“Hmmmmmmmmmmmm.” Itsuki was somewhat lost in his head for the first time in a while. For some reason, Amanda’s petting on his head of blonde hair seemed somewhat relaxing. He knew for a fact that it was demeaning, but got the odd sensation that it felt familiar.

The only other person he could think that could provide such a familiar sensation was his mother, but he also knew that that was impossible. He never met his mother and knew that she had likely never met him, as a baby or otherwise.

How was he sure? Well, that was simple.

The people who took care of him told him so. Sad as it seemed, Itsuki didn’t mind it. Perhaps this realization that he never had a mother at a young age, was what made him into what he was now, stern, independent, and a no-nonsense kind of adult. But still…

Why did this feel familiar?

*KABOOM*

Breaking him from his daze, Itsuki found a white explosion of steam enveloping where Ikki, Stella, and Shisuki were. People were shouting and screaming as they ran away from the ensuing battle between Stella and Shisuki. Two love struck maidens in his eyes.

Itsuki gave Amanda a look and she nodded, knowing that something had to be done.

“EAT THIS! YOU HOME WRECKER!” Shisuki yelled, throwing countless blue daggers all aimed for Stella.

“I’LL PUT YOU DOWN! YOU BROTHER OBSESSED FREAK!”

Swinging her weapon in response, Stella let flames burst across Ignaria’s sword-formed blade. A flaming slash intercepted the blue daggers. Upon contact, the two attacks created an explosion of steam.

Due to Shisuki’s manifested ability over water manipulation, she had condensed water in a super highly dense form that took the shape of a dagger. While her attack was akin to Amanda’s ice arrows, it was formed through different means and used to different effect that played to Shisuki’s style of fighting.

But the reason for the loud explosion of steam was also on Stella’s part. Both the extreme heat of Stella’s attacks combining with the highly dense and extremely cool water daggers Shisuki threw, made it inevitable that this would be the outcome of their attacks.

They both dashed into the resulting fog of steam, wanting to take the shortest route to their opponent’s neck. Sensing each other nearby, Stella and Shisuki swung through their obscuring vision.

*KLANG* *SWING*

Two very different sounds echoed as both girls’ attacks were parried. As the steam cleared, it was revealed to them both what had happened.

“Who in the world are you! Why are you interfering!” Shisuki glared cool daggers at Amanda, who had her blade drawn out to the side of Shisuki. The edge of Amanda’s blade pushed against both of Shisuki’s daggers and were held in a guard.

Behind Amanda, Stella found her blade embedded in the pavement. She had not seen how it happened. The steam had obscured her vision, but she knew that the person who had done it probably used a trick or two.

“You!” Stella shouted. “Get out of the way Itsuki!”

“NO, Put your weapon away! NOW!” Itsuki demanded.

Itsuki and Amanda knew that using their weapons or core energy on school campus was not allowed for students. But, Exceptions were made for him since he had an explorer license, which had perks that extended to Amanda in this situation.

Noticing who was behind Amanda, Shisuki tilted her head.

“Hmmm? Itsuki?” Her ears perked up at the sound of his voice. She wanted to ask to make sure who this was, but..

Before Shisuki could say or do anything, Stella scoffed and defied Itsuki’s command to stow her weapon.

“I will not! Not until I put that flat chested maniac in her place. NOW GET OUT OF THE WAY!”

Unable to hold her temper, Stella let loose a punch with one of her fists, landing a square hit to Itsuki’s chest. He didn’t have time to react or defend. Stella was so close and had accelerated her speed using her core energy.

Thinking he had no other choice, he stood his ground and planted his feet, letting his body go rigid.

*BANG* *KER CRACK*

But the force of Stella’s punch was more than he realized. Thrown back by Stella’s superhuman strength, he made a human-shaped hole in a nearby wall.

“Hmph! I guess you couldn’t handle it.”

“You…YOU! BITCH!” Shisuki screamed and pushed Amanda’s blade away so violently that it threw Amanda to the wall, albeit not making a human shaped hole.

With unbridled fury, Shisuki charged Stella, once again producing numerous daggers of hardened and condensed water in between her fingers.

Standing proud of herself in resistance, Stella raised her sword, ready to activate her special attack, [Crimson Dragon], to end this little fight.

