Beyond M-Eclipse: Easy Mode LIVE

———Lynda———

It’s a large crowd that is formed in front of this massive building.

On what is an ordinary day for most of the world, this place right here felt special for those who have approached it. It’s an area that exudes an aura of otherworldliness, a place that felt like it was ripped out of a fairy tale.

Despite its design not being too far off from the contemporary, its sheer scale and fidelity, and how it came to be, is what really sets it apart.

Perhaps this kind of sudden and grand project would become commonplace in the future, but at this moment and time, this is one-of-a-kind. A history in the making, and we are all part of it.

We are all waiting with bated breath, wondering if it is all ultimately true or not. All the offerings this place has, what it might all entail. If it is all real, then what would be in store?

This is the opening day, there shouldn’t be a lot happening, and yet imaginations have run wild in many people’s heads, making it all feel overwhelming to even think about.

Very few people have even entered this place, with even fewer being known publicly. Everyone else is completely in the dark, all living in the moment and unable to think of anything but the present circumstances with doubts and curiosity.

There is no doubt a lot of questions that immediately pop into one’s head, but all of that is drowned out by the sounds of the massive crowd of students, waiting to see all there is to see.

It’s so loud, in fact. It’s pissing me the hell off! I really should’ve double-checked if I did bring my earphones or not…

“Glery, you got spare earphones?” I asked, trying to cut through the noise… Wait, she’s wearing one right now, she definitely can’t hear me through that and the voice of the crowd.

Well this just sucks ain’t it. I’m really supposed to wait in this massive crowd for the door to open up and everyone rushing to their new school life?

Actually, why are they so excited? It’s not like I don’t have high expectations, but I don’t think most people are pumped about school in general.

The previous school was good, I don’t really have much of a problem with it. Got good food, pretty lenient homeworks and projects, and other stuff that other schools don’t seem to have, but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t feel like a chore sometimes.

“” A voice can be heard booming over the entire area. It came from high up, but none of us can place where its source came from. “”

That’s… The school principal’s voice, if I remember right. It’s been a while since I saw her, so I wasn’t completely sure.

“” The announcement keeps going. ”

That sounds like it’s gonna take a while…

“” That’s such an undignified ending speech!

Of course before I could ponder if that speech is more than just formality, everyone already started walking into the main building.

“Stay close to me.” I said to Glery as everything seems to be swept away by the wave of students.

It didn’t take long once we stepped inside for everyone to disperse and allow each of us to actually get a good look of the interior.

“...Alright then. Let’s go get our attendance check.” I said before checking the notes on my phone. That’s the one thing mandatory on the first day. After that we can go get food, check the exotic new facilities, all that jazz. “Now do we use the telepad or elevator…”

There are a lot of both, but the elevator lets a lot more people in, while those telepads are instant but basically have to wait for… Actually, I want to try out this telepad, it’s the new thing, why shouldn’t I use it?

“Glery, let’s go.” I grabbed her by the wrist and walked towards a platform with no one occupying them.

*Shine*

Before I tried to press all the buttons, other people had already figured out how to use it and people started disappearing.

Now I guess I just need to press the… floor select… specific room…

*Beep* *Shine*

“Aah!?” I let out a voice in confusion. That was more disorienting than I thought.

…The room is actually quite big, and has a vibe more akin to a conference room. Probably because of how neatly everything is placed.

Now let’s go to our assigned seats, which are next to each other.

…And we just wait, right? Who are we waiting for? No idea, probably our homeroom teacher, who is still the same one as always.

The desks are pretty spacious, and they seem to be glued to the floor. Why is that I wonder…

“This all seems pretty fancy still, but it’s quite modest compared to the ground floor…” I said out loud to Glery. Probably because it’s a familiar setting, the last thing teachers want is for students to think they’re not in school.

“I like it like this…” She quietly said as she looked at the other students coming in. All the same faces as before.

I already checked the details so I already know this. Seems like all the returning students are still in the same classroom. So Glery should be fine. Just people she already knew.

Anyway, the main thing we’re doing is after we’ve checked for attendance and more speeches. We can roam around rather freely for the day, so might as well do that.

“Alright! Time to go… Where should we go?” I got a few places listed, but I want to ask Glery first.

“I’m hungry…” She quickly replied… Right, the canteen. It’s one of the places listed that we can check out, which probably means it will open up for the entire day.

“Then let’s go there! I’m sure we can secure a place quickly enough.” I said, feeling pretty good about my chances. Also, it was reported to have multiple floors, so there should be plenty of spots to choose.

Which floor is fucking free!?

———Wiina———

“I’m surprised they all rushed in here like a flood. You’d think things like training rooms or simulator rooms would be where they’re going.” I remarked before taking a sip of water.

“Yeah, weird ain’t it?” Jeff said while messily eating his food.

