Renji Aihara
As I went back to class the teacher was clearly in a bad state mentally, for whatever reason he stuttered for the beginning of his class.
After putting his mumbled words together I came upon the words welcome-to-class four.
"In this class I will teach you how to control your mana on a basic level."
"Your first assignment will be to figure out your basic elements and if any your advanced elements."
"As you may know classes are taught on a ranking level 1 through 4. The fact that you are in this class doesn't mean that you aren't good it just means your below everyone else."
"Doesn't that just mean we're not good with sugar on top", a student shouted.
"That… That is wrong. You are in a prestigious school of only the best supported by the four great families themselves to count yourself as anything but some of the greatest would be a downplay of your prowess." "For starters we need to test your mana aptitude."
"This device here will test just that, put simply all you have to do is let your mana leak into the glass and it'll display a color. The color system is unique at the very bottom is Green, Then Yellow, Then Light Blue, Then Silver, Then White, and finally a color only four people in the world have managed to reach. Royal Gold."
"Don't misunderstand me i don't mean to say someone with a green core can't beat someone with a Light Blue core." "When it comes to a real fight cores are really just how much mana you can take in and control and what element your body is leaning towards." Another short way to put it is your core is like a command center in the body channeling foreign elements like lighting and odd amounts of water."
"Without a core in your body it doesn't mean you can no longer do magic. You can still perform some magic but even the simplest magic may cause a strain on your body eventually causing mana deficiency."
"On a basic level your core will probably range from green to yellow your mana could exceed this level but for a beginner class we haven't tested your mana so the school believes you belong here." "If you believe otherwise, step up in an orderly fashion and prove so."
After everyone took their spots in the line I found myself placed in the back as the very last student alongside Curtis who with a confident look on his face a grin almost meeting his eyes. He was standing in front of me, turned, and noticed i was last his smile hardened like he was standing in the presence of a god.
"Miii...Miiister Aiha...ra" "Just call me Renji" "ri-right Renji got it!" "You're amazing Renji when Lady Aihara disappeared off stage and was suddenly beside us before i could even react you had already swung your sword at her."
"Its nothing to be impressed over" i replied "But it is!" He shouted excitedly
"I don't think even our seniors could have done that in time." "some didn't even notice she had left the stage to begin with"
"Listen my sister is extremely fast that i know well but once you're around her long enough things like her actions,breathing patterns, and daily routines become common knowledge." "You know your sisters breathing patterns?" Pretty weird no?
At this point the boy began to annoy me "it was part of my training curriculum, i had to do many things i didn't like growing up." "weird is that what it takes to become a world power? "Maybe ill stalk my sisters and get a random power boost"
After what seemed like hours Curtis had finally been called up to the machine meaning i was next and that he would finally leave me alone.
At first many students were eager to prove themselves worthy of a higher class but after a while when my turn came up nobody had been able to get past a yellow core making them stuck in class 4.
"Do not be discouraged, Mistress Misa Aihara the master swords woman and water and electric elementalist with the largest mana pool in the world did not start off that powerful.
Only through hard work had she made it possible and became a lead figure of the world.
She indeed did work hard but my mothers skill lie much deeper than her mana pool it lies in her control all mages know the more mana you have the harder it is to control. This is what's known as mana deficiency there is two ways to get mana deficiency one you have so much mana it overloads your body causing it to eat at your body inside out to get free which is the more common way. And two for whatever reason you don't have a core to channel your mana leaving you with the first outcome
"Renji Aihara, you are the final student."
Upon hearing my name all the chatter was suddenly dispersed. I turned inward "Saika" she had already know what it is I wanted her to do.
Slowly I put my hand in and channeled mana to my hand after about a minute of nothing but the sound of the wind slicing through into the class I decided to look up at my teachers face. I had always avoided training with mother considering her mana capacity far exceeded mine meaning being exposed to so much made me feel like I was being burned alive.
Fearing having to leave for a low grade I began to think of an excuse but promptly gave up as I just hadn't cared anymore.
before I got a word out I was told to walk out into the hall and await further instructions
After about half an hour of waiting I was approached by a young woman with curly brown hair she walked with elegance but behind that elegance was a slight sadness.
I couldn't quite put my finger on what it is I was sensing from her so I decided to outright ignore it. it simply wasn't my problem.
"come with me" we began to walk down the halls being confused as i was I began to think I was being escorted out of the school so I asked "where we headed?" she turned her head as she was walking and showed a slight smile that seemed more forced than anything.