“Speak for yourself!” She retorted and began to let slip the incantation for her attack.

“OH DRAGON OF MY---Urk!”

But Stella’s voice went silent, the fired-up attitude she had becoming smothered. Shisuki saw her pause and planted her lead foot forward as she reeled back her hands to throw her daggers.

What the?

Yet, Shisuki stopped as well, her hands up like Stella’s and not moving an inch more. Onlookers who were brave enough to watch the fight gazed with meaningful interest, wondering why it had stopped so abruptly.

Among them, Ikki peered closely, focusing core energy into his eyes. He found that thin and purple colored threads had wrapped themselves around Stella’s throat and Shisuki’s arms, quite literally making them seem like puppets on strings.

While alarmed of this dangerous situation, Ikki calmed down as he saw where the threads were coming from.

“Oh me oh my, really, you girls should try to get along. You’re both quite talented and you can learn a lot from each other.”

Recognizing that unique tone of voice and that out of ordinary apparel he wore, Ikki wondered why he of all people were around here at this time of day. He drew attention, his charming androgynous looks appealing to both the young boys and girls of the academy.

“H-Headmaster Joel?! What are you doing here?”

“Oh, well I decided to go for a walk since it was such a nice day. Also, the bustle around the academy is always so refreshing since I can always find something to do. An example such as this.”

Flicking one of his hands, Stella and Shisuki suddenly fell to the ground on their knees. They heaved deep breaths, as if they had exhausted so much energy.

“What did you do to them?” Ikki asked.

“Just a trick I have up my sleeve, but now onto business.” Joel turned to the human shaped hole in a nearby wall and cocked a brow.

“Itsuki! Are you alright in there? Or? Do I need to scrape you out of there and put you back in the regeneration pod? I can pay for the medical concentrates to help accelerate your recovery, but you’ll have to go through that dreadful procedure.”

“Hek.” A shivering sigh escaped the human shaped hole. “No thank you, I’m fine. I would rather not go through that again so soon.”

Stepping out of the hole, the shape of a person wearing black armor came into view. Brushing off the rubble from between his suits' metal plates, Itsuki sighed once more. Putting his hands around the black visored helmet, he took it off, breathing a breath of fresh air.

“Hmmmm.” Joel gave Itsuki a once over, surprised by the results. “It seems like your new tools are coming in handy, I didn’t expect you to equip yourself so fast to guard against Stella’s attack.”

“Neither did I, but what now?” Moving to Amanda as he spoke, Itsuki’s augment suit dematerialized as it was put back into the storage ring on his wrist. He then helped Amanda up, who gave a curt thanks and looked to Joel as well.

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He was the real anomaly here. A headmaster like him should be doing more than just walking around, especially on a school day.

“Well a punishment is in order, of course, wouldn’t you say? Now just what exactly could we give the two of you?”

Walking up to the still exhausted pair of girls who were sitting on the ground, Joel looked around the academy. There were many buildings, tall and short, and Joel was inspecting each one closely, as if he could see through the walls.

Maybe that one, No, it’s too small. Maybe that one, no again, it doesn’t need it. Hmmm, just which one then.

His sights then set upon the enormous dome-like building which was where the orientation had taken place.

“That should work.” Giving Itsuki a look, Joel jerked his chin. “Be sure to tell them to be finished by the end of today. With that, I bid you all adieu.”

“Alright, but make sure to get back to work Joel. A headmaster doesn’t just walk around when he feels like it, especially during your work hours.”

“Don’t worry Itsuki, you be sure to give a little slack in the future.”

“You know that I don’t.”

“Yup! I already know, I just wanted to hear you say it. Heh heh.”

“Hah.” Itsuki sighed for the third time and moved over to Stella and Shisuki. They both gazed up at him, and Shisuki moved first. Getting up on her unsteady feet, she almost tripped but Itsuki caught her by the hand.

“Steady.” He said, getting Shisuki to rebalance her equilibrium. While his actions were quite considerate, Itsuki’s expression was far from that positive good feeling emotion. No, it was more like there was tension between them.

“T-Thank you, and I apologize Master Itsuki.” Shisuki said as she presented a bow.

“There is no need for that here. We’re not in the Eastern Bloc, so common etiquette of your homeland isn’t necessary. Also, we’re all equals here. It is best that you remember that.”

