"Intriguingly, true eukaryotes remain Carbon's lonely marvel. It alone has forged cells with mitochondria and cell walls that are not present in other element based lifeforms."
Professor Ilsa pauses, letting the heresy sink in.
"To begin, Silicon."
"Silicon-based lifeforms also known as Silikaryotes" she begins, "are the closest analogues to carbon-based organisms. They form crystalline lattices instead of organic chains, their 'DNA' encoded in siloxane nets inside its "nucleus", a "Data Quartz Core", DQC for short. They thrive in extreme heat—such as volcanic vents located in the Valmont Kingdom, Deep geothermal caverns in Elenos and Aurelthane."
"The next page will show you these organism, they are usually
Glassy and crystalline in appearance, sometimes forming biofilm-like colonies on rocks or geothermal vents that allow them to reproduce."
I flip to the next page again and see a shimmering, glass-like creature with segmented limbs, its body refracting light like a prism. I recognize it. A 7-Star Monster called the Luxvivora, it literally cooks its enemies by using its appendages to direct any form of light at its foes.
"Next, Ammonia-based life, Nitrokaryotes" she continues, "exists in freezing environments where water would freeze solid. Their cellular membranes are lipid-like, but composed of nitrogenous compounds called the Azotosome Bilayer. Its genetic information is stored in a N-P Helix Chamber made of nitrogen-phosphorus polymers. They metabolize by dissolving metals in liquid ammonia… Including the iron in your blood."
The class's whispers get louder.
The image under the Luxvivora shows a gelatinous, iridescent mass pulsing slowly in a simulated methane lake. Another monster I recognize, the Hailghast. Another 7-Star monster, kills by freezing and digesting.
"Fortunately for you, they exist only in the far north of Elenos where the 'permafrost' lies."
"Following this, Sulfur-based organisms, Pyrokaryotes, are the extremophiles of nature. They don't just tolerate toxicity—they require it. Their energy cycles resemble Earth's earliest chemosynthetic bacteria, but evolved into complex, multicellular predators where unlike viruses, have developed a nucleus. Think of them as sentient plagues."
Jeez, these Pyrokaryotes make my knuckles whiten around my pen. I don't need a lesson to remember the Myconid Clusters in Rotshade Canopy that almost killed me.
"Their general appearance is similar to a creature you all are familiar with, the Viperstag. They have a coiled, serpentine look but are distinguished by their bioluminescent veins and needle-like protrusions for teeth."
"These organisms have my personal favourite cell membrane and nucleus equivalent. Taking the form of a Selenium-Sulfide Film and a S8- Ring Core, because their cells are a compound made of 8 sulfur atoms bonded to 2 oxygen atoms. Remember, other than the Carbon-Based Lifeforms, they are the 2nd most frequent element based organism."
"Finally…"
"Boron-based life is… different." Ilsa hesitates, as if choosing her words carefully.
"Boron forms covalent bonds in ways carbon cannot. Fractaryotes are less 'alive' as we understand it and more… self-sustaining chemical reactions. Some theorize they're the bridge between biology and artificial intelligence. Similar to Silikaryotes, their DNA is stored in a boron lattice core. BUT, instead of it storing its information in proper atoms per say, it stores its genetic info in the atom's defects. A missing unbound electron? Replaced by DNA."
Professor Ilsa claps again, her assistant returning to frame with a huge portrait of an organism. It's a swirling, fractal-like structure, its edges constantly shifting at impossible angles, dissolving, and reforming.
"These are what we call boxoterrphica, the vernacular names we gave them are 'Abominations'. They are monsters that attack via fractal tendrils that, if severed, begin to multiply into more abominations. As long as there's ionising radiation to feed on, they will continue to split."
"Due to the background radiation of the planet, we have no choice but to co-exist with these creatures but I promise you they do not seek co-existence. If you were to be touched by one of these organisms, your body would rapidly succumb to boric acid and radiation poisoning. You. Will. Die. My colleague Mr. Aldrick in your Practical Magic classes will teach you how to combat these creatures. And I beg you all, please listen carefully."
Those words linger amongst all of us. She's right once again. 'Abominations', are rated a 12-Star monster that no student in the academy by the end of the Third Year could hope to best.
A nervous hand shoots up in the front row. "Professor, how do we know all this? Have we found these things and studied them?"
Professor Ilsa's face drops into a knowing sorrow.
"Researchers all across the globe have sacrificed themselves in pursuit of science… Understand this my students, If little knowledge is dangerous, then where is the man who has so much as to be out of danger."
A worried murmur ripples through the class. A caring warning.
"Before we end. Know that these are general appearances of each lifeform. Over the ages of the Yithra, they have evolved and diverged from these descriptions. Through your years here in the institute. You will learn to identify and eliminate each organism by their distinct genetic features and weaknesses."
"As for your first assignment: research one of these biochemistries and present a hypothesis on how it might interact with the ecosystem. Due next week."
"Lastly, in our next class we will cover Topic 1.2, Cellular structure of Organisms. Dismissed."
The bell rings, 2 hours pass just like that. The room erupts into discussion. I must admit, those who were accepted into EIMA are at the top of their game. Whereas in college back on Earth, most would start gossiping and excusing themselves out of the class hastily. Here they are scholars in the making, discussing the class material as if it was reliving the lesson.
I, on the other hand, barely hear it. My notebook is already half-filled with scribbled notes, arrows connecting half-formed thoughts. I do sense an underlying tone of worryness amongst everyone, most likely due to the seriousness of the lecture.
But me again? I couldn't be more excited. EAA never explained the science behind their monsters, albeit uncreative ideas. Yet, in this world, I'm getting first hand experience.