1 EXT. On a sidewalk – MORNING
I talked with Aki yesterday. I told her about dad passing away, but I saw that she was having a hard time, so I decided not to go into too much detail.
Devi asked me to join him today. Apparently, he has an important battle at his school, and everyone is allowed to watch. Even non-students.
We are now walking towards the Tokyo Bunkyo Spirit-Master High-School. Most schools in the country are just ordinary educational institutes, but apparently every prefecture has a few special schools that are heavily involved with Spirit-Master battles. Everyone who wants to pursue a career as a Spirit-Master attends there. Devi’s school is one of the 5 special schools in the Tokyo Prefecture. A pre-requisite for going to this school, is that you must have formed a contract with a spirit. Otherwise, you cannot even apply.
Devi: So, you talked with mom yesterday? About dad and all.
Dani: Kind off.
Devi: I still think something is off about the whole situation. Why would they both lie to us.
Dani: I agree, but there must be a good reason for it. I saw that she was hurting so I’d feel bad prying her for information. It is best to leave it as it is.
Devi: You are probably right.
Dani: By the way, are you sure I am allowed to go to your school today?
Devi: Yes, it is Friday. On Friday everyone is allowed on school grounds since there are no classes. Only battles.
Dani: But if everyone is allowed. WHY AM I WEARING YOUR OLD UNIFORM?
Devi starts laughing.
Devi: I don’t know. Mom was all excited about it.
Earlier this morning, Aki was taking pictures of me and Devi in our uniforms. She was sobbing and saying all sorts of stuff like: ‘My two boys look so cute going to school together like this’.
Dani: She had absolutely no trouble adapting to this ‘having two sons’ thing, now did she?
Devi: I guess not. That is just how she is though. She wears her heart on her sleeve.
Devi smiles
Dani: So, this battle of yours today. What is that about?
Devi: Ah yes! If I win today, I will finally enter the top 10 from our school. Reaching the top 10 in your second year is a big deal. Let alone this early in the year.
Dani: Oh, yeah. I remember you saying something about being ranked 11th during our battle. What’s up with those rankings?
Devi: Basically, every single student in the school is ranked, based on the number of points they have collected.
Dani: Everyone? How many people are we talking about?
Devi: The school has 3 years. There are 3 classes in each year. Each class has 33 students. So that is…
Dani: So, there are a total of 297 students, and these are all ranked?
Devi: Correct. The more points you have collected, the higher you are ranked.
I guess him being 11th is actually sort off impressive then.
2 EXT. School campus - MORNING
We finally arrived at the school. I immediately notice the designated battle zones on the school grounds. Fights are taking place everywhere around me. This must be heaven.
Devi was right, there are not only students but also many spectators and even kids with uniforms from other schools. There are also all sorts of food stands and music. It looks like a festival.
In the middle of the campus is a huge arena. There are screens on each side of the arena which showcase the ranking of all students. This is amazing. That arena is huge.
Dani: Does that belong to the school too?
Devi: Yes. That is where the highest-ranking battles take place, since they attract a lot of visitors. My battle is there as well. Impressive right?
Dani: I guess.
I acted indifferent but that actually looks so cool. I want to fight there too!
We end up watching a random battle at one of the battle zones.
Dani: So how do you even collect these points to increase your rank?
Devi: That is very simple. You can challenge anyone at school and if they accept, you decide together how much each fighter wagers. You can see the information from both fighters on that screen.
Devi points at the screen that stands on the other side of the battle zone. On the screen I can see pictures from both the battlers. Under their picture it states their names, current rank, and the amount that they each wagered.
Dani: Why does that guy wager more than the other guy?
Devi: They decided together that this was a fair amount. The guy who wagers less is ranked noticeably lower, so he is probably less skilled.
Dani: So, students can only fight if both parties agree to each other’s terms? That seems fair.
Devi: I guess it is fair, but people are too focused on those points. I don’t care, as long as I have a fun battle.
He says that, but he won’t shut up about getting in the top 10.
