"So, I will repeat what has been taught to you yesterday. The IS, or Infinite Stratos, envelops the pilot's entire body in a barrier composed of energy. It has something similar to a will of its own. And through communicating with its pilot, the IS and the pilot will share a mutual understanding. Not only that, but the longer the IS piloted, it will also start to be more knowledgeable of the pilot's characteristic."
Just like what I've been expecting. Even though Sensei's repeating what she taught to me yesterday, this thing in front of me is still hard to understand.
"Don't view IS as a tool, but rather as a partner."
I don't get even the slightest bit of what she's trying to teach me. She's trying to tell me that this armor-like thingy would cover my whole body with something like energy-coating before allowing me to use it as I please? Is that even right? I don't get it even the slightest bit. I don't understand why IS pilots should learn about the basic theories of IS when they could just apply them during the practice. I mean, what's the point of studying the whole theories when you're aware that you won't apply it during the practice?
"How're you doing, Hazuki-kun? Do you think you can understand the whole concept of IS before starting to apply it during the practice?"
'More like, which theory should I apply during the practice, Sensei,' I thought as I sweat dropped. To be honest, I don't think I need the knowledge of the IS would envelop the pilot's body with something like energy-coating. Who cares about something like that when you're already wearing an IS? I bet everyone would be more eager to try flying around instead of analyzing how the energy-coating from the IS work to envelop the whole body of the pilot.
"Hazuki-kun?"
I could feel my brain's melting. I don't know how the other IS pilots managed to get through something like this. It's confusing, difficult to understand, and giving me head-ache. And... she's trying to me to make me memorize all of this in short time? This is hard...
"Hazuki-kun? Are you paying any attention, Hazuki-kun?"
"Ehh..."
"If you have any question, please don't hesitate and don't be afraid to ask. I'm your Sensei. So it's natural if you want to ask me if you don't understand something during our lesson."
"Sensei... I can barely understand this." I said to her as I gazed down and sweat dropping at the same time.
"E-Eehhh? B-But Hazuki-kun... i-it has been considered as necessary for all of the IS pilots to learn and understand the basics and the theories of IS before applying it directly to the IS during the practice. But co-considering that you're another male who's able to deploy an IS other that Orimura Ichika-kun, i-it's important for you to learn the basics of IS..."
"Sensei, I'm well aware that it's necessary to learn about all the basics of IS. But to be honest, I need more time to understand the whole concept."
She has her point. But personally, I don't think it's necessary to learn all of the basics and the theories of IS, especially when it's confusing, difficult to understand, and giving me head-ache like this. I mean, no one would normally count how much energy the IS would use once the pilots are engaging someone else during combat practice, isn't it? Personally, I'd be more bothered on how to take down my enemy during the combat practice instead of worrying about how much energy my IS would use during the combat practice.
This is confusing. This is difficult to understand. And it's making my head ache.
"I don't get it even the slightest bit..."
"M-Maybe we should take a small break, Hazuki-kun. Y-You'll have a twenty minutes recess and after that, we'll resume the lesson before continuing to the combat practice."
With a sigh of defeat, I simply gave a nod of approval before making my way out of that cramped room and headed to the rooftop. This is depressing. I didn't expect that it would be this hard to learn about the basics of IS. If only I could head back to the dojo right now, I would at least be able to calm my mind, even if it's just for a bit. Well, of course I'm happy knowing the fact that I'm another male who's able to use IS other than Orimura Ichika, well whoever he is, but I never expected that it's necessary to learn about the basics of IS like that.
It's confusing. It's difficult to understand. And it's making my head ache.
I gave another sigh as I placed a hand to my forehead. Thinking about something like that won't help easing the headache, so I better stop thinking about the difficult things and start learning how to enjoy it; given the fact that I've been chosen as the second Representative Cadet for Japan, the first one being Orimura Ichika.. well, whoever he is.
