Hi, hi, welcome to chapter four!
Wow, a week has passed by. This chapter was delayed because school is about to start over here where I live, and I had to take care of my enrollment documents. Surprisingly, this chapter rivals chapter two in terms of length. So maybe that's compensation enough? xD
Before I delve into this chapter's details, here's a quick reply to Endless Dream, an anonymous reviewer: Thank you! I really hope to fulfil your expectations regarding battles; after all, the fic's only at the tip of the iceberg. As for the question about Fusers, I originally intended to put the explanation here, so your question would have been answered even if I didn't reply like this. And your guesses and reasons on the types of mages the other characters will be are very interesting. You got some of them right (perhaps they were obvious) but hehe, I bet some will come across as very surprising to you. xD
Hm, I think I forgot to mention this earlier but Judai is taller than Johan in this story. And what, it's an important fact now? You'll find out at the end of this chapter! :D
Now then, no need to keep you waiting any longer! Read on, and hope you enjoy this very long chapter!
Fusion Hearts
Chapter 4: Shifting Winds
Johan was not lost.
No, of course he was not. The school was just constantly changing its appearance to confuse his mind and make him lo—
'Alright, I admit it!'
Who are you talking to, little boy?
'...'
Fate cackled.
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It had been a nice, sunny morning. Johan woke up with lots of spare time to prepare for his only class and breakfast. But he was assaulted by the news that Fujiwara didn't attend any class, due to self-study and research, so the Fuser was in no hurry to eat breakfast.
Which only meant that Johan had to go get breakfast by himself.
Johan took a deep breath as he went out of the dorm building.
EXACTLY one minute later...
'Where am I?'
The Reverse Fuser looked around him. There were trees, some smaller plants, and some buildings he could not recognize. 'Oh, great...'
"Wha'cha doin' here, mate?" Someone suddenly said from behind Johan. He spun around to see a familiar face. His jaw slacked as he pointed at the capped guy in surprise. "Ah, it's you!"
"Huh?"
"The Tamer guy who looked like a cowboy!"
Said guy blinked, and then laughed heartily. "Oh, you must've seen me durin' practicals!"
Light green orbs flickered. "It was yesterday, actually."
"Right. The name's Jim. Jim Crocodile Cook. Fifth-year. Yours?"
"Johan Andersen. Third year." He shook the offered hand.
Jim grinned. "Now then, wer' you lost?"
"Uh..." A sweatdrop ran down the back of the bluenette's head. The Tamer laughed. "No prob! Most offa' new kids get lost on the'r first week."
Oh, he was definitely NOT going to be lost on just his first week. "H-how did you know I was new? I said I was third year."
"Rumours, kiddo. Run fast'r than a spider a-scuttlin'," Jim replied with a grin. "Mister Reverse Fuser." He patted, and then ruffled Johan's wild hair.
Johan pouted. He just fixed his hair this morning, damn it! ... Not like his hair was ever not wild in the first place but... It took effort to at least comb it, you know!
"Hahaha... So... You headin' for food?"
The teal-haired teen nodded. His stomach was complaining already.
"Off we go marchin' then!"
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Breakfast was relatively normal. Class was not.
"So, everyone, starting today, Johan-kun will be attending this Lecture class-nya. Let's give him a warm welcome!" Daitokuji announced in front of a full class, with Johan beside him, wearing a small smile.
One unfamiliar blue-clad girl raised a question, "Are you really the new guy called Reverse Fuser?"
Did reputation and title really precede anyone in this school? It was just like back at Ruby Village, only that in there, it was his aptitude for music that made him known. The bluenette gave an uneasy grin. "Yeah."
Several cries of 'Wow!' and 'Amazing!' came from impressed students. Another piped up, "Can you give us a demonstration at Practical later?"
"S-sorry, but I won't be attending any practical. And I don't really have proper control of my ability yet."
Some were disappointed but dropped it anyway. Just when Johan thought the question-and-answer portion was over...
"What's your relationship with Yuki Judai?"
