"E- Elaine!..." Eugene grabbed the ginger haired girl's arm.
Jaden was looking attentively in an anticipation.
"Wha?!" the ginger haired girl looked at both Eugene and Jaden in surprise.
She kept looking back and forth between the two boys. "Excuse me?" she muttered in confusion.
"Your name isn't Elaine, is it..?" Eugene muttered in disappointment.
Jaden looked at the ginger haired girl from top to bottom as he thought. According to Renee's description of her older sister, Elaine was a blond haired girl with blue eyes, and her skin was creamy white. This one here doesn't match that even a little. Her hair is a dark ginger-orange, and her eyes are light brown. Plus, she got freckles on her cheeks. Renee wouldn't forget pointing at 'em if Elaine got them herself.
The girl who was standing face to face with the two boys, and holding a camera, told them her name.
"I'm Julia!" she said. "Uh— I haven't seen you before.... Are you new here?!"
Oh God, this is the part when it gets awkward, Jaden thought. Majd must be really devastated right now! Hope he can handle it..
"Yeah, actually, hehehe.." Eugene was scratching the back of his head.
THAT WAS FAST!, Jaden was shocked.
"We've just mistaken you for someone else.." Eugene giggled.
"..Oh, it's fine." Julia replied happily. "I thought maybe you guys were lost or something."
"No—no!" Eugene laughed.
So basically, Majd is a moron, Jaden thought about his friend's attitude. Or maybe that's how he cope with stressful situations; a sort of Defense Mechanism.
"But don't be shy!" Julia said. "If you needed help on anything, you can always come to me at the school newspaper office."
"Ehh, okay—" Eugene was struck by the presence of a new person who grabbed Julia from behind.
He was a tall Asian guy with an average built, and dark brown hair, and wearing stylish clothes. He looked to Mado and Majd like a K-pop star.
"C'mon, babe." he whispered to Julia who smiled when she saw him.
"Oh, Kym!" she giggled. "That's surprising.."
"Class is about to start." the fancy K-pop guy held Julia's hand and went straight to class.
Eugene and Jaden were left standing in the hallway that was getting less and less crowded every second.
"..But I thought that was—" Eugene muttered.
"Yeah, that was pretty smooth.." Jaden added, and started to walk forward to the exit. "C'mon, time to get outta here!"
As he walked past Eugene, Jaden was grabbed from behind.
"Not so fast!" a strange voice that belonged to a grown-up man uttered.
Eugene watched his friend getting restrained by a white haired man in a suit. It seemed to him like he was the principal.
"Miss. Crumble's class is this way gentlemen." the principal pointed at the same class Julia went into.
"Adren Unger?"
"Present!"
"Albert Charge?"
"Right here!"
"Aksel Dolph—ie??"
"It's Dolph, dolt!" a leather wearing guy with bad attitude joked. He successfully got few laughs from the other students.
Some of the students, the ones who weren't wearing any leather, apparently didn't like that guy's banter, Jaden thought. It seemed that there some sort of segregation in this school. The people with the biker outfit, including the weird girl from the locker room, are most likely the bad mannered students.
After they got caught by the principal, Jaden and Eugene were forced to attend a Sociology class. The class's teacher, Miss. Crumble, is a weak-willed instructor that couldn't control the students in her classroom.
Eugene was sitting in the front row near Julia and the K-pop guy, while Jaden was sitting further back next to one of the leather guys.
"Today's class is about government structure!" said Miss. Crumble. "Anybody knows who's the highest ranked person in our government?"
Julia raised her hand along with a number of students.
"Oh yes, my queen!" Crumble smiled while pointing at Julia.
"The Administrator." she answered.
"Excellent!" Crumble shot back, and continued explaining.
Jaden heard the student around him whispering about Julia. They were saying that she was guaranteed to become a homecoming queen.
A queen, huh?, Jaden thought. That awfully brings back memories. When my friend Ekram was about to be called a queen, as well. Jaden lifted his head and looked at Julia who was taking notes. But this situation is very convenient. Could this girl actually be Ekram?!
—— [Oracle Scanning]!..
Jaden hardly focused on bringing out his Skill, but nothing happened. What's the matter? Why it won't come out?!, he thought about bringing [Help And Support] window which showed this time surprisingly.
…MANA RESTRICTED AREA…
What the heck does this mean?!, he exclaimed.
Not too long afterwards, Miss. Crumble finished her class for the day. As everyone was going out of the room, an older man arrived. He looked wealthy and well groomed. Julia and her supposed boyfriend walked, and greeted him with hugs. Miss. Crumble even shook his hand. It seemed to Jaden as though they have known each other for a long time.
"Oh, you seem in great shape!"
"Well, thanks for the compliment, Nicole. You too seem like you went 5 years backwards!" the man replied.
"So, you arrived to Maplewood today?" she asked.
