Chapter 14 - Okashi The First!
My teacher's words echoed in my head, 'was it really that time already? I could have sworn other schools wait around a month before they introduce the top ranked.' Now, if anyone had asked me what meeting the top five was like a month ago, I probably would've said how terrifying it would have been. All that power, that strength, and they would one day lead us into a new era. But now, they are nothing more than obstacles in my climb to power.
My mouth opened, about to ask why we were meeting them so soon, before someone beat me to it. A guy at the back, with jet black, shoulder length hair, and a few scars littered on his face.
"Is it already that time?" He had a thick British accent, however his Japanese was perfect.
He nodded, "Yes it is. It's time for the whole class to meet the students at this school that you will have to overcome, in order to truly call yourself the best." He smirked as he stared straight at me, almost as if he wanted to provoke me with his words.
"Not that any of you could beat them anyway."
A burst of both anger and confidence flooded my body, as words came out of my mouth with no control. However, I meant every word that I said.
"Yeah, maybe not anyone else in this class. But don't you dare put me and Yui with the rest of these weaklings!"
My lips formed into a smirk as I stared straight back into my teachers eyes.
"I barely tried and I still beat the nine strongest in the class. Hell, I even beat one without using my blue flame."
My teacher joined me in smirking. For a while, we just stood there, smirking at each other. His mouth opened, his smirk becoming a proud smile. I'd finally gained a teacher's respect.
"This, Amon, is why you're my favourite student."
There it was again. He used my first name. He showed me the respect that not many others did.
"I have no idea where this new fiery side has come from. But I have to acknowledge it as a welcome change. However, you do know that I will be pushing you harder than ever now, don't you."
No thoughts ran through my head. I forgot about the top five, about the assembly, about the world. The only thing I knew at that moment, was pride.
His gaze slowly shifted from me, to the rest of the class.
"Alright class, let's head to the assembly hall. We don't want to keep the other classes waiting any longer than they have been."
I looked around the classroom, only to see the rest of the class looking at me with pure hatred in their eyes. It wasn't anything new, and I knew for a fact that I would piss them off when I called them weak, so I just shrugged them off as I clasped Yui's hand in my own, welcoming the warmth as we followed our teacher.
After a few minutes of walking, Yui pulled my sleeve, trying to grab my attention. I looked down to see my ever beautiful girlfriend staring back at me, the question that left her lips was one I expected a lot sooner, however.
"So Amon, how exactly did your magic end up like this. I thought you said it was weak, surely you wouldn't have been all beat up if you had a power like that…"
She trailed off as she quickly covered her mouth with her hands.
"Amon, I'm so sorry for bringing up that last part!"
I gave her a small, but reassuring smile.
"No, Yui, it's fine. It's true that I could barely make a spark before my magic changed into what it currently is. But as for the story, it's a long one. If you're okay with waiting, I'll tell you over coffee at lunch today."
She seemed pretty satisfied with my answer, but it seriously caught me off guard. 'Would I really be able to tell her the whole truth. About Mazoku. About my future. My destiny…?'
Neither of us ended up saying anything. I have no clue why Yui didn't say anything. But for me… I just didn't want to say anything that would hurt her.
After a few more minutes of walking in a comfortable silence, we arrived in the assembly hall. The doors were wide open as the whole school waited eagerly to see what the worst class of third years looked like.
We walked into the hall, everybody immediately shot looks of disgust and superiority our way. Their words finding ways to torment me, even now. Even when I could beat every single one of them. The words still hurt.
"The weakest."
"The forgotten class."
"Of course they are the last to get here. They're always last."
Anger boiled in my blood. Rage consumes my body and my actions. Just as I was about to shout at them. Scream that I was no longer worthless, that I was stronger than even them, Yui grabbed my hand. The comforting feeling calming me down enough for me to regain my thoughts.
Me and Yui had sat into our seats at the very back of the hall as the lights began to dim. Two spotlights shone down onto the stage where the principle instantly appeared, a microphone in one of his hands.
"Hello Tejinashi High! Thank you for coming to meet the five strongest that this school has to offer."
I sat impatiently in my seat. Just who the hell were these guys, they're treated like gods. But not by me. By me, they are nothing more than roadblocks.
I had my own path now.
