"I thought I was going to die, but that was only slightly painful."
I put emphasis on the 'slightly,' so that they could get a brief idea.
After we reverted Akane, we went back to Weissmann's office. Akane was taken to the medical office so that she can get checkups. Making sure that nothing was left over.
Of course, she still has her Singularity, but I just nullified it. Now, I have fewer days to live... I think, anyway.
"Hysaka, you used your Gravity, didn't you?"
She looked at me, confused.
"I mean, I did say I would use it, right?"
"Y-yeah, it's just that..."
"It was different from what you imagined."
Weissmann finished my sentence for me. He then looked at me, seriously.
"Now, Shoya, for the reason you came here..."
He trailed off.
That was when I remembered why I came here.
"Kuro..."
I slammed my hands onto the table. This time, intentionally.
"Kuro's being treated unequally since she's a 'Familiar!' She's human! Like everyone else!"
"No, she is not."
Ophelia said, without hiding her hostility. I turned my furious gaze to Ophelia. She looked at me back with squinted eyes.
"Kuroha is not a human. She is a Familiar. Remember that. Familiars are naturally treated awfully by the average Streia. Though, there may be a way to escape this situation temporarily."
"Which is?"
"Form a contract with Kuro. That can solve it for a while."
Form a contract... If that's what it takes to solve the situation.
"Wait, but wouldn't that be admitting to the fact that Kuro is a Familiar?"
I asked.
"That is the whole point. If you admit to it, then it will eventually smooth everything over."
Ophelia said.
"I'll do my best on my part, but I can't make any promises."
Weissmann started.
God... What am I supposed to do?
Well, for now, I'll think about it before going to Kuro about it. I'm sure she wouldn't want to be under a contract.
It's just one thing after the other.
--
"A contract?"
"Yeah. They said that it would temporarily solve the problem."
"If Kuro says yes then you could do it."
Anastasia and I met up, after school, in the cafeteria. As I told her about the contract, she slurped her boba tea carefully, before putting it down on the table.
"There's something else I want to ask about too."
"What?"
"Do you know anything about Hysaka Shirogane?"
Anastasia reacted, with a shiver, as I mentioned Senpai's name.
"Y-yeah... They say she and her squadron killed Fenrir at the beginning of this school year. On a mission, they came across him and killed it."
Fenrir.
I don't know much about Fenrir in the Streia world but I know that Fenrir is a large wolf, who is very dangerous. It's a big deal.
"K-killed Fenrir? Who else is on her squadron."
She looked at me, quizzically.
"Why do you want to know?"
"Just speak."
I prompted her.
"Well, there's Hysaka Shirogane, the leader of Team White Lycoris. Then there's their sharpshooter. Vienna Hoshikawa. And finally, they have the tank and powerhouse; Kiro Lavens.
Their squadron supervisor is Ms Sasaki."
Ai-nee is their supervisor. Well, isn't that a surprise?
That reminds me.
We've had AST lessons and some team sessions. We even made names for our teams and assigned leaders.
"When will we go on our first mission?"
"You don't know anything, huh..."
Anastasia sighed.
"It would've been at the beginning of May, but they're delaying the mission process for a month or two."
We would've been assigned a mission by now. Well, I guess they want to assure the students' safety after that attack.
She took another sip of her boba tea.
"In return for delaying our first missions, we have an introductory battle instead."
Or maybe not.
"Between who? Each first-year class?"
Anastasia slid her stray strands of hair behind her ear. Her lips left the straw.
"Nope. Altheria Academy, China Branch."
My brain didn't compute for a second.
"China Branch? We'll be fighting against others from China... That'll be interesting."
"You think so?"
As I looked up at Anastasia, she looked bored as she brought her boba tea to her mouth.
"The Chinese Branch will be all the same."
I was going to ask what she meant, then I realised that she was going to elaborate.
"Other Altheria schools absolutely hate the Japanese Branch."
"Huh? Why, aren't we all the same?"
"That's just it. We're not all the same. The Japan Branch is considered to be the best Altheria Academy and others are looked down upon. I can already tell that the China Branch will be the same. They'll probably have a grudge against us."
To be honest, I'm worried.
If we have to fight the Chinese Branch, I'll probably lose since I haven't trained much. Those from the Chinese Branch are probably strong too.
"Don't worry about it too much."
The mistress reassured me.
"They'll be choosing the best six fighters among the first-years. You won't be in the six. I will."
"If you say so."
There's no way that I'd get into the top six. At least that problem is over.
"Ah!"
I yelped slightly from the sudden vibration from my phone. I put my hand into my pocket and take it out.
After spending 50,000 CRD, I was able to get my phone back from the school. I could've originally brought a phone from the school but I wanted to keep my phone since it's convenient to contact Ai-nee and the others.
Speak of the devil, it's Ai-nee.
I picked up.
"Yo."
["Don't 'Yo' me! Do you know what time it is?!"]
I took the phone away from my ear as soon as I heard her screaming voice. I checked the time and then replied.
"It's 4:56 pm. So..."
["Did you already forget?! We've been doing this for a whole week now!"]
Doing what?
Then, it came to me.
I jumped from my seat and shouted one word as I cut the phone.
"Training!"
I started running off.
"Sorry, Anastasia, I have to meet with Ai-nee."
I heard her shout, "Cool," from behind as I exited the cafeteria.
Believe it or not. It has also been a week since I officially started my training with Ai-nee.
She's a good teacher too. I wonder what I'll learn today.