It's not like I'm not happy finding out about the fact that I've been chosen as the Second Representative Cadet for Japan, but still... I don't like the idea of needing to learn the basics and theories of IS when I could just apply it directly during the practice. However, the sound of the bell gave me the sign to head back to class, much to my annoyance. But since it can't be helped, I made my way down from the rooftop before finally heading to the classroom to study about the basics of IS. In the very end, I facepalmed almost until the very end of the lesson. It's still too difficult for my brain to understand. Not to mention that it's only been three days ever since the first time I start learning about the basics of IS.
Thankfully, Sensei's superior (I heard Sensei addressing her as Orimura Chifuyu-san; maybe she has a connection with Orimura Ichika-kun?) who appeared once the lesson has been ended said that it'd be the time for the combat practice. She also said something like she wanted to see for herself if I really fit to be sent to the IS Academy during the combat practice. Shortly, I followed both Sensei and that Orimura Chifuyu-san to the front yard of my school which because of the fact that it's Sunday evening, it's fairly empty.
Nothing but a large compartment could be seen upon the school yards and naturally, I arched an eyebrow at the sight.
As Sensei told me to wait at one side of the yard, I simply watched as Sensei and that Orimura Chifuyu-san made their way to the compartments; seemed to be talking about something along their way before eventually reaching the compartment and opening it - revealing an IS standing, ready to be deployed. Obviously, I cannot help but widening my eyes at the sight.
Taking a moment to notice the gesture from Sensei, I then made my way towards the two; still having my eyes placed at the IS standing in between Sensei and Orimura Chifuyu-san. Once I'm near them, I could feel that Orimura Chifuyu-san gazing at me and naturally, I tried not to look directly at her eyes - I could really tell that she's a scary person by nature.
"Your name?"
"Hazuki... Hazuki Suou."
"Height?"
"Five feet seven inches-"
"Weight?"
"Fi-Fity three kilograms."
"Hair color, black. Eye color, emerald green. Hmm... average, huh? Well, that should be enough data for now. Moving on, I'm Orimura Chifuyu, a teacher and also an instructor in the IS Academy. This evening I'll be watching your combat practice to determine if it's really necessary for you to learn in the IS Academy or not. Despite the fact that you've been given the status of the Second Representative IS Cadet of Japan by the local government, if your ability has been considered as lacking, that status will be taken."
Adults... they sure love to tell something like this in the very last minute.
"This will be your personal IS if you manage to make it through the combat practice and prove yourself worthy enough to learn in the IS Academy, it's called Seiryuu."
Seiryuu... the Eastern Azure Dragon, huh? Talk about using mythological name here. Well, it's not like I'd complain about it or anything. As long as it's not an odd name or anything, I'm cool.
"Hurry up and equip it," I could hear the voice of Chifuyu-san again, "We don't have the whole day. You'll have to do the Format Fitting first too after you equip it too, so better make it quick."
Just like what she instructed (and mainly because I have no resolve to say anything to refuse her since she's scary), I quickly get changed into the uniform for IS practice, a black tank top and tight-fitting bermudas. It kinda feels tight around my body, but maybe it's because I'm not used to it. Once I'm done changing, I make my way back to the front yard only to find Sensei there. When I asked her about Chifuyu-san, she said that Chifuyu-san excused herself for a moment, saying that she'll get the one who'll be my enemy during the combat practice.
At that, I can't help but giving a sigh. Hopefully the one who'll be my tester during the combat practice would know how to hold back.
Putting all that aside, I then shifted my attention towards the so-called Seiryuu; taking a moment before extending a hand and placing it to the center of Seiryuu. There's a sudden light feeling and warmth coursing through my body that I pulled my hand back in an instant because of the surprise.
"What's wrong, Hazuki-kun?" I could hear Sensei's voice, asking me in a somewhat worried tone.
I shook my head, trying to assure her that I'm fine. It's just... it feels slightly different compared to the first time I touched an IS. It's like I'm touching something that's solely made for my personal use. You know, it's like having something that's been designed so you're the only one who can use it kind of thing. Something like that. Well, you probably don't get what I mean but to be honest, I don't really get it myself.
