Chapter 2 - Blazing Storm

The pleasant sound of the elevator chime rang out in the corridor, signaling the arrival to its destination. As its doors slowly slid open, it revealed the two passengers aboard. From there, Kazuki followed Himeko leisurely, with quick strides—making their way to the building right across the courtyard.

Ryouken Academy was fairly large, enough to be compared to a campus of a suburban university. The Main Building, the Club Activity Building, and the Gymnasium; This three infrastructures made up the majority of the Academy. The Main Building composed entirely of the classrooms, faculty rooms, and the cafeteria. The Club Activity Building—where the two have came from—housed the clubrooms, experiment rooms, and the library. There were also major and minor annexes adjacent to the two structures for miscellaneous uses.

And lastly the Gymnasium, which is the main attraction of the Academy.

The gymnasium is, in and on itself, special. Based from the ancient Roman Coliseum, it was used for live entertainment, military exercise, and combat practice. It even have two basement levels for extra individual training rooms, that are used for mock battles between students.

In this generation, Gladiatorial Competition had become a well known sport to the public eye. With the sensational popularity it gained, it caught the attention of greedy businessmen and major bureaucracy, turning it into a hit entertainment industry.

Having walked half-away across the courtyard, Kazuki was still in a contemptuous-mood. Although he did try to hide it, his disdainful aura was leaking out from his body.

"Is there something wrong Yukikaze-kun?"

"Huh? Oh, it's nothing. Don't worry about it."

The calming voice of Himeko made him return to his senses. Realizing where he currently is, it wasn't wise to cause a scene, collecting his thoughts, he immediately fixed his attitude.‘I give up, there's no point worrying about it now.' He repeated those words in order to cool his head. But he still felt agitated; not knowing the reason why he was sent here, is one of them.

After calming down, he finally took notice to the increased amount of student in the courtyard—along with it, a large number of gazes. Is it because he is with the beautiful student body president, or was it because he is a new student. Considering the date he was sent here, and the person he was with, it was not hard to figure out how he unintentionally garnered some attention from the surrounding students.

Being a school mostly for the elite, about twenty percent of the students where children of rich businessmen, celebrities, or well-known politicians. It couldn’t be help that there would be some individuals among the onlookers that would show pretence or conceit because of their social status.

‘What a pain in the ass’ Kazuki however, scratched the back of his head, ignoring the constant stares he received as they walk further to the Main Building.

Reaching their destination, they arrived at the faculty lounge. Some Teachers and Instructors were busy with compiling papers; others were conversing with their fellow teachers, while the rest were either relaxing or occupied with some students.

“Now then, if there is anything you need, please don’t hesitate to ask? I’ll go tell Akihiro-sensei that you’re here. So wait in this room for a moment.”

Himeko then parted ways with Kazuki; leaving him inside the room, just next to the faculty. After a few minutes of waiting, a young-looking female teacher had come to pick him up,while holding a bundle of folder in her hands.

Kazuki thought that she was quite the talented young lady, to already be a teacher at her age. But no matter how much audacious Kazuki is to most people, he did not like to ask a woman her age.

She had long chestnut-brown hair, that flowed down to her back. Her emerald green eyes shimmered like two polished gems. With her wheat-colored blouse and matching skirt, it perfectly showed the curves of her slim and sexy figure. She also had a pair of oval glasses that gave her an even more feminine charm.

“Hello. It’s nice to meet you Yukikaze-kun. My name is Akihiro Hinami, your homeroom teacher.”

Hinami; who introduced herself as his homeroom teacher, had a bright and positive smile in her face.  Looking at her, Kazuki was somewhat surprised. He did not think that there would be someone with such a personality to be hired in this facility; which deals with death and violence on a regular basis.

But looks can be deceiving. If she was able to get employed in this line work, that just means she had a level of competence that could be said more than satisfactory.

After Kazuki introduced himself, the two exchange pleasantries and immediately made their way to the classroom. The Main Building had five levels. The first having the faculty office and the large cafeteria, the second, all the way to the fifth, had the classrooms. The freshmen classrooms were located on the 2nd floor, while the 3rd and 4th floors had the classrooms of the juniors and seniors respectively. After going up a few sets of stairs, they stopped at a certain room that had a holographic signboard labelled: Room 301 / Class 2-1

“OK, this is our class. I know it might be hard for you, a new environment might bring various hardships, but I think that you will get accustomed to it in no time. So please relax.”

Kazuki was slightly taken a back. With such heartfelt and gentle words, he could do nothing but give out a faint smile.

"One more thing. If there's anything you don't understand, just ask without reservation. Okay, let's go in."

