Vahn closed his eyes and tried to feel his Est.
'But… I didn't get my ability the usual way.' That thought kept nagging at him. Unlike the others, his ability came from devouring an entity, so surely, his Est couldn't be like theirs, right?
'No. Drop it.' He shoved the thought aside, along with every other distraction that kept popping into his head.
Est.
He focused on the word. Repeating it over and over in his mind... like a silent chant.
One minute… five minutes… ten… sixteen…
Then, around the twentieth minute, the repetition faded. Not because he stopped, but because something shifted. He felt like he was slipping—like he was falling into a dream.
'What the—?' His eyes snapped open, and he jerked upright with a jolt.
'I almost fell asleep.'
But the moment he looked around, he froze.
There was nothing beside him anymore.
The air was different. The ground beneath him cracked and dry. A familiar place—one burned into his memory.
"…Dry and cracked land," he muttered, eyes wide.
This was where he had devoured the human. But the landscape had changed. The once-vast space now felt… small. No suspended figures in the air. No looming presence. It was just a shrunken version of what he remembered, barely the size of his dorm room.
A world in miniature.
'Is this my Est?'
The moment he thought it, his vision blurred.
When it cleared, he was back in the room, seated, eyes open, breath steady.
'That shifting again… it's disorienting.' He thought and glanced around.
Only a few students remained, still struggling to connect with their Est.
'Did it take that long outside?' He couldn't even process the time lapse. Most had already left—including Dante. But it wasn't surprising. Dante's situation was… unique.
The professor still sat at the front, unmoved. Silent.
'The professor is still here, so there's still time left,' Vahn noted, closing his eyes again, not to return to the cracked land but to reflect on it.
'If that space is my Est, then… to grow it, I need to expand it. But how?' He searched for the answer, circling a conclusion he already knew deep down.
Devour.
It was the only thing that made sense. His innate skill. It felt like pure energy whenever he used it. And if it made him stronger… then surely, it also fed his Est too, right?
As the idea solidified in his mind, the professor's voice broke the silence.
"Class is over now. Those who have yet to find their Est, you may try again in your free time or during the next session. That is all."
With that, the professor stood and exited the hall. Never once offering his name.
'Nice.' Vahn clenched and unclenched his fist as he rose to his feet. He had expected to spend days—maybe even weeks—struggling to sense his Est. But he'd succeeded on the first try.
That meant he could shift his focus sooner.
Beep.
His phone buzzed. A new location appeared on the screen.
'Weapon class,' he read. The fourth selective course he had chosen.
It was the second most popular elective, right after the Ability class—and for good reason. Regardless of background or intent, everyone would eventually face a marked beast… or a New Age demon. Weapon skills weren't optional in the real world.
'So then why call it a selective?'
He still couldn't understand the logic. The whole purpose of this place was to prepare them, to train them in both history and combat. If every student picked it anyway, why not just make it mandatory?
Shaking the thought off, he left the Meditation house and walked toward the second-largest building on campus.
...
Inside, the change in atmosphere was immediate.
Racks upon racks of weapons filled the hall: swords, spears, halberds, axes, hammers—each available in various materials: wood, steel, even stone. The array of choices wrapped around the entire building like an armory on display.
"Everyone, gather around."
A clear voice rang through the hall.
'A woman?' Vahn blinked in surprise.
Standing at the center was a striking woman with flowing black hair and piercing blue eyes. She wore a military uniform, though it seemed to compliment her more like ceremonial attire. A long sword hung casually at her waist.
"I am Professor Melia," she said, her voice serene yet commanding. "I'll be your instructor for this Weapons class."
She glanced around, scanning the students. When she seemed satisfied with their attention, she continued.
"First, today's goal is simple: get familiar with a weapon. Some of you may have brought one from home. If not, now's your chance. Choose freely." She gestured to the racks, inviting them all.
No further instruction was needed.
Students surged toward the weapons with excited energy, many clustering with friends to make their picks.
Vahn moved slower, eyes scanning the options. 'What should I pick?'
The last weapon he used had been an axe, but that didn't sit right with him now.
I should pick something that complements my ability…
Then, another idea struck him.
'Wait—can't I ask?'
He turned to the professor, who had stepped aside, watching the selection chaos unfold.
Before he could approach, she spoke—already anticipating him.
"Yes?"
"I wanted your advice."
"What would that be?"
"What kind of weapon pairs well with teleportation?"
She paused, her blue eyes flickering with curiosity.
"Teleportation?" she echoed. "Hmm… Well, that's an attack-oriented ability. I'd suggest a sword." She smiled softly and rested her hand on the hilt at her waist. "It allows for fluid movement. Swift, precise strikes. You'll see why soon."
'A sword, huh…' It clicked in for him. He had received a sword from his actual parents. He also thought back to what Jarrad had told him. In many cases, teleportation did align well with a sword. But spears worked too, especially with that "Break" skill…
He offered his thanks with that realization and walked back toward the racks.
'Alright,' he decided, his gaze shifting to a sword