"I coudn't resist the urge to cheer for my only son!" he replied. "Right, Kym?!"
"Yeah, your presence is good fortune, actually!" Kym said happily.
"Oh yeah, like that one time during archery!" Julia joined the conversation.
When he began looking around him, Jaden realized that Eugene wasn't in the room anymore. "What the heck?!" he mumbled as he jumped off his seat and went out searching for him.
While walking in the crowded hallway, Jaden noticed the patterns in students clothings. There were the fancy looking people who had the highest population rate. On the other hand, there were the biker looking people with ripped jeans, tattoos, and various lengths of chains.
The annoyed Jaden kept his pace steady as he walked near the lockers. Once he stopped to look around for a moment, a female student blocked his way as she leaned on the locker.
"You Southern?" she asked.
"Uhh, no." replied Jaden; although, he understood nothing.
But Jaden recognized the girl. She was the same girl that he saw at the locker room.
"But you don't seem from around here!" she said. "What's your affiliation?"
"Sorry, but I don't vote.." replied Jaden.
"Gimme a break!" the girl laughed. "You must be Jaden, right?"
"…"
"I've already talked to your blonde friend over there." she pointed at Eugene, who was talking to Coach Bryce.
"I'm Carmen. You must come hang with us Sato Vatos!"
Majd, Jaden thought. What in the actual hell you think you're doing?!
"Rain check, but I don't enjoy groups." Jaden declined. "I'm more of a loner type. Trust issues, work alone, that kinda thing.."
"No, picking a side is mandatory for survival!" Carmen said. "Plus, it'd make it easier for me to get to know you—"
~Slam!
Carmen neck got chocked and slammed onto the locker. The person was chocking her was a tall guy with shaved head, and wore clad leather.
"Oh hey there, Chico!" chocked Carmen said.
"You like this Pendigo?" Chico asked.
Jaden thought about walking away, but he was apparently the reason for Carmen's pinch.
"As if.." Carmen replied. "I'm just looking for new recruits, baby."
"Hey pal—" Jaden tried to break them up, but another guy that was standing next to Chico tried to restrain him. "Back off, punk!" he said.
Chico smoothly let go of Carmen, and turned to face his friend and Jaden.
"Whow, tranquilo.." Chico said calmly.
Then suddenly, in one stealthy move, he delivered a fast punch into Jaden's stomach. Jaden curled down involuntarily.
"You like Carmen, huh?" Chico draw out a small curved knife, and put it right on Jaden's neck. "Meet my other lady."
Oh yeah, Jaden thought. Bullies— I almost forgot that they can still exist; even in a virtual highschool!
"No, not here!" Chico's friend whispered to him. "We're gonna be fucked if we get caught."
Chico agreed with his sidekick, and backed off. "Alright.." he smirked, and put the knife back.
"Listen," Chico told Jaden. "Tonight, you and me are going on a date. Wear something nice. We're gonna burry you in it."
Chico then, grabbed one student passing by, and snatched the coffee cup she was holding, and spilled it all on Jaden's head before tossing it away.
"Hahahaha!!" Chico and his friend laughed and walked away.
"Oh, God!" Eugene hurried to check on his friend who was dripping coffee. "I let you alone for few seconds, what in the world happened?!"
Minutes later, both Eugene and Jaden were standing next to each other with the rest of students in a grassy green field. Jaden had ended up being dragged by Eugene who eagerly insisting on trying to play sport once in his lifetime.
Everyone was wearing Lacrosse training outfits with green and yellow helmets. Then, Coach Bryce came out to them with his whimsical attitude.
"Alright, little girls!" he shouted. "You all think you can play Lacrosse?!"
"Maybe.." Eugene answered while everybody was silent.
Coach Bryce got closer to him. He pushed his face into Eugene's. "So, you ain't sure, leaf eyes?" he said intimidating him.
Eugene stepped back as Coach Bryce laughed out loud. "Yeah little kitty, that's much better!"
"Here's the rules!" Coach Bryce handed each one of them a Lacrosse bat. It was a long stick that resembled a hocky bat, but with a small net attached at the distant end. "You can't no matter what hurt your opponent!" he explained. "However, you can always knock 'em out. Clear?"
"YES, COACH!" everyone replied.
Coach Bryce felt delighted. "Great, now split into two teams according to your color." he said.
"Both teams will play for a place in the team."
"But sir," someone said near Jaden. "What if a team loses, what would happen if one of the team-members screws up the game for his team?"
"The whole team loses, hehe." he replied.
"But that isn't fair, sir!" argued the student. "Good players would be dragged due to that!"
"I don't care. I ain't lookin' for players!" Coach Bryce said. "I'm looking for a TEAM."
He then stepped back, and put the small tennis ball-like ball and counted. "Alright, ready?" he said. "3....2....1.."
