We interrupted the class and Miss Miura went ahead to whisper something to a young looking lady, is she really a teacher? ..if not for the ridiculous pant suit, she could be a student.
I turned to my class and saw around 20 or so kids in the same blue uniforms as mine.
Their faces had different expressions some mirroring feelings of my own, one thing was for sure. The mystery lady from last night was not here.
Felt disappointed and started doubting if she even school age, could she be like this teacher? Someone who looks like a teenager, but actually probably in her mid twenties?
Shit ..
" Please welcome your classmate, I believe some of you may already known of him. "
Both Miss Miura and the teen teacher were smiling at me.
Right .. I remembered.
" My name is Stivanstin Avesta, even though born in Japan, I'm fairly new here, let's get along. " I said, keeping it short.
Looked at all of them confidently and waited to be seated, I saw one empty desk in the back next to some spiky haired kid by the window.
Catching my eyes, he give a little smirk he seemed .. different.
" Thank you Lord Avesta, when you're ready please take your seat. " asked my teacher politely.
Walking to my seat .. I don't know what, I was thinking .. this Lord nonsense with the faculty will probably stays, they don't want to offend me, fearing my Grandfather.
Who by the way was about 300miles away in the capital of Japan. I'm supposed to visit him next weekend.
As 1st hand of Emperor Seth, he was in charge of all Japan and all vassal states of the Empire further south.
I took my seat next to the window and made myself comfortable.
The spiky haired guy was still staring, so was the rest but he sat right next to me so it was annoying.
Rude little ant .. I turned to him and blinked then the Ω symbol in my eyes flashed and he almost fell of his chair.
The class laughed at him none were close enough to see my eyes, so for them it seemed like he fell, just by me looking at him.
He looked scared, I flashed my most charming smile and turned ahead.
I need these people to understand right off the bat.
Just because I want to get along, it won't mean I will hesitate to turn those into nothing, who overstep one to many times.
Better nip all this silliness in the bud, before they force my eyes, just because, I faked being polite and considerate.
I'm saving this fool's life.
During class our home room teacher, Ms Chizu Inoue, told us about what to expect the following weeks and our first field trip a month from now.
" All student in Kingsom have 3 classes, 5 times a week those are Portal History, Evolved training and Imperial studies. " she started pacing back and forth in front of the students.
" Portal History or P.H as you will call it soon, will help you understand what your fighting against. Evolved training will help you all hone, what your fighting with. Imperial studies to understand, who you're fighting for. "
Standard stuff, same as the capital, same as everywhere else.
" On May 9th 2113, our class joined by 1-B and 1-C will visit Casey Station a research outpost in Antarctica, tasked with monitoring old Australia. Our flight will take around 12 hours and we will stay for 2 days there. "
She allowed the kids to discuss this .. boring trip. Of course they didn't knew about that just yet.
" On our way back we will spend a day on each of the 5 observation post created around the island. More information will be provided in the coming weeks. "
" Also for today, you have your first Evolved Training after this class ended, until then use the time to get to know each other better. " she finished with a warm smile.
I liked her fine.
I know all about Casey Station, my brother Finton is in charge of monitoring old Australia and can't stand the job. It was cold and boring, but also safe with no Portals for 100s of miles.
So grandfather put him there and the family ignored his cries for help. His ability of flight allowed him to cover all observation post as well as Casey, daily.
The others started talking to each other, occasionally looking at me, some girls huddled together were giggling and a bunch of others went to Ms Inoue with questions.
Just then the spiky head guy stood in front of me. He looked pissed, or maybe it's just his eyebrows?
He took a deep breath.
" I'm sorry about angering you earlier, I shouldn't have stared a hole in you like that, that was uncool. " he said bowing his head a little.
I was so surprised with this guy stringing together legible sentences, I just stared a bit ..
" Anyways, I'm Tetsuya Mugino let's be close friends. "
He offered his hand with a smile and nervous eyes. I shook it immediately.
" Call me Stivanstin. " I said shaking it.
He sighed with relief and took his chair, sat in front of me.
" My family actually owes yours a lot. "
" How's that? " I asked.
" Numa Avesta himself gave us our lands and my grandfather used to serve in his guard. Told me crazy stories about him, I mean your grandfather is him man! " he explained with goofy smile.
I laughed .. genuinely the first time since, I arrived in Japan.
This guy, Tetsuya was refreshing.
I never had people just come up to me, my ability and my family name made them cautious, if not outright terrified of me.
After spooking him earlier the last thing, I expected is him just talk to me, like a normal guy.
" Thanks .. I'll make sure to tell, he act like he don't, but he eats this stuff up. What's your grandfathers name? " I asked.
" Hoichy Mugino! He is the first chain manipulator in Japan. "
" Chain manipulator? " I asked.
" Oh .. it's this.. "
He lifted his hand and a long black chain appeared in front of him it started twisting and turning like it was alive.
