"You heard that correctly...All 10 of you will be up against each other...According to some of the data we collected during the first part of the Exam...." The black haired Ibuki, was explaining his instructions for the Second Half of the Entrance Exams. "As you all know..the first part was about Precision, Navigation, Timing. But above all else...teamwork. It is essential for Third and Second Rank Knights. You see...Only First Ranks are capable of getting solo missions as they are trusted to be the very best the Order has to offer. While Second and Thirds are placed in Units to take on missions. So teamwork is an important aspect that's why you we're all paired up..even so First Ranks are sometimes placed to work with other First Ranks or even second ranks. So at the end of the day Teamwork is still essential in the battlefield..." The Proctor explained the basis of the Race to begin with, before pulling out a piece of paper and looking through it as he continued.
"Huh. So that's why...makes sense. It's hard to determine whether missions are going to be tough or easy. So being in a Unit will smooth things over.." Yuma added understanding the reasoning behind it, crossing his arms as he glanced at Rose with a smirk "You must feel pretty lucky getting paired with me. Eh? Lycoris-Chan?...I mean...most girls would kill for the opportunity.."
"Tch..I'm just dying to be teamed with you again-....I'd rather team with the Scared one...." Rose responded coldly pulling her hoodie further down to hide her face more as she got an irk mark "again. My. Name is Rose....don't call me that..."
Dante looked at those two bicker between each other before looking over at the four individuals that passed with them with curiosity 'their quadruplets. That means their brothers...their hairstyles are all similar. But all of their eyes are different colors...their from the same clan. Shouldn't they look identical?...' he thought to himself trying to figure them out; their not even wearing armor just regular attires 'theirs something..strange about them. But I can't put my finger on it...'
"Why would the Tora Clan send you four to take this exam specifically?...your brothers but surely their must have been others capable...." Narukami asked sternly staring at the four brothers with pure disdain, as if her blood was boiling just by being near them. "Your clan isn't exactly known to be Noble..."
"Aww...why the long face?~...Narukami....does the fact my clan is considered just as good as yours upset you?.." The Amber eye'd Brother asked with a wicked smirk as he was also staring at her. "You Narukami's are always so cold. Feeling so superior it must hurt to see us reach the finish line before you..."
"Ano...most definitely Nii-San...." His Sibling agreed as his eyes we're a luminous Teal; arm laying on his shoulder "poor Narukami...having to take this exam because Mommy's making you. You wish you could've just become a Knight. That's too bad~....your always getting what you want Princess and now. What did you do? Disappoint your mother?....is she forcing you to do this?...haha. How Cute..."
Kira guided her hand to the hilt of her blade but refrained from grabbing it, as she glared at the Four Brothers in slight irritation making Dante whisper to Cole whom was next to him "Hey, Cole...Whats the deal with Clans and stuff? I know their basically Important families...but- I don't know much"
"Hmm..W-well...Clans are like you said Families that have been around for Generations.....their are a bunch of them but only very few can be considered the most Noble. Noble doesn't mean rich and famous, it means renown and w-who's made their marks in history. Narukami Clan for example they we're a D-dominant force in the last War when our Nation of Bushido fought Aragoto. Before that they we're helpful in winning small battles in other wars, I-it's why they we're able to reach the Top of Nobility. They garnered so much respect because of their style of fighting and for helping the Human Realm. The Tora Clan...their a different story. Most of their history is in shadows. We don't know much but at some point many of their members we're caught using Dark Arts to fortify their powers...it's Taboo to do that. S-so they we're forever marked as a Dark Clan that didn't stop them from gaining Nobility through their use of it though....The Narukami and Tora Clan's have always been at odds...." Cole explained in a whisper before pointing at the blonde Brute Regis though he Trembled softly as he did so "though if the Tora clan's are the Mischief kind. The Ogrekillers are-...their just Monsters.....their considered the Barbarian Clan....for good reason. History says they would pillage and raid tribes for conquest and power before they we're stopped. Eventually making themselves a more suitable part of society but still sticking to their roots. Ogrekillers....are the most ruthless C-clan, and are also the only ones that have not gained Nobility. T-they we're always considered too monstrous and self-centered. During the last Wars they purposely did not raise their arms only caring about their own people....I-it's why I'm surprised such a well known Barbarian type would try to be part of a Noble Military force..."
"Oh...I get it. That makes a lot of sense...Then what about Yuma-San or Rose?....what clans are they from?.." Dante asked gently as he really was trying to gather info and learn about modern society more than what he knows, what better way than to ask someone who's lived in Titan his whole life.
"Yuma-San...h-he's from the Lionheart Clan....they are well known Traders and Business Family. They gained fame and renown through trading essential resources during the toughest of times for Bushido, they are also know for Being Spymasters and Information brokers. Unfortunately their's no real I-information on how they fight...they've kept it off the books" The young black haired Shy boy continued before glancing at Rose with a hint of curiosity, blinking twice and shrugging "A-Atarah?...hmmm...I've never heard of it. So I don't think it's a C-Clan name. She might be foreign the way she uses Mana with Wind is unique...like M-me. I'm not from a clan....Just plain old The 'Young' family of the Slums. M-my parents run a bakery. But that's about it....and my sister-...Ano....she's not doing the best so...T-that's why I wanted to become a soldier. To help her out..."
"What's wrong with your sister? If I can ask...you don't have to tell me if you don't want to..." Dante asked suddenly feeling a pit in his stomach at the mention of Cole wanting to help his sibling being a main reason for him to come here it must be important. "A-ah...you see. She has a Rare illness-....that can only be cured through proper treatment at the best medical facilities. We get by with bringing her for treatment once a month, it's what's affordable. B-but...um-..." a tear welled up in his right eye as he looked away thinking on it really stung him quite a bit.
