"The ability to use mana as an extension of ones self is the most basic form of attack magic. If you are unable to do this, then you are simply not suited to use attack magic, and it is very likely that your specialty lies elsewhere. In my years of teaching, I have seen many things, however I can tell you one thing with certainty. If a student is pushed to the very limits of their abilities, then they can and will gain a specialization in which they should strive to improve upon."

Standing before the 15 students, Ronaldo explained to them the basics behind the classification of individuals within the military of the Alliance.

"The division which you are placed in depends highly on the specialization you pursue. Division 1 is composed of all those who can use direct magic attacks- the highest form of magic. Without these people, our enemies would walk all over us, therefore this division is of the highest ranking."

The gym equipment had already been cleaned up, and the students stood in a row as they listened to their instructor, who paced back and forth as he spoke.

"Division 2 is meant for those who hold unique support abilities such as healing or putting strange conditions on either allies or enemies. While these members cannot do much on their own, if they are paired with a member of the 1st Division, it usually creates an unstoppable duo."

The gymnasium at this point was quite the mess. Burn marks lined the walls, and it appeared as if a major battle had occurred in here beforehand.

"Division 3 is for those who can apply magic to weapons, tools, and equipment. The most common use of this would be the application of mana to a bow for enhanced archery, though there are some other developments which this division has been working on."

As he walked back and forth, the man glanced from student to student, ensuring to make eye contact with each and every one of them.

"And finally, Division 4. This is for those who completely fail at using any magical abilities at all, and as such have to completely rely on physical prowess. Many dwarves are members of either Division 3 or 4, and many elves are members of either Division 1, 2, or 3. It is rare indeed for an elf to enter Division 4, and it is rare for dwarves to enter Divisions 1 and 2. Though, it is not impossible."

In the past few hours, Ronaldo had performed a number of tests on his students.

Not just weightlifting, but a number of other tests with the intention of discerning the specializations of each student.

"Division 1 applicants. Ally, Griffen, Edward, Alexa, Victor, Vivian. Step forward."

The six students stepped forth, at which the instructor smiled proudly.

"You six are the ones who will carry the others on your backs. You are superior to them in every way, and you should not forget this. Without you, they are nothing more than failures who wouldn't be able to do anything."

As the instructor said this, many of the students were filled with an awkward hesitation.

Ashley didn't so much as speak a word, looking forward with a blank expression. Without being inflated nor deflated, she appeared as if she couldn't care less.

The same went for the antiheroes.

They understood the truth of this statement.

Without Ashley, they were nothing.

Ashley was the first person in the group to obtain a massive amount of strength, and it was this magical strength which had carried the antiheroes through their many, many endeavors.

The other three could not control mana directly like she could, but instead were limited by their specific abilities, which were meant for other means.

Therefore, the antiheroes saw this as an obvious truth- one which had been hammered into them from the moment they came into this world.

The other students however, were filled with indecision at hearing this statement.

Among the students who had stepped forth, Edward, the wood elf who had been labeled as 'Minus 6', was present. With a smug grin on his face, he looked back to the others as he was praised for his superiority.

Griffen- a dark elf- held a serious expression as he held his breath. Having been given such high expectations, he now carried the weight which came with them.

The one known as Vivian- a wood elf- had a look of excitement on her face, as if she was ready to go out and face monsters with her magic.

Alexa- a high elf- looked back with concern to another girl, with an uncertain expression.

And finally, Victor. This dark elf had the appearance of an emo, with his own black hair covering most of his eyes. He looked forward with a dull expression, as if he didn't really care about the ranking which he had just been awarded.

All six of these people had been able to move the weights around with their own magical energy, causing them to float about- though some more than others.

With Ashley aside, Vivian clearly had the greatest skill when it came to this. Being able to move around 4 weights at once, she was a prodigy compared to the others, who could lift 1 or 2 with great effort.

However, it was the fact that this girl was a prodigy which made the existence of Ashley all the more confusing to those within this class.

Ashley had carried all 50 weights at once, effortlessly swirling them around the room.

Who knew how many objects she could maneuver if she used her full strength?

"I have been able to see exactly where each of you stand using this test, and I will strive to ensure that none of you fall behind into mediocrity. Well.... I suppose there is one person whose ability level I haven't been able to fully ascertain."

Walking over to Ashley, Ronaldo looked down on her with piercing eyes.

"Ally. It would seem that your current strength is undetermined."

"Oh? I see."

With a crooked smile, Ashley glared at the instructor with her tired eyes, to which he turned away.

"For those of the 2nd division, step forward now. Sarah. Natalia. Serina."

Samantha stepped forward with two other girls- the high elven girl who she had spoken with earlier, along with a dark elven girl who carried an intelligent air about her.

"The three of you hold buffing abilities. While they are not useful in of themselves, they can be the difference between victory and defeat so long as you are working with a powerful member of the first division, as I said. Understand well that you are inferior to those of Division 1, however you are superior to the others. Your rare abilities will likely make a great difference on the battlefield overall, therefore ensure that you do not fall behind those around you."

With a wave, Ronaldo motioned for the three to return to their place, which they did quickly.

