Chapter 5: Profile

  “Well, that concludes your profile, student Tyka,” Professor Bernard said. “Is there anything you’d like to add?”

  Tyka thought for a moment, brow furrowing. “No… that seems about right.”

  He hesitated, then added, “Actually, I’m rather good at cooking. Mostly meat. My dad taught me. My mom… well, she isn’t much of a cook herself.”

  “We do not need to know your hobbies, student Tyka,” Professor Adelion said flatly.

  “Oh sorry,” Tyka said, rubbing the back of his neck, visibly embarrassed.

  Bernard cleared his throat. “Very well. Let’s move on, Student Meliodas.”

  Meliodas stiffened.

  “Oh, there’s no need,” Professor Adelion said, waving a hand dismissively. “Water element, most likely. Excellent Straum capacity, if his lineage is anything to go by.”

  He leaned forward slightly, eyes sharpening. “What interests me far more is your specialization, student Meliodas.”

  “Professor Adelion,” Bernard said, cutting in before the elf could continue, “it is customary to review a student properly, and who knows, we might be surprised.”

  “You some kind of noble or something?” Tyka asked, glancing at Meliodas with open curiosity.

  “Well…” Meliodas began, hesitating.

  Bernard cleared his throat sharply, signaling he wasn’t finished.

  “Sorry,” Tyka said quickly.

  “Name: Meliodas Archypego,” Bernard continued. “Third son of Archypego, and yes, Student Tyka to answer your question, he is a prince of the island state Archypego.”

  Tyka blinked, then looked back at Meliodas, eyes wide. “You’re a prince?”

  He paused, then added earnestly, “Uh… should I call you Your Majesty?”

  “No,” Professor Adelion said at once. “You should call him Prince Meliodas. ‘Your Majesty’ is reserved for kings.”

  “Oh,” Tyka said, nodding as if committing it to memory. “Sorry, bro. Never met a prince in my life.”

  Meliodas laughed, the tension easing. “Don’t worry about it, just call me Meliodas.”

  Professor Bernard pinched the bridge of his nose. Professor Adelion opened his mouth, clearly ready to scold Tyka, but Bernard raised a hand to stop him.

  “It doesn’t matter,” Bernard said calmly. “You are both students of the academy. Politics and titles hold no weight here.” He glanced at Tyka. “That said, learning basic courtesy would serve you well, student Tyka.”

  Oh, I’ll try,” Tyka said earnestly. “My dad tried to teach me manners, but my mom never really cared. I picked up the basics… just not everything.”

  Meliodas laughed, the last of his nervousness fading. “You’re a nice person,” he said, half-grinning. “I’ll teach you if you want, when we’ve got time.” He raised a fist.

  “Thanks, bro.” Tyka bumped it without hesitation. “I’d appreciate that.”

  “Anyway,” Professor Bernard said, reclaiming the moment, “continuing.”

  He glanced back at the page in his hand. “Species: human.”

  Bernard paused. His brow furrowed slightly as he looked up at Meliodas again, eyes narrowing as if he were rereading something invisible.

  Meliodas felt the nervousness return.

  “Element…” Bernard said slowly. “Fire.”

  He looked down once more, then back up.

  “Fire,” he repeated, as if testing the word.

  “Fire?!” Professor Adelion nearly shouted, disbelief breaking through his composure.

  “Yes,” Meliodas said quietly. “Fire.”

  Tyka blinked. “Huh? What’s the problem?” he asked. “Fire’s a good element, isn’t it? It’s not necromancy or some dark stuff.” He shrugged. “Seems fine to me.”

  “The problem—” Adelion began.

  Bernard shot him a look. Adelion stopped.

  “There is no problem,” Bernard said calmly. “It is simply… unexpected.”

  He turned to Tyka. “You may not know this, student Tyka, but Archypegans are almost exclusively water-aligned, an island complex in the middle of the sea tends to shape its people accordingly. Fire manifesting there is quite rare.”

  “Oh.” Tyka looked at Meliodas, noticing how his gaze had dropped to the floor. He smiled. “Don’t worry, bro. Fire’s strong.”

  Meliodas looked up.

  “Thanks,” he said quietly.

  “Anyway,” Professor Bernard said after a pause, “I apologize for my colleague’s reaction, Student Meliodas. He is… rather fond of your sister, Thalessa.”

  “Oh, no worries,” Meliodas replied, a bit hesitantly.

  “You’ve got a sister?” Tyka asked, curiosity lighting up his face. “Older?”

  “Yes,” Meliodas nodded. “She’s a year ahead of me. Second year now.”

  Tyka leaned back slightly, a grin forming. “So… is she hot?”

  “The audacity,” Professor Adelion snapped immediately.

