Chapter 32———Choose
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//Ryoji & Akina//
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———Ryoji's Time———
A day.
Many people tend to take advantage of it, of living. Ordinary people are so lucky to have days given to them, for me——It was a luxury.
Back when I was a Raven in the Orpheus Unit, I wasn't sure if I was to live to experience another sunset. I had to not care about enjoying life; I had to care about surviving.
It is a blessing to be alive currently. To be walking with honest people, be in a school where I have to strive to be the best.
And all for six years until I'm 18, then walk out and figure out everyone for myself.
A new day and things have changed for better or worse....
As I expected, Akina and the rest of us were surrounded by idiots that wanted to swoon over her since her strange power-up. Or Power-Ups, if she gets flight or whatever hitting the jackpot.
I always knew there was something about her and she didn't even know about it in the first place.
Everytime when I'm surrounded by a large amount of people, flames are about to consume the living, people attacking left from right and I'm standing with my weapons of chaos. The good thing that day was me throwing those blades to the water, I will never touch them again.
I have PTSD, stemming from what happened in Dolle. Fitting, for how my mind went numb from all of it each time I was thrown back by nostalgia.
Too numb where Igneus had to put me back into reality.
"Ryo?"
What is it?
"Angry orange hair girl is behind and keeps trying to push us....." He pointed out to me, the force was getting stronger and stronger.
Compared to me, Funka's more of a brute than me.
"Jesus, if there is no nobody in your way, JUST GO ALREADY!!!!" Her yelling pierced my eardrums, and my feet couldn't touch the ground. Her pushing me towards the classroom's entrance felt like a jet and I'm the nose cone.
.....somewhat satisfying to say the least. Her powers are impressive for her age, I couldn't fathom how strong she'll be when she's in her twenties. Thirties. No matter.
She'll get there.
"Such a dumbass....." I overheard her, cussing in her breath and shaking her head. Going to her seat as Takeo followed her as well. I was confused as to why he patted my back, and he didn't bother on telling
me what that was about.
I couldn't in between those blue eyes of his. Such a mysterious yet obnoxious boy.....
My desk was waiting for my arrival, sitting on the cold chair made of exquisite material was no different than sitting in a regular one: A person can sit in one to rest your legs or a lazy king would as well.
"I HATE HER." Igneus proclaimed to me as I was getting my supplies ready.
Berunji? I asked him curiously. Hate is too strong of a word for her. Although she can be crude, I do respect her powers and her attitude towards life, as well as her fighting prowess for her to be just a normal girl.
I held no spite for her; just a mutual discontent with another.
"No——HER." I could feel him pointing at another girl and my face turned into disgust. "Her! She's so mean and psycho-y...You get what I mean!"
The pompous girl with the wings like ashes. Cecilia Harmaajärvi, now there's a person that no one likes.
Feeling's mutual, Iggy. The feeling's real mutual. The impulse was too strong to control and I just
You know what? I feel like bashing her in a bit.....
"Hold the phone, why?!"
Because I hate her family.....Where were they when the Ravens sacked Polvasto? What were they doing when we needed them? I questioned Iggy, who couldn't think that well since he slept late, watching TV.
"....I'm not good at guessing."
I figured. They had an interview while actively supporting the Guild back then, even having a live therapy on the television. It grew a backlash; it was completely wrong and inappropriate to have a live therapy session, then their promise was unraveled.
It was a promise: You try not to break them.
My anger was getting higher and higher, my fist clenched so tightly, all while I got out of my seat and approached Cecilia.
Selfish pieces of shit, each and every one of those Grey Lakers. Living in their two mansions and drinking martinis in Finland.
I doubt that there is one person that can tolerate her
There she is: Reading some nonfiction book in her mother's tongue, minding her own business.
I guess I'm going to be the perpetrator today. I thought to myself, not caring the weight of my actions today and who will it effect.
She sighed as she point down her book, readying herself.
"Tell me something, do you have feelings towards me? It seems like you always want my attention." She bluntly asked me, which I answered quickly.
"No. I don't. I don't find you attractive." I wanted to spit at her face, and I will if she pisses me off further.
According to half-baked gossips, she cannot feel the sensation of pain anymore ever since she developed her powers.
"Tell me: If Someone would pluck every feather from top to bottom of your wings: Would you feel it?"
She chuckled from my question out of exasperation, finally standing up.
"Such animosity! Coming from someone from Raven River…..I thought they taught you people how to respect….."
"I don't have respect for spoiled specimens like you." I denounced in front of everyone, they immediately clamored behind us as the two teachers here yet. I took on the boy who caused 2006 and overpowered him. I thought as her and I locked eyes. A girl with wings should be easy to defeat.
"Knock it off, you too." The prince of Somnus, Regis Luxulric, commanded us two.