Saying so, Hinami opened the door and moved into the classroom. Kazuki followed as soon as she got in. When he stood in front, lookong over the entire class, all their gazes were focused on him all at once. This was the inevitable fate of a transfer student

First of all, some of those who observed him with little to no interest, immediately came to a conclusion that, he is the rough delinquent type. With his unkept appearance; long hair, untucked shirt, and loose tie, he was not far out from that image.

Those who did have some intregue about him were easily discouraged, just by the fact he was a guy. They probably expected a cute girl; beautiful face, great figure, and a cheerful and friendly personality. Yet, they got a guy who was from it. He started losing everyone's interest one at a time.

Amongst them, there was a girl sitting in the back, next to the window.

She really stood out; like a blooming flower in the middle of the deep winter. Her blazing red hair shone like scarlet fire and her ruby like eyes gave off a mesmerizing stare. When Kazuki and her eyes met, she immediately averted her gaze.

He lost another one.

Meanwhile, Hinami, standing besides the teacher's desk, displayed his name in the large digital screen behind him, then gave a short introduction.

“Good Morning everyone! As you can see, today we have a new classmate joining us. Please try to get along well with each other—Yukikaze-kun, please introduce yourself."

Usually, transfer students would give out a lengthy self-introduction, in order to get a good first impression from their classmates. But he did not felt the need to. Giving out a faint smile, Kazuki decided to disregard all the theatrics and just wing it.

“ —it's quite a hastle to introduce myself, but whatever. For starters, my name is Yukikaze Kazuki. I transferred here for some unknown reason, I'm as uncivilized as you can get. Vulgar, brutal, savage, and a hedonistic personality; all that I need to be the worst scum on the planet. I also posses a talent of pissing people off. And just so we are all on the same page, I couldn't care less about anyone in this room. Nice to meet you all."

"…………………………"

Silence permeated in the entire room. Even Hinami, who was lively a while ago, now had a dumbfounded expression in her face.

"WHAT THE HELL DID YOU SAY?! YOU BASTARD!!!"

"HOW DARE YOU LOOK DOWN ON US!"

"SAY THAT AGAIN! I DARE YOU PIECE OF TRASH!"

As expected, the uproar of complaints exploded, garnering their complete animosity. There are those who saw his little declaration as a form of jest. But they were the minority.

Watching their ballistic reactions from the front, Kazuki was thinking.

(Haa, they sure are so easy to read)

Well, he did start the whole ordeal, but... he really didn’t imagine that their pride were that shallow that could be easily shattered just like that. He let out a disappointed sigh.

"…Eh? Ah, is... is that all Yukikaze-kun?"

"Yep."

"Uhm...OK then, let’s start homeroom."

On the other hand, Hinami was still flabbergasted for a few seconds at the thought that she ended up with a very troublesome student.

—————

The bell tolled, signaling lunch break, after a couple of classes.

After Hinami left the room, the commotion from earlier continued, with Kazuki as the eye of the storm.

It was only natural that, transfer students are the center of attention, but in this case, Kazuki was being avoided like a plague, due to his little speech earlier. The stares of enmity, curiosity disgust, and a plethora of other emotions had immediately flooded the room.

"Tch. That guy seriously pisses me off! Who the hell does he think he is?!"

"He's getting too full of himself. Maybe we should teach him some manners."

Not minding the volume of their voices, they openly declared their position compared to Kazuki to be far above in the social hierarchy. Since he did start the current situation, it would be unwise to start a commotion and just brushed it off as worthless noise.

"Aah~ so boring."

Discontented with the current mood, Kazuki gave out a long yawn before standing up from his seat, then making his way outside the classroom. Before he could get far from the main hall—

"Excuse me, you're the transfer student, Yukikaze Kazuki, from Class 2-1, aren't you?"

"Huh? What do you want?"

Standing behind him, there was a petite girl. Her golden-blonde hair was slightly curled up, giving her a sense of nobility. With a radiating demeanour, she had that presence of what women from high social standing usually gave off.

"Hey! Watch your mouth. Don't you know who you are tal—"

"That's enough Masaki. He's still new around here, so it can't be helped if doesn't know."

"As expected of Aoba-sama. You are considerate to even lowly commoners."

Behind the girl named Aoba, were a small group of students. Judging solely by their attitude towards him, they also exuded the same aristocratic presence similar to Aoba. And by the way they spoke to her, it seems like Aoba was someone of high importance.

Kazuki however, was more focused on the pins they had attached on the left collars of their blazers.

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(A wolf head with two crossed swords. So they're 3rd years huh?)

