The next day in the early morning in the capital city of Oriana.
"Ahh it's time"
A young man with brown undercut hair, a low skin fade, a brown iris in his pupils that match his hair color, and black gloves. He gets up from his bed as he prepares for school. His black button-up shirt, black slacks Aurora Saint Academy uniform, and first-year emblem on his collar, with a little cape at the end of it like a knight.
"Jericho" a female voice calls to him.
"What" he responds.
STEP STEP STEP
"What did I say about your tone of voice young man"
"Jericho," a male voice says. "Be nice to your mother"
"Of course Father"
"My apologies Mother but I need to make an impression. The first day my arrival was outdone by the Twelve Star mages and the exemption students"
"You would be up there too if our travel to Aiz was quicker. Transportation from Zellar too here. " his mother spoke.
"Just remember son you just as good as them. Also, you're a dragon you'll be on the same level or even greater than theirs" his father spoke. "How many Twelve Stars are located in this school"
"Three. Leo, Virgo, and Aquarius. There were a few other students who were on the same level as them, but there was one who was an outlier to the bunch. The irregular no-mana Vaelrus Marina is a skilled weapon handler who has no mana. Somehow he was able to defeat a Twelve Star with no mana whatsoever."
"Did you say, Marina?" the dad spoke.
"Yes Father why is that significant"
"There was once a mage on the Federation that went by name and met his end years ago. If that is Marko Valerus's son he would be a formidable rival"
"Is that so father then that means" Jericho takes a pause. He then thinks for a moment by putting his hand on his chin "Hmm yes second day it's time to have my presence felt"
Jericho Pearson makes their way to school.
"What shall I say to him Valerus Marina I challenge you. Hmm, not it "Let's duel Valerus". No prepare for trouble make it. No just make it simple" Jericho says as he arrives at the front gate.
"Today is my-"
WARP
"Look out!"
BANG
Jericho gets knocked down as two people fall on him.
"Uhh, what was."
"Val why did you do that"
"I mean he was just standing right in front of where everyone gets warped from the Teleportation Zone"
Valerus and Eriko accidentally land on Jericho.
Jericho temporarily gets knocked out. The two talk about the collision standing by Jericho's feet waiting for him to get up. Jericho slowly begins to get his senses straight as his vision still needs to come back.
"Is that you Val-"
STEP STEP STEP STEP
"Valerus" Ezekiel yells as he comes full sprinting at him.
"Ezekiel good morning," Valerus says as he moves to the side.
"Huh"
BAM
"Uhhhhh," the noise Jericho makes as Ezekiel lands on him.
"Ugh aye thanks for cushioning my fall man," Ezekiel says as he taps him on the chest.
"So sorry about that" Eriko apologizes as he heals him up.
"Ezekiel you gotta relax with that a little man," Vaelrus says jokingly lecturing his friend.
"Sorry my bad Valerus" Ezekiel aploges rubbing his head.
"Good morning Ezekiel," Eriko says.
The three slowly walk away.
"Who was that guy?" Ezekiel says.
"Am not sure we just landed on him while he was standing right in front of the Arrival Spot from the Teleportation Zone"
"He'll be fine I healed him," Eriko says.
The three head inside the academy.
"Valerus Marina I will get you-"
STEP STEP STEP STEP STEP
"Hopefully today is a better day than yesterday," a female voice says.
"Sunny day were having"
"It is a beautiful day Suneeta Uh, what class is first again?"
"The class that we didn't have yesterday cmon Azalea"
"Have you cooled down Rose?"
"Yeah."
The five flowers arrive.
Jericho stops the girls from continuing to proceed to the school.
"What the" Lily. "Who?" Bella.
"Excuse me you blocking the way could you move to the side please?" Azalea asks.
"Azalea sometimes you just gotta tell them straight up," Sunneta says.
"Rose nice to meet you am-"
"Albeck Reigns!" Rose quickly speeds and walks to him to catch up.
"Next time pal try again, "Bella says.
"Maybe dont block our path," Lilly says.
"Please uh um" "Just tell him to move on aside. We'll see you around Mr.??" Sunneta says as she guides Azalea.
"Who was that guy again?" Sunneta asks the group.
"Dunno know," Bella says.
As the four try to catch up to Rose who went to talk to Albeck again.
Jericho stands with a smile and a feeling of defeat.
