'So, where should I put these?'
I asked Akane.
'Over here. A teacher will be sure to check and sign them.'
She swirled around the main table and teachers, instead, she walked into the corner. I followed her.
Akane placed down the papers on the table and so did I.
'Ms Sasaki, this is the paperwork for the upcoming Sports Festival.'
Appearing from out of the corner was Ai-nee. She stared at the two stacks of paperwork and scowled. Her eyes look like dim lights.
'But isn't the Sports Festival in the next semester?'
'Yes, it is, but since Altheria Academy's one is slightly different, they like to prepare a little early.'
Slightly different is an understatement and so is preparing a little early.
Ai-nee then turned to me. For some reason, she looked serious.
'Tell me, what did you come here for?'
Ai-nee asked. Breaking into a cold sweat, I gulped down my saliva.
'I want you to train me.'
I said. There was a short period of silence and... a haughty laugh filled the air. Ai-nee laughed and slapped her boobs several times. I took notice of it, but I also took notice of a glare of death being directed toward me. Akane was staring daggers into me.
'You want me to train you?'
'Isn't that what I said?'
I retorted.
For some reason, the biggest smile had been plastered onto Ai-nee's face. It felt almost as though she was teasing me.
'Okay, okay. I'll teach you-'
'But you can't, Ms Sasaki.'
Akane interrupted.
'Got a problem with it, Aka-chan?'
Ai-nee asked, smiling. Akane was taken aback by her nickname.
"Aka-chan." Sounds cute.
She put her hand to her chest.
'I don't have a problem with it, personally, but, as a member of the Student Council, I cannot allow you to show favouritism toward another student.'
I guess that makes sense. If something like this happened right under her nose and she hadn't tried to stop it, she would be reprimanded. I think that's how it works. There are plenty of witnesses-teachers-that can prove that she didn't stop it.
Ai-nee sighed and put her hand out in the air, lazily.
'Okay, then, I have an alternative then.'
'Which is?'
'I'll teach him as an older sibling to a young sibling and it won't be on school grounds.'
Akane's eyes widened slightly. She then turned to me.
'You two are related?'
I nodded.
'But, Ai-ne-'
'It's Ms Sasaki on school grounds.'
Ai-nee interrupted.
'But, Ms S-Sasaki, where are we going to do it if not on school grounds.'
They both stared at me blankly.
'Ignorance is bliss.'
Ai-nee started.
'Truly.'
Akane concurred.
Was I supposed to know something?
'There's an island connected to this one. It's an advanced city with a population of 10 million. It's called Altria.'
There is? That's awesome. I guess days off aren't going to be as boring as I thought they'd be.
'If I'm not on school grounds and not on duty, then I'm not a teacher for Altheria. I can have some fun time with my younger brother, Shoya. If it's like this, then it's okay, isn't it, Aka-chan?'
Akane blushed.
'Yes. If it's like that, then it's fine.'
'When can we start?'
I asked.
'After Golden Week.'
'Huh?'
'I said, after Golden Week. Don't respond with "Huh."'
'Wait, but Golden Week is two weeks from now and you'll be teaching me a week after that. Three weeks... I can't wait that long.'
Not if I want to survive in classes. Especially AST.
'Oi, I'm a busy person. I could easily delay it by another month if I wanted to.'
Gah, arguing more will just lead to more problems.
'Now, if you two are done, then get out.'
And we were kicked out of the faculty room by Ai-nee. Akane looked more ghastly than me.
'Hey,'
I turned to her and she paid attention to me.
'Wanna get some breakfast?'
I asked, pointing my thumb behind me.
'Sure.'
And so, I began walking-
'Oh, the cafeteria is this way, by the way.'
-in the wrong direction.
--
'What do you have today, Shoya?'
Akane asked.
I swallowed a piece of bacon and thought back to my timetable.
'I have Magic Laws, Magic Theory and Physics. All of them sound like they're going to drain the hell out of me during two periods.'
I added the latter under my breath.
'Don't worry, Magic Theory will probably intrigue you the most.'
Ah, she heard me!
My eyes wandered down to the table. I saw her student ID. Unlike my ID and Kuro's, her numbers seemed more random.
'Hey, what do student ID numbers even mean?'
'Oh, that. They're random for most students but it's different for me. For most people who come from distinguished families, their numbers are sorted neatly.'
'What's the category?'
'For students, it's strength.'
She showed me her card. It said, "#00257."
'Out of all of the teachers and students, who has the most powerful card?'
'That'd be Weissmann Mori, the Principal, of course. His card is #X00001. All teachers have X cards.'
I felt a little nervous.
'What about for students?'
'That'd be the strongest student. I know who that is. It's a second-year in Class 2-A. Edward Kou Sabre Reishville.'
'Edward? Is he English?'
'The heir to the Reishville family and next in line for the English throne. Many say that he'll be the next King of England despite not being of the Queen's direct line.'
What I've gained from this conversation is that I, probably, have the best card in the whole school. Though, I don't know why Weissmann would give it to me. I'm sure he knew.
There's also the fact that I have to stay away from this Edward guy. Seeing as he's the strongest in the school and, probably, a dangerous fellow.
Man... Living life in this school will be hard without using my ability. Well, at least I have another friend I can count on. I think...