The first rays of the following Monday morning sun filtered through the tall, narrow windows of the academy's library, casting a warm glow on the rows of scrolls and leather bound books lining the walls and shelves. The library was, as always, a vast and serene space. It was filled with the scent of aged parchment and polished wooden desks. The tall shelves stood like silent sentinels, while low tables and cushioned chairs provided comfortable nooks for study.
Ishi sat at one of these tables, in a remote corner, surrounded by what looked to be a small fortress of scrolls. Perseus lazed on the table beside him, but still had one curious looking eye half cracked open, peering at the parchment he was currently engrossed in. The scroll detailed the final intricacies of Subspace crafting techniques, that he was now 99% sure Mr. Suru had come up with, a subject that had consumed his self-study time ever since coming to the academy.
His brow was beginning to show signs of wrinkles with how furrowed it had become in concentration. He traced the elegant script with his finger, trying his best to commit each detail to memory.
The soft rustle of turning pages, along with some students scribbling down a few notes, and the occasional creak of the library floor were the only sounds. It created a rather sombre atmosphere of quiet diligence. As he tore his eyes away from the scroll he mused to himself with a quick glance around him, ‘Damn, it’s only been a week since the academy year started! When I compare this to school in my old world there's absolutely no comparison. I guess people in this world have to hold themselves to a different standard when you consider that kids at the age of 10 are let out into the world with almost no supervision.’
Turning back to his task at hand he sighed and muttered, "Haaa, almost there Perseus," his voice barely above a whisper. "Just a few more details to cover."
"Fro Fro," Perseus replied softly, his one eye slightly wider than before, reflecting the lines of text as if trying to absorb the knowledge himself. ‘Silly frog,’ he thought while giving Percy an idle scratch just behind his two eyes, in the place Percy couldn’t reach himself but loved to be scratched. ‘Huh, I wonder if that's by design as well. Putting a pokemon's favourite spots just where they can’t reach so they have to form bonds with other pokemon or people.’ he wondered, a little bemused at his thought process. ‘Meh, who cares.’ he concluded with a shrug.
His hands then moved deftly, rolling up one scroll and unrolling another, his focus returning as if it had never left. a small smirk spread across his face as he returned to reading ‘Oh Aura how I abuse your uses.’ he thought as he quickly fired up his aura and circulated as much into his brain as possible, slowing the world around him down to a crawl.
This was his new favourite use for it that he’d discovered while experimenting at home with his Aura control. ‘Nothing beats having enough time to come up with a snappy comeback when it counts!’ It also went along well with his “Otherworldly Aura Cultivation Technique” and had sped up his progression with the technique, which was now on the way to 60% complete.
Returning to the subject of Subspace crafting that had proven to be both fascinating and complex. He had learned about the delicate balance of aura and material, the importance of precise measurements, and the various seals that could be used to enhance or manipulate the storage space within objects.
As he had delved deeper into the final scroll, a sense of accomplishment began to well up within him. He felt as if he were on the brink of understanding a crucial piece of the puzzle, one that would allow him to enhance his satchel in ways he had only dreamed of. ‘Oh if only I could rub this in the faces of all the engineers at my old workplace.’ He wished to himself as he thought back to the bastards that had fired him for low performance after his parents had suddenly passed away. ‘Oh well, I can’t even remember their names now.’ he thought while feeling a bit of the bitterness and resentment, that he’d probably been storing up for all thesis years and not fully realising it, flow out of him.
Now feeling much more refreshed, as if an invisible weight had been lifted that he hadn’t even realised was weighing him down, he began packing up his small fortress of scrolls. And a short while later the academy bell chimed, signalling the end of self-study. The melodious sound echoed through the library, stirring the students from their studies. He rolled up the last scroll, carefully placing it back in its designated spot.
"We did it, Perseus," he said, a satisfied smile spreading across his face. "I think we’ve learned all we can about Subspace crafting from these scrolls, now all that's left is trying our hand at it."
"Kie kie fro," Perseus croaked in agreement, both of his eyes now wide and shining with excitement, even if he probably didn’t fully comprehend what he was talking about.
With a sense of accomplishment, he gathered his belongings, making sure to leave the library as pristine as he had found it. The pair headed towards their classroom, the anticipation of the day's events building within them. Today was not just any day; it was the promised day of the sparring session between classmates.
