"Kazuki that was awesome! How you just pulled out those paper thingies and then it way just Boom! Pshhh! Pow!" Jack said, trying to recreate the sounds.

"Heh, thanks.." I answer.

"You really saved us this monday." Baaya says. "Too bad Vely was out after that dirty attack from Mako, he would've loved the show."

"Ah, right, shouldn't they let him out of the hospital today?" Nico joins the conversation.

As he says that, Vely enters the classroom and walks to us. The first thing they do it tell him everything that happened after he got hit of course.

"Wow...Kazu, I had no idea you could actually fight---" Vely says.

"Well...now you know." I answer.

"Pfft big deal, we would've won without him too if Mako didn't hit Vely from behind like that."

We all turn to Daren who was the only one that didn't seem too happy about the victory.

"What?" Daren looks at us "You all know it! We had the upper hand and Kazuki took them by surprise after we wore them off!"

"Yea sure, no better way to wear someone off than by losing to them miserably and leave me alone against 3 guys." I answer.

"What was that? Do you think I'm scared of you filthy animal??" Daren stands up and walks towards me. "I'll teach you some respect."

As Daren continued walking towards me, I prepared myself for battle but before he reached me, Vely came between us. "Now now guys, no need to fight, we're all on the same team." He says.

"Yeah, we can't go around fighting eachother like that, don't do it Daren." Nico continues.

Daren looked at Vely and Nico, his eyes were full of anger but he soon calmed down.

"Fine...you're lucky Kazuki..just like you were against Mako..." Daren turns around and walks back to his seat.

"Phew..now that that's over, are you coming to practice after school today Kazuki?" Vely turns to me.

"Practice?..You mean when you and the guys train for the tournament after school? Uhm..not really." I answer.

"Now Kazu, from what Jack said you sound pretty strong but we still need teamwork if we want to win!" Vely says.

"Ah--- There was a misunderstanding, it's not that I don't want to train with you guys, it's just that I'm not part of the team."

"...Eh?" Vely looks at me "But you fought for us---"

"That was a one-time thing Vely, you were injured and I had to help. Now that you're fine again you don't need me." I interrupt Vely as I further explain why I won't fight for them.

"I dislike the fighting, no one gave a damn about me till recently, now I'm the main topic of the school just because I won some fight or whatever. Besides, you're capable enough without me."

"But..." Vely frowns "You---" He gets interrupted by the teacher who enters the classroom.

"Settle down guys." The teacher says as he puts some books on his desk. Soon after the lesson started.

Vely was quiet in class but the moment the bell rang he continued asking me to change my mind. He was very persistent.

It didn't take long for it to become our main topic.

In class...

"Hey Kazu...psst Kazu.." Vely whispers.

"...Yes..." I sigh and turn to him.

"Did you change your mind yet??" Vely continues.

"..No, I did not.."

"Please consider it..we could really use you and i want to see your spells in action...also I---"

"Vely! Kazuki! Are you talking in my class??" The teacher shouts, looking rather mad.

"U-uh, sorry! Mr.Autley!" Vely jumps as he apologizes to the teacher.

After school...

"Hey K-kazuki..let's walk hom---" Ayame tries to say as I walk out of the school and towards her.

"Kazuki!" Vely runs up to me, cutting off Ayame "We could walk home together today! We don't hang out that much after school do we??"

"Fine.." I say, knowing what he has in mind. "Oh, and what did you say Ayame?" I turn to her.

"U-uhm...nothing..I mean it's--- nevermind!" She shouts.

"Uhh..sure..see you later." I say as Vely puts an arm around my shoulder and starts pulling me away.

"So...Kazuki... about the tournament.."

"No Vely. Just no."

This kept going on for days. They even fought a few battles during that time, winning all of them. On the other hand, those brats from 1/C kept winning as well, humiliating every team they fought against to a point where no one wanted to fight them.