"... Eh?"
Almost immediately, green eyes sought through the class, and made contact with equally searching brown orbs right away. When the two boys realized the fact that they were staring at each other (how many times has it been?), and that everyone was watching them do it, they tore off their gazes at once, and began looking at anything else but each other, like the ceiling and the wall, faces slightly red.
What the heck was that question? Johan thought, his mind in a jumble he could not fix fast. It was just a question, but somehow his mind and heart were interpreting it in different ways. His mind was screaming 'friend!' just like he said during their talk last night, but his heart was convincingly whispering something else more than that. "He's... He's... We're..."
"Friends!" Two voices shouted at the same time. "... Huh?"
Eyebrows rose in suspicion and curiosity and some giggling was heard.
Fortunately for Judai and Johan, Daitokuji-sensei decided to come to their rescue by declaring the start of the day's lessons.
And fate rolled around in laughter.
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Morning classes lasted till before lunch, so that meant practicals began after eating. Johan had begun to get used to eating with five people: Shou, Asuka, Manjyome, Misawa and Judai.
Shou asked after sipping his soup. "Johan-kun, is your practical this afternoon too?"
"Yep, but it's much later, so I guess I have time to watch you all," he replied.
Manjyome laughed arrogantly as he raised one chopstick-wielding hand. "Hah, just watch as me, the almighty Manjyome Thunder-sama, outshine everyone in practical!"
People near their table shied away from the black-clad student, fearful that some random lightning would strike down from out of nowhere. But the others sitting in their table paid no mind, as if used to this happening. Except Johan, that is. He turned to Judai, confused. "Does that happen often? And I thought his name was Manjyome Jun?"
The brunette replied, "It happens every day so you should get used to it. Oh and for his name, yeah, you're right about that, but he is an Electricity Elementist, and he likes to boast about that so much, he wants to be called Manjyome Thunder by everybody instead."
Misawa added calmly, drinking, "He's trying to get his name changed, actually."
Johan laughed nervously. "R-really?"
Duel Academia sure had its own quirks. Maybe he should learn not to be surprised at anything anymore...
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Johan smiled as he leaned on the guardrail of the seats overlooking the arena below, as he watched his classmates from Lecture doing their practical. It looked fun, like it was just a card game, as students pitted their strengths against each other.
"Frigid Ice Pillars, Activate!"
'So Asuka is an Ice Elementist...' He thought as he watched her rain down sharp icicles at her opponent skillfully. He could dodge them with enhanced speed but she already had another card prepared to trap him, a rectangular sheet of ice this time, along with spreading ice on the ground, making him slip ungracefully and land on his butt.
"Oww..." The poor Inductor cried, to everyone's amusement.
It must be thrilling to 'play the game' like that. But...
'I can't fight.'
His magic ability may be unique, unknown even, but it's not something to be used in a battle. That's why he needed to be protected in the Academia.
He shuddered. 'If I were to face those guys from the Dark Army again... What will I do? Run away and save myself? All because I can't defeat them?'
"Johan!" A shout interrupted his thoughts. He looked down the field again, to see the culprit as Judai, waving. He smiled back, forgetting his worries.
"Bring it on, Manjyome!" The brunette looked pumped up as he faced his opponent on the other side of the arena.
"Thunder!" He corrected. "This is the day you fall to me, slacker!" Manjyome taunted.
"Whatever you say." Judai didn't look the least bit scared. He just stood confidently on his side of the field, seemingly calm and composed, yet there were traces of excitement on his face.
"Duel!"
Green eyes shone in excitement and anticipation. Then... 'Um, what was I thinking about again? Ah, never mind...' It was exhilarating to watch Judai in a Card Duel for fun for the first time, anyway.
Manjyome, being an Elementist, used electricity-based attacks against Judai's Neos. He appeared to have the winning edge, driving Judai into a corner. That is, until the brunette called out another monster, a blue glowing human-shaped one.
"Neos! Glow Moss! FUSION!"