  “For your information, Thalessa Archypego is the First Princess of Archypego and first in line to become its queen. She is also the highest-ranked student of her year, perhaps one of the most gifted students this academy has seen in decades. Her appearance is irrelevant. She is brilliant, both in combat and in theory, you would do well to show some respect, peasant boy.”

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  “Professor Adelion.” Bernard’s voice cut through the airlow, sharp, and unmistakably angry.

  For the first time, he raised his voice.

  “Do I need to escort you to the headmaster again because of your behavior towards students?”

  Both Meliodas and Tyka stiffened, surprised by the dwarf’s sudden severity.

  “No—” Adelion stopped himself, jaw tightening. “That won’t be necessary.”

  He exhaled sharply. “My apologies.”

  “I hope so,” Bernard said firmly. “You will refrain from further commentary until we reach the academy island.”

  “O… okay,” Adelion muttered.

  “But—”

  “No buts.”

  Adelion turned his gaze toward the water, lips pressed thin, and said nothing more.

  “Apologies for my colleague’s manner of speech,” Bernard said, turning back to the boys. “He has… certain issues.”

  “No worries,” Tyka replied easily.

  “Still,” Bernard added, fixing Tyka with a steady look, “a bit of courtesy would serve you well, Student Tyka. Politics may not matter within the academy, but basic manners are expected, especially when addressing royalty.”

  Tyka nodded, perhaps a little too enthusiastically. “Got it. I’ll try.”

  Meliodas remained silent, a faint smile tugging at his lips as he watched the exchange. Tyka’s blunt honesty was oddly refreshing.

  “Let us continue,” Bernard said, shifting his attention back to the papers. “Your profile, student Meliodas.”

  He paused again.

  Bernard’s eyes moved from the page to Meliodas… then back down.

  “Your Straum capacity is…” He hesitated. “…average.”

  Silence followed.

  Tyka blinked. “Bro… you sure you’re royalty?”

  Meliodas immediately looked down at his feet, heat creeping into his cheeks.

  Professor Adelion glanced at him as well, brows knitting in confusion.

  “This is… unexpected,” Bernard said slowly, choosing his words with care.

  Bernard suddenly straightened, as if a thought had finally settled into place.

  “Your specialty,” he said, regaining his composure. “Yes—your specialty.”

  He looked down at the page again. Then once more, his eyes flicked up to Meliodas, and this time his expression was no longer confused, but unmistakably intrigued.

  “What now?” Tyka asked, leaning forward. “You don’t have one yet, bro?”

  “Quite the opposite,” Bernard said. “If this report is accurate, Student Meliodas possesses two specialties.”

  “Two?” Tyka echoed.

  “Buffer, a rare version of support and spellcaster.” Professor Bernard said in a slight tone of disbelieve

  Professor Adelion looked at Meliodas again. This time there was no irritation in his gaze, only brief shock, followed by a slow, approving nod.

  “As expected of Thalessa’s brother,” he muttered.

  Tyka stared at Meliodas, wide-eyed. “Two specializations? Is that even possible? And buffer too? Isn’t that supposed to be really rare on its own?”

  “You are correct,” Bernard replied. “Dual specialization is possible and not uncommon among those in the higher Straum realms. However…” He tapped the paper lightly. “At the River level, it is exceptional.”

  He studied Meliodas more closely now.

  “To be honest, Student Meliodas, I was wondering how you had been accepted into the academy at all. This explains it. Two specialties, and one of them being a buffer this places you among a very small group. There are only eight other students in the entire academy with that classification. Including you, and one other who arrived this year.”

  Meliodas swallowed, his cheeks now fully flushed. “Thank you, Professor.”

  “Wow,” Tyka said, grinning as he clapped Meliodas on the back with enough force to shake him. “And I thought I was special.”

  Bernard nodded slowly. “Student Tyka is correct. Your Straum capacity may be average, but that can be trained. A buffer specialty alone is enough to earn admission, Student Meliodas, you will be a highly sought-after member for teams. Your father must have been pleased when your Straum manifested.”

  “He was,” Meliodas replied. “Confused at first, but when my specialties finally revealed themselves, he was quite pleased.”

  Bernard hesitated, then spoke again, his tone more careful. “If you’ll indulge my curiosity… your brother was not so fortunate, then? Is that why he is absent? Was he not accepted into the academy?”

  Meliodas stiffened. His expression darkened, just slightly. “No. Nothing like that,” he said. “He’s… different. I don’t like to talk about him, if that’s alright, Professor.”

  Bernard inclined his head. “Of course. My apologies.” After a pause, he added thoughtfully, “It is curious, though. Thalessa spoke often of you, but rarely of your other brother. He is the older one, yes?”

  “My twin,” Meliodas answered quietly. “A minute older.”

