The room was large, at least a hundred meters wide both ways, painted in silver with accents of blue completing the aesthetic.
"Have you decided on it Finn?" Donatello asked.
"I'm torn between two different things right now," Finn replied, his eyes piercing into the shelf of blades.
"Fancy a sword?"
"Ahem," the professor cleared her throat, "listen up everyone, you may pick one of the multiple weapons you see in front of you, but once a weapon is taken, you can't change it."
"It's permanent?" the children began to murmur.
Well not exactly permanent, just that you can change it only by the second semester, Finn placed his hand on his chin, deep in thought, but by that point we'll have gotten used to the chosen weapon and changing would only downgrade our performance.
"Choose carefully, feel your weapon. If it feels like it doesn't suit, don't pick it up, it'll make things harder for us as well," the professor announced.
"Oh, and one more thing, in case you want to change your weapon, it's not possible until the second semester, so keep that in mind," she added.
The weapons were all placed on the wall, inside a mould. They were neatly arranged, a shelf specifically based for each type of weapon.
The first wall featured swords and the different types of swords that came along with it, starting from a normal sword to the many featuring curves and larger blade heads.
"The reason why the weapons start with swords is because," the professor explained, "it is the supreme weapon, well to be precise, it's the most chosen weapon among the many."
"I myself use a sword," she pulled out the blade sheathed on her waist. "Swords are versatile and easier to use, if you are a beginner a spear would also be a good choice, but don't make your choice rashly," putting the sword back on her sheath.
Donatello walked towards the sword shelf, trying to find the one he liked. After scanning through the silver blades, his eyes finally fell on a long sword.
"Hmm, this'll suit me well," he pushed the button beside it.
PSSSH
The tip of the sword's handle pushed out, the sword now positioned diagonally, by a bit. He placed his fingers on the grip before pulling it out.
"Look he's taken his weapon, maybe I should also take a sword."
Donatello swung the sword, slicing the air, showcasing the results of his training. "This feels good," he placed his fingers on the blade sliding it through the flat side of the sword.
"Is he crazy, why is he choosing that?"
"Trying to show-off? He won't make it past the first semester if that's the case."
The himself of conversation caught Donatello's attention, coming from behind him. He walked towards the small crowd that gathered.
"What's with the commotion," Donatello asked one of the boys.
"The special admission weirdo took a gun, he must be crazy choosing a forgotten relic," the boy replied with a smug expression.
"What a freak." Donatello commented before realising the boy was talking about the special admission. "Wait, special admission? Finn?"
He moved through the cluster making himself to the point of the trouble, a small bubble of space left empty around the boy holding a pistol.
He walked up to Finn, placing a hand on his shoulder, "Have you gone crazy, Boss?"
"I don't know, I was looking at the swords but before I knew it I was here, the gun in my hands."
Donatello couldn't believe his words, asked in a low whisper, "Are you trying to show-off or something Boss?"
"Is that the impression you got of me?" Finn asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Not really, but you have been standing out in many ways."
"Let me guess, me only attending only the first question and my black hair?
"Wait, you did the first question?"
"Yes, why? Didn't you?"
"What do you mean, I couldn't even wrap my head around the words A door that exists in a state of equipoise, neither open nor closed, so what was the answer."
"Ajar, idiot," Finn shook his head, "The door was left ajar."
"Was that it?"
...
"What about the second one? Did you get that right?"
"It was true or false, right? The Theory of Dinav Cillian in his popular concept of space?"
"You knew that, but not a simple riddle?"
_________________________
"Here," Jack placed the paper on her table, sliding it from forward.
Shia looked down at the paper, "So how's class, professor?"
"It's only been half a day, how can I say something without even going through a whole day?"
"Well, take her for her weapon and wand selection, or should I postpone it to tomorrow."
"We'll do it today, just like others."
...
Nichole stood outside the room, leaning against the wall, waiting while Jack was inside.
"Young lady, why are you here?" a voice came from a stern man, his weathered face speaking years of experience.
"I was here with my professor," she replied, slightly bowing in respect, "he went in to submit my course registration form."
"Oh, is Jonathan your professor?"
"Yes."
The man nodded before knocking on the door, waiting for a reply.
"Come in," a voice came from the other side.
