Hello everyone!

I don't have much to say for today.

Just that Win to Live is now up. I think that is everything... yeah, it is.

Enjoy the chapter!

Chapter 13: Learning

The rest of the class had finally gathered within the classroom. I was sitting in my usual spot. Like Damion said, Kelly is not here right now.

Mr. Grey claps to get everyone’s attention, “Okay class! We have a special guest here today to talk about the structure of the various worlds and basic information! Please treat them kindly!”

Dr. Frizen walks into the classroom, “Hello first year students! I will be teaching you about the various structures of the universe. I will also talk about the various rankings that monsters have, and the major ways to be able to tell the difference between something you can fight and something you should run from immediately if you see it.”

I slowly sink down in my seat to try and not be noticed by her. Why is she here? I thought she ran off to some faraway place to plot here revenge against me. Maybe, she is here to plot her revenge already!

She continues, “So, first things first. You may refer to me a Dr. Frizen. I am a ‘researcher’ for lack of a better description. I research things in various fields regarding cultivation and the monsters that exist throughout the universe. My main field is top secret, but a certain student made more advances than me in a very small amount of time…” She smiles and glances in my direction without anyone noticing, “But that is another story. Anyways, we will start with information of the universe.” She turns to look at Mr. Grey who had moved to his chair.

I frown. I can’t believe she noticed me so easily. Wait. She probably already knew I was in this class. I just sigh as I sit up properly in my chair.

Dr. Frizen continues, “As most of you may already know. This planet is near the edge of the universe. The name of the floating rock we are currently on is ‘Behemoth’. ‘Behemoth’ is locked in a binary system with the molten planet R-2865J2. The planets are the perfect distance apart with a stable rotation. This causes the days to be exactly twenty four hours.”

A student raises their hand. Dr. Frizen points to them and they stand up, “I was wondering how this planet is able to support us considering a molten planet should not be able to act as a replacement for a sun.”

Dr. Frizen nods, “Good question and that can be answered simply. It doesn’t. The technology that has been created with the help of the UKC is able to create an artificial atmosphere using magic to create the basic elements a human needs to live.” She walks to the exact middle of the room, “The rest of the universe is similar to what you have learned in other schools before coming here. However the universe is in total only five light years across. Solar bodies are much closer to each other than what you learned in school. Gravity is also something to be cautious of. Some planets will have gravity that is almost a hundred times that of normal gravity due to how dense they are. Even most of those at the ninth realm like me do not dare to go there. Only the more adventurous will go to planets like that. Colonies also exist on other planets. They all learn the exact same thing throughout the entire universe. Some planets are entirely inhabited by normal people and are sealed from access.”

A male student leans back in his chair and sighs, “When will we learn about the monsters? This planet stuff is boring!”

A piece of chalk flies straight at his head from the direction of Dr. Frizen. The student falls to the ground while the piece of chalk disintegrates. When did she get chalk?

Dr. Frizen looks at the student, “Don’t interrupt me. I’m getting there. So everything is basically the same as when you learned it in school with some minor exceptions. So now I will move on to talking about monsters.” She walks to the back of the classroom and stands behind me, “So. Monsters come in all various shapes and sizes. But don’t be confused, just because a monster is small, that doesn’t mean it is weak. Alternatively, don’t think that an incredibly large monster is very strong. Monsters are put into ranks. Ninth rank monsters are things that you guys should be able to easily kill. The way to tell a ninth rank monster is the aura it emits. If you don’t feel fear from it. It should be safe to fight it. Eight rank is equivalent to a second realm practitioner. At the realm you are at, you will unconsciously feel fear from its aura. You should have started running about a minute ago if you encounter one now. This scales similarly until you get to the first rank. First rank monsters are as strong as a ninth realm practitioner. You will probably need new pants if you sense an aura on one of those. After you sense it, it is most likely too late for you. Just hope that you don’t anger the beast. I think that is all for now. I will take this convenient seat beside this completely random student now and listen to Mr. Grey finish the morning lesson.” Dr. Frizen sits down in the seat to my left.

Mr. Grey frowns as Dr. Frizen sits down next to me. I frown also. Why does she have to be here? Why can’t she just go do something else?

Dr. Frizen passes me a piece of paper under the desk;

‘Why do you have both the power of heaven and earth within your body?

When will you absorb spatial energy? How long until you make it to the ninth realm so I can fight you fairly?’

I sigh as I rip up the note and ignore her. I get a fierce stare from her.

Mr. Grey claps loudly to get everyone’s attention, “I would like to thank those of you who paid attention to Dr. Frizen’s knowledge on monsters and the basics of the universe. With the remainder of the morning class, I will talk about the upcoming ranking tournament and the forest of a thousand trials. Raise your hand if you want to learn about tournaments first and keep it down if you want to learn about the forest of a thousand trials.”

Seventy percent of the students keep their hands down.

