"Say where exactly is the school located? Don't tell me it's another planet or something."
I tried to strike up a conversation on the road as there weren't much to do. It's good to know more things too.
"Oh we certainly do have most of our bases at another planet or dimension but no, the school is on Earth for convenient sakes." [Tatsuki]
"Well are there multiple schools?"
"Nope, we only have one." [Tatsuki]
Only one? Isn't that too little?
Perhaps he has been asked this question a lot but Tatsuki immediately follow up with extra explanation.
"There are actually very little uses for the school believe it or not. Most of the time the school only gets around 50 students per year, including both those invited and those with connections." [Tatsuki]
The amount is surprisingly little compared to the world population. I did almost die being involved in one of those incident so perhaps the lack of people is a good thing.
"Well, how many students are there this year?"
Tatsuki seemed slightly amused with my question and answered back with a teasing tone.
"What makes you think I know that?" [Tatsuki]
"You don't?"
"Of course I don't. Ask those who work for the school not me." [Tatsuki]
That's a valid point I guess. However asking too many questions is never wrong.
Tatsuki was also rather bored as he continued to chat with me.
"How was the training with the Sage? Have you managed to learn how to control Karma yet?" [Tatsuki]
The training huh... thinking about the training gives me a complicated feeling. It doesn't help that Tatsuki is getting more curious too.
"Fine, the training went... ok. Sage of Light was definitely a great help but it seems like I didn't have much talent for this sort of things. Absorbing Karma is fine but I haven't succeeded in controlling it. The Sage said it'll take about 2 more months training with him for me to control Karma fully."
I weren't so happy with it.
"Oh. Well at least you have a trainer, those who don't usually need 2 years to grasp the basics!" [Tatsuki]
"And what about those with a trainer?"
"Hm? Well with someone like Sage of Light it would take about 2 weeks I guess?" [Tatsuki]
What?! That's a huge difference! I feel even worse knowing that I'm at a disadvantage compared to others.
I looked at my 'phone' with a complicated expression. My sole advantage. I wanted to save it for more pressing matters but I might have to do it sooner than I thought...
"We're almost there." [Tatsuki]
Despite what he said there weren't anything that could be a school in sight. All I can see is endless road and fields. Is it one of those? The type that's hidden to the normal eyes and can only be accessed by people in the known?
The car stopped next to a small shop, something very eye catching in the middle of nowhere. That's not very hidden is it?
"Are we there? This shop is the school?"
Tatsuki chuckles quietly at my question, something I would have done too if I were in his position. I mean, the shop? Seriously? It's obvious this is just a checkpoint before going in.
"We'll be getting a ticket to travel there. The school is actually on a group of small islands at the sea. It's similar to going through a portal." [Tatsuki]
A man dressed like an office worker walk towards us from the shop. Tatsuki came out the car to greet the man and the two start discussing. I didn't go out partially because I was still very tired from all the workouts I've been doing.
The talk was fast and only took about 3 minutes and Tatsuki returned with a pair of tickets in hand.
"Take one and rip it, it'll transport you to the school entrance. Afterward wait for me there, it should takes about 30 minutes for me to pick you up." [Tatsuki]
"You aren't coming with me?"
"I need to do your registration. Identification is too easy to fake so it takes longer than normal. There's place for you to entertain yourself there. The gym is about 130m from the entrance." [Tatsuki]
... NO MORE GYM! I'll just take a stroll.
"Well cya."
Ripping the ticket in half a crack appeared 'in' me. My vision quickly changes from the inside of the car to an entirely new land.
A huge building stand in front of me, blocking out the sunlights. The sight of it shocked me momentarily until I realized something. Why am I at the back of it? If Tatsuki told me correctly shouldn't I be in front of the school.
Luckily there weren't much obstruction on the way and I safely made my way in front of this building.
It's huge... not only is it huge but there's still plenty of space around it too. It looks much better than 99% of the school I have seen.
Right at the front gate a commotion was happening. Several teenagers surrounded a small boy pushing at him. There weren't many people around and the guards didn't seem too care fully focusing on not letting anyone through.
Getting closer I could finally here what they were talking about. Surprisingly there weren't much just mockery and insults. They didn't like that someone as young as the kid was here and wanted to chase him away.