Just like the first time he saw the Tamer do it, it was still a breathtaking scene, as there appeared a gleaming combination of the two monsters, a strong aura emanating from it.
There was an extra effect to the students around: shock. The Electricity Elementist in particular looked like he'd seen a ghost (well, the Neos fusion did have that chilling glow appearance...). "What, you're finally doing Fusions again?"
Judai replied with a triumphant grin, "It's not like I'm not allowed to do that, aren't I?"
"No fair, you—"
"Go, Glow Neos!"
BOOM!
When the smoke cleared, Manjyome was laying face-up on the field, on his back, knocked out.
The Fusion Tamer's victorious expression didn't change, as he did his winning pose, thumb, forefinger and middle finger pointed towards his fallen opponent. "Gotcha!"
'Wow, he really is powerful... Fusion, huh...'
That term suddenly gave Johan a revelation.
'Oh crap, I'm late for my practical!'
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Late was an understatement. He was absolutely, utterly, painstakingly late. It was because he got lost, of course, and had to ask for directions from so many people along the way.
His training spot, decided by his mentor, was an open grassy field near the dorms. Johan made it there, gasping for breath, in time to see Fujiwara seating under a tree, back leaned against the trunk, as he read a book.
"Fujiwara-san! Sorry, I'm late!" He greeted.
The book closed with a soft 'thump' as the Fuser replied calmly. "Don't worry about it. At least, I was able to confirm that you really have a lack of sense of direction. Something to note in my research, I suppose."
Johan didn't know if he should be happy or angry about that. While it was nice that he wasn't yelled at, having his inability to find his way quickly to be considered as something research-worthy was kind of unnerving... Ah, the mystery of the minds of geniuses...
Fujiwara stood up, brushing dust out of his pants. "Well, shall we start?"
"Um, I don't mind, but can I ask you something?"
"What?"
Johan noted that the fifth-year didn't seem bothered at all that his curiosity was unintentionally delaying the training. But he couldn't help but act on it. "How did you become a Fuser when there are no teachers here who are one?"
Fujiwara pondered for a moment before saying, "Because doing things is harder than in theory."
'H-huh?' Conversations with geniuses really were strange sometimes...
Perhaps the surprise and confusion showed on the third year student's face because Fujiwara decided to explain and elaborate further. "There's a reason why Fuser is the most difficult class of Card Summoner and very few people choose it, Johan."
"Not all monsters can fuse with a human, because both sides have their limitations, physically and mentally. If a human's body and mind cannot support and maintain the burden of having merged with a being, they are left vulnerable. You cannot become a Fuser in one day, it takes years. This is because you have to build trust with your chosen monster."
Fujiwara's left hand still held the book he was reading before, so in his habit to tuck his hands into his pockets, only the right hand followed. "I strengthened my bond with Honest for a year or so, and it took all of my fourth year to practice and train myself."
"Fusers are unique in that they can be both physical and magical Card Summoners. Equippers and Inductors are restricted to fighting by themselves, while Tamers and Elementists rely on monsters and elements. But Fusers gain both the physical and magical ability of the monster they fused with, like with Honest and me. I can choose to fight physically with his strength and wings, or I can use his magical powers, just like when I cleaned up the mess in the room."
His gaze didn't waver as he continued. "That's why there aren't too many magicians who choose this course. It's the length of time and the difficulty. Many want to be able to use magic at once, and are not really patient. Well, you are a special case; you don't need the extra year to form a strong bond with a monster, so you can go straight to training."
Johan was dumbfounded. He didn't know that Fusers were that special, and it was that difficult to become one by normal means (his case was special like Fujiwara said). The duels of his classmates that he saw earlier along with this train of thoughts gave him more determination to learn and control his strange magic.
Seeing that Johan seemed satisfied, Fujiwara prompted, "Ready to begin now?"
"Yes!" The bluenette replied eagerly.
He received a slight nod. "Let's start with the basics: activating your Duel Energy. This is relatively easy, though, so we won't spend too much time on this, but this is what you'll be doing most of the time, since it's what lets you use magic."