Regarding the fact about the first time I touched an IS, it would be connected to how I got to know about IS for the first time, but unfortunately, I'll need to save it for another time because I could hear Sensei telling me to equip Seiryuu because she's ready to help doing the Format Fitting (whatever that is - I don't really know because I don't really understand about the basics and the theories of IS).
"Now please get into Seiryuu and relax your back, Hazuki-kun."
Just as Sensei instructed, I got into the Seiryuu and relax my back.
"Just relax, the system will calibrate the rest so you don't have to worry. Sensei will make sure that nothing wrong would happen too, alright?"
I said nothing, but I gave her a nod.
[ ACCESS ]
[ SYSTEM START ]
'Seiryuu, huh...?' I thought as all the layouts of Seiryuu now being visualized in front of me via holographic screens, 'So this is...Seiryuu...'
"Your opponent's IS is called ShenLong. It's an IS designed for CQC, just like your Seiryuu."
"CQC?"
"CQC stands for Close-Quarter-Combat, Hazuki-kun. Moving on, all of the IS has been equipped with a system called Ultimate Defense. This system is designed to protect the pilot's life even in a worst case scenario."
Oi, oi... are you saying that I could die from this? Seriously?
"However, it will consume a lot of field energy during the process."
Field energy, it's something like an extra-energy-coating for the IS that's protecting both the pilot and IS from direct damage, isn't it?
"How are you feeling now, Hazuki-kun?"
"Even though I don't understand it completely, I think I get the gist of it. Basically, I just need to make sure I would be able to defeat my opponent while making sure I'm able to dodge the attacks coming to me too, isn't it?"
"We-Well, to put it in short, it would be like that, Hazuki-kun."
The tone of your voice's not convincing me at all, Sensei.
Putting aside the fact that I want to complain to Sensei because the tone of her voice's not convincing me, I shifted my attention to the side as I heard the sound of people walking. I could see Chifuyu-san now dragging a girl along with her. I suppose it's a girl around my age even though she seemed to be smaller than me. How should I describe her? A young teenage girl with light brown hair tied in twintails with a yellow ribbon at both sides. She is quite petite (well, to be honest, she's small) compared to me, Sensei, and Chifuyu-san. (I think, to be precise) she wears the IS Academy uniform, even though it seems to be a little different compared to the normal uniform, I suppose. You see, the sleeves are detached, so it's different, isn't it?
"How're you doing, Hazuki?" that's the first thing Chifuyu-san said to me once she reached a spot near Seiryuu, "How's the Format Fitting?"
"Well, I suppose I'm good. I'm ready to go."
"Good," I heard her voice again, to be honest, finding it a little hard to take my eyes away from the petite girl that she's been dragging along, "This girl here, she will be your opponent during the combat practice. She is the Representative Cadet from China, Huang Lingyin."
Seriously? For my first combat practice, I'd be up against the Representative Cadet from China? I could really see that my luck's placed under the bad stars for today...
"But Orimura-sensei I don't want to fight him!" that voice belongs to that Representative Cadet from China. I'm a bit surprised that she's actually thinking like that. I thought most of the Representative Cadet would say something like 'This will be a cinch' or maybe something like 'I won't hold back' or something like 'I'm not holding back now'. Well, something like those.
"You went overboard and caused a ruckuss in the IS Academy last week. Have you forgotten that you've agreed to come along with me as your punishment?" the fact that the tone of Chifuyu-san's voice went a little high caused me to flinch a bit; she's really scary, "I've made the decision that if you help me testing him right now, it would be enough to lighten your punishment."
"But he's completely new to IS! Don't you think that I'm facing him would be a little too much?"
"Are you saying that as the Representative Cadet of China, you're afraid of losing to someone who's completely new to IS?"
After a few minutes of arguing with Chifuyu-san, that Huang Lingyin girl eventually agreed to face me as her opponent. But to be honest, deep inside I'm hoping that she'd take it easy. After all, she's the Representative Cadet who's obviously stronger and far more experienced compared to me, right? Things just couldn't be any worse if she's not holding back during our combat practice later.
