The Call of the Megaera Fragment
I stared intently at the display case housing the fossil that had ignited such a powerful pull within me.
Several tables, each large enough for four or five grown men to roll around on comfortably, were arranged in the room. Crowded atop them were fragments of various fossils—antennae, claws, wings, legs, and more. They weren't complete specimens, but pieces presumed to belong to ancient beings.
"These are fossils from ancient species too, right?"
Someone posed the question.
"Yes, that's correct. Most are fragments from unidentified tribes. As you can see, there's still so much we don't know about ancient species."
The instructor gave a crisp reply.
I let the instructor's ongoing explanation flow in one ear and out the other, my gaze locked on the fossil fragment that had captured my attention.
Thump!
My heart pounded fiercely once more.
An amber-hued fossil fragment, roughly the size of my two hands clasped together. Embedded within that amber glow was...
A blade?
Even fossilized, it radiated a vivid sharpness—a shard of what was unmistakably a blade.
Thump—thump!
The moment I recognized it as a blade, my heart raced wildly, every cell in my body cheering at the sight of the fragment before me.
Claim that fossil now!
An overwhelming urge surged through me, impossible to ignore.
It's definitely a piece of the Megaera Mantis.
I swallowed hard, barely suppressing the impulse to shatter the barrier sealing it off right then and there.
"Hoh, this looks like it might be related to ancient scorpions."
"Nah, I think it's more centipede-related."
While I was lost in thought, a minor commotion erupted.
Among the fossils neatly arranged on the table was a particularly tough-looking exoskeleton shard. They were quarreling over whose tribe it might belong to—not a full-blown fight, but close.
"Hmph! You can tell at a glance it carries the genes of Emperor Scorpion like me. What would a punk like you know?"
"A punk like you? You mocking the Black Gigantia Centipede tribe?"
"Didn't you butt in first?"
"Unbelievable. Wanna go at it?"
"Kuhaha! Not even Amar King Centipede, and you're just a bulky Gigantia Centipede picking a fight with me? You should play with... yeah, that little mantis over there. Better match for your level."
"This bastard, dragging some half-baked little mantis into this with me?"
"Just pairing low-tier trash— what's the problem?"
I watched their exchange with amused fascination, but...
Wait, little mantis tribe? Why drag me into this out of nowhere?
I'd been hit with a cold splash of water.
They were using me as their benchmark for "low-tier" and "trash."
"Heh, it's ridiculous that a little mantis from that tribe even made it here."
"Chung Hak Gwan must've lost their minds letting trash like that in... oh, right, it's a dispatch."
What grated even more was the surrounding insects eyeing me with clear disdain.
Damn... right, I'd forgotten. How arrogant the upper-tier tribes can be.
Memories from before my regression flashed back.
Even after I'd crushed Craig single-handedly, they'd dismissed my feats just because I was from the little mantis tribe.
Craig got careless, it was pure luck—they were busy belittling me.
And even after I racked up unprecedented achievements, most refused to acknowledge it until I single-handedly held off the four great tribes.
"Everyone, cut it out! You're not actually fighting, are you?"
A booming voice pierced my ears at that moment.
Hmm.
I channeled ether to block the voice's aura, but a brief nausea still hit me.
"Ugh."
"Urk."
I had it easy compared to most. Plenty staggered, losing their footing or collapsing outright.
Cicada tribe's sonic attack. That powerful sound wave had washed over us.
"Urgh."
"Ahem."
Even the Emperor Scorpion and Black Gigantia Centipede stopped glaring, swallowing their groans. Their pale faces showed they'd taken a real internal hit.
Not many shrugged it off like me.
A quick scan around: Hercules, Amar, Caucasus, Manticore Tiger Beetle, and a few other top-tier tribes stood unfazed, looking down on the rest.
"Can't even handle this much?"
An Amar King Centipede flicked its tongue mockingly at the crowd.
His tone dripped with superiority as a top-tier tribe. The other unscathed ones didn't speak, but their eyes screamed the same contempt.
"Hoh."
Then they noticed me standing firm, their eyes widening in curiosity.
How's a little mantis from that tribe so unfazed?
That was the vibe in their stares.
"Not bad."
"They were yapping about little mantises, but look at them—worse off than the guy themselves."
At the Hercules tribe member's remark, the Emperor Scorpion and Black Gigantia flushed red, avoiding my calm gaze.
"Tch."
They hung their heads in shame. Fair enough—even I'd be embarrassed.
"Everyone calmed down now? Consider this a warning. No fights or arguments during instruction from here on. Got it?"
All nodded at the instructor's words. Some had subtly disdained him as a mere herbivorous cicada leading them, but now they looked alert and disciplined.
History's full of cicada tribe powerhouses on the continent's rankings. Guess they didn't check.
