Chapter 33———Training 'Em When They're Ripe [1/3]
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———5:30 p.m———
Underneath the sands of Somnus, there was a pit where combat took place. It was hot from all the intensity of the sparring as both of them sweat.
A combat between a student and a teacher.
Ryoji Dragomir Kazama, a rare specimen and one of the few Heart-Bonds currently occupying Surwick, whose face was drenched in sweat.
His stamina was depleting after a good twenty minutes dodging his newfound teachers attacks from afar. All what he had in his hands were a sword and shield made out of sturdy oak. This is him being easy on us? Yeah: Malo Morgen! Ryoji complaining before he ate his words.
Complaining inside the mind with a dog-like being
Lino had his tongue like a canine would, if the dog didn't speak or had powers to rival gods.
"I could always show you what my true strength if you want.... I'm all up for it."His teacher, Lino Saon, replied rather arrogantly. Once again, floating in the air while firing off beams of magic.
"Way to go, Ryo!!!!" Igneus, his reptilian Heart-Bond complained behind him, holding a sword to attack Lino. "You had to complain to the dog that can READ minds!"
———Earlier at 3:00 p.m.———
After the long day of school has run for course yet again for Ryoji, he walked down the stairs quickly as he hoped he didn't have to encounter the girl he was dreading to see after his accident
And all because he accidentally spilled his Sprite Zero on her uniform. Ryoji was lucky that she was not in the mood to kill him.
As long as I don't see her, I'm good to go.....I don't want to die by explosions. He dreaded her just by the thought of her,
His eyes saw a girl older than him, assembling paperwork together as one. He recognize her from the TV when Graduation happened.
That's Hanannia Cortes in the flesh? Ryoji asked himself, coming closer to the comfortable looking room as the air smelled reminiscent of dandelions.
She is attractive, I give her that. And that waistline is incredibly desirable for a girl her age——I can see why Marcus lusts over her each time he stares at his TV....Not to mention he has a lot of tissues with him. What the hell is up with that?
Her head rose up and smiled at her fellow inferior pupil. Hanannia didn't think of him as inferior——only a bit too experienced to be an fledgling apprentice.
Much to his confusion, she waved at him warmly.
"Thanks for the compliment! You do realize I'm much older than you? Right?" She said out loud to him as she made him a bit upset, all while multitasking between telepathically moving supplies to their locations and doing everything Haruka Uteshiki should have done.
"Is everyone here a damn telepath?" Ryoji complained in a disappointed tone, seeing how he wanted to keep his thoughts to himself. He also believed telepathy was a double-edged sword, which was excellent when gathering intel on enemies yet horrible when finding out a beloved sports team didn't make it to the next round.
"Just me, the principal and Miss Uteshiki. Hopefully you."
Doubtful. He replied back in his head.
"Why?" Her curiosity was interesting, seeing how her public persona was that of a level-headed leader instead of a inquisitive yet compassionate person.
Ryoji said nothing to her, as Ravens from the Orpheus Unit were genetically altered to where telepathic attacks were not so powerful for him: To him, it was a nuisance.
"What're the papers for?" Ryoji changed the subject, equally curious about what she was filling out.
"What I'm filling out is your new information, since you are.....You're one of us now. We'll take care of you." She said, making Ryoji relieved as he lit out a small sigh.
The reason why he sighed? The the school can discard his forged information. It was useless anyway and what was the point of lying to them when they already knew about Ryoji's secret, since Lino informed them four hours ago about him.
Hanannia only needed two minutes to process on why he came here to Surwick——Sanctuary.
"Birthdate?"
"May 10, 2006." A quick response that made her fill in the blanks quickly.
"Birthplace?"
Birthplace??? I know I was raised in the Guild back in Austria for a few years before being on the go..I actually don't know where... ".....I don't know." It took a while for him to answer, looking down for a second. It was true that children and adults that were raised together, and some of the adults were rather.....different to say the least.
