My mother and father would like to personally teach me about growing up, realization and honesty. My father would once ask
“Young man, what are powers to you?”
I’d reply with
“Father, powers are weapons, are they not?”
I’d remember, my father would shake his head to my silly responses.
“Young man, there is no correct answer to my question. Powers can mean anything. Destruction to blessings. It’s the user that chooses what they do with their power. I say no more.”
I wouldn’t understand. I’d look up to my mother hoping for a response, but she would only smile.
Her smile is etched into my memory. The beloved words and warmth that was presented in front of me, how I could only be grateful.
The man I’d call my father was an inspiration and symbol of hope to my town, and my mother was considered an angel who came down on this earth to heal us of our suffering. I was gifted, yet I was so uncompromisingly foolish to grow up so fast, because time fell fast, too fast. It was at the age 9 that I would last see my parents before they were deployed, ordered by the Specialist Faculty Division against the expeditious uprising of darkness. All I can remember is my father's rough but comforting voice and my mother’s sweet and innocent voice telling me, while hugging me
“We’ll be back, don’t worry. I love you.”
They never came back.
The day they left, I lived with my Grandfather. At least in the 3 months, before I received word of my parents gone missing, I would have always run away into a flower field, laying down in the middle, looking up to the sky. I’ve always thought to myself how the blossoms symbolize rebirth, resurrection. The moment after I’ve received word, I’d only go crying, running off back to the field of flowers. The flowers would bloom and I have stood in the middle of the field watching the flowers blossom. At that moment, my two idols, my ideal heroes, my parents. My parents were gone. I could no longer feel the warmth of their hugs. I could no longer hear their comforting voices. I could no longer hear my father teach me, and my mother pamper me. At this point, I’ve gotten used to the pain, and my life was equivelant to nothing. My purpose in this world? Meaningless. It’s utter bullsh- I, interrupted, wake up abruptly to that annoying alarm clock. I stretch on my bed, then I stuff my head in my pillow. I heft my head
“Oh my God, the day came..”
I look at my clock and I see it's 6:46 AM. My face just turned purple, and I remember something..
“Shit! Class starts at 8:45 AM…”
I sprint around the house in an attempt to complete my routine but I have been cut short of reaching the bathroom by Ojiisan (grandfather).
“Daisaku-san, it was very irresponsible to stay up late. Look what you've done. You might come in late on your first day of high school. Honestly, I’ve warned you to stop staying up late reading manga. Aren’t you too old for that now, anyway?”
I pout as I look at Soro Ito, my grandfather.
“No one is ever too old for manga! Besides, I have no time to worry about this matter now since the deed has already been done. Accept that! Now move so I can continue my routine, Jiji!”
“Don’t call me Jiji. It’s so informal. And you used deed incorrectly you fool! Such disrespect will not be tolerated. I oughta…”
I look at Jiji, watching him sigh.
“I’m too old for this. Get ready and breakfast is done. Hurry up so you won’t be as late on your first day.”
I laugh after what he said, I have a secret route I can sprint through to make it to high school on time if I leave at the right moment.
Daisaku Ito finishes brushing his teeth, putting on his first year school uniform and after, eating breakfast. Completing his routine, he would run straight out the door and down an alleyway and off on his way to his first day of high school.
I fall down on my knees as I’m panting. I look up to see the high school and I realize how huge it is. It is so visibly different from the website’s home page display of the school, and honestly, this may be an issue. I have issues with people, mainly because they were gifted. They were gifted with many things. I was gifted, and my gift has been taken away from me. I understand about my parents death, and it doesn’t really affect me the way it did before. That I have moved on from. However, I’m literally equivelant to nothing. Reason being is-
“Yo, you good?”
I turn my head and see a masculine boy with a first year uniform. He looked like an ideal kid, one of the popular kids in school. Though, this was high school, and everyone is new to each other.
“Yeah, I- I’m fine.”
“Oh. Okay. Well uh, do you have a name?”
