(Moving has made my entire body sore. Pain.)
The light of the faux evening sun shone through the windows lining the hallways. The soft carpet running down the length of it kept my steps soft and made it very comfortable to walk.
It had been a few days since our exhibition match. Our opponent's team really did dissolve. Who knows what will become of that guy that threw a tantrum. I definitely wouldn't want him on my team after that display of toxicity.
The aftermath of the first round of exhibition matches was quite interesting. The school newspaper published a preliminary ranking list based on the objective and subjective performances of each individual combatant. They also summated those ratings to rank the teams with the addition of a synergy and strategy rating. I didn't really care to look into it but apparently I was ranked at #18 among the players and our team was #6. My high ranking must be due to my utility display as well as my high takedown participation rate.
I shrugged as I thought about all of this. 'I just hope this doesn't become a headache. I'd rather not be bothered too much as fame has never been a goal of mine.'
Okami scoffed. 'Yeah, sure buddy. That's why you are friends with three of the most high profile students in the school.'
I rolled my eyes as I continued walking. 'I didn't choose them. It kinda just happened. And how can I complain about getting cozy with some powerful people? Could definitely come in handy.'
If he was out, Okami would be shaking his head. 'I thought they were your friends, not your tools.'
I sighed. 'While they are my friends, it is important to have connections in such a vicious world. I have only seen just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to how cut-throat this world is as I've been pretty sheltered until now.'
Okami replied with confusion. 'What's an iceberg?'
I thought for a moment and realized that Okami has definitely not seen an iceberg before. I wasn't even sure if they exist in this world. 'Oh, well they are basically massive pieces of ice floating in cold bodies of water.'
We went back and forth for a bit as I walked through the halls before I realized something. Usually there would be at least a few people around but the halls were empty. Not only were there no people, there were no noises. It was uncomfortably silent.
I was confused as this was highly unusual. There are many thousands of people, students included, at this academy. There was no way I am the only one walking around on a Wednesday afternoon.
Suddenly, I felt the flow of mana gently shift around me. This was even more unusual as the mana was typically quite stable within the academy. I immediately became vigilant, carefully scrutinizing my surroundings.
From the corner of my right eye, I saw a shadow move. Reacting quickly, I tumbled forward and to the left. As I rolled back to my feet, I quickly pivoted so I could see what the shadow was.
Before me was a masked figure in dark clothing with a hood. They definitely looked like an assassin.
I was slightly scared. This person was either powerful enough to break into the academy, or possessed tools powerful enough to break through the protections. Either way, it was bad news.
I asked with bated breath. "Who are you?"
The assassin merely tilted their head to the side. As they did this, I felt arms wrap around me from the back, binding me into a full nelson. I then felt my feet leave the ground as I was lifted into the air. There was no way out of this one as my body was still too weak.
As my mind was racing, trying to figure out a way out of this, the assassin that was in front of me stepped forwards. They were now standing right in front of me. They lifted their hand up and tapped my forehead with a singular finger.
As it came in contact with my forehead, I felt my consciousness slipping away. I couldn't even panic as I felt all the energy depart my body. I was helpless, unable to do anything about it.
(Intermission: This is totally unnecessary but he shleep right now. How is everyone doing? If it's good, I'm happy to hear that. If not, I hope your issues get sorted out quickly! I just moved a whole bunch of stuff into my new house up at school. I have one more year before law school! Boy, the weather is getting hot. Summer really do be a thing. Anyways, he probably arising from his slumber by now. N3wman out!)
It was dark and damp. I felt my consciousness slowly come back to me. As it did, a light flickered on, shining right into my face. I tried squinting my eyes but the light pierced straight through.
In an effort to shield my sensitive eyes from the light, I tried lifting my arms so I could block the light with my hands but I immediately met resistance. I focused on my wrists and found that I was bound with chains. I quickly realized that my ankles were also bound.
A soft, ominous voice called out from in front of me. "Oh, so you're awake."
I opened my eyes slightly, squinting in order to not hurt myself from the bright light. "Where am I?"
The voice that sounded quite masculine laughed out. "Ha! That's your first question? You are totally clueless."
