CLASSES BEGIN

  Still fondling his new identification bracelet, he received during administration check in. Tanner says, “Last week was so busy. I didn’t think it could be worse. I was mistaken. This is shear chaos.” The two decide to wait in line. After showing the gate guard their attendance paperwork and identity bracelet, they are let in. The guard informs them they are to report to the First Year auditorium.

  Dean Liafinor stands at the front of the stage with a welcoming smile. “To reiterate we have zero tolerance policies on cheating and bullying. You will be dis-enrolled from school with charges brought against you.” Looking around, she announces, “Next week, we have scheduled the week long class on tolerance. Sections one through five will attend their respective classes for the week. In two weeks' time, sections six through ten will attend their one week class. All students will attend. Now I will divide all of you into your class sections. One hundred students are in each section. Starting on my left, the front sections will be one thru five. Sections six to ten will start in the back, from my left side.”

  “Fourth Years please stand. The people standing in front of each section are your section leaders.” Looking around, Tanner establishes they are in section three. The dean waves at the facility staff sitting behind her. “These are your Section Heads.” They stand and walk off the stage, coming to a stop, one in front of each section. Tanner turns and grins at Jackson, nodding to the Section Head. The pretty Instructor Jackson pointed out at the beginning is standing in front of them. Jackson grins back. Claire and Connie, deep in conversion, miss the two’s antics. “Section three report to the training yard.” After being shown their sections, men's and lady’s locker rooms, the decuplet report to the yard in workout clothes. A fourth-year student has them line up and start warm-up exercises. Then the class transitions to body weight exercises. The instructor leading the class shouts, “Break.” as most of the class is puffing after the warmup. “Let me introduce you to your instructor. Knight Commander Brightstar.”

  “Crap.” Tanner mutters.

  “I heard that, Squire Alexander. You will see me after class.” Penny walks to the front of the formation. “Sorry I am late. I run my classes different from what other instructors do. You will be in constant movement on this field. I expect to see incredible gains in your attributes. Both body and mind. Do any of you have a soul gate open? No, then let’s get to it.” Two hours later, she calls a break to cool down. The class is doing a light jog around the training field to cool down. A new instructor shows and prepares for the next class. Penny announces to the class. “Break for showers and change.”

  The bell rings, and the students head back to the classroom building for their next class. After the students have taken their seats, the new instructor steps forward. “I am Instructor Gerald Welsh. Welcome to Attributes 101. We will go over attribute basics for the next eight weeks. Questions?” After a brief pause, Instructor Welsh continues, “What are the attributes you currently have? You Squire, stand, give your name and answer the question, please.”

  Remaining seated, the called upon student answers. “Gleason, Mind, and Body. Uh sir?” answers the young woman called upon.

  With a put-upon sigh, the Instructor looks over the uncertain student. “First, when called upon, you will stand. You will introduce yourself by title and last name. Is that clear class?” He asks, looking around. As students are nodding their heads, he clears his throat. “I require verbal acknowledgment in this class, please.” The Class speaks up and agrees. “Thank you.” The man says, smiling. “Every class you have here will require verbal responses. Any ideas why? You Squire.” He points to Tanner.

  Tanner stands and responds, “Squire Wilson-Alexander, For Clarity?”

  “Good guess,” the Instructor says with a smile. “When you are in the Dungeon, clear instructions given and acknowledged will save your lives. This is the reason we require you all to verbalize your response in this manner. It familiarizes you with the process. Questions?”

  “No Sir.” comes back from the students.

  “So Squire Gleason, shall we try again?”

  Janice Gleason stands. “Yes Sir, Squire Gleason, Uh, Mind and Body.”

  “Are you asking me or telling me Squire?”

  “Telling Sir.”

  “And you would be almost correct, you left off Hit points and Mana points. You all have, at this Tier, four attributes. Hit Points, Mana Points, Body Points, and Mind Points. Does anyone in this class have the Soul Gate open? No? Pity, if any of you had the Soul Gate open, you would also have Soul Points. Questions? Did any one catch what I said?”

  Claire and Connie both raise their hands. The instructor points to Connie.

  “Squire Vandine, you said ‘At this tier we all have four attributes.’ Does this mean we will gain more attributes at higher tiers, sir?”

