I have to admit I didn't image this to be the place I'd go when I died. An Academy built in the void between dimensions to train hero's to save worlds from different threats, wasn't my first choice.

   This place is called Class Academy there are 14 classes in total. They're based around classes from a video game, like archer or swordsmen.  When I first entered they checked my status with something called the Odin stone. My stats were pathetically low even for a freshman, or so I was told. I wasn't given one of the 14 classes in my title slot so they're trying to figure something out.

   Everyone gets a class title that allows them to summon their unique weapons. My age was dropped to 14 but that's normal, everyone is reverted back to 14 or younger. I think the youngest was 5 I'm not sure what causes that to happen but it's not really important.

    The oldest person here is 29 that's the age everyone stops aging. They explained a lot at orientation, for now, I'll just be attending the general classes that teach us about the worlds below.

    I get my room key from the instructor and head to the dorms. They said the room will have clothes and things I need for class. We have roommates here, I never had one before I wonder what it'll be like?

   I get to the room and start to unlock it but the door wasn't shut all the way, maybe my roommates already here?

    I push the door open walking in, I shut the door behind me hearing rustling across the room. "Hey my name's Ren it's nice to-"

    I stop as I turn my head seeing a busty girl with long wavy pink hair and bright pink eyes in her black lace underwear putting on her uniform. She blushes slightly smiling. "I'm Mizuki do you mind turning around?"

    I spin around quickly. "Sorry I think they must have assigned me to the wrong room."

    She giggles. "All done."

     I turn and she's right in front of me, she spins around in the black school uniform. "What do you think?"

     I blush slightly. "It looks good on you."

     Her eyes light up. "Really?!"

     I nod glancing away she's really close. "Y-Yeah... anyways I should probably go talk to a dorm advisor about this. I'm sure you want a female roommate-"

    She grabs my arm tightly as I go to leave. "No-"

     I glance back, she grips my arm desperately her bubbly attitude is gone she's shaking with a terrified look on her face. "I don't! I'm okay with you being my roommate so please don't go."

    This must have something to do with how she died, the faculty said we can get traumatizing flashbacks by situations that pertain to our deaths. I reach over and she flinches slightly I pat her head giving her a reassuring smile. "I look forward to being your roommate Mizuki."

    A look of relief spreads across her face and she hugs me. "Your the best Ren!"

    I walk into the room we have a small kitchen one bathroom a living area and bunk beds near the balcony. "This isn't half bad."

    She comes over grabbing onto my arm. "Right!? It's like our own little home, we can play house! I'll be the dutiful wife and you can be my diligent husband."

    I laugh slightly. "I don't know about all that, unfortunately, I don't have a title to start classes. I can only attend the general information classes. Sorry, I'm kinda useless-"

   She grabs my hand holding it close to her chest. "No you're not I know you'll find your place here we just have to try our best. I have two classes so I'll be plenty strong for both of us."

    Two classes!? That's incredibly rare, This girl has two and I don't even have one my roommate is amazing. "Thanks."

     She goes over to the closet grabbing my uniform holding it up. "Get changed I wanna see what it looks like on you."

    I laugh slightly grabbing it heading for the bathroom she grips my arm with incredible strength. "Where do you think you're going?"

    I turn my head slowly pointing at the bathroom. "T-To the bathroom to change-"

    She smiles but I can tell she's serious. "You didn't think you where gonna get a free show without reciprocation did you?"

   I sigh unbuttoning my shirt. "No."

   She sits on the counter swinging her legs watching me change. She hops down coming over helping me tie my tie. "There all set."

    I blush slightly looking away. "You're enjoying this aren't you?"

     She pokes my nose. "Of course I am, let's go the festival should be starting soon."

    Before I answer she grabs my arm pulling me out of the apartment. Her grip strength is insane I need to make sure never to piss her off. We walk around looking at the different stalls. I feel everyone staring at us, she's on everyone's mind because of her duel class title.

    I'm sure everyone's wondering why she's hanging around me. I'm kinda thinking the same. I glance at her she smiles holding up a piece of her cotton candy for me to eat.

    I look away and she pouts pulling my arm. "Eat it!"

    I blush slightly eating it and she giggles. "It's good isn't it?"