Jaden and Eugene were on the yellow team. Eugene was on the front right behind Kym who was on receiving the ball site. In front of him was a large guy with a big scar on his chin. Jaden recognized him. He was the same guy in leather who threw jokes in Miss. Crumble's class. He seemed tensed as he waited eagerly for the Coach to leave the ball.
"GO!!" said the Coach after he whistled quickly.
~Shifff!
~Krackin!
The match started, and there were cheers from the small audience attending. Among them was Kym's father, cheering for his son who was taking all the lights. Kym had the ball in his net as he was dashing forward, and breaking through.
It wasn't long before Kym had scored a goal. The other team, afterwards started to play rough. The guy with the scar on his chin, named aksel, was roaring like a monster. He pushed forward towards the yellow team's goal keeper. Aksel sent the goal keeper aside, and shook the net of the yellow team.
"Yeah, Aksel! That was phenomenal!" Coach Bryce yelled.
It was tie one to one. The small ball bounced at first before sliding into Jaden's net. He then, dashed forward, and passed three players from the opposing team. Jaden had completely forgot about his other teammates, and kept pushing forward until Aksel was in front of him.
"Oh, hello there!" Aksel said.
Jaden tried to evade him, but Aksel's large body kept blocking the way.
"..Over here.." a voice said to him.
Huh?! It's Majd!, Jaden was relieved once he saw his friend coming from the side. And in one single swift, Jaden passed the ball to Eugene.
"GO!!" Jaden yelled as Eugene got the ball.
"Yeah!!" Eugene yelled back, and hastened forward.
"Oh no, you won't.." Aksel clenched his teeth, and tried to catch up to him.
Eugene was running as fast as he could. There were only a couple of meters between him and the goal.
Now is the time, he thought to himself.
Aksel was about to jump on him as Eugene readied his arms to swing.
"You won't score!" Aksel yelled.
"Huaaaaaaah!" Eugene throw the ball the same way he used to swing the axe back in his home.
The ball flew towards the goal as it made a curved course. It dashed in unexpected speed, and in a split second, it stretched the opposing team's net. Eugene scored a goal.
"What the hecky-mollies?!!" Coach Bryce jaw was near the ground.
"YEAH!!" Eugene's teammates yelled.
The Coach then blew into his whistle, signalling the end of the tryouts. "That was fantastic! Great job to both teams!" he said.
Jaden and Eugene faced each other, and performed their signature handshake.
"The results will be announced tomorrow, so you better go party tonight!"
There were countless voices around in the field. The players show some good spirt to only few people around them. It seemed to Mado like they were selecting the people they be nice to.
"Great game, mate!" a member of the yellow team grabbed Jaden's shoulder. He had a spiky blond hair, a pale white skin, pair of green eyes, and pierced lower lip. He looked like a delinquent who has an Australian accent. "That was massive what did you do there!"
"Umm, I didn't score.." Jaden muttered.
"But you made the GOAL!" he replied happily. "Oh, I'm Doulchry, by the way. Pleasure to meet you!"
He immediately shook Jaden's hand. "Uhh, Jaden—" Jaden tried to say.
"Swell, Jaden!" Doulchry's lightly pulled Jaden away from the crowd, and walked him towards the stairs. "See, you apparently have no affiliations, so how about you hang out with us?"
"Us?.." Jaden asked.
Doulchry stopped near the bottom of the stairs, and smiled at a girl that was siting close to him.
"Yes, me and Miss. Petra Vatos right here!"
Vatos?, Jaden thought. I heard this name before...
He looked at the girl Doulchry at least tried to properly introduce. She too has a pale white skin. She also had a gothic dressing style with medium length bob-cut raven hair, dark makeup and piercing on her face, and the large boots with chains she was wearing along with her dark clothes.
Another delinquent!, he thought.
Seconds after the tryouts were done, the ginger haired photographer of the school newspaper, was taking pictures of scenery. There was a small river near the woods behind school. As she was adjusting her angle, Julia's hands began to shake. She wasn't able to hold the camera any longer. I can't move my fingers!, she silently panicked as her hand went numb.
The camera ended up falling in the river as Julia collapsed on her knees on the river banks.
"Oh no, my camera!" she cried as her camera was drifting away.
"I need to move!"
Julia finally subdued whatever had happened to her at the moment, and started walking slowly. The river though, was streaming very fast that she couldn't catch up. Julia ended up falling back on her knees.
"Oouch!" a voice came into her ear.
She tried to detect the voice's direction. Then, someone approached from behind the bushes.
"Oh?"
"You're the guy from earlier!" she pointed at the golden brown haired boy who stood in front of her.
"My name is Eugene." he replied happily. "And I think that belongs to you!"
Eugene noticed that the camera was soaking wet, so he thought about instantly drying it off. "System • Call" he put his two fingers on it. "Generate • Arial Element!"