"It's okay——I'm a military brat, so I don't exactly have a home, either." She empathized with his pain, or, at least a fraction since she only worried about if she was getting paid instead of fighting for survival. She asked another question, this time something less personal. "Blood Type?"
"O+." That was a easy one for Ryoji, having been in the infirmary more than once, and the Magpie who took care of him told him his his blood type.
Not so interesting when his arch rival had Rh-null or the "golden blood" in that matter.
"Well," Hanianna began as she got up and made Ryoji follow through a secret passage of descending stairs, there were the runes from the foundation tatted on the walls.
"No need for pleasantries now as our teacher would say. One thing: His favorite book? Never speak ill of it. It's called, To Kill A Mockingbird." Hanianna told her peer, who then looked at herself, disinterested by her advice.
Ryoji wasn't much into reading anyway. He was more of following-orders type of child, doing everything he can to achieve success and didn't play well with others who jeopardize his mission.
Curiously about what book was about, Igneus jumped out of Ryoji body and yelled out. "WHAT'S IT ABOUT?!"
"An old book that doesn't really help you in life yet it tries to. Extremely old book: I don't recommend and just use Enotes." Hanianna explained before hitting him with a question of her own. "What's your name, little fella?"
"Igneus! People also call me Iggy. I don't mind on what you call as long it isn't monster."
What an adorable little fella! Hanianna thought, pulling the lever that revealed the true Principal's office
There was his new teacher: Sitting in his chair, drinking a nice, refreshing glass of lemonade while reading "Go Set A Watchmen".
For the fifth time in a row.
And was making faces as he read it with such emotion. Every wrinkle he made while analyzing every word with content.
All before his eyes detached from the pages and into reality. Oh shit! Lino exclaimed inside his head, not losing his composure over the fact that for the first time in his three thousand years of teaching of having someone as unique as Ryoji Kazama.
I'm actually having a Raven, and a Heart-Bond as my apprentice! He's actually here! I thought he would've left to go wherever he goes!
"There you are, young Kazama!" Lino beamed, putting down his book in favor of circling around Ryoji. "I'd begun to think you had run off. I didn't mean to fright you with such a proposal. I know I ask much yesterday. You don't have to be in my tutelage if you want, but I will keep you safe. Hanianna was no better, either! She was rather scared
He was showing his dominance until he ran off tangent by including Hanianna.
All in which made Ryoji smile a bit. Right now——This is going to be his home.
He knows it.
"If I normally don't falter in the battlefield, sir; then why should I falter in our promise?" Ryoji questioned his teacher, making Hanianna shake her in respect. Man, if his name started with an D, it would be diplomat because of his way with words!
Such words for a twelve year old boy! Technically speaking, his mind is that of a fully-function adult. I shouldn't be so condescending on him while I train him...
Lino cleared his throat, which was odd, since he had the body of a dog yet could still talk. "You're right: A protector of humanity can't hesitate. If they do: people will die in their care. Excellent response on your part." The Principal of Surwick gave him a small praise before summoning an elevator shaft in front of them.
It was very biological looking, to Ryoji——He had never seen such strange shit before in his life.
An he had seen many things.
When it opened, it had eyes on the wall with thick eyelashes. It's been a while since Hanianna had seen the elevator, as she still was trying to cope with what happened last time. "Step into the elevator." He told his students before sighing. "She's not going to bite you."
"It bit me once." His older apprentice dejected, reminiscing of how it bit her in the hand, even making her bleed from it.
"She bit you because you were playing with her buttons." Lino barked back, fitting——since he had the body of a dog.
Oh.....How interesting. Ryoji didn't put too much thought into it, standing between them as they argued back and forth. To him, all of this was familiar from his golden days.
"This elevator is a female and the buttons're...Oh boy, Ryo: Don't be touching her buttons." Igneus warned him as he usually took things too far.
This was an example.
Why?
"Because she's a female and....." Igneus paused for him to realize the truth about the elevator, and waiti
Oh....okay. okay, Okay. Ryoji reaffirmed while blushing slightly. I get it now. You didn't need to be extra about it, Iggy.