    I nod slightly I lock eye's with a blonde guy with rage-filled eye's. He storms off with a group of people. I have a feeling he's gonna be a pain in my *** later.

    We look around a bit more and take a break under a tree with aqua blue leaves that have a slight glow to them contrasted with the orange hue of the afternoon sky. Mizuki rests her head on my shoulder. "Today feels like a dream."

    I laugh slightly. "You've never been to a school festival before?"

    She holds my hand in her lap fidgiting with it before she answers. "Actually I've never been to school before, so this is all very new to me, I was born in a small village where bandits would come to destroy everything and take the women. My mother would hide me, that is until the village found out I had a very strong charm ability. The older I got the stronger it got. To appease the bandits they offered me to them willingly and they-"

   I hit the tree sending a crack through the center. I snap out of the momentary rage looking at my bloody trembling hand, where did that power come from?

    She takes my hand. "Are you okay?!"

     I nod wincing as she looks it over. "Y-Yeah sorry, I'm not sure what got into me, but if you have trouble being around people because of your charm spell then why have me as a roommate?"

    Her eye's glow pink as my wound is healed, she holds my hand against the side of her face. "Because you're not affected by my charm ability. I'm sure you noticed everyone looking at us today."

    I nod scratching my head. "Yeah, that was a bit embarrassing."

     She leans against my shoulder. "I'm sorry, I should have thought of your feelings I was just so happy to meet someone who didn't get charmed by me I selfishly dragged you around."

    She looks at me with tears welling up in her eyes. "Please forgive me-"

     I pat her head. "Don't apologize it's not every day a guy gets to go on a date with a pretty girl. Plus we're roommates we will trouble each other from time to time okay?"

     She blushes slightly nodding as I wipe away her tears. "No more crying, by the way, does your charm work on girls too?"

    She nods glancing over at the large group of people watching from a distance. "When you came into the room and saw me I knew you where different, anyone else would have attacked me, male or female. I try to be careful about showing my skin, the administrator's gave me suppressor cuffs to use but I haven't tried them out yet because they have to be optimized at my first Berserker class."

    So she's a Berserker that explains the crazy strength she must also be a healer too. "If you ever need my help with anything don't hesitate to ask."

    She hugs me tightly. "Same to you, we are gonna be the best of friends I just know it!"

     After the festival, we head home and she goes to take a shower I start making dinner the fridge and cabinets are full of all kinds of things. I settle on a simple stew my mom use to make. Im surprised I still remember how to make it.

  Mizuki comes out in her pj's with her hair tied back in a ponytail. "What's that smell? it's amazing."

   I set a bowl on the table. "I made stew I'm not sure if it's as good as my mom made it but it's something."

   Her eyes light up as she rushes over sitting down. "You can cook?"

    I laugh slightly. "Of course I can, eat up I'm gonna take a shower."

    She grabs onto my jacket I glance back as she looks down. "Y-Your not going to eat with me?"

    I take a quick shower and sit down beside her. She rocks back and forth happily eating the stew. "It can't be that good."

    She smiles. "It is, I've never had something so good, plus it's always better when you eat with someone you care about."

    I take a bite of mine. "I guess you're right."

    She leans over poking my cheek. "Of course I am."

     She helps me wash the dishes I lean against the counter watching her work. Is this what it would be like to have a wife?

    She glances back smirking. "Do you see something you like?~"

     I flick her forehead. "Don't tempt me, I may be immune to your charm but I'm still a man."

    She giggles and I climb onto the top bunk. I'm exhausted from today I should probably try to train some tomorrow, being the weakest person here doesn't sound like it's gonna get me far.

    Mizuki turns her light out and a few moments later I hear her soft voice come from below me. "Ren?"

     I turn over looking up at the ceiling. "Yeah?"

     She pauses. "Thanks for being so kind to me I know I can be a handful."

     I drop my arm from the side of the bed and she reaches up grabbing it. I squeeze her hand reassuringly. "I don't mind it."

    I feel her kiss the back of my hand. "Goodnight Ren."

    I smile. "Night Mizuki."

    I roll over drifting off to sleep soon after.

