Today marked the first day of our journey at Grannis Academy. The air was crisp with anticipation, and the soft light of the morning sun filtered through the windows of our dormitory. The excitement of starting something new buzzed quietly between us.
"Good morning, everyone," Yuri-san greeted us warmly as she stepped out of her room, her voice as gentle as the morning breeze.
"Good morning, Yuri," Amara-san replied with a smile, his voice carrying a calm confidence that seemed to ease the lingering tension.
Yuri-san took a seat at the small dining table where we had gathered. "So, it looks like today is our first official lesson at the academy," she began, her tone informative yet tinged with excitement. "We've been assigned to Class 7. Each class will have around forty students, so we'll have plenty of company."
"That's a relief," Amara-san commented, a slight grin on his face. "It's good that the four of us are together. Strength in numbers, right?"
Yuri-san nodded in agreement. Then, turning to me, she added, "By the way, Komaru-kun, it seemed like you knew Lady Thorn personally." Her inquiry was direct, but there was a trace of curiosity in her eyes. I realized that I hadn't told them about my encounter with Lady Thorn before we entered the academy.
I paused for a moment before replying, "Actually, I met her by chance when I was chatting with a fruit seller outside the academy. It seemed like they knew each other."
"Oh, interesting," Amara-san mused, leaning back in his chair. "What was the fruit seller's name?"
"It was Futuri Waganwe," I answered, recalling the odd name.
Amara-san furrowed his brow slightly. "Futuri Waganwe… Doesn't really ring a bell," he said, his voice trailing off as he thought it over.
I shrugged lightly. "Well, anyway, we should get going or we'll be late for our first lesson."
"Yeah, I agree. Let's go," Ryota-san chimed in, his usual enthusiasm returning as he stood up.
The four of us headed towards the classroom. The corridors of the academy were grand and expansive, with high ceilings adorned with ornate carvings. Large windows allowed sunlight to pour in, creating a serene and almost ethereal atmosphere. Elegant curtains swayed gently in the breeze, adding a touch of sophistication to the already majestic hallways.
We finally reached our classroom and pushed open the heavy wooden door. The room was vast, with rows of desks neatly arranged, each one equipped with high-tech tools and devices. The walls were lined with ancient scrolls and modern monitors, a seamless blend of tradition and innovation.
"Wow, this is such a huge classroom," Yuri-san exclaimed, her eyes wide with wonder as she took in the impressive space.
As we settled into our seats, I noticed a familiar face sitting across the room. Felix-san, the highest-ranked student in our class, was present. I decided to introduce myself.
I approached him with a friendly smile. "Hello, Felix-san. My name is Sawanagi Komaru. It's nice to meet you."
Felix-san looked up and returned the smile. "Nice to meet you, Komaru-kun. I'm Felix Izuki. Let's be friends, okay?"
His straightforwardness was refreshing. "I'd like that," I replied after a brief pause, considering how easily he seemed to connect with others.
I walked back to where Amara-san was seated and whispered, "Should we recruit him for our faction?"
Amara-san's eyes lit up. "Of course! He's ranked way higher than us, and he's even blessed by Lady Thorn. Having him on our side would be a huge advantage."
"But… will he even consider joining us? He doesn't gain anything from being with us," I pointed out, feeling a bit doubtful.
Amara-san shrugged. "Yeah, you're right. But we won't know unless we try."
Ryota-san, overhearing our conversation, grinned mischievously and strode over to Felix-san without hesitation. "Yo, Felix. My name is Amane Ryota."
"Hi, Ryota-kun. I'm Felix Izuki. Nice to meet you," Felix-san responded with his usual calm demeanor.
Ryota-san wasted no time. "Do you want to join our faction? I'm sure a lot of people have tried to recruit you, but I say you should join ours because it has the strongest being—that's me!" He puffed out his chest, his words delivered with the usual audacity.
Felix-san chuckled, clearly amused by Ryota-san's bold claim. "Hahaha, you're quite interesting, Ryota-kun. Sure, I'll join your faction."
The ease with which he agreed took me by surprise. Felix-san, who was likely the strongest student in the academy, had accepted our offer without any hesitation.
"I'll send you the invitation, Felix-san," I said, reciting the invitation chant with a sense of formality.
"I accept," Felix-san responded immediately, sealing his place in our faction.
Shortly after, our teacher arrived. The entire room seemed to shift as his imposing aura filled the space. He was a man of great stature and presence, his broad shoulders and muscular build making him stand out. His deep tan skin seemed to glow with a life of its own, and his chiseled features were framed by a short, neatly trimmed beard. His piercing green eyes scanned the room with an intensity that made everyone sit up a little straighter.
"Good morning, everyone," he began, his voice strong and commanding. "My name is Kael Cornel. I will be your teacher from this day onwards."
Professor Kael exuded an air of authority that was impossible to ignore. Standing over six feet tall, he was a towering figure, his physique a testament to years of rigorous training and discipline. His deep-set green eyes were sharp and discerning, capable of cutting through any pretense. A strong jawline and high cheekbones gave him a rugged yet dignified appearance, making it clear that he was someone to be respected—and perhaps even feared.