Dani: Speaking of you. Are you sure you are ready for your battle? I saw you slipped out again last night.
I wonder if this guy has even slept the past two days. He has been training non-stop in the park.
Devi: Oh, you saw that. I just could not sleep. I wanted to master that move before this fight. DRAGON-CLAWWWW
Dani: Idiot. Is that the reason you went out? I told you, it is impossible to master that move in 2 days.
Devi: I want to live with no regrets.
Dani: You are kind of weird, you know that?
Devi: Anyway, my battle is in an hour. I am going to work on my breathing techniques a bit more. You can just look around, okay?
Dani: Okay, good luck bro.
I give him a high five. He runs off, towards the arena. I guess I will just roam around a bit. It seems like there is enough fun things around to keep myself entertained.
After 50 minutes have passed, it is almost time for me to head to the arena.
What else can I see before his fight starts? Maybe there is something fun around the corner here.
Dani: Oh, a dead end.
I was about to turn back when I caught something in the distance. A girl is standing with her back against a fence. Three guys are surrounding her, blocking off her path. I think I should check that out.
Thug 1: Come on, just go out with me. A pretty girl like yourself is a perfect accessory for a stud like me.
Girl: I told you many times Sato-san. We are just classmates, that is all.
Thug 2: That is already the third time she rejected you, Sato hahaha.
Thug 3: And we are just one month into the schoolyear hahaha.
Sato: Shut up you idiots. Come on Himari-chan. You got a boyfriend or something?
Himari: No, that is not it. You are just not my type. I am sorry. I have to leave now; my friend is searching for m…
She gets interrupted by the thug. He seems aggressive.
Sato: HUHHH??? How could I not be someone’s type?
I think it is time for me to interfere.
Dani: Are these guys bothering you?
As soon as I say these words, I create a shadow portal on the ground and jump in it. The thugs turn around but see no-one.
Sato: Who said that?
The moment they turn their head, another shadow portal appears in the air between the thugs and the girl. I jump out of it and land between them.
Dani: Well, are they?
The girl nods. I quickly take her hand and create another shadow portal underneath myself. As I fall in, I pull her in with me. The thugs turn their head back, but they missed me again. They then realize the girl is suddenly gone.
Sato: Who is talking? Hey. Where did Himari go?
A shadow portal appears in the sky behind the thugs again and I fall out. The girl falls out after me and I catch her.
Dani: Later guys.
I put the girl down and run off with her. The guys turn around and chase us, but as soon as they pass the corner, they lose us in the crowd.
Thug 2: Who was that guy? What kind of magic was that?
Sato: He is not getting away. Split up. If you find him then bring him to me. I will deal with him.
The thugs run in different directions. I am hiding with the girl behind a food stand.
Dani: Sorry if I overstepped my boundaries. It just seemed like you were in trouble.
Himari: No, I should thank you. They are not actually bad guys; they are my classmates. They can just be a little pushy sometimes.
The girl smiles. She is really pretty. She is almost glowing.
Himari: I am Himari, nice to meet you!
Dani: I am Dani. Nice to meet you too.
Himari: Do you go to school here?
Dani: No, I don’t. This is my first time here.
Himari: Oh really? I assumed you went here since you are wearing our uniform.
Dani: Well, that is a funny story actually. You see my brother… Oh damn my brother. The match is starting. Sorry I have to run. See you!
Himari: Oh… Bye bye.
Himari blushes.
3 INT. Battle arena - DAY
I run towards the arena. As I enter the spectator area, I see that the match has not started yet.
Dani: Phew. Made it just in time.
I end up sitting behind a group of students and overhear their conversation. A boy with glasses is talking to the group.
Boy with glasses: Yeah, so like I said. Suzaku is definitely going to win.
Student: Are you sure Enji? Devi has a really strong spirit, you know. He has won almost all his battles and can potentially become a top 10 member, a month into his second year.
Unauthorized duplication: this tale has been taken without consent. Report sightings.
Hmmm Devi is kind of a big deal at this school, I guess.
