Customized weapon
Waking up in the morning was different now that Ember was here. Instead of the annoying sound of ringing from an alarm clock, I was woken up by a sweet voice of a beautiful fairy. Truly it was a majestic way of waking up. Today’s breakfast was as usual, bread and jam. This time, I did not forget to give some of my food to Ember. I really don't want to see her weak and pale like that time that I didn't give her food. The unusual thing was that brother Ju will be dropping me off to school. It was unusual because he tends to sleep in until noon. In the end, I was still late because brother made a few stop to buy some groceries.
Luckily I did not get punished for my lateness because the Principal was waiting for me in the class. As I walked through the door, the Principal call out “Ho-ya, you are late again. Fix that bad habit of yours because I’m not going to let you get away from breaking the rules anymore.”
I rubbed my nose while smiling wryly as I thanked the Principal for overlooking my punishment. Then I sat next to Ari and greeted him.
“Good morning Harry. You looked tired, did you get any sleep yesterday.” he replied with soothing voice whilst looking worried. I dazed for a short second there as he tilted his head with an upturned eyes.
“*sigh* I did sleep but it was not enough to recuperate my fatigue.” i said, stretching out my hand to relief the aching on my muscles.
“Eh, this must be because of your daily workout routine. You really shouldn’t do that every day you know. Even if you really want to work out, you should at least loosen up the routine a bit, I just thought that your current routine is just too intense you know.” He then looked away with his pouting mouth. Well this wasn't the only time he reminded me of that.
“Haha, I guess so…”
I really did not want to tell him that I had an intense battle with brother Ju and actually lost to him. For now, I will keep it a secret from the others. The fact that he is also a contractor is the main reason though. I will tell them when the time comes.
Just like yesterday, I did not see vice Inchou around, probably absent again. “Okay, now that everyone is here, let’s get to the real deal…” before the Principal get to finish his word, I stopped him “Wait! Vice Inchou, I mean, Yuz is not here yet. Shouldn’t we wait a little bit more in case if he is late.”
“Ho-ya, I forgot to tell you. Sorry for my forgetfulness. Yuz, is a veteran contractor. So currently he is on a mission to collect information on a magical beast that managed to infiltrate the real world. The same goes to your math teacher. They are basically on a mission together. However, I’m still a little bit worried because it took them longer than I thought for this recon mission.”
That was quite shocking. It really didn't come to mind that Yuz was also a contractor, a veteran contractor at that. Now I can come up with a strategy for our party formation and all.
“Now then..." the Principal opened his notebook and pinched his moustache "...let’s start with the first agenda. You will be trained until the next two weeks. After that, you will be taking examination. The exam will be divided to two parts; one is the normal exam, which are your usual subject exam such as math and history, while the other one is the special exam to determine individual strength and party strength. Like the normal exam, you will also be ranked for the special exam which are individual ranking and party ranking. So exams are still on for you guys so don’t slack off on your studies. Also, top 10 individual ranking will be given special prizes, so train hard okay. Before I move to the next agenda, do you all have any question?”
Then Shishou put her hand up, “Do I have to take the exam too? And also, I don’t have any party.”
“You only have to take the special exam Ms. Allen. As for your party, you can either enter any other party or create one with the other teachers. Actually, the party are not fixed. You can either swap members between parties, or enter any party temporarily.” There were some more questions asked but it was not really important so let’s leave it.
“Moving on to the next agenda, a week after the examination, you will be sent to the mirror world to gather as much experience as you can. Since you can’t level up quickly here, you shall be sent to the mirror world to hunt monster and level up. However, we will determine which party are ready to enter because I know there are some unbalanced party. As for safety, you will be accompanied by veteran contractors. Of course, you will be sent to a fairy city with the best defence. There are still animosity to the human from the other races so we will control your movement in and out of the city for your safety. Any question regarding this?” everyone was tight lipped because we do not know what to ask.
“…so if there are no question then let’s move on. Mdm. Josephine please enter…” Then our chemistry teacher step in the class with some unknown men. There were 6 of them. The men were all muscular and they were carrying something wrapped with a piece of cloth.
“These are the weapons that we will be providing you for now. This will just be your temporary weapon so if you have anything in particular you want, just let us know…oh, let me introduce myself again, you all have known me for two years now, I’m Mdm. Josephine, a blacksmith and an alchemist of The World Order, a contractor just like you.” Then the muscular men put the wrapped-thing on the table and opened the wrapping. There were many different kind of weapons; swords, spears, axes, bows and arrows, staff and many more.
