I have gone to school before.
Way back when my parents were still around, I did receive my education at the local school. It was pretty big. The school was even one of the better ones in the area, and the only reason why I was able to go there was because of my parents. They were rich enough to send me there, but not rich enough to send me to an elite academy.
But it was enough. I had no complaints nor cared about where I went. The school I went to did teach some battle dancers, but they belonged to a special class of students, getting their building and their everything. From their cafeteria to an entirely different teaching staff. They even received special treatment.
For example, if they decide to bully one of the nonbattle dancers, their actions would be ignored. Of course, as long as they don't kill them or cause them severe bodily injury, the school would simply look the other way. It was unfair. It was crap. It's still crap. Nothing has changed since then.
The Battle Dancers in the school ran the entire thing to a certain extent. The only good thing about the situation was that they were in a different building and section of the school. Did it stop them though? Sometimes since they're too lazy to bother with us plebeians. But every once in a while, they would come to our side and cause hell.
And I was one of the unfortunate ones that was in hell. Every time I think about it, it sends shivers down my spine. Of course, I thought about telling my parents, but it was better that I didn't. Umm, how do I say this without insulting them?
They’re sociopaths.
Yeah no, that's the most apt description that I could make out. So instead of making it worse, I just kept silent about it. Now did I fight back? Of course, Mom didn't raise a coward. Another slight problem. They can carry 200 Kilograms with one hand, while I could barely do five push-ups back then.
There's no need to say what happened to me whenever I did fight back. And of course, my dumbass didn't stop fighting back even if I knew logically that my situation would be better if I didn't. What can I say? I may be a pacifist, but if someone hits me in the face, I'm going to smash their heads in. Too bad that I couldn't smash any heads back then.
I sighed and only hoped that my situation would be better this time around. But from looking around the near vicinity, I could kiss my hopes goodbye.
"What are you thinking about?” Severin said. I stared at him and saw him indifferently staring at me. I looked around and saw that everyone, and I mean everyone was staring at me Well, more on Severin honestly. The ones that did stare at me were looking at me like I was a lost monkey that somehow ended up in civilization. I ignored those gazes as there were more pressing matters I needed to attend to.
“It's nothing. Just thinking about my old school. And oh by the way, why are you still following me? Didn't you already satisfy that crazed desire of yours?”
Severin didn't reply and simply shrugged his shoulders. He then started walking and I followed slightly behind him as I didn't want to attract attention any more than I had to. I heard whispers as we walked across the hallway, gazes that stared back and forth at Severin and me. I sighed, wondering how I ended up here.
Quietly, I circulated my Kigen and confirmed it. I was cured. At first, I was shocked. I thought that it would at least take a year for me to recover. My internal injuries were by no means okay. My insides were a mess, mostly because of the Dark Kigen that I used forcefully. But it seems that to Dean Sebastian, my injuries were nothing.
Right after he told me that I would be a student here in the Academy, he simply inspected my internal situation, nodded his head, and sent a shot of Kigen through me. At first, I was alarmed, but in the next second, I was in complete shock.
My broken core that my Kigen was pieced back together. Hell, I think my core is even more stable and stronger because of it. I told Dean Sebastian about my shock and he simply grinned and said. Don't underestimate what an Ascendant can do, kid. What you thought was impossible, is merely a cup of morning tea for us. My respect and fear for Dean Sebastian and Ascendants, in general, increased by a factor of ten.
Now, I could circulate my Kigen as usual. My foundations seemed to have strengthened, but the amount of Kigen that I could use was still pitiful. I'll take it. I already accepted the fact that my Kigen reserves are constant. But everything else is fair game.
“Where are we going?” I asked Severin.
"Our first Subject.”
“What's the sub? I forgot to check my schedule. “
“Battle Assessment.”
“So what do we do there in that sub?”
“It's just-”
Severin paused. He halted his steps. I did the same. Just as I was being confused, the hairs on my arm rose and I looked in a certain direction. Severin was also looking in that same place. Warning bells constantly ran in my head, warning me to run. I gazed at the approaching student, other students were following him but I was completely focused on that one student.
It was because I felt that the moment that I looked away, I felt that a predator's teeth would sink into my neck. “Who is that...” I asked. Severin did not reply immediately, as he coldly looked at the student that was approaching us. Severin slowly opened his mouth and uttered his name precisely. “Leon Kaiser.”
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Leon Kaiser arrived and stopped. I had to look up just to meet him eye to eye. I looked him in the eye and gazed at his golden eyes. I felt my body become rooted in the sport just by staring at him. Severin and Leon are a complete contrast to each other. If Severin was like winter, calm yet devastating, Leon was just devastating.
Being in front of him was like standing in front of an apex predator. How the hell is he a student?
“Severin von Schlieffen.” Leon said, his voice deep and booming like the sea.
“Leon Kaiser,” Severin replied coldly. I think I feel a little chilly right now.
Leon stared at Severin for a long while before moving his gaze to me. The urge to just look down instead of meeting his eyes rose within me, but I held it down. I stared back at him without a word. I looked closer and realized how fucking huge he is. He stood at least six and a half feet tall. Muscles seemingly burst from his uniform. His hair was wild, like a Lion and yet looked clean and well groomed, like a cat. He's closer to a barbarian than an actual human.