Johan listened attentively, feeling the cool afternoon wind rush against his face. Windy days were nice, and made him remember about the times he spent them near the Gem Spring, playing his flute or sleeping up in the branches of Gem Tree. 'Ah, no time for daydreaming now...'
"Based from what you told me, you activate your energy nearly the same way as everybody does, even if your first time was different. While it's convenient that you are able to activate it in your mind, it's still better to do it like everybody else does."
The blue-haired teen nodded.
"Duel Energy is present in your body but it's always scattered when you're not doing any magic. That's why you need a spell to activate, or gather it, for you to easier channel it to the card. The process feels like there's a river flowing through your body. Your mind decides what direction and how powerful it flows. You only need to do it once and after that, you can do as much magic as you like until you're tired or you've accomplished your task."
Fujiwara raised a forefinger in explanation. "Visualize it like this. Think of your Duel Energy currently as separate blobs of water, all different in shape and size. Using your mind, gather them together to form a river, like the current of blood that continuously circulates around your body. Once the river is complete and you've collected all the droplets, it will flow on its own, without the help of your concentration. That's when you let it meld with your body, like your circulating blood, by using the spell word you ought to have heard so many times by now."
"Try it. You can close your eyes, like most people do, if it will help you concentrate better," the fifth-year urged.
"Okay." Johan took a deep breath, and then closed his eyes. He could still feel the breeze and hear other sounds of nature, but he blocked them out with the darkness of his mind. The more he concentrated within himself, the better he could envisage like Fujiwara told him to. In his mind's eye, he could see the orange globules floating out and about in the darkness. With the invisible force of his mind, he joined them together to form bigger ones, and using the same force, made them flow. Like in the first time he did it back at the orphanage, he felt a river of power rushing throughout his body. When it resembled the Gem Spring in terms of its current, Johan let the stream merge with his being as he shouted, "Duel!"
At that, the river felt like it was blood in his body instead. It felt so... natural, but the trace of energy lingered and never disappeared completely. Johan slowly opened his eyes, to be met by the sight of Fujiwara sporting a rare small smile.
"Very good. For your first time doing it without help, that is. You took quite a while with that, but with practice, you'll be able to do it faster, and also without closing your eyes," the Fuser complimented.
Peridot eyes shone in happiness. It was true that on his first time, he was helped by that mysterious voice. And now that he had been successful in doing it by himself, it felt so wonderful, a heart-fulfilling accomplishment. It was such a warm feeling, similar to how he felt when he was playing his flute and hearing praise or seeing the happy smiles on people's faces because of it. It was simply amazing. "Thanks."
"Do you need to rest a bit after that before we continue?"
Johan shook his head. He just felt so energized, like Judai was when he gave the school tour, and it was like he could do anything, pumped up on excitement and the magic energy streaming in his body.
"To the main part we go, then. Using your Reverse Fuser magic."
The bluenette wore an enthusiastic expression as he paid attention to his teacher, still feeling Duel Energy running through his veins.
"This is my theory which I want you to put test regarding your ability, Dimension Crossing. The first time you did it, you weren't probably thinking or concentrating, given the situation you were in, but now that you could, this could apply. Creating portals might seem random at first sight, but then, you do them with a purpose in mind, right? If back then, you did it to get away from your current place, then the opposite could also hold true."
"What do you mean?"
"I think it is possible for you to create portals, not to get away from where you currently are, but to arrive at a certain place or destination. It's certainly useful if you could do it, don't you think?"
Johan's mouth formed an 'o' in realization. Fujiwara's theory made sense. And that could be of a huge help to him! He'd no longer need to wander around, and he could arrive at the place he wanted to in an instant. If his lack of sense of direction didn't affect his Dimension Crossing, then this was certainly something that will make his life easier.
"Wow, I really want to be able to do that!"