It took a few minutes before she finally got back from changing (well, she said that she'd change into the uniform for IS practice first, after all), but when she got back she's already fully equipped with her IS, the one that was called ShenLong by Sensei if I'm not mistaken. Looking at all of the armaments equipped to her IS, I can't help but gave a defeated sigh.
"Getting hit by that would be really painful.." I whispered, mostly to myself.
Putting all that matter aside, Chifuyu-san finally allowed me to get used to Seiryuu first (Sensei gave a me a brief explanation about how to move using the IS, how to properly move the limbs, how to fly properly, and about the armaments equipped to my Seiryuu), before repeating the instruction from earlier.
"The two of you, move to the designated position."
In no time, we're already up above in the air; facing each other and waiting for further instruction given by Chifuyu-san.
"There's still a chance to go back and surrender," I could hear the girl's voice (who's her name again? Huang Lingyin?) whispering to me (well, I won't really call it whispering, but since it's only audible enough for the two of us, I think it could be considered as whispering) and it resulted to me shifting my attention to her, "If you still insist to move forward right now, I won't hold back, you know."
To be honest, I'm tempted to take her offer. I mean, wouldn't you be creeped out if you know that your first opponent in your very first combat practice is a Representative IS Cadet from another country that's (obviously) stronger and far more experienced than you? But still...
"Fine by me," I said to her, bracing myself for every single possibility that might happen during this combat practice.
"Let me tell you this first then," I heard her voice again, "The Absolute Defense is not perfect. If there's enough force to get through the shield, I can torture you just enough until you admit your defeat."
Her words creeped me out. But nonetheless, I managed to not show it in my facial expression. If I chickened out here, I'm dead for sure. Drastic situation calls for drastic measures. When you don't know what to do, use your instinct. That's exactly what I'm gonna do.
"First of all," that's Chifuyu-san's voice, "Let me tell you that this is just a combat practice. I won't hold the two of you back if the two of you want to go all out, but remember that all unnecessary damage wouldn't be tolerated. I hope the two of you could keep that in mind. Now, let the match begin."
I watched in silence as the girl in front of me drew a large scimitar from the back of her IS. A large scimitar, huh? Weapon.. weapon... where's the weapon?
[ EQUIPMENT SELECTION - FUTAGORYUU ]
A holographic screen appeared in front of me, showing that a rather wide sword is available to use. Futagoryuu... a katana, is it? Just what I need. At least using a katana like this wouldn't make all of my practice for getting better in swordsmanship gone to waste. But looking at the size, it's a bit too wide to be called a katana. Well, I guess it's still better than nothing.
"A scimitar against a katana, huh? It seems that just like mine, your IS has been designed for close range combat. You better brace yourself then."
I ignored her words and took no time to charge forward, only to widen my eyes the slightest bit when she dodged my attack with little to no effort. That was the best dash I could give using this Seiryuu too. Perhaps the level of a newbie like me is really different compared to the level of an actual Representative IS Cadet. But still...
I took no time to charge towards her again, clenching my teeth slightly when I noticed that she's not dodging again but instead parrying my katana with her scimitar; taking little to no time to try and push her back only to no avail.
"You're quite fast for a first time IS pilot, I have to say that I'm impressed. However, I don't have only one weapon here!"
If I didn't quickly push myself back, I'm sure I'd already lost my head. Well, it might be exaggerating since Sensei already told me about the Absolute Defense system, but considering the fact that this girl already told me that the Absolute Defense system isn't perfect, it'd be best to be careful.
Even though she almost sliced my head off of my body (not literally, but that doesn't change the fact that it's creeping me out), she didn't give any further attack; as if waiting for me to attack her again. For her to actually be able to equip another large scimitar only in a matter of second.. dual scimitars, are those the weapons specially designed for her IS? This is bad, no matter how hard I try to think about it, it still doesn't make sense.. I guess I'm just bad at thinki-
"If you're not gonna attack, I'll do it!"
