Chapter 39———Field Trip to The Rescue Garden [ENCOUNTER]
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///Ryoji///
I was having a good conversation with Helene about the subjects she liked while nodding my head like I knew what she was talking about. She was talking about soccer, dancing, other things that I didn't know but at least she doesn't suspect me of murder.
I felt some peace talking to her. Helene is a bit different from the rest of them, it's amazing how some of these kids can either be mature or just....kids.
Only time I been to the N.U.S.N was.....A memory that I can't recall.
So far, I've been living in Avignon. Obvious for me to say that
To be honest, I like it here in the N.U.S.N.
"Me too, Ryo. Me too." Iggy spoke in my mind, I was guessing he was also feeling the same way I was. Hey. I told him. These are my thoughts. Stay out of them until I'm finished. I was aware that my words were rude, I had no business talking to him like that but it was for his sake.
"Yeesh. Okay then." Igneus became quiet as I continued on.
Like I was reminiscing about, the atmosphere around here is pleasant and I been making friends quicker than the bullet bites someone painfully.
I can breathe a bit easier here than I was in the Guild.
I wish...I wish I could tell everyone my secret.
But how will they look at me?
Would they look at me and feel pity for me?
Or would they hate me? Would they try to kill me?
No.
They wouldn't.
I'm not to supposed feel fear or anxiety like everyone else, I don't dive head-first into battle. Death comes to everyone who obeys the sacred laws of nature.
And if death will come calling for the girl who caused me the most pain.
She called me a scum. She was the one who abandoned her post; killing innocents while I did my best to stop her. Me and my brothers in arms tried to stop her bloodshed yet our attempts were futile against her——That She-Wolf.
When I saw two bodies that were trapped in the rubble, I was horrified on how she tortured them.
Of course she had to: their limbs were flayed and their fingers were missing.
I'll just have to keep this masquerade for long as I'm here, but I won't anything to hurt them willingly. I want to protect people; I don't want to kill anymore.
"Are you okay? You seem to be ruminating a lot..." A voice made me come back to reality and it was....
It's Tsurugi Tetsumaki. I heard of him before this encounter he's in our class but Reza told him that he's eccentric and is very observant.
The observant part is the one that keeps me cautious:I'll keep my distance from him; only engaging in small talk and nothing else.
His costume was...different. He had two purple visors frames on both side of his ears, making him seem as if he had long ears like an elf.
It appears almost like his skin was made of porcelain by how shiny it was. His facial features were very child-like to the point that when he smiled at me, it was almost effeminate.
The clothes that he wore are of the highest quality, featuring both a large black shirt that covered his arms to his hep with a yellow star in the center and a navy blue hakama,. A large piece of black fabric hangs from the center of the sash, embellished with the images of three yellow origami robins. Outwardly; only two heavy, golden gauntlets on his arms with ornate multicolored designs, which the fact that he isn't human to me.
He's either an android or a cyborg, but he does possesses emotions, being concerned with my well-being.
"Well, well. Ryoji Kazama. You seemed a bit off today due to your brain patterns indicating that you're thinking about something negatively."
His comment threw me off. Should I act flattered of how concerned he is or just answer casually?
I chuckled in a flattered way, "Thank you, that actually makes my day, are you an android? Sorry if I'm being impolite…."
"What gave it away?"
So he is a cyborg: Androids, from what I seen, usually deny that they are an Android and would go into a identity crisis. I made a mental note to myself.
He smiled pleasantly as he tried to persuade me into talking with him a bit more. I suppose I provide with some...entertainment.
"What parts of you are made of metal?" Helene simply stated.
"I have a human brain, I have lungs, well most of since some parts of it is artificially made and I have
most of my human parts intact, parts that I share with everyone here. Well, maybe except Kadoku." He was followed by the two as they went into the entrance of the large bus.
———Third Person———
As two minutes passed on, the bus driver, who was a grumpy Croatian who dreamt of being a hero but failed, started the engines without a key but magic. I really hate my job…..
