In the week leading up towards our enrollment in the academy, Leiso took to training us. I made it a point to speak to her about an ability that Vengeance had, shapeshifting weapon.
Once she learned that I had such a power, she began to also help me understand how the weapons on Ignitus worked.
They had many different types of projectile, explosive, and even energy weapons that fired a superheated substance called 'plasma'. Just like what Yakon had been using.
They even had weapons that fired heated light called laser rifles.
Since it would be impossible to learn about these things in a single week, Leiso decided to put some of them on hold.
After all, the technology in Avernia was extremely primitive compared to what they had on Ignitus. I didn't have the faintest idea of how any of it functioned.
Still, I would be learning how to build, deconstruct, and preform maintenance on all of these weapons from both Leiso and specialist engineers that built them for a living.
In between the hellish training that Leiso demanded of us.
That woman was clearly insane...
She did teach us something interesting about the military, however. The military of Arcadia was simply referred to as the Ignitian military. This was because they sought to protect the world as a whole instead of just half of it. It was symbolic of their cause to liberate Nexus and unite the world under a single banner as it had been originally. Isabella and I thought it sounded noble enough...
Eventually, the day of our relocation arrived and we were brought to the roof of the building. We boarded a helicopter and went on our way.
"Woah! You two again!? You're not gonna jump out of the helicopter are you!?" The man said.
I couldn't remember his name, unfortunately...
"Easy, John, They can't understand us, remember?" The woman said.
"Oh yeah...I forgot. Well, I hope they decide to stay onboard this time. Although I wonder why they were at the Enforcer HQ..."
"Maybe because of the chaos that happened below? Didn't the news say that two otherworlders were involved in that Overlord attack, recently?"
"Oh! I remember that! Yeah, I think I saw them on tv when my girlfriend and I were making dinner. They kicked his ass!"
"Umm...excuse us. I don't mean to interrupt, but we can speak to you two now. Iris gave us a blessing to speak with the people of this world," Isabella said.
The two of them jumped in surprise.
"What!?" They both said in unison.
"I'm fairly certain we can understand each other now. What were your names again?" I asked.
"I'm John and this is Mirelia. Umm...nice to meet you two...again...?" John said.
I smiled at them and decided to have a seat this time.
"Alright! I'll ask you the same thing I did when I saw you out there...Mizik?" John said.
He got my name right. I like this guy.
"Sure," I said.
"What the hell were you doing in one of those giant trees!?"
"We were following the flying machine," I said.
"Flying...machine...?" Mirelia said.
"I think they called it an airplane? I thought it was a metal dragon the first time I saw it..." Isabella said.
John laughed.
"Really? That's all? Huh. How did you end up out there?"
"We went through a portal during the final siege of our city. It was razed by a Demon King and his armies," I said.
"Er...John? Maybe we shouldn't talk about that? This feels like classified information..." Mirelia said.
"Sorry! I didn't mean to ask something like that!" John said.
"It's okay! Really!" Isabella said with a smile.
"Oh, Isabella, why is your hair pink? I've never seen something like that before. It's so pretty! Is it natural?" Mirelia said.
"Ah. It runs in my family. Believe it or not, it really is natural. Also, this sort of thing is fairly common in our homeworld."
"No way! Really? So someone could have blue hair or something!?" Mirelia said in shock.
Isabella nodded.
"It's perfectly normal."
"That's so cool!" John said.
We sat and talked with them for quite a while as we also learned about what happened.
The aircraft that flew over our heads early that morning was a cargo plane. It detected the power radiating off of us and alerted a surveillance group that worked for the government. They were sent to monitor the area and had been quite startled when they saw me.
A man standing up in one of the massive trees holding a sword of all things. Apparently, they planned to take us directly to the Enforcer HQ to prevent any harm to the public.
Unfortunately...we didn't trust them enough. And harm was done.
When we told them about our origins, they were both shocked and interested. John and Mirelia were elated to learn that we had become Honorary Enforcers. Although confused at how both of us managed to be approved at the same time.
Nonetheless, we made our way to the destination. Many hours later, an enormous city came into view and we flew straight into it. This city was apparently called Torantis. The capital of Arcadia.
For some reason, looking at this city made my chest hurt.
One we reached the Enforcer HQ, we were escorted to a room where we would be staying at for the foreseeable future.
Tomorrow we would be starting school.
I hope nothing bad happens...something bad always happens...
* * *
The next day, we put on the uniforms provided for us and headed out. They were simple white button up shirts with ties. I was told to wear pants and Isabella wore a skirt.
