How To Survive A Calamity

[...Mana users have further sub classifications, one of such is Mages who forcefully enforce and manifest their wills through circuits and rules and laws called Magic. One other are called Psychics, or Supernatural ability users. These special type of people possess dominion over certain aspects of reality and can manifest supernatural phenomenom that disregard common universal laws and rules. In your word, they are broken That boy, Don Clyde, is one such rare individual.]

Psychics and Supernatural ability users...

Meta's explanation made my eyes widen.

'Why haven't i ever heard of this?'

Meta promptly responded in her usual manner. Her voice vibrated inside my head.

[The World of Aethoria is constantly changing and expanding. The existence of Psychics and Supernaturals were something you would eventually come to know about. I never mentioned this before because there was no point and concern to you at that moment.]

I gripped the smoothie cup harder. My eyes narrowed.

'We need to have a talk later.'

[...]

"Wait, for real? That's crazy!" Chelsea enthusiastically jumped in her seat, her eyes wide.

While Deandra's gaze seemed to be closely scrutinizing Don from head to toe. Regardless, the person in question was self absorbed in the praises and attention. It was clear how swollen his head had become.

Are Psychic or Ability users that special and rare?

I mean, if i haven't heard of them until now, doesn't that goes to show how uncommon they really are.

The world of Aethoria truly is a large place. Even after all this years since my Transmigration, I've barely been able to grasp anything about it.

'Just when i think I've uncovered enough, there are mre questions and infinitely more twisting lores.'

Your adventure continues at empire

It also wasn't comforting and helping, especially when i knew Meta was hiding a lot of secrets from me.

"Hmph. That's only obvious."

Don scoffed in response and returned to his seat.

At that moment, Trise rose up instead, with a prideful expression.

"My disposition is also a Mana user. And i am also a Battle Mage, just like the Princ- eh, i mean, just like the group leader."

"Ooh! Three Mana users; two Mages and one Psychic... Crazy, i think i might have hit the jackpot with this one. Isn't this a crazy group line up?"

The free willed Chelsea exclaimed.

Well, i guess from an outside point of view, our group make-up might seem interesting...?

"Now i kind of really feel overwhelmed, but I'll do my best too. My disposition is an Aura user and i use the spear~"

Oh, another spear user.

I glanced at Chelsea, then back at the others.

'I guess it's my turn.'

"I'm also an Aura user." I dryly said.

Now that we got all that out of the way...n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

Deandra nodded with an unreadable, stern expression. Her presence was the most dominant.

"Then let's begin the main talk about the Exercise."

And so we officially began.

"Since this will be our first meeting, let's not waste any more time than necessary. I'm sure each of us here have left behind one thing or another just to keep up with such a hastily and suddenly organised meet up, which i apologize for by the way. The discussion of the day is the criteria of the exercise." Deandra explained, her gaze calm and focused. She looked between each of us, "Does anyone have any ideas or thoughts on what that may be?"

"Hmm well, the academy has refused to disclose exactly what the exercise may contain, so we can only make conjectures..."

The one to speak up first was Trise as she touched her chin in contemplation.

Just then, Don chimed in.

"Perhaps guessing the criteria of the exercise may actually be a part of it? The academy is clearly withholding this information intentionally for a reason. Maybe a part of it is to test the awareness of the cadets, after all there's a common unspoken rule when it comes to Dungeon diving; anything can happen."

Don's opinion made a lot of sense in some manner of speaking, and the others seem to think so too. If they told us what to expect in the exam, the cadets could lose guard and become too relaxed.

And in a Dungeon, that was tantamount to death.

"Aegis is known for assigning special exams and tests, so that might be true." Trise said in affirmation, but i thought slightly differently.

But just then, at the same time, Chelsea's lively voice resounded.

"Well that may be true, but guys what if it actually doesn't go that far?" She said, tilting her head, "I mean, what if we're really just overthinking it and the Academy is only doing this to keep us on edege and proactive?"

'I think so, too.'

Internally, i couldn't help but silently nod in agreement.

"Huh? Are you saying the Academy would do something like this needlessly without a true purpose?"

The one who scoffed back in a lashing tone was Don, who was quick in rebuking Chelsea.

Chelsea waved her hands through the air as she tried to quell the misunderstanding and said in her usual tone.

"I don't mean to say that. I'm only trying to say, overthinking this too far won't get us anywhere, you know? Isn't Dungeon diving about exploring the Gates and slaying monsters, is there really more to think too hard about than that?"

Chelsea shrugged with a smile and leaned back on her chair. She had a rather easygoing and nonchalant attitude towards the exercise.

Exploring Dungeons and slaying Monsters, huh?

I smiled wryly inwardly.

If only it were as easy as it's said.

And on the outside...

Deandra locked gazes with me from across the table.

"..."

"..."

A crippling silence settled over the boot as i stopped whatever movement i was making with my face.

Why is she looking at me that way, i thought while feigning a neutral expression and withheld a sigh

Eventually, i decided to break the stifling ice, and said.

"...What?"

Deandra's gaze was unmoving as she promptly responded.

"You haven't said anything all this while."

"I didn't think I needed to."

"This is a group discussion. All members' opinion matter. What do you think the criteria of the exercise may be?" Deandra said, cutting through the chase.

Hmmm....the Exercise criteria.

Wasn't that obvious?

"I don't think it's important." I looked blankly.

"What?"

"Huh?

"What are you talking about?" Deandra raised a brow with a small frown.

Was i just imagining it, or was there a glint in those deep red eyes? Regardless, i maintained my nonchalant stand.

I wrapped my fingers around the edge of the wide table, leaned back and took a slurp out my—

'It's empty!'

Shit...

"Ahem."

Putting aside the sorrow of my empty smoothie cup, i looked back at my teammates and shrugged.

"I don't know, i don't think it matters now. Shouldn't we just be more focused on doing our best or something?"

I decided to use Meta's words. Thinking about what the criteria of the exercise may be was most likely a waste of time.

'But there's also the chance I'm overlooking a clue, but i don't think this is the right time.'

"In the end, the criteria will be ultimately revealed before the start of the trip, why hang ourselves over something we might guess wrongly. In such a case like this, lose all expectations, and accept it all."

My words were simple.

Just grind.