The Next Day—Douma High
Just like Chichi said, today was purely academic.
Combat training would begin tomorrow.
Normally, I wouldn't be particularly interested in classroom lectures. But today was different.
Today, I actually wanted to learn.
Douma High wasn't an ordinary institution. It was one of the top high schools in the Kingdom of Aldai. That meant its curriculum wouldn't be shallow. If there was anywhere to gather structured, reliable knowledge about this world, it was here.
Because there was a problem.
The previous Shido's memories were incomplete.
Or rather… shallow.
He knew basic social structures, common knowledge, and surface-level history. But anything beyond that? Vague. Fragmented. Almost as if he had never cared enough to look deeper.
That meant I couldn't rely on his memories forever.
If I wanted to survive—no, thrive—in this world, I needed a complete understanding of how it functioned.
For example:
Do ancient weapons called artifacts exist here? Are there cultivation-style power progressions? Or is ability growth purely linear?
What exactly happens when someone reaches a lower Level? Is it just raw power amplification, or does something qualitative change?
Are there hidden organizations? Sealed abilities? Bloodline awakenings?
And most importantly—
Where do I stand within all of this?
So far, everything I've seen suggests this world revolves around innate abilities. But there has to be structure. Classification. Limits. Exceptions.
Worlds built purely on chaos don't last long.
As I entered the classroom, I made a quiet decision.
Today, I would observe carefully.
I wouldn't ask reckless questions. That would be suspicious.
But if the opportunity arose—and if the topic aligned naturally—I would guide the conversation.
As long as the information wasn't classified or restricted to the Great Families or the Crown, a teacher in a top academy should be able to answer.
And once I understood the rules of this world—I could begin breaking them properly.
---
"Okay class let us continue on from where we left off yesterday," said instructor Halden.
Shido slowly raised his right hand before Instructor Halden began his morning lecture.
Instructor Halden, noticed him immediately.
"Yes, Urazaki? You joined recently, correct?"
Shido stood up calmly.
"Yes, sir. Since this is my first week here, there are some basic concepts about our world that I would like to understand better."
Some students glanced toward him with mild curiosity.
Instructer Halden nodded. "Go ahead."
"First," Shido said, "what exactly are abilities? And why are they called abilities in the first place?"
Instructor Halden rested a hand on the desk before answering.
"That question actually touches the foundation of our world."
He turned toward the board.
"An ability is the manifestation of a person's soul."
A few students nodded, as if this was basic knowledge.
"The soul is not just a spiritual concept. It contains potential, instincts, and power unique to each individual."
"When someone awakens an ability, it means their soul has begun expressing itself in the physical world."
He gestured toward the class.
"That expression can take many forms."
"Some people gain enhanced strength or speed. Others gain control over elements. Some develop more unusual abilities such as illusions, sound manipulation, or spatial distortion."
"The important thing to understand is this: Abilities are not something learned or created artificially. They can't be."
"They are born from the soul itself."
"No two abilities are ever exactly the same. No matter how you see them."
Shido listened quietly.
That explanation felt far more natural.
Shido raised another question.
"Then why are abilities measured through levels? And why specifically five?"
Instructor Halden nodded and wrote on the board.
[ABILITY LEVEL STRUCTURE]:
Level 5– Awakening
Level 4– Expansion
Level 3 – (Unknown)
Level 2– (Unknown)
Level 1– (Unknown)
Instructer Halden turned back to the class.
"The numbering system may seem strange at first."
"But abilities are not measured from weak to strong."
"They are measured based on how close a person is to the origin of their soul's power."
He tapped the top line.
"Level 5 is the stage where an ability first awakens. It is the most common level."
"Almost everyone who awakens an ability begins here."
He pointed lower.
"As someone trains and strengthens their soul through battle, their ability evolves. This evolution is known as UPGRADING."
"When this evolution occurs, one's level decreases."
"Level 4 represents an expansion of an ability. While Level 3 to 1..." Then he pointed towards the board.
"Are completely Unknown."
"But..." he whispered low enough for everyone in the class to still be able to hear him. "I believe those of Level 3 and lower are the represents of individuals whose souls and abilities are almost perfectly synchronized to absolute perfection."
For a few seconds Shido just stood there observing all the info before he planned to continue on his other question.
Instructor Halden crossed his arms.
"I myself am currently Level 4, so the details beyond Level 3 are not something I can fully explain."
"Most deeper knowledge about higher-level abilities is restricted to advanced institutions, organizations or with the royal family of aldai."
"The stronger someone becomes, the more knowledge they are allowed to access. And the best and most effective way to becoming stronger in our world is through fights and battle."
Shido noted that carefully in his mind for later.
Shido continued with his other question.
"Then what about ancient weapons, besides ability amplifiers?"
Instructor Halden nodded.
"Hmmm that's a good question. And to answer you, yes there exists ancient weapons.Their well-known as artifacts. Artifacts are tools hypothesized to be created during the beginning of our world to interact with abilities."
"They are not abilities themselves, but they can amplify or channel the power of the soul."
He wrote three categories on the board.
[3-Artifact Categories]:
Enhancement Artifacts--->Weapons or armor that strengthen a user's ability.
Storage Artifacts--->Objects capable of storing ability power for later use.
Relic Artifacts--->Ancient items with functions modern craftsmen cannot reproduce.
"The only information that's released to the public are just the artifacts categories and their names. Even to the top Highschool's have limited info on them. Maybe accept the principal themselves. So we can only talk about Relic artifacts," Instructor Halden added, "this are usually controlled by powerful families, national authorities or by the royal family of aldai."
Shido asked his final question.
"And by chance are abilities categorized as well?"
Instructor Halden nodded again. "Yes. Scholars generally divided them into seven primary classifications."
He wrote them on the board.
[The 7-Ability Classifications]:
Enhancement Type--->Strengthens the user's body such as (strength, speed, durability).
Projection Type--->Releases power outward as waves, blasts, or force.
Manifestation Type--->Allows the creation of objects or constructs.
Elemental Type--->Control of natural elements such as fire, water, lightning, wind, or earth.
Control Type--->Manipulation of external forces or objects such as (gravity, sound, telekinesis).
Amplification Type--->Boosts existing abilities, either the user's or another person's.
Special Type--->Rare abilities that do not fit any known category.
"Most ability users fall within the first six,"
Instructor Halden said.
"Special types are extremely uncommon. I would say their Rare."
"Thank you instructor Halden for answering all my weird questions," thanked Shido with a grateful smile.
After that the lesson eventually moved forward.
But Shido remained silent, thinking.
The explanations about abilities made sense.
But when it came to history, higher levels, and certain details…
The information always sounded vague.
Some parts of the past felt strangely incomplete.
As if entire sections of history had simply disappeared. While some are tightly keep.
Shido rested his chin on his hand as the lecture continued.
"Something about this world feels… missing. I wonder what?"