Soon, they, along with the rest of the new students, gather in the auditorium around a small stage with a microphone in the center. The room is dark as lights shine over the stage.
“Okay, I’ll see you guys tomorrow! You better behave!” Nazuna says softly with a sharp but warm smile before walking away. The crew then figures out their seating, a few rows back from the stage but not too far. Tadashi continues to read the pamphlet as the others talk.
“This place seems even more insane the longer I read. Representatives, Directors, Missions, Relics, Base Reception. The list goes on. Want to check it out?” Tadashi offers to Moshiro who shakes her head. He droops a little with an offended look. “Oh, I forgot. You had an insider’s scoop the whole time.” He says as she gives a look back.
“You’re actually bothered by that?” She asks. A seat over, Yoko and Saika mess around with Killian before Saika looks at her upset.
“Yeah we are! How could you hold out a secret like that from us?” He asks.
“It wasn’t really a secret. It was obvious if you actually thought for a second. They share the same name?” Moshiro says with a ‘obviously’ attitude.
“I just assumed the name was coincidence. Teach is pretty common.” Killian says as Yoko pokes his cheek.
“It really isn’t…” Moshiro says with a sweat drop. “And his size?” She asks Saika.
“Well, he owns a dojo. I figured that was why…” Saika pouts. Moshiro looks at him before trying to hold in a subtle laugh. Saika gasps offended. “Hey! Don’t laugh at me!” He whines while hitting Moshiro on the shoulder. In the row in front of them, Wolf and Phoenix sit.
“So how are you feeling, Wolfy? I know this wasn’t your first pick and you don’t really want to be a hero but… is this okay?” Phoenix asks softly as Wolf looks at her before smirking.
“Hey, if it means I get to be trained and fed for free, I don’t mind. Besides, I get to be with all of my best friends, and you.” She elbows her softly as Phoenix blushes a bit.
“The only friends you have.” Phoenix teases. Wolf laughs and shoves her a little.
“You don’t have to keep reminding me!” Wolf laughs. Soon, two teachers step onto the stage. One being Teach and the other is a large man roughly 2.6 meters tall. He wears a mouth mask, sunglasses and a baseball cap to cover his face entirely. They walk to the microphone at the center of the stage, causing all the new students to go silent in anticipation. Teach steps to the microphone with a smile.
“Welcome new students to the Academy of Superior Abilities. We are all excited to see so many new faces here. Now, to start, let’s begin with some words from our incredible principal, founder and greatest hero: Southpaw!” He says excitedly as Southpaw steps onto the stage, waving his hand to the students as the crowd of kids start cheering excitedly. Wolf slumps in her seat a bit.
“That’s a bit much.” She grumbles.
“Welcome new students of the ASA!” Southpaw says with his arms open to the crowd. He pauses in silence for a moment before turning and walking away off stage. The crowd sweat drops as the teacher’s do the same, watching him walk away.
“As usual…” Teach mumbles before composing himself and turning back to the students. “Uh, that’s the great Southpaw! And now, allow me to give you a brief introduction to our school.” Teach says with the mic in hand as he continues to speak. Wolf has a look of disbelief and judgment.
“Really? Being the greatest in the world, I figured he’d have more wisdom to share.” Wolf says with a scoff.
“Hey, show some respect. He has accomplished more in the past week than you will in your entire life.” The boy sitting in front of her says with a sharp attitude. Wolf looks surprised and offended before leaning forward.
“I wasn’t being rude, I was just saying my thoughts, asshole.”
“Thoughts, huh? I am surprised someone like you can have those.” He says casually while turning his back to her. Wolf gets angry.
“What’s your problem, baldy?” As she says this, Wolf overhears some whispers by other students around her.
“That girl is already causing trouble. What’s her problem?.”
“I know, right? And did you see her eyes? Talk about creepy…” They whisper so softly that no one else would even know they spoke, but not Wolf. Her enhanced senses always make sure she hears these moments. Her anger subsides as a different feeling builds in her chest, but before she can think, the boy in front of her gets angry and turns around.
“Baldy?! I am not bald! Do me a favor and drop out now. It will save me the time making you quit later.” He says as his square glasses reflect light blocking sight of his eyes. Wolf’s anger quickly rises again.
“Is that a threat?”
“Depends. Are you that pathetic?” They get in each other’s faces as Wolf growls when suddenly, at the same time, Phoenix punches Wolf on the head as a girl sitting next to the boy kicks his head.
“Would you idiots shut up??” They shout angrily, putting an end to the arguing. Teach notices the commotion and sweats a bit.
‘Already causing a ruckus!’ He thinks with an irritated eye twitch before he smiles awkwardly. “After the ceremony here, you’ll be guided out to complete a small set of check ups. It’s common procedure, don’t stress about it. After that, you’re free to go! I hope you all enjoy the rest of your day, preparing for the days to follow because the training starts immediately! Now, I will have my coworker here say a few words-”
“Excuse me.” A boy in the front row raises his hand, catching Teach off guard.
“Yes?”
“Just a quick question. Let’s just say a new student beats a professor here at the academy in a duel, what Tier would that put them at from the jump?” The boy asks with a confident look. Wolf, despite the steaming punch mark on her head, gets a surprised look as she perks up, looking down the crowd.
“That voice… It sounds like…” She says softly as Teach looks surprised then the other professor steps up.
