The next day, Icarus nervously walked to his desk in front of the class. Nobody seemed to pay him any attention.
"Good," whispered to himself.
"Ike, are you okay?" a familiar voice rang by side. It was Violetta. "Claude and I went by your place yesterday but you didn't come out."
"Uhh...Yeah...I wasn't feeling fine," Icarus chuckled anxiously.
"Violet, shouldn't you be beaming about how you got Gold Rank and an SS-rank Essence?" the boy tried to steer the conversation in a different.
"It'd be inappropriate especially what happened to you..." mumbled Violetta.
"It's fine. I'm very happy things worked out for you and Claude. I'm happy when you are too," simpered Icarus. Then he blushed a little when he realized his words were a little bit too intimate.
"Hehe, is that so?" Violetta chuckled as she blushed as well.
"Yeah, Violetta's right! It'd be improper if a princess like Violetta kept boasting about her results to someone who had a Red Rank like you!" a girl's voice interjected from behind.
A delicate arm wrapped itself around Icarus' back like it was giving comfort. But that wasn't the case. The person who had intruded was none other than Natalia, the girl Icarus tried so hard to disassociate himself with.
She devilishly smiled as her arm wrapped around him more like they were some sort of couple. But for Icarus, the arm and herself was more of a snake, ready to strange him at any moment.
"Icarus, you may have gotten a Red Rank but its obviously fine since you probably have a strong Essence, right?" Natalia asked sarcastically. It was obvious that she was trying to embarrass Icarus and at the same time learn more about him.
"..."
Icarus knew silence was the best response.
"I mean everybody in the Class has shared their Essences with each other, even that dunce, Paulie. Come to think of it, we never knew yours!" continued Natalia.
"Yeah, yeah! Nat's right!"
Two of Natalia's cronies in the back added more fuel in the fire.
"Your Mom's pretty cool and strong so your Essence has to be. C'mon spill it already! Mine is Alkonost, she's a monster that is classified as a B+ Rank Essence," spewed Natalia.
"..."
"Natalia, quit it," demanded Violetta as she glared at Natalia's arm.
"Tch, forget it. Class is starting anyways."
Natalia flicked her hair back as she sat back behind Icarus and signalled her cronies to go back to their desks.
"Thanks," Icarus mouthed the word towards Violetta but no sound came out.
The door to the class opened and was slammed shut so loud that the whole class went silent. They very well knew who did it and it signified that the class had started. It was Mr. Zi.
"Now that you children have discovered your ranks, it is time to put it to the test. We've started training you children in fighting in Phys. Ed. since the 4th Grade. But then, you were only taught the basics of most martial arts and to only repeat the basics. From now on, we will put more emphasis on your capabilities as a vessel. Starting today until Thursday of next week, you will be spending time towards lectures about Vessels and combat classes in Phys. Ed." explained Mr. Zi.
The whole class murmured in anticipation. They were tired of the normal subjects like Math and English. Now, the whole week was dedicated to them training their potentials as Vessels.
"Then, on Friday, we will have a joint class with Class Jasmine in Phys. Ed." continued Mr. Zi, "There, you will be randomly paired against a student of their class and fight in a mock battle while being supervised by us."
This time, the whole class let itself go and roared in celebration.
"Woohoo! We finally get to fight!" A kid screamed.
"Man, hopefully I don't get matched up against Claude..." another worried.
"Pipe down," commanded Mr. Zi. and to no surprise, the class fell silent once more. "The lecture starts now."
After the class, Icarus hurriedly shuffled out of his seat to go home in an attempt to avoid his fellow classmates, especially Natalia. However, his plan was stop short by Mr. Zi.
"Icarus Vermillion, stay. I have something to talk to you about."
Icarus submissively sat back and waited until all kids left. Violetta wondered what was going on as she made her exit.
"What do you need , Mr. Zi?" inquired Icarus.
"Boy, I'm very well aware of your circumstances," sighed the old man. "The Royal Tea Academy was set up to teach children from respectable backgrounds. But didn't expect you out of all people to be a Husk. You do know that the staff has been eyeing your progress along with Claude Astyrea?"
"..."
