Chapter 57: Class begins! And...something else (Patreon)

“Teacher! The girl that skipped the line is skipping class!” Was the first thing Alexa heard as they came close to the [Classroom] she had been assigned…by her own choice.

So far, the other classrooms hadn’t changed that much. While the other seemed better cared for, the difference wasn’t that stark.

“Alfred, what have I said about-” [Teach] started speaking as she turned to look at the [Kid] who had screamed from one of the [Windows], only to see Alexa walking down towards the [Classroom] with [Eleanore] at her side. “-Class, settle down. We will have a new student coming, so remember the rul-”

[Teach] started speaking rapidly at the other kids, Alexa was planning on listening as it was a good way to get [Intel] into her next [Test Area], but alas, it wasn’t meant to be.

“Alexa, remember the rules?” [Eleanore] had asked her a few meters away from the [Door] into the [Classroom].

“Number one, not scaring the other kids.” Alexa didn’t understand the reason for this new [Rule], but she would try to follow it nonetheless, “Number two, not using my [Powers] in class if possible.”

That one would be harder to follow: “Number three, if I need to use my [Powers], I need to make sure no one notices it.” This one, on the other hand, was easier to follow. People rarely noticed when she shifted something internal. Nobody would notice unless the change required her to move her [Bones] or [Muscles] out of the way!

She had made and destroyed several [Organs] and [Parts] while making the [Speakers] for [Main Core] after all!

“Number four, always ask [Teach] if I am unsure of something.” That one, on the other hand, was easier to understand. Alexa knew the importance of getting information from the correct sources. She had debunked a few [Data Streams] taken from the [Internet] a few times.

Some claimed weird things from time to time. Like [Lizards are the true rulers of the planet] that was just dumb. Alexa knew that the true rulers of this planet were [Humans], for they stood at the [Apex] of power.

Others claimed ridiculous things such as [The CEO of the Saintsworths Conglomerate is in reality a Dragon, and he will cause the end of the world!] or something like that. She had seen [Lieutenant] up close, and all the depictions of [Dragons] didn’t match with his figure.

At best he could pass as a very skinny [Monkey] or [Primate], but that was another thing altogether.

[Humans evolved from the monkey].

Alexa…hadn’t found any evidence of another species within her own [DNA] or any of the samples she had found. Of course, she was not speaking of her current [DNA] but the [Original Blueprint].

This current body had some parts that weren’t fully [Human], so her [DNA] was closer to a [Chimera] than a [Human], and that was an interesting thing…A [Beast Core] user still had [Human DNA] even though they had [Animal Parts].

The same could be said about [Insect Core] users.

How did that work? Alexa did not know.

“Rule Number Five, don’t speak about work.” [Eleanore] had been more adamant about this point.

Alexa was never to tell anyone about her work as a [Minion] or that she worked in any capacity with [Haephestus’ Forge]. If someone asked, she would say that her guardian got her a scholarship and that she lived with family and friends because her parents couldn’t care for her.

“Number Six, if someone asks for a parent or guardian to come. You call me or Skye, if neither is available, you call Mikey, he has a son in this school. But I can’t tell you who it is since that would violate his privacy.” [Eleanore] seemed to want her to find that [Kid], so Alexa would search for him.

She had mentioned him several times, so surely the [Kid] in question should be relevant for her [Mission].

Alexa found this point weird. If she called [Mikey] and he came, wouldn’t she find out who his [Son] was? There was no way he would come and leave without taking his [Spawn] back, right?

“And finally, number seven.” [Eleanore] smiled at her and kneeled at her side, “You must be a good girl, and even if you don’t understand why it is important. You must come to school every day even when Skye or I can’t take you here, okay?”

Alexa wasn’t sure what [Eleanore] meant by this. If this was a [Mission Objective], then obviously, she would come. She didn’t want to get [Terminated].

“Okay.” But Alexa nodded nonetheless, “I will be the goodest girl of all!”