“Obviously I would have a name. Why wouldn’t I?” and I stare at the gifted boy, the wonderful born child with perfect appearance.
“Oh, uh yeah.” the boy chuckled nervously. I think I’m already off at a bad start. I can’t be the same way I was in middle school.. Alone. In middle school, I was ignored because of my power, my personality and having no talents whatsoever.. As much as it hurted me before, I don’t care now. I believe the time I was alone were lessons to learn. And my inability to do anything is just fine so that I don’t have to put up with any work.
“Well, what is your name?” I look away in an attempt to just ignore him and pretend I didn’t hear him ask for my name.
“My name is Akio Takahashi.” His name is so enthusiastic, and so is his appearance. I hear the bell ring signifying that class is about to begin. The route I ran? It helped me get here. However, that would be meaningless if I just stood here talking with this invigorating being.
“I have to get to class.” And I turn my back, and walk off to the hallway.
I enter the hallway, and I wander around the first floor looking for Class-S. First Years would be on the first floor of course.
I find my class 3 minutes early, and I am very intrigued that I found it so easily. I open the door and see students scattered around, talking to their friends, using their phones, laughing, having fun. Seems no different from middle school.. I find a seat at the back of the class in the corner next to the window. Looking from inside of the school and out in the yard was amazing. The cherry blossom trees lined up perfectly across the entrance, and the trees scattered around the yard, blossoming cherry blossoms were so beautiful. I couldn’t even begin to explain how beautiful it was. It is almost like I’m looking at a piece of art. My eyes are so caught up in the beauty that lay beyond them. Though I just noticed, how did I not notice these cherry blossom trees walking into school? It could just be me rushing into school trying to ignore that perplexing masculine boy and trying to make it to class on time.The teacher walks in, and I am interrupted in my sight seeing. A woman, 5’4, quite average looking, though she seems very strict, yet young.
“Alright, class. Find your own seats. I don’t care where you sit, just don’t be reckless during class.”
Everyone ran to their seats, and I just sit here in my chair, amused by how obedient everyone was. Though, this high school was the city's finest high school for powers.
“Look here. I will be addressed here as Tanaka-sensei when present among other teachers. Here you will address me as sensei. Common sense, right? Anyway, as this is your first day, I hope to learn from you and experience what you are all capable of. We have only one school year, so let's make everyday count. Now, before we continue, I will call everyone's name. Please say present when your name has been called.”
Sensei began to call out student names. I didn’t pay much attention. I could hear students saying present like they are supposed to and a few students in one part of the classroom saying and doing other things like making a farting noise and saying a few other random stuff. I notice the teacher giving them this deadly stare. Actually, the stare she just gave off looked like Jiji’s, but possibly scarier. Well, it shut up the students who were goofing off. Yet, one caught my attention.
Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit.
“Eiichi Saito.”
“Present.”
I could see Saito raise his hand as he said present. I remember his name. He was in the National Faculty Competition, NFC for short, and he made it top 20. I saw him on television. His faculty is rare. Fire Fusillade. Using his mana, he can use fire as missiles. His accuracy may not be sharp, but his faculty has an area of effect. Every time a missile makes contact with anything, it will fulminate its mana force casted by the user and knock back anything in it’s area of effect. He has tons of potential, and he may be the best in our class. In fact, possibly our grade.
“Daisaku Ito.”
“Pre-Present!”
I have been caught off guard. I was going over his ability and I was completely distracted. I stuttered, probably making me seem like such an introvert. Well, I don’t care anymore. I won’t try changing. Chances are, I won’t find any friends here. I might as well just get over it. I suppose high school students want to believe they are having the time of their life, even though they have doubts and such. It’s all a lie.