'Yeah yeah. Inferiority, superiority.... hahaha..... what an idiot. All it would take me is the snap of a single finger, and he'd be under my complete control. I find it laughable that this man has the guts to talk about inferiority and superiority when the four of us are infinitely superior to everyone here- regardless of our specialties.'

With a smirk, Samantha returned to her place, laughing at the fact that the man didn't understand his own place in the world.

'I suppose insects are truly infesting this entire world. They believe themselves to be better than others because they stand on the highest pile of dung.'

Running her fingers through her hair, Samantha realized that she was currently in a clawless form.

'Ah. I don't have any fingers to hold my hair up right now. I guess it's getting kinda annoying being in this elven form. I'd like to return to my state as a succubus..... but I suppose I'll simply deal with this for now.'

Samantha thought something which she never in her previous life would have imagined herself thinking.

Her elven form was beyond gorgeous, enough to make others avoid her due to her own excessive beauty. Elves were viewed as the most beautiful creatures in the world, and as such Samantha would have been delighted with this appearance when she first entered this world.

Yet right now, she wished for nothing more than her demonic appearance.

Holding her own chest, of which scars completely covered, she recalled her own demented nature.

She was broken.

She was burned, used, thrown away.

She was garbage, and these scars remained on her body even in this new life to remind her of her imperfections.

Which was why she had grown so accustomed to her demonic form.

It was imperfect, yet she was able to make something absolutely beautiful and awe inspiring out of that imperfection.

And as such, she grew a distaste for anything which appeared to be perfect.

"Next are those who will be members of Division 3. Theo, Raphael, and Charles. Step forth."

Trevor stood forward with confidence, alongside a timid wood elf and a high elf who carried himself with similar dignity to Trevor.

"You three demonstrated the ability to apply magic to a bow and arrow, which would imply that you will be best used as support fire. Your duties will consist primarily of cleaning up the remnants after major spells have been used by division 1 members. To put it simply, such trivial tasks are not worth the time of our prized soldiers, therefore it is your responsibility. Ensure that you do not fail, lest you be subject to consequences."

The three were waved off in similar manner, to which Trevor could do nothing more than smile bitterly.

'It is obvious. While I could take out hundreds of thousands of enemies with my arrows, there has never been a need to do so because of the existence of Ashley. Although, I suppose at the time she was devoid of will I could have easily taken out our enemies, yet I had reason to allow myself to be sealed, therefore I did not.'

Stepping back in line, the other two boys who were called forth with Trevor were clearly irritated with the words of the instructor.

The wood elf known as Raphael appeared to be filled with self loathing, disappointed in his own inability.

The one known as Charles appeared indignant, his own pride disallowing him to accept the demeaning statements of the man.

"Do you believe that because you are below others in skill and position that you have the right to mope about, falling into a pit of self hatred?"

Whispering this to Raphael, Trevor glanced over to the boy, who looked up with confusion.

He didn't speak a word, opening his mouth and then closing it as he looked back down.

"The ability to take that which is pathetic, inferior, and useless- and turn it into something useful and superior to all. That is the essence of a businessman. If you are not up to the challenge, then I suppose you are not worthy as a rival in the same field as me."

The boy looked up to Trevor with surprise, unsure what to say.

"I couldn't have said it better myself.", the high elf known as Charles whispered in agreement.

Looking back and forth to the two who didn't give in despite the hand they had been played, a light smile came across his face as Raphael looked forward with a newly instilled confidence.

"I see."

"Talking during class. Minus 1 for all of you. That makes each of you three at [-4].

Calling the three out with an evil glare, the instructor looked over to the three, however Trevor merely smirked.

'Hm. Do you believe your point deductions scare me, instructor? I'd be surprised if you lived the rest of the day. After all, you've got an appointment with our little maniac. In the business world, one wrong statement and you've lost everything. The same could be said for you right now, yet you do not even realize it.'

With a light smirk, Trevor couldn't help himself from letting out a light chuckle.

'Except you've already made far more wrong answers than would normally be permissible.'

"And the final three. The dregs and scrubs of society, whose only purpose is to act as shields for our D1 members. If for some reason the D3 members fail to take care of any leftovers and enemies are allowed to approach the D1 members, you will offer yourselves as sacrifices for the greater good. I mean, technically it would be possible for your physical abilities to take down these enemies, but I'll be completely honest."

Thinning his eyes with a mocking smile, the man spoke in a condescending tone.

"Without magic, you are nothing. Therefore dying is likely the only service you could perform. Gary, Hailey, Oliver. You three had better train your asses off if you don't want your first encounter to be your last."

Oliver, an athletic looking high elf, had a confident smirk as he was told this, as if he was being challenged to go beyond expectations.

Hailey on the other hand, had an expression which twisted and turned with irritation.

She was clearly offended at being mocked, and likely wanted to shout something out but did not.

Garett merely smirked, looking up at the ceiling.

'If that's what you think, then go ahead and think it, idiot. But you know, there's something above magic in this world. Something you'd never understand, which makes magic look like the tools of a child.'

Holding back a sinister glare, Garett's hand twitched.

