February 28, 1976 (Present Day)
The City of Cheshire
(Yamir's POV)
"Hey, Tyrus."
"What?"
"Have you ever gone to Cerulean Academy before?"
"I have actually. In fact, I go back as a junior in a few months."
"Awesome. What was it like then?"
"Why are you asking?"
"I'm getting transferred over at the start of the new year, so I thought it'd be best to learn all I can until then."
Suddenly though, Tyrus stopped moving.
"That's smart. But, sorry to break it to you, but no amount of inside information would ever prepare you for what happens in that school…"
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"Before I tell you that, let me ask you a simple question, Yamir. Which one would you pick?"
"Truth or idealism?"
"Truth, obviously."
"Heh, no hesitation, huh. Well then, I guess it's fine. I don't know to what end you would go to see your dreams come true, but here's some words of advice so listen up."
"Cerulean is hell. So if you can't handle the pressure, you're better off just quitting."
"I see. Well then, I'll just have to be careful."
"Your going to need more than that if you want to survive."
Though I took note of his words of cautions, at the time however, I didn't even realize just how true those words was going to mean until some time after I was in the belly of the beast.
"So, do you have other friends there either?"
"Something like that. I got like one or two in there, but we aren't exactly "friends" per say. But I do know a couple more who have been trying to make it in."
"Let me guess. Dazai Crowley?"
"...How did you–?"
"A little birdie or two told me a little bit of this and a little bit of that. All I did was simply put two and two together, that's all."
Upon hearing my words, he couldn't help but sigh.
"Well, I guess you could say that me and Dazai go a little ways back."
Suddenly, he stopped to glance at his hand.
But, then, as if to bury the emotions that lie beneath, he bawled his open palm into a fist.
"But now things have changed. We can't go back to what things used to be. Not now, not ever."
"What's that supposed to mean? Did you two get into a fight or something?"
"That's none of your business."
After saying that, Tyrus swallowed another gulp of water before standing back up to dust off his attire.
"That's enough questions for tonight. I'm going back to my training."
"Are you serious? Just how long do you plan on doing this tonight?"
"As long as it takes."
"But it's two in the morning. Your body should be begging you for mercy right about now."
"Don't care."
*Sigh*, I hate stubborn people….
"You should stop running from your fears."
That sentence alone stopped Tyrus in his tracks.
"Tyrus Maxwell, was it? I'm surprised it only took less than ten minutes to figure out your weakness."
"Yeah, and what's that?"
"It's your fear."
".....-Mgh."
"It doesn't matter how hard you train or how hard you fight. So as long as you continue to be afraid of losing something else precious to you, I promise, you'll never grow stronger."
Fear is a weakness. A disease that must be eliminated. That much is certain.
So as long there is something that you're afraid, then it'll be exploited against you without mercy.
And if you allow your own weakness to be the very thing that holds you back, then what use will you have to society, let alone a person like me?
*Sigh*, I think I've seen enough. Despite Tyrus's promising traits, it's clear to see that he's just another lost boy who still lives in the past.
As such, I have no need for a person like him.
.
.
.
"And what the fuck do you know….."
"Sorry, I didn't catch that. You mind saying that again?"
"I said, what the fuck do you know about losing someone precious to you!?"
*Whoosh!*
In the midst of that outburst, Tyrus randomly threw some sort of large projectile at me in a fit of rage.
Out of reflex, my body moved to the side to dodge.
From there, I caught what seemed to be another wooden training sword midair.
Where the hell did he conceal this?
But once I looked back at Tyrus curiously, I noticed him taking up an offensive stance against me.
"What are you doing?"
"I'm challenging you"
"Oh, so is that what this is? Well, I appreciate the offer, but I'm afraid I will have to decline."
Again, once I said that, I turned my back to him, I tossed the sword behind me and began walking off.
But right after I did that, I immediately detected a sudden spike of bloodlust emanating from Tyrus.
It was enough to make me turn around and notice the surprise attacks he was sending my way.
"*Hurrah!*"
"*Hrragh!*"
"*Hyup!*"
Although the attacks weren't exactly what I would call "sloppy", they were highly predictable, making me able to dodge his attacks with no difficulty.
Course he did try chaining his previous attacks into follow up strikes about two or three more times, but both times lead to no avail.
Still, with all that negative energy he was sending my way, I didn't exactly appreciate how up close and personal he was suddenly getting.
As such, I chose to slip into one of his openings and retreat by leaping into the air before landing on top of the roof of the nearby gazebo.
"Woah, that was a close one. You could've killed me back there." I replied sarcastically.
"I was right…" Tyrus mysteriously said.
"I knew something was off when I first saw you, but after getting a good look, I can see it clear as day."
"And that was, what exactly?" I asked while raising my eyebrow.
"You got the eyes of a fighter don't you? No, I would go as far to say you've probably killed people before."
"Oh, wow. That's a pretty forward accusation, don't you think?"
"As if. You said it yourself, right? That you were at the party Father invited you to."
"What does that have to do with anything?"
"When it comes to those banquets in particular, Father only invites highly trusted colleagues and truly influential people." He explained.
"And out of that said people invited, I know for certain that most of them are just monsters who won't stop at nothing to achieve what they want."
"And you in particular, are just another pawn caught in their mix. And judging from the way you're so able to easily, yet skillfully, erase your presence, I would probably guess that you're an assassin for hire too."
"....…."
"Well, I wouldn't go as far as to call myself that, but I suppose I do know a little bit about battle."
"Still trying to save face, huh? I won't have that! Leaping Strike!"
Tch, you really are a persistent one….
Upon calling those words, Tyrus initiated an attack by channeling mana into both his legs and feet to jump towards me at an incredible speed.
However, since I was far faster than him, I was able to jump down towards safety.
"Get back here!"
Using that same spell again, Tyrus leapt towards me yet again. This time, in hopes of landing a hit, he went even faster.
Even still though, I was still able to dodge all his attacks, even going as far as making it seem like I was barely dodging his strikes by an inch.
However, with him being as relentless as it was, the time to retaliate may be nigh….
"Stop dodging already and fight me!"
Tch, fine if that's what you really want…..
But just as my hand was about to reach for a certain weapon of mine, I immediately stopped myself.
No. I shouldn't use "that" yet. I need to use something far weaker, else he'll be killed.
Hmm. Maybe that sword over there should do.
As I continued to dodge Tyrus's merciless attacks, I inched my way ever so closer to the wooden sword I discarded earlier.
Upon grabbing it, I casted a spell of my own. It was something that was called, "Unleash Potential", but I'm afraid I'm too busy to go into detail right now.
After "enchanting" my weapon with that magic, I made sure to wait for the next opening before…
*WHAM!*
"*Ufuuh?*"
What the!? What the hell was that just now….?