“I will, thank you, Itsuki.”

“Huh? Master Itsuki?” Stella was confused, had they met before, and why the honorific and respect.

To Stella, Itsuki was just that strange yet powerful grunt type explorer. But that was thanks to her newfound hindsight and she thought Shisuki would initially see Itsuki as nothing special.

“How in the world do you know her?”

“Well.” Itsuki shrugged and told Stella. “Shisuki here is about 20 years old. She and I are close in age and generations to each other, so we met under some circumstances when I was doing business in the Eastern Bloc.”

“Itsuki! A woman’s age isn’t something you should talk about.” Shisuki said indignantly.

“I apologize, but don’t worry, that isn’t your actual age going by my math?”

“Hmmm, you are correct, but still, a woman’s age is a secret.”

“Then I’ll endeavor to not talk about it again. But right now, it’s time that you two received your punishment.”

Suddenly materializing a couple buckets and mops, Itsuki threw them to Stella and Shisuki, who caught and looked at them oddly.

“You have 24 hours to clean the auditorium. Should you fail, you’ll both be suspended, and this will go on your permanent record. Be glad that I haven’t put in a request for your expulsion. Using your manifested weapons in public is usually grounds for an arrest. Additionally, I’ll be sending the duchy of Crimsonia a bill for my injuries.”

“You will?” Stella asked, dumbfounded by why he would do so. ”You look fine though. Are you just being petty at how you couldn’t dodge one of my punches?” Itsuki didn’t seem like he was in any real pain or all that injured.

“Not really.” He said matter of factly. “I think half of my ribs are broken on my right side and my right lung is punctured. Ahem!” Coughing into his hand, everyone nearby saw him hack up a mouthful of blood. Alarm bells rang in their heads, but Itsuki shrugged it off as if it were no issue.

“Itsuki!” Ikki shouted. “Are you really going to be fine? That’s a lot of blood, more than I’ve seen you shed in the past.”

“I’m fine, this nothing really I..Ahem!” Coughing another mouthful of blood, Itsuki stood on somewhat shaky legs. “Just need to get to the hospital. I’ll check on your progress with the cleaning later. Amanda? I’m going to need you to handle my work for half of today, just make sure not to break the computer. Ahem! Hak! Ah, all this blood is really killing my throat.”

“Uh? Alright? But shouldn’t you be…I don’t know….in any pain? It’s odd that you’re talking so clearly.”

Usually, Amanda would bite back for his comment about her luck with computer skills, but she was too weirded out by his lack of any real urgency to his health. Itsuki just shrugged, making a grunting sound as if saying, well I don’t know how to explain it and it doesn’t matter anyway.

With an odd goodbye, Itsuki walked off as people stared at him in both fear and concern.

But no one wanted to approach him since they saw him as strange. Itsuki knew that and would not put it past them for not getting involved with a weird guy like him.

“That guy, he’s one real piece of work.” Amanda mumbled, storming off as she knew she couldn’t dilly dally here for long. When Itsuki assigned her work, he meant really hard work. So giving a rushed farewell, Amanda left, leaving Ikki to handle Stella and Shisuki, who were already glaring at each other with blaming eyes.

Feeling as if he had drawn the short straw, Ikki heaved a sigh.

“Why did this have to happen?”

***[HOURS LATER]***

With a mop and bucket of water, Stella and Shisuki had begun to wash and wipe down every single seat and table in the auditorium. And for a place that just housed thousands of people, it was a grueling grind to get everything done in 24 hours.

“This is degrading.” Stella groaned. “This is all your fault, if it weren’t for your indecency with Ikki, then none of this would have happened.”

“Well excuse me “princess”, If you find this too degrading for your “noble” blood, then why don’t you just leave and get expelled, you’d be doing me and my brother a favor if you did.”

“Hmph! I’ll have you know that that’s too bad. I! AM HIS ROOMMATE! And we’re close, like rivals, so you best remember that!”

“Well you don’t deserve to be his roommate! Or rival!”

“And why’s that! Why do you get to decide? If you haven’t noticed, you don’t get to decide! So tell me! Why don’t I deserve to be his roommate or rival?”

“You wouldn’t understand.” Shisuki scoffed, pushing her mop along the floor in anger.

