Chapter 109: Text books
As Levi's excitement faded, reality set in.
'Huh?'
Silence enveloped him, broken only by the weight of numerous stares. Only then did Levi realize that he was still in the training grounds inside the gravitational field capsule
'Oh fuck!' he thought, his enthusiasm deflating rapidly.
Over twenty pairs of eyes locked onto him with a mix of awe, confusion, and wariness.
Levi had become a spotlight in the training area and this newfound spotlight felt deeply uncomfortable for him.
Just then whispers erupted around him.
"What just happened?"
"Did you see that purple light?"
"Is that even allowed in the gravity room?"
Levi's cheeks burned with embarrassment.
Of course, his aura of Lunacy was not invisible, everyone could see it - in fact, for the on lookers it looked more intriguing too.
And Levi, had now unintentionally become the center of attention, something that he had tried to avoid at all costs.
He lookd around, students were watching with scrutinizing eyes. There weren't only freshmens there as unlike the cafeteria's there was no restriction on who could eneter the training grounds.
The seniors were also quite surprised by the sudden commotion and had gathered around.
While looking at them, Levi spotted Alex in the crowd, his roommate's expression a blend of surprise and curiosity - he was surely thinking about something that Levi couldn't quite tell from his perspective.
At that moment, a tall student stepped forward, his voice carrying a note of authority. "Hey, you! What did you—"
But Levi wasn't listening to him at all, in his mind, two options were going through.
Flee the scene immediately or Face the situation head-on.
'Well,' Levi thought, 'there's no undoing this now.'
He straightened up, trying to project a confidence he didn't feel. With deliberate calmness, he brushed off his clothes. And looked ahead at the student who had just spoke.
The student stopped talking as he saw the coldness in Levi's eyes.
"What did I do?" Levi said, his voice surprisingly steady and even a bit arrogarnt. \\
"Just exploring some new abilities. Nothing to worry about."
He said and started walking off the gravitational field capsule.
The crowd seemed taken aback by his composure as they watched him silently get out of the capsule but their eyes still lingered on his figure.
Levi could sense their growing curiosity.
With as much poise as he could muster, Levi began to walk. He wasn't fast but wasn't slow either, each step was measured, hiding the nervousness churning inside him.
Then, without looking back, Levi strode out, leaving behind a buzz of whispered conversations.
***
As soon as Levi was out of sight, his composure cracked. He hurried to his dorm, scanned his watch which acted as the key, and quickly shut himself inside.
Thankfully, no others were present in the room!
'Phew that was close'
He thought - exhausted by both what he had done and what just happened.
But it was fine now.
No one was watching him here.
Levi turned his head to the sealing, catching his breath. "Well," he muttered, "that wasn't how I planned things to go."
He was just planning on seeing what his Lunacy was capable of, although he had succeeded in doing that - he didn't expect to cause a commotion.
Anyway as his heartbeat slowed, Levi calmed down.
The adrenaline from his earlier encounter faded and Levi found himself alone in the dorm room. He collapsed onto his bed, the events of the day weighing heavily on his mind.
'What a mess,' he thought, running a hand through his hair. 'So much for keeping a low profile.'
With a sigh, he realized he hadn't eaten since breakfast and his stomach growled in protest.
The time was already nearing 2:00 in the afternoon - he just hadn't realized it till now due to everything that happened.
Anyway, Grateful for the academy's food delivery service, Levi pulled out his watch and scrolled through the menu options. He settled on a hearty pasta dish and a side salad, tapping to confirm his order.
'At least I don't have to face the cafeteria after that spectacle,' he mused.
While waiting, he tried to distract himself by tidying up the room. His mind kept replaying the scene in the training grounds. 'I wonder what they're saying about me now,' he pondered, a mixture of anxiety and curiosity gnawing at him.
A gentle chime from his watch alerted him to the arrival of his food.
Levi retrieved the package from the delivery bot outside the door, savoring the warm aroma as he unpacked his meal.