    Later that night I burst awake in a cold sweat breathing heavily, I had a vivid dream of my death. Is this what the administrator's where talking about?!

    I hop down out of bed to get some water I sit on the bench attached to the windowsill. Mizuki bursts awake in a panic I glance over and she runs to me with tears in her eye's.

    I hold her head against my chest as she cries. "It's alright you're not there anymore."

    I make some hot tea and she sits between my legs while we watch the stars. I hear her speak. "Thank you, Ren."

   I start to answer but see she's already fallen asleep. I smile moving her hair out of her face as she holds my arm tighter. "Get some sleep."

I wince at the sun coming through the window. I must have fallen asleep on the bench with Mizuki. I move a blanket off me glancing over to see Mizuki in her uniform with an apron on.

   She gives me a bright smile. "Good morning Ren I hope you slept well."

    I get up stretching heading towards the bathroom. "Morning, I slept alright once I got to sleep. You didn't have to make breakfast."

    I come out after taking a shower she hands me a plate while fixing my tie. "It's only fair you've done so much for me already now eat before it gets cold."

    I laugh slightly jokingly saying. "If you keep this up I'm gonna have to start saying Yes dear."

    She giggles poking my nose. "Don't tempt me darling."

     We eat and lockup she walks with me to the courtyard pointing towards a different part of the school. "My Berserker class is this way I'll see you at lunch right?"

    She looks up at me with puppy dog eyes I pat her head. "Of course you will now go do your best."

    She nods happily running off. I hear a voice behind me. "You two seem to be getting along well."

    I turn it's Victoria one of the assassin teachers. "Yeah, I'm just trying to get use to all of this."

    She motions towards the administrator's building. "I would like to discuss something with you if you have the time."

    I follow her towards the building she glances at me. "Mizuki is a very rare case in the Academy having two classes is unheard of but she's not the only student with a rare talent."

   We go into the building through a secret entrance. "This place take a significant amount of power to run and all of it comes from a single student."

   We enter a room full of crystals incased in a blue crystal is a women with long wavy white hair. She's beautiful. "She can't move?"

    Victoria shakes her head. "She sacrificed her mobility to power our operations. We owe everything to her that doesn't mean we cant communicate with her though."

    A screen appears in front of us and the women is sitting in a fancy room with a revealing black dress on drinking tea. Her hair is tied back in a fancy bun and she looks over at us. "So this is the powerless student?"

   Victoria nods explaining some thing's about me. "Young man?"

    I look at the women. "Yes?"

    She smiles. "I can awaken the power within you but it won't be a pleasant experience dispite do you still wish to continue?"

    I smile. "I do."

    She sets her cup down. "Good answer, Victoria you know the only way to bring someone into my dreamscape is through the Trial of Mirror's."

    Victoria looks nervous. "Is there no other way you know that's only used for traitors he-"

     She speaks up. "This is the only way I'm afraid he agreed and it will show the Academy his resolve as the weakest any power he receives will be better than nothing the students will have a respect for someone who would willing enter the Trial knowing the risks."

     Victoria agrees as we start to leave the women speaks. "Young man."

     I turn and she smiles. "I'm Lilith, if you can remember come find me within the dreamscape I would love to meet you in person."

    I nod following Victoria out, she explains that the soul mirror is used to show the different sides of anyone who looks into it. It puts you into different circumstances based on your personality showing everyone in the Academy who you really are deep down. It also releases all your magic power letting you operate at full capacity.

    If the mirror finds you repugnant and evil it will spit you out as a grotesque monster the true form of your soul but if you're a good person you will unlock your true potential. This is risky because even good people have dark hearts. They tried using it to awaken people but it had the opposite effect they then decided to use it as a punishment for traitors.

    That's why it's feared all around the Academy. I head into a massive courtroom kneeling in front of a black mirror and chains bind my arms.

    Screens appear above the mirror showing me. I think this is the broadcast to the academy Victoria and the other administrator's explain the situation. A magic circle appears below me and everything goes black.

    I run through the thick snow with Titan in tow. We are being followed by snow bears I'm running low on food and energy. I glance back seeing the glowing eye's of the bears gaining on us.

   I turn my head seeing a bear rise from the snow down this slope my foot slips as the snow gives out from under us.