To distinguish students by their year level, the academy uniforms had included specific set of pins; 3 Swords for the Seniors, 2 for the Juniors, 1 for the Sophomore,  and a lone wolf head for the Freshmen.

Seeing that they all had 2 crossed swords on their pins, Kazuki was not mistaken by his analysis.

"I apologise for the rudeness earlier, My name is Itsuka Aoba, of the the renowned Itsuba Clan and a one of the top ranking ranking students of the Academy. For your own good, you better listen to what I have to say in order to survive this academy. Be greatful that I am lending you some of my time to explain things. First of all..."

(The Itsuka Clan. If I remember correctly, they're that prestigious family line of Tamers that has fought in the front lines of the Japanese Army, since the 1st Xenodian War)

Kazuki was confused. Why would someone like her, go out of her way just to see him? As far as he was concerned, no one should know his true identity, and he didn't told anyone of his origin either.

(No. It's unlikely that someone from here would know about 'that'. Then that just means...)

The image of an old man he so despised, suddenly floated in his mind.

(THAT SON OF A BITCH! I'M GONNA KILL HIM WHEN I SEE HIM!)

Flaring with anger, Kazuki cursed that man who was the reason for all the things he is going through. But he did not show that unsightly look in his face. Meanwhile—

"...are you listening? To put it simply, I am offering you a chance to submit yourself and become my subordinate. Naturally, I assure you that you will have a wonderful life in this academy. Your answer is of course, yes, am I right?"

"Not interested." Kazuki walked passed her before saying those words

For Kazuki, just hearing her first few word, was enough for him to know what type of person she is.

(A haughty, impulsive idiot.)

Well, she did say she was part of the top ranks in the academy. So, she must at least be capable of backing up her claims.

"What? Hey, wait a minute, you—"

Before Aoba could turn her head, Kazuki was long gone.

———

The morning sun was nearly at at its peak, but the autumn wind released a cool gentle breeze creating a lukewarm weather. On top of the roof of the main building, Kazuki was leisurely laying down on the roof while looking over the vast number of clouds in the sky.

(Ahh~ what a perfect time for a nap)

Seeing that nobody was present; other than himself, Kazuki enjoyed the peaceful scenery before deciding to return to class.

The spot he found had a nice view that came along with it. Looking over the horizon, he had the perfect vantage point of the whole academy. The large gymnasium in the east, the Club Activity Building im the north, and the Main Gate in the west. There were also the surrounding forest that covered the entire academy.

Just the sight alone was nothing to scoff at.

When he was about to close his eyes, he noticed a voice that he heard not too long ago.

"So, have you changed your mind and decided to accept my offer?"

(The hell... Don't tell me she still hasn't given up on recruiting me?)

"Haven't I made myself clear? No matter what you say, the answer is still no, Aoba."

Huh? What?

Before Kazuki could reply, he realized that the question was not directed at him. Looking down from his position, he could see Aoba and her lacky surrounding a lone girl. The tension between them were close to erupting.

(Isn't she that girl from my class...?)

The girl he saw had her scarlet hair fluttering in the wind. She was wearing the same uniform as Aoba; grey skirt, white blazer, and a blue shirt with a red ribbon. But what really stood out from her, were the two metalic gauntlets in her arms.

Aoba as well, had her aura changed from when Kazuki met her. In her right hand, appeared a long, narrow blade with a guard that covered the entire hilt; a rapier.

"My patience is growing thin Akiyama Mizuki. This is the last time I will ask you, Submit yourself to me, and become my subordinate."

"And this is the last time I will say it, I refuse."

(Mizuki?)

That named jolted his memories. While he was trying to remember what it meant, the tension between the two had reached a breaking point. From his current location, Kazuki could feel the blazing haze coming from those two girls.

This wasn't a figure of speech. They were literally on fire. Flames were emanating from their bodies. Golden fire was appearing from Aoba and her rapier, while the girl named Mizuki was releasing a scarlet inferno from her body and gauntlets.

(Materializing their [Regalia] just like that. They're really serious huh?)

Regalia—this are the weapons forged from the very soul of their creators.

This was one of the pride of humanity. The weapon that helped them fight off the Xenos. Regalia are the physical manifestation of a Tamer's very being, crafted from their Sigma, a crystallization of their ideals.

"Masaki!" Aoba shouted "Don't let anyone interfere. This girl needs to be taught a lesson."

"Shut up and bring it on! I can take all of you by myslef."

"You've gotten in way over your head, little girl. I'll show you just how different we junior are compared to you sophomores."

The raging aura between the two had intensified, causing Aoba's flunkies to step back.