He ate slowly, lost in thought about the day's events and what tomorrow might bring. 'How am I going to explain this to Alex and the others?' he wondered, dreading the inevitable questions.
As he finished his meal, Levi noticed a stack of packages near the door.
Curious, he investigated and found they contained textbooks for their chosen classes.
'Huh, actual books. Didn't expect that in this high-tech place,' he thought, somewhat amused.
Levi sorted through the packages, setting aside those belonging to his roommates. He opened his own, spreading the books across his bed.
The titles reflected his chosen courses: "Essence Manipulation and Control", "Xenobiology of Paradise Creatures", and "Diplomatic Relations with Paradise Factions".
He flipped through the pages, skimming the content and admiring the detailed illustrations. The xenobiology book particularly caught his attention with its vivid depictions of Paradise creatures. 'I wonder how these compare to Noir,' Levi mused, his thoughts drifting to his demonic companion. 'Maybe this will help me understand him better.'
Levi found himself captivated by the contents of the book. It opened with a comprehensive 20-30 page introduction about some biological terms, covering the basics of Paradise ecosystems and the general principles of xenobiology. But it was what came after that truly caught his attention.
Each subsequent page featured a stunning illustration of a Paradise creature on one side, with detailed information about its biology, behavior, and habitat on the other. The artistry was impressive, bringing these alien beings to life with vivid colors and intricate details. Levi found himself tracing the contours of each creature with his eyes, absorbing every minute detail.
He recognized some familiar monsters from his limited experience - a Lizog with its scaly hide and razor-sharp claws, a group of mischievous-looking goblins, and other beings he'd heard mentioned in passing.
Each illustration was accompanied by fascinating facts that expanded his understanding of these creatures.
For example, the page with goblins had information like this:
_______________
Physical Characteristics
Continue reading at m|v-l'e -NovelBin.net
Height: 0.6 - 1.2 meters
Weight: 20 - 40 kg
Skin: Green, ranging from pale olive to dark forest hues
Eyes: Large, typically yellow or red
Distinctive features: Pointed ears, sharp teeth, long fingers
Habitat:
Primarily subterranean, favoring complex cave systems and abandoned structures. Often found in proximity to human settlements.
Behavior:
Highly social, living in tribes of 20-100 individualsNocturnal, with excellent low-light visionKnown for setting elaborate traps and ambushesCommunicate through a combination of grunts, whistles, and simple language
.
Intelligence:
Surprisingly high. Goblins display problem-solving skills, tool use, and basic strategy formation. They are capable of learning and adapting to new threats quickly.
Combat Tactics:
Prefer ambush tactics and hit-and-run attacksUtilize simple but effective traps (pitfalls, snares, tripwires)Often use poison-tipped weaponsRely on overwhelming numbers rather than individual combat prowess
Weaknesses:
Physically weak compared to larger creaturesPoor resistance to essence-based attacksEasily demoralized if leader is defeatedVulnerable to bright light
Notes for Essence Users:
Caution is advised when using area-of-effect essence abilities, as goblins often have hidden members in any encounter. Their trap-making skills can sometimes incorporate essence-reactive materials, potentially turning a careless user's powers against them.
_____________
'That's very detailed!'
If Levi had known this information back in the maze, then he probably wouldn't have been so fucked up by the goblins.
Anyway, Curiosity piqued, Levi began searching for any mention of the Black Wings of Lunacy, the category to which his Dominion, Noir, belonged. He flipped through page after page, expecting to find the familiar dark feathers and imposing presence he associated with Noir. To his dismay, however, there was no sign of anything resembling the Black Wings.
This absence intrigued Levi. 'Why aren't they here?' he wondered, a slight frown creasing his brow. 'Are they too rare? Or perhaps too dangerous to study?' The lack of information only heightened his curiosity about Noir and its kind.
As evening approached, Levi's watch chimed again. This time, it displayed his class schedule for the upcoming week.
---***---
This chapter upload first at NovelBin.Com