   We start to slide down the slope fast I swing my ice pick down into the snow hopping it will catch on something. I start to fall off the cliff into a deep chasm with the bear.

    Titan slides over head I reach out catching him by his paw we are hanging my a rock. I breath heavily looking up the rock gives and we drop I yank titan up wrapping my arms around him bracing myself for an impact.

   I hit a surface sooner than I thought I would I groan letting titan go we hit a small cove 10 feet below the cliff. I limp into the cove to catch my breath starting a small fire.

   Titan lays his head on my lap I pat his head giving him a slight smile. "Don't worry boy we will get out of here together."

   He wags his tail as much as he can before going back to laying still to conserve energy. I look over my display I only have enough food to last for today that's just for myself.

   I split it between me and titan a while passes I look at my hunting knife gleaming in the dim light of the fire. My stomach hurts maybe if I-

    I grab the knife throwing it into the dark abyss below. I walk back over sitting down laying my head against my knees. I must have fallen asleep I wake up to a cold breeze and no light in the cave.

   I glance around in the dark Titans eye's are glowing red he's got a deep growl. His primal instincts must have kicked in I knew I couldn't keep the contract going for much longer.

    He charges at me and I lay over he slams his body into the wall above me making a massive hole. I crawl away as he recovers red lightning arcs off his body lighting parts of the cove.

    He jumps over barely missing my head but bitting into my shoulder I wince feeling around I grab a sharp rock lifting it up.

    I stop for a moment looking at his red eye's letting the rock go. I pat his head looking up at the ceiling. I turn my head slightly seeing a mana flower in a small hole I rip it out tossing it across the room. Titan rushes over devouring it.

    I breath heavily as my body heats up, am I going to die?

    That's the last thing I remember thinking before I wake up in a warm pool of blue mana. I sit up titan is laying on the bank with his head down whimpering.

    My arms healed I smile. "Did you bring me here?"

     He wags his tail I reach over patting his head. "Guess we aren't ourselves when we're hungry huh?"

     He hops into the water laying in my lap splashing around. I laugh slightly getting up looking around. This is a Crystal cove all these mana crystals are thousands of year's old just one of them could power a city for decades.

     I hold my hands out looting the crystals out of the walls throughout the cove. A door is revealed behind a large Crystal. This is a old ruin gate that leads to the basement of the academy they said these where used by the gods a log time ago to come to earth.

    I walk over trying to activate the lock the door shifts and a blast of wind blows me back across the room I land in a pool of water groaning. I sit up a legendary horned snow bear is standing in the way between me and the exit.

   I try several times to get around him but his attacks are insanely powerful. Titan barks running in I reach for him but just miss his tail. "Titan get back here!"

   He gets the bears attention I run towards the gate and hear titan yelp I glance back the bear bites him tossing him onto the bank. I look at the gate.

   What am I hesitating for?

    I turn holding my hand out the bear swings his paw down at titan. "Get away from him!"

      My eye's glow gold a ball of chains surround titan blocking the hears attack. He turns roaring at me I jump high into the air attaching two chains to his horns yanking myself down slamming him into the mana pool beneath him.

   I flip backwards landing on the bank he gets up opening his mouth to use frost breath I kick his mouth shut. "No you don't!"

   My veins glow gold I grab his horns lifting him off the ground. "Die!"

    I slam him into a large jagged rock puncturing his body. He bursts into gold light flowing into my chest. I stumble through the water out of energy as the chains vanish around titan. "Titan!"

   He's breathing heavily but losing blood fast. "Stay with me buddy."

    I hold my hands over his chest a voice echos around me. "Warning critical mana levels reached casting this spell could cause severe damage."

    I grit my teeth. "System override use my health and stamina as substitute!"

     The spell activates I wince as red mist comes out of my body flowing into titan. I try to stay conscious my body is absorbing all the mana in the pools around the room. Having my mana drained and restored over and over is mind numbing.

    Titan grows to a massive size as his wound heals. The spell finishes and I fall forward laying on his chest. He turns his head slightly. "Master are you okay?"

    I turn my head breathing heavily. "Yeah just need a nap."

     He sits up a bit. "Why'd you do that!?"

