Beyond M-Eclipse: Easy Mode LIVE

———Lynda———

“The favoritism has been getting quite apparent as of late.” I can’t help but say that after yesterday’s fiasco.

“Now it’s really hard to say there wasn’t intention behind the original selection.” Kroin added in. “It might’ve been intentional way before the Eclipse at this point, since it looks like the leadership is the same.”

“…Why did we never ask questions about the leadership? It’s not like that’s not something most people don’t have an inkling on.” It’s been a long while since we questioned the whole thing. It felt like we never dug deep enough, or at least as deep as we could possibly go.

“It’s a lost cause. Not to mention we wouldn’t gain anything from questioning it. I’d imagine that the most that would’ve happened is putting us on a list.” Kroin answered… Yikes, that is a possibility ain’t it. I almost forgot about that. While nothing has happened yet, it’s very clear that whoever is truly in charge of this institution has enough power and influence for it.

“That’s assuming we’re going anywhere with the speculation in the first place. Let’s be real here, most of us don’t even think about the implications, let alone futilely trying to connect the dots.” Histon said, sounding rather cynical about the whole deal. “You know what we should do instead? Ask them to also take us overseas and buy us gifts. It’s unfair that they’re the only ones who get that. Why are they the only exception?”

“Yeah! I support that!” Trener enthusiastically chimed in. That would probably quell a lot of discussion to a halt as people don’t have it in themselves to complain. “...How do we do that though?”

“No idea. Just keep talking about it?” There seems to be eyes and ears in the wall, so they might overhear every student talking about it. “They might expect the reaction already and prepare something for next week.”

“That’s certainly something I can see out of them.” Kroin commented. “They are clearly not the cheapskate type. In fact, calling them that is a signifier that someone has no critical thinking whatsoever. The trip yesterday inside, they organized a few clearly expensive events by this point. It’s hard to believe they aren’t funded with tax money or that dirty oil country.”

“I don’t think we’re ever gonna figure out how much money was put into the whole thing. Like, the cost of entering the school is quite high, but relative to what was offered, it’s charity.” Kroin remarked. I don’t think we can ever put a number to the construction cost at all.

“This is just way too much stuff to think about, ain’t it? Can we talk about something else now?” Trener said, understandably feeling like the conversation and the speculation wouldn’t lead anywhere. “Also, you guys finish your meals quickly, what the heck are you all doing after?”

“Going on ranked battles, obviously.” What else are we gonna do? It’s been like that for a while. “Haven’t you been going there as well?”

“Yeah, but I don’t think we need to be hasty. It’s not like there’s much incentive.” He pointed out. Knowing the place, there is probably some sort of surprise since they go out of their way to create a ranked ladder for people battling in the training area. Obviously they’re using the concept of competition to drive people, but usually there’s something for those at the very top of the leaderboard. Nowadays just being the number one isn’t quite enough.

“Oh? You need some sort of monetary incentive or something? Looks like another one caught up by the evils of capitalism.” Histon sarcastically said.

“No? Don’t lump me in with those people!” Trener protested. “I just don’t really want to get caught up in it like some of you do!”

“Why not? They already extended the time for the lunch break for this very reason.” Histon asked. The schedule for the second semester is a lot more free and casual, that’s for sure. “I do appreciate a longer break time. Using it to slack off and watch stuff on the phone feels like a massive waste of time. We can do that whenever.”

“...If only the students from other schools have the same mindset as you.” I can’t help but say when it’s being shown that the educational level is dropping almost everywhere in the States. It’s kinda depressing and I sure as hell don’t want to be a part of that statistic.

“It’s good to know that I’m a good role model, but it’s not really what I aimed for.” He doesn’t seem to quite get the slightly melancholic tone I was giving off, but whatever. “...What about you, Kroin? I don’t think you normally fight, be it at the training ground or matching up against others.”

“Going to the library. There is still a lot I don’t quite understand about its content, and I want to make sure I didn’t miss anything.” Still shamelessly a nerd. Not that I can blame the guy, the content of those books literally can’t be seen anywhere else aside from a few overlapping with stuff in EX-VR. I don’t think anyone has tried to transfer all the text from that game and compile it into something most people can easily access and read.

“Well don’t you guys have a lot to look forward to.” Trener said before taking a sigh. He still hasn’t finished his food yet.

“I think we already talked for more than enough. I think it’s time for me to go and grind for higher rank. See you back in class, or rather, the gym.” Histon said before taking his tray and walking away.

“Guess the conversation is over.” Kroin said before doing the same.

“...In that case, I think it’s time for us to leave too.” I said before nudging Glery who seems to be dozing off, and both of us left Trener behind who only nodded in response.

Alright, put the trays away and get to one of the teleporters…

“You’re joining?” I asked Glery, since she’s not always down for some good fashioned scrapping.

“Mhm.” She mumbled with a nod. It seems that’s a yes. Hmm… Looks like more than half of the gym or training area, whatever we’re calling it, is occupied.

