"What about the rest of you? Since I ranted for quite a while, it's only fair that anyone else who wants to vent does so too," Remarked Jaden, as he glanced around.

"I'm good, I did grow up in an orphanage, but I lost my parents when I was still too young to remember them, so yeah," I replied with a shrug.

I don't plan on telling anyone besides Aria about my past life, and that's a pretty damn long and dramatic story anyway.

I'm not particularly interested in recounting those shitty memories anyway, and besides, I see no point in bringing the mood down.

"I'm good too," Added Aria with a thumbs up.

Guess she doesn't want to talk about losing her parents a few years ago.

She's talked to me about it a few times, and she told me that her grandmother and other relatives had helped her process her grief, she also got therapy for a couple of years before enrolling at the Academy.

That doesn't necessarily mean she's gotten over it, of course, but at the very least, she hasn't bottled it in.

And if she does ever want to talk about it, I'll always be there to listen and help out any way I can.

"Same here, I grew up pretty poor, but I have mostly happy memories of my childhood," Remarked Beatriz with a smile.

"That's nice, I wouldn't wish what I went through on my worst enemy, so it's encouraging that it doesn't seem to be the norm," Replied Iseul, before chugging down the rest of her beer.

"Yeah, definitely agree with that. Alright, let's talk about something more light-hearted, like...oh, what do you guys think is the coolest Monster, like, visually speaking? I think Scythe Mantises are pretty dope, wish they were a bit stronger though," Grinned Jaden.

Well, yeah...Scythe Mantises are Critical Level Monsters, and are about as strong as the most powerful Aces, but they're not much of a threat to an X-Ace.

"Hm, that's a pretty interesting question, actually...this is probably a fairly basic answer, but Dragons are pretty cool. Well, I've only seen one, but still," I responded with a smile.

"Man, I'm jealous, I wanna see a Dragon too...and fight one, of course," Jaden sighed enviously.

"I think Hydras are pretty damn dope, they look so intimidating," Chimed in Beatriz wryly.

"Ohh, that's a good one. If I had to pick, I'd go with...Hyposerpents. I know they're super weak and all, but I like how their hypnotic eyes make me kinda woozy, and their venom is nice and tingly," Added Iseul, snacking on some chips as she refilled her mug.

Hyposerpents are Mid Level Monsters, which are little more than ants at our level. The only way a Monster that weak could hurt an X-Ace is if the X-Ace deliberately let them.

Which it sounds exactly to be the case here.

"I'm going to go with Hypersonic Bats," Mused Jin thoughtfully.

"Ohh, that's a good one, I think they're pretty cool too!" Beatriz nodded in approval.

"Of course you would, your Magic is literally a stronger version of their attacks," Laughed Aarav in response.

Huh, I might have a slight bias against those things, considering how my very first raid went.

"Yeah, can't deny that," She replied with a chuckle.

"Ooh, my turn...I like Phoenixes. I actually came up with Blaze Ignition after getting inspired when I saw how Phoenixes erupt into flames when they attack," Grinned Aria, as she took a sip of beer.

"Guess that just leaves me. The coolest Monster, huh...I think the coolest Monster is the friends we made along the way," Remarked Aarav, keeping a straight face before letting out a snort of laughter, adding, "Heh, but for real though, I'm like ten percent not kidding.

Sometimes you hear or see stuff that just makes you think that humans are the real Monsters, you know? To answer the question for real, I'd go with Cull Crocodiles, I think reptiles are super cool."

"Same, reptiles are awesome. Personally, I think the Two-Headed Alligator looks cooler than the Cull Crocodile though," I replied with a wry smile.

"Yeah, they're pretty cool too, but the white scales of Cull Crocodiles just really appeal to me for some reason," He responded with a laugh.

"Hey, what about the opposite? What's everyone's least favorite Monster? Personally, I hate Slimes, they're super gross," Frowned Iseul, shuddering slightly.

She's been pacing herself pretty steadily with her drinking, she does look a bit buzzed, but she isn't slurring or anything.

Well, to be fair, she's only had beer so far...considering how she was chugging straight vodka earlier, her alcohol tolerance must be insanely high.

"Ugh, yeah, Slimes are disgusting. Plus, with Giant Slimes, since they're so big and gelatinous, my Magic is less effective against them, I gotta hit 'em with a lot more power and force," Sighed Beatriz, as she picked up a chip and flicked it into her mouth, a slight crunch ringing out.

"I think they're pretty useful as punching bags, since they don't die until you destroy their Cores," Remarked Jaden, before adding, "As for me, I really don't like Goblins. They're just so weak, plus they're really unsettling to look at, I hate their bumpy, warty skin."

Yeah, Goblins are pretty gross, no argument here.

"I'm gonna go with Hellhounds, but my reasoning for that is a bit different...see, I absolutely love dogs, so killing them really sucks," Sighed Jin in response.

I'm more of a cat person myself, and there aren't any known cat-like Monsters, I'm glad that's the case.

"Yeah, that sounds...ruff!" Barked Aarav, letting out a laugh before sheepishly averting his gaze as Jin gave him an exasperated side-glance.

"Guess that just leaves Kai and I. Hm, Goblins and Slimes are definitely up there, but I'm gonna have to go with Taratects.

I don't really have a problem with regular spiders, but those ones are so big and creepy, they make my skin crawl," Shuddered Aria apprehensively.

"Think I'll go with Slimes too. Mana Pulse doesn't work on them, and they're tough to slash too," I frowned, as I took a swig of beer.

Devour works great on them, though.

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