     I reach over patting the side of his face. "I said we where getting out of here together didn't I?"

     He wags his tail and supports me as we walk over to the gate stepping through.

I stretch. "I don't think I got enough sleep last night."

    Titan floats over in his puppy form as we walk through the market. "You stayed up late looking through your inventory. You should really focus on sleeping I can't have you dying on me on a mission."

    I pat his head. "I hear you loud and clear boss, let's take the day off we have been leveling pretty consistently. Plus I found a meat stand that sells something similar to chicken nuggets."

    He does a backflip. "What are we waiting for let's go!"

     I laugh as we walk towards the stall I hear a commotion down they alley way. I stop dead. "Looks like we're gonna have to put that on hold."

    He pouts as we walk down the alley 4 men are beating on 3 orphan kids. "Afternoon gents mind telling me what you're doing?"

    The bald leader points a dagger at me. "It's none of your business move along before we beat you down and take your money."

     The little blonde girl looks at me. "Just go mister we'll be oka-"

     He kicks her in the stomach. "Shut up!"

    The other's laugh and I vanish slamming his head into the stone wall knocking him out. "My bad looks like I don't know my own strength."

    The other guys step back I reach down grabbing his coin purse off his belt handing it to the little girl. "You mind watching my dog for a bit while I talk with these guys, he will show you a really good meat stall."

   She nods taking the money I wave to them as they leave the alley. I lower my hand sighing. "What kinda coward do you have to be to beat on a group of kid's."

   The largest one charges at me. "I'll kill you!"

    I flip him over my shoulder stomping on his throat he groans grabbing his throat. "So why where you beating on those kid's?"

    The skinny one comes at me with a short sword. "We don't have to tell you anything!"

    I step left breaking his arm grabbing the sword cutting the last guys fire ball in half as the skinny one lands on his buddies. I walk towards the mage he drops back on his *** holding his hand out. "Please dont kill me."

    I squat down looking him in the eye's. "I asked a question and I want an answer now tell me."

    He looks away evasivly. "T-There just some stupid orphans who cares if we kill them we where just having some fu-"

   He screams as I stab the short sword into his thigh. "I don't doubt there's a shred of truth in what you just said but as a professional liar I can tell when someone's feeding me a line of bullshit so I'm gonna give you one more chance."

    I pull the blade out pointing it at him. "And before you answer remember I have 3 more people to question if you don't give me what I want then one of them will."

    Fear speads across his face. "The cult of void it was the cult they asked us to bring them orphan children they do weird rituals and we just wanted some extra booze money that's all I promise."

   I smile patting the side of his face. "See that wasn't so hard was it?"

    I get up stepping over his friends a black crystal cigar appears in my hand I light it with a gold flame. I inhale blowing golden smoke into the air he speaks nervously behind me. "S-So you're gonna let us live right?"

    I glance back smiling. "Who said anything about that?"

    I flick the cigar at them setting the alley ablaze with golden flames. They scream in agony as I walk out of the alley. The flames go out once their dead without doing any damage to the surrounding buildings.

    The kids are waiting at the fountain huddled around each other eating the meat out of a pouch playing with titan. I walk over and they stand up. "Thank you mister we owe you our lives."

    I pat their heads. "Don't mention it I had a talk with those guys and as an apology they wanted me to give you this."

   I hand them their coin pouches their eyes light up. "This is so much money are you sure we can have it?"

   I nod pointing at the meat pouch. "Why'd you only buy one."

    The little blonde girl looks up at me nervously. "W-We didn't wanna spend to much of the money this was enough for us if we share."

    I hold my hand out. "Let me see that real quick."

    She hands it to me. "Here's a little trick but don't tell anyone okay?"

     They nod and I make 2 more pouches of meat handing them to the other two. "Wow mister that was incredible!"

    I sit beside them while they eat. The little blonde girl sits beside me. "Why did youd help us?"

    I laugh slightly. "Do I need a reason to help someone in need?"

    She shakes her head looking down fidgiting with her hands. "N-No it's just that we are orphans you know?"

    I smile. "I'm aware just because you're an orphan doesn't make you less of a person. You are just as valuable as a noble child."

    She blushes slightly. "Thank you but that's not true."