  “It does, Squire. At Tier two, your Body attributes split into Strength, Agility, and Constitution. Your Mind attributes split into Intelligence, Perception, and Wisdom. Details will not be discussed at this time, as they are covered in Attributes 201. The bell rings two hours later. “One hour for lunch. Then report to your next class.”

  “Afternoon all, welcome to Social Economics. I am Instructor Marsel. In this class we will discuss how society has developed and the reasons why. Along with our economic development. The two subjects overlap in many areas. This class will cover both subjects and we will delve into the reasons why our social interactions exist the way they do currently. Questions so far?”

  After a brief pause, the instructor continues. “Birthrates. Why has no one gotten their books or note taking supplies out, yet?” A mad scramble for books and paper begins. Instructor Marsel shakes her head and begins again. “Who can explain why brith rates are critical to the social aspects of the empire and it’s economy?” Claire raises her hand. “Yes squire?”

  Standing, Claire says, “Squire Contigo, the birthrates between women and men are three to one. This has affected everything from relationships, to politics, to delving, to economics.”

  “A bold sweeping statement, can you prove it? Does anyone agree or disagree? You Squire in the back, dark haired girl. Stand and explain why you look confused.”

  “Squire Hansen, Ma’am. I don’t understand how birthrates can affect any of this.”

  “Anyone else not able to connect the dots? A few I see.” Instructor Marsel walks to the chalkboard and writes family structure. “Let’s go around the room. How many here have one parent? Two of you? Okay mother or father? Both mothers.” She writes two, single parent female. “How many in the class have just two parents? Show of hands, please. Thirty-Two, now of the thirty-two of you, how many have a male and female parent? Fifteen of you.” She turns and writes more information on the board. “The rest of you how many have two male parents? Three of you, okay. The rest have two female parents I take it?” She turns and writes more information on the board after receiving yes from the other fourteen students. “How many of you are from a trio? That means you have three parents. Fifty-nine of you. Once more around the room revels the sex of all parents in a trio relationship. “So this leaves seven of you left. You are all from harem style family units? Yes? Thank you, and the make up of your parents?” After the instructor is done writing on the chalkboard, the results are: Two students raised by a single female parent. Thirty-two students raised by two-parent families, of which fifteen had a mother and father. Three of the two-parent families having 2 fathers, with the remaining fourteen students having two mothers for parents. The rest of the class's family breakdown fifty-nine have three parent families, two class members have three fathers, four have three mothers, two have two fathers and one mother, the remaining fifty-one have the traditional one father, two mothers. The last seven students in class come from harem style families, one student having three fathers and one mother. Another having one father and four mothers, and five students, one father with 3 mothers. For a class total of eighty-seven male parents vs. one hundred-sixty-eight female parents.

  “Can anyone not see the way birthrate has affected us socially? This is just in one class of 100 of you. If you look at the imperial census, the numbers even out to reflect the birthrate. Let’s discus how the family unit has been influenced by the birthrate.”

  The genuine version of this novel can be found on another site. Support the author by reading it there.

  Two hours later, a thoughtful class departs for the next lesson.

  Claire tells everyone at the end of the first day. “Penny and Rhys want to see us in her conference room.”

  Everyone sits at the table, and Rhys wards the room. Penny states, “We need to double check your motivations, party roles, and general class obtainment goals. We may have to push you all harder than we expected. New information has been found it is being looked into now. We will tell you all more as soon as we find out how this affects you all.”

  Rhys, looking grave, says, “We know Tanner is influencing your Status. We do not know how this is possible, we just know he is. You may all have to test out for the first semester classes. Just remember, we have reason to push you all hard. So what party roles does everyone what to fill? If you are all not committed to do this together, I believe you will fail.”

  Tanner stands. “I want to help people and prevent Dungeon Breaks and Splits. The faster we can get strong. The better we can defend those less Blessed.”

  “Damn, Tanner Paladin much?” Jackson snarks.

  Tanner blushes and mutters aloud, “Pretty sure I don’t have the temperament for that.” The girls all glare at Jackson.