He always has a streak of arrogance to them.
What about the Prince of Somnus?
I never cared much for the Somnui since they did all nothing but sit on their asses and do nothing until war comes.
"It's not your place to intervene." A warning was needed for Regis coming from me.
The prince backed off, but say one last thing before sitting down. "Okay: I don't need it to be a war zone....I'm just saving you two from trouble."
Soon, the microphones were disrupted before an announcement came.
The Announcement was this:
Ryoji Kazama, please come to the Principal's Office.
"Oohhhh, you're in trouble...." Igneus jested around in my head.
No. I AM not in trouble.
"Come on, dude!" Marcus yelled out in disbelief, putting his hands on his face as he continued on ranting. "I know this guy is telepathic and all, but how does he know that a fight was about to happen?!
I agree with him: How is that even possible?
Does he have precognition or something that helps in predicting the future?
Before I left, even Marcus wanted to ask me something. I didn't mind him——he's a good person and his mom bakes some great…Blondies.
Yeah, that was the name of those heavenly baked goods.
"Damnit man, why do you have to bug her of all people?"
I packed my stuff up and looked at him.
"....To screw around with her." The words slipped out of my mouth as I left to go to Lino's office quickly by taking a scenic route through the stairs.
———The Principal's Office———
It was a bit awkward with this dog staring at me for about five minutes without talking. Suspense is killing me as the old phrase goes.
I wish he can tell me what am I doing here…..Or what's going on….
"I know what you are....." He said as he confusing me. "Yet, I must be certain. Who are you?"
"....A Heart-Bond?" Again, all of this was perplexing to me. His words did not make sense to me.
This is coming from a twelve year-old boy with the mental capacity of a twenty-one year-old healthy man.
Okay, this is a waste of time…..I said to myself, slowly leaving my chair as the Proncipal looked at me suddenly. His look became even more sharp as he forced me to sit down with his telekinesis. "I will ask you——" He stopped and shook his head violently.
"No, screw it: You're a Raven. Don't not lie to me, or your lies are nothing here! I know you're not from Raven River, you think I am dumb enough to take your lies and shove it up my—" He barked at me.
I left my chair, and bent the knee for him quickly.
Why am I bending the knee for this...
"Because you're afraid of that's to come. You're scared for your life because of what to Batsaikhan Dorj." He answered back to my thought and my current submissive nature.
That's a stupid reason! I don't fear concepts of the upcoming!
"No, he's onto something." Igneus yelled out, manifesting to the real world. I didn't have time to wonder about how Iggy came to the physical world.
"You saw how Rampart and his pet killed Dorj, I know you were there in the abandoned convenience store."
"What?"
"I can sense every presence within 6 miles. Members or deserters from the Assassin's Guild have a certain…aura to them." Lino explained before He was again cold with his words yet I deserved it. "Why are you here? I have my theories that you wish to steal ancient artifacts from my chambers, or an old enemy of mine sent you here. Which is it?"
It was time to come clean to him.
"You're right.... I'm not here to be a superhero. To me; Superheroes are bullshit. I want to protect people by any means necessary...If I have to be the guy that has to cross the line when no one can——I'll do it. I can handle that part, but I need to stay hidden." He kept on floating around me, trying to make me sputter like I never been before. "Sir, Sir, I want to be a Protector. The first Heart-Bond to do so! I want to! I want-t to help others!" I stuttered at the last part.
"I can't be outed as a Raven or else they'll give me the electric chair! I came this far! So, please——I just need to figure who killed my parents!" I blurted out in tears while looking down on the floor where I can a reflect of my previous self.
Why am I crying?
"They won't. Believe me: the government can be persuaded under the right reasons." He notified me.
"Crying doesn't make you weak, young Kazama: It shows that you have emotions. You have conviction; that's good for someone your age."
He consoled me by leaning his head towards me, before turning on the news.
"Yami Shinra, leader of the Shinra Army, after a two hour battle, has claimed Saitama under Shinra occupation. Some reports say she'll claim the surrounding states in three days….." The Anchorwoman announced sorrowfully.
So, She claims the Saitama prefecture? Oh no….. I thought to myself, stressing about the consequences of this.
He turned off the TV telekinetically and looked at me.
"Look at that, Ryoji: 7.3 million people, all in the palm of her hand. Next week: Tokyo, and next year: the N.U.S.N if we don't improve our defenses by then."
He continued explaining. "I'm not looking for heroes anymore, Ryoji. I'm looking for people like you: People who are willing to cross the line to ensure everyone's safety. I don't wish for you to kill unhesitatingly—— Ryoji D. Kazama: Do you accept my proposal? If not; I won't tell anyone about your true past and you will be able to remain here for six years." He proposed.