"Honestly, this is a first for us too. We've decided to give your mother some face by exempting you of the class on Friday next week. You do not have to fight," Mr. Zi assured.
"Mr. Zi, thank you for that but... that class is worth a lot in terms of grades, right? Not just Phys. Ed. but also the lectures throughout the whole week?" Icarus queried.
"Your grades for lectures will be fine as well as you do excellent on the written tests. However, Phys. Ed. will be a zero. We can't grade your mastery over your Essence and soul force when your incapable of showing it, am I not right?"
"You're totally right."
"I see that you understand. While this academy is a Vessel-focused institution, we'll try our best to educate you even with your circumstances. I myself expect great things from you. Just... not at being a Vessel. You're smart. You will go far."
"I know, sir. But—
"But, what?"
"I still want to join the joint class on Friday and fight," insisted Icarus.
"Why do you insist on being with Vessels?!" grumbled Mr. Zi.
"Hey look, Teach. It isn't like that. I'm doing it for the grades."
The old man began to scratch his balding gray head.
"Grades?"
"Yeah, I'm not in denial or anything. I just don't want my grades to be affected just because I'm a Husk. That's the only thing that makes me stand out, you know?" reasoned Icarus.
"Hehe, maybe Mr. Zi can pair me up against a fellow Red Rank with an average Essence then maybe it won't be too bad for me," suggested Icarus.
"You're telling me to rig the ballots? No."
"C'mon, Mr. Zi.... Please?"
"If you are joining, then I'll let the school council know of your decision. However, you are getting what you get. If you face off against Claude, then so be it," warned the old man.
"Hehe, go ahead and match me against Claude, then. He'll let me win since he knows my circumstances too," grinned Icarus.
"You...."
Veins started to pop out the old man's head. Sensing the volcano that was about to erupt Icarus abruptly left.
"Well bye, Mr. Zi. I gotta get home, hehe."
"What am I going to do with this child," Mr. Zi shook his head.
For a whole week, the two classes trained hard in theory and combat in an effort to try to best each other when the time came. Icarus read the entirety of the Essence Databook and have memorized all the Essences stored there.
He may not be a Vessel, but Icarus showed great interest in the world's history and Essences. He considered himself an upcoming philosopher or alchemist in a world full warriors. Having the highest marks in Class Chamomile was a piece of cake for him. Well, maybe not. After all, Violetta in the second place was only half a mark less than Icarus. If he had a rival with intelligence it was Violetta.
Finally, at Thursday, the list of paired names were finally posted for the upcoming Joint Class competition.
Icarus became overjoyed when he saw his name on the list. The school had considered his decision after all. Even if he loses the fight and get embarrassed, having a zero on such an important class was worse than being called a Husk by everyone. Also, having something is better than nothing. He doesn't know how he'll be graded on Essence control but hopefully the marks won't affect his overall grade that much.
He looked at who he was paired against.
"Icarus Vermillion versus........ Zeke Malek."
"Hmm, did the school retained their integrity and picked randomly or did they assign me a weak contender?" Icarus asked himself.
Nevertheless, the person he was up against was still a Vessel. He need to know more information about his opponent and utilized what he learned to use in his fight.
Luckily, he knew just the guy. He'd just have to ask Claude since Zeke was his classmate.
Icarus went home and immediately began to practice drills. Today was training day which mean Claude and Violetta were also coming.
"Well, well, well, you're awfully motivated today," snickered Yanne as she stumbled upon her son unusually working hard.
"Yeah, mom. I'm fighting a Vessel tomorrow."
"That's my son! I knew you'd never back down!" Yanne gleefully chortled. "Once those two get here, we will be working extra hard and teach you guys new techniques. Whoever, you're fighting go rip him a new one and embarrass him!"
"Calm down, Mom. He's just a kid just like me."
"Doesn't matter. Show everyone that the Vermillions are not to be messed with."
"You know, I'm only doing it for the grades, right? I'll try to win if I can, but if they paired with me with someone strong, I'm the one who'll get embarrassed," clarified Icarus.
"..."
"..."
"Pussy," Yanne jokingly insulted his son as she walked off. "Those two are probably here, I'll go get them."
"Please tell Claude to hurry up. I need to talk to him."