I Somehow Got Tasked With Managing A Realm

I Somehow Got Tasked With Managing A Realm – Chapter 60

"Are you okay, Jacob?"

"Yeah... this just feels weird."

"I'm sure he'll be fine, so try not to worry."

Despite Julia's reassurance, I couldn't help but let out a nervous sigh as the two of us walked down the Academy's hallway.

The topic of our conversation and the target of my worry was Mr. Flippers, who ended up staying behind in Tatton's laboratory after we finished making a telephone prototype. The tiny penguin quickly took a liking to his new arms and somehow became extremely good at using them after only a few minutes of learning. Not only that, he was somehow a huge help in actually making the prototype, nearly surpassing even my own physical contribution. When Tatton offered the penguin to continue developing the device with him while Julia and I went to class, I wasn't too surprised to see him accept the invitation.

I'm happy he's having fun, but this is stressing me out. I can't even remember the last time I went somewhere without him.

After being with the penguin practically nonstop since I first became a Seedling, this anxiety was pretty understandable, yet I still couldn't shake off the feeling of discomfort. 

"Hopefully Tatton doesn't keep him in the lab for too long. Since class is about three hours, Tatton could potentially have him for over 120 years from his perspective..."

Julia lightly smiled reassuringly at my nervous mutter, "Well, you saw how happy he was. I don't think the little one would mind very much even if he was playing in there for that long."

"... That makes me feel worse for other reasons."

While I continued to groan, the two of us finally reached the entrance to the lecture hall and ventured to our seats.

Sandwiched between an elf girl and a giant purple blob thing... all that's missing is a small penguin and it would almost feel nostalgic.

As I looked at our empty laps with a frown, a familiar bipedal, semi-sheep instructor entered the room.

Oh shoot-

The chatter and bickering from the Seedlings in the classroom instantly fell silent.

"Hey... Jacob-"

"Yeah. I see it."

The sheep instructor had an icy glare in her sheep-like eyes.

Clearly, it wasn't just us who noticed it given the silence; the entire class seemed to freeze at the sight. The sound of her slow steps echoed across the lecture hall's barren walls before she came to a stop behind her desk at the front of the class.

"Good morning, Seedlings," the sheep instructor spoke with a feigned smile that failed to hide the anger in her eyes, "I am pleased to announce that the majority of you all continued following the rules and procedures for the competition which we spent an entire year going over prior to your first battle phase. Before we begin this class, there are two Seedlings who were unable to claim their prizes today. If that was you, can you please stand up?"

At her eerily joyful words, two creatures who were sitting next to each other did as they were told and stood up.

"That was us! We both got one Tier 1 prize and one Tier 1 punishment, but for some reason, we could only claim the punishment on the stage!"

"Yeah! The guy giving out the prizes would not tell us why!"

The sheep instructor's forced grin grew wider as her glare deepened.

Somehow unaware of the instructor's trembling fist and the cold sweat dripping down the backs of most of the class, the two Seedlings continued speaking.

"It is unfair! Everyone else got to get their prize except us!"

"Exactly! We should get an extra one since we could not add it to our realm before the class started!"

Oh my god, those idiots-

BANG!

Sky's fist slammed into the desk leaving a mark closer to a crater than a dent- it could only be considered a miracle and a testament to whatever reinforcements were installed on it that the desk itself didn't burst into pieces.

"ENOUGH!"

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A torrent of pressure engulfed the lecture hall as the sheep instructor yelled out.

Although I wasn't even the target of her wrath, I could feel my body tighten and I immediately moved myself in front of Julia in an attempt to shield her.

Being at the back of the classroom, we were lucky to only get what felt like a light squeeze. while those next to the two talkative Seedlings were completely frozen in place and unable to move an inch. Such a fate could only be considered merciful when compared with the two Seedlings themselves who nearly resembled crushed water bottles with the air being squeezed out of them.

"YOU TWO DARE DEMAND COMPENSATION AFTER BLATANTLY VIOLATING THE INTEGRITY OF THE COMPETITION!?" she screamed loud enough to put concert speakers to shame, "AFTER ALL OF THE LESSONS I HAVE GIVEN YOU, HOW DARE YOU GO AND TRY TO UNDERMINE THE FOUNDER! DO YOU THINK THIS COMPETITION IS JUST SOME GAME FOR YOU TO PLAY!? DID YOU HONESTLY BELIEVE THAT YOU COULD DISREGARD THE FOUNDER'S WILL AND GET AWAY WITH IT!?"