'Commands. You might think you understand the fibers that control this world, but you've never even peered into it's basis. I'd bet you probably think that mana is what makes everything up? Hahaha.... that's only the converted code. If we want to go back to the basics, we gotto go all the way back. Back to the origins.'

With a chaotic smile, Garett cracked one of his knuckles.

'Of which, I just happen to be one.'

----

"Don't be too discouraged, Hailey!! I'm sure that you'll be able to become a great warrior, despite what the instructor said! He was just.... trying to encourage you?"

"Discouraged? What makes you think that I look discouraged? Hah!?"

"Er.... I mean there are a lot of veins on your-"

"Are there veins on my face? Hah? Are there? WELL?"

"Er.... n- no! Nothing like that!"

Four girls walked alongside one another through the pathways of the campus, all of which were currently heading to their dorms after a long first day of classes.

Two high elves, a dark elf, and a wood elf.

"I just.... well, you know.... you seem a bit...."

"I seem a bit what?"

The girl known as Hailey was clearly irritated, unable to hide her own anger within her tone of voice as Vivian attempted to console her.

"You're pissed, Hailey. It's pretty obvious."

Laying a bomb, the dark elf known as Serina ignored the mood completely.

"Hah!?!? What would I be pissed about!?!?!?"

"Hailey, you're speaking really loud....", the other high elf stated with nervousness in her voice.

"You be quiet, Alexa! What would I be pissed about, Serina!?"

"About the fact that you got placed in the 4th Division. What else?"

As the dark elf made this statement, the angered expression of Hailey became tinted with a slight look of despair mixed with her own anger.

"I.... of course I wouldn't be pissed about that!! Haha!! I'll become a warrior stronger than any of you, and-"

"Do you really believe that?"

The girl known as Serina continued to pry into Hailey, forcing her into silence.

Serina continued walking as the other three merely stood in place, with two waiting on Hailey to move.

"I..... ngh!! Why did you have to be so lucky, Vivian!? Why did you get lucky enough to be skilled with magic!? Why.... why couldn't I have been like that!? That's all it is!! Luck!!! You got luckier than me!!"

"I.... I mean I can't disagree.... but....."

"And then there's that other girl!!! The stuck up one who talks back all the time!!! She really pisses me off!! Who does she think she is, doing whatever she wants!? Hah! Serves her right that she got a detention today!"

"Ah, the detention wasn't so bad. By the way, I don't think that teacher will be returning tomorrow."

Chills were sent down the spines of all four girls as the creepy and raspy voice of their classmate resounded from behind them.

Turning around to see the green eyed girl, they witnessed a demented smile which was almost devoid of human reason.

The eyes of the girl were blank, almost as if she was a lifeless doll, and she wobbled back and forth as she walked along the path through the girls.

"Hehe..... you know, I'm in a pretty good mood right now, so I'll overlook this statement. Once."

The girl walked past all four, who were left staring as she merely walked by.

"Wha-"

"Ah, but there won't be a second time. Don't say I didn't warn you. After all, I'm pretty insecure. My head has been rotting from the inside the moment I came into existence."

It was then that the girl turned back, showing the four a wicked smile, tainted with nothing less than insanity.

"Ah, and you can complain all you want about how lucky you are. But I don't think any of you understand what it really means to be dealt a shitty hand in life."

With that, the girl walked off in a manner that almost appeared as if she was slithering like a snake.

Her white hair was messy beyond belief, as if it had been rustled about, standing on end all over the place.

As she walked off, the four merely looked at this girl, who had shown magical prowess far ahead of all others.

"What..... is she?"

"Ah, don't worry too much about her. That was actually her way of greeting you. She's been antisocial all her life, so she doesn't really know how to do anything else but threaten people. But she didn't kill you today, so she probably won't kill you unless you really piss her off."

The four turned to look behind them to witness a gorgeous elven figure- one who walked and spoke with every last bit of elegance, yet with slight hints of vulgarity here and there in her words.

"Indeed. Ah, she is correct about the instructor though. We are likely to receive a new instructor tomorrow. I hope we can work together to get along well, classmates."

Walking along the beautiful woman was a man with a similar level of refined elegance, who carried a professional aura about him.

"Ah, but we're supposed to be in competition with one another, right? Your name is Hailey, and I guess you're the other D4 member like myself. Let me give you a little hint. If you think that your specialization makes you inferior to everyone around you, then you might want to reconsider things. After all, I'm not about to lose to anyone in D1, with my girl aside."

The voice of a male came from in front of the girls, causing them to turn back around, facing forward now to see a man who was walking forward with his hands behind his head.

"What.... how did you get there?"

"Hm? I just walked past you. Though I guess I was pretty fast?"

As the four girls were passed up by these other four, they merely watched with expressions of complete shock.

'What.....'

'Who are these people?'

'Elites?'

'No.... elite doesn't even begin to describe them.....'

'It's like they're beings on a different plane of existence.'

As these thoughts entered the mind of Hailey, the voice of the gorgeous elven woman played in her head.

[Bingo. Exactly right, darling. Looks like you do have a few brain cells. See you in class tomorrow.]

----