And no roadblock is going to get in my way.
"Without further adieu, please meet the top five!"
Five people of varying heights and stature walked onto the stage and into the spotlight.
"At fifth in the school, we have: Gale Barak and his magic, Zeus' Lightning."
Gale waved at me from the stage. I gave him a small smile and friendly wave in response.
'How fortunate, Gale is already in the top five. I knew he was always strong, but this was something new.'
"Next we have: Komorebi Agutsukai and his magic, Mountain manipulation."
A slightly buff student with a very smug smile on his face stepped forward.
"At third, we have: Miyako Utuyami, our school's resident sword master. His magic is called, Cursed Shadow."
A boy around six foot tall stepped forward, his purple hair glistened under the stages' spotlight. His gold eyes seeking to pierce the audience.
"Next, we have: Mizuchi Hirakami, our school's fan favourite, and his magic, Dragon's wrath."
A small boy with blue hair stepped forward, his smile seeming to have the effect of making all the girls awe at how cute he represented himself.
"And finally, we have the strongest student at Tejinashi High, Okashi Kokoro. This two time national tournament winner's magic is called sweet freak."
The principle wrapped up by handing the microphone to Okashi.
"Would you like to say anything Okashi?" the principle inquired.
"Yes sir," came the monotone reply.
"Go ahead Okashi."
"As you are all now aware, I'm the number one student at this school and I've never lost the high school nationals since I joined this school. So let this be a reminder to you all. None of you have the ability to beat me in a fight. Especially those rejects in Class 3-C!"
Some of my classmates looked annoyed as the rest of the school laughed at us. The principle also allowing a small snicker to escape his mouth.
What was the point of that?
Just to show everyone who was unbeatable, and then have them immediately ruin the lives of those at the bottom.
This is honestly one of the things I hate the most.
This stupid Ideology.
This stupid world.
My legs immediately, and without thinking, rocked my body up into a standing position. He just had to go and piss me off, right when I was having a good day.
I held out my hand and set it on fire, the blue flames dancing majestically in my palm. I wouldn't just let him say stuff like that about me and Yui.
I had finally snapped at this world, and I would never let it recover.
"If you're so confident in your magic, then why don't you come and prove it, instead of just saying that you're the best and shitting on everybody else?"
All the rows of students were shocked, they didn't expect anyone to stand up and challenge the number one ranked to a fight like that. Especially not me. The supposed weakest magician.
Okashi's mouth opened again, his eyes burning into mine.
"Is that so? You, Amon Ignis, The weakest in the entire school, want to challenge me of all people to a fight.
Confidence ran through my veins once again. I didn't care what anyone else thought at the moment.
"No!"
"Yeah, I thought…"
I interrupted him mid sentence, "I won't just fight you. I'll fight all five of you."
All five of them just stood there, unmoving and lifeless. Not a single one of them could comprehend what I had just said. Yet, I was still stood, still unmoving and unwavering. Ready to take them all on at a moment's notice.
Okashi was the first to get his bearings and respond.
"Since you want to be humiliated so badly, how about we do this in front of the entire school?"
I let a small chuckle escape my throat as I ran a hand through my messy, jet black hair.
"I would say yes, but you wouldn't want your poor, dear, classmates to get burned now, would you."
He laughed,
"Like hell you could actually do that, I bet you could hardly even make them sweat."
I smirked, "Would you bet your life on that." I raised the temperature of the room, making everyone begin to sweat and shed some of their uniform.
"As you can see, I have no trouble making them sweat. And believe me, I can do so much more than that."
He looked slightly annoyed as he replied to me.
"Fine then, have it your way."
Around thirty five minutes had passed and I was just about to head into the training room, when Yui suddenly grabbed my arm.
"Amon, why are you doing this?" She asked in a quiet and soft voice, that betrayed the fearful look she had in her eyes.
"Yui, I'm not about to let them talk to me or you like that, they deserve this for not seeing just how powerful you really are."
Yui's face turned red with embarrassment as I spoke, prompting to let a small smile appear on my face at how adorable she looked.
"Thank you, Amon. Just please, be safe."
"I promise Yui, I'll be fine."
I took a few steps forward as Yui kissed my cheek for good luck.
It was time to face the Top Five.