Once again, my instinct was the one who saved me from being split into two (once again, not literally). If I didn't instinctively parry her scimitars with my katana, I think I'd be thrown down into the ground and make another unnecessary crater. This is bad...
I pushed her back again to gain at least a safe distance, trying to think of the best way on how to handle her troublesome scimitars. But she didn't give me that chance as she quickly dashed towards me and along the way, combining her scimitars together into double-bladed scimitar form - much to my surprise. Seriously?
Along the way, I did nothing but dodging most of her attacks. At this rate, it's a matter of who wears out first. And I can't simply give a counter-attack against her too. If i were to attack her, she'd detach her double-bladed scimitar and change her battle style into close-range combat. But if I keep dodging like this, I wouldn't be able to win too. Even keeping a safe distance from her would be pointless if she keep charging towards me with her scimitars ready to attack like that. But at least, keeping a safe distance would give me enough time to think...
"Naive."
That was the last thing I heard from her before I crashed into the ground. Something impacted against Seiryuu and caused it to lose the balance and eventually crashed into the ground. I took a moment to brace myself before pushing myself up, trying to gather my wits together as I put up a question, mostly for myself, "What was that just now?"
"For your information, that was my Dragon Cannon."
"... Dragon Cannon?"
"It's another term given for Impact Canon, Hazuki-kun," I can't even hear Sensei's voice clearly through Seiryuu's sytem, I must've hit my head real bad when I crashed into the ground earlier; but nonetheless, I gave my best to try and listen to her as I'm still trying to gather my wits together, "It compacts and pressurizes space before firing it as a shell to the opponent."
What, she said that her IS was designed for close range combat but now she got that Impact Cannon whatsoever already equipped? That's cheating, you know...
"You blocked well. If you didn't use your katana earlier, maybe your shield energy would suffer much more damage compared to now."
If it continues like this, I'm gone for good...
"Well, let me tell you this as a bonus. The specialty of my Dragon Cannon lies in the fact that both the barrel and the bullet are invisible to the naked eye. Furthermore, the angles of the barrel of Dragon Cannon have no effect as to where it can shoot."
In other words... there's no blind spot, huh? That explains the sudden collision that doesn't give me even enough time to react even though Seiryuu's already warning me about the oncoming attack. I didn't manage to react to it because it was invisible. Even though I understand all that now, that doesn't solve how I should take care of it. Of all the things I could possibly think on how to outsmart her Dragon Cannon, the best thing I could think of is to strike her first before she manages to shoot me using that.
The only weapon I have here is Futagoryuu, a katana. I don't know if it's just a coincidence or what, but it's the most suitable for someone who's been spending several years in the dojo training for swordsmanship like me. I have my own reasons of why I ended up learning swordsmanship in the first place, but now's not the right time to think about that. I better focus on defeating her first.
Even though I said it would be better if she's going easy on me, now that things have been turned out like this, I can't help but feeling fired up. The feeling of not wanting lose overwhelmed my fear. Eventually I stopped running and dodging all of her attacks, now once again face to face with her with Futagoryuu ready in front of me.
"Your name... Huang Lingyin, isn't it?" I started.
"Rin is enough. What is it?"
"Oi, Hazuki," I didn't manage to say anything to Rin because I could hear Chifuyu-san's voice through Seiryuu's system; unable to help but dividing my concentration between avoiding Rin's attack and listening to her at the same time, "Judging from the tone of your voice, it seems that you already have something ready to fight her. Do you already have a plan? You're well aware that staying too far from her would cause her to use her Dragon Cannon, but you're also aware that you can outmatch her dual scimitars if you engage her in close range combat, isn't it?"
I won't deny the fact that despite I'm talking like that, I'm still thinking of how to outsmart Rin's Dragon Cannon, "Just because I'm out of options, that wouldn't be a reason for me to give up...!"
"I got you!"
That very moment, I realized that Rin already got close enough to me and took no time to shoot Seiryuu with her Dragon Cannon. As I braced myself for the impact, I can't help but widening my eyes when I notice that I'm not thrown into the ground again. And I could see a holographic screen in front of me.