"Damn straight I do: You're plain stupid."
Igneus won this argument. For the first time in his life, he won an argument, dancing invisibly in the mind of his Bonder.
When telepaths talked, they share a mutual mental link to another while talking. The first time when using telepathy hurts the individual: It is a wound on the mental state, yet they can get used to the pain.
When they entered the Lair, Ryoji's eyes stared upon the two moons of Somnus, they were full with mesmerization of this place.
Reveling in all its glory, Ryoji had only been to Somnus once and it was during an assassination attempt on a local Somnui royal. Now that wasn't pretty
"You admire Somnus for its beauty, don't you?" Lino questioned him genuinely. He wanted to know more about Ryoji and this was an opportunity to do it, only if the boy didn't immediately shut up from his question and played it deadpan. "You can drop the facade, young Raven. There's no need to hide your fascination for the Somnui skies."
"Right," Ryoji looked up at the air, abashed of how he got called for admiring nature. "I guess you're right. Sir. I should enjoy it."
So he has an innate sense in being ordered? Makes sense——He sees me as a "Magpie" currently. I'm the oldest thing right now here and he is afraid of my abilities. Lino analyzed the behavioral patterns of his latest apprentice before dreading Magpies; the matriarchs of the Ravenskreig factions. I would be of those Magpies too if I was a Raven. They bloodthirsty and calculating——a rare combination that I haven't seen in a villain a while.
"Weren't the Ravenskreig extremely good when it came to aerial fighting." Hanianna curiously asked Ryoji, he had forgotten about how Ravens were good in fighting in the air. In fact, he had also forgotten that Racenskreig was the oldest guild prior to its destruction, not to mention prodigies when it came to other things. "Yes, we were. No. Not good: We were the one and only when it came to the skies. We were monarchs of the skies, before Dolle." He bit his tongue after mentioning Dolle as he never wanted to think about Esthar again, but it was all over——Walking here so peacefully reminded Ryoji of how things could have been if not for the expurgation of the other faction. Once they were eight, now they are no more...
In this great, grandiose hall of Lino's, many weapons from champions of old sat in their respective stones.
They all seem beautiful to look at, let it just collect dust.
There was one, however; that caught Ryoji's eye: Something of ancient value—A Heartzschwert in a glass container with the name:
Jacob; Marmorschwert.
It wasn't a thick blade or a short blade, but but it seem very long and made of a grey marble like metal. The handle seemed very skinny and emerald in color.
It didn't make sense to Ryoji: Why was it hidden? Why was it put in a container when it should be unleashed in battle?
The young Raven, who had never seen a blade so marvelous, so pristine before. He could feel the radiance oozing from the blade before him.
So much power..... Ryoji thought in amazement. Jebi ga, I should use it instead of this Jacob person.
To be pulled by his mentor telekinetically really made me more aggressive.
"Now." He whispered in his ears as if he was afraid of something. "Listen to me very carefully; you and I can never touch that blade...We are too corrupted, too impure to wield it for its true potential.....For the Marmorschwert, you must have noble intentions to use it in combat."
"Oh." Ryoji said in sadness being released away from Lino's grasp, understanding on what he meant.
Only the pure-hearted could wield it.
"Marmorschwert? As in German for Marble Sword?"
"You heard me."
"....That's not an original name for a blade....."
Lino cleared his throat as he did not deny the unoriginal name of the night blade. "Despite the unoriginal name, this sword is among the strongest weapons I've witness in my life. It weighs an staggering two-hundred thousand metric tons if you attempt to pick it up. Imagine swinging that thing once or twice. Even I can't do it for long even if I could lift it with my mind...I have high expectations for you, my boy. I hope you know this."
Of course. All due to my enhanced body, my fighting experience and due to the fact I'm a Heart-Bond.
"As such, I'm happy that you did accept, Mr. Kazama. I cannot thank you enough." The Principal expressed his thanks towards him before mentally asking, invading their personal space.