Enji: True, his spirit is strong, but his own magical abilities are below average. His spirit has made up for this until now because he has only battled scrubs. Suzaku on the other hand is a 3rd year top 10 member. He is going to mop the floor with him.
This kid is really starting to get on my nerves, talking all high and mighty. I am going to speak my mind.
Dani: Hey you, with the glasses. You sure talk a lot. Want to put your money where your mouth is? I put 10.000 Yen on Devi.
Enji: All right, thanks for the free money. Suzaku is one of the best magic users in the school and his spirit is a bad match-up for Devi’s spirit.
Dani: We’ll see.
I am defending Devi, but I did not even know who he was battling. Heck, I have only seen that idiot himself fight in our battle, and I wiped the floor with him. Where did my faith in him actually come from? The words just left my mouth. It is not like me to get so triggered about what someone says. Well, it is up to you now.
Devi has just entered the middle of the arena and people start cheering. I see a close up of his face on the JumboTron. He looks determined.
Announcer: Welcome ladies and gentlemen. We are about to commence with the highlight of today. A battle that will have serious consequences for both participants. Now approaching the field is second year Devi Ayami. Devi quickly became a sensation at this school as he has managed to rise to the 11th spot within a year. With his strong spirit he has hardly lost any battles and managed to gather a total of 1.547 points. The top 10 even seems afraid of him as he has challenged them all multiple times, but they kept rejecting him. However, he has managed to find an opponent.
His opponent now enters the ring.
Announcer: Now approaching the field. The 8th ranked 3rd year Suzaku Mamoru. Suzaku also declined Devi initially but he was made an offer that would be foolish to decline. If Devi wins, he receives a whopping 200 points which would put him in 9th place and which would drop Suzaku to the 10th place, meaning Suzaku will still be in the top 10. However, this will shock you ladies and gentlemen, if Suzaku wins, then Devi will lose all of his points. This means Suzaku will gain 1.547 points and this will place him at the number 2 spot. Devi on the other hand will drop all the way down to last place with all the other students who have 0 points.
The crowd gasps and reacts shocked. I slap myself on my forehead. He really is an idiot. Why did I have so much faith in that moron just a few moments ago.
Enji: Hahahahaha. If he drops to 0 points now, it will take him at least a year to get back to where he was.
Dani: Shut up. He knows what he is doing.
I hope at least.
Devi and Suzaku are standing in the middle of the arena as the match is about to begin.
Suzaku: You really are reckless. Are you sure you want to do this? Why not just fight a bunch of lower ranked students to gather the points? You have plenty of time for that. If I lose then the results will still be manageable, but you will basically throw away everything you worked for. Are you okay with that?
Devi: Honestly. Me losing today has never even crossed my mind.
Suzaku thinks that Devi is insulting him but when he looks at his face, he realizes that he is just that confident in himself.
Devi: Besides, I want to fight you. If I become the new number 9 then I want to actually be stronger than the previous one.
Suzaku: All right then, that was the final offer. Let’s find out who is stronger.
Announcer: It is time! If both fighters have materialized their spirit, the fight will commence.
Suzaku: All right, I’ll start.
Suzaku materializes his spirit. It is a big crane bird spirit.
Devi: Are you ready buddy?
Devi materializes Pyro.
Announcer: Both spirits have entered the field. Let the battle begin!
Devi: All right. Let’s do what we always do. Going in guns blazing.
Pyro charges straight at his opponents’ spirit with flames in his mouth. As he is about to strike, the crane bird-like spirit evades at the last second.
Suzaku: Let’s make this a quick one, Coru.
Coru flies up and ignores Pyro completely. He goes straight for Devi. Coru flaps his wing and shoots pointy feathers at Devi. Pyro manages to fly back and jump in front of him just in time. He takes a little damage.
Devi: I guess we can’t be too far apart buddy. His spirit is quick enough to immediately cover this distance and his attacks have a long range.