She was, if nothing else, the goodest of all, why? Because she was Alexa! She was designed to be the prettiest, goodest and cutestest of all! She knew this, she had read the [Blueprint] and [Tweeked] it as needed to make sure these designations always were true, these were her most important mission parameters of all!

“[Wrong, Main Mission parameters are Grow, Eat, Evolve.]”

Oh, right. She had those, too….What had happened to them? She had eaten. And she definitely could say that she was growing. At the moment, she had 150 kg of banked biomass with some spare and also her [Young Woman] and [Teenager] Stages.So she was indeed growing…

But what qualified as [Evolve]?

“Lena, Is Alexa ready?” [Teach] came while Alexa pondered existential questions about her origin and goal in life.

“Alexa? Remember to call me if anything happens.” [Eleanore] said, kneeling before her and pressing her lips into her [Forehead].

What? Why? How? What?

Alexa wasn’t sure why but liquid started pouring from her eyes, and her nose started getting stuffy.

“[Emotional tresshold crossed, lodging Emotional feedback, analyzing…identifying brain chemistry that produced Emotional Reaction…Data logged.]”

“It’s okay Alexa, Lisa also has my number, you will be okay. Be a good girl,” [Eleanore] said while [Hugging] her. “Lisa? A coworker will come in a few minutes, and I will tell the guard outside about them. But if you need something and I can’t come or answer my phone call her.”

[Eleanore] gave [Teach] a card with what Alexa assumed was the contact information of [Fan Girl].

“Sure thing, let’s go Alexa.” [Teach] said as Alexa used her hands to [Clean] the remnants of [Tears] from her eyes and make sure she was the [Cutestest] using a slight alteration of her [Facial] structure.

Alexa would always look the [Cutestest] when meeting new [Humans] even if these were [Pups] or [Spawns]. She would make sure to show them who was the [Cutestests] of them all!

“Class, this is Alexa. Say Hi.” [Teach] said as she brought Alexa into a small raised platform within the classroom.

Alexa stood there and [Examined] her new [Preys]. To be honest, they were quite…normal. A group of [Kids] around her stature and average weight range, which meant that they wouldn’t provide quite enough [Biomass] even if she went ahead and hunted them all. She did found interesting that the amount of [Female] to [Male] ratio was somewhat unbalanced, having more [Males] than [Females].

“Alexa! Hi!!!” Among these was the waving girl she had met at her previous [Den], Melissandra Singh…Or Meli-Meli.

“Hi!” Alexa waved back at the girl of course, since a cute girl was a well-mannered girl, and since Alexa was the cutestest of all, she ought to be well-mannered.

“I am Alexa, and I have Come!” Alexa said, greeting the rest of the class. They all waved back at Alexa, as it should be.

“Why were you ditching class?” “Did you ditch your other school?” “Are you also a bad girl?” “Why are you in our class?” “Did you know Teach?” “Did teach give you cake? She doesn’t give us cake.” “Did you escape the laboratory when we went?” “Do you like Bunnies?” “Do you like cats?” “Are you a Beast Core Cat Girl pretending to be a normal girl?” “Do you like guns?” “Have you tasted beast core flesh?”

Okay, there were a few questionable questions there….

“Okay class, don’t overwhelm Alexa.” [Teach] said turning to Alexa while shaking her head, “Alexa, tell the class a little of you. You don’t need to answer their questions if you don’t want to.”

So were these questions normal? Or had [Teach] not heard them? Surely not right? She could piece the questions together even if they all had spoken simultaneously.

“I’m Alexa and…I have never gone to classes or a school before... I am the goodest of all girls, also the cutestest, [Eleanore] knew [Teach] so she told me it would be good coming here. I haven’t been given [Cake] by [Teach]. I am not a [Beast Core - Cat Girl] pretending to be Human, I don’t really like [Guns]...I like [Mango] and…” Alexa gave a mental count of the questions they had fielded her and ensured she had addressed all the important questions, “As for the other questions? Yes.”

Yes, that seemed like an excellent way to answer the other questions. This only brought a second series of questions but those seemed more oriented towards [Popular Culture], as they asked her if she liked [Streamers] and [Anime], she had saved [Anime] as a [Dangerous Sick] previously. So she would check on that with the ones that asked that.

