two deaths." I whisper back once more. "Also, I'm pretty sure Shiki alone could easily kill everyone here. So the likelihood of either of you being taken down by these guys is pretty much zero."

"Oh, hey. The students that Ruby and Weiss killed are being revived and placed in a separate platform for a fight between losers, or at least that was done back in Shiki and my time in high school in the Action Genre." Alma spoke up, no longer whispering, leading the crowd to look up.

Nice distraction, Alma.