Blood dripped from the nose of one of the Seedlings as fluids leaked from the mouth of the other.

Sky's voice dropped as she shook, "You two have no idea how much he has endured... how much he has seen- how much he has sacrificed! If you knew even a fragment of the burden he bears you would've pierced your own throat before you muttered such disgrace! No- you would have crushed your own skull with your hands if the thought of going against his will even crossed your mind..."

The sheep instructor looked at the two trembling Seedlings as if looking at something more disgusting than trash.

"You two are lucky the Founder is more merciful than me. I overestimated you guys. I thought stressing the integrity of the competition was enough for you all, but clearly you will take the chance to squeeze out every single bit of leniency that he gives," Sky spat.

The two Seedlings were pale as a puddle of blood and fluids formed under their crushed bodies, held up above their seats by whatever glowing pressure the sheep instructor was forcing upon them. 

"If it were up to me, you would be ash on the floor, but sadly I will need to leave you within an inch of your life instead. Your prizes were confiscated and your divinity from this battle phase will be delayed until the next class. Be thankful for his mercy."

BOOM!

The two Seedlings were launched out of the lecture hall and their bodies could be heard slamming against the Academy's wall. As the pressure was finally released in the classroom, the creatures looked out the entrance toward the two battered and unconscious bodies not with pity as they did before, but rather with gazes reminiscent of predators looking at their prey.

"Did you hear that? They won't be getting any divinity today!"

"Was she serious!? Is this not a free win!?"

"Can she squeeze me like that next?"

"I know who I'm attacking next battle phase..."

... That guy is still saying that after seeing what she just did?

Although I wanted to verbally retort to that one guy's libido, my conversation partner was busy worriedly looking at the two bodies through the classroom's exit next to her seat.

"Do you think they're okay?"

"Well... she said she wouldn't kill them, so I don't think they're dead."

It was the only bit of solace I could give to the anxious elf girl as I slipped into thought over the punishment the sheep instructor mentioned.

No divinity increase...

It was a rough punishment, arguably worse than the physical beating the two Seedlings had just endured.

The difference in our Oracles' power was obvious even between just the first and second battle phases... This is practically guaranteeing them a Tier III defeat.

Although I felt bad for the two of them, it would've been a lie to say I wasn't tempted to use the opportunity and launch an attack for the first time. Sadly, there was no way I'd be able to beat the rest of the Seedlings to selecting them as an opponent since I had to pick up Mr. Flippers from Tatton before I went back.

Plus, I should have an easy opponent regardless, so it doesn't really matter... assuming he keeps his word, that is.

As I glanced around the lecture hall in an attempt to spot the lumpy toad guy, the sheep instructor finally spoke.

"Those Seedlings attacked each other and purposely allowed themselves to take their temples without resistance. They swapped lifeforms and technology in the process. Now I will make this very clear. Actions that go against the very nature of the competition are prohibited- any future Seedlings who engage in such behavior will be dealt with far harsher than those two," Sky declared with a fierce glare in her eyes.

I could feel another drop of cold sweat drip down my back.

I was actually thinking about doing something similar with Julia...

My eyes once again wandered toward the two bodies in the hall.

If it weren't for my recent success in winning Tier III prizes and my weariness of the Academy, it wouldn't have been too far-fetched for me to be the one laying in the hall.

But what did she mean by 'far harsher'?

Despite the tense environment, my curiosity got the better of me and my hand naturally began to rise.

"Jacob! What are you-"

"It appears we have a question in the back," Sky glanced over to me, cutting off Julia's nervous remarks, "What is it, Jacob? You're not planning on protesting their punishment, are you?"

"No, not really," I shook my head in denial, "They broke the rules, so it's not my place to complain on their behalf. I was just wondering what you meant by 'far harsher'. They both got a Tier I punishment and are probably going to get another Tier III punishment on top of it after the next battle phase... that's not even mentioning their current state. Is there anything else you can really do besides outright killing them?"

"Well, that certainly is an option; there's no place in the competition for those who can't follow simple directions. With that in mind..." the sheep instructor paused with an eery look in her eyes, "... you would be mistaken if you think a Tier III punishment is the highest tier we can give out."