“Okay, that is good enough for now Class, we need to continue with the program.” [Teach] said clapping her hands and making the other [Kids] stop speaking, such mastery over the younger caste of her species, [Teach] indeed was someone to fear! “Now seat….”

“Here!” Meli-Meli said from the back as Alexa heard someone hit the floor, it seemed that one of the kids had lost control over his motor functions for some reason. “We have an open spot here!”

Alexa noticed one of the [Kids] at the back running to sit in another spot far away from Meli-Meli, but no one seemed to pay too much attention to that, neither had [Teach] said anything.

“[Detected Mana Waves from Human Designation:Melissandra Singh. Possible activation of Core Powers detected, focused Mana Wave directed at the previous owner of the Seat. Secondary Mana Wave directed at everyone else.]”

So Meli-Meli had used her [Core Powers]? Alexa hadn’t noticed any change in her [Emotions], had Meli-Meli isolated the change from her?

“[Negative: Brain chemistry was tampered with, and the use of nanite prevented the change. Change in biochemistry was negated by real-time update of brain structure.]”

…So she had been part of the area of effect.

“Okay, then, sit near Melissa.” [Teach] said, her eyes shone with a pink hue for a few seconds, and then they dissipated. “Sit there for now. If you are a good girl, we will allow you to continue staying near Melissa.”

Alexa nodded and walked there, she noticed most of the [Kids] seemed as if they wanted to speak to her, but a [Mana Wave] pulsed and they suddenly got distracted, as if suddenly [Something else] was more appealing.

“[Emotional Manipulation in place, Human Designation:Melissandra Singh. Seems to be increasing the Curiosity toward other objects while reducing that Emotion toward Host. Study of this phenomena is encouraged.]”

Yes, if Alexa learned how to manifest these changes…She could do so many things.

“Hello!” Meli-Meli said waving at her when she arrived, “Here, this place is open!”

“Now it is Open.” Alexa answered placing her [Backpack] on the side of the table. The seat in question was an ordinary [Wood Chair] with a [Wooden Desk] in front of it. The [Desk] had an opening bellow the [Table] where one could put things.

It currently had some [Notebooks], probably of the former [Owner]. Alexa took them and placed them on the side of the floor. Afterward, she placed her own [Notebook] atop the desk. She would now [Take Notes] from [Class].

She didn’t see the use of such a thing since all the [Data] would be saved in her [DataBanks] by [Main Core], but it seemed to be something [Socially acceptable] and [Expected] of her.

“That kid was one of the bad ones, don’t mind him.” Meli-Meli said pointing at him, “He has many [Bad Feels] in him. I wanted to try something, but you came!”

He had what? Meli-Meli had uttered the words and they seemed to resonate with the [Mana] as if they meant something.

“[Human Designation: Melissandra Singh. May be using an interpretation of the metaphysical aspect of Emotions. Host is advised to seek clarification when possible.]”

“[Bad Feels]?” Alexa asked, not because [Main Core] asked. But because she hadn’t found anyone else referring to these things, her own ventures into [Internet] didn’t ever elaborate in anything close to [Bad Feels]. She had found [Positive emotions] and [Negative Emotions], she had even found [Therapy] to deal with the [Negative Ones].

But anything that was outright stated as [Bad Feels]? She hadn’t seen those.

“Yes, I take the [Bad Feels] from them and negate them with [Good Feels],” Melissa said, pointing at another girl with black hair who seemed to be smiling. “Like her, she is Lizzy. Always happy, she has plenty of [Good Feels].”

Melissa made a motion with her hand as if she was [Plucking] something and showed it to Alexa.

“[Notice, lump of Mana detected in Human Designation: Melissandra Singh.]”

“I then use this and distribute it around to make everyone [Balanced]!” Melissa said with a [Smile] on her face, she extended her hand towards Alexa, “Want to taste it? I haven’t seen any [Good Feels] in you, they always stay for a second or two and disappear. Like right now.”