As they walked through the academy's corridors, students hurried to their classes, their conversations buzzing with whatever they seemed to find important. And he couldn't help but feel a thrill of anticipation. The opportunity to test his skills against his peers, to see where he stood in the hierarchy of the class, was something he had been looking forward to all of last week. ‘Please let me fight the stuck up princess,’ he prayed with his hands together while pointing them skyward.
Upon entering the classroom, he was greeted by the familiar sight of his classmates chatting animatedly, most of their Pokémon partners by their sides. The air was thick with a mix of nervous energy and excitement.
Sensei Monji, with his tall and imposing figure but kind and firm demeanour, stood at the front of the class. His sharp eyes scanned the room, ensuring everyone was present and ready.
"Good morning, everyone," Sensei Monji began, his voice commanding attention. "Today is a significant day. We will be heading to the training hall for our scheduled sparring session, as I told you last monday. This will be your chance to demonstrate what you've learned so far and to gauge your abilities against your classmates."
The students listened intently, their faces a mixture of eagerness and apprehension.
"Before we begin," Sensei Monji continued, "we'll have a brief warm-up session. Follow me to the training hall."
The class moved as one, following Sensei Monji through the academy's corridors. The anticipation grew with each step, and Ishi's mind raced with thoughts of the upcoming matches. Perseus mirrored his excitement, hopping alongside him with an eager croak. ‘This’ll be my first real fight against another person,’ he thought to himself as he walked. ‘I’ll refrain from using aura as that’ll make this way too easy, besides I’m hoping to get a few stats out of this spar.’
The training hall , they moved to a spacious arena that was clearly designed to accommodate various types of training and sparring. The walls were lined with an assortment of training equipment, from wooden dummies to weighted bags, and the floor was marked with several sparring circles.
"Alright, everyone," Sensei Monji said, turning to face the class. "Take a few minutes to warm up and get ready. We'll start the sparring matches shortly."
Ishi and Perseus began their warm-up routine, stretching and practising basic moves to get their blood flowing. Around them, their classmates did the same, the energy in the room palpable.
As he moved through his exercises, he couldn't help but steal glances at his classmates. Each one was focused, determined to prove themselves. The upcoming matches would be a true test of their abilities, and he was just as eager to see where he stood among them.
With the warm-up complete, Sensei Monji called the class to attention. "Listen carefully," he instructed. "The sparring matches will be one-on-one, and I'll be observing to provide feedback. Remember, this is a learning experience. Show respect to your opponents and give it your all."
Ishi felt a surge of adrenaline as he prepared for his match.
***
Sensei Monji stood before the eager group of students, his authoritative presence commanding their full attention. The floor was marked with several sparring rings, each surrounded by a low barrier. The worn wooden floor and the scuffs on the barriers bore testament to the countless battles fought here over the years.
"Listen up, everyone," Sensei Monji began, his voice echoing in the large hall. "Today, we will be holding a sparring tournament. The rules are simple. If you step out of the ring or get knocked out, you lose. If I see that you can't continue the fight, I'll end the match and declare the winner. If your opponent forfeits, then you win. Absolutely no use of weapons or Ninja Tricks. This is purely hand-to-hand combat. Anyone caught breaking the rules will fail."
The students nodded, understanding the seriousness of the rules.
"I've carefully selected your opponents based on your performance this past week," Sensei Monji continued. "Your sparring partner will be of roughly the same strength and skill. This way, no one will have an unfair advantage."
The author's tale has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.
Excitement buzzed through the group as they awaited their matchups. Sensei Monji began calling out names, pairing students for the sparring matches.
"Ishi versus Shigeru," Sensei Monji announced. Ishi's heart skipped a beat, a mixture of excitement and nerves flooding through him. He glanced at Shigeru, who met his gaze with a determined expression. ‘Mwahahaha! Let the beatdown begin!’ he thought, the evil grin displayed on his face causing Shigeru to shiver slightly.
"Senpei versus Raion," Monji continued. Senpei exchanged a nod with Raion, both ready for the challenge ahead.
"Ivy versus Midori," Monji finished. Ivy's eyes narrowed as she looked at Midori, who stood with an air of arrogance. ‘Well at least it’s Ivy who can put that brat in her place.’ He thought to himself while giving Ivy an encouraging nod.
Sensei Monji then read out the rest of the pairings and then moved to the referee’s spot while the students formed a loose circle around the sparring ring. The ring itself was marked with faded white lines, the floor bearing the scars of countless past battles.
