Chapter 4 - Research Assistant (1/2)

Everyone looked at Gravis as he opened the door and walked in. All the chatter that was just going on instantly stopped. The young people in the room never expected someone like him to come here. This place was not a location where nobles would frequent. This was a classroom. Specifically, a classroom for the preparation for a job that only 'low born' people normally took. Was the prince actually intending to become a research assistant?

A research assistant was an occupation that allowed people with a poor background to make it big if they survived. Family's with an, at least, average standing would not need to send their children to this death camp, where only a tiny portion of attendees survived. There was no reason for the prince to become a research assistant. A single fart of the Opposer could make anyone become a God.

Gravis felt a little embarrassed when everyone looked at him like that. Keeping his head low, he dodged the shocked youngsters and quickly found an empty chair and sat down. He kept his head low, not wanting to meet the eyes of the others.

”Damn, everyone looks at you like you just killed a guy. What did you do?” Gravis heard a voice from his right. He looked at the youngster that just talked to him. He was an about 15-year-old boy with brown hair and brown eyes. Even though he looked clean, one could see his family's financial situation by the cheap clothing he wore. His hands were rugged and filled with calluses.

”Hey, you deaf? I'm talking to you.” The boy continued with an annoyed tone, seeing that Gravis had not reacted yet after a couple of seconds.

Gravis quickly perked up. ”Oh, sorry, sorry! I was just not used to people speaking to me like that.” Gravis rubbed his neck in embarrassment.

”You mean speaking like a normal guy? You're a weird one.” The boy said while boringly looking at Gravis. ”Well, if you want to keep secrets, go ahead.”

Gravis wasn't used to talking like this. ”No, it's nothing like that. It's just, where I'm from, people always talk indirectly and very formal. So...” Gravis nervously twiddled his thumbs. ”I'm not sure how to talk with... normal people.” Gravis dodged his eyes.

”Man, what's up with you? Are you a stale soup without any backbone? A man needs to be like a good soup. He needs to have a backbone, lots of meat and has to be refined to perfection. Speak up, will ya?” The boy shouted.

The other people in the classroom looked at the guy with pale faces, while Gravis was just confused by his strange metaphor. ”A man... needs to be like soup?” He asked.

The boy slammed his desk loudly. ”Yeah, like a well-made soup. Strong, flavorful, hot, well prepared! That's what makes a man.” The boy looked at Gravis with intense eyes.

Gravis was confused, but he also felt as if he kind of understood the guy. Gravis tried to sound more confident. ”Yes. You're right!” Gravis looked around the room at the staring eyes. ”Let them stare! I shouldn't feel uncomfortable because of others.”

The boy laughed and heartily patted Gravis on the shoulder. ”That's it! That's how a man should be.” He then extended his hand to Gravis. ”Hey, I'm Ballor. I like to befriend all hot-blooded men. Hot-blooded men don't need to know each other to form a brotherhood. Our hearts are already connected!”

Gravis looked at the hand and then grinned. ”Yes!” He slammed his hand into Ballor's and gave him a firm handshake. ”My name's Gravis! Let's be brothers!”

Ballor grinned uncomfortably. ”Yeah, that's great. Hey, could you maybe let my hand go? I think it's about to break.”

”Oh!” Gravis quickly let go of Ballor's hand. Ballor pulled it back and shook it vigorously.

”Damn, what did you eat? Your grip is really strong.”

”Oh, I'm so-”

”Okay, quiet down, everyone!” Just when Gravis wanted to apologize, a young man, maybe in his 20s, shouted into the classroom and walked to the podium at the front. The class immediately went to their desks, and obediently sat down, still glancing at Gravis from time to time. Gravis looked quietly at the front, but after he saw Ballor sitting with a straight back, muscles puffed out, he remembered the talk they just had. Gravis also sat up straight and crossed his arms.

When everyone calmed down, the man spoke up. ”I'm research adept Forneus. This means I successfully completed my mission as a research assistant. I've been assigned to guide you for the next year, so that you will be well prepared and, hopefully, survive.” Forneus looked around the room. ”Now, let me just give you a summary of what a research assistant is.”