"Hello! What's up! How you doing? Welcome to the DMWA young man! Now as a new student you are required to undergo three examination fights against any students of your choosing. Any questions?" Lord Death asked.
"Wait, WHAT? I have to win three fights just to get into this academy? I've only had to fight once to get into my old school! The usual entry fight is one, as a rule," the hooded boy exclaimed.
"Ah yes, well with the Kishin Asura active again, we have to make sure our new recruits are strong enough to hold their own. So I truly apologize for the inconvenience, I just need to make sure you're strong enough. Otherwise I'd need to send you back to Ivalice. Oh and take these cards to your chosen competitors?" he replied, passing him three cards. All three held a golden skull symbol resembling Lord Death's mask.
"(sigh) sure, I understand. Thanks I guess," the boy replied before walking away. Lord Death began reading through the boy's entrance documents.
"That's strange, his name is veiled," the shinigami pondered. "Wait, his mother is…!"
The hooded boy continued walking through the large, white-yellow hallway. Golden candle holders littered the wall with bright orange hues of light; effortlessly and silently, while students strolled through the corridors.
'I need to choose three of these guys to fight sooner or later, so I may as well take a peek at a few soul wave lengths,' he thought, closing his eyes.
He could see a girl with anger management issues, a boy with a fear of getting less than an A++, and another boy who fought with fire and lightning. None of them interested him at the slightest. If he had to fight three meisters today, he may as well give the school a treat. It also occurred to him that his partner hadn't arrived at the school yet.
'I should probably ask some weapons to help me out for a little while. Even Vincent doesn't forget an important day like this' he thought.
Making his way through the school hall, cafeteria and infirmary, he eventually found the 'weapon training room'. As soon as his finger made contact with the doorknob, the door sprang open in the blink of an eye; knocking a woman onto her backside. The hooded boy rushed forward to help her back on her feet.
'I'm so sorry, mam. I had no idea this door did that!' he stammered.
'It's alright; I didn't watch where I was going. How nice of you to help a lady like me at a time like this! Not many boys are as chivalrous as you these days' she replied.
The boy blushed under his hood. His mom always told him that, but it felt a little more awkward hearing it from someone younger and, well, more attractive.
'Oh, by the way' the woman began, 'I'm Tsubaki, Black Star's weapon. You're new around here aren't you? Need a hand in something?'
The boy shook her hand a little awkwardly, realizing for the first time that he'd never held a girl's hand before, either. He realized from Tsubaki's grip that she was an agile weapon. She must definitely have a powerful meister.
'Now that you mention it-' the boy began before a booming voice filled the room.
'YAHOO!' exclaimed the voice, another boy's. 'I'll be the first meister to surpass God! Don't feel too bad everyone; no one can beat me even if I fought blindfolded!'
Tsubaki let out an awkward laugh.
'That's my partner, Black Star. He's, a little overconfident at times but he's got a good personality' she said.
'Black Star,' the hooded boy thought, closing his eyes, 'Let's see the wavelength you're so proud of'.
Black Star possessed an energetic soul; wild, powerful, confident, and a hint of-
'OW!' the hooded boy yelped, crashing face first on the ground. He landed on his back and was forced to the floor. A blue haired boy started prodding the boy's hood with his fingers.
'Hey we've got a new guy! Where'd you come from? Are you here to challenge me?' Black Star asked, a little too loudly when he was screaming in the hooded boy's ears.
Tsubaki was about to try pulling Black Star off of the poor boy until a white haired guy interrupted her.
'Black Star, that's not cool. Lay off the guy for a minute. Tsubaki, you're hyperventilating, breathe slower. I don't want to bring two people to the infirmary' the white-haired boy said.
The hooded boy felt the weight on his back lessen immediately, as if the boy that almost crushed his lungs was a ghost. The white-haired boy stood in front of the hooded boy and offered to help him up. This allowed hood boy to see his saviour a bit more clearly. He had calm, blood red eyes, a smile with sharp teeth, hair spiked in an 'I don't care' fashion and a face that personified confidence. His wavelength reflected bravery, calmness, control and, black blood? Hood boy took his hand gratefully.
'Thank you sir' the boy said.
White-hair laughed, he had attitude too.
'You're not in an interview, man. The name's Soul Eater. Mind taking off your hood so we can see you?' he asked, baring his teeth.
Hood boy shifted uncomfortably.