Fujiwara smiled in challenge. "Let's see if you can do it then. We'll start with something easy." He pointed to a tree north of them, a five-minute walking distance from where they were. "Go there. You can still see it from here, right? Concentrate, and try to picture the place in your mind. Direct the flow of your Duel Energy to your imagination. See if it helps you, and you might be able to make a portal in front of you that connects to that tree or the area under it. I'll survey you from above and see if you can do it."
The Fuser then did a Card Fusion, Honest's wings appearing on his back. He took off into the air and stayed there, watching Johan.
The teal-haired teen gulped, now feeling slightly nervous. He didn't feel so when he activated his Duel Energy because he'd done it once before, and his memories and the sensations he felt back then helped him in his own attempt earlier, but this one was different. It was something new. What if he messed up? Would he be wandering forever in some unknown place? Will he be alone? He shuddered.
'Yeah, I will. I'll always be your friend.'
Why did that voice echo in his head just now? Why would he be thinking about Judai at a time like this? He needed to concentrate! But he couldn't deny that, thanks to that, he no longer felt as nervous as before.
He took a deep breath, closed his eyes, before banishing unnecessary thoughts in his mind, letting only the scenery of where he was supposed to go to remain in there. The huge tree, swaying in the wind, surrounded by grass, sunlight shining down at it from a diagonal angle... At the same time, he controlled the flow of Duel Energy in his body, sending them to his mind like fuel to his imagination. Despite the darkness his lidded eyes provided, he could sense light suddenly shining in front of him, one that is bright and powerful.
Meanwhile, deep in his mind, tiny coloured crystals began forming into the picture of his destination, as if they were jigsaw puzzle pieces combining together to create a recognizable image. It could be compared to mosaic painting too. It was like his mind was now a blank canvas and the crystals were the colouring materials. Small emerald shards gathered to become the leaves of the tree, while some of them gave hue to the grass. Brown pieces lined up to make the trunk while sparkling blue ones recreated the sky background. Minute-yellow gems represented the sunlight. The process was fast, as if the colourful rocks knew where they should go. Soon enough, they were done, and set in Johan's mind was a clear, distinct and accurate picture of his destination.
He opened his eyes.
Blinding him for a moment was a large shining square gemstone-shaped portal, at the right height for him to go through as if it was just a door. There was white light at where he should enter, but the edges shone in rainbow colour.
"Wow..." He breathed. Was this real? Did he succeed?
Only one way to find out.
Gathering his courage, he stepped forward and entered the portal.
As he did so, however, the memories of that fateful night suddenly came rushing into his mind, prompting him to bring a hand to his head for support and close his eyes. There was the sound of a jewel shattering, and he felt his surroundings shake, like in an earthquake.
'Ugh... Wh-what's...'
And then, the ground underneath him inside the portal gave way and he fell.
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Fujiwara gritted his teeth as he flew through the air. What on earth was happening? One moment it looked like the magic was successful, as a second portal was slowly opening right underneath the destination tree, but then when Johan entered, the portal he was supposed to come out of stopped building itself halfway, and exploded, disintegrating into indistinguishable shards.
Johan's Dimension Crossing created two portals at the same time, one in front of him, and another on where he was going to go out. That was what Fujiwara witnessed from his aerial view. His entrance was completed first, while the exit was halfway completed, though at the rate it was appearing, it would be done once he entered, because it was very fast.
And yet...
Once Johan stepped through his magic-made entrance, the building process of his exit stopped and burst apart.
However, it appeared he wouldn't get stuck in his own portal.
From out of the corner of his eye, Fujiwara saw rainbow-coloured light shining from somewhere on his right.
'Isn't that where the practice arenas are?'
Gathering strength into his wings, he quickly sped off.
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"Yeah! Go for it, Shou!"
Judai cheered from the stands as he watched his friend duke it out with another of their classmates. Shou was a Tamer like him, not to mention his roommate as well, so among his friends, he was the closest. Johan was... well, special (he didn't know why yet). Speaking of Johan...
'I wonder how he's doing with his practical...'