    I hold my hand up slightly. "I'll prove it to you."

    Water from the fountain rushes around them washing their bodies and  healing their wounds. It cuts their hair also. "Come with me."

    They follow behind me as I walk into a clothing store. A women comes out from behind the counter. "Those orphans cant be in here."

    I smile. "They're here to buy-"

    She cuts me off glaring at me. "I don't serve them."

      The blonde girl grabs my jacket. "It's okay mister-"

      I stop them turning to the owner. "Just a quick question before we go."

      She looks irritated. "What?"

     Gold flames flow up my arms. "How much of this stores inventory is flammable?"

      Fear spreads across her face. "R-Right this way children let's get you fitted for some clothes."

     The flames go out and I pat their backs. "Good choice."

      We walk over to the counter and she looks me over. "What's their budget?"

      The kids start to set the pouches on the counter I hold my hand out stopping them I set three gold coins down. "They don't have one."

     Her eye's go wide and her attitude changes. "Y-Yes sir what would you like?"

     I swipe my menu and a small screen appears in front of her. "This is their measurements give them your best clothes and caster gloves also some of those storage rings."

    She rushes off to get it done with the kids I lean against the counter Titan wags his tail. "What?"

    He nudges me. "You'd make a good father master."

     I laugh slightly. "You think so?"

     He nods. "Yep!"

     The kids come out dressed up I walk them over to the mirror. "See no difference between you and a noble kid."

    The blonde girl tears up hugging me tightly I pat her head sending them outside. The owner looks nervous since I haven't paid yet.

    I toss her the tree coins. "Just a word of advice next time severe your customers no matter who they are."

    She starts to turn to get the change. "Yes sir I'll get the-"

     I turn. "Keep the change."

     She bows. "Thank you please come again!"

     I walk over to the kids. "Lets go."

     They follow me the blonde looks at me. "Where are we going now?"

      I point towards the noble district. "Im enrolling you in the Academy."

      They rush infront of me stopping me. "You can't we aren't nobles!"

      I smile. "I can and will."

      The blonde girl grips my shirt. "You can't we don't belong there we are just orphan trash-"

      I kneel down looking her in the eye's. "Don't ever say that about yourself again."

      She tears up. "But it's true-"

      I wipe her tears. "No it's not."

      She sniffs. "Why are you helping us?! We aren't worth all this."

       I smile. "It's because I know what it's like to be where you are since I to was an Orphan."

      Her eyes go wide. "You where?!"

      I nod slightly. "My parent's didn't want me so I was taken away as a baby I never met them but a nice couple who couldn't have children took me in and gave me a good life. I promised myself if I ever got the chance I'd do the same for someone else and one day you'll be strong enough to do the same. Your worth isn't in where you come from it's who you are inside okay?"

     They nod hugging me tightly. Titan looks at me smugly wagging his tail I flick his forehead taking them to the academy. They take the entrance exam and a teacher comes over to me. "Do you have identification that you're a noble."

    I glare at him. "Are you questioning me?"

    He looks nervous. "N-No I-"

     I smile reaching into my pocket forging a noble Id. "You're just doing your job I know here you go."

     His eyes go wide. "A-A noble recognized by the king I apologize sir please don't report me."

     I hold my hand up slightly. "It's all good."

     I wait out front the kids come running with big smiles and their papers. "We did it we did it!"

     Titan floats over and they hug him I take a photo. The blonde comes over hugging me. "Thank you mister."

     I pat her head. "Dont mention it."

     The youngest boy sniffs. "I wish big sister was here."

      The oldest boy nudges him. "Don't talk like that we all do but she's gone."

      I look at the blonde. "Big sister?"

      She looks down. "Big sister Scarlet was a girl who looked out for us near the main gate she was taken by men in robes we chased them all the way to the market but they vanished that was over 2 months ago and we still haven't found her."

    That cult must be involved. "I'll look into it for you."

     Their eyes light up. "Really!?"

      I nod pointing towards their teacher. "Yep now get going focus on your studies I'll find your sister."

     They thank me and head off with their teacher I walk out of the gate heading down the street Titan grows to a larger size. "Master?"

    I glance at him. "We're gonna destroy that cult."

     His eye's glow red. "Understood."