When the pressure slighty halted, and after a few seconds of silence—

The two girls dashed forward simultaneously. Clashing their weapons against one another, it created a strong shockwave. It continued on for a few seconds; they parried each strike, evade every lethal blows, they were in a deadlock of attacks and counters.

"I'm impressed. To think that you can keep up with me. Lets see how you can handle this one then..."

Aoba was the first to break the stalemate. With a slash from her rapier, a crescent-shape flame shot out from her blade. The flames burned everything it came in contact with, but that was only limited to what it hit. Such a precise skill was considered to be high class.

"Eh?!"

Mizuki was caught off guard, but she managed to evade it by a hairsbreadth. Adding a large amount of sigma into her limbs, she increased her speed and mobility by enhancing her physical capabilities.

Dodging Aoba's attack, Mizuki took the chance to counter. From her enclosed fist, she made a punching motion, then released an intense fireball at Aoba.

"Eat this!"

"Naive."

Seeing the fireball approaching,  Aoba was completely calm. With a piercing movement from her thin blade, it hit the fireball in its center, and it dispersed into countless particles. She didn't stop with just that. From that motion, a flame spear shot forth from the tip of her sword  with tremendous speed.

"Like I'm gonna fall for that!"

Mizuki saw through it.

Quickly taking a stance, she then sprinted directly at the flaming spear. When she was close enough, she shifted her weight to the side, and then...

"HAAAAA!"

With a shout, she literally punched the flames out. Snapping the lance-shaped blaze into pieces. Her counter did not end just there. After extinguishing the flames, she immediately went for Aoba in close quarters.

"What?!" It was Aoba's turn to be surprised. "Impossible?!" She didn't think that Mizuki would be able to dodge that last sneak attack, let alone counter it.

"You crafty little wench." Infuriated, Aoba readily fixed her blade to meet Mizuki's incoming fist.

Just when the two were about to clash—

"How boring."

A sudden feeling of dread had enveloped their minds.

Their survival instincts screamed out: "I have to get away. I have to move back." and went in full throttle to divert their path. At that moment, a torrent of raging wind had separated the two of them.

Everyone present, were surprised. Even Mizuki and Aoba, who were already using their heightened senses, did not notice his presence.

"What? How did you... D-Did you finally decided to accept my offer?" Aoba, still in her upperclass tone, yet mixed with a sense of fear, asked Kazuki the same questions she gave Mizuki.

"What the hell are you talking about? I was here since you started yapping about subordination. But to answer your last question. Hell no."

Such a rude remark was guaranteed a retort. But it was clear as day, that Aoba had lost some confidence when trying to talk to Kazuki. But for the people around them, they did not know what was transpiring at that moment. The entirety of that terror-inducing pressure was focused on the two of them.

"YOU BASTARD! HOW DARE YOU SPEAK TO AOBA-SAMA LIKE THAT!"

Infuriated by the lack of respect,  Masaki and the other who followed Aoba, immediately surrounded Kazuki with an intense murderous aura.

"W-Why are you here?" This time, it was Mizuki who voiced out her thoughts.

"I thought that you needed a hand."

"I-I don't need it."

"How cold. And here I was trying to show my goodwill once in a while." Kazuki spoke as if everything was normal. He was not, at the least, bothered by the constant negative air that was directed at him by the people who have released their Regalias.

“Aoba-sama was benevolent enough to ask you to humble yourself to her, yet you trampled on her goodwill. Now your butting in on someone else business? Get lost, you piece of...”

"MASAKI! DON'T...!"

Without warning, Masaki attacked Kazuki and sent him flying…

Is what Masaki thought would happen. But Kazuki simply leaned to the left while dodging Masaki's attack, then sent Masaki flying through the wall with a powerful reverse kick.

“Did you say something? Sorry, I wasn't listening."

In an instant,  Masaki was out cold

With a mocking tone, Kazuki shrug his shoulders and raised his arms in a exaggerated fashion. Everyone who saw it were stupefied. Even for Aoba who knew Masaki was in disbelief. She have known Masaki wasn't weak. But this one guy made him look like a pebble on the road.

“What... what did you... what did you do to Masaki...You son of a…!”

Losing her composure,  Aoba was filled with fury. The level of her aura had escalated far beyond what it was a moment ago. She no longer had that graceful way of speaking,  and now,  just spouted random curses to Kazuki. Forgetting that feeling she had, moments ago.

"Oh...She finally snapped. Guess its time to clean up the mess."

As he said those words—

"OK, that's enough. Let's leave it as that."

—a domineering clap reverberated in the area. Looking back, they saw; The Student Council President: Ichirou Himeko.