Mr. Grey nods, “Okay. Forest of a thousand trials it is. Let’s see. Okay, the forest of a thousand trials is actually not a forest. It is large building far away from the school. At the end of every month, students will form into groups in order to test teamwork and personal strengths. A person must enter in a group of six. The forest of a thousand trials has exactly one thousand trials. Some say this is because it lacks a forest so it had to stay true to the second half of its name. The trials you guys at the first realm will be doing are the first ten trials. These trials will seem extremely hard to you because they do not require any strength to complete, but teamwork instead. This will be a test. This test will be in eight days. Please try to mark it somewhere you can remember. Now onto the tournament…”

------------Lunch--------------

I was sitting by myself eating some mush in the cafeteria. Dr. Frizen didn’t move when the class was dismissed so I took my chance to escape from her.

“There’s a three way fight at the dueling arena!” A student burst in the doors of the cafeteria. “Two second year students along with a first year student known as ‘Queen’!”

Is it those three!? I leave my tray at the table and sprint out of the dueling arena. I use the power of heaven and earth to sprint faster. Pretty much everyone can sense it on me anyways. No use trying to hide it anymore. I use it sparingly because the dueling fields are quite far from the cafeteria building.

After a while of sprinting full force and keeping up with the second realm students I make it to the dueling arena.

“I only started this because of the stupid bet I lost!” Kelly was yelling at Claire and Sayaka.

“Then why do you keep doing it?” Claire yelled at Kelly.

“I don’t even know why you feel anything towards him Claire, and you! Sayaka, why do you feel things towards him!?” Kelly was getting visually heated up.

Sayaka puffs out her chest, “I like him because he saved my life. He was cool. He risked his life for me!”

Claire frowns, “That was the previous him! The current him might not have done that!”

Actually, I might have. I would just be smarter about it than jumping in front of the train. It is clear that they are talking about me here.

Sayaka smiles, “That doesn’t matter to me! I like him because I like him!”

Claire frowns once again, “I like him because of his calm and cool personality! His determination is amazing! I like him!” Claire is yelling with a bright red face.

Kelly starts to blush right up to her ears, “I like him too! I was only being nice to him because you guys forced me to after I lost a bet! I fell in love with him while I was staying with him! I realized it when he talked about his death in the other world!”

The girls were arguing about liking me? Damion! What did you say to them!? I look around the fields for Damion but I don’t seem to find him. I guess I can talk to him after I stop this mess.

As I was about to walk into the dueling area, Damion appears in the center of the girls, “You all agree to this three way fight? If so let me tell you the rules! They are simple! The last one standing wins! No attacks that can mortally wound, only slightly injure! A bonus rule that is special for you three! If the man in question is brave enough to step out and stop this…” Damion looks to me in the crowd, “He may fight each of these women individually in order to stop them from fighting each other!”

The entire crowd looks to where he was looking. Some of these looks are scary! Do I really have to go up and fight? Are you testing my fighting ability before I can even use martial techniques? I will only be able to strengthen myself slightly and use my knowledge of fighting to win!

Bring it on!

I slowly walk up to the dueling area taking deep breaths. I’m slightly nervous. This will be my first real fight since coming to this world. I have a feeling their feelings are true, but it was rushed due to Damion’s plan. Come on Damion.

This was planned for me to fight. There is no way around this no matter how rushed it is. If I make excuses here. I will be the enemy of many men and women alike.

But there are some issues. I don’t use weapons and I don’t have a right arm. Another issue is that I am only B-ranked in the first realm and only have a small amount of power to use. I can try and absorb it between fights or even during the fights if I can focus enough.

The first issue can be solved with the fact that I never really used weapons in the first place. The second issue… is well… impossible to solve right now.

I sigh as I finally make it to the stage. Damion smiles, “Why if it isn’t you Ryu? I had no idea th-“

“Cut the bullshit.” I cut him off.

He smiles as he realizes that he was already seen through, “You figured that out pretty quick. So are you able to fight or should I stall while you prep yourself?”

I sigh and shrug my shoulders, “I am as ready as I’ll ever be. I can only say I have confidence if I fight them one on one though.”

He laughs, “That’s great!” He turns to the large crowd that has gathered. “Welcome everyone! I am the principal of this school! You should recognize me from the opening ceremony, but this is a special unplanned event! A first year student at only the B-rank of the first realm will fight these three one by one starting with the one in the lowest realm! Kelly! Or as most of you know her, ‘Queen’! The rules of the fight are the same! Fighters go to opposite sides of the dueling arena!”

Kelly’s weapon was a one handed longsword. It was just a basic steel sword with nothing special. It happens to be the same sword I was chased with the other day. She holds it gracefully in her right hand.

I take a deep breath as I walk to the side away from Kelly. She has an apologetic look on her face. I just smile back at her. It isn’t completely her fault. Kelly and I are on opposite sides of the dueling area. It is about 55 yards from me to her.

Damion smiles, “Three!

Two!

One!

Fight!”

Kelly leans forward in to a sprint to close the distance quickly. Her face was full of determination to hit me with that sword.

I’ll have to pass on that though.

Kelly arrives in front of me as I stand in place. She starts to swing her sword up from the bottom left towards the top right.

