The next day.
Yesterday, Fujimoto and I fought, and I got to see what some of the others could do. And now, the good days disappeared and returned to the boring days.
With just one day left before the annual exam, we are recommended to attend the last lesson for this week. Even though it's Saturday, and it's supposed to be our free day, we have classes to attend. And by tomorrow, from exactly 7 am until 12 pm will be the annual test. This is nothing but a clear hassle.
At this time, our teachers still taught some magic theories that I already knew from my father. Honestly, I would benefit more from sleeping rather than listening to the lectures. Well, at least lunch has arrived.
With no appetite, I decided to pay a visit to the school rooftop. Walking up through the long staircase, I finally arrived at the top.
Fresh, cold air greeted me, which was quite refreshing. I slowly made my way towards the railings. The scenery displays quite a prepossessing sight, from ant-sized houses and skyscraper buildings to the blue sky covered with white clouds, nothing could be more relaxing than staring at this.
That is until a certain noise obliterated my serenity. A noise from behind the roof door building.
Is someone here aside from me?
I thought to myself as I carefully walked towards that direction. I hid behind a wall, and slightly peered over. I noticed two figures, one of a boy student, and a woman. The boy was tall, with oceanic blue hair, and wearing a white uniform, while standing beside the woman, who was sitting in a white chair, her white hair was long, so long that it was lying on the ground, with a hat on top of her head, and also the same white uniform. Both of their backs were turned to me.
However, they both emit an aura that's tense and cold. They're not normal.
I could hear murmurs. They are talking to each other. But wait, this feels really illegal. I shouldn't peer here, I should get going before I get into trouble. I was about to leave when suddenly, I heard a word that piqued my interest. The name "Ryujin."
"Ryujin, have you prepared yet? I worry that you might goof around again." The woman's voice was gentle and mellifluous. It sounds very light, yet, there's a hint of coldness within.
"I am ready, do not worry! Haha! I will do my best." The boy on the other hand has a gentle, happy-going voice.
"May your task be completed successfully."
"Yeah, yeah. I will. Though, I'm really nervous."
"You are the fourth seat, Ryujin, be confident in your own strength."
"I'll try to."
So that's... Kajiyashaki Ryujin, and based on the conversation, the woman beside him is also part of the council. Well, I've seen enough, I should get going.
...
As Ryo left, the woman looked over her shoulders. She felt a presence watching over them, although she was quite unsure who.
"Ryujin, did you feel that presence?"
"I did. I thought I was just imagining things."
"I see. We should leave. We can't tarnish our reputation as the council members. Someone could see this and think we are badly behaved."
"Alright then."
The woman stood up from her chair, and walked towards the door, with Ryujin, following behind her.
_________
Lunchtime is still in progress. How come time moves so slowly? Either way, I could use this time to explore more of the school.
I arrived at the back section of the school premises. This is where storage sheds and such are usually located. And behind those sheds, are gigantic, white walls that separate this building.
The sides were filled with trees and flowers. The air feels fresh and cold as it touches my skin.
"This would be a good place to spend the afternoon," I murmured to myself as I looked for a bench to lay on or something. At the far end corner, just near the training arena was a wooden bench.
I was going to spend my day on the rooftop, but the council members are there, so this will do.
I walked towards that bench, and laid down, gently stretching my whole body before I did.
I gently closed my eyes and dozed off to sleep.
Not even a few moments later, the sound of wild and rushing footsteps woke me up. I promptly sat up and glanced in the direction of those footsteps. It was a student, running frantically as a carrier a white plastic bag of some sort. An expression of fear and panic covers his face as he runs for his life.
"Stop him! Hey you!" Just then, I heard a shout from behind that running man. It was the one that was chasing the man. A student with oceanic blue hair, and vibrant green eyes... That's... Kajiyashaki Ryujin, chasing a student.
"This is the council! Catch that student for me!" He yells out again. W-Wait... Me? I'm torn between ignoring them and helping them.
Although hesitant, I swiftly rose from my position and jumped towards that student. With great force, I tackled him on the ground, pinning his arm behind his back as I did.
"L-Let go!" The student protested, squirming desperately as he did. Kajiyashaki Ryujin stopped in his tracks just a few meters away from us.
"Thanks for that, uhm, what's your name?" He asked. This is the first time I've seen his face. He has a handsome face, with vibrant green eyes, long eyelashes and that matching oceanic blue hair. His voice was gentle and almost softly attractive. He is the typical guy you'd see with swarming girls all around.
"Kyosuke Ryo."
His expression turned into a look of surprise as I told him my name.
"Are you a first-year student?"
"Yes."
"I see, I see. On behalf of the whole council, I thank you for helping me catch this little guy." He thanked as the look on his face returned to his friendly facade.
"No problem." I nonchalantly replied.
I stood up and pulled the student up while still holding his arm behind his back tightly. However, as I was about to give him to Ryujin, he managed to muster up his strength and break free from my grasp.
"Oh," I blurted out in surprise.