[ FORMAT FITTING - COMPLETE ]
Format fitting complete? What's the meaning of this...?
"The First Shift, is it?" I could hear Chifuyu-san's voice through Seiryuu's system once again; she seemed to be amused after seeing that I'm perfectly fine even after receiving the impact from Rin's Dragon Cannon, "I thought that when I come back the Format Fitting has been completed. I didn't expect you to actually be able to hold against Rin with the default setting of the IS."
Well, I don't know what you mean by saying that Seiryuu was in default mode... but you're already aware about the possibility that Seiryuu's still in default mode but you're not even telling me about it? Are you attempting to make me lose because of the difference in level and power, Chifuyu-san?
"I don't really understand what happened... but judging from this light feeling coming from Seiryuu, I guess it's finally become used to me. I suppose I could at least do something instead of just being chased around right now."
"I respect your guts. Let me give you a hint then, just this once. You're having trouble against Rin's dual weapons, right? Think, there's a reason of why your sword is being called Futagoryuu."
That was the last thing I heard from her before she closed the connection and I ended up avoiding yet another swing from Rin's dual scimitar, much to my surprise. There's a reason of why the sword is called Futagoryuu. Don't tell me...
"Seiryuu, Equipment Selection!"
[ FUTAGORYUU - DUAL MODE ]
A holographic screen appeared in front of me, showing that Futagoryuu could be detached into two thinner energy blades. Dual mode, is it...?
That very moment, Futagoryuu split into two thinner energy blades, much to my own surprise. So that's the meaning of the name Futagoryuu - Twin Dragons, huh? Dual blades designed solely for close range combat. Even though I'm not that experienced in using dual swords, this should be more than enough to be able to battle her scimitars in par. If I'm careful enough, maybe I could outsmart and defeat her along the way.
"This is really a bother, I'll end this quickly!"
For some reason, I could read all the patterns of Rin's attacks easier than before. I too could move Seiryuu much easier compared than before. I don't know why but it feels like it's natural for me to be able to ride Seiryuu like this. In no time, I managed to caught her off guard the very moment she detached her scimitars to block my katanas, I took that very moment as the chance to disarm her - causing her scimitars to fall away.
"Futagoryuu, combine!"
[ FUTAGORYUU - SINGLE MODE ]
She's the one who said that with enough force, one could get through the Absolute Defense system. It's not like I really want to injure her, but at least it would be enough for her not to underestimate me like before. Combining Futagoryuu into one single sword like its base form, I took no time to swung Futagoryuu towards her - only to widen my eyes when I realize that she's already charging her Dragon Cannon right in front of me.
Our attacks collided.
When I come back to my senses, I'm once again down upon the ground. I'm dizzy and my vision's blurring. The impact must be really hard until it resulted to something like this. It's even harder than before, gathering my wits back together, that is. But nonetheless, at least I've placed one good strike to that Representative Cadet from China.
I could see nothing but smoke in front of me, but one thing for sure, I can't help but widening my eyes because once the smoke got clear, I could see her standing right in front of me; not even budging. What I thought was a 'good strike' only took down one of her Dragon Cannon - other than that, I couldn't even spot a scratch on her.
"You sure put up a good fight, newbie..." those suddenly lifeless eyes of hers when she looked at me caused me to flinch - what is she now, a Yandere? And the fact that she's charging her other Dragon Cannon doesn't help even the slightest bit, "Let me end this right here and right now for goo-"
"Alright, that's enough!"
I can't be more grateful than now for hearing Chifuyu-san's voice. I shifted my sight to the side only to find her and Sensei already making their way towards me and Rin, much to my relief. As Chifuyu-san told Rin to get ShenLong into standby mode (I'm not really sure how she did that, the ShenLong sort of vanished and leaving her only with her IS practice uniform), Sensei helped me getting off Seiryuu; saying it would need further maintenance because it might've received a lot of damage during the combat practice with ShenLong.