“Oh no you don’t, you’re not brushing my question off that easy. Why? Tell me why?”

But Shisuki wasn’t listening, she ignored Stella, continuing to mop as if she wasn’t there. Believing that Stella was just a ghost she could ignore. Irritated, Stella yanked the mop from her hand and confronted her.

“Tell me, WHY!”

Shisuki stayed silent and was about to walk past Stella. She herself pushed back, only to be met by Stella’s haughty gaze.

“You won’t understand.” Shisuki hissed. “A rich girl like you, who comes from a family with everything just won’t understand.”

“Understand what! Come on, tell me!”

“Grrrr.” Shisuki growled, disgusted by Stella’s insistent badgering. Her cool attitude was brought to a boil by Stella’s heated determination to prove she had the right, which only further got on Shisuki’s nerve. Brought to a breaking point as she was pushed back once again, Shisuki had had enough.

“IT'S BECAUSE YOU DON’T KNOW OR UNDERSTAND THE SUFFERING MY BROTHER HAD TO ENDURE FROM OUR FAMILY! NO ONE DOES! NO ONE BUT ME! AND HIM! A PRINCESS LIKE YOU WHO HAS EVERYTHING, COULD NEVER UNDERSTAND WHAT IT TAKES TO LIVE LIKE WE DID!”

She exploded on Stella, Shisuki’s outburst causing Stella to become dumbfounded. The volume of Shisuki’s voice was incredibly loud, but the hurt and desperate tone held in her words told Stella that something was wrong.

What does she mean? What did She and Ikki go through? Am I missing something?

Shisuki realized that she had said too much and promptly swiped her mop back from Stella, who was in a daze. With the mop being removed from her hand, Stella came back to herself and was about to ask Shisuki for more information.

Before she could, Shisuki walked off in the other direction, intending to clean another part of the auditorium.

Stella chased her and tried to pry for more information, but Shisuki’s lips were sealed tight. A silence hung between them and the peace didn't last long.

“Flat as a Board.” Stella mumbled.

“Saggy Grandma.” Shisuki mumbled back.

“Wet Rag.”

“Fat ass!”

“Under Inflated Doll.”

“Overinflated Sex Doll.”

As they both continued to hail obscenities at each other, Itsuki and Amanda watched from an undisclosed location in the auditorium, checking their progress.

When Itsuki came back looking good as new and the bloodstains on his shirt now gone, Amanda breathed a bit easier. Still, it felt strange to see him go from being so bloodied up and then fine a couple of hours later. It was off putting.

But after Itsuki’s insistence to get back to work like usual, Amanda refocused.

“This is bad.” Amanda said as she gave the binoculars she was just using to Itsuki.

“It’s worse than I thought.” Itsuki replied. “Hah… I guess she changed a lot in the years I was away.”

“Yeah, speaking of which, how do you know Ikki’s big sister again?”

“I knew her through a friend of a friend. I think I was about 8 when I met her and it was my first year as a licensed explorer. Those were some good memories, they were peaceful, unlike today.”

“I see, wait….huh? 8?”

“Yes, 8? What’s wrong with that?”

“No, I mean, just..uh? How old are you again? The online records don’t list the age of students, so I’m not really sure. I remember you said you were over 20 years old once, right?”

“Yeah…And?”

“Is it in the low? Or the High?”

Itsuki stared at Amanda blankly with judgmental eyes. Asking, why would you ask that? And his eyes telling her It doesn’t matter.

“You don’t need to know, so I’m not answering.”

“Oh come on, at least tell me this!”

“Nope!”

Shut down with a curt response, Amanda gave up. She could tell Itsuki wasn’t budging. But really? 8 years old? He was 8 when he met Shisuki and she’s about 20 right now? But that isn’t her real age, so just how old are they? Also, wait, he was an explorer at 8! Years! OLD! Just what kind of background does he come from?

Amanda began to notice that there were a lot of holes in her knowledge about Itsuki. Of all the people she knew, she had a good understanding of most people’s background. She was talkative and really attentive to the bonds she made with her fellow classmates.

Helping them settle in as Itsuki’s assistance was fun to her, so she knew many first years well enough to call them acquaintances.

But Itsuki, she understood more of his attitude but not where he got it from, just what was his family, no, his life like?