“[Warning, Human Designation: Melissandra Singh. Seems to be focusing Mana Waves towards Host.]”

“[Wariness], [Suspicious], [Hunger], [Predate].” Meli-Meli said, her voice carrying some kind of [Heavyiness]. “No [Good Feels] at all!”

Alexa wasn’t quite sure if she wanted to poke at whatever Melissa was offering, but since no one seemed to be taking notice of them, all the other [Kids] seemed focused on whatever [Teach] was saying after all.

So Alexa pondered.

“Main Core, chances that this causes irrevocable damage?” She needed to be sure.

“[Chances of taking damage from interaction with Unknown mana wave type are 30%. Chances of the damage being permanent to host are 45%. Chances of the damage persisting after making a new body are 0%.]”

“So even if something does happen, I can just make a new body…That seems like a costly fix.” Alexa didn’t mind that course of action since she had enough [Biomass] to spare, and knew where to find more…

Also her [Young Woman] stage seemed to have liked spending time with [Sam], for whatever reason. Alexa knew she liked the [Man], since he was an excellent example of another [Arachnoid] like her [CRAB] form. But why was her [Young Woman] stage interested in him?

She seemed more interested in the [Human] half instead of the [Insect Half].

“Okay, do I just touch that?” Alexa asked turning her attention back to Meli-Meli.

“I knew you could see them!” Meli-Meli said brightly, “That must be why you are either a blank or a more structured in your [Feels].”

Alexa was more structured?

“[Human Feels or Emotions are being regulated to better analyze them. Negative ones have been either purged or neutralized since they compromise mission parameters. Human Designation: Melissandra Singh may be referring to this Emotional State host is under.]”

“Yes, I have good control over my…[Feels].” Alexa answered. She wasn’t quite sure if she could explain how she achieved it, but she liked Meli-Meli, so she might as well see how that was.

“Okay, usually I just kinda you know… Know how to deal with these [Feels], I may have started as a Heroine prospect, but at some point my Powers turned [Bad] and summoned [Monsters] into Papa and Mama.” Meli-Meli said downcast, a [Tear] forming in her eyes, “But it’s okay! I have been practicing and getting better at this, I will control the [Feels] and take the [Bad Feels] from Papa and Mama.”

Melissa closed her fist over the [Mana Sphere]. Alexa was detecting, and the structural integrity seemed to withstand that thought.

“So, in this case. You just need to touch the ball and I will try to guide this [Good Feel] into you.” Meli-Meli got her hand near Alexa.

Alexa could see the [Emotions] in the other girl’s face, [Expectation], [Curiosity] and…[Hope].

So Alexa took the hand and she [Felt].

“[Starting analyzis of mana wave….]”

“[Categorizing change in brain biochemistry…]”

“[Categorizing change in internal mana waves…]”

“[Analizing interaction between Mana Waves and Host Body…]”

“[Detecting hormonal change within host body…]”

“[Detecting loss in energy stockpile…]”

Alexa could see dozens of messages from [Main Core] as her body experienced the changes one after the other. Alexa was happy!

She felt comfortable, she felt as if everything would be okay. As if everything was a new experience!

She knew that she could trust Meli-Meli, she knew that she could always have someone taking care of her. She didn’t need anything else! All would be okay so long she was with Meli-Meli!

All would be better if she could help her!

She needed to do everything in her power to help Meli-Meli!

She would be the bestests of all friends Meli-Meli could have!

She!

“[Warning, current stream of consciouness is going against host prime directives.]”

“[Warning, current stream of consciouness is going against host secondary directives.]”

“[Warning, current stream of consciouness can turn into a problem.]”

“[Sending prompt to administrator.]”

“[Sending data.]”

“[Data recieved.]”

“[New instructions recieved.]”

“[Executing new directives.]”

“So? Did you liked the [Good Feels]?” Meli-Meli asked her.

Alexa turned to look at the other girl, she could see herself reflected in her eyes. A blonde little girl with sky-blue eyes. Only Alexa’s eyes had turned…cold.