'Um, you see I…' the boy began
'Is it acne? Don't sweat it, we won't laugh at you' Soul added. The hooded boy couldn't help but smile at Soul's insight.
'Actually, it's because of my entry exam. I just wanted to get a weapon's help without them judging my appearance. With my partner running late and all' the boy replied shyly.
'Oh!' Tsubaki chimed in, 'that's what you wanted to ask me? Of course I'd help you, if I could. You do know that our soul wavelengths will have to be compatible right?'
'Of course I do. It's just that every weapon I've used has worked out for me. Though it's pretty rare, I've got an ambidextrous soul' the boy replied.
'Is that really true?!' the trio exclaimed in unison. The hooded boy could swear he saw Tsubaki mouth 'like Stein'.
'Absolutely! Thing is, I've got to fight three times to get entry,' he replied, resulting in his new companions to drop their jaws.
'I know, I know. I was kind of annoyed too, but Lord Death said he had to make sure I'd be okay; which brings me to my next request. Since Tsubaki has agreed to help me, can I get your help too, Soul?' he asked, hopefully.
Soul contemplated it, and then raised a brow.
'You're asking us to help you, but you haven't even practiced wielding us. Wouldn't you make a fool of yourself if you didn't end up being compatible with us in the examination stadium?' Soul thoughtfully added.
'Oh don't worry about that,' the hooded boy assured them, 'just tell me what your weapon forms are, I'm a great listener. You're talking to a master of improvisation! Besides Soul, it's not cool to stress practicing, right?'
Soul laughed good naturedly at this, earning smiles from Tsubaki and Black Star.
'I think we'll get along just fine, don't you think guys?' he asked, also earning nods from the duo. 'By the way, hood guy, have you chosen your opponents yet?'
To this, he responded by passing both him and Black Star a golden skull card.
'Soul, Tsubaki, I'd like the opportunity to challenge your meisters. Are you good with that?' the hooded boy asked.
Before Soul could reply, Black Star chimed in.
'You want to fight ME?! I mean it's cool that we're friends now but even I don't hold back in fights. Just ask Soul's partner' Black Star said.
'He's right you know,' Tsubaki continued before Soul could say anything, 'You sure you want to fight my meister?'
'I only need to win two out of the three fights, but what can I say? Black Star's charisma drew me in from the start, so what better way to get to know each other than by fighting?' hood boy asked, to which Black Star's grin widened.
'Count me in hood boy! I haven't had a decent fight in the last few hours. So don't disappoint me, okay?! YAHOO!' Black Star exclaimed, and he was off.
'Black Star! Wait for me!' Tsubaki yelled, almost jumping after him before the hooded boy stopped her.
'Thanks a lot, Tsubaki. It means a lot to me' he said, holding his hand out for Tsubaki to shake.
Tsubaki took it with both hands and shook. 'Just don't feel too bad if you lose, Black Star really hates losing' she replied, before jumping after her meister.
'I've chosen to ignore that, Tsubaki. That boy though, his soul has traces of shadow magic. Could it be that his weapon has a demon form?' the hooded boy thought.
Soul couldn't help but laugh, earning him a questioning look from his hooded friend.
'Humph, he's always like that when you first meet him, but he is cool when he wants to be. The battlefield is where he really shines' Soul replied, breaking the boy's thoughts.
The hooded boy nodded. Black Star seemed like a decent guy, but he had to be careful during the fight.
'That's right. You said you had three people to fight, right? Who's lucky number three?' Soul asked.
The boy realized Soul was right; he was too occupied from making new friends that he completely forgot about his third person. He was also running out of time to make his decision.
'I, don't have someone else! What should I do? My first fight starts in an hour and I haven't even done all the orientation stuff yet!' the boy stammered.
Soul gave the boy a playful punch on the shoulder, 'don't worry about it hood boy, I know just the guy to fight. Since you just chose to fight two of the top three meisters, I'll let you fight meister number one. Is that alright with you?' Soul asked.
'You're a life saver, Soul. Here, take this,' the boy said, handing Soul his last competitor card and preparing to leave, 'See you at midday?'
Soul stopped the boy by the shoulder as he began to walk away, 'I can't get back to you if I don't have your name, now can I?' he said.
The hooded boy contemplated it for a moment; he was hoping to surprise everyone but he did feel that he owed Soul for his help.
'My name is Noctis, don't over use it Soul,' he replied, with a sigh.
