Almas's surrounding go blurry for a minute trying to unravel this memory. Did I do anything? Can't really recall much. Should I ask them? Seems like a horrid move from how much they hate me- wait what reason do I have to make contact with them! Almas feels a blunt impact on the back of their head. It was Gater slapping the back of Almas's head.

"Ow what was that for?" Almas's surroundings go back to normal as he rubs the back of his head.

"Oh sorry, thought there was something wrong with you, your eyes looked lifeless. Anyway the next match is starting!" Gater redirects Almas's attention toward the stone stage.

Guess that's what I look like to others, will keep that in mind. "Ya just thinking about my mistakes on that last match." Almas continues to observe the stone stage

Kaius starts to yawn. "Name?"

The student unsheathes his wooden sword. "Sark."

"Alright as usual tell me when you're ready."

Sark starts by pointing his finger at Kaius. Sarks eyes start faintly glowing. He ponders for a whole minute before abruptly sheathing his sword. "I concede." They calmly jump out of the stone stage.

"Hum we didn't even start." Kaius checks to see if there's any lingering effects on them. "Anyway who's next?"

That guy- Just as Almas was starting their thought Gater started laughing uproariously.

"Hahahaha, this is getting fun isn't it?" Gater continuous to laugh

"How so? Seemed like nothing happened in that match." Almas questioned

"You didn't see him sizing him up? Not sure exactly what he did, but now I'm curious to see what he saw if he was that scared." Gater keeps laughing.

Didn't expect them to pick up on that divination spell, he is more observant that I thought. "Y-" Before Almas could speak Gater leaped onto the stage.

"Na-" Kaius was also interrupted.

"Gater." Gater exclaims, taking off their uniform coat. he takes his usual lower stance, with their arms below their chest and their hands in a claw.

Kaius smiles. "Well then Gater lets get started?" Kaius readies their dagger with one hand, with a bag of ball bearings on the other hand.

Almas watches the match intently.

"Ready!" Gater starts roaring. Winds start to gather around them as he does various arm motions.

Kaius tries to interrupt Gater's casting by aiming a barrage of ball bearings toward his head, but he start weaving through each ball bearing.

"Hah very nice!" Kaius starts their approach, with no resistance from any ranged attacks they quickly closed the distance and attempt to lunge their wooden dagger toward Gaters chest.

Gater slams Kaius's arm away. Gater then tries to grab Kaius by the throat. But Kaius back pedals away from him before they get the chance.

Gater's spell was closer and closer to being fully cast as his tattoos started getting brighter.

He's able to keep concentration depite being in the middle of that? Might be something worth asking about. Almas takes notes on his notebook.

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"Heh not bad." Kaius sheathes their wooden dagger and takes a similar stance to Gater trying to taunt him into attacking.

Gater is still on the defensive until the winds around him start to pick up. Blowing away the dust and stray ballbearings scattered on the stage.

Kaius keeps his composure. Then suddenly Gater redirects his wind behind him to charge at Kaius with great speed. He outstretches his arm and goes for Kaius's face. But Kaius ducks before it could hit him.

Gater kicks the ground with great force while redirecting his wind to the side, making a 180 turn toward Kaius. They outstretch their arm to aim another strike but lowered it.

Kaius smiles, before leaping into the air and suddenly vanishing as soon as Gater passes through them.

Was that a direct hit? Almas looks around before seeing the two combatants on the edge of the stage. Gaters winds weakened as Kaius had them on a arm bar!

He jumped and managed to grab Gaters arm at that speed! What kind of mage is he?!

Gater was struggling to escape the arm bar, but Kaius had too much leverage for him to escape. Kaius unsheathed his dagger, then tapped Gater's chest with it. They then release Gater's arm and stand up.

Kaius dusts themselves. "Your technique while defending is pretty nice, but your offence is a bit too predictable." Kaius then offers their hand to help Gater up.

Gater gladly accepts and grabs Kaius's hand. "Hah, that was great! Looking forward to learning more from you. Seems you have way better techniques than those cheap tricks."

Kaius stares at Gater for a bit before chuckling. "You're probably gonna need those cheap tricks someday."

"Nah they're boring" Gater quickly retorts before leaving the stage and approaches Almas.

"Hah can see why you were thinking about your match so much." Gater Chuckles.

He isn't mortified by being outclassed? "Ya, are you feeling okay?" Almas forms a fake smile.

"Hmm ya I'm fine, he didn't put that much pressure on my arm, though I could tell he could snap it off if they wanted too." Gater lies down on the grass.

He's not frustrated at all by that? Almas tries to pay close attention to the future fights. except the next fighters conceded due to low morale. Kaius pointed at the sleeping student at the back, but they were non commital in their response.

Hum saw them in the classroom earlier, thought he fought but I guess I wasn't paying much attention to him.

"Well then seems like that was a bit of a experience for us wasn't it?, hope we all learned something today from that substantial lesson! Get your dorms assigned by Elen when you can. I'm gonna head out." Kaius walks toward the exit, with a lighter and pack of cigars on hand.

The class just chattered amongst themselves, while others had a headstart on getting their dorm keys.

Should probably join them my head and body are killing me. Almas stares at Gater lying down on the grass. "I'll head out first, see you tomorrow Gater."

"See ya!" Gater waves their arm.

Almas got his key after small wait and a awkward conversation with Elen. It was marked as 1H-14. Seems the dorms here were also based on your class, though she mentioned that every student has the same accommodations. Almas made his way toward the dorm room.

At least it will be hard to meet any of the upper ranks if I just stay on my level. Climbing higher is gonna be harder than I thought especially if my opponents are like this. But I don't have to beat myself up too much with it being the first day and all. I wonder if my friends from my old school are here, maybe some are in the same position as me. Almas starts remembering what happened in the court yard, as he looks for his room

That guilt I felt on the courtyard, what as that? Must have been a very long time ago to get that reaction from me. That's a matter I can save for later.

As they were nearing his room number he saw a adult figure, he was large statured, primly dressed and had their families insignia on their suit. They were carrying a bag that was ready to burst from the seams.

Oh didn't expect to see him here. "Ah Regulus did you come all the way here from Praegaur to give me my things."

"Indeed, your brother Ziel sent me, wasn't expecting your sudden decision to stay here. Congratulations Master." Regulus bows, and hands over the bag.

"Ah that's to be expected than." Almas grabs the bag reeling a bit from the weight before recovering. "How are things back home by the way?"

"Rather empty, your mother and father aren't home yet, would you like me to send them a message?" Regulus grabs a paper and pen from his jacket pocket.

"Ah that won't be necessary, have a save trip home Regulus!"

"Take care Master, good luck on your academic endeavors." Regulus steps walks toward the exit. The place where they were standing having foot prints for some reason.

How long have they waiting there? Ah well time to rest. Almas puts the bag Regulus left on the floor then proceeds to lie down on the bed slightly sinking into the mattress.

Definitely a better arrangement than that inn, don't really mind staying here for the time being. Mother and Father aren't present at home huh? Guess that's how Ziel got that delivery before them. It's good to know they won't see that paper anytime soon. With that thought Almas slowly nodded to sleep, thus ending his first day.