... What?

My mind nearly went blank as the lecture hall fell into a silence, broken only by anxious murmurs moments later.

There's punishments worse than Tier III? I mean, that obviously means there's at least a Tier IV punishment... but how high do the numbers go?

After hearing whispers of the utter devastation others have faced after getting stuck with a Tier III punishment, it wouldn't be surprising in the slightest for a Tier IV punishment to wipe out most of a realm.

A Tier V punishment though... that would practically guarantee the realm's destruction, wouldn't it?

As much as I hated my humans being seemingly held hostage by the Academy's whims, I had no choice but to be extra cautious of violating the rules going forward.

Since I haven't been crushed over the islands yet, I think I should be fine right?

However, before I had the chance to seriously contemplate sinking my islands with the last of my Resource Points, the sheep instructor continued speaking.

"For everyone still in the classroom, I anticipate that none of you will let me down," She let out a single clap as the last of the anger drained from her face, "Now, before we start this class, it is time for me to award you all with the divinity you earned from this battle phase."

With a wave of her hand, a sudden rush of power entered my body.

Wow- this is way more than last time!

Whether it was due to my lifeforms having a higher belief in me, there being overall more humans in my realm, or a mix of the two, the amount of divinity I received was nearly incomparable to what I got after my fight against Levon.

I definitely didn't feel this lightheaded last time, though...

Just chalking it up to the big increase in divinity, I quickly shook it off while Sky started her lesson. 

"Those of you fortunate enough to receive prizes within the first two battle phases may be a bit curious about the potential prizes you could've gotten. Today's lesson will be about this topic."

With a snap of her fingers, a few pieces of colored chalk floated up to the board on the back of the wall behind the sheep instructor and began drawing some sketches.

"The first of these potential prizes are resource points," she pointed to a drawing of a gold coin behind her, "You should all be familiar with using these since they were used when first making your realm. Unlike back then, there is no time limit for utilizing Resource Points acquired through prizes, so feel free to save them until the time is right. With that in mind, using these Resource Points to interfere with a battle or to do anything that would be considered a violation of the competition's integrity will be met with harsh punishment."

Oh... yay. More talk of punishment.

Unaware of the stiff feeling around the lecture hall, the sheep instructor moved to the next drawing, a green flower, and continued her lesson. I couldn't help but notice a tint of red in its petals. 

"Another prize that you should be aware of are lifeforms! Seedlings can receive either a primary, basic, or moderate lifeform depending on their prize tier. The Tier prize a lifeform category is available at depends on whether the lifeform is randomly selected or if it can be chosen by the Seedling. These can be placed in the same manner as done during the creation of your realms."

The lifeforms can be random!? Man, it's a good thing Mr. Flippers' penguin luck is insane...

After I spent so long debating which type of grain I wanted for my realm, I probably would've cried if I ended up with something else entirely.

Honestly, it seems like the random lifeform thing could be kind of a dud prize... I can't imagine the rate of getting a useful species is too high.

"Next are divine weapons," the sheep instructor continued, pointing to a yellow sketch of a sword, "Devine weapons are only given out as Tier III prizes, but some other weapon options can be awarded at lower tiers. These weapons can be both summoned to the Seedling's realm and brought into the Academy for things such as training in the training grounds."

Murmurs filled the classroom at her statement.

Seriously!? We can bring them into the Academy!?

It seemed crazy considering how strict the Academy had been so far, but it seemed like there was a reason for it.

"Of course, injuring other Seedlings with these weapons outside of training is prohibited," the sheep instructor warned hearing the ruckus, "Every divine weapon is unique to a Seedling and tied to their divinity signature; even if two Seedlings get a sword, for example, the abilities assigned to the weapon will be different, of which each weapon has two. Anyone who has faced off against a Sedling with a divine weapon can attest that these weapons are extremely powerful and can easily help carry a Seeding to victory. As such, the chance of getting these weapons is boosted during the start of the competition to try to get everyone on the same playing field as fast as possible."

"... I would've liked her to tell us about this before the competition started," I muttered out loud.

"That's the thing you said Ferguson had, right?"

"Huh? You heard that?" I turned to the elf girl in shock, "I guess your ears are for more than just being cute and blushing."