But to his surprise, nothing happened, and the camera remained dripping water.
"Huh?! Did I make a mistake?.." he scratched his head.
Julia giggled, "Sacred Arts in a planetoid without mana! You're something else!"
"I see.." Eugene handed Julia her camera which was soaking wet. "Hope it's water proof.." he muttered.
"If only.." Julia muttered sadly.
"Aww, I'm so sorry.." Eugene replied.
"Uh, no need for you to say that!" Julia said. "It's my fault that it ended up in the water; I'm such a clutz...thanks anyways."
As she was talking, Julia noticed that Eugene was just staring at her face with his deep green eyes.
"Oh, well, aren't you gonna say something?!" she turned her face away from him. "You're being way too creepy.."
Seeing her face turn absolute red, Eugene went back to reality. "Eh, oh not— like that!" he uttered. "It's just, your face reminded me of a dear friend of mine!"
"Still creepy.." she giggled.
"Alright, sorry! I'll close my eyes and go!" Eugene put his palm on his eyes and began to walk away.
"That friend of yours," Julia said. "She's not around anymore, is she?"
Eugene stopped walking as Julia told him "You were looking at me like I've been gone a long time.."
"..Good guess.." Eugene hesitated.
"Can you tell me about her?" Julia asked. "You got me curious, honestly."
"Well, I don't think it's a good idea.." Eugene stuttered.
"What? Your friend told you not to share info with people from other planetoids?!" Julia teased him.
"H— how did you—?" he was shocked.
"Please, I work at the school newspaper, of course I recognize every student enrolled in our school. Even those who might enroll next year!" she teased Eugene. "And none of them tried thinking about using Sacred Arts, obviously.."
Meanwhile on the stairs of the lacrosse field, Jaden was talking to Doulchry and his friend Petra.
"I'm telling you, that girl shouldn't just make out with a mime!" Petra argued.
"You should've seen 'em, they were eating each other faces, haha!" Doulchry laughed.
"So, hittin' it off with a mime isn't good?!" Jaden said. "They wouldn't touch, y'know."
"You see mate, mimes are usually from the north side." Doulchry replied.
"We Southerns stick to each other." Petra said. "So, don't worry, you can just hang out here with us, and these most important days of your life will fly by."
I guess these two are considering me a 'Southern' just like Carmen did, Jaden thought.
"Why is that?" he asked them. "What's wrong with Northerns?"
"Nothing besides being stuck up assholes!" Doulchry replied.
"They're the type of people who think they're always right only because they're rich." Petra explained.
"So, Southerns aren't always right?" Jaden laughed.
"You know, everything is funny when you're young with money!" Petra shot back. "Most Southerns ain't that loaded, and if they were, they're not safe.." Doulchry replied.
"Yeah, like that guy, Chico.." said Jaden as the two grinned to his face. "What's the matter? You guys knew?"
"Hell yeah, mate!" Doulchry's lips stretched ear to ear.
"He's way too eager to your hot date!" Petra said.
"Haha, that guy is all talk.." Jaden replied.
"Hahahahaha!!" both Doulchry and Petra laughed out loud.
"C'mon, school's rules prevent him from—" Jaden tried to explain.
"Man," Petra interjected. "Chico doesn't give a shit about rules! He's my brother, I know better!"
"What?!.." Jaden muttered.
"Well, half brother—" she explained. "But he's a butcher!"
Doulchry removed the tooth pick that was in his mouth as he got up. "And later today, one of you is gonna die!" he let out an evil laugh.
On the other side of the school, Eugene was telling Julia about his friend Elaine.
"That's really bad.." Julia said. "I'm really sorry—"
"No, it's fine! I'm thankful that you listened to all this!" he smiled.
"Oh, well," Julia muttered. "I'm actually sorta jealous of her, actually."
"What for?!" Eugene exclaimed.
"She's disappeared for a long time, and still, there's someone like you who cares enough to go outta your way looking for her!" she explained. "I wish I had somebody like that.."
"But, you're very popular and loved, from what I've guessed.." Eugene said. "Some people say you're a homecoming candidate.."
"Well, all of this is because I worked for it... if I didn't invest in myself, none of this would've happened.." Julia said in a quiet raspy voice. "Maybe, I'm not meant to find a love like that.."
Eugene gazed at the brown eyes girl sitting next to him as she tugged her orange hair while looking downward. But then all of the sudden, Kym appeared from behind them.
"Babe, what's going on here?!" Kym asked as he seemed annoyed to see Eugene sitting besides his girlfriend.
"Oh, I just dropped my camera in the river while I was shooting," she explained with an innocent smile. "And then, Eugene here helped me out!"
Kym got closer, embracing her in his arms as she looked up at him.
"You know I can't help but be worried. I don't like seeing others fellas around.." he said in a quiet voice.