“It’s not that strange. Only those with interest in physical exertion will go there, and even then those people would rather be in good condition with their stomach full.” Orrel explained. Right, I guess that’s fair. “Besides, the previous school already had a reputation for good school food, which as we all know, is unfortunately quite rare.”

“Right…” Jeff said, dragging his voice out. “So do we try out those new rooms after this? Or try the garden?”

“You of all people considering the garden? Yeah right.” Useph chimed in. That is one weird thing to bring up for someone like him.

———Karra———

I hope Wiina doesn’t feel too uncomfortable, being around a bunch of guys with no one realizing what’s going on.

“Wasn’t there a matchmaking feature with those rooms? How does that work again?” Kenni suddenly asked me.

“Huh? This is the first I’ve heard of this!” Jennla quickly responded.

“It does sound like a game when you put it like that.” Qyunda remarked. “By the way, why did we even divide into girls and guys tables again? It’s not like there’s a rule for that.”

“Beats me.” I bitterly said before chugging down a cup of coffee. “I think it’s those boys insisting on it and being annoying is what it is.”

“Why are you malding like that?” Shut the hell up Kenni you know damn well why!

“Excuse me, since I finished eating, I’ll be taking my leave.” Emmie said before leaving us behind. Guess she’s going to check the other stuff out before us, quite impatient. I’m pretty sure most people aren’t even done with their meal.

———Lynda———

“What even is the difference between training rooms and simulator rooms?” I can’t help but scratch my head as I look at the large rather empty room with a designated area for fighting.

“Beats me.” Suddenly someone chimed in. I could’ve sworn I picked a room without anyone in it aside from us two, did someone choose to join in anyway?

“Oh, it’s just you, Trener.” I said, looking at the cocky guy walking up to me.

“What’s that attitude for?” He said while scratching his head. “I don’t want to try this stuff by my lonesome, you know?”

“I get that, but you could’ve been less weird about it.” I said before walking over to the glass thingy. “Anyway, Glery, you wanna take a swing or…”

“I’ll be fine.” Well ain’t that a shame. It’s not like she’s weak.

“By the way, are the others not coming?” I asked Trener, since he’s here.

“How should I know? We split up real quick after attendance, remember?” He said, not being of help.

“Ugh. Whatever. Let’s try picking some options before starting a fight.” Then let’s just cut to the chase, no formalities needed. I’m going to kick his ass. “Summon axe and… What do you even use?”

“Nothing? Just fists are enough.” Sure is cocky. Fine then, let’s get right to it.

…Yeah. This should be the correct setting… Hug the wall to forfeit… Heal and repair after the fight… Yadi yada…

“Alright, get in.” I said as I stepped into the area. “I think we have a bit of catching up to do.”

“...You sound more violent than before somehow. Impressive, but how did that happen?” He asked as he entered.

“” A female mechanical voice can be heard.

“Who’s to say?” I said as I prepared to swing this axe the moment the fight actually started.

“” The moment the voice rings out again, is when I strike.

*Dash* *Slash* *Crash*

In what seemed like only three seconds and I claimed the victory… What?

“...Well that was quick.” I remarked as Trener was lying on the ground clutching his stomach in pain. He should be really thankful that these are training weapons.

“What… Was that?” He asked as he still reels on the floor even after the fight is already over.

Honestly I would also like to know that. I doubt our gap in strength is that big, it’s not like I did anything revolutionary during the past few months…

“Ah! What a sad sight to behold. A man down on his luck, fighting against an opponent greater in strength and skill, being a step above in caliber, it was never a true fight to begin with.” Someone new chimed in with a tone filled with dramatics. Who the hell is this?

She wore a light blue dress and had large rat ears that are the same color as her hair and dress, shorter than me and also have a long tail.

“...Who the hell are you?” I asked as she stepped closer.

“A new challenger, perhaps.” She said with a sly grin. “It seems that your sparring partner here still lacks the fundamentals to be a good challenge. So it seems I must step in to fill such a void.”

“Can’t you be less coy than-

“Now then, let me be the one to set up our battlefield.” She cuts me off and starts setting up the next fight already. What the hell is her problem? “I’m sure you’re not the type to run away from peril, are you?”

“Uh… Sure?” Let’s go with that, I guess.

“Now then…” She said with a more visible and rather sinister grin on her as she grabbed a giant scythe. When was that an option!?

“” The voice rang out as the transparent wall or forcefield or whatever you wanna call it surrounded the area.

“Be honored to be my opponent. I, Emmie Pennela, shall have my fun tearing you to pieces!” Suddenly her tone quickly shifted from feigning posh and verbosity to what sounds more like a feral animal!

Wait. Emmie Pennela… Part of the Perfect Class!

“What the hell is someone like you doing here!?” I asked, starting to feel a chill. No wonder she barged in like she owns the place with that kind of school cred behind her.

“Finding a suitable victim, of course.” She said tapping her chin, shifting back to trying to sound calm while still having that grin. “Now then, let the bloodbath commence!”