Every other Student were conversing with another, while the faculty enjoyed their twelve minutes of solace. Haruka Uteshikis' eyes were glued on her phone, whereas Sora and Brandon were talking without distractions. "Do you think the new Spider-Man game is gonna be good?" Brandon asked his question.
"As long as they have the Symbiote Suit in the game, I'll play it." Haruka replied while still staring while Sora
"As long As I can play As Miles Morales, then I'm good to go."
"I don't think that'll work, Haruka."
"Whatdda ya mean
Haruka Uteshiki was always knew she was crazy, but the good and intelligent crazy.
When she joined Lulu's pilgrimage as her advisor, she made excellent choices along their way; thinking ahead. This proved to be true; as showcasing her tremendous power as a Summoner in battle. However; she couldn't get over the loss of her best friend, it made that Lulu told her that she loved her more than a….sister.
Nonetheless, Haruka will always have others for her to support her on.
"Don't be like that. You know that her spirit lives on," reassured Sora, "Hell, she's probably watching you being glued to your phone.."
The Assistant Principal let out a sigh. "I know, I know." She kept playing her instrument, reminiscing about the good times.
Even the bus driver—who she never met or interacted, felt her pain. Unfortunately; all he cared about was getting his paycheck sometime today at four-o'clock. He pulled the lever and the bus was continually raising up from the dirt and into the halcyon skies to about 5,000 feet.
Regis was sitting two rows before the teachers, folding his arms and eavesdropping on them.
He remembered about the incident that involved Lulu; Her sacrifice made the headlines, even the people of Somnus weeped for her.
The only human here on this Earth that I respect wholeheartedly, I don't remember you much, but my brother always thought of you in high regard. Grand Summoner Lulu: You will be missed.
"Oh, crap." Funka grimaced, clenching her stomach as strong as she could while she sat with Dakarai,
"Scared of heights?" Jested Dakarai, provoking her just for the fun of doing so. His costume revolved of an orange bandana that sloped to the side, and
to sum it up: It was a pirate motif but more tech-savvy.
"You're the one whose scared of heights!" She hit him back, making him laugh in content before
watching the window near him, near Takeo and Sasha, and observed one of the wheels tucking into the bus and were replaced with jet engines. Takeo just sat there, daydreaming about the Rescue Garden. "What are you daydreaming about?" Sasha asked Takeo, before he replied——Kadoku interrupted with Cecilia standing by him.
Her costume consisted of a black shirt with a white herringbone pattern, a brown jacket, black gloves with white blades on the knuckle, alabaster pants, a black belt, headphones, and a burnt orange-colored visor that rested on her forehead. Her usual messy hair was slicked back a bit——her facial features didn't change.
"Sucking some duck prolly." Kadoku insulted Takeo, but it wasn't until he had another quip to use against Haritoka.
"Shouldn't be even talking with that dragon bent dick of yours anyway!" Takeo insulted his enemy and after he roasted him, everyone simply laughed at his roast.
Even Cecilia lit up a small chuckle. That...was actually funny.
He brushed it off casually, exchanged mean looks with his confidant and looked at Akina before smiling at her.
As Reza was thinking of how corrupt Surwick is to a fault.
Everything they have been hiding away from the public: It wouldn't be easy; however. Every member of the faculty is very loyal to him and wouldn't betray him. From what I heard from my father before he died, Lino used to be polar opposite of what he is today. He was once a bloodthirsty despot before he was a hero; the first Overlord in existence.
The Symbol of Authority. No one can hide away their past from the naked eye forever. My father always told me this.
———Leizniče———
"Welcome to Leizniče."
The voice box had announced that the students were arriving in Leizniče, and eyes huddled to the nearest window to look at—the gorgeous view.
The coastlines in the Croatian-sponsored state were too much to fathom. It was as if there were mermaids down below; waving politely at them at the flying bus, the European-like buildings admired Ryoji.
It made him remember the home he never had: Croatia. He would have loved to live if not for being in the Guild.
All the overwhelming memories, his friends, everything he knew that was taken away from him at Dolle. Even his Uncle Zanko was the top commander there; leading one of the little units Ryoji was in at one point.
