Chapter 51———A Week Before the Skirmish
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The week before Skirmish resumed life in the N.U.S.N, and classes resumed where anyone was tired from the classes.
Life before the Skirmish was...Hyping the entire Festival up. There was no ulterior motive to the N.U.S.N, this was bigger than the Superbowl. Many heroes were looking for an opportunity to pick up future sidekicks.
The remaining heroes wanted to continue this dark age of superheroes, yet none wished to start a new generation of heroes.
It was a weary Monday, with Dakarai sleeping while one of his teachers lecturing about negotiating with villains and doing what was right. Explaining that one must remain calm and understanding of what the villain wants in return. Eventually, his other teacher, Brandon Lewis, found another way to wake him up.
A benevolent way of doing so.
"Is that J.Lo?" Brandon looked up slyly as he tricked his student. Although He didn't like lying and deception, Brandon knew that napping would cause a dip in his grades. So that he didn't end up like his other friend...The one who betrayed the school.
Dakarai immediately woke up, asking and looking around for the celebrity's callipygous body before realizing the cold truth. "Where...Oh, hot damn! I was lied to!" The whole class snickered behind his back.
Even Sora Minami, the stoic of the duo, smirked a bit underneath the mask. He was wrapped under bandages and is expected to make a full recovery in two weeks.
Ryoji was laughing as well to impersonate the dumb, energetic kid for his cover. Despite him playing the part, he was pondering on who was this "J.Low" woman. Is she an athlete? I wonder what sports people play so I can play my part better...I need to find out more...
"Wow...Can you believe he thought...Aki?" Marcus stopped his chuckling and tried to gossip with his adopted sister...Yet, he couldn't get her undivided attention.
As her mind was somewhere elsewhere.
Akina's attention was directed towards Cecilia while blushing slightly at her winged classmate, who looked at her doodles. Akina never had the patience in perfecting the style of an artist. The way she looked at her paper, the way she was in her little world—All of it was...Poetic.
It stirred an emotion she never felt: It was a romantic feeling.
He shook her arm a few times before Akina snapped out of it, even looking at him strangely about it.
Like any big brother, Marcus was concerned about her. "Aki...Is everything okay? You seem off."
"Nothing! It's nothing-g..." She brushed it off while her one-sided nemesis, Jordyn Himasaki scowled at her from her seat.
If Akina was going to the top from the looks of her training and Chief Apex looking over her. I'm praying that I can burn her ass at the festival! Jordyn clenched her fists under her desk as she stared at her victim for a while.
Marcus gave Akina a look of doubt before resuming listening to the lecture. This morning, he dipped his tips a maroon color for the Skirmish. He was ready to give it his all.
"Enough of the boring stuff and let's get into the juicy stuff," Brandon fixed his glasses before beginning to give the good news. "Ever since the incident, the identities of Class C-2 need to hide to keep you safe. So, the board has decided to give the younger classes like C-1 and C-2 masks to hide your identities from the public...."
The whole class beamed triumphantly about the news. They were going to create their names for the festival, they were kids and they were doing the things their older classmates from other classes are doing.
This was the best news the class has had since the year began: We were getting your hero names. Funka was being optimistic in the moment and her thoughts intertwined with everyone else. For the first time, Funka all felt like a kid.
Doing kid stuff.
"However, the Shinobis and Hunters will not be creating their names. Sorry." Sora hated to be the bearer of bad news...He just had to do this just a bit longer before he gives Lino his resignation letter. In the first week of January 2019, he'll give it up to Lino and turn his back on the school he once loved.
Sora took over and finished this with a more positive turn. "Before the festival begins, we will give each one of you different domino masks that have patterns or creative designs made from the minds of you guys. So...Get to it!"
"How are you guys gonna be able to do that if it's already Monday? Doesn't that shit take more than a week to manufacture?" Kadoku brought up a good point to his teachers. "This is Surwick, Haritoka. It'll take a day and a half." Sora answered callously, a side of him surfaced from all the bullshit that came with the school.