Devi orders his spirit to shoot a flame beam towards Coru. Coru flies up in the sky and easily dodges. Even when Pyro traces him with his flames, Coru easily maneuvers around the beam. Suzaku then proceeds to use water magic to stop Pyro’s attack.
Suzaku: Our turn!
Suzaku then orders Coru to attack. Coru now shoots a beam of water from its beak towards Pyro. It is a direct hit. It dealt serious damage because of the type advantage.
Devi (In his mind): Not only is he fast, but he also has water attacks which are effective against my spirit. I don’t know how to stop him.
Devi: Again, use your fire!
Pyro shoots another beam of fire at the crane spirit, who dodges again. Suzaku uses water magic to stop the fire attack.
Devi: Pyro, watch out! Coru is going to attack again. Dodge it!
As predicted, Coru follows up with a water attack. Pyro manages to dodge it thanks to Devi’s warning but Suzaku anticipated this. He shoots a chunk of ice towards Pyro’s escape path. It hits. Devi’s spirit has now taken a lot of damage as he is weak against water and ice magic.
Enji: What did I tell you! He hasn’t even landed a single hit on Suzaku or his spirit. He keeps doing the same thing. Meanwhile Suzaku and his spirit are showcasing perfect teamwork. This fight is as good as over.
I hate to admit it, but he is right. Things are looking bleak out there.
Dani: Come on Devi. Think of something.
Devi looks like he is deep in thought. He then pulls a face that signifies the he has come up with a plan.
Devi: Okay, Pyro. Go in the air for close combat.
Suzaku (In his mind): His spirit is physically superior to mine. That must be the reason why he wants to get up close. It will also be harder for Coru to dodge if he closes the distance. Smart idea, but let’s make this backfire on him.
Suzaku: Fly up!
Pyro flies through the air chasing Coru. Coru is heading straight up as if he is fleeing.
Devi: Chase him!
The two spirits keep flying higher until Suzaku suddenly starts to laugh.
Suzaku: You fool. I thought you realized that you had to keep your spirit close to you.
Coru suddenly changes direction and starts to head straight down towards Devi. Pyro chases him down, but he is much slower.
Suzaku: He will never make it in time. You will definitely get hit.
Coru quickly descends and then halts in the sky above Devi. It shoots its pointy feathers again. One of them is heading straight towards Devi. It is a direct hit into his shoulder. Devi falls down.
The crowd reacts shocked but all of a sudden, a smile appears on Devi’s face.
Devi: That is fine. Pyro is risking his own body so I should do the same…
Devi coughs up blood. Suzaku looks confused as to what the point was of Devi’s monologue.
Devi: …even if I have to use myself as a distraction.
After Devi speaks these words, Pyro suddenly comes down from the sky above Coru.
Suzaku: Oh no! Coru dodge!
Pyro makes a flip in the sky and smashes Suzaku’s spirit into the ground with his tail.
Dani: Yes! Way to go Pyro! Risky strategy but at least it worked.
Suzaku looks worried as Coru stays down for a few moments.
Eventually, Coru manages to get back up. I though the match was over.
Dani: That wasn’t enough?
Pyro has finally managed to land a blow back on Coru, and it was a very powerful one. Coru is hard to hit, but his defenses are low. A few hits can be enough to finish him, especially against an offensive powerhouse like Pyro. The spirits have each taken severe damage. It looks like both spirits are about one hit away from defeat. The next move might decide the match and both masters know it.
Devi (In his mind): Damn. I was hoping that would be enough. I can’t use the same trick. If Coru hits me again, I am finished. Plus, he will expect it now.
Suzaku: Be careful of your next move Devi. A miss can be fatal.
Devi and Pyro make eye contact with each other.
Devi: You are probably right about being careful Suzaku… but that is just not our style, right buddy? We just stick to what we know. No regrets!
Pyro charges straight towards Coru.
Suzaku: I guess a fool only does what a fool knows. I will put an end to this. Coru, dodge and attack Pyro!
As Pyro draws closer, Coru makes itself ready to fly up at the last second.