Mdm. Josephine called out our name one by one and gave out the weapon. When my turn came, I was given a katana. In my mind, I know the ninja in the edo period does not use a katana but instead used a sickle. Since I am also a necromancer, a scythe should suit me better. So I asked Mdm. Josephine if I could get a scythe or maybe a sickle-like weapon,
“Hmm, okay. There’s no problem with it but we do not have any scythe at the moment. I can craft one for you though, do you have anything more to add? The size or shape?”
“Oh…I think a small size sickle would be good, just small enough that I can handle it with one hand. And also I want long chain connected to the hilt of the sickle.” since i thought that using a scythe would be hard to move around so smaller weapons would be easier for a ninja.
“Okay, consider it done. You can collect it in the afternoon at the chemistry lab.” she wrapped her arm and winked at me.
That was fast?! I was happy that my customized weapon will be done by afternoon though. Even so, the katana was still given to me as a backup weapon and I was the only one who requested a new weapon.
After everyone got their weapon, Gerome asked, “How do we bring this weapon home? Won’t other people be curious looking at it?” the Principal answered,
“You can ask your fairy to cast magic on it so people can’t see the weapon. However, the magic only applied to normal human. So contractors can see your weapon, and you can see theirs.” Then all the fairies started casting magic on the weapons.
“Now that everything is done, I shall take my leave. You will be taking the usual class until 2 o’clock. Then you are free to either go home or train here.” And so, the usual boring class that I thought was gone, begins.
The boring class today ended without any trouble. History was a bit different because the teacher also taught us about the previous races war but the rest was still boring. Then Maru, Zafi and Rudy came up to me and said they wanted to train together. I looked at Ari who was sitting next to me and she gave me a nod.
Okay, it was already decided but we had our lunch first and I went alone to the chemistry lab to pick up my weapon. Mdm. Josephine also crafted a holster for the scythe. She thought that the chain would make the scythe harder to carry around. So she crafted the holster that can hold both the scythe and chain. It was quite convenient so I thanked her for it. After I tied the holster on my hip, I went back to the class and to the training ground.
*******
As i walked in, everyone had already started their training. The clashing metal sounds echoed throughout the field. Many of them already started duelling with each other.
Suddenly, a high-pitched sound started ringing in my head, alerting me something was coming. Unconsciously, I jumped sideways. The momentum of the jump made me rolled on the ground before coming to a stop.
Bang! A loud explosion erupted. As I stood up, I looked at the place I was standing a few seconds ago, I saw the ground was burning with a small crater. I quickly looked around and I saw Mire from Isaac’s party was the one who threw the flame spell. Their whole party was pointing their weapons towards me.
“What’s the meaning of this!” I scream out
“Lazy Inchou, you told us yesterday that we should always be on our guard. It was good to see you did exactly like what you said. Well done!” shouted Isaac.
Then my party ran and stood up next to me, holding up their weapons. Maru was first to speak up, “Haha, why do you have to make other people your enemy Lazy Inchou. Seems like Isaac’s party was furious for what you have done yesterday.”
Then I remembered the attack that my skeleton knights executed. They must be attacking me for that reason.
“No bad feelings Lazy Inchou, let’s do a party battle to settle the debt!” Isaac shouted again. As I looked at my party, they were nervous…except for Maru who looked very excited.
“Isaac, I’m sorry for what I did yesterday. Like I said, it was just a simple lesson to make you guys remember.” I said the excuse that I just made up hoping that he would understand and cease the hostility.
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“Pfft, don’t make me laugh Lazy Inchou! I know you did that just to increase your level.” I knew that lying again at this point would make things worse, so I admitted it. My party does not seem to be angry but the other parties were furious.
“Haha, finally admitting huh?! Remember this Lazy Inchou, I really hate it when someone try to mess with me. I would not sleep soundly at night if I do not pay them back! So, an eye for an eye. I’m definitely going to make you feel the pain like what you did to us yesterday.” I've been in this class for five years so I'm not surprised by this development. Just a day after getting our power, a big fight errupted that easily. Thats the finest of this 5A"nimal" class.
“Hmph, an eye for an eye huh? It looked more like an eye for a life just now, that attack could have easily burned me to death!”
“We have many healers here, so don’t worry. It will just be a little painful.” Isaac replied sarcastically and smirking as he looked as the ashed ground.
“Whatever, you want to settle the score with me? Then my party have nothing to do with it. All of you against me. I dare you to try!”
Maru stopped me, gripping my shoulder “…what are you thinking airhead! You can't do this alone! You're going to get fucked up real bad.”
I removed his hand on my shoulder, looked him in the eyes and gave him a nod.
“…tch! Fine, I’m only going to interfere when things get out of hand.” Maru knew the meaning in my eyes and stepped back with the other party members. Even though they resisted at first but after Maru said a few words, all of them back away.
