Walking to school is now becoming a normal thing. I'm happy for that and it makes me forget. It makes me think that I'm a normal student and my mind is stubborn to think otherwise.
I heard footsteps behind me, at first I took no notice but then when they started to come so close, it was obvious what the person's motive was. Me.
Was this a kidnapper? It couldn't be, they don't know where I am nor who I am. School student? Why would they follow me so eagerly, everyone at school is chill. Then who is it?
I stopped and turned, there was no point in dragging this out. No point in traps either, I would be late for school if I did that. Talking of which, that means I need to end this quickly.
"Look at that, it's a child."
"Well, that's not what I expected,"
Two tall muscular guys were walking towards me when I turned to face them.
"Who are you?"
I asked with a straight face, not impressed nor intimidated. These guys look like real phoneys.
"We are student, from a neighbouring school. Our boss told us not to touch but today, we got the go sign. Now, we just have to beat up the kid!"
So these are delinquent neighbours, nice to meet you. He threw a kick at me that I didn't bother to dodge. His legs was a centimetre from my face, didn't touch and no damage.
"Gusty, I like that,"
The other guy came up and threw some punches. I was surprised with the quality of the punches that he threw, quick and fast. Better then my class. The first punch card and I pushed it aside, the second I lifted my elbow to block and then I dived and buckled his knees.
"Arggggh!"
The second guy charged in with a yell and I looked at my watch while the dude. Sh*t, I was going to be late for school. What do I do? I looked at the guy charging at me and in the direction of school. With furrowed brows I ran towards school.
"Coward! Come back!"
He shouted as he chased after me with a fist still out and ready to stoke. I deal with him when I get to school. Catching up to me I quickened my pace and arrived. When we were inside school zone, all students stared at the foreigner in the grounds. People started to gather around. I stood my ground and he smirked at me, ready to fight there was a huge circle of students around us.
"Trespasser, name your business and school,"
A voice came from within the crowd, I then noticed the lean man as the crowd parted for him.
"Thank you,"
He said to the crowd as they rejoined themselves. I looked back at the guy I was facing off and he looked like he was going to piss his pants.
"Ummmm, I'm from Francis high, I wanted to pay him off for obstructing my path."
He stuttered it out but he stuttered out what every delinquent would say.
"Head your way,"
The newcomer said. His glasses gave off a nerdy look but there was definitely muscle under that neat uniform he wore.
"Ok,"
And the guy scuttled off.
"The magician gave you free pass to all business outside of school so how did you get tied up into that? Let me introduce myself, I am Marcus Li,"
Free pass? Was this why there wasn't any drama? I thought this was a peaceful place but I might just get into the more dirty side. Downsides of hanging out with one person.
"Michael Cane, I didn't now such a thing was granted, may I ask what year you are in?"
"11's 1st page of the 3rd wands,"
He told me with a smile, he seemed strict almost like a typical responsible student president of another school. Also, what kind of rank was that? I gave him a confused look as to the rank so that he would answer.
"Good day,"
Looks like he didn't get the hint. I watched him walk away. I looked back at my watch. I got to get to class.
...
"Morning,"
I said to the class who was already rambling about and chit chatting.
"Hey boss,"
"Ace,"
"Morning,"
A chorus of greeting came back as I placed my stuff down. I then made my way to my court.
"Ace,"
They greeted formally.
"Tell me about the hierarchy in year 11 and 12 and the order that the joker gave regarding me,"
I was curious. They looked nervous.
"Well..."
"We can tell you about the hierarchy but with the order..."
"You'll have to consult the joker himself,"
The knight and page explained. What are you hiding from me Noah?
"Why the sudden question of hierarchy?"
The queen asked as she stopped observing the conversation.
"I met someone today and told me his rank and name. I got curious, his name was Marcus Li,"
They looked at me with suspicion.
"Did you do something against the rules? 13 usually only shows up if you do."
The king said to me, standing up and joining the rest of the court.
"No, it was a student from another school that chased after me because I bumped into him. There was originally two and I took out the first one but I was running late to school so I decided to leave the other. He followed me all the way to school and I was about to take him on but Marcus Li showed up."
They nodded in understanding.
"Well he's commonly known as 13, because of his position and well known unlucky number, known to bring misfortune to the ones who break rule. That's why no one goes around opposing rules set by the joker."
The page said.
"What about the hierarchy then?"
The page stepped forward to explain (page is the position of wisdom out of page and knight).
"The student population from year 7 to 10 is very minimal and tight, this is because there is no student intake unless a position in the hierarchy is available. There is always a candidate either because of previous expulsion or specialty. "
"What do you mean by job,"
The page looked at me a bit surprised before explaining.
"Every revolution generation,"
I gave him a confused look, why was I never told any of this?
"A revolution generation is when the order is swapped from either tarot to 54 or 54 to tarot. Every revolution generation there is a specific focus in study, the study which the joker of the revolution generation takes interest in. This leads to a big success since jokers are more powerful teachers then any. For example this generation takes a specific focus in rounded academics and technical fighting also a particularly strict but formal hierarchy. This means jobs relating to military work will be take a big number of successful employees. There are also people who want to be a policeman for example, will be eager to get a spot in this school this generation.
Now this then translates into the larger number of students in the senior grades and the increased number of students focused on rising in strength. At the start of year there is always the ranking. A full month full of fighting and shows of dominance. This makes for the starting ranks and points. The sudden allowance for intake makes for a bigger population so the hierarchy makes sets. There are also sets within sets.
Currently there are 10 major sets and 3 minor. Meaning there are 10 decks of tarot. 10 classes of pentacles, 10 classes of cups and so on. Of course these are ranked too, 1 is the highest and 10, the lowest. Within these decks there are the minor sets meaning there are duplicates of the same position. There are 3 people who are the 11's eight of the 2nd cups. You always say the minor number with the rank and the major number with the class. For example, Marcus Li is the 12's 1st page of the 3rd wands, hence 13. This means that he is the highest ranking page in the 3rd ranked deck of tarot in year 12. "
I get the system. The thing is why it got to be so complicated? Aren't people here suppose to be no brainers? Then again it's a smart system that keeps fighting within buildings and perimeter, able to be monitored by the court of the certain class. I guess this is why the senior section is huge. It's half the school itself.
"Ok then, thank you,"
I said to them, the page stepped backed into the group and nodded his head in respect. Next on the agenda. I jumped up onto a desk with a loud thump and all eyes were on me.
"For the next period after break there is going to be a contest for the next ace as I will be leaving, and also an offical rank change. Please ready yourselves for the event. "
I saw smirks and serious expressions, people all contemplating on how to rise in the ranks in a rare official match for all. The higher ranking ones all seeking the same thing and looking at the court. Since the most valued prize in this competition was what the common goal was. Ace.