She was frustrated about having to wear a skirt, but ultimately decided not to complain too much. At the very least, it was just above the knees. I couldn't deny that it was cute though... She also had her hair up in a ponytail.
She caught me staring at her and smirked.
"Well, if Mizik likes it, I can't say that I hate wearing it. Although, it is a bit drafty..." She said.
Isabella was much more observant of her surroundings than I gave her credit for at times. I never got a break...
Why couldn't I just stare at her in peace?
Eventually, we arrived at the Academy and made our way across the campus.
There were statues of Iris doing all sorts of 'cool' poses and looking graceful... Although they exaggerated her chest features...
"She really is self-conscious about that, isn't she?" Isabella said.
"Haha...yeah. There's no need to lie to people though," I said with a chuckle.
We walked into the Academy and found ourselves within a crowd of people standing around and talking to one another.
As soon as we did...
We immediately felt numerous eyes on us.
Most of the guys were staring at Isabella and her pink hair. Now that I thought about it, it did sort of draw the eyes...
And to the people of Ignitus, she stuck out like a sore thumb.
At the same time, there were many girls eying me curiously.
"Mizik...do you think they can feel our presence...?"
"That would explain why they noticed us so quickly..."
As soon as I spoke, a girl boldly approached us.
"Well hello, I don't think I've seen you around here before. Are you a transfer student?" She said to me.
"Sure, whatever that means," I said.
What is it with people in using phrases I can't understand!?
"My name is Emily Carmilia. Heiress of the Carmilia Company Empire. It's so good to meet you! And you are?"
"Mizik Iratus, and this is my wife Isabella Iratus," I said as I placed a hand gently on Isabella's shoulder.
"Oh...your wife. Aren't you two a bit young to be married?" She asked.
"We're not from around here, so let's just leave it at that. Perhaps you should mind your own business?" Isabella said with a smile.
Bravery...please don't...
"Well, I was just wondering if this nice boy here was interested in being around someone without such...loudly colored hair. Did you fall into a bucket of hair dye by accident? Pink hair. Really? You look ridiculous," Emily said mockingly.
Isabella glared at Emily and I smiled.
"I think her hair is beautiful. I don't care what anyone says, Isabella is the most gorgeous woman I've ever met."
Just before Emily could respond, a young man walked up to us.
"I remember you! You were on the news!" He said.
"News...?" I said.
I remembered John saying something like that, but I didn't know what it was. He said he watched it, and to me that didn't make sense.
How the hell would someone watch something from so far away?
"Yeah! You fought General Leiso, right? What's she like in person!? She's so beautiful! I just love her!" He said.
That insane woman is beautiful? I mean..
I guess she's really pretty...but also terrifying...
"Those two are the ones who beat Overlord Yakon! So cooool!!!! I can't believe it!!! We get to go to school with otherworlders!!!" A male student shouted.
Many more students began cheering and shouting to us.
Then we heard a voice behind us.
"ALRIGHT! BREAK IT UP! BACK AWAY, YOU VULTURES!"
It was Michael...for some reason.
"Michael?" I said.
All I the others gasped in awe as Michael walked up casually beside me. He had a white tank top on with his long blonde hair up in a ponytail.
The girls squealed loudly and tried to get his attention by waving.
He waved back, but ultimately ignored them
"Geez, you two. You can't just waltz in here without a care. You don't blend in at all! On top of being on the national news...freakin weird-looking otherworlders..." He said.
At that moment, Emily walked back over and smiled at Michael.
Is she one of those...women of the night...?
"Mr...no... Enforcer Michael!? It's a pleasure to meet you! My name is-"
"I'm not interested. Sorry, but I already have a girlfriend...and you're a little young for me. No offense, but you should go back to whatever you were doing before. Don't take this the wrong way, but it's illegal to interfere with an on-duty Enforcer."
Emily froze and looked around. Then ran off.
"ALRIGHT! LET'S JUST GET THIS OUT IN THE OPEN, EVERYONE! MACK AND ISABELLA ARE OTHERWORLDERS! ALSO, THEY'RE HONORARY ENFORCERS! LEAVE THEM THE HELL ALONE!"
"MIZIK! MY NAME IS MIZIK!" I shouted at him.
Michael smiled and waved at me apologetically.
There were several gasps as the other students began whispering to one another.
"Great. I have your attention! Listen up, because I'll only say this once: these two, here? Do not try to 'prove your strength' by fighting them. Seriously. I know all of you saw the news. Isabella and...Ma...yeah the other guy, defeated Overlord Yakon. They are NOT a joke!"
It's not hard! My name is Mizik! Stop getting it wrong!
I could see Isabella shaking her head.