Thomas pushed open the door. He saw another man, besides Shia, the one he was looking for, Jack.
"What is it Thomas?" Shia asked.
"I wanted to see our new professor," Thomas shifted his eyes to Jack, "pervert."
"You still haven't let it go?" Jack mumbled, as he straightened his back yet he was shorter than Thomas by a few inches.
"How can I? How's the academy?"
"I thought I was free from that, besides, why are you here, aren't you the general," Jack blabbered, annoyed by his presence, "don't you have other works to do?"
"Is that how you talk to me," Thomas let out a wink, "I expected some respect, and for your information I'm a guest professor here for the fourth year."
"Guest!? That means I'll see your smug ass face more," Jack sighed in defeat.
"Since you're here why don't you help Jack with his student's weapon selection," Shia joined in.
"Jack? Is that your new pet name?" Thomas laughed.
"Why him? Where is Templeton?" Jack shrugged.
"Thomas isn't as bad as you think," Shia spoke with an amusement, "he's pretty good if you can get under him."
""Pretty good? Is that all you have to say, Shia?" Thomas replied to her mock comment.
"Just stop, can we go now," Jack nodded.
"Let's not drag this on any longer," Thomas put his hands over Jack's shoulders, pulling him along with him.
Jack was taken aback, "Hey what are you doing?"
"You want to stand there gawking at us two old fellows, let's get your student that weapon."
...
CREAK
Nichole adjusted herself, surprised by the sight of the two men coming out of the office hand over head.
"Let go of me," Jack protested but his voice went into the abyss, Thomas not paying any attention.
Thomas haad lost his stern look, more joyful now, "What's your name kid?" he asked looking at the brown haired girl.
"Shall we go pick your weapon?"
"Yes sir," she nodded, agreeing.
Jack finally broke free of the restraints of Thomas's powerful arms. He took a deep breath while enjoying the freedom of not getting suffocated.
The girl let out a slight chuckle at the sight of the two men wrestling.
"What do you think is your weapon Nichole?" Thomas asked.
"I'm not sure, maybe a sword or a blade?"
"You can't have your options limited to just those, be like your professor," Thomas shot a glance at Jack.
"My professor?"
"He is super versatile, he used a katana against me, and replicated long sword techniques with a katana and an axe," Thomas said excitedly.
Jack's face grew red from the shower of praises. The reason it had more of an effect on him was mostly rooted around the genuine tone Thomas had.
"That's not all, he even copied my Martial intent, but if you ask me it's his personality that's the problem, he's way too timid."
"I'm right here, this is worse than the whispers I hear."
"He did reject a duel today," Nichole said after listening to the conversation for a long time. "I thought I could have seen my professor fight, but he rejected her on the spot."
"Oh, let me guess, it was a woman with red eyes and orange hair," Thomas asked curiously.
"Yes, is that one of the professors here?" Nichole asked.
"Maybe you guys can talk about something else?" Jack muttered, yet his voice went unheard by the excited chatter among Thomas and Nichole.
"Her name is Charla Eunice, she is a member of the Flame Tiger Clan," Thomas explained with
Nichole was surprised by the amazing individual, "Such a prominent clan, the professor always challenges everyone?"
"No, only the ones she deems strong. She also hates those who reject her offer," Thomas and Nichole turned back to look at Jack.
...
"Yeah, I think she hates him," Nichole broke the silence, "his rejection was quite strong."
"Ohoho," Thomas had his interest piqued, "how bad is it?"
"He said no on the spot, and then picked up the glove and handed it over to her."
"You better watch out, Mister Raosa, she might try to murder you."
"Everyone who sees me wants to fight me, weren't you the same," Jack said his voice droopy, "even Miss Shia."
"Of course, isn't that how the world is, the strong wants to battle the strong, what's wrong with it," Thomas said in a light tone.
"That thing again, everyone tells me the same thing, the strong this, the strong that, is that all there is to this world?"
"Yes, you should know it yourself, of you're weak you don't have any rights."
Jack looked down, memories resurfaced. The sudden warmth he had found was swallowed by the cold feeling of dread. Yet when all hope seem to be lost Thomas placed his hand on Jack's shoulders.
"But we protect the weak, right?"
_________________________