Julia chuckled before she kissed his lips lightly. "You better have faith in me.." she said.
"How can I when you keep makin' me twirl around like this?" his tone started to become dry. "This new guy's suddenly way too close, and—"
"He's not a problem." she told him.
"Why, is he—"
"A friend of Toby!" Julia smiled and shrugged her shoulders.
"I see.." Kym gazed at Eugene who seemed to be in an awkward position.
At that moment, few footsteps approached them. When Kym looked behind, they were a girl and a boy from their class. "Cristina! Toby!" Julia yelled as they both hugged her.
"Alright, I'll leave you all be for now. I need to check in with Coach Bryce.." Kym excused himself and left.
"Catch ya later!" Julia waved at him as her friends surrounded her.
Both Toby and Cristina gazed at Eugene who was looking at them. Toby was a pinky-ish pale skin boy with very short black hair, and a tight blue T-shirt. Cristina was a creamy-skined girl, wearing a pink hoodie on a pear shaped body, short blonde hair, and green eyes hiding behind her glasses.
"Hi there," Toby started. "You were with us in Sociology!"
"Are you new here?" Cristina mumbled.
Julia then smiled, "His name is Eugene!"
"So, you know our gorgeous friend right here, huh?!" Toby asked.
"Eugene here saved me when I was in a pinch!"
"Oh, really?!" Cristina exclaimed.
"It's nothing, really.." Eugene awkwardly replied as his face turned red.
"Helping a fellow student on his first day!" Cristina said.
"Come on! That'd be an interesting story!" Toby added. "You can put it on the headlines, next time!"
Toby started to iterate the words using hand gestures. "Class Prodigy. Julia Parks. Saved by. New student!!"
"Prodigy— seriously?!" Julia covered her mouth from laughter.
"Your speech hit 30ks last night, and you're not taking yourself seriously?!" Cristina complained.
Eugene was impressed that Julia had friends that close to her. He felt sort of lonely and left out.
"Eugene, don't even think about listening to these two!" Julia said.
"Well, I was wondering about this speech they were—" Eugene said.
"It was a speech for the beginning of this semester." Cristina finished.
"Our friend here got this dream," Toby added. "That one day, we and the South side will live happily without boundaries, doubt, or fear."
"Oh, is that so?" Eugene replied. "That's really great, Julia! I'm sure it inspired somebody.."
"Yeah, I hope so.." Julia cracked a slight smile.
Toby then grabbed Eugene's hand. "Check out these hands!" he was examining it up close. "You must destroy gloves.."
"Hey, I almost forgot that we came to tell you about the party!" Cristina remembered.
"What party?!" she asked.
"It's, a little thing for the first full moon, that's all." Cristina replied.
"How about we take Eugene with us then?" Julia pointed at the light brown haired boy.
"..Uh, well—" Eugene stuttered.
"No buts, you're coming with us tonight!" Julia insisted.
"Haha, butts.." Toby giggled.
"Grow up.." Cristina rolled her eyes.
Eugene wanted to say 'yes'. I wonder if Mado is gonna be okay with this, he thought.
Minutes later, in the boys bathroom, Jaden was watching himself in the mirror.
Even when I look different, my problems never changes, he thought to himself. No matter where you go, teenagers are always the same—— assholes. The only difference here is that the dagger on your back is real...
Jaden took a deep breath after splashing his face with cold water. He was having visions of when he was in the locker room. That glowing thing...what was it? One of the Keys!
Jaden got out of the bathroom. I need to find that girl, he thought.
When he walked near a turn, he bumped into her. Most of the books she was carrying fell into the ground.
"Aiee!" she cried.
"Oh!" Jaden reacted. "Carmen, I'm so sorry!"
Carmen ignored Jaden's presence, and continued picking up her things. Jaden realized there was something wrong. He picked up one of her books before she did which forced her to look at him.
"Wha—!" Jaden stuttered as he saw Carmen's face.
"Please, I have to go home now..." Carmen instantly looked away.
Jaden noticed a black eye on her. He couldn't believe that Chico or anybody else can reach this level of violence with a girl in a school setting. He wanted to blow up.
"Carmen," Jaden grabbed her arm. "That's crazy! Who could do this?!"
"It's him—Chico.." Carmen weeped. "He said—— he'll do worse to you.."
"I— I can't take this pain anymore.." Carmen tears were dropping down on the floor. "Let me go home, I beg you.."
No— I can't take this no more.., he remembered how he used to be bullied and ridiculed back when he was in elementary school, and up through middle and highschool. Mado was boiling fully inside.
This shitty rules of dog eats dog will never change as long as people like this Chico remain.
Jaden clenched his fists, and pushed his foot towards the direction Carmen came from.
"...Wait, Jaden— don't fight him!" Carmen yelled, but Jaden kept on walking.