"... and I can make out various shapes with them .. " he contorted the chain into a circle and a square. " I can only create a few ft for now, but my grandfather can do like a 100 ft. "
It looked awesome.
" Looks awesome, and very versatile .. I'm impressed. "
He laughed in embarrassment. I was constantly surprised by this guy's actions and how normal it felt. The class around us got really quiet and started to stare at us.
" Mugino, you understand that using your ability without permission is a serious offence right? "
Some guy with a large frame glasses broke the silence and walked over to us, looking down. His face looked familiar for some reason he had an air of entitlement and a smug expression.
I disliked this dick from the first look in.
" As the grandson of the headmaster, I feel like it's my obligation to report you. "
I had enough of this cringe ant ruining my mood.
" Oyy Mr grandson .. Fuck Off .. do it now. "
When I got angry, I had a bad habit of returning to my day's at Saint Lucia's and those disgusting cockroaches that bullied the weak. I felt my eyes burning, if not for the ridiculous amounts of training with my Parents and Grandfather this little shit would already be torn to atoms.
He avoided my gaze, like that would ever save him and back up a few steps before turning around sitting back at his table without making a sound, I took a sweep on the rest of the class as well and everyone returned to politely chatting one another.
" Who the hell was that potato? " I asked him once things settled down.
He looked both relieved and scared. I wondered if was me or the muppet that scared him.
" Aviv Isherwell .. we went to the same middle school. He grow up rich thanks to the headmaster and never failed to make life miserable for people like me..."
He looked at me seemed ashamed. " We don't have a lot of money, not starving or anything. "
I was confused, I thought he said grandfather gave them land. He must've have read it off my face because he went into detail.
" When I was 5, a black Portal ripped just 10 miles from our lands, we were evacuated but the 100s of Subiton trampled the land destroyed and poisoned everything, the house, our crops but no civilians lost thank God. It's been 10 years but we never got back to those days. "
He seemed sad, his family lost everything and he was still grateful for those survived, he might be a good guy. We'll see.
I couldn't say anything more because the bell rang , giving us time for a little break then Evolved Training after.
" Wanna grab some food before ET? I'm starving. " he added scratching his head.
He probably just wanted to change the subject.
" Let's go, I could eat. "
We made our way through the students with stunned expressions. I wasn't even the one making them feel that way.
Tetsuya was a bit of character people he knew from childhood kept greeting him, but never stopped us on are way.
I learned a lot about him on our walk.
His dad wasn't Evolved but found great work in the regular police force, his mother was a stay at home wife with 4th grade water manipulation, which basically meant she'd never go and die from thirst or need to buy sprinklers.
He had 3 sister, one is 17 years old with chain manipulation like himself and grandfather, 2 grade above us and 2 little ones at home aged 4 and 6. He was sure chatty.
" Heey Mugino!!! "
Someone shouted his name the 20th time and waved at him. He waved back leisurely.
" I swear .. I never meet that person before, just being around you will make me more friends. "
I didn't wanna burst his bubble, but those trying so hard to get own his good side are not friends but snakes, better turned to dust.
I kept it in, I only knew the guy like 20 minutes. He's nice but it's none of my business.
" Hmm..."
Getting in line for food proved to be a challenge, our presence caused commotion, as the kind looking lady making those cheesy bread wanted us to take it for free and had to force the money on her.
Almost made her cry, honestly I wasn't even that hungry ..
Even though, I could eat anything I want for a long time, I never overindulged in food. To this day I only eat 2x a day and a light snack maybe.
Besides with sword training 3 times a week with my mother teaching her family style swordmanship, 5 times a week training my eyes with father and dealing with my sisters 24/7 food was the last thing on my mind.
" So tell me, your eyes .. how they work? " he asked.
" What do you mean? Like how it feels, when I'm using it? "
This cheesy bread was excellent well worth the price.
" That too, but like what was the biggest thing you ever used it on? "
" A TT45 Armoured truck." I answered without thinking.
He was shocked, but considering that the TT series was designed to carry up to 50 soldiers and their equipment it was shocking even for my grandfather.
What I did not say, is that I was in a coma for 2 weeks and couldn't use my eyes for 2 more. The bigger my target is the more it drains me, that truck almost killed me.
I was young though..
Needed to be careful with my field of vision when using my eyes.
" That's incredible, that mean you can easily deal with the Lupin next year huh? " he asked excited.
" I'm not participating in the games. " I answered immediately.
" What?? Dude your power would be perfect for it, and seeing an Avesta on stage would be nice too. I definitely sign up comes winter. "
I disliked the Anniversary games, every year 1000s of Evolved face of against the Lupin pouring out the 1500 light blue portals, in a giant team death match.
Even though the death of those participating is fully televised in realtime, and was as graphic as graphic gets. They never been more popular or profitable.
I understood his reasoning .. with just a single sponsorship he could make more than his father will in the next 50 years as a police officer, if he survives.