  “Not funny, Jackson.” Claire shakes her head at her friend, frowning. “My reasons mirror Tanner’s. I believe we should be the shield for those weaker than us.”

  Jackson, embarrassed by his outburst, speaks up. “Sorry, Tanner, it sounded funnier in my head. I did not say it right. I want to get out from being the Utian’s, ‘useless, stupid’, second son title.”

  “You are not useless, Jackson. I’ve gotten used to the way your brain doesn’t work.” Tanner deadpans.

  “Thanks Tanner, Hey. Wait, a minute.” The two friends smile and laugh at each other.

  “Boys.” Milly says and rolls her eyes. “My brother and I are the first Blessed in our family. I want to make our family proud and support them as much as I can. Micky?”

  Mick clears his throat. “I want to pay everybody back as soon as I can. Darton’s network offers us a head start in our future business inheritance. As graduates of Darton, we will have credibility that other merchants will lack. To get us both into school, our family made financial sacrifices. One bad trading season could ruin the family business. The stronger I am, the more money I can send back. What about you, Connie?” Mick asks.

  Connie pauses for a moment. “I want to be a healer. I’ve seen too many people become crippled or die, and we could have saved them. My family has lost live stock from sickness and monster attacks that could otherwise have lived if proper healing was available. The experience exhausted everyone, both in both finances and emotions.”

  Lilli says, “My reasons are close to Tanner and Claire’s. I believe in protecting those weaker than ourselves. Anything less is to waste the Goddess’s Blessing.”

  Karnna stands, eyes narrowed, with fist clinched, “My reasons are the same as Tanner’s, mostly. However, the Anvilhand Clan did my family wrong, and I want to make a name for myself and show those thieving bastards what they threw away when they tried to destroy my family.”

  Dylan chimes in, “I feel the same way as Karnna.”

  Penny looks over at Iris, “You have been quiet.”

  “I too want to shield the weak, but my feelings align with Connie.”

  “Wow, that got serious pretty fast.” Jackson observes. “What roles does everyone want to fill?”

  “I want front line bulwark I will use sword and shield.” Mick claims.

  “I want a class I can fight by Micky’s side and back him up.” Lilli says with a smile.

  Karnna nods her head in agreement. “The three of us will be the line our enemies break upon.”

  Penny nods her head in approval. “So front line warrior type classes for the three of you.”

  Jackson speaks up, “I believe ranged damage and control will be best for me. A Psionic Mage class of some kind,”

  Dylan says, “Mage Class, short to long range damage.”

  Milly exclaims, “Mage Class, mid to long range damage and I think support too. I have been reading up on my Affinity.”

  Iris smiles, “Healer, control, and support, Mage Class of some kind.”

  Claire says, “Mage Class, support with short to long range damage for me.” Claire explains. “I have done some reading and may have figured a path forward with my affinity. Connie, you still want to be a healer?”

  “Yes.” she replies. Looking at Tanner, Connie asks. “And what about you, o fearful leader?”

  Tanner shakes his head at her and smiles. “Mage and melee, damage any range.”

  “Well, aren’t we the confidant one?” Milly smiles at Tanner.

  Claire feeling a small surge of jealousy. Takes Tanner’s arm and says, “Remind me to tell you tales of his heroics.”

  Tanner flushes, “It wasn’t that big of a deal.”

  “How do we make sure we can get the class we need to fill any roles?” Milly asks, taking the hint.

  Standing, Penny explains what she knows of Class selection, “You can gain a Mage Class or a Physical Class no matter what Gate is open. The academy has classes and offers councilors for almost any Class combinations. Please don’t make the mistake of letting your Gate chose what you can accomplish. We train with weapons, attempt to cast spells, and try to gain what skills we can.”

  Rhys takes over the explanation, “Most of the basic skills and spells we can gain before our Class selection at level 10.”

  Tanner speaks up. “We already agreed to train extra hours. Daily, before and after classes, two hours. Sixthday we will train for ten hours. We will take Seventhday off for recovery. Should we use a two-hour session for Skill and Spell acquisition?”

  “Not a terrible idea Tanner, it will not hurt, and may give you all a leg up.”

  Once the young students have left Penny’s office. Rhys chuckles and says, “Poor Tanner,”

  “What makes you say that?”