The students should start to come close to figuring out that Surwick is not what it seems to be.
—WEDNESDAY—
Ryoji Kazama entered the window to go to the Principal's office and then he sneaked past Assistant Uteshiki gracefully. The reason why is that he wouldn't be met with uncomfortable hugs and that Capybara quote. Despite his high intelligence, he could not remember the exact quote she said before he met with Batsaikhan Dorj before his demise.
Going to Somnus this Wednesday was worth going, even though the 26 minutes of falling was debatable. When it was done, instead of complaining about it; he improved his landing.
The books in the Principal's library were still disorganized and all over the place, with personal elixirs brewed and scrolls with steps on how to do magic. Seems like the Principal was getting ready to train me today with spells...
Ryoji saw his new mentor, mediating under the two suns that Somnus was known for. Lino Saon has some love for Somnus, seeing how his home is here and all...
Feeling his apprentice's presence, Lino opened his eyes and gave him a warm look towards him while he looked up from the rocks he sunbathed in. Lino never lied to Hanianna, he saw her as her adopted daughter; He did see a lot in the young boy. "Young Kazama. You're finally here to discuss your future."
"Of course. I would never miss the opportunity in discussing our future." Ryoji corrected him politely while sitting down around the small table that housed a small cup of tea.
Ryoji had never drank tea before as water was only permitted every 72 hours and every week back in the Guild, Ryoji would have to ingest a liquid-like serum that tasted like silver meshed together with expired fruit. He took a sip from the tea and
"That's Matcha Tea. You like it?" Lino asked softly as the boy nodded at his master and slurped loudly. Ryoji apologized for having bad manners in front of his teacher. "Apologies. I've never drank something so refreshing and so uplifting in my life." He couldn't believe that he acted like his Heart Igneus, only that he didn't burp.
This only made the Principal erupt with raucous laughter. Ryoji had never seen a dog laugh before, only snarling when they were hungry for his flesh.
"AWOHAHA! Boy, I should call the Festival executives and rig the festival today if I could see more of this side of you instead of seeing fight all the time!!"
The atmosphere became serious, Ryoji's sclera turn a dark hue than before and his voice became harsh. "You rig the whole festival, and I will never forgive you." Ryoji interrupted his master hastily. "I have talent." Even his newfound mentor was surprised by the sudden change in Ryoji's tone. It sounded warped and eerily, an effect of the many experimentations that Ryoji had to endure.
Every Raven was subjugated to these horrid experiments with the main purpose to enhance one to achieve new heights.
Every. Single. One.
"Talent which you shouldn't showcase to the world for your sake. If your remaining enemies see your face, they will come for you and they will try to torture you. They would hurt you before finally ending you right in your tracks. It was only a joke that I made from you being naturally funny from the tea drinking. Is that understood?"
Being here has shown Ryoji many things, but the one thing is that he is not invincible nor all-powerful.
He was supposed to be a Heart-Bond, a being born from the twisted union between a humanoid and a Corheimr, who can be beaten by normal people as he had witnessed. Funka Berunji, who has been a thorn in his rear since his arrival, was kicking his ass and then Kadoku Haritoka proved to him that he was not acidproof, either.
If his classmates are that strong now, then he must work harder than ever to surpass them. "Sir. I need to get stronger. Funka Berunji had the upper hand during the fight. If I'm already getting beaten by people that shouldn't be beating me, then how I will progress?"
"It was because you weren't fighting her at your true strength," Lino stated while cleaning all tables up with telekinesis.
"...That's not true." Ryoji lied before repeating himself. "That's not true."
He was lying to himself, had he used his full strength: She would be in stitches...
I knew it...The boy holds back when he fights and only the Corheimr fights with all of his power. If they could stay in sync this time around, they could potentially win it...