He didn't say a word to me, just briefly glancing at me before refocusing on Severin.
"A noble should not be associating themselves with commoners Severin.”
"Who I associate with is none of your business.”
“Suit yourself. If you wish to shame your family name, then so be it.”
The atmosphere noticeably got colder. I felt chilly.
"Watch your tongue, Leon.”
“I am simply speaking the facts. I can't believe that a son of a duke is with nobody.”
Severin scoffed and said. “Nobody saved a train from a terror attack.”
"And yet, it still doesn't change the fact that he's still a commoner.”
At any moment, I felt that a fight would break out. I looked around and saw that a crowd was slowly forming. Severin and Leon's stand-off continued, and it seemed that I was slowly fading into the background. I don't mind nor care for it honestly. But I was a little touched that Severin defended me. I honestly didn't need it. But hey, it was cool for him to do. One thing though. I don't need anyone to stand up for me.
I stood in between Severin and Leon and said. “Alright, that's enough I think. The professors would sooner or later come and-” I didn't get to finish my piece. Leon's fist was then being hurled at me. In a second, it made an impact, but not on its intended target. I blocked it using my hand, as I felt that a literal boulder was fucking thrown at me.
“What are you doing?” I said as I held his shaking fist in my hand. Anger was apparent behind his eyes as he replied. “A commoner should not be interrupting a conversation between nobles. Know your place.” He pulled back his fist, and in no time gathered a golden sheen of aura on his right hand. Intending to strike me again.
Tsk, this is troublesome.
24 Styles of Simplicity.
Nullifying Hand.
His fist pulsated with heat as it met mine. Its golden aura was dispersed as it met my hand. Leon's eyes went wide-eyed. It looked like he had no intention of stopping. Intense heat started radiating from his aura, and was about to start attacking again.
“STOP! You there. What are you doing?” A voice shouted. I looked to where it came from and saw that the sea of students parted. It was a man in a blue robe. He calmly walked to us, and with his blue eyes, he glared at us and said. “What is going on here? Fighting an unsanctioned fight is prohibited.”
“It was not a fight, professor. I am simply disciplining a commoner.”
"What the fu- No, what is wrong with you.” I was flabbergasted at Leons words.
Even if he was in front of a Professor, he still had that prideful look on his face. He had his hands behind his back and said. “This mere commoner dared to intervene in a conversation between nobles. It was only right for me to properly teach him a lesson.”
There is seriously something wrong with him. And I'm starting to get annoyed by being called a commoner. What's wrong with being a commoner huh?
“Now wait a minute. What does being a commoner have to do with anything?”
“The peasant still speaks, I see.” I wanna smash his head in. My blood boiled. I clenched my fists but I held myself back. There was still someone here who could jeopardize my entire plans.
“Mr. Kaiser. You seem to be mistaken about something.”
“And what is that?”
“Your external status means nothing here.” The professor sternly glanced at Leon in his spectacles. It seemed that Leon didn't take what he said too kindly, and strengthened his aura. Causing the professor's long jet-black hair to billow. And yet the professor did not react and simply said,
“Once a student enters the sacred halls of the Academy, their past identities are merely a fleeting illusion. Strength is what speaks in the academy. Nothing else.” Leon's oppressive aura was then met with an even stronger one. His aura was simply crushed and replaced with an aura akin to the ocean. I felt suffocated just by feeling it.
Everyone that was taking in the spectacle heeded his words without question, and quickly dispersed. The professor glanced at the three of us and said. “Go. Don't you dare break the rules again? The same goes for you too Mr. Yarrow and Mr. Schlieffen.”
Leon glared at the Professor and Severin and me and left as he said. “I won't forget this.” Typical lines of a villain I see. Leon and his lackeys made their way to their classes. While Seveirn and I were about the same. It seemed that Severin didn't even care for Leon's comment, while I even cared less. Just as we said our goodbyes to the professor, he suddenly said. “Mr. Yarrow, there is something I would like to speak with you for a moment.”
I had a puzzled expression but I agreed. I told Severin to go ahead first.
The professor didn't say anything for a bit. He simply looked closer at me as if he was checking something. I was a little awkward as I just stood there but thankfully, the professor opened his mouth and said.
“Mr. Yarrow, I was wondering. Are you parents by any chance Anderson Yarrow and Elodie Wagner?”
I froze. He knew my parents. Wait. How does he know my parents? The professor saw through my confusion as he suddenly said. “It seems my guesses were right.”
"How- How do you know my parents?”
“Oh, it's nothing complicated. I was friends with both of them. We spent our academic youth here at Central Academy. Unfortunately, we lost contact the moment we graduated. I always wondered what ever happened to them, but it seems that they are doing fine since they had a child such as yourself enter the halls they once walked.”
“Um, Mr?”
“Oh, I'm Isaac Eriksson. You can call me Professor Isaac.”
“Then Professor Isaac. Did you not know?”
I paused, as the professor seemingly realized something as he saw my expression.”
“My parents are missing Professor Isaac.”