"If you do accept——I'll give you the tools and lessons you need to find out your parents and make you a true protector of humanity."
That's one hell of a offering…..
Before I truly accept it, I need to know.
When Takeo told me about how this school is teaching us how to be soldiers, I was first confused.
Right now: Not so far-fetched to me.
"Can I ask you a question?"
"You can."
"Are you teaching us...How to be soldiers? For when Corheim or anyone else attacks us?"
His silence was the truth I needed. Lino had nothing to disclose about it.
I'm not going to back down from this.
I'm not running from this offering. It is time to progress in life.
"I accept."
A smile was lit in Lino, proud of how he was going to have a Heart-Bond as his next apprentice to Hanannia Cortes.-
"When do we start?" Igneus added, putting his full weight on my shoulders as Lino sat back on in his chair.
"Come tomorrow to my office after school ends. Training will begin then." Lino instructed, finally making us leave his office.
And thus the dawn of me and Igneus being under Lino's tutelage.
———Akina's Time———
Today was....different.
Way different.
People that have been treating me with disrespect all my life and sudden praise is really something.
I've been asked of many things, such as:
"How did you gain those powers?
"Still no better than me....But are you fast enough to contend with me?"
"That was amazing, Willoby! Ever heard of Nepathya? They're really good!"
"Is your hair naturally pink?"
There's no escape to the questions about me!
I was trying to figure out a way to escape my fellow classmates, but no one told me it was that hard, since it was maybe a dozen of them swarming me and my friends.
And my old pal, Funka, was starting to lose her cool again as Ryoji couldn't move in front of her.
Maybe there is since I felt a shiver down my back.
"Come with me if you don't want to have a panic attack…." A ghost whispered in my ear, it feels weird yet smells of the nice beaches of Hawaii.
Wait a second…..If she blows up on Ryoji, she'll probably be pushing him forward to class…..
I analyzed the situation, just making the noise into nothing and awaiting for a chance to go.
"Jesus, if there is no nobody in your way, JUST GO ALREADY!!!!" She yelled out so intensely, giving me an opportunity to leave.
When Funka yells like that, hell breaks loose and opportunities are seen: This is it for me!
Now!!!!' I ran so fast with Kaimana, listening to his instructions. "When you're close to the wall: Don't stop. Trust me on this."
Okay…..I'm going to need my teeth fixed after I hit the wall or my teeth are now stone wall-proof?
To be honest, I'd never thought that a Samoan ghost like Kaimana would come to my rescue by making me phase through a wall.
Unbelievable.
———Later———
The room that the Samoan ghost took was the new history class that was supposed to come back in May, filled with objects that I never seen before. It looked amazing and the desk too.
Where do they get these expensive chairs and desks and Smartboards?
"Stay right here, Miss Willoby, someone important wants to talk to you." Kaimana told me to stay low and wait for the person who wanted to talk to me.
I looked around since I had to wait and I forgot my phone on the charger, so me to be a pre-teen today wasn't going to cut it.
One of the pots looked amazing to me- one with two dragons clashing against one another. One of these paintings had a heart and a fist, I was wondering what that was about.
Before a deep voice scared the crap out of me. "If I were you, I would put that down immediately. That pot you're holding is over a thousand years old. And it's invaluable. Just place it carefully on that table if you can." The man asked politely was none other than Chief Apex in a suit and without any paint on his face.
He really has such warm eyes.
"You-u wanted to see me? Why?" I asked him, if the stuttering wasn't clear enough.
He pulled a chair for me and spoke."Well, You're the person that invoked a lot of passion in me once again! As you reminded me of a younger me, and I'm just going to spill it. I'M also an Ultimen!"
Holy pink shit on a stick!!!!!
HE'S ALSO AN ULTIMAN LIKE ME?!
I was freaking out. I thought I was the last one left.
"And there was no one there for me until I was about…..four years older than you."
"I fainted, sir-r. What's so good-d about that?" I was confused on why he wanted me here. It's true: I fainted when I was done with Helene, so why does he need me for.
"First time I used it: I almost died!! So, that shows me that you're stronger than me. No pressure! I just wanted to know if you wanted to hone them skills of yours."
Wait….Is he asking me to be—-
"I want to train you where you can be the greatest superhero ever! What do you say to that, Miss Willoby? Do you wish to be my apprentice?"
"Yes-s Sir!!!!" I nodded yes and some before I knew it, I turned into my other form. "I want to, Sir!!"
"You know where Memorios Beach is at?"
"Duh! It's a few blocks away from the school!" Everyone knew where that beach was at because I seen one time where a group of people from school smoking some joints one time.
"Good, come there tomorrow after school ends." He told me what to do and I went to the next class period.
Okay: Best. Day. Ever.
———Track 32 Ended———