Before it got even more awkward between the two, the Principal cleared his throat. "Besides that. you heard your teachers, you'll have a mask and a codename that you're going by. So, then...What is it going to be?"
Ryoji has been brainstorming this name for some time now. He wanted to sound unique for his first codename.
Ryoji answered while smiling eerily, he was trying his best to smile naturally as he would do sometimes "Drakonič." He felt prideful in revealing his codename. He explained more with his head held high. "Has a nice feel to it. I have somewhat the appearance of a dragon and that name was never used before in the hero community. Or what it used to be.."
"You dislike your Japanese heritage, despite your name and that..."
"Not exactly. I would say I'm more in tune with my Croatian side. Wouldn't you say so?" Ryoji
Sure, you do...Lino rolled his eyes in silence before Ryoji's eyes opened big in paranoia. "Did you say something, Master? I heard some whispering around us. Are those only from the spirits that once inhabited here?"
Yes, I have forgotten: Ravens are cursed in being able to sense when someone is talking about them mentally, perceiving them as mere whispers...They become paranoid about it too. Lino remembered something about them when he was reading about the Assassin's Guild and digging any dirt on them that his previous master had left the shovel to do so. Yet, he was trying to help Ryoji in completing his objectives.
Not bad for your first identity nonetheless...Then again, I don't care about topics like that... Lino thought, respecting the codename from his disciple.
"About next week, there has been a shakeup and I felt it was my duty to notify you this..." Lino started to tell him the groundbreaking news regarding the Skirmish.
The one that will shake up next week.
—Meanwhile in the N.U.S.N—
In a safe house located in the state of Yorkney, a gangster with the name of Invictus lived there. It has been a while since he almost saw Ryoji Kazama in the alleyway.
Time passed and he was simply browsing the Internet about news, forums, and other sites.
A picture on an internet forum showed a picture of Ryoji Kazama and Akina Willoby together back in the Rescue Garden facility.
He had spies everywhere he told them to go.
Go recon and find out more about potential threats to him and his boss.
This kid...Is he the same one that saved that little girl that degenerate was beating up? And that little girl...She had powers all along. If this kid is a Heart-Bond...I should tell Sarbello about this...
He was enjoying his peacetime and even enjoyed his hot tea until Don Sarbello, a puppetmaster that resided somewhere here in the N.U.S.N appeared on his bed.
"Don Sarbello!" Invictus gasped, he didn't see his boss sitting on his bed, much less entered his safehouse without hearing him. He almost screamed like a little girl in front of his boss, that would be too embarrassing enough for him.
His superior apologized while he was covered in the darkness softly. He always loved to speak softly, seeing how yelling and screaming damaged the vocal cords.
Don Sarbello was getting old, yet he wanted to sing like an opera singer. "Sorry for scaring you, Invictus. Your window was wide open." Don Sarbello said.
And Invictus would know if there was an intruder in his temporary home.
But his employer was finicky when it came to it.
Don Sarbello explained why he wanted the lights to be off... "Please don't turn on the lights. I've...recently discovered that I am sensitive to it." He was there to tell him to stick with the plan and nothing else.
"Roll with the plan, Invictus. Everything that we have done for this plan, everyone that sacrificed their time and dedication to this...All of it will be worth it."
Invictus concurred while deleting his search history, along with his tabs. "It will be worth it, sir. I'll make sure that everything will go to fruition."
The Kingpin of Crime in the N.U.S.N hasn't seen his general since the death of Mario, that filfthy pig whom the two criminals hated with a passion and shipped his remains to the police department. It was strictly business, and Mario took advantage of Don Sarbello. Stealing money from the man who runs organized crime here was like taking a large steak from an alpha lion male away.
"Remember now, no innocent blood will be spilled. We may be criminals, but we are professionals and we have standards. We are better than the ordinary scum in the streets."
Invictus nodded while typing more following his every command and reason. He respected him for his prowess and his wit, how he never wanted to hurt the innocent.