The finals were getting closer. It was rather obvious who will be the 2 teams fighting in it. I can't say I never felt like accepting Velys offer and getting the smirk off of Eidens ugly face but it was just too much effort and not worth it.

As I'm sinking deeper into my thougts i hear the bell ring. Guess the class is over for today...I stand up and make my way to the exit.

As I leave the school I notice Vely running towards me.

"W-wait...Kazuki!" Vely caught up to me, now panting. "Did you change your mind on---"

"No Vely!" I cut him off. "I do not want to participate in the tournament, I will not change my mind and asking me another 1000 times won't change a thing!" I shout.

I consider myself a calm person but everything has a limit. He looks at me with one of the saddest expressions I ever saw, it made me feel bad for shouting at him.

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"..Hey, Vely I'm sorry okay.." I say.

"No it's fine.." He says immediately after, looking down.

"I just..think of you as a friend and I hate to see you acting so cold and distant..I want you to become a part of the gang..i'm sorry." He continues.

"Awe...how sweet, now kiss." We hear a voice behind us. As we turn around, we see a short guy with brown fluffy hair and one awful wide grin.

"Eiden.." Vely says. "What do you want?"

"Nothing, just kinda disappointed to hear the great Hatagano Kazuki decides on not fighting for his class..are you that scared?" Eiden answers.

"He's not scared of you! He just---" Vely tries to protect me but I stop him.

"It's okay Vely, don't argue with the likes of him, we're better. Oh well, Eiden I could name you a bunch of reasons why I would or wouldn't want to participate in the tournament but for you I just have a big fuck off."

I turn around and start walking to the school gates.

"Oh Kazuki, why are you so mean- hey wait- i'm not done--- hey!"

Eiden tries to get my attention back but loses his cool when he realizes that simple provocation won't work.

"..Tsk...I'll get you Hatagano, one way or another..." Eiden mumbles as I walk away.

As usually I see Ayame sitting on her bench, waiting for me. How does she get here so quickly...?

"K-kazuki! Let's walk home together!" She jumps up as she sees me.

"Sure thing, let's go." I answer and we head to Naofuma.

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"Oroshi, what's wrong? You've been acting very strange the past few days.." Baba says as she pours some tea into Oroshis cup.

"Oh my Kaya...it's the people of Naofuma...our past already made the situation in Naofuma complicated but recently the people have been acting...how should I say..weirder? More aggressive?" He answers.

"Oh, well I haven't noticed anything...The changing weather is probably just affecting them a bit." Baba says.

"I hope so, but I got a bad feeling. Something is going on..." Oroshi says, looking concerned.

"Actually I noticed that as well but as I said, the weather, we're getting old and it's affecting us Oroshi. I'm sure it's nothing, you're just overthinking things dear. Now finish your tea, you got a meeting with the council in an hour." Kaya says, as she smiles to Oroshi.

This calms him down a bit, he nods to her and drinks his tea. He gets ready for the council, Wearing his old fashioned gray armor that has the Hatagano family symbol on it: A circle with a plus in it. Simple, yet recognizable.

Most villagers were farmers and other kinds of physical workers. Simple Humanimals wearing simple clothes. Oroshi was an old man wearing ancient looking armor, he truly stood out as he walked towards the Town Hall for the council meeting.

It didn't matter if people liked or hated him, they respected him as an elder and council member.

As he walked towards the Town Hall he noticed 2 men argue on the streets. Some people were already looking as the argument got more heated.

"I'm sick of your dog, Inuka! He ate one of my chicken again!!" One of the men said.

"Don't lie Almar, my dog is tied in my yard!" The other man answered.

"Oh really?? You're the only filthy dog owner nearby and my chicken won't just turn into thin air will they?!" Almar said.

"I don't know! It couldn't have been my dog! He was tied!!" The dog owner Inuka answered.

"Well, perhaps you should put your son on a leash as well, that boy looks like he'd eat one without chewing."

"What did you just say??" Inuka looked furious, this was even more insulting considering the fact that Inuka and his family were dog humanimals.

