Disclaimer: Nothing belongs to me
Copyrighting not intended
Setsuna frowned as her eyes met the pale blue sky. A gentle breeze blew over the land, ruffling the leaves in the trees. The sun peeked over the clouds, illuminating the land with its warmth and light. The raven haired swordsman let her dark eyes traced the horizon before turning on her heels. With quick powerful strides she reached her bed, where her armor laid neatly folded, ready for the day's training. Setsuna changed into a dark blue shirt, the right sleeve reaching her wrist while the left one fell slightly short of her elbow. The fabric falling gently over her bound chest and skin. She tighten her belt, securing the silver buckle with the school's logo on it. The shoulder guard came next, sitting atop her left shoulder, the strap crossing her torso to end at a buckle on the side on her belt, securing it. Her deft finger quickly grasped the worn leather strap of the guard and secured it tight around her upper arm, ensuring that it did not fall. Next came her leather braces. Slipping them over her wrist, Setsuna rotated her wrists, making sure her mobility wasn't restricted before she pulled on her white fingerless gloves. Pulling her boots from under the bed, she laced them up quickly, nimble fingers twisting and turning the laces into a tight ribbon knot.
Grabbing her trusted sword, Yuunagi, Setsuna reached for her doorknob, ready to leave. She stopped short as a few strands on dark hair strayed into her vision. Her hands reached up to her cranium, eyes narrowing as she realized the missing accessory. Turning, she spotted the dark hair tie sitting on her bedside table. Setsuna tied her hair neatly into her trademark side ponytail, leaving her short fringe teasing the tips on her eyebrows. Satsified, the young girl strode out of the room, ready for the day.
She made her way swiftly to the training ground, her eyes widening in surprise as she realized she wasn't the only early one.
"Yo Setsuna!" An overly-energetic voice greeted her.
Mismatched eyes made contact with hers as the owner grinned brightly.
"Morning. Asuna" the swordman quietly and politely greeted her classmate "I didn't expect you to be so early."
"Mahhhhh" Asuna's grin widened, her eyes twinkling "I just thought I'd get some training in, you know, before class begins"
Setsuna didn't reply, leaning Yuunagi against the wall as she started warming up. Grabbing a wooden practice sword, she twirled it around, adjusting to its weight. She swung the sword a few times, nodding as she felt comfortable with the weapon.
"Wanna spar?" Asuna tapped her own wooden sword against her shoulder
A small nod from the shorter girl was all Asuna needed. Lunging forward, her weapon clashed against Setsuna's, who had skillfully parried her attack. Pushing Asuna backwards, Setsuna crouched into a low defensive stance and waited.
"Awwww come on!" Asuna whined "Its no fun if you're always the one defending."
Setsuna kept silent, but moved into a more offensive stance, watching as a smile spread across her partner's face. "Now we're talking! WOOO"
The two girls clashed swords once more, both feeling the adrenaline pumping through their veins. Setsuna dodged as Asuna thrust her sword forward, almost striking her in the face. Her own sword sliced through the air, aiming straight for Asuna's ribs, but was blocked by the hard metal plate on Asuna's wrist guards. The orange-haired girl pushed forward quickly, getting up close to Setsuna, too close for a counter. Bringing her arms upwards, Asuna would have scored a hit on Setsuna's chin with her hilt had the latter not thrown her head back in time.
"I got you!" Asuna's eyes glinted as she brought her hand down once more, the tip aiming at Setsuna's head. Still unable to right herself due to the previous attack, Setsuna raised her foot and kicked forward, her boot slamming against the other girl's ribs. It wasn't a hard kick, just enough to send Asuna flying backwards, her attack unfinished.
"Itte!" Asuna complained "I'm not wearing a chestguard damnit!"
Setsuna hung her head quietly, her sword at her side. A slender hand landed on her shoulder, and she looked up to face her smiling partner.
"That was a good spar Setsuna!" Asuna laughed "Always a step ahead of me, aren't you!"
"No.. that's not..." Setsuna started, but was interrupted by the chime of a clock.
"Oh crap. Class is starting soon!" Asuna quickly grabbed her belongings from the side of the arena "Come on!"
Setsuna had barely enough time to grab Yuunagi before Asuna dragged her off, weaving through and startling the other students. They burst into the classroom, earning them several stares from their fellow classmates before they resumed their own conversations. Setsuna quietly took her seat at the back of the class as Asuna began to talk animatedly with her friends.
"Alright everyone! Settle down!" A young voice pierced through the noise
Everyone scrambled back to their seats as their teacher entered the class. Negi Springfield. Setsuna repeated his name in her head. He was only 10-years old, but he was an outstanding wizard. Being the son of the Thousand Master, it was no surprise that Negi qualified to teach in Mahora Academy at the tender age of 10.
"Today, lets start with combat tactics" Negi spoke, earning a groan from the class
"Can't we spar today!" Asuna shouted
"Asuna-san!" Negi frowned "We've been sparring for the past few days! I think we should take a break from it."
Asuna grumbled, but said nothing more. As Negi began to talk, Setsuna stared idly out the window, her eyes falling on the school grounds. Mahora Academy. The school insignia stared back at her from the school gate, the chromed logo glinting in the sun. Mahora Academy was a school that trained the students for war. Situated in the Magic realm, Mahora Academy was meant to prepare the young students for the harshness of the Magic Realm, where rouge wizards and monsters roamed. Things changed when a dark force began to accumulate at the edge of the Magical Realm half a century ago. It started small, but soon grew into a major threat as shadow demons began to emerge from the areas swallowed by the darkness. The magic council banded together and declared war on the rampaging beast, leading into a long drawn out war.