  The moment lingered, then Meliodas shifted, seizing the chance to redirect the conversation.

  “If I may ask, Professor… Why are you reviewing our profiles so thoroughly? These records are quite old. Most were taken when we were ten, then updated a few months ago.”

  “You are correct,” Bernard said. “These profiles are not my specialty.”

  He turned his gaze toward the elf at the rear of the boat.

  “Professor Adelion, if you would. Perhaps you could explain why we review them, and their purpose.”

  Adelion’s posture shifted, his earlier stiffness giving way to visible enthusiasm. For the first time since leaving the dock, he looked genuinely engaged.

  “Yes, Professor Bernard, and if I may add, congratulations, Student Meliodas. A buffer specialization is no small thing. It is worthy of recognition.”

  Meliodas nodded. “Thank you, Professor.”

  “The profiles we carry,” Adelion continued, lifting the notes slightly, “represent the results of two separate evaluations, both of which you have undergone. The first takes place when a child’s Straum nexus manifests for the first time, typically around the age of ten, though in rare cases earlier.”

  He gestured vaguely, as if outlining something invisible in the air.

  “From that initial evaluation, we determine two things only: Straum capacity and elemental affinity. Nothing more. At that stage, the nexus is still forming. Everyone in our world possesses one, but most lack the capacity for an element to manifest at all. For some families, this test is devastating. For others, it is nothing short of a miracle.”

  Both Meliodas and Tyka listened intently.

  “Those who show promise are then offered basic training,” Adelion went on, “so their nexus may stabilize and they may begin conscious manipulation of Straum. I believe this is where both of you began instruction under your respective mentors.”

  “Yes,” Meliodas and Tyka replied, nearly in unison.

  “A few months ago,” Adelion continued, “when you were evaluated again, at seventeen, or eighteen in your cases, you were tested by one of our scouting teams.”

  “That’s right,” Tyka said. “Though they were rather rude. Interrupted me right in the middle of cooking back home.”

  Adelion ignored the comment entirely.

  “This second evaluation exists for a single purpose,” he said, unfazed. “To identify specializations and any skills that may have formed. That is why it is not conducted immediately after manifestation, but later, so the prospect has time to grow and stabilize. Most specializations emerge between the ages of fifteen and sixteen, often accompanied by a vivid dream, one that grants the individual an instinctive understanding of how to apply their Straum.”

  He hesitated, eyes brightening. “Scholars such as myself remain divided on the cause of this phenomenon. Some believe it is neurological. Others—”

  “That’s enough, Professor Adelion,” Bernard cut in calmly. “There will be time for theory lectures once we arrive.”

  Adelion cleared his throat. “Yes. Of course.”

  “Did you follow that?” Tyka asked, scratching his head. “It was kind of confusing. Test this, test that.”

  “Yes,” Meliodas replied without hesitation. “It was fairly clear.”

  Tyka blinked, then laughed. “Man, you must be really smart, huh?”

  Meliodas didn’t answer. Instead, he turned toward the professors and gave a small, respectful nod. “Thank you for the explanation.”

  Bernard inclined his head slightly before continuing. “Now, before we arrive at the main island, there is something else you should understand. These evaluations are purely theoretical. They assess potential, not performance.”

  Meliodas stiffened.

  “When you arrive at the academy,” Bernard went on, “you will be subjected to a second examination, a practical one. I cannot disclose the specifics, but should your results be deemed mediocre, you will be expelled immediately, in accordance with academy protocol.”

  “What?” Meliodas said, genuine disbelief in his voice. “Another test? That seems… unfair.”

  Tyka waved a hand dismissively. “Relax, bro. It’s probably just smashing some monsters or fighting, easy.”

  “Just a fight?” Meliodas shot back. “That’s not exactly reassuring, Tyka. I’m a buffer and a spellcaster. I’m not suited for close-range combat.”

  “If you would allow me to finish,” Bernard said calmly.

  Both of them froze.

  “Sorry,” they said at the same time.

  “You are quite correct, student Meliodas,” Bernard said. “Your specializations are ill-suited for direct, close-quarters combat. Because of that, you are given two options.”

  Meliodas listened closely.

  “You may approach the test individually, taking a more theoretical and controlled path,” Bernard continued. “Or you may take the test alongside student Tyka. Your roles complement one another rather well. The latter option will be more difficult, but it will not go unnoticed.”

  Meliodas thought for only a moment before turning to Tyka, a spark of resolve in his eyes. “Let’s do it together. What do you think?”

  Tyka grinned. “That’s the spirit, bro. Yeah, let's do it.”

  Bernard nodded, satisfied. “Very well. Once we arrive, you will be tested and graded accordingly. Until then, rest if you can, and I suggest you discuss some basic strategies.”