"Hey, what's that?" Someone shouted out.
The brunette was forced to shield his eyes as bright light began shining from high above him. Blinking, he then tried to look up at it, like everybody else, curious and wondering what it exactly was. But Judai faintly recognized it. 'Why does it look and feel familiar...?'
And then he remembered that night.
'That's...!'
The light suddenly began to take shape, that of a bright square portal.
"Waaaah!" A voice yelled from inside the white light. Everyone was shocked. Wasn't that...
And in a matter of seconds, Johan came flailing out of the portal, which was right on top of the brunette. Judai's eyes widened when he saw the bluenette come out then closed them as he fell down the ground hard on his back, as Johan crashed down on him completely. The Reverse Fuser's exit detonated in a flash of minute crystal shards that were carried away by the air.
"Oww..." Two voices echoed at the same time. That ungraceful tumble was definitely painful for both of them, more so on Judai and his poor back.
The rest of the class immediately came running at the area where the two fallen boys lay. The teacher, Miss Ayukawa, yelled, "Are you all right?"
Unlike the first time, Johan's head laid on the open space by the side of Judai's head, so his face was completely mashed by the cold stone floor.
The flapping of wings caught the spectators' attention, prompting them to temporarily look away from the jumble of limbs that was Judai and Johan, and up in the sky where Fujiwara was. The Fuser landed gently on the ground, and he shone as his wings disappeared. He clutched Honest's card between two fingers.
"Well, this is certainly interesting..."
Johan slowly got up, only to look down directly on glittering amber orbs staring back at him. He quickly got off and backed away a few paces, terrified. 'Why did I come out here?'
The Fusion Tamer sat up, despite his back protesting against the action. "Johan? W-Why did your portal appear here?"
"Well, that's..." He couldn't continue, feeling the stares of his classmates trained on him.
Fujiwara answered for him. "Dimension Crossing gone haywire, it seems."
The rest of the students, who didn't know and had never seen the display of power before now, wore expressions of utter amazement. It was a never-before-seen type of magic after all.
"I messed up..." Johan said with a sigh as he sat down cross-legged.
"Not necessarily," Fujiwara countered as he walked nearer to the two of them. "If your first time was of basis, then this is an improvement. While you failed in reaching your destination, you didn't faint at all, right?"
Both Judai and Johan gasped when they realized that he was right. Johan in particular was blushing from the half-praise.
"That means you're getting more used to having Duel Energy running in your body. That's the good news."
The Fusion Tamer tilted his head. "And the bad one?"
"Why, of all places, did Johan end up here?"
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In the deep underground of Sapphire City lay the base of operations for the notorious group, the Dark Army. They practiced discretion, always being sure to cover their tracks when they came out during the night, so the kingdom's own peacekeepers were never able to catch them. Those who bumbled and were captured were mostly the low-ranking ones who didn't know the darker secrets of the organization and could not divulge any useful information. And so the Dark Army sowed terror among the citizens in the city at the rise of night.
They always protected their identities with their black cloaks that blended so perfectly with moonless nights. Rumours, however, told tales of the head of the rogue group. He was said to never appear in public, letting his minions do his bidding. But this was not an act of laziness; rather it was that he was powerful that he did not do such 'mundane' jobs. There was nothing else to discern his identity other than the title the members call him by: Mad King.
Lowly henchmen did not receive orders from him, but from a special group of advisors that were said to be powerful magicians as well, though not as much as the reigning lord himself, but still strong in their own right. No names were known for them either, and only special codenames. They mostly lead a group of five or so of the weak members. Stories passed around by word of mouth said there were eight of them, but nobody was sure of the exact number.
The most recent news was that of the appearance of a Dark Army Inductor by the title of 'Scout', who lead a group of Equippers, and the most active in nightly raids. He was able to defeat the Rainbow Kingdom soldiers who came to stop him with ease, showing that the Card Summoners of the Dark Army were not just your normal magicians. Judging by his power, many speculate that he might indeed be one of the higher-ups in the organization. As for his slightly flashy activity, perhaps it had something to do with his supposed name. He was 'Scout'— a spy, a gauge of the ability of the kingdom's own troops. It mattered not whether he was seen or not, because his role was to see the strength of the other side, and make them show their hand by force so that his own organization had data on strengths and weaknesses.
