"In essence is like an Exodus?". I ask, not sure how to feel about this strange situation.
"It's similar, Young Gentleman". Confess Cresseida. "However, Synchronization can mostly be done between Pure Scions and Heiresses, yet some Impures can. While Exodus are for everyone and the alternative versions of ourselves".
"Versions?. In Plural?. More than one stupid Counterpart?!". I scream, monetarily losing my composure.
"No Vruck". Responds Verulkya with pained conviction, she is regretful after ordering the Mirror Me to hijack me from Azthea.
"Counterparts are only one, our direct Equal but Opposite. Other Versions can be closer to us, or totally distinct, but they can't trigger an Exodus, only Counterparts can…".
{I see…}.
"Synchronization is the best option if it's done in the «Nothingness Midway». But Takctoor has the custom of using «Mirror Umbrals» to strengthen the Cadets under the «Three S Rule» discovered by Khallyon Cravemeneer, since it was originally the «Two S Rule», «Submit Or Succumb». But he learned about the First «S»".
"Interesting, so it's «Synchronize, Submit Or Succumb»?".
"Correct, Vruck. It's about making a pact with, subduing, or eliminating our alternative versions, each outcome is incredibly beneficial, allowing to bypass or eliminate the «Locked» Stats, sharing Proficiency and Progress. Get rid of unwanted Professions, or even trade Subclasses, Gifts, abilities and Embryons".
Further explanations are given by Cresseida and Verulkya, all of us listening attentively as we enjoy and finish the breakfast to fulfill our respective schedules.
Cadrissa, Ines, and Myself reunite with the last member of our Box, «Balalaika Berezovskaya».
She is a redhead with a massive bosom and gigantic buttocks, looking a bit chubby due to how meaty her plump huggable body is.
{For someone from a wealthy Family, she seems quite humble, and demure. Though that shyness lingering at being too close to any of us, it's a bit too annoying…}.
Balalaika jumps with a timid yelp, lowering her gaze, trembling slightly.
{Did she read my mind?}.
I think about how to corner Balalaika, lifting her chin to roughly taking her lips in a kiss.
A scarlet shade invades the damsel's entire face, the tonality more vibrant than her crimson wavy hair.
"So-Sorry". She apologize with weak shaky voice. "I don't do it on purpose. It occurs when i'm nervous".
"I don't mind having my thoughts read by you «Little Lamb». But you should be prepared for what you may encounter". I imagine unfastening the black straps of Balalaika's red dress, the fabric lethargically falling to reveal her pronounced cleavage.
The poor damsel hyperventilates for a moment, covering her still dressed gargantuan udders.
I smirk, but Ines admonishes me, smacking my shoulder. "Lustful Beast!. Stop messing with «Laika». It's not her fault the natural talent the Berezovsky Clan possess!".
{No wonder her Family is so good in the merchant's business, knowing what others are thinking can provide an unsurmountable advantage}.
We reach an open field where the sun is yet to rise. Seeing various faces i recognize.
There is no introduction from the Instructor, a bald man with a vandyke beard, orange irises in black sclera eyes, and a serious attitude.
His «Lecturing Lesson» is about physical activation, literally, teaching us how to use our bodies with, and without, Ordinance, Vitality or both simultaneously, increasing the overall output of our performances, along awakening dormant or unknown features.
Learning that we Vecturions, possess an innate ability to camouflage ourselves, which combined with my knowledge of physics and Gifts, grants me an invisibility that is extremely difficult to detect.
{Venatoris Vigour, my training, and my own surname made my presence undetectable}.
{Now i comprehend why Cresseida gets so startled every time i stand behind her}.
{Lacking Spirituality means i am mostly Blind to the effects caused by this Stat, but i cannot be perceived by it neither. So Ines's Gaseous Summons must employ the Ordinance to spy on me, while they hide with Spirituality. What a clever trick}.
Among the knowledge imparted by the Bald Instructor, lies an ability to partially Shape Shift, or Totally Transform into an animal or creature that we resemble.
Nevertheless, there are other skills taught, like «Dash», and the «Bodsh». Not to mention «Cutlass» can be executed by any Stat, though with certain limitations or advantages awarded to the intrinsic nature of each Stat.
{Morning exercise to invigorate the body and erase all traces of slumber. This is not bad, i like this already…}.
The next class is an actual Lecture about the distinct types of Amalgams, Umbrals, Portals and Beacons. Focusing on the Second Type because we will sent into a Mirror Umbral for our fourth and last class of the day.
However, first comes the Third Period, teaching about formations, and tandem skills to augment the overall prowess of each Box.
The line up of this four-person groups in which the cadets are distributed has an obvious but relevant reason. It prevents the accidental creation of Beacons, as crossing any established Umbral is distinct from the Enclosed Amalgams or the Relativistic Portal.
Only Pentagons previously designated in a world can establish a Beacon. This is why Crossroad Amalgams are not very popular outside the Lyceum, as the amount of participants pose a potential risk of creating a Beacon. Something that can't be achieved by the residents of those worlds.
Later on, comes the Recess, a forgiving handicap for the Cadets, having the chance to be well fed before delving into the pending Umbral.
Because similarly to the Match or Crossroad Amalgams, the Mirror Umbrals prevent the existence of any article that doesn't has a rightful owner.
{This seems harsh at first glance. But is actually a good, preventing the passage of parasites, diseases, viruses and bacterias}.
{In turn, diminishing direct contamination in the development of the Civilizations at both ends of the passage. Yet. «Why?». It has to be a reason behind why Loutharn and Nrahtuol remain in a technological limbo…}.
"Worried, Vurckair?. You didn't seem nervous before".
"I tend to be decisive, ruthless and hurtful when i'm preoccupied. But that is not the case right now, Cadrissa. I have absolute trust in the Barking Bitch's leadership. More over, the task entrusted to us is not difficult, especially as we are going into the Umbral with other three Boxes"…