"For today's class, we'll start with introductions. I want each of you to state your name and rank. That includes me as well," he said, his gaze sweeping across the room.
He began with himself, his voice resonating through the classroom. "My name is Kael Cornel. My rank is 143,924."
His rank was much higher than any student's—impressive, but not surprising given his presence. If Milina-san wasn't at this academy, I would have considered him the strongest person here.
"Alright, let's start with you," Kael-sensei said, pointing to a student in the bottom left corner.
A small young man stood up, his voice timid. "Hello, everyone. My name is Ishiki Tonikawa. My rank is 530,283,532."
Kael-sensei nodded and moved on. "Next."
A young woman with long black hair and glasses stood up next. Her cheeks were flush, and she seemed a bit nervous. "My name is Sachiko Watari. I am ranked 512,383,380."
"Next," Kael-sensei prompted.
One by one, the students introduced themselves. Finally, it was our group's turn. Yuri-san stood up with confidence, her voice clear and strong.
"Hello, my name is Kitagawa Yuri. I am ranked 590,126,342."
Kael-sensei nodded approvingly. "Next."
Amara-san stood up next. His voice carried a calm strength as he introduced himself. "My name is Ryosuke Amara. I am ranked 469,383,430."
"Next."
Finally, it was Ryota-san's turn. As expected, he couldn't resist making his usual bold statement.
"My name is Amane Ryota, and I am also the strongest being."
A wave of murmurs spread through the class, followed by stifled laughter.
"Strongest?"
"It's him."
"Hahaha."
"He was the one who got humiliated in the combat test."
"Strongest, my ass."
"He's weak."
The mocking was relentless, but Ryota-san stood tall, unphased by their words.
"Everyone, keep quiet," Kael-sensei ordered, his voice cutting through the noise. "Ryota-kun, what's your rank?"
"Well, it's 600,000,000," Ryota-san replied nonchalantly.
Kael-sensei gave a slight nod. "Hmm… you're far from the strongest, but that's fine. Let's move on to the last person."
Felix-san stood up, his demeanor calm and composed. "Hello, everyone. My name is Felix Izuki, and I am ranked 260,234,831."
Kael-sensei raised an eyebrow, clearly impressed. "Hmm, you're ranked the highest in this class. Very impressive. I believe you're the one who received Lady Thorn's blessing?"
"Yes, that's correct," Felix-san replied, his voice steady.
"Well, then. That concludes today's introductions. We'll begin our real lessons tomorrow. For now, you should head home and start training. Increasing your combat power will naturally increase your rank. Although it's not the most efficient method, it's the best approach for now," Kael-sensei advised, before dismissing the class.
As we left the classroom, I turned to Felix-san. "Hey, Felix-san, would you like to stay with us in the same dorm? Since the dorms have seven bedrooms, I believe you'd be comfortable with us."
Felix-san considered the offer for a moment before nodding. "I guess I can do that. It sounds like a good idea."
"Great!" I responded, relieved. "Let's head to the dorm then."
"Guys, I think we should head to the training grounds to get some practice in," Yuri-san suggested, her eyes alight with determination. "It'll be good to get a head start on our training."
"Yeah, I agree," Amara-san replied with a nod. "Let's go."
The five of us made our way to the training grounds. The area was bustling with activity. Students were engaged in various exercises—some sparred energetically, others meditated in tranquil corners, while a few practiced their tricks with focused intensity. The atmosphere was charged with the spirit of competition and improvement.
"I think we should train individually for now," Felix-san suggested thoughtfully. "Since we're still getting used to each other, it might be best to focus on our personal strengths. Once we're more accustomed to working together, we can start sparring."
"That makes sense," I agreed. "We'll each focus on our own training for now."
We approached the different training machines set up around the grounds. Each machine was designed to enhance specific skills and abilities. I chose the grip strength-enhancing machine, which had a specialized device for practicing hand grip strength. The machine was equipped with various resistance levels, allowing me to gradually increase the difficulty.
Yuri-san selected the speed-raising machine. This machine launched projectiles at high speed, which Yuri-san had to dodge using her trick. It was clear that improving her agility and reflexes was crucial for her, given her reliance on speed in combat. She deftly avoided the projectiles, demonstrating her remarkable skill.
Amara-san opted for the defense-enhancing machine. It fired energy bullets at him, and he had to defend himself using his trick. Since his trick specialized in defense, this machine was an excellent choice for him. Amara-san's focus and precision were evident as he skillfully blocked the incoming attacks.
Felix-san chose the SwordMaster simulation. This machine created holographic monsters that he had to defeat using a sword. Felix-san's trick allowed him to create a sword, making this simulation a perfect fit for him. He moved with impressive speed and precision, slicing through the virtual enemies with ease.