“Depends on the Tier of the teacher. Although, I highly doubt any normal student would have what it takes to pull off such a feat.” The masked teacher says, staring intently at the student in the front who just smirks and leans back in his seat. The professor stares at him for a moment before shifting his gaze to the rest of the crowd.
“Within the next couple days, you will all be tested in the Academy’s Eval Tournament where all your skills and talents will be pushed to the limits and beyond, whether you’re ready or not.” He smirks to the crowd. “So I suggest you be ready.” He says. Phoenix sweats with a nervous look.
“That sounds safe..” She says with an anxious, crooked smile, drooping.
“That sounds exciting!” Yoko says, eagerly leaning forward.
“Now begone you waste of space. Relax, or don’t, it’s up to you. Just remember, we’re always watching.” The ominous teacher says menacingly as Nazuna face palms in the back of the auditorium. “Oh! Almost forgot, please follow the staff along to the exit on the right, as we need to run a collection of tests on you before you can proceed.” This teacher says as Teach sweats.
“Thank you, Professor…” he mutters into the mic.
The students start to make their way out of the auditorium, following the teacher’s orders and once that’s done, they head back to the dorms as the day draws to an end. Phoenix stretches her arms over her head.
“I’m so tired. Today was a lot.” She says with a sigh.
“Yes, it really was.” Tadashi agrees.
“Between the tests and all these fluttering emotions, I could go for a nap.” Saika says.
“If that is all it takes to make you drained of energy, you humans are more pathetic than I thought.” Yoko says with a smirk while walking past them when suddenly two of the other new students speak out.
“Yo, nice hair.” The cool-looking girl says.
“And horns. Sick!” The other person with red and purple striped hair says to Yoko with smiles before continuing on. Yoko looks surprised before blushing and smiling.
“Now those humans know what they’re talking about!” They say proudly. Saika giggles as Wolf walks behind the pack with a kind of spaced look. Killian steps next to Wolf.
“Not planning on bailing already, are you?” He asks playfully. Wolf smiles a bit.
“Nah, who’s gonna keep you on the right path if I’m not here?”
“I’m pretty sure I usually know better.” They giggle a bit as Killian looks ahead. “You like it? Think you can make it work?” He asks. Wolf looks a bit surprised that Killian asked the same question Phoenix did a bit ago but then looks ahead too.
“Yeah, it’s not a problem. Even I have to admit, the place looks pretty cool. As long as I don’t run into that bald jerk from the auditorium again, I’m sure everything will go smoothly.” She says, throwing her arms behind her head with an annoyed look as they head off to start their first night in the dorms.
In a separate area of the ASA, Teach walks down a hall with arches lining the path. As he continues down the hall, the arches get larger and more spread out as the ground begins to shift from the path to a more natural, stone ground with grass growing on it until this ground extends all around, replacing the tile flooring from the hall. The walls of the hallway fade with a white light until soon, the space between the arches are open and they too end.
Eventually, Teach comes to a fairly large stone platform covered in grass, overlooking a calm ocean all around them with a thin fog hovering over the ocean and few other stone formations that are smaller than the big one he stands on. And a bright blue sun floating in the sky seemingly under the fog.
On the platform, Teach stops just before a desk with two chairs in front of it and one large chair sitting behind it where Southpaw stands, back turned to him and gazing upon the land.
“I take it the opening ceremony went well?” Southpaw asks, not turning around yet.
“Like clockwork, despite your record setting speech, if you can even call it that.” Teach says with a teasing smirk. Southpaw turns around with a big smile before leaning over the desk.
“I assume you’re not here just to mock me.” He says.
“Unfortunately, no. It’s about, well, a student I guess.” Teach says as he places a small folder down on the desk. Southpaw opens it.
“He’s expelling students already?” Southpaw asks before even reading the papers.
“I wish. Then I could get his ass for it..” Teach says with an irritated look.
“Someone causing trouble?” Southpaw asks before actually reading the papers, more curious as he begins to study the file.
“No, just some kids thinking it would be funny to bring along a plus one to the academy. That’s their file.” Teach says, nodding towards the folder. Southpaw reads the file with Yoko’s picture in it.
“You ran the normal checkup?” He asks without looking up from the file.
“Of course. Soul Fuel sample, Frequency check, the works.”
“Their Type?”
“Myth Type. They claim to be a dragon but I’ve never seen one like them before.” Teach says casually. Southpaw studies it for a moment before clapping it closed with a smile on his face.
“Well, then it’s settled!” Southpaw says happily. Teach looks a little confused.
“You want me to kick them out? I made no promises.”
“No, I want you to fully enroll them as a student of the ASA!” Southpaw says with his arms outstretched enthusiastically. Teach droops a little as he looks unsure of Southpaw’s decision.
“Sir, are you sure that’s the best decision? I mean, we know nothing about this child or if they even have what’s required to join the Academy.”
“Well, they’re a dragon who fell from the sky in a ball of light. What better requirements are there?” He says with a soft smile as he wags the file at him. Teach sighs and rubs his head.
“What are you? Twelve?” He asks with a frustrated sigh. Southpaw chuckles a bit before turning his back to Teach.
“I trust you can handle it. I’m gonna go do my rounds.” Southpaw says. Teach smiles softly and nods gently.
“Understood.” He says before turning around and walking away.