Every painful moment I have experienced, every loss I had: They're the reason why I'm here.
The Rescue Garden was on the edge where they were heading. As they were about to arrive, there was something at caught the eye of Helene's, Tsurugi's and Ryoji's.
"What in the Hell?" Ryoji gasped as Helene was also shocked by.
"What is that?"
"And you're not seeing on how I'm seeing it."
The cyborg gave them both l binoculars so that they could see what he was seeing.
It was a large beast resembling a man who stood there in the rooftop while the bus came down to land on a decent road to continue onwards. He was about seven-foot-seven, his build came somewhere from a comic book.
The whole body was a greige color, with the large claws being black. It was a sinister creature indeed——the neck was wrapped in pink tissue of five teeth like necklaces in the front and four in the back. The face of it was the living incarnation of yin and yang, the catch was that the black side, located on the right side, was eclipsing over the white side. Its mouth was downright horrifying.
The mouth unhinged to reveal the inner part to be riddled with dagger-like teeth, the left side was darker than the shadows and the right side was pearly white. While they couldn't tell the eye colors of this monstrosity, they knew the mystery monster could be trouble for heroes, or anyone in general.
The three students could tell the monster is not there in Leizniče for coffee.
Could it be....A Daemon? Ryoji pondered as the body was slowly becoming blurry by the second, he took a deep breath before looking forward to the visitation of the Garden.
Whatever that thing I just saw....I hope to God I won't see that again....Helene was mortified by the looks of that creature. It couldn't be human, no way something like that can be our own flesh and blood. If I tell Jordyn about this—she'll laugh at my face. I'll keep it to myself..
With the Rescue Garden in their grasp, all students except Regis sat in their seats once again as the bus slowed down.
——Outerfield of the Rescue Garden——
"You're finally here! Now get out!" The bus driver ordered the class to step out of his bus to get under a great amount of shade from the one big tree southeast where Ryoji and company were located.
Everyone marveled at the Rescue Garden.
It stood larger than any building a Takeo has ever seen, wider than many soccer arenas, the gray parking lots and entrances were vast. Even Cecilia, who was never interested in anything, lit out a genuine "Wow".
"How much did it cost to make this place?" Takeo asked loudly before something gave him the answer.
"A lot of money," Sera answered solemnly as she looked down and repeated herself. "A lot of money."
The students walked to the entrance, and talked while doing so.
Ryoji was together with Locke.
Despite talking so briefly, Dakarai felt at ease with Ryoji. Locke didn't know his parents, they abandoned him when he was about two-hundred days old. Sky Pirates raised him into becoming a Hunter——so he can hunt for treasure. "When I'm a captain; you'll be my first mate in the skies!" He offered, the Heart-Bond accepted so that he wouldn't look a dick, whereas he asked Funka and immediately rejected his proposal.
"Hell no."
"Why not? Am I too repulsive for you?"
"Just answered your own question." She insulted him, his ego fell on the ground—His feelings were somewhat crumbled up. That's the first girl I actually have a crush and wham: She cuts me loose…
The last ones out were Jordyn——she applied her lipstick and makeup on, Kadoku and Cecilia. He gave giving her some orders—to keep an eye on Tsurugi, Takeo, Akina, Funka, Ryoji—anyone that shaping up to be his strongest opponents to face during the Skirmish if it ever came like that.
Kadoku always liked to plan ahead, it felt right to do so. The only time he didn't plan; was the beast he is today. He was born a human, living in Unebi before.....before....the memories were blurry for him. Couldn't remember that much of his memories gone-by.
After all of Class-C2 were grouped up together, they were met with the special teacher today—the one in charge with the training facility. It was Bubble-Dive, a hero who specializes in rescuing and support.
He had the appearance of a golden armored, scuba driver. His helmet was made out of water——hence the name, bubble. His arms were stocky with a blue hue to them, he also wore highly-advanced Flippers as well. His stocky suit served well for him. Despite they couldn't tell on how his mug looked from the reverse helmet, they could the eyes of Bubble-Dive to be impish; jolly.