The resistance slowed the advancement of the monsters, but they were still advancing. More troops succumbed everyday, causing self-defense schools like Mahora to convert to a military training school, preparing all skilled students for the war effort. Despite the raging war, the academy was rather relaxed, far from the front lines. Everyone at the academy, as relaxed as they seemed, knew of the impending doom and worked hard at their respective specialties, ready to aid the war effort after graduation or when the time calls for it.
"...na-san... Setsuna-san!" Negi's voice shook her from her thoughts.
She stared at the young teacher, realizing the gaze of the whole class was on her, a small blush of embarrassment crept across her face. "Hai...?"
Negi gave a small smile at the red-faced girl and repeated himself "I was just saying, there will be a new student coming in next week and I want you to take care of her. Show her around, make sure she feels comfortable here in Mahora."
"M..Me?" Setsuna whispered, nervous.
"Hai!" Negi smiled "I'm sure you'd do a good job!"
"B...But.." Setsuna protested, but Negi had already resumed his lesson
Later, after school, Setsuna sat upon the roof of the school, staring into the distance.
'Why me?' Setsuna thought.
"Why you?" a shrill voice came from behind, startling the dark-haired girl
Setsuna got up swiftly and found herself face to face with three girls. Unlike Setsuna, they were dressed in robes, designating them as mages. The dark-haired girl frowned. She knew these three, and she couldn't never understand what grudge they held against her. Always picking on her just because she was different from the rest of them. They turned almost the entire school body against her, with the exception of some of the teachers and her own class.
"What do you want?" Setsuna glared at them
"Oh, you of all people should know, you crippled half breed." the middle girl sneered, obviously the leader of the trio
"Care to explain? Saito." Setsuna spat, not in the mood to deal with the three.
"The new transfer student. Why were you assigned to her? Why was she even assigned to your class anyway?" the girl called Saito growled
"Huh?" Setsuna was thoroughly confused
"Don't play dumb. Everyone knows the new transfer student is the dean's grand-daughter. An extremely powerful mage assigned to your pathetic excuse of a class."The girl on the left shouted
"The dean's grand-daughter? Kono-chan?" Setsuna whispered to herself
"Enough, Miki" Saito cut the other girl off.
Turning back to Setsuna "What strings did you pull half-breed? Who did you suck up to? I find it hard to believe the dean would assign you to his grand-daughter, since ur one of them"
"I'm not one of them!" Setsuna felt her blood boiling "And i didn't do anything"
"Sure, you are" came the devious sneer "You're a filthy half-breed that got picked up on the streets out of pity. There is no way you could have made it as far without sucking up to someone."
"Whatever" Setsuna snarled, tired of playing
She pushed past the three, neither one of them had to strength to stop her.
"That's right! Flee you coward" Setsuna heard them calling after her. Clenching her fist, Setsuna swallowed her anger and left as quickly as she could, trying to ignore the students avoiding her or the muted whispers behind her back. Without realizing it, She found herself standing in front of the dean's door, hesitating. She frowned at herself, before turning away from the heavy doors.
"Setsuna-kun." a deep voice called out to her
In shock, Setsuna froze. Slowly turning, she bowed low "Ko..Ko...Konoemon-sama"
"You came at a good time" the old man smiled "I was just about to look for you."
"M..Me?" Setsuna repeated "Is.. Is this about..."
"I see Negi-kun told you already" Konoemon grinned, gesturing for the girl to follow him into his office. "Yes. Konoka is coming here next week."
"Why?" Setsuna blurted out "Wasn't she honing her powers in a highly-specialized school?"
"Setsuna-kun." Konoemon sighed, suddenly looking very tired and weary. "We received news that the school has been evacuated by the Magic Council."
"Evacuated?" Setsuna repeated once more "Has the enemy advanced that far?!"
"Not yet, but they are closing in." Konoemon replied "The students have been split to attend other schools, so naturally i got Konoka in here."
"But.." Setsuna whispered, looking down "I..I am.."
"You saved her life once. I could not think of a more suited person to protect her." Konoemon rested a bony hand on Setsuna's shoulder
"S..She... Someone of Ojou-sama's caliber shouldn't be seen with me" Setsuna murmured before running out the door, leaving Konoemon staring at an open door.
"You haven't changed at all, Setsuna-kun" sighed the weary dean
A young girl brushed chocolate brown bangs away from her eyes, hands gripping her suitcase securely. She was quickly ushered into a magic shuttle together with some other students. Her chocolate orbs met the darkening sky, sending a foreboding chill down a spine. Troops from the Magic Council surrounded the area, directing students onto the shuttles.
She could sense the impending darkness as it crept upon the school that had become her home for many years. Settling into her seat, she sighed softly, gripping the soft armrest on the chair as the shuttle took off. As far as she knew, she was the only one going to Mahora. The rest of her friends had been sent to other schools. It wasn't much of a surprise, her grandfather was the dean of Mahora. It made sense that he would want her to be close to him.
Closing her eyes, she fell into slumber, knowing that the journey would be long and tedious.
My very first Negima fic! Been wanting to write one for a long time.