They cared more about people than the heroes.
"When I will be gone...I want you to be the main man around the N.U.S.N, Invictus. My long time of operating in the dark will vanish. I wish to be exposed, and doing so...." Don Sarbello began to emit aerosol-like particles in the shadows before the bed creaked from him standing up and his silver-colored pupils lit the umber covering him. "I must get out of my comfort zone."
—THURSDAY—
On Memorios Beach, Akina was once again training with her mentor/idol Chief Apex in hopes of becoming stronger before everything begins.
She was throwing punches in the air and perfecting her techniques without the aid of the Principal's twisted ways.
She wanted to do everything the noble way—The honest way of doing things. Chief Apex was lecturing while supervising her. "Remember now, those punches should be able to generate enough force to overcome any obstacles. Yet, not too much or else someone could get seriously hurt!"
And he made her stop her training by reminding her about having a life. "And most importantly, at the end of the day: Just give it you are all. Just have fun, it's a big festival. Enjoy being a kid!"
Enjoy being a kid? I'm probably going to hit puberty soon and according to Mom, puberty's a BIG BITCH.
And speaking about hormones...
"I have a question-n.." Akina began her question towards Chief Apex rather shyly, she wanted to sound absurd in front of her idol. How am I supposed to say this one thing to him?
"I-I think I'm starting-g to have-e- a crush on this...On-n this girl that's in my-y class and...I don't know to-o ask her out..." She sighed after trying her hardest not to stutter to no avail.
Despite her blushing madly, Chief Apex couldn't stop but smile at the girl. He saw it as his student being adorable. Oh, that's cute! She has a crush on a girl! How nice!
All before he realized his own love life and how that turned out. "...uh, I don't have an answer for that. People know that Trench Fighter and I have had an on-and-off relationship for many years...That's not healthy at all..." He confessed, sighing as he continued. "She was the one who asked me out before I had mustered up the tenacity to do so...She was pretty much the love of my life and I've felt like that if any girl before."
The biggest, most muscular guy that I have worshipped...Was the wuss out of the two? Trench Fighter seems to be a gentle soul of the two!! Akina thought before Enapay gave his advice.
"Let out your emotions onto her and tell her how you truly feel about her. If she's a decent person, then go for it."
Akina could feel it in her gut that Cecilia is a decent person. She always had that feeling when it came to people.
"Oh, no-o." She uttered as something caught her eye.
"What is it, Akina?" Chief Apex asked his pupil as
Akina looked back and saw a raging crowd of reporters. They couldn't know about their secret partnership
"Press-s!!"
The two used their inhuman powers to run the hell away from the reporters in the sand. And that was hard since the sand is slippery on this particular beach.
To hell with she was going to get sand in her socks. Akina wasn't prepared to have her cover blown over by the heartless mob of reporters and gossipers.
—FRIDAY—
Noon and it was already lunch, a few more hours, and everyone could go home and rest before the big week had begun.
Scarlet banners that represented the Skirmish were hanging above the heads of all students, both fletchings and veterans. Everyone was looking forward to it; even the faculty who were preparing everything for it had a smile for it.
Cecilia was sitting with Akina and Beri, along with everyone else. A surprise twist where Funka took notice, even nudging her good friend Takeo. "Don't you think it's a little weird that Cecilia Harmaajärvi, a Vanguard, is sitting here with us today?" She spoke quietly while crunching on her Doritos.
The Accursed Boy only shrugged and went back to eating his Ebi Tempura in peace. "I think it's weird that one of my best friends is a factionist."
While Sera was listening to her music quietly with her beats where she was cognizant of her surroundings, feeling the sensation of Ryoji Kazama poking her arm.
Catching the attention of his classmate, the Heart-Bond asked politely about what she was listening to.
"Sera. That song you were playing? What is called?"