I could only thanked Maru in my heart for convincing the others. It was my problem so I do not want anyone else involved.
“Isaac, I will say it now, back off or get seriously injured!”
“Hahaha, you think you alone can defeat us! You’re making yourself look like an idiot Idiot Inchou!” Without further a delay, I draw my scythe with my right hand and hold up my left hand to summon undead. I did not intend to hold back so I summon 5 skeleton knights and another 2 zombie trolls. This time I imagined the zombie trolls to be equipped with heavy armour and a wooden club. Summoning just this many really took a toll on my mana. So I had to use the surrounding mana to summon the 2 zombie trolls.
As I remembered yesterday, using my mana would produce higher quality product than using the surrounding mana. The zombie trolls that i summoned was looking slugish, and a lot weaker than the ones that I summoned yesterday.
I ordered the zombie trolls to form a defensive line.
“W-what the?! Guys, attack him!” surprised by the huge number of undead Isaac issued out an order. With my current mana, I can only create 3 clones but as a decoy, it would be very useful. Using telepathy to send command, clone1 ran towards the frontline and intercept the twins, Mark and Matt, who were running towards the undead. I ordered the 2 skeleton knights to support clone1.
While the twins were surrounded, Mare started to chant his spell. I could see their formation was the twins as the full offensive while Isaac and Francis protect Mare when chanting his spell. Clone2 ran with another 2 skeleton knights to stop Mare’s cast. Both Isaac and Francis were very good in tanking. However, they were outnumbered and outskilled. That formation would definitely break down. Somehow, I wanted to laugh because their strategy was too easy to read.
Joe, who silently walked past the Zombie troll defensive line, stabbed clone3 at the back. I expected him to use somekind of skill to erase his presence and walk pass the trolls but it was no match for my ninja skill so switched place during the confusion. He was surprised to see the clone turned back into a shadow which he must have thought was the real me. In an instance, Joe was hit hard by the zombie troll who now noticed his presence. He was blown away few metres by the swing and laid on the ground unconscious.
What they do not know was that I was using my ninja ability to disguise myself as a skeleton knight accompanying clone2. After a exhanging blows, the twins were knocked unconscious as they were hit hard by the skeleton knights with a powerful shield throw. Three down, another three to go. However, things were not always the same as ones plan. A griffin suddenly soared through the field and rammed the skeleton knights that were with clone1. One of the knights were destroyed but clone1 managed to dodge the attack.
The griffin was a summoned by Loo. At that moment I knew King’s party was going to join the fight, only that they were on Isaac’s side. The most important thing was that I need to eliminate Mare from this battle because his magic spell was very dangerous. The battle with Brother Ju last night was a good lesson to eliminate spell caster first.
Seeing an opening, I ran towards Mare, slashed his thigh and gave him a powerful knee kick to his face. Now that he was unconscious, all my skeleton knights and clones retreated behind the zombie troll defensive line. I needed to create a new plan to fight them. The most important target was Cody, the cleric, but I also need to watch out for Loo, the summoner. Hyde was also a threat because he was an assassin and can easily penetrate my defence without being notice.
I honestly did not want to use Raiton no Jutsu because the power was too powerful and I might kill someone if I use it. I recreate my clones and suddenly Ember spoke up, “Master, you are a necromancer. You don’t just summon undead but you can also cast dark magic. Honestly, it would be easier if you summon hundreds of troll and ram them down. The surrounding mana is unlimited so why not use them.” That idea was brilliant but doing so will make me look too overpowered and I dont want people to fear me. The least I could do is act like Im fighting them the best I could.
For now, I summoned 3 lich and ordered them to keep summoning skeleton footman. The other side were also waiting for my next move while Cody healed Mare.
“Haha, do you think I didn’t thought of that Ember? I’m just scared that the spells might be too powerful and end up killing them. The troll ramming them is also out of the question, they might get stomped to death.” I said as i come up with an excuse.
“*sigh*, knocking them unconscious is harder than killing them huh? By the way Master, you have a new skill. Suiton no Jutsu, it’s a water release technique.”
“What? Why are you telling me now?! I’m still in a fight here. Just how….wait, did you just say water release technique?” A brilliant idea suddenly popped out of my head. Then I saw the other side was finally making a move. Mare was now conscious and started to chant his spell. Loo was also summoning another griffin. I did not want to waste time and I went to the front with my clones.
In my mind, I ordered them to activate Suiton no Jutsu and release the water towards them like a tsunami. Giving them whatever mana i have left so they can cast it at full blast. Me and three clones squatted silently for a few second, while the other side looked at us, puzzled. They wont fall the same trick twist so they were on guard.