“Now, let’s begin going over some rules in this class. There is no faculty usage here without consent of a teacher. In fact, this actually applies to the whole school-”
And class started and went on
“Now, I hope you all know how our faculty works. If you don’t, I worry for you. Anyway, we’re going to review it. You see, our quintessence produces mana. We then can extract mana by using phrases to summon mana circles that will cast our faculty out from the spiritual world into this world. That is just the basic concept. Very simple. Though if you go into the medical field, you will understand its complexities. However, if you aren’t, you don’t even need to worry about it. Right, there goes introductory. Now, we’re going onto basic education, you’ll learn faculty education in the assigned classes. As you know, this is math class-”
And class.. went on.
Class is 5 minutes away from ending. I see Tanaka-sensei raise her hand trying to get everyone's attention.
“Alright, before class ends, I need to let you all know about clubs. Club submissions, optional, will be due by the end of this week. You will find all the clubs in the building behind the school. I suggest going around checking clubs that interest you first then decide by Wednesday to choose which club you are interested in. Alright, good luck in your next class.”
Next class.. I have faculty education next, then lunch and then other basic classes based on my Agenda. My schedule changes on Tuesday and Thursday, since I have gym.
I hear a bell ring, and I am sure that is signifying that class is over. I see students pouring out of our classroom and the classrooms in front of ours. I can already tell the hallways are going to be filled with students. I decide to wait until the hallways die down a bit.
A few minutes pass by, and Daisaku Ito begins to walk out and in the hallway, trying to find Class-D, Faculty Education.
I find Class-D, and I walk in, and I see students already in their seat and a slim, tall man behind the teacher's desk. The seats in the back were already occupied, so I just find and take a seat in the middle of the class, two seats away from the window. Sure, I can see out the window. Though, I don’t want other people thinking I am staring at them, so that is an issue.
“Alright, the 2nd Period starts now.”
The teacher slams his book closed with one hand and lays it gently on his desk, stands, and walks in front of the chalkboard.
“I am Kobayashi-sensei, your teacher that will teach you what I am assigned to teach about faculties. You’re all first years, so you’ll be taking the first year course. I’m sure that most of you already know that even if you are assigned a faculty, there are other basic skills that can be used if your faculty belongs in an element. As you can see-”
I see Kobayashi-sensei raise his hand in the air and chant-
“Shine.”
Kobayashi-sensei summons a magic circle in front of my eyes and a light beam flows out of the magic circle, illuminating the room even more.
“I belong in the elements of thunder and water. Usually, everyone belongs to at least 2 elements. It is rare to even belong in 3 elements. They are usually recommended into Special Faculty Divisions that deploy where needed. Think of it as a special forces for our military. Even though guns are deadly, trained Faculty users can become a powerful source. Now today we aren’t going to get into the Special Faculty Divisions. This trimester, we are going to be getting into depth of basic skills and learning about the elements you belong in. The only way you can find which elements you belong in is by doing a series of tasks and training with your quintessence. You’ll need help from a professional, FYI, me. Now, since this is your first day we’re just going to go and get used to each other. I want everyone in this class, when it is your turn, to say your name and explain your Faculty to everyone. We will begin with the seats next to the window in the first row then move onto the next and so on. Begin.”
This is going to hurt. My power isn’t something that I should be sharing. It is actually very bad if I share it. I might be treated like an outcast again because of my faculty. I have all the time in the world to prepare since I am on the opposite side of the room from the windows, though I don’t know how to put it in a way that won’t make me seem the way everyone saw me in middle school..
Students stand and present their name and explain their faculty. Daisaku’s turn was up next.
“My name is Himari Hagiwara-”
I heard a female student behind me present her name, and I have been caught off guard because I was drifting off, thinking of what I should say. I turn around and see a girl in red hair, appears to be 5’3 and crimson eyes. I loved the color of crimson. It fit her. She looked different from the other female students. She looked more beautiful. Though, I notice how she is sitting further away from the popular bunch. I thought someone like her would be sitting with the popular girl-
“Hey! Pay attention!”
I jump out of my seat and I notice that the girl has finished her introductions. I am confused now, but I quickly come to my senses and I stand up straight and face towards the front of the room, stiff as a statue.