UI, show up!, he yelled in his mind. "UI, come on!" he yelled in frustration. Jaden reached the door as he was outrageous and breathing heavily. He pushed it wide open, and walked fast on the couple of stairs before him. His eyes caught Chico smoking with few other leather wearing Southerns near the bike rack.
"Trick or trickle. That shit don't trickle.." he heard someone said, but he didn't give much thought.
Jaden pulled Chico from behind, punched him, and dropped him down.
~Whack!
"Ohhhhhh!!" Those around Chico reacted.
Chico immediately responded, and tackled Jaden who fell down. When he got up, he delivered a kick to Jaden stomach. "Looks good on you, taking the initiative!" Chico spitted blood on the floor. One of his lackeys, grabbed the drowsy Jaden up as Chico tried to punch him in the face, but he missed. Jaden pushed himself forward to deliver a punch, but his body was very weak and limp, so Chico easily dodged it, and put two middle fingers towards him.
Another person pushed loose Jaden towards Chico, and the latter punched him quickly in the stomach, and then delivered few more punches to his face and neck.
—— Why is this happening?, Jaden wondered. Even after fighting demons all these years; even after beating a demi-litch, I'm still helpless against a bully. I hate myself...
Chico grabbed Jaden's body by the jersey shirt, and pushed it against the wall.
~Smack!!
"Hoho, yeah!" Chico took out his curved knife. "Say Chico is the man, and you are his bitch!"
Jaden's face was completely numb, but he manage to say "No whore here is any worse than the likes of you.."
"You're dead, pendigo!" Chico shouted and pressed harder on his knife.
"I'm tired of your bullshit——COME ON!!" Jaden yelled. "DO IT!!"
Jaden felt Chico's knife had already piercing through, but a loud yell interrupted him.
"STOP THIS!!"
When everyone looked towards the one who shouted, it turned out to be the principal. The same man who forced Jaden and Eugene to attend that class. He was standing on top of the stairs, looking everyone in leather in obvious contempt. Jaden noticed someone else came from behind him. That was Kym, the K-pop look-like. He too, was gazing at Chico and the others in sheer despise.
"What's all this noise?!" the principal asked in serious tone. "Why is there blood on his face?!"
Chico licked his lips before he said "Don't worry like that, Principal Cory." Chico's face lightened up and he talked in a calm voice. "I was just helping up my new amigo"
"Is that true?.." Kym glared at him.
"Of course!" Chico fixed Jaden's shirt before backing off. "He just tripped down the stairs while we're giving him a tour."
"Anyways, it's gonna get dark soon." Principal Cory said. "All of you should be home by now."
"Well, sure thing, sir!" Chico replied with a smile. "You heard that, Jaden? We'll finish this later..."
Jaden witnessed Chico's tone dropped as he said that last sentence. He then waited until the coast was clear as Chico and his gang had gone away before he left.
While walking down the street, Jaden realized he had no where to go besides his ship. He was wondering where would Eugene would be by that time. He must have thought the same thing, he told himself. "Screw this place.." Jaden muttered.
When he finally returned to the ship in the middle of the woods, Jaden dropped on his knees. "Shit!" he blurted and hit the floor. "I'm still weak!"
—— No matter what I surpass, I'll always be weak!, he thought.
~Bitruush!
"Huh?!" Jaden heard something moving from within the bushes. "Eugene?! Majd, is that you?" he yelled.
The figure moved faster this time, and rushed from behind Jaden's back, and dropped down. "What the?!" he exclaimed.
Could that be Chico, again?!, he thought. He said we'll finish this later after all.
While the figure kept on running around, Jaden went inside the ship, and picked up his Engineblade. He knew that it would be stupid to use a sword to fight a school bully, but his anger took over him.
Jaden ran out, locking the ship behind him, and rushed towards the dark figure that was running deeper into the woods. He came in contact with him once or twice, but Jaden couldn't hurt him. Once he was fast pacing between the trees, Jaden realized that the figure outline didn't match that of Chico. And most importantly, it wasn't attacking as much as it was merely dodging Jaden's hits.
"What's wrong, Chico?" Jaden yelled. "Scared of my little toy here?!" This thing isn't responding to me, he thought. If it isn't Chico, then what's it doing in the woods? Does it have another agenda?
The mysterious figure kept changing its course in order to confuse Jaden, but he persisted, and kept on chasing it. At one point, Jaden got close enough, so he was about to hit it.
"It's over!" he raised his sword.
But then, the mysterious running figure made an unexpected sparky move.
~Bang!
—— Was that a gun shot?!, he quickly concluded, and aborted the attack.
Jaden quickly hid behind the nearest tree. "...That ... was ..close.." he panted. Even after he stopped chasing it, Jaden was still able to hear footsteps. But this time, they were steadier, and cautious. He listened to them as they got louder, and closer. He readied his sword anyway, and turned away from the tree to attack. Once he got closer, Jaden was shocked.