His hearing was enhanced and he could hear lyrics. One of them from the song, 'If I only could, I'd make a deal with god, And I'd get him to swap our places', summarized his whole life.
"Oi, Ryo—Don't be asking people about that. Or at least, try to be discreet, or else you'll cause a war with everyone here in his cafeteria.
"Running Up that Hill by Kate Bush. It was released back in 1985. I like retro songs, they...remind me of how music used to be. They used to be art before they got turned into dumpster fire..." She finished as she offered an earbud for him to listen to. He gladly accepted and Sera restarted the music for him.
He was going to listen to music other than two songs for the first time in his life.
"Oi, I do think Lil Pump is trash, but I like Lil Baby. I prefer American rappers over English rappers since they don't sound like cu-"
Beri stepped in while sliding his tray with him. "Please, I heard you singing Gucci Gang on the way to school here."
Before Kemp uttered something, he closed his mouth and decided to keep quiet. He cursed under his breath since he wasn't particularly fond of Beri, but decided not to fight this battle. Why is everyone interrupting me today?
What is art? And what can be considered subjective? They can be appealing and what can't be appealing to people. If I killed someone, that's would be unappealing to most of the crowd.
Is my life...Like subjective art?
Eventually, Kemp got everyone's attention as two boys with ill intentions came to their table. Wasn't the first time that these two rascals did this thing, but they were serious this time. "Ah, bollocks...Look who it is: Redneck Bonnie and Pompous Clyde. As far as I'm concerned, the bank's that-a-way."
Beri, Funka, Cade and Kemp stood up and squared at the two.
Kori Gideon was the elder son of the richest family in the N.U.S.N. He knew that and made sure that people knew he was rich. He was the taller of the two but not much. He has meaningful, narrow, dark-brown eyes, freckled cheeks, and a triangular face.
He had small feet, ad toned legs. He had brown hair in a low fade style with a parting to the right. He also had a small scar on his right temple from a freak accident that gave him his powers. He is currently partaking in Track and although Kori couldn't make it to the tryouts for the Surwick Dragons this year, he'll make it next year.
Trevor Hirsch followed Kori Gideon like the obedient dog he was. Has been following him since they were kindergartners, and he was glad to do so because of Kori's tactics. He has a small welt on his forehead, which he showed it off with even more pride. His ginger, short buzz cut made him look like a bully. His long, moose-like horns made him a tad more arrogant since he made him more popular, or so he believed. He had these droopy, blue eyes, ears that stick out, and thin eyebrows. He had short legs, firm hands for brown-nosing handshakes, and broad shoulders. To complement the broad shoulders, Trevor was also barrel-chested.
And these two were from Class C-1:
Everyone knew that they were the superior class, that they were triumphant over the Salamanders.
"Listen, you C-2bes are nothing but the lowest of the low. Everyone knows that and everybody is gunning for you guys." Kori stated, that he looked At Funka whom he had some undying hatred for her. He had hatred of how Captain Molotov was a saint, yet his daughter was far from being one.
"Despite you guys acter doing anything except being the wallflower. We're gonna prove you guys wrong about everything."
"You guys were let loose because the villains made you all traumatized," Trevor added. He was truly a piece of shit.
"Pretty sure the Griffons were the lucky ones." Regis, out of the blue, backed Funka as he continued. "As far as I'm concerned, I heard you piss your pants from you saw a Reaper the size of a cricket."
"I spilled Cola on my pants because I was shocked from seeing one killing Chantrea Yen." Kori corrected the Prince of Somnus
"Leave them alone," Another student from a different class told his lower classmate to mind his business.
Kori ignored it, he took no heed to it. "I guess C-2 backs, everyone, up, even the Prince is well fond of the very own people who killed his sister."
That struck a chord in Regis, one more second, and Kori's innards would be splattered on the floor like a piñata.
Before he uttered another word, Kori was met with a good solid punch to the jaw by Kemp Kingsley who also told him to leave them alone in his own Cornish way.