Cicada sonic arts weren't to be underestimated. Their strengths and weaknesses were clear-cut, but nothing was as tricky or devastating when mastered—especially in massive battles like wars.
"Alright, seems everyone's settled. Let's resume the tour."
The instructor smiled brightly.
We quietly admired the ancient species' fossil fragments.
"That looks like an antenna... but as thick as my forearm. Wish I could study it properly."
Then Katt muttered at one fossil.
"Fascinating, right? Makes you want to catch one and dive deep into research. Actually, you all get a chance to study these fossils yourselves."
...!
My eyes snapped wide at the instructor's words. I'd been racking my brain on how to get my hands on that fragment.
"Oh! Can we just apply to study them?"
Katt asked eagerly, his voice tinged with excitement. He'd always been into ancient species—this was a golden opportunity for him too.
"I'd love to, but we don't have endless supply. Usually, only those meeting certain grades in Chung Hak Gwan get the chance. And it's time-limited."
If that's the case, I've got a shot...
As I brightened, eyeing the opportunity...
"Oh, and it's only for Growth Stage and above. Juvenile Stage folks should focus on your own growth—sorry, but hold off till you advance."
...What?
It hit me like thunder.
On dispatch, I might stay over a year—who knew? No predicting.
I'll request to skip ahead to Growth Stage.
With the four great tribes mixed in, the ancient fossils made tribal tensions irrelevant. My burning thirst solidified my resolve: I would claim that fragment.
...It's definitely tied to awakening the Megaera Mantis power.
My top priority at Chung Hak Gwan had just shifted.
"Man, Aleck! Wasn't that amazing? First time seeing ancient species fossils with my own eyes. Books don't do it justice—the difference is huge. Especially that Megaera first one... the sheer majesty made my chest swell, hairs standing on end all over..."
Back at the dorms after the tour, Katt launched into a monologue about his impressions of Chung Hak Gwan.
He looked deeply moved, but...
My ears are bleeding.
After nearly bankrupting himself at Throwing Land, Katt's old chatterbox energy had returned full force, words pouring like an unsealed dam.
"Senior."
"So anyway, I... Huh?"
"Gotta handle something quick. Head back first."
"Uh, where to? I'll come."
"No, just admissions office business."
"Oh... a-admissions! Yeah, see ya."
Katt, who'd tailed me, paled at "admissions office"—the place he'd shelled out enrollment and tuition, dredging up painful Throwing Land memories.
I split from Katt and headed straight to the main building.
I need to transfer to Growth Stage.
I steeled myself before entering admissions.
To get the Megaera Mantis fragment, skipping to Growth Stage class was essential.
"Here for Growth Stage class transfer."
"...?"
I stated my business right away.
"T-transfer?"
The clerk scanned me head to toe, baffled, then tilted her head.
"Huh? You look Growth Stage already..."
She muttered oddly, so I explained.
"Ah, so Juvenile at dispatch application, but molted en route here? Ooh, first case like this."
The clerk flipped through regulations, intrigued.
"One sec... not my call."
She dashed off—likely to a superior.
Moments later.
"Hoh! You really advanced to Growth Stage."
She returned with a middle-aged man, who eyed me curiously.
Seemed high-ranking; other staff glanced nervously.
Moth tribe folks have prickly tempers...
I inwardly grumbled at the moth as this mess's decider.
"Pleased to meet you. I'm Susei, admissions director."
"Likewise."
Admissions director... highest here, unexpected.
He greeted me with fascination.
"Hmm, no rules for this exactly... Fine. Doesn't make sense keeping a Growth Stage in Juvenile class."
Unlike my worries, he pondered briefly then approved.
Moths could be boldly decisive when it suited.
As I smiled gratefully...
"But! Basics first. Pass Growth Stage physical exam. You know the screening for advancing from Juvenile, right? No exceptions."
He grinned mischievously.
"No little mantis records here, but Growth Stage bar exceeds average little mantis stats. Think you can? Fail, and pack your bags."
Huh?
A dry laugh escaped me.
To advance, exam required—but fail the bar, and expulsion.
Failing here would make history: bounced from Chung Hak Gwan in a day.
Susei smirked, expectant.
But...
He had no clue. I wasn't little mantis.
Status window.
Growth Stage physical stats range D-grade.
Mine? All D+ or higher.
Status values are relative to racial limits, not absolute. A little mantis D might match king mantis E.
But I'm no little mantis anymore.
Realized it on the way here: my stats transcended little mantis norms.
Even unfully awakened, I figured I'd match or slightly exceed king mantis.
I'm the ancient species you're researching.
Curious how my physicals stacked objectively.
Seeing Susei smirk, my lips twitched.
"That? Piece of cake."
I held back a laugh, replying confidently.
Susei's expression shifted oddly.
Moments later.
"Wh-what the...?"
Susei's eyes bulged at my physical exam results, incredulous.