It's ridiculous. I didn't intend to put my nose in where it shouldn't belong but when the teenagers started pushing the boy around I couldn't stand it anymore and tried to interfere.
Before I could get close however the young boy managed to blow all those teens away with one punch . One punch!
The boy then disappeared into the school without giving them another glance. What a show that was. I'll have to put notes in my mind to not judge a person for their age and appearance or I might end up like those kids.
I also tried to enter early like the young boy but was firmly refused by the guards when my name wasn't on their list. With no other choices I walked around the outside of the school.
There were few shops here and there selling snacks and the like. I also managed to find the gym which I visited to make a member card. I still have to do the training routine after all...
Beside that there weren't much except the beautiful scenery around to enjoy. It was like a small forest but with a much more mysterious beauty than the normal forest. I wouldn't mind looking at the scenery for a hour per day but anymore would get boring real fast.
30 minutes quickly passed by and I tried to go back to the school. It was then that a harsh reality hits me. I was lost.
How funny that a huge building was in the horizon but no matter what I can't seem to find my way there. Even walking in a straight line doesn't work. I failed to navigate my way through the forest no matter how hard I tried.
I was starting to feel desperate when a figure came to my view. It was the figure of that young boy I've met in front of the gate.
The boy also noticed me and waved. We somehow met again under different circumstances.
"Hi... boy. Are you lost too?"
The 'young boy' looked at me like something funny and shakes his head, indicating that he is in fact not lost like me.
I hold my face in shame. No matter what he still look like a kid and yet I'm the one who's lost. Words can't describe how embarrassed I am.
A young voice brought me out of my daze.
"You want my help to get back to school?" [?]
"Embarrassing as it is, yes that would greatly be appreciated. Do you mind telling me your name, mine's Dummy."
"Don't sweat it, most get lost in their first time here. My name is Jester." [Jester]
Jester reached his little hand to mine and dragged me away. As expected his grip strength was very strong, much stronger than mine. It doesn't hurt though and I can clearly feel that this hand is that of a kid.
"If you don't mind me asking, how old are you? I saw you in front of the gate when—"
"Yeah I saw you too." [Jester]
He did? I was sure that he didn't look anywhere near me...
"I'm 12." [Jester]
I look at him and he looks at me. For a moment our eyes lock together without moving like we're in a staring contest.
"Right... you sure?"
"Definitely 12." [Jester]
Definitely not. Since he doesn't want to say let's not push it too much. I don't want to be rude towards the person helping me.
It didn't take long at all for us to arrive back to the entrance. There Tatsuki was talking with the guards and didn't look one bit anxious despite the person he was responsible for going missing.
Dude what the hell?
"We're here. I'll go now." [Jester]
"O-oh ok, let's meet again!"
"Let's." [Jester]
Tatsuki also noticed me and greet me like nothing happened.
"How's the tour?" [Tatsuki]
"How was it? I almost got lost and you didn't bother to find me?"
"You most certainly got lost. It's fine I wanted you to learn a bit anyway." [Tatsuki]
"Learn what?"
"Caution duh. Even if the place look peaceful doesn't mean there's potential danger. I'm telling you this because you were too relaxed before. You treated this as a trip but remember that your life and safety depends on this side now." [Tatsuki]
I was conflicted. Though angry at him, what he said is right. It's a big problem that my mind set can't adjust to this world fast enough despite me being mentally ready for it.
"Hah. Thanks..."
"It's ok to take thing slow, I just want you to remember the importance of this period. You'll only have one year to adapt to this new part of the world and if you fail there's a lot of consequences. I hope you'll be alright." [Tatsuki]
"I know. What's with the sad tone? I'll handle myself well trust me."
I give Tatsuki a big grin in which he responded with a small sigh. I could clearly see that smile hidden under the sigh.
"Everything is done. You are now officially a member of the supernatural prep school. I wish you good luck. Cya." [Tatsuki]
"Bye."
And with the parting of a new found friend, my time in this new school has officially started.
* * * * * * * *
[Trivia: After all basic missions are completed, some features will be locked forever.]
(Notes: I'll now put trivia down here whenever our protagonist read them. Anything similar that aren't important will be done this way.)