Then the clones and I stood properly and opened our mouth. A violent flow of water was expelled from our mouth as if the water was gushing out from a huge water dam. The flowing water collided with each other making a huge wave as tall as two storey building. The other side were shocked as they tried to run away from the incoming wave. However the wave was too wide and too fast leaving no space to escape as they were swept away.
My next move was, I activated Raton no Jutsu with the little mana I have left. The small usage of mana rapidly decreased the power but just enough to create a small lightning spark. I shot the lightning spark towards the water and stunned them unconscious. Even with minimal power, the lightning still gave out a loud thunder and a bright flash as it conducted through the water and stunning all of them.
After the water resided, I dismissed all my undead and my clones as I walked toward them. My other classmates who were watching from far also walked to them with awe. I ordered the healers to heal them. Then Maru came up to me, “You really did swept them off. You should have just let me join in the fight you know. It would have ended quicker and I could even get some experience point from them.”
“*sigh* I wonder if this will cause more trouble in the future.” I let out another long sigh after those words. I know this will cause a lot of trouble, especially with the principal. I might just already made half of the class my enemy. After the healing was done, they were still unconscious, so we carried them to the lecture hall. Somehow, the others were quite afraid to talk to me but I will leave that matter alone. The fear will die down eventually. The Principal came in after one of my classmates called him.
“So, who were the imbeciles that went crazy!” I slowly walked up to him as I awaits for whats to come…
*****
The Principal’s office was quite small. The fragrant smell of old books tickled my nose. The only sound was that of a clock ticking slowly. After I admitted that I knocked out half a dozen of my classmate, the Principal remained silent and only told me to follow him to his office. However he did not speak even after I sat down and we have been silent for a few minutes.
After 5 silent minutes, he finally took out a file and read the reports. It was awkward but I talked first,
“Sorry I acted violently. If you want to punish me then so be it.” The Principal closed the file and laid back in his leather chair.
“So you wanted to be punished?...” he suddenly clapped, “…I'm quite happy to see you were able to defeat two party single-handedly. It was magnificent though. This just proved that the new contract was a success. Splendid!” he was applauding so happily that I started to feel embarrassed. I really did not want to tell him that I already lost to my brother, a veteran contractor.
“Harry, you have a very great combat ability and you have quite a knack at doing this. However, they were also to be blame because their flaw was that they are depending too much on their wizard.” I was quite surprised the Principal would actually complement me instead of scolding me. So I remained silent and listened to him. “Although you did splendidly defeat them but this is still school ground and all of you are students. You definitely break the school rules by fighting like that. I cannot let this slip without giving punishment and I do not want to act one-sidedly. You and the other party will be suspended for a few days.” I did see that coming though so I was not surprised. At least the offenders get punished too. So I only nodded silently.
He continued again, “Harry, I do have a little request for you. During your suspension, I would like you to go on a mission, a search and rescue mission.”
“Wait, mission? You can’t be serious! I’m still a new recruit.”
“Well, I did say it’s a request. You can decline it. So would you listen a bit?”
“*sigh* let’s hear what you have to say...” and so, the long talk begins.
A few weeks ago, a magical beast managed to infiltrate the real world using a hole in the mirror world and hide somewhere. The World Order feared that this magical beast would cause a ruckus and kill people so they sent two contractors to search for this magical beast and collect as much information as they can. Contact with this magical beast was not allowed at all. Those two contractors are Yuz, the Vice Inchou and my class’ Math teacher. These two have been working a lot together and have a lot of experience in recon mission. However, this recon mission should at most take 5 days.
They were sent on Friday but it was already Wednesday. This mission had already reached 6 days and there were no response from them. So the World Order was thinking of sending a search and rescue mission before sending an extermination squad to kill the magical beast. For now, the veteran contractors were having their hand full on preparing themselves for the extermination squad of the mirror world expedition. The only contractors left were the normal contractors but they lack firepower and usafull skills. So the Principal wanted me to join in the search and rescue mission to cover their lack of firepower. Me joining in was just a precaution if we were to come in contact with the magical beast, so they would have higher chance to escape.
The Principal already have 4 contractors ready. If I were to join the mission then it would make 5 contractors. It will be a party mission so there was still one person left. “Ho-ho, then how about this, if you join this mission then you can choose one more person for the party.”
“I haven’t decided to accept this yet you know.”
“Well it’s better to join, thats my suggestion. You’re under suspension so I know you won’t have anything much to do at home.” I was thinking that at least it was better playing games at home rather than risking my life for a request. Yuz was my friend. Somehow, I felt a sense of responsibility with my current power. With great power, comes great responsibility. I should do what I can with it. Although I knew this was a dangerous mission, but there have to be a first time for everything. I decided that I will take on this request. I will also need to find one more person to join, maybe Maru would be good.
*****