Under the cover of the darkness below land, Mad King himself was sitting in a throne in the cavern that acted as the Dark Army's center. The cave had been obviously modified to suit the needs of the humans living in it. On the rocky walls hang dimly-lit torches, not strong enough to drive away the darkness, but bright enough that the pathway and obstacles could be seen.
"Is that so, Scout?" He spoke in a booming yet menacing voice that echoed off the excavated stone walls.
"Yes," was the respectful reply that came from 'Scout', who was kneeling before the leader.
"That's definitely an intriguing magician. However, regarding that ability... Nobody may know or have an idea, but I have a hunch on what creature is currently possessing the boy."
The Inductor looked up in surprise. "You do, my Lord?"
"Yes. A very powerful one if I am correct, but as of now, it is unclear. I need more evidence to back this guess. Perhaps if that boy were to show another form of his ability, one that would make the identity of the monster more obvious, my speculation can be proven."
"Then," Scout suggested, "Should we arrange for 'the viper to constrict him'?" It was obviously a code of some sort.
A sinister smirk that appeared on his face forebode of something dangerous. "Yes..."
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Johan sighed as he fell down on his bed, feeling completely fatigued and hungry, having no energy but to remain face-up on his bed, staring at the white-gray ceiling.
Two months have passed since he started his magic schooling in Duel Academia. The days were constantly filled with lessons and training of his ability. He mostly hung out with Judai and the gang during breaks and sometimes on weekends. He'd gotten closer to Asuka, Shou, Manjyome and Misawa, though not as much as with Judai, whom he has now considered his best friend. But because teachers often gave a lot of homework, even those two days were mostly crammed too.
Furthermore, students were not allowed to leave the campus, since the Dark Army had been more active recently. And while they rarely came out during the day, that was still no guarantee that you'd be killed or captured by them. This applied especially to Judai and Johan, who were on the constant watchful eye of their teachers, although the two did not know that.
In the eight weeks, it had been more apparent that there was more to his magic than originally thought. No matter how many times he tried however, he could not do a perfect Dimension Crossing with a specific destination. He'd always end up farther off, a good distance at least, so Fujiwara forbid him to use it outside of training, because if by some unlucky chance, he might end up outside the campus, where he'd be an easy target for the Dark Army. He'd improved at the very least in each attempt he made, making the exit closer to his intended area, unlike the first time where he ended up in a very unexpected place.
He could also activate his Duel Energy faster than before and it was now like second nature to him, like majority of the students. He could do it without closing his eyes, and also like the first time he did it, mentally, without shouting the spell word. There were some occasions in Dimension Crossing, however, when he ended up going out of a portal that would appear somewhere near where Judai was, getting him in embarrassing situations, because apparently, his portals had a mind of their own, and liked appearing on top of the Fusion Tamer.
As for that little mystery, Fujiwara still had no idea.
Of course, his reputation and title still preceded him and while at first, he would feel apprehensive about it, he had gotten used to the wondering stares and whispers that surrounded him when he walked around, both in front of him and behind him. He wouldn't feel very nervous when Judai was with him and they were talking, however.
Judai.
He closed his eyes, willing the light warmth in his cheeks to go away. Over the course of days, that strange feeling in his heart he'd had ever since he met the brunette at the Gem Spring became more pronounced. At first, it was very tiny but it grew with each passing day. At times, it was there, and sometimes, no. But he'd figured out that it was there often when he accidentally ended up too close to Judai. When they were just speaking to each other and acted like the friends he was sure they were, he'd feel just fine. But most intimate contact like some mishaps in Dimension Crossing that landed him crashing from the sky on top of Judai sent butterflies fluttering in his stomach. It was a sensation that was both pleasant and unnerving at the same time.