Well, if Seiryuu were to need further maintenance, I wouldn't be so surprised. Considering the fact that I'm completely new in using it, it can't be helped. Once I managed to take off Seiryuu, I could feel Chifuyu-san's gaze upon me so I took no time to gaze at her as well (well, not directly. Who knows if she's going to get angry with me, saying that I'm reckless or telling me that I've caused unnecessary damage to the school properties, right?).
But much to my surprise, I heard a small chuckle from her and the next words from her surprised me the most, "You've put up a good fight, Hazuki. I have to admit that you have guts. You will be informed about the result tomorrow, so you better brace yourself."
Cut me some slack, will you?
"Alright, I'll leave Hazuki in your care, Sensei."
"Haii."
"Rin, we're going back to the IS Academy."
"But Sensei, I'm not done yet with him-"
"Rin, I'm not asking you to go back with me to the IS Academy. I'm TELLING you to do it."
Even Rin flinched the moment the tone of Chifuyu-san's voice got higher and I can't help but putting up a weak smile. Well, I've been saved by Chifuyu-san today. Considering the Absolute Defense system, I can't say that I was saved, but who knows what would happen to Seiryuu's Absolute Defense system if I were to take the impact from Rin's Dragon Cannon in point-blank range. And so, Chifuyu-san left me and Sensei, promising that she would inform us once the result come in before dragging Rin along to the vehicle they used to get here from the IS Academy.
I don't know if I should feel disappointed for losing or I should feel grateful for the fact that my limbs are still intact. Today's been rough. I hope God would be kind enough to cut me some slack tomorrow.
Tomorrow afternoon, I found myself in a completely foreign place, much to my own surprise.
"Alright, now we will begin the homeroom~" the voice of that Sensei seemed to be filled with no worries as she walked past me and entering the classroom, much to my annoyance. I'm surprised at how adults could adapt to this kind of thing really easily. Right now I'm standing in front of the class 1-2, in the IS Academy. It turned out that the result from the combat practice yesterday evening was good enough and Chifuyu-san informed me that it would be necessary for me to study in the IS Academy to develop my potentials.
Well, maybe it's not that bad to learn in an almost-all-girls school like this. Judging from what I've heard from Chifuyu-san on our way here, Orimura Ichika-kun (I'm still not sure about his connection with Chifuyu-san, but I'm suspecting that he's her younger brother. I know everyone would be thinking of why I didn't just ask her about it but believe me, if you were in my place, you won't be able to ask her about that even just for a bit) and I would be the only ones serving as the male students of IS Academy. Doesn't sound that bad.
"Today, I'll be introducing a new transfer student!"
The door slide open and I made my way inside of the classroom. Even though I'm completely new in this foreign place, I should at least be able to give a good impression to everyone. Judging from the fact that the IS Academy is an almost-all-girls school, I shouldn't take it easy. A bad first impression and I'm gone for good.
Man, I could feel all of them staring at me.
"I'm Hazuki Suou," I started, "I'm from Japan, Chiba Prefecture to be precise. N-Nice to meet you all."
"A male...?"
"Ye-Yeah.. I'm a male for sure-"
Before I even managed to finish my sentence, the fact that almost all girls in the class started shouting and cheering almost caused me to jump back in surprise. What's wrong with them? Did hell just got loose or something?
"A male student!"
"And this time, it's the second male student!"
"It's too bad that Orimura-kun is not in our class, but now I'm fine because we have our own male student now!"
What am I? An object?
Just when I thought that things couldn't get out of hand more than now, the door slide open once again and a very familiar voice said, "Sorry, sorry, I'm late! I caught up with something on my way here so I-"
Just like me, the owner of that very familiar voice stopped talking the very moment she saw me. I narrowed my eyes and practically have my mouth in a rectangular shape, sweat dropping at the same time - before facepalming.
"You! The one from yesterday!"
To learn the fact that I'm studying in the same class with my enemy during combat practice yesterday evening...
"God, cut some me some slack, please..."