"What the?!" he muttered.
"Hey!" the person in front of him put his hands up. "I'm Kym! I've come in peace!"
Kym then turned on his phone's flashlight on his own face. "See?"
The panting Jaden was confused. This guy's overall outlines are different from that hostel gun shooter, he thought. But how did this one at such timing is also very inconvenient. I better keep my guard up.
"What are you doing here?!" Jaden asked as he caught his breath.
"Same question.." Kym replied, and then tilted his head. "Hey, you don't look like a Northern.."
"Is that a problem?" Jaden asked.
"And you don't seem like a Southern, either!" continued Kym.
When he felt that this guy was a total drag, Jaden picked up his Engineblade, and decided to leave.
"Oh, wait!" Kym pointed at the opposite direction. "That's the way back to the street."
Great, this dude is total bunker, Jaden sighed.
After he surrendered and walked towards the street, while holding his sword, Kym decided to tag along.
"So why were you in the woods, you told me?" Kym asked.
"I kinda live here.." Jaden replied. "You?"
"There's a shortcut to the main street if I passed these woods.."
"Okay.." Jaden looked forward.
"That sword is yours?" Kym asked.
"Yeah.." Jaden answered in an indifferent tone.
"Now, that's a Southern attitude." Kym replied.
"Was I supposed to act in a certain way to be Northern?" Jaden said.
"It's manners and discipline that refine us as people. Those rats know nothing in that regard." he explained.
"You guys keep saying that, you won't be able to change 'em.."
"I honestly think that opportunity has deminished and went on.." Kym said. "But my girlfriend, Julia still believe in them for some reason. She even made a speech about that few months ago!"
"I'd probably agree.." Jaden shot back.
"I can't believe it! After what Chico did to you?!" Kym was surprised. "Which I'm sorry about, by the way.."
"First day jitters, nothing new.." Jaden said.
"That was the worst first impression in our academy— don't hold it against us!" Kym waved both hands lightly.
The two then finally got out of the bushes, and arrived to the main street. There, Kym's father was waiting for him in the car.
"Oh, that my dad!" Kym gestured towards his father who was glancing the person his son speaking to.
Apparently, the Engineblade gave the wrong impression, Jaden thought.
Kym then, said goodbye, and rode in the car which shortly drove away.
When he just decided to cool off for a second, Jaden found a vending machine. He had enough money, and in the right currency to get him a cold soda. The moment he put the coin and the can dropped for him, Jaden heard approaching steps. The moment he rose his head to see, he found Carmen.
She was in 'dressed for a certain occasion' mode, as Mado expressed it internally. Carmen was also holding a cigarette. And most importantly, her face was perfectly— perfect.
"My knight in shining armor!" Carmen chuckled.
"Carmen?!" Jaden exclaimed.
"You embarrassed Chico. He'll never let this go." she said as she blow smoke out of her mouth.
"What happened to your black eye?!" Jaden asked.
"Make up!" she answered happily. "You wanted to play hero. I just gave you an excuse."
"What in the actual hell?!" Jaden yelled. "That's why you pretended to like me? So I'd fight your boyfriend?!"
"So you'd kill him!" Carmen said. "I need him gone."
"Well, sorry I let you down." Jaden replied.
"The Soto Vatos, they're going to keep coming at you."
"Yeah, because of you!"
"I'm sorry." Carmen cried.
"Sorry? You're sorry? I I almost got killed!" Jaden complained.
"I tricked you. But I wasn't pretending." Carmen put her arms slowly around his neck. "No one's ever fought for me before. Chico gets in fights about me, but not for me."
" ..I have enough problems." Jaden replied quietly.
Carmen giggled and backed off. "Petra cooked up some moonshine. Everyone's getting wasted on the school roof. You should come!"
"Maybe. Um, I mean, yeah, sure." he reluctantly replied.
" 'Maybe, I mean, yeah, sure.' " she mocked him. "You're a real crack-up, para veÃro."
Meanwhile, in the car, Kym and his father were talking about the lacrosse tryouts.
"Told you your presence is just good fortune!" Kym said. "Coach said most of the players will be chosen are from the yellow team!"
"Come on my boy, I've nothing whatsoever to do with their victory!" Mr. Je-Yong replied. "All of them were very incredible; especially the two boys who made the goal! They were other-worldly!"
"Yeah, even Coach mentioned that.." Kym said. "Hey, how about we get some ice-cream?"
"Good idea!" his father replied. "That looks like a decent place!"
Mr. Je-Yong pulled over. "I'll stay in the car, you go get us crazy colorful things!"
"Why don't we go the two of us, and eat as much as it's considered crazy!" Kym suggested.