Sensei Monji stepped into the centre of the ring. "We're starting with Ishi and Shigeru. The rest of you, pay close attention and learn from what you see."
Ishi and Shigeru moved to the centre of the ring, each sizing up the other. Perseus stood by Ishi's side, croaking softly in encouragement. Shigeru's Espurr mirrored the gesture, its eyes glowing faintly.
"Ready?" Sensei Monji asked, raising his hand. Both boys nodded, their eyes locked in determination. "Begin!"
Ishi and Shigeru circled each other, their movements cautious and measured. The students looked in awe as they witnessed what was certainly going to be an intense fight. They all knew these two were the best in class, even though some of them wouldn't admit it out loud.
Shigeru made the first move, lunging forward with a quick jab. Ishi dodged, countering with a low kick aimed at Shigeru's legs. Shigeru leaped back, narrowly avoiding the hit. The ring was filled with the sounds of their swift movements and the occasional grunt of exertion.
The fight continued, both boys displaying impressive skill and agility. Ishi managed to land a few hits, but Shigeru's quick reflexes kept him from taking any serious damage. They were evenly matched, each move countered by the other.
Perseus watched intently from the sidelines, his eyes following every movement. "Fro kie," he croaked softly, urging Ishi on.
Shigeru's Espurr, equally invested, meowed encouragement to its partner.
After several intense minutes, with both of them landing a couple glancing blows to one another, Ishi saw an opening. He feinted to the left, drawing Shigeru's attention, then spun to the right, landing a solid backfist to Shigeru's temple. Shigeru staggered, and Ishi pressed his advantage, delivering a series of quick blows that left Shigeru unable to recover fully. With one final well-placed side kick to Shigeru’s midsection, he knocked Shigeru out of the ring.
"Match over! Winner: Ishi Sukauto," Sensei Monji declared.
Confirmed. Quest Progression:
You Have Displayed Your Determination To Become A Diamond Among Gems! Achieve The Goal You Have Set For Yourself And Become The Top Student In The Advanced Class!
Progress: 2.8%
‘I’ll take it, a shame I didn't earn any new stat points though.’ He thought, with a contented smile, while dismissing the notification. The students erupted in applause, the tension breaking as they cheered for the hard-fought match. Ishi went over to try and help Shigeru to his feet, but his outstretched hand was battered away as Shigeru stood up on his own. Both boys shared a respectful nod, even if Shigeru’s was much more hostile than Ishi’s. ‘He’s still an eight year old I suppose.’ He mused with a shrug.
"Great fight, Shigeru," Ishi said, his breath coming in short gasps.
"You too, Ishi," Shigeru replied, a thin smile on his lips that clearly wasn't all that sincere considering the glint in his eyes.
Next, it was Senpei and Raion's turn. The two boys stepped into the ring, their Pokémon partners watching from the sidelines. Sensei Monji gave the signal, and the match began.
Senpei leaped to the side, trying to mirror Shigeru’s quick movements. Raion, though smaller in stature, displayed impressive speed and strength. The two boys clashed in a flurry of punches and kicks, Senpei was more on the defensive which surprised Ishi but Senpei looked like he had a plan so he wasn’t too worried, each trying to outmanoeuvre the other.
Senpei's agility eventually gave him an edge, allowing him to dodge many of Raion's attacks. However, Raion's aggressiveness and raw power kept the fight fairly balanced. The students watched intently, fascinated by the contrast in fighting styles.
After a gruelling exchange, Senpei managed to finally outmanoeuvre Raion, landing a decisive blow that knocked him down and he was able to capitalise and pin him into submission. The students erupted in cheers once more as Sensei Monji announced Senpei as the winner.
"Well done, Senpei," Monji praised. "Raion, excellent effort."
Next, it was Ivy and Midori's turn. Ivy stood confidently and smiled softly as she heard Snivy call out behind her, while Midori's air of arrogance only seemed to grow as the smug brat seemed to waltz into the ring. As the match began, Ivy moved with a poise and controlled precision that belied her young age. Midori, though skilled, was clearly immediately outmatched and her facade of superiority began to crumble at the continuous onslaught Ivy gave her.
Ishi and Senpei’s jeers at her and encouragement for Ivy also seemed to grate against her pride as she clenched her jaw and tried to endure.
Ivy's movements were fluid, her strikes precise. She quickly gained the upper hand and refused to let Midori react at all, using her agility to dodge Midori's attacks and counter with well-placed blows. Within minutes, Ivy landed a final strike that sent Midori sprawling, and she tumbled out of the ring with a rather undignified shriek.