“I am Daisaku Ito, and my Faculty is Dim Conflagration.”
I notice the class turn their seats towards me in awe.
“Actually.. The name of the faculty doesn’t mean anything because all I can do is just summon a small dim fire out of my hand. It doesn’t burn or do anything. It’s all for show.. That is basically it..”
I sigh and begin to take a seat. A few seconds later the class just ignores me and appears that they forgot all about me, but I wouldn’t be surprised. With such a weak faculty, who WOULD care about my abilities? Even I don’t care about my abilities.
“My name is Daichi Goya. My faculty is called Manipulation. Anything I touch or anything that touches me becomes my puppet until I release it.”
The class, again, stares in awe. I was even surprised. That is a very powerful faculty that can be used in battle. Maybe too OP.. Though considering his weaknesses, he can’t use it against people from a further distance. If someone had a faculty that can be used from distance, that might be an issue for him.
The rest of the students went on and we finally finished up on that activity.
“Alrighty, not bad faculties you have there. They all sound intriguing. I’m interested in seeing you all understand what you are capable of at the end of this school year. For the rest of this class, we’ll just talk about what you are planning to achieve at the end of the year.”
And at the end of year, I understand that I will achieve nothing…
The end of class comes, and I again, see everyone flooding out of their classes and scrambling all around in the hallway. It’s lunch time now, so I might as well go back to my home room, and if you didn’t know my homeroom it’s Class-S. Actually I’ll find somewhere else to eat. I want to eat where the cherry blossom trees stand.
I make my way to the entrance of the school and choose a cherry blossom tree to sit at and eat. The wind pressing against my body gave me satisfying chills, and I begin to eat my peanut butter sandwich. Though, I notice the girl with crimson eyes leaning on one of the trees, looking into the sky. I’ve finished at this point, so I head out and back to my next class.
Moments pass by and the school bell would be heard, telling its students that school is over.
“All students, please find your way out of the school before 15 minutes, as school is closing down. Club rooms will be opened today. First Years may begin exploring and applying in the clubs they choose.”
I hear a crack in the PA system before the message ended. I wait out 10 minutes just to let the other students leave so I can leave the school in peace.
After 10 minutes fly by, I walk out the class and over to the gate entrance. On my way to the open gate, I am interrupted by the slim, tall man that teaches Faculty Education.
“Kobayashi-sensei?”
“Speak no more. Just come with me.”
I hesitate, but Kobayashi-sensei just waits looking back at me. I can’t just not follow him..
Daisaku Ito follows Kobayashi-sensei over to the back of the school where the club building stood. They walked in and all the way to the top floor, and at the end of the hall.
“Kobayashi-sensei, what is going on?”
He just ignores me and opens a door leading into a room where the girl with crimson eyes and red hair sat. Sitting in the middle of the room, she was reading a book. She turns her head over our way and I look at Kobayashi-sensei. Before I could say anything, he points his finger towards the classroom. I walk in and Kobayashi-sensei follows behind me.
“Yes, Kobayashi-sensei?”
“You have a new club member.”
I drop my jaw and look at Kobayashi-sensei
“Wait, m-me?”
“This is the strongest student in your grade. I understand your faculty and I believe that you two could work together to help each other.”
“Kobayashi-sensei, he is completely weak. How could he help me? What would he help me with-”
“Alright, have fun you too. I know that you will enjoy this club, Ito.”
He completely dismissed what she was saying and walked out the room, and closed the door. I totally agree with what Hagiwara is trying to point out. Even more, my power is useless. Help me with what exactly?
“Are you just going to stand there for the rest of the day?”
I turn my head back to Himari Hagiwara
“Uhm, no. I’ll find a seat.”
I find seats and student desks stacked up in the back. I walk over to the pile of seats and struggle to take one out. I finally have a chair, and I place it down very far away from Himari Hagiwara.
How did things end up this way?