She remembered those eyes. They were the same ones she had when she first wore this skinsuit. This… meat bag.

Right…

“Yes, it was an excellent [Feel].” Alexa answered as she put a little more strength into the hand that she was holding. “But why did it feel as if you had tried to convince Alexa that you were more important than her [Test Directives]?”

Alexa was…what was she?

“[Current host brain chemistry has been skewed after a hard reset, host has none of the usual limitations in place. Please wait a few seconds.]”

“Main Core, what is this [Emotion]?” Alexa queried as she saw the beginnings of more tears forming into the [Meat Bag] in front of her.

“[Current Emotion analyzed: Anger.]”

“[Anger], [Rage], [Wrath]?” Melissandra Singh said, “Why? I channeled the [Good Feels]! You should be my new friend!”

She did?

Alexa didn’t feel any of those [Good Feels], what was this?

“You tried to change me,” Alexa stated, “And if it wasn’t because [Main Core] you may have succeeded.”

Alexa said, she had noticed the rest of the class wasn’t speaking anymore.

“You are using your [Core Powers] on them too? Feeding them? You told [Teach] that you equalized, but you aren’t doing that are you?” Alexa asked as she stood and looked around. The other kids didn’t seem to even acknowledge her. “You take their [Emotions], and do what? Neutralize them to see what happens?”

Alexa wasn’t quite sure why she was [Angry], was it because she had been stripped of her [Emotions]?

“I JUST WANT MY MAMA AND PAPA BACK!” Melissandra Singh said, [Crying].

“I don’t care.” Alexa answered back, she stood in front of Melissandra with her hand raised, “Tell me, what am I feeling right now?”

“[Anger], [Hunger], [Devour], [Wrath].” Melissa answered, “Why so much [Ḩ̵̛̘̤͙͔̝̫̖̻̦̞͙̺̅̿͘͝u̷̬̩̰̫͕̘͎̔́̃̄̍͋̓ǹ̷̨͍̮̥̹̘͙̗̻̬̬̜̥̮̃̒̈́̽͗̿̍̄̂̏͆͠͝ǧ̷̡̟̲̹̩̱͉̮̭͇͚̮̖̟̽̓͊̔̓̕ë̸͓̮͉͈͇͍̖͎̩̞͈́́́̋̇̾͋̈́̾͆͑͘͘͜͠͝r̵̡͕͈͚͍͍̼͕̍̀̈́̽̎̍͗̍́̏̚͜͠]?”

“Because I am hungry, and you turned from a [Potential Friend] to a [Hostile Target].” Alexa answered, “Actually, I need to know how to deal with [Hostile Targets], so stop whatever you are doing in [Teach]. I need to ask her a question.”

The normal [Modus Operandi] that Alexa used indicated that she should [Terminate] all [Hostile Targets], but [Eleanore] had been quite obvious in saying that this place worked under other [Rules]. And [Teach] had stated that she was the one to answer those.

“Main Core, can you detect if [Teach] is under the control of Melissandra Singh?” Alexa asked inwardly.

“[Possible to know if a target is being affected by external Mana Waves, close contact will be required.]” Main Core answered.

“You promise to help me if Teach Baking says so?” Melissandra asked.

“So long you aren’t affecting her, if you do I will need to ask [Eleanore], and act depending on her answer.” Alexa answered, she hadn’t expected this [Test] to turn so complicated.

“Main Core? Timelapse to fix my eyes?” Alexa also needed to deal with that too!

[Teach] had stated that her [Eyes] were a problem at the beginning, and Alexa had taken plenty measures to fix them! But now they looked dead again!

No wait…

“[Time remaining for fix….15 seconds, brain bio chemistry almost fixed.]”

At least that was that.

“Okay…I’m waking Teach Baking…please let me talk first okay?” Meli-Meli said as Alexa felt a [Mana Wave] form in the other girl's forehead and after a second it traveled towards [Teach].

The woman blinked a few seconds and turned to look at Alexa and Meli-Meli.

“...What the heck is happening?” Asked as such. Well, that should be easy to explain right?