"Congratulations Mister Aihara you will be promoted to class 1."
Once again confusion must have been clearly shown on my face.
Your mana has far exceeded the basic requirements of that class we find it appropriate to promote you to class one courtesy of Master EarthBorn.
I had understood what she was trying to say but couldn't quite wrap my head around it "so I'm to be promoted?" "indeed it seems that Master EarthBorn holds you in high esteem" her reply made sense but i was confused. Mother had always said she never felt any pressure from my mana why had it appeared now?
The woman apologized after a while and told me she was supposedly the teacher of Class 1 and her name was Misty Rockheart of the Rockheart family i had known of the Rockheart family due to my mothers work. Many people of families everywhere was in and out of my home for "Business".
"this will be your new classroom I'm going to step in and let them know of a new student I will call you in to introduce yourself shortly."
MISTY ROCK-HEART
I had been assigned a new student supposedly coming from class 4.
Honestly I was expecting more from the boy. Besides how aware and alert he was, I didn't see much of the late master Misa Aihara in him.
The brother of one of the lead families and arguably THE lead family of the world, The Aihara family.
I had heard the boy's name was Renji from Master EarthBorn and that the boy had not attended school since he was younger.
Perhaps for this reason he was not as matured as I'd been told.
After the incident with his parents I do not blame the boy. Anybody would seclude themselves after such an accident. however, as a child of such a family he probably can't mourn the way he wishes.
There he was his gold like eyes raging like yellow lightning, Black hair tied back into a high bun, tips of his hair coated with a snowy white look accompanied by a sword hanging from his waist decorated nicely with a cherry blossom sheath with a pendant attached to the handle.
Although weapons were allowed in the schools he was breaking the dress code for the students. Instead of having his full school uniform on he seemed to be carrying it on his should.
Although the boy had just been promoted he didn't look too happy "come with me" were the first words I spoke after about a minute of walking he had finally spoken back "where we headed" it seems the boy hasn't realized.
I turned my head and gave him the best smile I could muster along with the word "congratulations" After explaining to the boy why he had been promoted and we had arrived back at my classroom.
I instructed him to wait for me to call his name. After his nodding his approval I entered the room and all chatter was seized almost instantly.
I took my position behind the podium and began to speak "Class today you will be receiving a new student who has just risen from class 4."
Upon hearing the words class 4 chatter begun to burst out incredulously so much so i could hear it through the door. "Silence" once again the noise had stopped "you may enter"
RENJI AIHARA
After stepping into the class I begun to walk to the side of the podium where miss Rockheart had stood.
After a deep gracious bow angled perfectly as mother had taught me years ago I said words that were almost programmed into me.
"Hello everyone my name is Renji Aihara of the Aihara family I hope you treat me well in the years to come."
After a bit of time passed I sat in the back towards the window where there wasn't many people although once i sat people moved away from me anyways.
"Alright students welcome back to class." "Because of our assembly today there won't be much of class only thing on our agenda is a light spar in the training facility to get a grasp of each other's strength and weakness."
Although I was confident in my ability to defend myself I wanted to see other peoples fighting style. I had only ever fought my mother and Raiko with a sword and fought with my father bare handed and with sometimes a knife.
The words spar left me with a trauma that will never fade. My mother had always tempted me into her "light spar" by promising something as a reward afterwards…. I never got the reward.
"everyone change into your training uniform and meet in the training facility"
With those words the teacher walked out the room as elegantly as she had entered it.
As soon as the door fully shut I began to get bombarded with questions from many people "Are you really THE Renji Aihara?"
"Is your sister really the new lead of the Aihara family?"
"Is Lady Aihara taking apprentices?"
The questions wouldn't stop I would go to answer a question then immediately be asked another.
"How long do you plan on bothering him he's only just arrived. I'm sure miss RockHeart had made it abundantly clear that we were to meet her in the facility."
Suddenly the noise was gone. A woman stood her hair a light gold almost as if shining, Her eyes also a pretty gold with a spot of dark blue. She stepped slowly but moved with grace inward towards my direction her armor clanking softly each time she took a step.
Her eyes locked with mine on her way to my seat she stopped and looked into my eyes for a couple of minutes still unwavering until eventually she said...
"Ren-Cha-mmh Renji, is that really you?"...
