"Instructor, I was training and forgot the passage of time," Inala smiled wryly.
"That's great, I commend you for that." Instructor Mandu nodded in praise, "But unless you have a valid reason, you shouldn't skip classes, alright?"
"After a third of the students died, we need as many there as possible." Instructor Mandu said, "Besides, I'm not asking you to demonstrate for free."
He grinned, "You'll be paid 100 Parute, since you'll be acting as a Temporary Instructor for an hour."
"Let's get going," Inala acted overjoyed as he consumed a vial of Mud Viper Tonic and carried a small box of clay.
Instructor Mandu wasn't someone that took no for an answer. Moreover, he was the middleman that brought elites from other settlements to Inala's house for the portraits. As the Instructor in charge of teaching him, all communications meant for Inala had to be passed through him.
Even if someone from their settlement wished to commission Inala, it had to be through Instructor Mandu. Therefore, he was one person that Inala couldn't afford to get on the bad side of, 'Otherwise, he might do something to reduce my customers.'
That was why Inala changed his tune, despite his unwillingness. He put on an enthusiastic act to ensure he remained in Instructor Mandu's good grace.
Moreover, it would have been normal if Inala was informed of the task assigned to him after he arrived at the academy. And if he dared be absent, despite being unaware, he would still be punished.
But Instructor Mandu took the initiative to inform him by coming to his house. That meant a lot. Moreover, the elites were aware they were entering the Dieng Canyon. That meant Instructor Mandu also acted as Inala's bodyguard, ensuring his safety.
That wasn't all. Even if Inala temporarily acted as an Instructor, as his task entailed, there was no need to pay him. It could just be worded as a discussion session among the students.
But it was obvious that Instructor Mandu fought on his behalf so that he received a pay of 100 Parute. That was his show of goodwill.
Instructor Mandu favoured hard workers immensely. Since he saw Inala doing his best despite being a Death Row Student, he intended to encourage the latter.
That was why Inala put on his best behaviour. He was internally nervous but acted calm and collected.
"This would be informed in classes. But since you'll temporarily be treated as an Instructor, I'll tell you this in advance." Instructor Mandu spoke in seriousness, "Half the herd has already entered the Dieng Canyon. We'll follow along shortly after. I'll do my best to protect you, but just be mentally prepared to be attacked by the Zingers."
"Don't be shocked by their attacks and end up losing all your accumulated Prana." He warned.
"Thank you, Instructor." Inala bowed in response before flashing a confident grin, "I won't disappoint you."
"Good! That's the spirit!" Instructor Mandu nodded in praise. Soon, the duo arrived at the training grounds in the Academy of Refinement.
The students were gradually assembling there. Inala stood next to Instructor Mandu, facing the students. He observed them, 'Neither Resha nor the reincarnates are here. As I expected.'
He wasn't aware that Blola had already left the settlement.
Once all the students arrived, Instructor Mandu gave a short speech, "Now, we have among us the Death Row student, Inala. He has shown exemplary performance at the fair yesterday. Today, he'll display his carving skills."
"Everyone!" Instructor Mandu's booming voice resounded, "Controlling four Spirit Weapons with such precision needs exceptional capability. Even we Instructors pale in comparison to Inala's delicate control. Hence, he'll be teaching you as a Temporary Instructor."
After Inala bowed towards the Instructors that were stationed all over the academy to protect the students, he addressed, "I'll just demonstrate my skills first for everyone to see. I'll then begin my explanation to train as I do."
Inala had just taken out the clay when he noticed a shadow moving across the training ground. He stared up and saw a creature gliding across the sky. 'Fuck! Already?'
Calmly gliding a hundred metres above the settlement was a Zinger. It didn't attack them but instead seemed to be observing the layout. It was a Zinger scout.
At the sight of it, Instructor Mandu snapped his finger. A Bone Spear—his Spirit Weapon—that was kept rest on the wall nearby flew out. It spun rapidly, causing a whirring sound as it flew at speeds surpassing a hundred metres per second and stabbed the Zinger's neck.
"Krook!" The Zinger coughed out blood as its neck had been pierced. But before it could react, the spear lodged in its flesh began to rotate once again, shredding the muscles as it punctured to the other side.
The Bone Spear made a U-Turn and pierced its wings, destroying its gliding capabilities. The Zinger wasn't even able to utter a cry as its throat had been shredded apart. As it fell, the Bone Spear poked a few more holes in its body.
In the end, the spear skewered its heart and gently brought it to the ground. Instructor Mandu calmly retracted his Bone Spear and commented, "A Zinger Scout. The best way to fight it is to crush its throat first. As long as it cannot shriek and alert its brethren, we can avoid a fight."
"Zinger Scouts are capable of transmitting a vast sum of information through a single shriek. So, always be on the lookout for them." Instructor Mandu explained a bit about the Zingers and then motioned for Inala to continue his class, "After Inala's class, we'll dissect a Zinger and learn more about its body."
Inala began his class as from time to time, one of the Instructors would kill a Zinger scout. Every time this happened, he became more nervous, 'The interval between the arrival of every scout is shrinking.'
While addressing the students, he casually looked beyond, noticing massive cliff walls come into view, 'We're entering the Zinger territory now.'
He wished to do nothing else but complete the class and return to the safety of his home. "And that's how you do it. I'm training different parts of my brain. For basics,"
He drew a circle with his left hand and a square with his right, "Just do this for ten minutes. If you can do forty sets without jumbling the square and circle, you can proceed to the next step."
As the students followed his words, Inala silently observed his surroundings, nervous, able to feel his legs going weak. Monkey-like screeches, hisses, and other varieties echoed. The sounds only grew abundant over time.
It was apparent that even the students were unable to concentrate. After all, this was the first time they ever heard Pranic Beast sounds above them.
'From today onwards, these sounds will accompany us.' Inala braced himself for impact.