"Wow, no wonder you're a talented writer! That was very captivating." Kym's father clapped for his son.
"I'll take it as a YES!" Kym pulled his lazy dad out of the vehicle, and pushed him right inside the ice-cream shop Lucky Day. They both sat on a table near the window as a waitress took their order.
"And that's how to do a father-son special!" Kym gestured to his father.
"Oh, yeah.." his dad muttered.
"What's the matter, dad?"
"I— at times like this, I can't help but feel guilty. With me away most of the time, and your mom's death. It's taking a toll on me, but not like how it is on you..." Mr. Je-Yong said sadly. "I'm sorry that I couldn't be the father you deserve, Kym.."
"C'mon, pops! Don't ever think like that!" Kym replied. "I'm deeply proud that my father is an explorer who ventures the realm, and go where nobody dares to!"
The waitress then came, and put down two big cups full of multiple flavored Ice-cream sundae.
"Just a second, I need to wash my hands." Kym went into the wash room.
Few seconds later when he was heading back to the table, Kym heard weird noise.
What's the ruckus, he wondered.
But once his eyes gazed forward, he saw his dad standing in dread. In front of him was a figure in uneven black cloak, and was wearing a black skull-shaped mask. He stretched out one arm which was holding a gun.
"Oh, no...!" Kym hurried to his father.
"WHOW, MY GOD!!" everyone in that store freaked out.
Kym barely was catching up. He only was able to get between the masked figure and his father.
The masked figure then said "..It's...Show..Time.." before pulling the trigger very fast.
"NOOOOOOO!" Kym screamed.
~Bang!
At that same time in the school building's roof, Jaden Inferno arrived to the uncomfortably crowded party. The moment he stepped in, few members of the yellow team from the tryouts greeted him. There also Petra who served him a cold punch, and Doulchry who gave him spank. But as he walked further, he found his buddy, Majd.
"Hey!" Jaden grabbed his shoulder. "Oh, Jaden! There you are!" Eugene said awkwardly.
"What's your big idea?! I've been looking for ya since after the tryouts!" Jaden argued.
"Somebody's acting like a girlfriend!" Toby interjected.
"Wanna bet?!" Jaden was provoked.
"Lets not ruin the vibe here!" Julia said.
"Jaden, these two are Julia's friends. They may not seem much, but they're amazing!" Eugene said.
"Alright chill pill, can we have a word in private?" Jaden pulled Eugene aside.
"Eh, did you find anything about that glowing thing you saw?" Eugene asked.
"No, and didn't I tell you to not meddle too much?!" Jaden argued. "That girl isn't Elaine, so why are you still around her?"
"She's been a great help so far!" Eugene explained. "She's the one that told me about why Sacred Arts can't work here! She knows a lot of things—"
"Wait— what do ya mean, why they don't work?!" Jaden started to understand the situation he was in.
"This planetoid restricts Mana." Eugene replied.
"That why my UI doesn't work!" Jaden muttered.
But that girl!, he thought.
"Looks like we're stuck in a real life simulation of some kind.." Eugene said. "Erasing magical super-powers is one of the rules, apparently.."
"But that doesn't mean rules can't be bent.." Jaden covered his mouth as he exchanged eye contact with Carmen. She was standing far near the edge of the roof. She smiled when her eyes locked on Jaden.
"Tell you what, till we find a way to get outta here, we need to mingle." Jaden told his friend. "But we gotta do it together, okay?"
"Okay, I'll remain in the the vicinity. If anything occurs, I'd give you a signal." Eugene nodded and walked back to Julia and the others, while Jaden went to see Carmen.
This girl is definitely hiding something, he remembered the glow he saw in the locker room. Something unusual..
The moment he stood next to her, Carmen wrapped her arms around Jaden's right arm as her appealing face was looking straight towards his face.
"I knew you won't disappoint me, hehe." Carmen said happily.
"Uh, umm— listen.." Jaden gathered his sanity. "When you were in the locker room, I think I saw something.."
"Yeah, I also saw more than I should.." her voice became softer.
Crap!, Jaden thought. She got the wrong idea. Or is she patronizing me?
The music went slow and each pair started getting closer. Carmen put Jaden between her arm, but just before she started to lean forward, Jaden put her hands down, and moved away from her.
A minute earlier, Eugene saw Julia getting a phone call. When she answered, there were a stranger on the phone.
"...Uhh, noo— way..!" Eugene heard her say while her mouth was covered from the shock.
Toby approached her and asked her what was the problem. Cristina witnessed her friend turning pale. "Julls.." she cried.
"It's Kym— he's in the hospital.." Julia managed to utter.
Then, on that moment, Jaden noticed Eugene running out of the party with Julia and her friends right when the slow music started playing.
"Ai, Jaden—" Carmen tried holding him, but he was faster.
"Sorry, gotta go!" he replied as he went right behind them.