"Huh..?" Ren-Chan.... wait are you... she gasped full of excitement and joy like she was a toddler just given her favorite playtime toy. "Nope no clue who you are sorry miss... her face instantly went from excited to extreme sadness.
"hahaha Kasumi i'm just messing with you of course i remember you little miss perfect" Kasumi Kishi a childhood friends of sorts she is apart of one of the four major families and her family has ties with mine. I haven't seen her since all those years ago..
..... A Time 6 years back....
"Ren-chan come look..." we peek through the bushes watching tall men swing swords at wooden dummies.
"Those are the knights. Cool aren't they?" "i think i wanna be a martial artist knight." "you still have to at least know how to use multiple weapons that's what my mom always says during our lessons or else you'll be looked down upon when you become knight commander."
...
"Ren-chan i think you should stop taking lessons with Lady Misa." "What?" "Why" "I don't wan't Ren-Chan to kill people in the future." "You can be a knight with me i can ask my dad to let you in the royal order."
"Why don't you ever consider what I want in life.."
"Im always considerate of your feeling" "All i wanna do is follow in moms footsteps" i remember snapping at her back then
"But Ren-Chan... Then run away with me instead that way we don't have to care about family names we can be whoever we want" "Mi doesn't understand, i can't just leave what about Raiko?," "What about your family Mi they love you. The guilt of running away would stick with me all my life if i took you from them."
"But Ren-Chan i just wan't you to be safe it's all I want.""That's the thing Mi I AM SAFE." "Moms training could be hard at times and cause me some injuries but i know she has nothing but love for me in her heart."
"Scars running up and down your body isn't JUST some injuries Ren-Chan their major injuries I - I just want..." "That's it you don't have to finish I hate you, You he do whatever you want I don't wanna be friends anymore either."
I remember she looked devastated.. at the time I understood what she meant but she didn't understand that it was something I just wanted to do. I told her I wanted to be an assassin thinking she would support me but I was wrong to even bring it up
"Wait.. WAIT... Ren-Chan please don't leave me. Please i'm sorry. I don't want you to hate me..
She was crying.. Those were the last words I heard or the last time I had seen Kasumi in 6 years
....
Back then this scene would play out often.
The tension between us grew so heavy as we walked to the facility. I felt suffocated i was thinking about just taking a longer way to the facility but knew i couldn't avoid her if we were to be in the same class from now on.
Surprised enough Saika materialized, Kasumi immediately took a fighting stance hand placed firmly on her sword ready to swing at Saika. "Kasumi stop." "Saika whats wrong are you ok?" "Im fine master i just awoke from a nap and decided to stretch a little something wrong?" "No not at all just surprised is all considering you don't like showing yourself to others" " I would need to show myself eventually and its not like i was scared just didn't feel the need" "Renji WHAT is that?" "SHE can speak for herself shes not an object so I would appreciate it if you wouldn't do that she has a soul just like you."
"My name is Saika i am masters blade i reside in his sword i was first materialized from masters urge to get stronger back when he was younger and we have been together ever since. There's more to it but that's details you don't need you work for the Knights no telling what you would do with that information."
" When he… was younger" Kasumi looked shocked probably because she felt she knew me best when we were young.
"That's right." "Master and I are together forever much longer than a stupid unsupportive knight could be."
"Saika stop theres no need to dig into her like that she is still a friend so try to be nice at the very least." "Sure Master whatever you say i just hate knights especially this one little miss prim and proper."
"Hi Saika i'm Kasumi Kishi, Not completely sure what i did to incur your wrath but i apologize and will do better moving on" Kasumi had seemed to forget that memory from so long ago" yea yea heard that before." Saika said.
We had arrived at the training facility.
"Just as one would expect from a prestigious school funded by the Ōkui family. The building was sublime from the decoration leading into the main area to the state of the art machines customized for your personalized fighting style."
"Master you're fanboying so hard right now it's unexpected" Saika said "I know but it's a pretty big school I haven't been outside much I'm curious as to how a prestigious school does things"
I had been invited when i was younger to train with all types of prestigious families kids at their home but none compare to this building.
There we found Miss Rock-heart talking to another teacher. Her face was scared with a line running through her eye, She had fiery red hair but her body was nice.
All of the students were here. Miss RockHeart had passed the lesson onto another teacher who began explaining what the training exercise was.