Devi smiles.
Devi: I might be a fool, but even a fool picks up some new tricks along the way. You are not going anywhere. DRAGON CLAW!
Devi sticks out his arms and clenches both his hands together. Two magical claws appear around Coru. They hold him down. He is locked in his place.
Coru manages to break free after a second, but that second was just enough for Pyro.
Devi: Finish it!
Pyro lands a direct hit and slashes through Coru with his claws. It dematerializes back into Suzaku’s watch.
Pyro breaks through and flies with a straight path towards Suzaku. Pyro pins him on the ground and bares its fangs towards him. Suzaku knows he has lost the battle.
Suzaku: I give up.
The whole crowd cheers. He did it. He actually did it!
Dani: This bastard is really something else.
Enji is in complete shock as I yank the money out of his hands.
Dani: Thanks buddy.
I will not admit to him that I was also surprised at the outcome.
Devi and Pyro are hugging as Suzaku walks up to him.
Suzaku: You really surprised me back there. I was sure that I had it and then you pulled out that move. I watched all your battle footage before the fight, but there was no data available for that move. Did you learn that before this match?
Devi: It is a more recent addition to my collection, yes. I guess you could say that.
Suzaku: You really never stopped believing in yourself for one second huh?
Devi: Honestly, for a moment I had some doubt. But when I looked into Pyro’s eyes that vanished immediately. Even when I don’t believe in myself, I will always believe in him.
Suzaku: Welcome in the top 10, number 9. You deserve it.
Suzaku gives Devi a handshake.
Announcer: And that is it folks! What a battle that was. Following the outcome, Suzaku drops to the 10th place in our schools ranking and Devi Ayumi enters the top 10 as our new number 9 Spirit Master. Congratulations!
4. EXT. Sidewalk – NIGHT
Me and Devi are walking home together. We just had a celebratory dinner in light of Devi’s victory.
Devi: Waah, I can’t believe I won today. That was kind of close wasn’t it?
Dani: I cannot believe you let me pay for dinner just now. Your younger brother.
Devi: Well, it was a dinner in my honor wasn’t it? It would be weird to let the man of the hour pay the bill.
Dani: You were almost the man with 0 points back there. What would you have done then?
Devi: Just start over. As long as I can battle, I can still score points.
This guy is actually too positive. Maybe that is the luxury of having no brain. It all worked out though.
Devi: What did you think of my move? I went all like: ‘DRAGON CLAWWW’ and his spirit was all like ‘NOOOOOO’ and then Pyro was al like ‘SLASHHH’
Dani: First, I think you read too much manga with those corny sound effects.
Devi laughs.
Dani: And second, I actually thought you were kind of cool back there. I told you that you could not do that move after 2 days, but you believed in yourself and went out to train in the middle of the night. You have such a positive mindset. I might be your magic teacher, but I think there is a lot that I can learn from you as well.
Devi suddenly starts fake crying. Is he mocking me?
Devi: What’s up with those emotional words Mr. Perfect? You look up to your big brother?
Dani: Shut up idiot. Don’t let it get to your head.
I can’t hold back my laughter. He joins in. It’s weird. I never had this type of connection with someone.
Devi: You know, reaching the top 10 is only the start. This is where it all begins.
Here he goes again about this top 10 stuff. It seems out of character for him to be this obsessed about a title.
Dani: You keep going on about this top 10. What is so special about it anyway?
Devi: You know.
Dani: Know what?
Devi: The tournaments.
Dani: What tournaments?
Devi: You actually don’t know?
Dani: Enlighten me.
Devi: There are 2 big tournaments in the year where all Spirit-Master schools in the country participate in. The winter cup and the summer cup. To participate in these, you have to be a member of the top 10 in your school.
Dani: So, these are high school tournaments for Spirit-Master battles?
Devi: That’s right. In the first round, you fight against the top 10 students from other schools located in the same prefecture until one student is left. In our Tokyo prefecture there are 5 Spirit-Master schools which means 50 participants.