Without hesitation, Igneus appeared before him, bowing down to him before he asked a serious question."Igneus: Have you ever used a sword in combat?"
Igneus blew raspberries at his question. "I'm from Corheim. We use your brains. Our wits."
I seriously doubt that. Lino thought, making his other apprentice giggle a bit from afar. Then again, Lino had held Igneus in low regards in the first place. He thought of him as rude, boisterous, unintelligent and cocky for no reason.
"Here's the deal: Succeed in poking me on the head and I shall grant you your first Heartzschwert."
"Really? That easy?" The duo said in unison.
Ryoji thought there would labors that they needed to do such as slaying a dragon or retrieve something powerful. Everything can't be like how he thought would happen, now would it?
Lino nodded yes.
———Now———
Hanianna arrived back from home, she had to get her work clothes and wanted to see how the training was commencing.
Her and Kaimana were good friends with another, always giving each other hell and being each other's support when life was tough for them.
"He's going easy on them?"
"Yep." Kaimana replied with a smile, enjoying his tea and not wolfing it down like chumps.
"Try-Hards."
"Anyways, I'm going to work and text me how it goes, Kai..." Hanianna grimaced, she hated her job as it was a setback from being the greatest.
She had reminisced on how her first day was: She wasn't a pro in handling magic but knew some D.A.M spells before.
At least they don't look like they're beat up like how I was. She smiled, thinking of how all of this was a ploy.
A plot to see what tactics they use to touch him on the head.
"What am I supposed to use?"
"Still have that Nokia that I gave you?"
"No."
She toss an iPhone at him and let him catch by himself.
How the hell do you use this gizmo??? I wish Nokia was still relevant today as with this hunk of distraction. The spirit simply threw away the phone and broke automatically, shaking his head. That's what happen when you switch the plastic to whatever you have now.....
How he missed the reign of Nokia.
Blood was now coming from Ryoji's forehead, who was getting upset at his mentor, floating in the air, taunting him.
I'm not going down so easily! I will poke his furry head!
Iggy! Let's do the thing!
"The Thing! About time!" Iggy said back as they synchronized together to make the form that Lino was dying to see: A crossover between a bipedal dragon and a demon with large horns and a scarf of flames cover his neck.
He showed his teeth at his teacher as means to intimidate Lino.
Cute. But I'm far scarier than you'll ever be….
The Heart-Bond spat out a large ball of fire at him, which he coughed from the smoke coming down his lungs
"I'm not going down as easily as last time!! I will get a Heartzschwert! I will overcome everything to redeem myself!" Ryoji declared to him, show his superiority as he was in charge of the synchronization. It was only his voice that Lino could hear out.
Oh boy....Now I have to get serious.....This child has such a drive to be redeemed. Lino was impressed by Ryoji, now becoming more serious.
———Akina's Dorm———
Now it was the other hero's turn to have training.
The girl with the stutter: Akina Willoby.
Akina was excited to go to the beach and train with her idol, Chief Apex.
Instead of going out in time, she was overthinking about everything. She was packing up snacks, a water bottle, wearing casual clothes and running shoes
Okay, If he's waiting for me at Memorios Beach, which way do I take?
If I can take the exit downstairs and then make a right, nobody can see me go to the beach.
What if someone does see me?
What if I see someone? Am I supposed to say something if they stare at me, trying to go to Memorios beach when it's closed?
Stop overthinking everything all the time, Aki!
She thought, shaking her head rather violently before breathing in and out. You're an Ulitman now. You're strong, fast on your toes and you do so many things unlike when Ryoji saved you. That's not going to happen again. In case one of Sarbello's men tries to attack you again: You beat them up until they cry for their mamas!
She grinned with her newfound confidence. "I got this!"
Firmly, she shut the door behind that brought a second glance from Marcus, who wondered on where she was going.
"Where'd she go?" He asked himself, theorizing at maybe she's going for groceries or anything, completely oblivious over the fact that his adopted sister has gained the attention of an amazing hero.
———Track 33 Ended———