"Alright you little snot nosed shits My name is Shiori Kurutta we the school want you kids to know each others ins and outs so we will be doing a bracket style 1 versus 1 tournament here are the rules"
"1. No aiming to severely wound your opponent although we have healers and medicine on standby we can tell if an injury was inflicted on purpose"
"2.Each match will only be 15 minutes the one who has taken the most amount damage is out" We intend to keep these matches extremely short so try not to drag the battle out. Come explosive right from the whistle"
"3. each match will bet set in a randomized location chosen by an A.I meaning you should treat this as a normal life or death situation." These A.I don't know your fighting style or preference so don't expect special treatment."
"Very simple right?" "Good that's how we want it to be nothing complicated." "we will go in order of your role call numbers meaning first up is Kasumi Kishi vs Sayuri Mezui"
All the other students were to head to a separate room to spectate the match. Miss Kurutta started the program the first location seemed to be a swampy like area with a big clock showing the time above.
I didn't quite know anyone here or what they could do but from the looks of it this Sayuri girl Kasumi was facing was in a pretty advantageous position from the beginning. I leaned back in the chair and let a small frown break out involuntarily. "These matches are not as entertaining as we thought, Right, Saika?" "Right Master the stupid knight should win this easily"
KASUMI KISHI
What the hell is this situation its totally advantageous for this Sayuri girl. "Damn it." "I'm too frustrated I need to calm down she has an advantage but she hasn't won. What can I do here?"
I began surveying the area looking for something anything that could turn this situation around. My mind was running, I had to focus, I can't look bad, not here, not now.
The girl used attachable armaments and a sniper.
soon as the starting whistle sounded the armament she had shot into the water. "A location dart I'm sure." The dart shoots into the water and relays the location of anything it's touching. "I need to get rid of this water." She knew where i was and this isn't really a place where i can just not touch water.
Think Kasumi Think! I used martial arts and knives only using my sword when necessary making this a pretty hard situation for me.
I was being hunted. Shes an agile long range sniper i just need a way to clear most of this water out and i can turn this situation around but how?...
"Wind?,…Evaporation!… but for that I need two spells simultaneously and ones that'll go unnoticed at that" "DAMN IT"
I got it.. "Aren't you of the Kishi family supposedly protecting us, The people, from danger." The girls insults kept coming but I had to ignore it I needed my focus. "this is hilarious four great major families my ass they're just a bunch of wannabe heroes"
Just a little more chase me around a little more...
"Anyone ever told you that you talk too much?" I tried breaking her focus a bit longer
"Shut up. Armament sound-wave shock"
*Thud
"Awe did the whittle birdie fall from the tree when they heard a loud noise"
"you really are a pathetic person" i said aloud
"You can't escape me Kasumi Kishi i've got you exactly where i want.. wait.. whats this? It's hot… NO way did you.." she was clearly panicked she probably caught on by now.
"Ah like i said you talk too much" i began to chant "Goddess of wind " "No no NO NO this isn't right this can't be right... I was winning i had you cornered." She began to scream out and cry
" i beseech thee return wind unto me bind my opponent in your wrath restrict their movement into nothingness" "WIND BIND" i finished the chant Sayuri had been crying stuck in an upright position unable to move.
"Were you setting up magic circles for your enchantment because you can't multi-cast magic this entire time? Dif you have me fooled from the beginning?"
"Not quite" i replied " once i realized you had no intention of really closing the gap so you could taunt me i had concluded the water was in my way." "i had only one real answer.. to pray upon the goddess of wind to slowly but swiftly move the water down stream thus clearing the area without your knowing in turn rendering that water based armament useless."
"From there the only thing left to do after setting magic circles while running from you was to get you to think you had me cornered and "Accidentally" fall from a tree when you got impatient and attacked me."
"so you really did have me all figured out huh? I'm so lame" she said sounding disappointed in herself
"Yup something like that" i replied with a smirk like smile. "Best grit your teeth tho because i don't take kindly to being called pathetic especially not now"
"No wait.. we can talk about this please I'm sorry it won't happen again.. MISS I FORFEIT PLEASE GET ME AWAY!"
"I probably should've said this but that wind bind restricted all outward wind from you meaning you aren't heard right now"
"What was that you said about the four families. It's be best you grit your teeth this might hurt,Like, A lot."
"Please don't we can-"
"1, 2"....
Thud
*Ending whistle
"The winner of the first match Sayuri vs Kasumi.. Kasumi Kishi wins."
"I wonder if he watched my whole match" i said to myself as i headed towards the spectator seats.