"What's up with this morning!!" he yells while putting his hands up in the air. The rest of the students passing by look at me funny. "Tch I'll just get him at lunchtime"
DING DONG DING DONG
Lunchtime is here.
The same table as yesterday. Valerus, Eriko, Ezekiel, and the student council eat.
STEP STEP
"Valerus Marina," Jericho says aloud.
"Oh, the guy from this morning. Sorry about that" Valerus says.
"I want to fight you"
A brief pause.
"No"
"..."
"No?" Jericho says with a disappointed expression.
--------------------------------------------------------
That same morning Valerus' POV
YAWN
I slept pretty well.
KNOCK KNOCK
"Val you ready?"
What time is it? Oh am late.
I hurry to change into my school uniform and rush downstairs.
"Goodbye Mother see you later" "Goodbye Lady Lila"
HUFF HUFF
"Sorry, I overslept you know how yesterday was a long and eventful day"
"Dont mention it Val I woke up late as well just 10 minutes later than i usually would"
"Better than me"
The two of us hurry to the teleportation zone.
WARP WARP
"Look out"
BUMP
"Val why did you do that"
"I mean he was just standing right in front of where everyone gets warped from the Teleportation Zone"
The two of us just realized this person was knocked out.
"Oh, Eriko what did we do?"
"We? You landed on him"
"We both did technically"
"I mean it wasn't our fault who just stands in front of-"
"Oh he's getting help try and heal him Eriko"
"Ok"
He mouths something but I can't hear it what I can hear is footsteps approaching us from behind. I turn to look at a charging Ezekiel running forward, I swiftly dodge but then realize what's there when he lands.
BAM
Oh no he got knocked out again.
"Ezekiel why?" Eriko says.
"I just wanted to surprise you guys that's all. Oh am not hurt" Ezekiel looks down "Aye thanks for cushioning my fall man," Ezekiel says as he taps the student on the chest.
I lecture Ezekiel a little about jumping out and surprising us as we head inside after Eriko heals him. We then make our way to our classes I haven't seen Bianca yet. We continue to walk as we spot Ms.Carmen. Today she wore a black Sleeveless Dress that looked elegant with her high heels.
"Good morning my dears," Carmen says.
"Good morning"
"Are you guys staying safe and looking out for one another?"
"Yes, we are" Eriko says.
She looks around as too look to see if anyone is watching.
She CLACKED the two together.
VRMM
"What is this?"
A little space gets created encapsulating all four of us.
"Dont panic it's my magic. We did have the facility meeting discussing yesterday's incident. The Federation has been informed. Remember to report to me if anything strange occurs. Professor Fuldre of Class 1A and Heldam 1C are working on something too do.
CLANK
As we return back to our original setting.
"Alright see you guys later"
Ms.Carmen walks away.
"That was here magic," Ezekiel says.
"A pocket space," Eriko says.
"Telportation?" i ask.
"Possibly anyways let us head over to class"
We head to class and then homeroom to discuss and practice more for the Magus Exam. Each class did say to prepare for the unexpected. Lunch then arrived we sat at the same table arrangement but Albeck sat by himself. With Rose Providence sitting with her group staring at us but mostly toward Albeck. Did something happen between them? I didn't see them interact yesterday.
"Valerus that's the Dragonclad" Faith points out.
"Him?"
"The dude that cushioned my fall," Ezekiel says.
"Oh is he mad?" Eriko asks.
"Jericho Pearson the last-minute registration. A supposed A Rank Mage but since he registered late he didn't get exempted and will have to participate in the Magus Exam. He looked like a fool this morning?" Axel says.
"How?" I ask.
"We this whole interaction with you guys and afterward. From the view from our room. He yelled something out loud then he tried to speak with Rose and her friends" Axel says.
"But got denied it was an entertaining watch. " Luna says as she chuckles.
"That must've hurt his ego a little," Issac says.
"Coming this way," Ceaser says with his short phrases.
STEP STEP
"Valerus Marina," Jericho says aloud.
"Oh, the guy from this morning. Sorry about that" Valerus says.
"I want to fight you"
A brief pause.
Everyone at the table stops what they're doing and looks at me waiting for my response.
"Do what you must Valerus I'll arrange it at the courtyard again" Axel says.
I took a minute to think of the consequences of doing this. Will things repeat from yesterday? I finally came up with my response after running it through my head a bit.
"No"
"....."
"No?" Jericho says with a disappointed expression.
"Can we save it for the Magus Exam?" I ask.