"...If the teacher didn't just throw two people out of the room, I'd super seriously punch you."

Scary~

"Anyway, he definitely had a divine weapon," I replied, ignoring her pouty glare, "But her explanation is a bit weird. If the weapon is apparently linked to our divinity, it should take after us, right? Like, I'd assume you'd get a bow if you got one of those since that's kind of your specialty."

Julia tilted her head with her cheeks deflating, "I guess that makes sense. I'd definitely prefer a bow if I had to pick, but based on what you told me about what Ferguson's Oracle used, it sounds like anything would be really strong." 

"Yeah... you're probably right."

I leaned back in my chair.

Even if it'll be strong regardless, I'm still curious about what kind of weapon I'd get. There's not anything that I'd like immediately call my go-to weapon and there's no way I'd be able to get some sort of gun to use in the competition.

Although I thought a steel-looking hammer was absurd enough this early in the competition, a gun would be outright too far to give my humans who still had yet to discover bows.

With no real lead on my potential future weapon, I zoned out into thoughts until the sheep instructor pointed to a drawing of a red circle with a classic double-helix etched inside of it to move on to the next category. 

"Next up are Mutation Orbs! Mutation Orbs allow for Seedlings to permanently change an aspect of their own physique. These changes can only be minor in nature, however,"  The sheep instructor paused, pointing to the wings on her back, "Let's say you wanted to have wings like these. One mutation point would not be nearly enough, since there are many different muscles, joints, and other components that go into making them function. A seedling would need to make these changes one by one using multiple Mutation Orbs before getting to this point."

That's honestly a bit crazy... they're literally giving us the power to selectively evolve!

Although it seemed fairly balanced as it would likely take a ton of these mutation orbs to make any major changes, it was still a bit weird to think of my humans suddenly being able to fly or have an extra arm or something. 

Despite my shock, the sheep instructor wasn't finished.

"One Mutation Orb should be enough to heighten abilities or features already possessed by your lifeforms. Giving your lifeform a stronger sense of smell or further-seeing eyes, for example, are easy changes to make," Sky continued, "Since your lifeforms take after yourselves, the Mutation Orb and the changes that come with it will first be applied to you. Gradually, some of your advanced lifeforms will be born with these new features and they will spread until all of them possess it."

... I want one of those.

Sure it wasn't anything super flashy like a divine weapon or a new lifeform, but the ability to modify my humans was absolutely overpowered in its own right.

If there's a way I could use that orb to give them more stamina or make it easier for them to build muscle, my humans would get exponentially stronger!

Honestly, I was nearly shaking in my seat just thinking about all of the possible routes I could go.

Of course, I could invest in something big like a new limb or something... but enhancing what they already have just seems both smarter and more efficient. 

"The last main category of potential prizes are temple upgrades!" The sheep instructor started again, pointing to a blue sketch of a classic temple and completely thwarting my mad scientist daydreams, "These are pretty self-explanatory. Temple upgrades can be actual changes to the size, design, or fortifications of a Seedling's temple or they can take the form of an artifact that can provide special bonuses or abilities to the Seedling! High-tier temple upgrades are rare, but they can be some of the strongest prizes in the competition if utilized properly."

Ah- that's what I got for my win against Levon! I do remember Tatton being shocked... I guess they really are rare.

Her claim that temple upgrades were strong was something that I was able to see firsthand. The temple upgrade that added the statue of me holding Mr. Flippers to my realm let me add a priest to my realm and apparently boosted how much divinity I was getting every battle phase. The ability to communicate to my lifeforms through a priest even between battle phases was something that could only be considered as overpowered. My realm advanced rapidly in just the short time I had it.

She said it could change the actual properties of the temple which is cool, but I'm more interested in the artifacts. If there's something else on the level of getting a priest, I really want it~

With my greed showing on my face, the sheep instructor finally finished with the five sketches on the board and turned to the class, "There are some prizes that do not fit cleanly into any of these categories, but those are pretty uncommon. For the most part, these five categories are what can be expected for those who are victorious during the competition. Please do your best to make sure you can enjoy them!"

Following those words of encouragement, with a much more cheerful tone compared to when she first entered the class, the sheep instructor spent the rest of the time diving into more specifics for every category until it was finally time to retrieve my penguin.