Chapter 12 - Arc 1: Chapter 12

"Hello! I'm Bianca Adell. This is Kyle Welton and Ninia Umell! We are from Class Three!"

"Vyn Ervin," told the dark blue-haired young man with a tired smile. Seeing how he had introduced himself, the others also began to introduce themselves, except the girl.

"Ah, sorry about her. She is Mina, just Mina."

"It is fine. Anyway, can we talk inside? We have come in peace!" Bianca smiled brightly while putting up a "V" hand sign. Her energetic behavior seemed to be successful in lowering Class Seven's students' tension. In the end, Vyn decided to let them in.

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"What would you guys like to drink?" asked the student named Brandon.

"Tea is alright for us," Bianca replied, then turned to Vyn, who sat in front of them. "Shall we talk then?" She went straight to the business.

"Yes."

"First of all, our intention to come here is to assess you guys," she told them their objective. "As you have probably realized, your class is the only one separated from the others and even lives separated from the rest of us. Then there is the rumor that Class Seven is a place for the strong ones. With all of these, it creates jealousy and disdain towards your class. Do you guys know why you live and study separately from us?"

Vyn shook his head. "No, even Miss Liza won't tell us."

"Miss Liza?" Bianca tilted her head.

"She is our homeroom teacher and overseer," Vyn explained. "So our image is already bad, huh."

"Yes, and you see what happened recently. Leonhart Vizil from Class Two challenged your class. In truth, he is not a leader of Class Two. The situation of Class Two is that it has been divided into three factions. Leonhart Vizil, Ferlando Ophius and the Free faction under Joshua Fray."

"So he is not exactly the representative of Class Two." He sighed in relief. At the same time, tea was served to them.

"Yes, but he can truly initiate the challenge with their homeroom teacher's help, and it won't only be him that you will have to face," Kyle explained.

"What do you mean?"

"The homeroom teacher probably will only agree to the duel if each faction can participate in the challenge in order to balance things out. If the homeroom teacher favored one of them, it would surely cause a ruckus."

"So we will have to prepare for three fights?"

Kyle nodded. "Yes, but enough of them. Our second intention here is to establish a good relationship with you."

"Just like what Kyle said, despite the fact that we will compete in the class competition in the future, we wish to establish a good relationship between our classes."

"I'm relieved by that, but why? What do you gain?"

Bianca smiled happily. "First, we gain a chance to have a friendly spar with you guys. Second, we can help each other until near the class competition. As for what you guys can get from us, aside from the same things I stated before, we will become a bridge for you guys to interact with other students."

"Bridge, why would we even need that?" a voice came from the entrance. Everyone looked at the same time and saw a young man with red hair and dark red eyes had walked in. He looked like someone that could pressure others just with his appearance alone.

"Y-you." Bianca was about to speak, but she was silenced by the young man's glare.

"Glenn," Vyn called. The one named Glenn glanced at Vyn for a moment before he turned to Bianca.

"We don't need to act good to others. We're strong, that is all that matters," he stated confidently.

"Perhaps, but do you think strength is all that matters?" Kyle said as he stood up. "Of course, becoming strong is a good idea, but if you are becoming the strongest while nobody stands by your side, what's the use of your strength? A decoration? Life is not about strength; it is about connection to each other. If you wish to alienate yourself from the other students, it won't do you any good in the future."

Then Kyle frowned before stating, "Especially for your situation."

"You ... you are Kyle Welton." Glenn seemed to realize who he was.

"Huh, you know me? Have we met before?" Kyle blinked in confusion. But Glenn didn't answer him and instead walked away as he said, "Do whatever you want."

"That's weird," Kyle mumbled before turning to Vyn and sitting down. "As I said before, making connections is essential. After graduating from this academy, and getting a job, you might encounter others, so isn't it best to start a good relationship early?"

Vyn nodded with a smile. "I agree; we come here to study and reach our goals. Having others to help is beneficial for us. However, I would like to speak about this with everyone. Do you mind that?"

Bianca nodded and asked, "Of course. How long will you need for that?"

"I think two days later should be enough," Vyn replied. Bianca nodded and concluded their meeting.

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She and the other two walked out of Class Seven. Bianca stretched herself with a sigh.

"Aaaah! Our mission is going well! Now we just need to report tomorrow and wait for their decision," she said.

"Bianca, do you know that guy named Glenn?" Kyle asked.

Bianca looked tense in response to his question. "Umm ... yes, but I don't think I should say it."

She looked nervous. Kyle knew why. After all, he also knew who Glenn actually was. But he thought nobody should have known Glenn, and yet Bianca seemed to know him. What's their relationship? He wondered.

Kyle went to think about the students of Class Seven. He realized that, while they had the potential to become strong, not all of them were suited for combat. For example, take Brandon. He had a good amount of mana, and his control was good as well. But other than that, he seemingly didn't pursue much. This was all guesswork, though. He could only know it truly by talking to them and observing their daily lives.

{'But that Vyn and Mina,'} Kyle thought. He had to admit that they both had an insane amount of mana, and while they had a hard time controlling it, they still did well for the amount of it. But that was not all. Vyn was learning how to use ki, he sensed it deep inside him, but it was just a small amount. Either he was initially good at using ki and able to suppress it, or he had no talent in it. Ninia didn't seem to have noticed it though.

As for Mina, Kyle's expression turned serious. {'Have they begun to act? Are they trying to use her?'} he wondered in silence.

{'It seems ... I can't live my life leisurely. Am I bound to not have a leisurely life?'}

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Author: Aida Hanabi

Proofreader: Teppo

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