Well, this is honestly surprising. My eyes linger on the Rank Placement Board.

  Seems like a tie for both Penelope and me, which I am unsure of how that even happened. I mostly wrote gibberish for my test, which I promptly swapped with Penelope’s, but I’m going to take this as a win.

  “How is this possible?” Penelope says as she reads the board.

  Something tells me that she’s not taking this as a win.

  “Don’t worry, Penelope. I won’t hold it over you that my name is first. I would never do that, but it is just so we’re clear,” I say, taunting her.

  “I don’t know how you managed to cheat your way through this one, but now that we’re in the same class, maybe we should start getting along,” she says with a sweet smile.

  I don’t believe her for even a second. The glint of evil in her eyes and the way she’s eyeing me up and down. She’s up to something, and I know it.

  “Of course, Penelope. Let’s put it all behind us and let us strive to learn,” I say, offering my hand.

  She takes my hand and gives it a hard squeeze. “Strive to learn? I do like the sound of that,” she says as she starts to walk away.

  I should be worried. After all, she is a princess, but if she had proof that I’m not The Chosen One, I’d be strung up by my neck by now. Keeping her close is probably the best idea. It’ll let me keep an eye on her plans, and it’ll keep me entertained.

  Hopper stands next to me as he reads the board. “Congratulations, CJ. The two of you are the talk of the town,” he says as he pushes his glasses.

  “Thanks, Hopper. Where did you end up?” I ask as I scan the board.

  “My ranking ended up at 24th. Barely met the requirement to get into the advanced class,” he says as one of his bunny ears twitches.

  I don’t know what he was up to last night, but considering how injured he was… Looking at him now, he seems to be fine. He either hid the injuries or they healed.

  “Are you okay?” I ask, trying to pry into his life.

  “I’m fine. I would’ve rather gotten a higher ranking, but I only have room for improvement,” he sidesteps.

  Impressive redirect, Hopper. Looking at you, I didn’t think you had it in you, but sadly for you, that only works against polite people. Of which I am not.

  “I was asking you about last night, with the injuries. Are you okay?” I ask directly this time.

  Hopper hesitates as he goes to answer, “Yeah, I’m fine. I bumped into some old friends, and you know how roughhousing can get. Anyway, we should get to class. Wouldn’t want to miss the first day.”

  As I follow him to our class, I start to think. Roughhousing, huh? Oh, Hopper, why’d you have to go and say that? I would’ve dropped it if you had said you got mugged or did the mugging. Now I have to stay up and follow you, or my conscience won’t let me sleep, and I like sleeping. I’m going to steal one of your socks for this, Hopper. After I figure out what you're doing out in the middle of the night.

  As I think about the various things I’m going to do to Hopper for revenge, the sight of Plumeria Hall comes into view. It’s a large red stone building where all the first years take their classes. Based on the pamphlet I got, the advanced class should be on the top floor, which in this case is the fifth floor. Walking past the front door, we walk straight into the hustle and bustle of our classmates trying to get to their classes on time. Flight after flight, the number of classmates dwindles until we get to our floor.

  The fifth floor is smaller than I expected. The staircase leads directly into a small hallway with two doors. Based on logic, one is our classroom, and the other is the roof access. As I look at the door to our classroom, I get an odd feeling about it.

  “You first, Hopper,” I say as I loosen my tie.

  “What? Why?” he asks incredulously.

  You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author.

  “I’m The Chosen One,” I say as if that means anything in this case.

  He shakes in confusion. “What does that have to do with anything?” he asks.

  “I’m going to be honest with you. I want you to go first because you’re closer,” I [Lie].

  His red eyes narrow. “I don’t want to go first now. I was going to, but not anymore. And you’re right next to the door. You’re closer,” he says, confused.

  With a big huff, I let out a sigh. “Ok. I’ll go first. You don’t have to argue about it.”

  As I open the door to the classroom, I wait a half a step before going through. In that moment of waiting, a bucket filled with milk crashes down to the ground, missing us. Hopper looks confused at the bucket and goes to speak, but I put a finger up. As I do another bucket, this time filled with lime water falls onto the ground instantly curling the milk. I knew I felt a funny feeling.

  “Now we can go,” I say to Hopper as I step over the mess.

  Hopper follows with a confused look between me and the curling milk. “How did you know that was there?” he asks as we take a seat in the back.

  “I’m The Chosen One,” I say, not answering the question.

  Looking around the class, there are a number of classmates already here. A Dryad. An Elf with purple hair. Some Beastkin. A Dwarf, but no Penelope. I don’t think she’s the one who set that up anyway, but it’s interesting she’s not here. My eyes continue to wander until they land on a group of three humans. The scrawny one of the three makes eye contact and then looks away. There they are. I’ll have to remember them for later.