I tried to get a good look at the man but the light was too bright. He appeared as a mere silhouette in my vision. "Who are you?"
The man chuckled again. "Another pointless question. I'm your abductor. That's all you need to know."
I shook my head. Something was off about this. Why wouldn't they just knock me out with blunt force rather than being so gentle? "What do you want with me? I'm just a kid from the sticks."
The silhouette shook his head. "Oh no no no. That is where you're wrong, Callum of Shellham."
I was slightly startled by this, my breath becoming slightly labored. "How do you know who I am?"
The man laughed. "There are many people that know you that you aren't aware of. Unfortunately, you've reached your limit for questions. I will be asking now. How do you have an affinity for all of the elements?"
I shuddered at that question. Aside from some professors and nobles, no one else aside from those I consider family should know about this. I must have not been careful enough. "I was born with it. Wait, what does this even have to do with anything?"
The man scoffed. "I said no more questions. There are no records of anyone having six affinities. Why should I believe you? Even your background is suspicious. No parents, no siblings, rural village… you are the perfect blank slate for some crazy experiment. They don't just let anyone into the Beastly Dragon after all."
I tensed up upon hearing him mention the name of the secret academy I was in. "What is the Beastly Dragon?"
The man chuckled. "Oh please. You don't really expect me to believe your feign of ignorance, do you? You see this treasure I'm holding?" He waved what looked like a T.V. remote in front of me. I couldn't see much detail due to the bright light. "This detects souls. Typically, people have one soul. Undead have no soul. Those who are merged with some other being have two. This is a nearly sure tell of a member of the Beastly Dragon. Now tell me more about that."
I shook my head, clenching my eyes shut in disbelief. Was there a traitor within the academy? Did someone have it out for me? I couldn't think of anyone that I had explicitly offended since I've been here. "I have no idea what you're talking about. I'm clearly not the guy you're looking for."
The man sighed. "The device doesn't lie. I didn't want to have to do this but I guess we'll have to do this the hard way."
I heard some shuffling as he walked over to something. Then, I heard a metallic tool get lifted off of what looked like a table. He then walked back over to me and knelt right in front of me.
Due to the bright light, I was still able to barely see him. However, there was one detail about his face that I was able to make out. He was wearing a wide, mischievous grin that made sweat roll down my face.
He waved what I could now see to be a pair of pliers in front of me. "So let's see what we have here…" He moved the pair of pliers down to my index finger, gently clamping it down on the fingernail. "Shall we start here?" He then released my fingernail and raised the pliers, moving them towards my face. "Or maybe here." He gently gripped my nose with them.
As he did this, I subconsciously opened my mouth, sucking in a frantic breath. I'd soon learn that this was a grave mistake.
His grin somehow became wider. "Well, if you insist." His free hand quickly gripped my jaw, keeping it from closing. He then slowly moved the pliers to grip one of my front teeth. "Last chance, little one. All you have to do is say the word and I'll stop."
I wasn't sure if it was my resolve, or my shock, but I was unable to say, move, or do anything. I was barely able to breath due to how scared I was.
He shrugged. "Very well." He tightly clamped down on my tooth. I was able to feel it wiggle slightly, the discomfort and slight pain shooting straight through the nerves and into my brain. I wanted to scream but I couldn't. I was absolutely frozen.
Suddenly, a booming voice shot through the room. "That's enough. He passes."
I felt the pliers release my tooth before hearing them get thrown across the room. "OH COME ON! IT WAS ABOUT TO GET FUN!"
The voice spoke again in a ridiculing tone. "You can have your fun later, Holmes. Just get the lights."
The bright light immediately flicked off and more gentle lights that illuminated the room came on. I looked around, taking in my surroundings carefully. Behind the bright light were two people: Headmaster Lichstein and a man that I didn't recognize. In front of the light was my captor, namely Holmes.
The headmaster smiled. "Congratulations on passing your first test as a student of the Beastly Dragon. I hope you can forgive our brashness. Allow me to introduce you to your personal trainer, Lars."
The man next to him stood up, wearing a look of mild contempt on his face. He snapped and the chains that bound me were snapped open. "Get up, it's time to begin your real training."