Bella and Stella sat on the grass together, listening to the lecture. After the mess in the last class, half of the class that caused the damage was sent to the head minister's office. Since Bella had her beast, me, summoned, she wasn't considered part of the ruckus.
Although technically, I think she's an instigator. But who am I to judge? I'm a butter worm!
"You will need to train your Beastblade if you want it to evolve and gain an ability." Master Luwin read out loud from his book, facing the few remaining apprentices of Bella's class.
It's today's final class, and I can't wait to get home finally. I need to rest and recoup, review the things I've learn so far from this world, and find out why I'm a butter… worm?
I'm a butter worm, but I was a butter knife… This Beastblade thing is kinda complicated!
"Beatblade abilities are helpful when you can't rely on your own combat skills. That's why having your beast summoned at a moment's notice is essential in exploring the Darkwaste for souls. But let's talk about souls' work first before we move on."
Master Luwin turns to the next page. He sounded bored; his voice was too nasal. He let out an exaggerated yawn, then he moved on. He looks like a middle-aged man, his posture is slouched, and his face is frowning, suggesting he is dissociated from the lecture. If anything, this man looks tired.
Typical!
But there's one sign that could tell this man is a master of Beastblades. It's the giant greatsword behind his back. It was housed on an equally large sheath adorned with intricate designs of a grapevine.
Scary!
"Kill enough monsters with your Beastblade, and it will be presented with a choice. Evolve or learn. Evolve to the next classification, and its form will change and grow stronger, or it can learn new skills. How do we know this? It's in the book, read. I don't. Know."
Teach these kids properly, you scum! But that is an interesting topic. Beastblades can choose? Can I choose? He's talking like Beastblades are intelligent beasts. Why?
Why indeed. I slowly turn my eyes to the fat, four-legged mammal that has a small set of featherless wings. It's Stella's llama, the Winged String Lamoid. Its eyes were crossed, looking in opposite directions at the same time. It was chewing perpetually, and its drool sagged from its mouth.
How is this thing intelligent to choose between evolving and learning a skill? If I were this stupid thing, I'd choose to develop a brain.
The llama turns its head to face its snout at me. I couldn't tell if he was staring at me, though.
What are you looking at, you stupid animal?!
I may be a worm. A butter worm. It can stomp me anytime it wants, but I won't be intimidated by this creature's size.
"So, I guess that's it. That's the whole class. There are more pages in this book, but I don't want to read it anymore. Let's move on with the demonstration."
Master Luwin yawned again. The class was small, and no one dared to bother the instructor anymore. I was expecting Bella to ask some questions, but she didn't.
"I have a question," Alexios sheepishly said.
"What is it?" Master Luwin looked annoyed.
When the remaining apprentices of the last class got to summon their beasts, everyone thought Bella's worm would be the only laughingstock. Nobody expected what Alexios would've summoned. Or at least, they were expecting a bit more fitting of his stature.
"What if our beasts are not actually beasts?" Alexios, for the first time today, appeared less confident.
"What do you mean?"
"My beast is the Punching Dragon…" Alexios choked. "Egg," he continued. He held his Beastblade summoned form up high for the instructor to see, an egg as big as his head.
There were snickers and teasing whispers. Master Luwin was indifferent, scratching the back of his ear.
"Summoned or not, as long as you get to kill in the Darkwild, your Beastblade will harvest the soul. I just don't know how an egg will do that, though."
Defeated, Alexios was dismal, "That was my question," he mumbled.
"I guess you just have to learn how to use its blade form." Master Luwin nodded before completely lying down on the grass, covering his face with the book.
The class waited for Master Luwin to continue the lecture. But after a while, they heard him snoring.
He's asleep!?
The class waited. But, after a while, they gave up. Soon, the apprentices loitered around, talked to each other, and some went to their summoned beasts, enjoying the free time they had.
"I thought he was going to do the demonstration?" Bella asked.
"I heard from my brother that Master Luwin is a lazy instructor. There's a reason why we have his class outside!" Stella and Bella had braided each other's hair, and they both admired their work.
"Does your brother work here, Stella?" Bella stood up and then helped her friend up, offering her a hand.
Stella shakes her head, "No, he knew Master Luwin from their guild!"
Guild? Are there guilds in this world? What are they for?
"Oh! Which guild?"
"The Thousand Claws of the Burnt God," Stella answered, bouncing her braids on her palms, "What about you, do you have an older brother, Bella?"
Come to think of it, I remember her father said his brother died. I wonder what happened?
"Yeah, he joined the Divine Devils guild after graduating."
"Divine Devils?" Stella stuttered, "Why?"
"I don't know," Bella turned sad, her lips pursed, "After that, we just heard the news that he died on their last expedition. They gave us what's left of him and his Beastblade. It happened a few months ago. My father was heartbroken."
"Oh," Stella regretted asking. She put a hand on Bella's shoulder, "I'm sorry."
"My father melted his Beastblade and gave it to me, though, so I guess I have to be thankful!" Bella chuckled awkwardly. I could tell she was trying to change the subject.
But there was a shadow that loomed over them. It was Master Luwin, glaring directly at them. They were caught by surprise, trembled at the sight of the master and his humongous greatsword. Even the llama was disoriented.
"Did you say Divine Devils?" Master Luwin knelt near Bella's face, "Are you Rodric Evermore's sister?" his eyes were wide, piercing, with a sinister frown.
Bella quivered. She slowly nodded, "Yes?" her voice cracked.