A rarity nowadays in the world. Acting like a host, he got into a pose and announced, "Welcome to the Rescue Garden! I'm the special guide and person to aid you today!! Name's-"
He was kindly interrupted by Taig, who put his guns because it was rude to show a gun to a accomplished Hero. "Bubble-Dive. You're the Marine Aid Hero; Bubble-Dive." He gasped as he groveled at his feet, he respected him because the Marine Aid Hero's skills in rescuing is quite tremendous. It wasn't until Bubble-Dive quietly told him that he was ruining with his script and the atmosphere he wanted to create for the kids, so Taig stopped his groveling and went back to the group.
"Anyway! I'm Bubble-Dive! I'm here to train with you—to improve your powers to the maximum for today! I can make large bubbles, ranging from one centimeter to the height of a destroyer! However; it is deadly for me. Every bubble I make, the less oxygen inside my body. It was once a weak power, but I improved it to where I can do some good with it now! That's why you are here; to be the first ones to use the Garden—the pinnacle of hero training! Let's go in—this will change your lives—Forever."
The students went inside the Garden and what they saw was stunning.
The courtyards were gigantic, with eight roads leading to the respective areas. You could fit four skyscrapers of you laid them down horizontally. The special guest asked Mr.Minami where Chief Apex was at, Akina eavesdrop to quench her curiosity. She sensed that Sora was not a fan of Chief Apex, or heroes who were used the public to broaden their horizons up.
Akina ones that when she first met him. He didn't like her from the start—he sensed that within her—there was an incredible power in her. To lie so often, he once said, you would be caught in your own lies as well. Sora told Bubble-Dive that the No.2 Hero, in annoyed tone, that he was late as always.
He's probably doing his daily routine, beating up unlucky low-lives. She was reassured as she lit up a smile.
"It's somebody's scent...It's not Bubble-Dive....And I don't think we're alone..." Sasha said loudly, started to growl from all angles before dark clouds started to form around them.
"EVERYONE: PEPARE YOURSELF!!!"
Upon hearing her warning, Ryoji transformed into his Bonded-Form while the others didn't notice. The atmosphere changed to horror as a small hole manifested behind the students, an icy blue eye peered inside of it.
Armando asked Taig what was going before Taig yelled out, "VILLAINS!!"
"Am I late for the party? I seemed to lost my invitation somewhere....." That voice, Sora recognized that voice. So did the teachers, which Assistant Uteshiki got her guitar ready and Brandon Lewis turned into his persona "Nevaeh".
Brandishing his sword of obsidian haughtily, Brandon stayed to fight the Shinrai Empire with his legs planted in the ground: He was ready to fend for the children with his own life on the line. Shit!! How did they know about our location?! It was supposed to kept a secret!
So was his best friends as well.
That doesn't matter right now: What matters is the kids!
The warp gate opened more and villains from the mighty empire of Shinra Empire ventured into the Garden, along with Shinra's elite.
Holy crap.... Helene thought, frightened when she recognized the figure during the bus ride. He was there.
The menacing brute looked up at her with one yellow reptilian eye and the other on the right side;
A red one with millions of pupils; like a pomegranate.
"SORRY TO CRASH THIS PARTY, BUT WE'VE A SPECIAL PERSON TO KILL.....WHICH MEANS...."
His voice was raspy yet emitted a miasma to it after he giggled.
"YOURE IN A LOT OF SHIT NOW..."
An encounter the Class of Salamanders have never thought to....Well, encounter.
———Track 39 Ended———
CHARACTER PROFILE:
SURWICK STUDENT: TSURUGI TETSUMAKI (13)
HALF-METAL, HALF-FLESH: ALL GENTLE TEENAGER
BIRTHDAY: 1/17
HEIGHT: 5'4
LIKES: Meat, Good Movies, Technology
DISLIKES: Being a cyborg (Very self-conscious about
THE INSIDE STORY:
Potentially one of the strongest students in C-2 even without cybernetics.