Ryota-san, on the other hand, used the Memorization machine. This machine presented a series of increasingly complex Sudoku puzzles, which he had to solve within a set time limit. Ryota-san tackled advanced levels effortlessly, his focus and quick thinking on full display as he completed the puzzles in record time.
We each dedicated ourselves to our respective training routines, pushing ourselves to improve and prepare for the challenges ahead. The training grounds were filled with the sounds of effort and determination, creating an atmosphere of camaraderie and growth.
As the sun began to set, casting a warm glow over the academy, we finished our training and gathered together. The day had been long and full of new experiences, but it was clear that we were all committed to our goals.
"Good job today, everyone," I said, a sense of satisfaction in my voice. "Let's continue to work hard and support each other. We've got a lot ahead of us, but I believe we can do it."
"Agreed," Yuri-san said, her expression determined. "We'll make the most of our time here at Grannis Academy."
Amara-san, always the optimist, added, "Here's to a great start and an even better journey ahead."
Felix-san nodded in agreement. "I'm looking forward to it."
With that, we headed back to the dorm, ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead. The first day had set the stage for our journey, and with each step, we grew closer as a team, preparing for the trials that awaited us.
"I...love...you...%#$&@"
"Why...did...it happen...to us? What did we do...to deserve this?"
"FUCK. _huff huff_. It happened again. The same dream about my past."
It seemed like dreams about my past would occur quite often. But no matter what, I needed to keep moving on.
"Good morning, everyone," I greeted all four of my teammates with a forced smile.
"I think we are a little late. We should head to our class soon," I said, trying to inject a sense of urgency into my voice.
"Yup, let's go," Amara-san agreed, his tone reflecting his readiness.
As we made our way to class, we saw a tall man standing near the gates of the Training grounds, engaged in conversation with Milina-san.
"Oh, good morning, Komaru-kun," Milina-san greeted with a friendly smile.
"Good morning, Milina-san," I replied.
"Um... May I ask your name?" I inquired, turning to the tall man.
"My name is Satoru Kizuki."
"And your rank?" Amara-san asked.
"I am ranked 841."
841. That meant he was ranked even higher than Milina-san. It was surprising to see two high-ranking individuals in the same place.
"Woah. You are ranked even higher than Lady Thorn," Yuri-san exclaimed, excitement lacing her tone.
"You...you seem very familiar. What's your name?" Satoru-san asked Yuri-san.
"I am Kitagawa Yuri."
"And where are you from?" he continued.
"I am from Niralkim Islands."
"Oh, that island group? Isn't it the place where go—" Satoru began, but Milina-san cut him off.
"Hey, Satoru. Stop it," she said firmly.
"Alright, Ms. Lady Thorn," he replied with a hint of sarcasm.
"We are in a hurry, so I think we should go," I said to Milina-san.
"Well, see you later," she replied.
We arrived at our classroom, but to our surprise, Kael-sensei wasn't there. We quickly took our seats, the anticipation of the day ahead palpable.
"I wonder what lesson we will get today," Amara-san mused with curiosity.
Just then, Kael-sensei arrived, breaking the silence.
"Good morning, students. Today we will be having a 5vs5 team battle. There are 40 of you present, so there will be a total of 8 teams."
A 5vs5 team battle right from the start. I wasn't particularly nervous, but the stakes were high.
"There will be 4 battles and 4 winners. The members of the winning teams will have their ranks increased by a certain amount. Remember, the increase may not be the same for everyone."
"I would like to ask a question," Ryota-san spoke up.
"Go ahead, Ryota-kun."
"How is it that this school is able to provide us with opportunities to increase our ranks?" he asked earnestly.
"Do you know about The Phoenix?" Kael-sensei countered.
"I...don't know who that is," Ryota-san replied after a pause. "But whoever it is, they must be weaker than me, since I am the strongest."
"Well, if you don't know about it, then I can't answer your question."
"Do you know about it?" Ryota-san asked again.
"No... Nobody knows anything about The Phoenix."
"Well, who cares. I am the strongest anyway," Ryota-san boasted as usual.
"Anyways, everyone, get going to the training grounds. I will tell you about your matchups. Decide your 5-person team and let me know."
I approached Kael-sensei to confirm our team and matchup.
All the students gathered at the training grounds, the atmosphere buzzing with anticipation.
"Woah, there are students from class 5 too," Yuri-san remarked, her eyes scanning the crowd.
"Yeah," I nodded in agreement.
"So, our first match would be between Komaru's team and Tonikawa's team," Kael-sensei announced.
I remembered Tonikawa being ranked 530,283,532. He was ranked higher than three members of our team, but with Felix-san and Amara-san on our side, I felt confident.
"The use of tricks is allowed. But don't go too far with your fight," Kael-sensei added.
We were determined to win, the weight of our preparation and strategy now focused on the upcoming battle.
As we waited for our turn, the tension was palpable. Each team had its own strategy and anticipation, the training grounds a melting pot of nervous energy and competitive spirit.
*Lie counter-5*