  “Who left curling milk on the floor?” Penelope asks with a tone of absolute confusion.

  Her eyes meet mine as she sidesteps the milk, and I give her a wink. She resists rolling her eyes and instead gives a sweet smile. She then sits in the front as far from me as possible. Front row, huh. Wonder what she’s got to prove? As time moves on, the classroom slowly fills until there are exactly twenty-four of us.

  As the bell rings, Professor Stargazer stops at the door. With a flick of her hand, the milk disappears in the blink of an eye.

  She walks up to the chalkboard and begins to draw something. “[Leveling Up] 101. At this point in your life, you have all gained a [Level] at least once. Although it is recommended that you do not level up before the age of sixteen. The average individual will gain five [Levels] in their lifetime. Does anyone know why?” the Professor asks the class.

  The Elf with purple hair raises her hand expectantly.

  “Yes, Viola,” the professor encourages her to answer.

  “That’s because [Leveling Up] requires the life force of living creatures,” Viola answers.

  The Professor continues drawing on the chalkboard as she exclaims, “Correct! Most individuals, especially in this age of relative peace, rarely have to take the life of a living creature.”

  Another hand belonging to a hawk Beastkin raises.

  “Yes, Talon?” the Professor asks.

  “Does that mean that butchers and hunters have abnormally high [Levels] compared to soldiers or even knights?” Talon asks.

  “That is a very good question. No, actually, and that’s because non-sapient creatures contribute less than sapient creatures to leveling up. That is to say that a butcher would have to kill far more non-sapients than a soldier would sapients to [Level Up] the same,” the Professor answers.

  Yeah, I learned that the hard way. Every street kid does. Local gang leaders would actually ban killing of any kind due to fear of someone becoming stronger than them. Which was the natural cycle in the streets. Every couple of years, a gang war would break out in the slums, and the people on the front lines would quickly become the new gang leaders. Who would also ban any killing. Which would last a year or less. Due to my cowardly nature and quick tongue, I never had to kill anything. A sign of my good luck.

  As I think, Penelope raises her hand.

  “Yes, Princess?” the Professor asks.

  “You said the average individual. What is the average for a Sylvian student?” Penelope asks.

  “Your average first year is expected to have reached [LvL. 15]. Since you're in the advanced class, I expect you to reach [LvL. 25] on average. Which we will start on immediately,” the Professor says as she finishes drawing a magic circle on the chalkboard.

  The moment she does, the room flashes white, and we are no longer sitting in the classroom but are instead in the forest somewhere. With no sign of civilization.

  A Dryad with red roses exclaims, “We’re in the Whisperwood Forest! This is at least three weeks north of the Capital! How did we get here!?”

  “That would be the work of my [Skill]. [Translocation]. Don’t worry. I’ll get you all back in time for next class,” she jokes. “I like to take a practical approach to my teaching. Since your evaluations are all high, I will have you split into eight groups of three. Each group will head into the forest and work together to [Level Up]. It’s as simple as that,” the Professor says as she hands each of us a piece of parchment with a magic circle on it.

  Looking around the Whisperwood Forest, I think about how I should’ve asked for more money from Abrigon. I mean, it’s spooky and scary and dark. There are probably creatures of all types that won’t want to talk to me, but instead eat me. Truly eat me!! What kind of school is this! Why can’t we learn math, or how to write, or how the tax system works, for Gods sake! I’m going to die out here. I can see it on my tombstone already. Here lies The Chosen One, who was eviscerated by a pack of wild wolves.

  “Hey, CJ, want to make a group together?” Hopper asks.

  “Yeah, of course. Let’s stick together. We’ll keep each other safe. Right?” I ask, masking the fear in my voice.

  “You’re going to need three. Just saying.” Penelope says.

  “Did you hear that? It sounds like a girl who doesn’t have a group yet. We should go find her, quickly,” I mock.

  “I… It’s not that I don’t have a group. I’m joining yours to make sure that your charlatan ways don’t get anyone killed. After all, you can only use [Throw],” she says, trying to hide her embarrassment.

  “Welcome to the group, Princess,” Hopper says, having folded immediately.

  “Well, if Hopper’s okay with it, then I guess so am I,” I say, thankful that a person with actual combat abilities is joining us.

  The Professor finishes handing out the parchments and summoning weapons for the class. “Now, I will be watching you all for your safety and to evaluate your teamwork. In case I am unable to come to your aid, I have handed you all magical parchments. If you rip the parchment in half, it will take you back to the class. You have an hour. Have fun,” she says as she conjures a table and chair along with some snacks and tea.

  Steeling ourselves, we turn to the dark, creepy Whisperwood Forest and begin our adventure of probably dying.