There’s certainly a lot of people interested in these training areas, it does make me wonder if there’s anywhere else people would like to go. I know a bunch of areas that are accessible with the teleporter are grayed out. I wonder if the teachers like to go to one of those exclusive spaces.

———Wiina———

“...What the heck is this room?” Karra asked, reasonably taken aback by the rather dark room with a lot of control panels and screens shining brightly.

Her eyes are drawn towards the center of the room that holds up a hologram of the Earth, displayed in blue light. There are multiple screens attached to the wall and many buttons to push.

“Welcome to the Globe Landkönnuður Onderzoek Búnaður Archyvas Lawak. Or just GLOBAL for short.” It’s obviously a mouthful. Compared to the other rooms they see fit to name this kind of room in a rather ridiculous fashion.

“...Who the hell came up with that name?” Karra said, looking almost mad at the exotic name chosen for such a simple observatory.

“It doesn’t matter. Just call it a map room if you need to, even if it’s much more advanced than any that you have seen.” She doesn’t need to be caught up with all the shenanigans those people are doing. “Anyway, I assume you have some inkling as to what this room does, considering the advanced technology and mystic arts of the old guards, right?”

“...Yeah. How the hell does it even work though?” She asked, obviously still baffled how it even makes any sense.

“That doesn’t matter either. Just know that this is how they managed to figure out anything happening in the world. Admittedly they don’t really frequent this place, and they already have an innate ability to observe others to a certain extent. Same with me, of course.” As terrifying as that sounds, the amount of people with detection ability that cover an entire planet is a very small percentage. It’s not something worth fussing over, and only a select few can even maintain enough concentration to keep it up for more than half a day.

“...So why did you even bring me here? I know I ask for a nice spot to rest since I wanna conserve energy for the P.E. class, but this a bit… different from that.” Karra reasonably asked, considering how out-of-nowhere this act was.

“Simple, really. I noticed something is about to happen, and I want to let you see it. This is probably the best way to witness it and not compromise your attendance.” Of course, it’s best to show her what I’m talking about instead of continuing the explanation.

I walked over to one of the control panels and started typing in the coordinates as well as setting up the screen.

Soon enough the giant screen on the wall shifts to a video feed of the location. It’s certainly a decrepit place for something that is still in use.

“What’s this… Wait a second.” It took her a while to realize what this place is that I am showing her. “I-Is something bad about to happen?”

“Quite the contrary. If something bad is about to happen, I wouldn’t have shown you it. Or at least I would’ve waited a while before breaking the bad news. I’m not gonna spoil what’s going to happen. Just see it for yourself.” It should be able to follow the flow of the conflict well enough. I can also get more perspective on other screens on the wall. “Three minutes. One before it strikes a third of an hour.”

———Lerim———

“Another unfulfilling meal, I assume?” I said after noticing his approaching figure. Of all the times he chose to approach me.

“Sure as hell was. I can’t imagine how the soldiers here lived with it.” He answered. “Didn’t see you in the cafeteria. Imagine that you’d be here.”

“You got something else to ask of me?” Now is not really the best time.

“Yeah. I could’ve sworn you found something to eat that wasn’t from the cafeteria, why is that?” So he does notice. Maybe that’s part of why he approached me yesterday. Maybe hoping I’d be a bit generous.

“Not really something you need to concern yourself with. If anything, you don’t have to worry about it now.” I said before standing up and walking towards the building.

“What do you mean by that?” He asked, not picking up the smoke on the horizon, it seems.

“Just watch.” I said before putting some power into my legs.

*Leap*

I land on the top of the building as I look into the direction that I sense it.

Where there’s smoke, there’s fire. That’s an applicable saying here as well.

*Shine*

Light shining brightly in the distance. One might think of it as beautiful, but in this case, there are thorns attached to it. Though calling something of that caliber as mere thorns is a massive understatement. I definitely can’t make any mistakes now, of all times.

*BLAST*

It shot up into the sky like a geyser, with its destination looking unclear. The beam of condensed destructive energy that could’ve easily wiped out the entire area looks like it would just harmlessly fly into the sky, but no one would just shoot out such a powerful attack for no reason.

*Shine* *Gleam*

I raised my arms up and began construction of a barrier. One that could roof the entire area, far bigger than the building itself but also covering for the surrounding area that the others are patrolling and keeping secure. None of them realizing that the threat will come from above.

The beam curves down from what seemingly looks like a straightforward trajectory. Certainly deceptive in its nature, if not easily figured out.

Not that its main feature was its ability to weave around, but rather the destructive force put upon it. Whoever orchestrates this sure doesn’t compromise.

*CLASH* *Rumble*

“Ugh!” The beam of light came in contact with the barrier I have erected over the entire area. It’s as if everything is being swallowed in light, when in reality is more comparable to having a nuke floating just right above you!

The pressure. The weight put upon my body as the sole creator of this barrier keeps everyone else from taking the brunt of it…

…Heh. They might even think of this as being an overkill, but in this case… It’s… Not… Enough!

*Crack*

Those cracks in the defense, I can easily repair it. That weight on top of my body? Easily shrugged off! This will not. Go. Through!

*FLASH*