With the 75th Anniversary of the Portals appearance less than 9 months away their are already machinations in the shadows for some giant and most likely cruel twists, that drive up their ratings.
Taking part as first years is not only allowed but highly encouraged, since those are the most watched and placed bets on participants.
There are nations out there even this day and age that still struggling to Grey them each year, instead of helping them most pretending it's not even happening.
The public sentiment of Lupin turned from monster to a misbehaving house pets just because we know when they're coming to the minute.
" I don't know what to tell you, not a fan. " I shrugged.
" I bet you get a lot of sponsors not that you need those..."
" Hmm.."
For a while we just ate the bread.
" You mind, if I asked something a bit personal? You don't have to answer them if don't want. "
" Shoot. "
He hesitated a bit but did pull through and asked.
" Is it true that you were adopted? I heard someone talking about you receiving your proof at like 5 or something. "
It amazes me how every single person is interested in the same thing.
" Yes, I was adopted, and I received my proof a few months after my 9th birthday. "
It was like public knowledge, he could've looked it up in a minute. I'm surprised he didn't know.
" That's wild man, since 9 you had those eyes huh, must've been scary..."
" Oh yeah, scary stuff...hmm hmm . "
Telling him, I was obsessed with both my eyes and my ability and used it from cleaning my room to annihilate my sister Sisi's doll collection one by one, didn't cross my mind.
Terrorizing my elder brother's and got rid of a vicious dog who bit my second sister Cily in the leg taking a small chunk with him before evaporating, and gave her a life time fear of even the smallest, cutest puppies. It was both heart breaking, and hilarious at the same time.
" Girlfriend?..."
" Nope. You? "
" Unfortunately no, but I do have someone I like well, someones.." he said turning a little red.
He does fit the love sick fool type.
" More than one huh? Sure didn't waste any time. Tell me..."
" They're twins Luna and Mya Monroe. They both have Ice manipulation and come from a well established merchant family, their stepsister Amie also in our class, I think her ability is fire, but not sure. I knew them since we were little kids. "
He has serious stones to go for twins, oddly I don't remember seeing them in class.
" Childhood friends angle .. respect." it was an absolute classic.
Before he could talk, something wrapped in blue hit him on the left side with such force it knocked him over.
He was attacked.
The culprit was a very attractive girl, with black shoulder length hair and piercing eyes. She wore our uniform with a small silver patch on her right arm.
Mark of the games.
Given to those who survived an anniversary game the more of those you had, the better the chance of getting a first grade licence at the end of your 4th year.
I was enchanted by both her beauty and the clearly visible madness in her eyes.
" DUMBASS, it's lunch for later. " she said with big smile.
This girl is unhinged.
" I just ate, but thanks for looking after me Mikeyla. "
She seemed pleased and he looked very well trained.
" Stivanstin meet my elder sister Mikeyla Mugino, ranked 6th in our school, 3rd year chain manipulator, Sis meet Stivanstin Avesta my new classmate. "
She looked mildly surprised and a little embarrassed from what she did, even though it looked like a common occurrence.
I waived at her from my seat with an amused smile. She looked incredibly cute as she waved back to me.
" mm-My pleasure, I'm sure. "
She handled it so much better than most, she was battle tested for sure.
" That was a hell of throw .. I'm impressed. "
It was the first time I wanted someone to blush. 1 out of 1.
She quickly pulled herself together and grabbed Tetsuya by his jacket.
" Is it true you used your ability without permission? Are you trying to get expelled on your first day!? "
That explains why she didn't just hand him the pastry like a normal person.
" Yeah that was my bad, I got excited to show off to Stivanstin and got carried away. Are you and Aviv that close? "
" I overheard him talking to the headmaster demanding your punishment, you'd be lucky if all you get is suspension. "
Just then the headmaster strolled in with that muppet of a grandson, whom I'm pretty sure gonna hurt at one point or another.
I could tell that little shit didn't tell his grandfather the whole story by his expression seeing me. This is so annoying, everytime I'm having some fun today is getting ruined.
" My Lord, you enjoy yourself .. I hope? " asked the headmaster.
" Indeed your school have the most .. unique students, I'm well entertained. Come meet my friend and new classmate. " I said gesturing towards the sibling duo.
" His name is Tetsuya Mugino, I'm sure her sister needs no introduction, his family has old ties with the Avesta and a very talented chain manipulator. I was so intrigued .. I just had see it, hope that's ok. "
You plant seeds then you wait ..
" Of course it is! Please it's only natural to be curious and it's a sign of an inquisitive mind. "
Then a syrupy fruit will grow ..
" Your words are too kind. Unfortunately we have our Evolved training so I'm afraid we have to depart. Thank you for going out of your way to make sure of my wellbeing, truly my grandfather will be delighted knowing that, I'm in such caring hands. "
I shook the man sweaty hand and nodded to Tetsuya, allowed myself a last glance of Mikeyla and had a feeling.
I'm gonna become close friends with her brother.