  “Did you not see the looks Connie was giving him? She could not help herself.”

  “Really? I was too busy watching Lilli and Karnna staking claims on poor clueless Mick.”

  The couple smile at each other. Penny sighs and says, “Ah to have a young heart and be in love.”

  “No thank you,” Rhys says, “We were lucky to fall in love at first sight.”

  “Sorry dear, I did not throw my heart away at the first sight of you.”

  “What really?” the big man says, shocked.

  “Nope.” Penny says with a smoldering look from under her eyelashes, “But I was by the end of the orientation lecture.”

  “Oh, that’s okay then.” He says, raising his petite wife to smother her with a deep kiss.

  “Now, dear, remember the last time. This office is not soundproof. With a low breathless chuckle, Rhys replies, “That’s why I left the ward up when the kids left.”

  “Oh,” Penny says with a slight catch, “You clever man.”

  The decuplet gather on the field to train body stats, to find Penny waiting for them. “Today is your Admin day. The rest of your classmates are getting issued their storage devices, then have a free study day. You ten will not be getting the academy issue. You will get yours on Sixth Day. Train until breakfast. You all have appointments with the dean after breakfast. Once finished, please report back and continue training.”

  “What does the dean want with us?” Tanner asks, somewhat apprehensive.

  “Relax Tanner. This is normal procedure. Each year, she has one-on-one sessions with every student. She will talk to you about sponsors and forming parties. She also likes to see fledgling parties, to make sure everyone is on board with the group. It is not unusual to have new students make friends and plan groupings. She wants you all to succeed. I believe she means well. Just give her the broad strokes and keep the details to a minimum. Hey. You kept us talking too long. Start running. I want sprints around the field, you scammers.”

  The week continued in the same way. Training, classes, meals, self study, and more training. Accompanied by moans of pain and discomfort from aching bodies and over used minds. Sixthday arrives and the decuplet move into the palace's north wing. Tanner and Claire find their belongings moved to their new rooms. The two unused suites have been converted into a combination lounge and group study. Excited over the new rooms, they throw themselves into training even harder.

  The dinner meal contains light-hearted conversation and advice passed from the older generation to the newer. Before the meal ends, Bree hands out storage bracelets to the students. “These are a bit more advanced than the ones supplied by the Academy. They have double the storage and have a sort and stack function. The bracelets we are giving you will last you into the middle of Tier ‘1’. You cannot put living people, animals, or monsters inside. They will not go inside unless they are dead. Plants can be put inside but will die in a few hours. The more delicate plants will die faster.”

  “What’s a sort and stack function?” Milly asks, raising her hand.

  “Here, take this. Best way is to show you.” Penny says, sliding stacks of coins to Connie, the elf twins, the Rasumuns, and Chainbreakers. “Wave your bracelet over the coins and think loot, pick up, take, grab anything that you like.”

  They wave their bracelets over the coins. The coins disappear from the surface of the table. “Oh, that’s so wonderful.” Milly exclaims. “It put the gold and silver into separate piles and the gold went into one spot, the silver in another.”

  “We just had storage crates and boxes. Everything had to be loaded by hand, then loaded on to wagons and carts. We never got to do anything with them because they are too expensive.” Micky explains.

  Bree speaks, “These are the largest you will be able to use at your tier. As you all tier up, you will need improved storage. We have found that rings and bracelets are faster than the pendants that the Academies supply. It is already in or next to your hand. With a pendant, you have to take it off then touch the item, then put it back on. Some have wrapped the necklace chain around their wrist, or fastened the pendant to a bracelet, but that is poor practice. Lose the pendant. Lose your stuff. This is a much better arrangement. At your tier and levels, bracelets work better and hold more than the rings available at the lower levels. Oh, and keep the money.” She says, handing over coins to Tanner and Claire.

  Harry tosses a bag to Jackson. “This is from your father.”

  Tanner climbs into bed, reflecting on the day’s events. He falls asleep, thankful for the family that found him.

  The following day, Tanner spends in study, investigating his Affinity and experimenting with attempts to affect objects around him with his aspect. Not noticing anything happening, but feeling some type of energy moving, he takes it as a win.