I move my body at the last second to dodge. I fall to the ground and use my left arm as a brace and spin to kick out her shins.

Kelly doesn’t react fast enough and she falls to the ground with no grace.

Her right arm is slightly in the air as she falls so that she doesn’t stab herself with sword on the way down to the ground.

I take advantage of that and twist my body while standing up and give a nice roundhouse kick to her hand and the hilt of the sword. The sword flies out of her hand about ten feet away from us. While she is disoriented I move over her and place my right heel on her throat.

The crowd is silent.

Kelly has a confused look on her face.

I tilt my head. Did I really do something so crazy? I don’t have my right arm so it would be more strategic to use my legs to my advantage.

Damion quickly calls the fight, “Ryu is the winner! So Ryu. We all have one question for you. How did you predict her movements to the point you could pull off precise movements like that?”

I tilt my head, “I never predicted anything. All I did was react to what she was currently doing. I have fought many times in my previous life. Just because this is the first time I am fighting in this world, it does not mean I am a weak opponent. This fight was not as simple as it looked. I had to be careful because I don’t have a right arm. My opponent also had a weapon while I didn’t. I also didn’t want to injure her so I used the simplest method to make the best of it all. I was luck and didn’t have to use any internal energy. If she would have used a feint attack instead of fighting head on I might have been in a bit more trouble.”

Most of the crowd has dead eyes. Damion coughs, “Well then. That being that. Are you ready for the next fight against Claire? She is at the C-rank of the second realm! Are you up for it!?”

I nod, “Yeah. I’m ready.”

Claire walks to the spot across the dueling area. Her weapons were gloves with hard parts on the knuckles. A brawler? These fights are always quick when on an arena.

Claire frowns while I smile to myself. She looks like she really wants to win. Her small frame will make her really light and agile. This just keeps getting better and better for me.

Damion starts the countdown, “Three!

Two!

One!

Fight!”

Claire slowly walks forward in a defensive stance that reminds me of something similar to kick boxing.

I take the initiative and sprint towards Claire.

She lunges forwards and swings using her left. I know she is right handed.

This can go one of two ways. This is a feint and she will pull back and swing with her right hand, or she will jump and twist her body to kick my head.

She arrives in front of me and starts to push out her right arm.

I lean to my right to dodge the punch.

She put her bodyweight into the punch so she lurches forwards slightly.

I take the chance and grab onto her wrist. I use my momentum to pull her completely off balance. I quickly shift my footing and lift her off the ground while spinning. I strengthen my arms for a split second as I throw Claire into the crowd of spectators outside the dueling area.

She was thrown almost twenty feet. She is super light.

I sigh as Damion calls the outcome, “The winner is Ryu by default! The duelers must always stay in the dueling area, failure to do so, even by external means results in instant loss!”

I figured that would be a rule. Claire stands up from the crowd and walks back towards the sulking Kelly, they both sit next to each other with sad looks on their faces.

I sigh. I wonder what is at stake for these matches.

Sayaka is already prepped at her side of the dueling area. She is using twin daggers. I hope she doesn’t throw them. Throwing weapons are annoying for me.

Damion takes another deep breath, “The final match is between Ryu and Sayaka! Sayaka is the B-rank of the second realm!”

Sayaka bows slightly as I make it to my side of the dueling area, “Let’s have a good fight.”

I nod, “Let’s have a good fight.”

Damion nods, “Then let’s begin! Three!

Two!

One!

Fight!

Sayaka instantly starts sprinting towards me.

I match her and we meet in the center of the arena.

[Blade dance!]

Sayaka used a martial technique! The spectators start to cheer.

Sayaka starts to swing the knives gracefully around me. They are full of energy and seem very, very sharp.

I don’t think I want to be cut today.

Sayaka swings the blade in her left hand towards my right side. I jump right up to her, so close that I can easily hear her breathing. While she was caught off guard I move my left arm in front and place it on her left shoulder. I move my right leg at the same time to her right side at her ankles.

I twist and she falls to the ground.

I put her in the same finishing as Kelly.

I place my right foot on her throat and this time I apply a bit of pressure so that she doesn’t think about stabbing my legs.

She drops the daggers onto the ground, “How are you so strong?”

I shake my head as Damion starts to walk over, “I’m not that strong, I am just using battle experience to my advantage.”

Damion yells to the spectators, “The duels are over! The winner is Ryu! Everyone please return to your classes as they are about to start!” Damion looks at me as the crowd leaves, “Hey Ryu. Did you know that you just made 2500 dollars?”

I smile, “That is convenient if I have to say. Anyways, just what was the point of all this pointlessness?”

He smiles, “I just wanted to test your battle abilities. It seems like I don’t have to worry about anything for a while. How would you currently deal with a person in the third realm?”

I shake my head, “Sayaka was tough to pull down. I just managed to catch her off guard. If she was willing to fight a bit more she could have chanced stabbing at my leg with her daggers but she clearly didn’t want to injure me that badly, so I abused that fact.”

Damion shakes his head, “You sure are ruthless.”

I laugh, “I prefer to call myself quick thinking.”