"Winner: Ivy Shinobu," Sensei Monji declared, his voice filled with pride and a little amusement at the state Midori was now in.
The students cheered loudly, their respect for Ivy evident. Ivy helped Midori to his feet, offering a few words of encouragement despite her clear annoyance.
The rest of the matches concluded, after a few more minutes and Sensei Monji gathered the class. "You all did exceptionally well today. Remember, these matches are about learning and improving. Take what you've experienced today and use it to grow stronger."
The students nodded, their spirits both high and low from the day's events. Ishi felt a surge of pride, as he and his friends had all come out victorious in today's sparring, eager to continue his training and see how far he could go.
As the class dispersed for a short break, Ishi, Senpei and Ivy all shared a look of mutual respect and excitement for the future battles that awaited them.
***
With the matches concluded, and after the short break Sensei Monji called for the students to regroup in front of him and to listen. He started with Ishi, as he had been the first winner of the sparring session. "Ishi, your movements are precise, and you have excellent situational awareness. However, work on your decisiveness. An opponent won’t always have an opening so you should try and force your opponent to give you one instead of waiting for one to appear. More quick and intense matches might prove challenging."
Next was Shigeru. "Shigeru, you have quick reflexes and good defensive strategies. Focus on increasing your offensive capabilities to balance your fighting style."
He moved to Senpei. "Senpei, your agility is impressive, and you adapt quickly. Improve your strength to ensure your attacks have more impact."
Raion was next. "Raion, you have raw power and persistence. Work on your speed and flexibility to become a more well-rounded fighter."
Ivy received her feedback with a calm demeanour. "Ivy, your precision and grace are excellent. Focus on anticipating your opponent's moves to gain the upper hand more effectively."
He continued with the rest of the class, giving each student personalised advice to help them grow stronger. The students listened intently, absorbing the wisdom their Sensei shared.
After the critiques, Sensei Monji announced that they should continue with the conditioning training and return to the basics. Ishi, Senpei, and Ivy gathered in a corner of the training hall to get a little space as they began their conditioning training with a balance beam.
"That was an intense session," Senpei said as he tried to maintain his balance along the thin piece of soft wood. "You guys did great."
"You too, Senpei," Ishi replied, watching his friend begin the journey back. "You're getting stronger."
"I agree," Ivy added, her Snivy resting beside her, as if she was the one who competed in the spar. "We all have areas to improve, but we did well today."
They spent a few minutes giving each other playful guff and friendly advice. Ishi shared tips on endurance training, Senpei talked about agility drills, and Ivy discussed strategic movements.
After they’d completed their conditioning training, Sensei Monji called them back. "Alright, everyone, listen up. We'll be repeating this sparring exercise weekly to track your progress. But for now, let's head to the obstacle course."
Excitement buzzed through the group as they moved to the obstacle course area. The course was a complex arrangement of hurdles, climbing walls, balance beams, and other challenges designed to test their physical abilities and agility.
"Today's focus will be on agility and speed," Sensei Monji explained. "Run the course as fast as you can, but remember, technique is just as important as speed."
The students lined up, eager to tackle the course. One by one, they sprinted through the obstacles, each giving their best effort. Ishi felt a surge of adrenaline as he navigated the course, leaping over hurdles and scaling walls with Perseus by his side.
Perseus mirrored Ishi's movements, hopping nimbly from obstacle to obstacle, their movements almost synchronised.
The rest of the day flew by for Ishi. The obstacle course was followed by more physical training, shuriken throwing practice, and a final session on the village's history along with some basic maths and other subjects . The lessons were engaging, but Ishi's mind kept drifting back to the sparring match and the advice Sensei Monji had given him.
As the final bell chimed, signalling the end of the school day, Ishi felt a sense of fulfilment and excitement for the challenges ahead. He gathered his belongings and met up with Senpei and Ivy at the academy entrance.
"Ready to head home?" he asked, a peaceful smile on his face.
"Definitely," Senpei replied. "But first, let's get some more training in. I want to work on those moves Sensei Monji mentioned."
"I'm in," Ivy agreed. "Let's keep pushing ourselves."
Ishi couldn't help but feel grateful for his friends and the journey they were all embarking on together. The path to becoming true ninjas was long and challenging, but with Perseus and his friends by his side, Ishi knew they could overcome any obstacle.