Dani: And then?
Devi: The winner of that round will represent their entire prefecture in the second round. Here you will fight against other prefecture winners in your region. There are 6 other prefectures in Kanto besides Tokyo, so there are 6 opponents.
Dani: And then??
Devi: The winner of that round will represent their region in nationals. Nationals consists of the 8 strongest Spirit-Master high school students in the country.
Dani? And then???
Devi: Then my friend, at the end of the year, the winners of the 2 big tournaments get to represent our country together in the International Spirit-Master World Cup for High-schoolers which takes place over the summer.
Battling the strongest high school students in the entire world! That would bring me one step closer to my goal of becoming the strongest spirit master.
Dani: So, being in the top 10 at school allows you to fight strong people?
Devi: Yes, but only if you keep winning.
This changes everything.
Devi: I can’t believe you did not know about this. Every country has special Spirit-Master middle schools and high schools that focus on battling. I was sure that you went to one as well. Where did you go to school?
Dani: Well, the thing is… I actually never went to school. Dad homeschooled me since we travelled a lot.
Devi: That must have been tough.
Dani: I was fine with it, but now I am starting to think school is not too bad after all.
5 INT. The Ayami house – NIGHT
We arrived back at Devi’s house.
Devi: We are home!
Aki comes running into the hallway.
Aki: Welcome home my top 10 ranked Spirit master.
She hugs Devi. When she releases him, her gaze transfers over to me. It looks like she is contemplating to hug me as well, but she ends up not doing it.
Aki: Welcome home honey.
I am a bit flustered. I am not used to all the cutesy nicknames like ‘Honey’ or ‘Darling’.
Devi: You saw it? What did you think?
AKI: Yeah, I watched the schools broadcasting channel. You were amazing! Where did you learn that move?
Apparently, the battles at school are even broadcasted on local television. The ones in the arena at least. Spirit-Master battles really are a big deal here.
Devi: Dani taught it to me.
Aki: That is wonderful. You two are already getting along I see.
Devi smiles and puts his arm around my shoulder. I playfully push it back off.
Aki: I also have some good news. I just got off the phone with the principal of your school. Even though the schoolyear is already a month underway, I arranged for Dani to join the first year. Isn’t that great? Monday is your first day.
Devi: That is great!
Aki: I know right. When I said he was your brother, the principal was willing to make an exception. He hopes to gain another strong Spirit-Master.
What did she say? She signed me up without consulting me first. Who does she think she is? I guess she is technically my guardian but still.
Dani: Wow wow wait. Who said I even wanted that?
Devi: Oh, come on Dani. I saw you smiling when we were talking about nationals earlier.
Don’t rat me out like that Devi.
Dani: I was just thinking of something funny back then.
Then all of sudden, the sweet smiling Aki becomes angry.
Aki: No son of mine is going to skip out on his education and that is final! Do I make myself clear?
Wow what got into her. I think it would be a bad idea to object to her right now. I secretly don’t even want to object anyway. I was actually thinking about going to school here myself, but I somehow did not have the urge to admit that. I will just play it off.
Dani: Fine, I guess you leave me no choice.
Devi starts laughing. I think he is onto me. Aki immediately turns back into the nice woman that she was.
Aki: Okay great darling. Now I hope you both are hungry because I have been in the kitchen for over an hour.
Was this also an act? I guess now I know where Devi gets his manipulative side from.
Dani (Whispers to Devi): Now I am scared to tell her that we ate out.
Devi (Whispers to Dani): If you even want to make it to your first school day, that would be an unwise decision. We’re just going to have to loosen our belts.
Devi (Shouts): Great, I am starving!
He pokes me with his elbow.
Dani: Oh, yeah me too.
Aki: Those are my boys!
School leaderboard:
1. ???: 3510 6. ???: 1922
2. ???: 2578 7. ???: 1910
3. ???: 2040 8. ???: 1760
4. ???: 1991 9. Devi: 1747
5. ???: 1935 10. Suzaku: 1702