"Thinking that you can get away so easily, huh?" A voice whispered. Before I could even react, Kajiyashaki Ryujin was already gone, leaving only traces of water where he was earlier.
What? I didn't even see him move, yet he flickered at just the speed of light. This speed is even faster than Fujimoto! I turned around in anticipation, and just as I expected, he already pinned the guy down on the ground.
If that's the case, how come he still needed my help? Is he just toying with this weak student?
"Come on now, you bring something illegal in here, of course I'll catch you." He taunted the student as he laughed. He grabbed a handcuff from his side pockets and proceeded to handcuff the student.
"Kyosuke Ryo, I thank you once again. I wish you good luck for the test tomorrow." He turned his head towards me. He flashed me a smile, a smile, so friendly and warm, yet with a sinister, aura around, was plastered on his face. A smile that masks an intention, and maybe even the desire to kill.
I could feel all the hair on my body stand up, and shivers go down my spine. The cold wind added to the tense atmosphere. Yet, a feeling of fleeting excitement for the upcoming battle remains blazing inside me.
A terrifying, yet excited heartbeat, pounds loudly in my chest. If just from the speed alone he is superior, I can't imagine the rest of the council members. I wonder, how much stronger are they? I need to improve my rusty skills, otherwise, I might disappoint my Mom.
"Well then, see you tomorrow." Ryujin waved as he turned around, his menacing aura fading along his tracks.
...
Ryujin arrived at the council door, still holding the student with his right hand tightly, while he knocked three times using his left.
Not long after, Kyouko opened the door.
"Come in, Ryujin, she's waiting for you."
She moved to the side as Ryujin promptly entered, a nervous heave escaped his lips. The room was obscured in darkness. At the center lies a table, with someone sitting behind.
Ryujin nervously walked up to that person, still holding the student.
"Good job, Ryujin." A female voice spoke from behind the table. It was the same gentle and mellifluous voice that Ryo overheard from the rooftop earlier. It was the same woman that Ryujin had been with.
However, Ryujin isn't able to see her face, as darkness obscures everything.
"Thank you, Ayako Yukime-san."
"Why the nervousness, Ryujin?"
"Well, you're before me as the "Judge of Seiei.""
"Is that so? Do drop the formalities still. It is quite unsettling."
"O-Okay."
Ryujin remained a nervous wreck as he slowly walked over to the side, and sat beside Kyouko, leaving the student standing in the middle, in front of Yukime.
Yukime, or the "Judge" opened a lamp on her desk that slightly lit up the area around her, allowing her face to be shown.
Her eyes were of a dark pink hue, cold and sharp. Her gaze was chilling, enough to make anyone freeze in a single glance. A wide, white hat slightly obscures her eyes.
Her hair was a purplish-lavender that flowed from behind her chair and onto the ground.
"Now then, I would like you ask you something, young man."
Ryujin and Kyouko both stiffly and anxiously watched from the side as Ayako Yukime interrogated the student.
However, the student was not budging, only using silence as his answer.
Soon into their conversation, the room began getting colder and colder, as a clear, white snow energy began spinning around Yukime like a vortex. At the same time, Yukime's purplish hair turned white, just like before. She possesses a power that heavily affects her physical appearance as well.
The student shivered, with his bottom lip shaking as he embraced himself, trying to warm himself up. However, it was like he was in the Arctic. Soon, the coldness began to choke him, and he began having a hard time breathing. It was intoxicating and was enough to break his resistance.
"F-F-Fine. I-I'll tell you!"
As he said those words, the coldness instantly disappeared, and Yukime's hair returned to its natural purple color.
The student crouched down and regained his breath.
Soon after, he began confessing his wrongdoings. Although terrifying and cold, the Judge, Yukime gave him a fair sentence, amounting to a mere week's suspension.
Soon, the student left.
"Now then, coming back to you Ryujin." Yukime looked at Ryujin intently.
"Y-Yes, A-A-Ayako...s-san?"
"Again, tomorrow is the exam. You are in charge of being the hunter, while I am the council on standby. The council president won't be able to make it due to overseas meetings."
"O-Oh, o-okay. I-I got it."
"As for you, Kyouko."
"Y-Yes?" She nervously replied.
"Do not lose to Ryujin, okay?"
"I-I will defeat Ryujin."
"That is good. You may go."
Kyouko and Ryujin bowed their heads and left the room.
"Ayako-san is one hell of an ice queen. Her gaze alone is enough to make kneel down!" Ryujin said with a sigh.
"She is really scary indeed."
"Well, that aside, I met one of your classmates."
"Who?"
"Kyosuke Ryo."
"Then?"
"Nothing, just gave him some good luck words."
"Okay, I thought you did something crazy."
"I'm not that type of person, you know."
"That aside, why do you ask me to spy on the first years?"
"To look for some promising students."
Kyouko feels doubtful about Ryujin's answers. However, she doesn't feel the need to ask further.
"Is that so?"
"Yes, that is so."