"she needs to be treated Four times a Month...and my family. We just can't afford it on our own. So...The Soldier program had some nice benefits...medical coverage for Family too- the Knighthood's Benefits are even greater but I never thought I had the chance to really come here. Gomen'nasai...I-I rambled."
"It's okay...hey. It's cool man..." The white haired Male patted his shoulder reassuringly "I get that. If my Mom had a problem you bet your ass I would do something about it too. You should be proud that your here! And all you have to do is pass this Exam...think about how much of a better chance your sister will have now. That should be your focus, theres power in that..."
"H-hai!..." Cole responded getting a small smile on his face, their was this warmth from Dante like someone he could really talk too, a purity. He didn't like talking about it much but it's not like it was unknown News for some reason Dante's words did reassure him quite a bit; he even remembered Yuma's words from earlier which helped out.
"Once a Battle Begins Forfeiting is allowed!....you may quit at your own convenience. But it will result in an automatic fail and you will never be able to join the Order again..." Ibuki's voice broke through all conversation interrupting everyone and causing silence as he began to explain the Dueling aspect. "Their will be No time limits. You must fight until either your opponent gives up or is incapable of fighting essentially if their unconscious.....what we call that is 'Tapping out' so if you can't win. If you want to give up after a beating. Tap your hand Five times to let us know your done. If not I will not be able to stop the match...even so if your not capable of a simple thing like that. Frankly, you shouldn't be here....You must fight with Passion. I may be the proctor...but I will warn you. The Director of the Order along with other important ranking officials are watching this...so don't hold back now is the time to impress them..."
'T-tapping out?....' Cole thought looking down at his hand, thinking on it for several seconds 'N-no! Not yet...I have to do this...f-for...for Aria...'
"Now that I've finished explaining and all of you understand..." The Proctor put his paper away, stuffing his hands in his pockets as the crowd cheered in anticipation for the coming Duels which was basically the main event. Camera's we're now on the center of the field, Showing everything Live on feeds and Streams. "Yuma Lionheart...Ryoka Tora..step forward in front of me. The rest of you back away several Feet..."
"Yare, Yare...so I'm the first match up. That's just interesting. Let's see how many hearts I can steal with my performance..." Yuma chuckled ruffling his brown hair as he walked forward stepping in front of Ibuki to the left; he faces Right toward his opponent whom had walked and stood to The Proctor's right; as they stared each other down the Lionheart Player didn't feel nervous whatsoever. 'I was hoping to get paired with the Scaredy-cat and make this easy...it's too bad. The Tora Clan's abilities are unknown so far...I'm fighting blind here...' he thought observing his opponent closely; This Tora brother had blossom pink Irises and a matching shirt though the rest of his attire was black. He had a strange smirk on his face, like some sort of serial killer glaring at its prey "did you get a few screws loose? Fall on your head as a kid? Torture some animals on the way here ...your straight out of a comic book Dude.." Yuma Asked jokingly not really taking this serious at all.
Ryoka Tora, tilted his head and licked his lips "Your a funny guy. Aren't Yah?...." His voice was childish and high pitched like a four year old in a 16 year olds body. "I wonder-..."
"Wonder what?...." Yuma asked out of curiously as he was just waiting for the Proctor to start the fight, he glanced and saw everyone had moved away into a safer distance, he even winked at Rose from afar though he couldn't tell. he knew she must've rolled her eyes under that hoodie, before his attention was taken away by Ryoka again whom giggled lustfully, a dagger fell out of his sleeve and into his grasp covered in a mix of black and pink Mana "I wonder!...what do your Entrails look like?...hehe. They must feel warm...covered in blood. Let's find out-....let me cut you open~..but please. Make this fun for me...Yuumaa-kuun~.."
Ibuki himself stepped back a bit at the Tora kids grotesque comment and sighed 'they just get weirder and weirder...he is of the Tora Clan....' He thought lifting his hand for several seconds and then rushing downward "Begin!...."
"I like to think I'm a funny guy. I like comedy...their's all kinds. Dark Humor. Light humor. Childish humor...what you just said..I don't like..." Yuma sighed as he dug into his pockets and pulled out brass knuckles placing them firmly through his fingers and on his knuckles; as he did so an Orange Aura bursted and covered his body as the pressure of Mana made his skin turn a dark red similar to sunburn's; the Brass Knuckle's glowed white as they morphed and extended transforming into Steel Armored Gauntlet's that went from his fist up to his Elbow's with bladed ends; and even went down covering his ankles in an armor with spin bladed heels.
"So I'll finally get to see a Lionheart in action..." Kira said nodding as she could feel His Mana output was exponential, arms crossed; blue eyes narrowed watching his weapons take a different form along with his energy "the Brass Knuckle's their a Catalyst...he must be a Mana Alchemist..."
"The Lionhearts are a bunch of selfish good for nothings!!" Regis growled annoyed that he didn't get picked first, commenting on his disdain for their clan "their not even known for they're fighting. A bunch of spies! clearly this is a waste of time! Just a flashy attempt to get his Fangirl club to flock!"
"Mana Alchemist?...." Rose said curiously watching, emerald eyes glistening from the shine of his Aura. His Mana to her looked like a Forge with Melding fire that wanted to take form. 'So he isn't just a playboy-...Tch...I'll believe it when I see it...'
"guys like you....always scare the girls off...then they coming running to me in fear. Now...I'm gonna kick your ass...and they'll run to me in joy that I took a psycho like you down...." His Mana simply intensified as he spoke, as if the passion behind his words doubled his output and the gauntlets gained a faint hue of Red; like a Cannon powering up.
His eye's glowed, as if Lava we're flowing through two pearls of white "...by the end...I'll have you crying to your mama...like a little bitch.."