"You heard me!" Almar answered.

The argument was about to turn into a physical fight and Oroshi had to interfere.

"Woah woah, that's enough." He got between them "Let's calm down before you do something you'll regret okay." Oroshi said.

"Too late! This dogman ate my chicken!" Almar said.

"That's not true! The bird guy is full of crap!" Inuka said in return.

"Dogman? Bird guy?" Oroshi looks at them. "This is Naofuma, since when did you start insulting eachother based on your race?? You used to be such good friends, I watched you grow up together and now this? Be ashamed of yourself!" Oroshi said.

"Remember when the town got flooded and Inuka helped you fix your house Almar?" Oroshi said as Almar looked down.

"And in return, Almar gave you chicken because your supplies were ruined Inuka!"

"...I'm sorry Almar..maybe my dog escaped or something.." Inuka apologized.

"I'm sorry as well Inuka, for insulting you like that.." Almar answered.

Both of them started ti calm down. Oroshi put his hands over their shoulders as he pulled them to him.

"Now, I'm sure your little problem is nothing that can't be solved over a beer or two at the bar. Actually, as soon as I'm finished with the council I'll join you!" Oroshi smiled, seeming rather happy about how he handled the situation.

The 2 men nod to him as they head to the bar. Oroshi continues walking to the hall.

"That was strange...those 2 were always good friends but that negative energy around them...I definitely have to check this at one point.." Oroshi thinks to himself as he reaches the Town Hall.

He enters the council Hall.

"Late again Hatagano." A bald man, probably in his late 40's says. He sits at the big table with 4 other people who all look at Oroshi.

"Yeah..sorry, something strange happened on the way here." Oroshi answers as he sits down.

"Of course..Well, now that all five members of the council are here, we shall start the meeting!" The bald man shouts. He takes a sheet of paper, about to read from it.

"Before we start with the agenda." Oroshi says. "I have a problem I need your opinion on."

"Oroshi...If it's worth discussing before the agenda then do tell." Another council member, an old woman says.

"Thank you Lady Sheelah." Oroshi says. "Now, I'm sure I'm not the only one that noticed the negative energy that's been amassing in our town."

The council members look at eachother, then back at Oroshi.

"It's affecting the residents and we have to do something about it. I suggest we contact the capital and the Imperial Mage Security Agency to investigate---"

"I'll have to stop you right there" The bald man interrupts. "There's no such thing as 'negative energy'. The life quality in Naofuma has only gotten worse recently and that's why the people seem more stressed, and that's what we have to work on!"

"No Baki, this is more serious! I can feel that---" Oroshi tries to say but gets interrupted by Baki again.

"And I can feel that this is only an attempt from the Hataganos to gain more power again through cooperation with the capital, enslaving us again! I will not allow that!"

"Nonsense! My father created the council and gave freedom to the people to choose their leaders!" Oroshi says, clearly upset now.

"And you were never satisfied with that decision, thinking he was showing weakness by doing that. The Hataganos ruled over us long enough!" Baki answered.

"Baki, stop mixing your personal feelings into this, I know the Hataganos don't have the best past and you can keep your hatred towards us but this is about the safety of the people!" Oroshi said

"Let's vote then. Everyone in favor of not contacting the Capital because of this nonsense raise his hand" Baki says.

"Let's not be hasty here." The old woman says before anyone can raise their hand. "There definitely is an unnatural negative energy but calling the Capital would be overreacting, but we also can't ignore it. Let's just wait and observe for now."

The other members nod in agreement.

"Tsk...fine...whatever..let's just get to the agenda.." Baki says, unsatisfied.

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"W-well Kazuki, this is where we part ways..." Ayame says.

"Yup." I answer "Well see you tomorrow at school." I turn around and walk to my house.

"...Hnnn..Kazuki w-wait!" Ayame shouts. I turn around.

"What is it Ayam---"

"I like you! Please go out with me!!!"

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