"Giss on, kid! You haven't the slightest clue on who're messing with! We're the Salamanders, not the tiny reptiles you think us as."
He stood face to face with Kemp Kingsley. "You should really watch to who you're shit-talking to. Your pops. Your mum. They're on my dad's payroll. One more stupid move like that now, and you'll be living in the streets. Do you understand-"
Finally, Akina rose up from her seat and her voice deepen from her power. "Go. Away." Akina warned them, her hair stood up from her activating her powers. She was being too reckless now, yet no one threatens her friends. She didn't like bullies either.
The both of them finally left them alone for now as Regis calmed himself down and gave the two Akina. Ryoji. You best give it your all. Because I will show none of you mercy." He walked away as the bells had rung.
A hell of a declaration of war he got there... Funka even nodded in respect while throwing her bag away.
Did everything become extremely hot in here or is it just my regulating system acting so irregularly??? Tsurugi was nearby when it went all down. Turns out, he too will be giving his all.
Bold move...Hristhi began to analyze the whole situation as someone would do in an anime. It seems like it was his intention to intimidate them early on before the festival happens. Such a genius.
Why do I have the feeling that everyone was so impressed by that? Kadoku asked himself before the metaphorical lightbulb appeared on top of his spiky head. Now I gotta look badass too...
"Y'all three better bring it! I'm being serious! I'm gonna kick all of your asses!" Kadoku declared while giving the best declaration he could muster. He confused his peers, but he enjoyed doing what everyone else was doing.
"Ravens can sure talk the talk and walk the walk, but let's see what you got, Ryo." Igneus tested his Bonder.
Trust me, I will get far in this competition.
The three stopped looking at one another, this was war.
Akina and Ryoji looked at each other with uncertainty.
Ryoji liked his friend yet when it is a competition—He will be victorious and will get some recognition. I don't wish to fight you in combat..Yet, yet should the opportunity arise, I will do whatever it takes...To know everything I need to know...
Akina was terrified by the thought of her potentially fighting Ryoji should it happen in a few days. Gosh, for thousand of years our people have been fighting each other and we'd be just another example... Still, she was afraid of what this could do to their friendship. To be enemies is like PB&J not working together when it should work...Bring it on, Ryoji Dragomir Kazama. I think I'm ready to win. No hard feelings...
"You heard what's going on. Akina; Actually," His voice became more mellow as they both walked together in the hallways of Surwick.
He whispered something in Akina's ear and left to go to his seat in class.
No...They couldn't...Right?
A new revelation hit Akina right in the sternum, one that will finally be revealed on Monday.
Get some shut-eye and eat a plenty for the next two days.
For there is a Skirmish to happen...
———Track 51 Ended———
CHARACTER PROFILE:
SURWICK STUDENT: KORI GIDEON (12)
MOUTH OFF
BIRTHDAY: 12-1
HEIGHT: 5'5"
LIKES: Debates, Being Rich, Class C-1
DISLIKES: Class C-2 (thinks they're nothing but trash)
THE INSIDE STORY:
He's a massive thorn in anyone's sides who isn't a part of his class and he'll make to ruin our lives.
His powers are a bit unconventional, but extremely versatile and he used to his best abilities.
He is also the self-proclaimed leader of Class C-1, much to the chagrin of the opposite-minded classmates that don't agree with him.
CHARACTER PROFILE:
SURWICK STUDENT: TREVOR HIRSCH (13)
HORN-Y BASTARD
BIRTHDAY: 6-12
HEIGHT: 5'4"
LIKES: His horn-like powers, Feet (Women, to be precise)
DISLIKES: Anyone who disrespects him
THE INSIDE STORY:
He is extremely rude and acts like a bully to the unfortunate. Think of Nelson Muntz, but without his iconic catchphrase and likability.
Despite his dim-witted exterior, he lacks only initiative in forging his path.
Calling him dumb would be the worst mistake a man could make.