"They might only be honorary Enforcers now, but both of them are more than capable of matching someone like me in a straight-up fight. They will be the protectors of Arcadia for the foreseeable future. Treat them with respect and treat them as on-duty Enforcers!" Michael said.
After he spoke, he shoo'ed them away and turned to us.
"You two, wear these from now on," Michael said as he handed us two badges.
They were solid gold circular badges with a strange emblem on them. The emblem was a teal color.
I remember seeing the same symbol on the front of the Enforcer HQ.
As far as I could tell, it might have been a letter of some kind from their language...
"These will signify to everyone that you two are Enforcers. Also, for a while, I'll be joining you at school," Michael said.
"Why? Don't you have anything better to do?" I asked.
"Oww. Are you calling me lazy!?" He said.
"No, it's just... Aren't you a big deal around Arcadia?" I asked.
"Of course I am. I'm a damn Enforcer! The media treats us like celebrities or something. But Iris told me to look after you two so that someone doesn't try to start anything. Just until people understand who you are, that is."
"That makes sense. Your presence is very deterring, isn't it?" Isabella said.
"Exactly! She gets it, see? Just think of me as your cool cousin, okay?"
"My cousin tried to kill me," I said.
"Damn, you have one seriously messed up life, dude. Your sister-in-law tortured you, and your cousin tried to murder you. Anything else?" Michael said.
"My dad got eaten by a dragon. Everyone I know and love is dead because of a Demon King."
Michael planted his hand on his face.
"THAT WAS A RHETORICAL QUESTION! DON'T ANSWER IT!"
"Hmm...my ex-fiance tried to kill him too. On our wedding day, no less! My mother even tried to bribe him into breaking our engagement!" Isabella chimed in.
"Ugh...I give up... I'm not even going to ask..."
After our conversation with Michael, he led us to our class.
The room was empty except for the both of us, Michael, and an older man wearing a suit.
We were going to learn how to write in the Ignitian language today. Michael told us that we wouldn't be able to effectively preform school work until we could write.
So with that, we began our tedious school life...
Over time, the language started to make sense to us. Isabella was, of course, much better at learning languages than I was due to being experienced at it. She was a naturally gifted genius when it came to learning things.
I, on the other hand, struggled greatly.
In between working, we would be allowed to take breaks and walk around the school.
The world of Ignitus was truly amazing to us. There were so many things that we didn't have on Avernia and it was starting to genuinely bother us.
One of the greatest inventions I'd ever seen was a machine called an 'air conditioner'. This miracle of engineering could keep a house cool in the summer and warm in the winter. Isabella and I truly fell in love with it.
Additionally, the music here was different. Although Isabella still preferred the soft 'classical' and 'opera' variants, I personally had an affinity for...'Heavy Metal', 'Rock Music', and something they called 'Death Metal'.
To Isabella it was just a bunch of noise and screaming, however. Even so, the people of Ignitus seemed to enjoy similar concepts of instruments here. They had violins, pianos and other things that Isabella enjoyed.
I still loved listening to her play the violin. She would occasionally sing to me as well. I was surprised to find that she had such a beautiful singing voice and it was apparently something that she was embarassed about. She didn't mind singing to me, though.
Even now, I kept finding more things to love about her. Isabella was amazing.
While walking around the school, we would notice a lot of people staring at us.
Occasionally, I would get attention from the young women at the school. And Isabella got lots of attention from the guys...
Although a lot more men hit on her than girls did to me. I recalled a time back in Lorelei where girls weren't all that interested in me.
What the hell happened? Was it because I was considered a celebrity? An Honorary Enforcer? I couldn't tell.
Nevertheless, we continued our studies.
Three months passed and eventually, both of us learned to write properly. Although Isabella became fluent a month and a half before I did.
Thankfully, she refused to move on until I had gotten to her level and even tutored me in our dorm.
After school each day, Leiso would teach and train us on Ignitian weaponry.
Eventually, I turned sixteen. Or at least I thought I was sixteen...the dates and number of days in a year were all different on Ignitus.
It was hard to keep track of my own age, but I had a birthday listed as late in the fall, just like I did on Avernia.
My age was confusing me now, and I decided to just not celebrate my birthday anymore. Isabella felt the same way and we chose to simply try and recall our dates of birth based on the time we entered Ignitus and left Avernia.
Regardless of our age, we were ready to join the other students in their classes.
Michael requested that we sit next to one another and eventually we saw less and less of him on campus grounds.
People began to realize that we were the real deal. Honorary Enforcers. Some of the students also tried to genuinely befriend us to some success. We were still somewhat closed off, but we weren't against being friendly.
All in all, things continued like this for about a year.