It was something he was experiencing for the first time. But he could not exactly talk to anyone about it, because it felt... private. And those kinds of things were what you were supposed to share with your best friend, but when said best friend was the one involved, it didn't feel right.
He rolled over on his bed, burying his face in his pillow sluggishly. Was life really this complicated? He contemplated. It felt like a rush, a raging waterfall, where he had jumped off and never landed, and the thrill always present in his veins. On the other hand, life in Ruby Village was like a slow and calm stream, the days and nights monotonous and peaceful, surrounded by his music and telling stories to the orphan kids.
Was gaining the ability to use magic a fair trade to not being able to return to that old life anymore?
He didn't know. He refused to answer that question, even if he knew; the choice was just that heavy.
It was not that he hated having gained magic powers. Unique and useless in combat as it was, he considered it a gift by the god of their kingdom. In the stories he told the younger orphans, the dragon god was a kind being, and always gives blessings to the people who have been good. He didn't want to say that he was exactly one of those good people, but the thought that he was given a gift without anything much from him in exchange was a blessing.
Having a positive outlook in life and always looking at the bright side of things... That's what he was. Others might call it stupidity, some could consider it sentimental of him, many would say idealistic, but he wouldn't mind.
Because there was always hope.
Even though the threat of the Dark Army hung over his head every day, somewhere in the darkness their sudden involvement in his life provided, there was a small light.
'And that's Judai...'
To be a target of the Dark Army at such a young age like he was, it was very frightening. But it was the Tamer's reassuring presence that gave him the energy to face the day with a smile.
'Just keep smiling, Johan. Because I promise you... I'll protect you.'
He curled up on his bed, feeling a warm smile form on his lips right there and then. Even if he didn't admit it out loud, he knew deep inside of him that Judai gave a sense of security to him. That was what the strange feeling in his chest told him, and he couldn't help but agree. That's why on the night the Dark Army attacked the orphanage, he trusted Judai to save everyone in the house, and did not blame him. Judai could fight with his monsters, while he could not. But that fact, rather than make him feel weak and useless, made him feel special and safe instead. And only Judai could do that. Only Judai could make him feel like that. Had it been anyone else, he was sure that he wouldn't feel the same.
And that was a reason why he didn't mind having a power that could not harm others.
He never knew that one person could change his life this much, so much as to affect how he thinks and how he feels.
Yet, at the same time, this unintentional dependency on Judai was his weakness. It was the dark fog he could not drive away. It made him selfish. It made him wish that he really did have the ability to fight like other people. It made him remain discontented with the way things are, when he should have been just satisfied enough. Because Judai made him feel safe, it was human instinct for him to cling to the pillar of security.
He didn't want Judai to die.
It was the conflict of his heart that he could not settle. While he did indulge in the joy of being protected by Judai, he couldn't take it if that meant Judai would sacrifice himself, if it meant that Judai had to face the Dark Army alone while he hid behind the walls of Duel Academia. If there ever came a time where they'd have to confront the evil organization, he wanted to be beside Judai, not behind him, or run away to another place. He wished to be able to protect the people who are important to him by doing something other than hiding from the threat. But the way he was now, he'd be just dead weight in any battle.
He wanted power.
As vile a desire as it was, he couldn't deny it.
0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0
"Judai? Judai, hello? Blizzard Prince calling Yuki Judai!"
Poke. Poke. POKE.
"Ouch! ...H-huh?"
The brunette immediately put a hand to his forehead, in effect stopping his daydreaming, as the culprit sported a happy smile in his success. "Fubuki-san, what was that for?" He complained.
Fubuki dramatically replied, "Because I've been calling you for the past five minutes and you wouldn't even look at me! That pained me so, Judai-kun!"
The Tamer blinked. He was? He didn't realize! Was he really deep in thought that much? Still, he couldn't help but sigh at the overdramatic tendencies of the fifth-year in front of him. Tenjoin Fubuki, also known as Blizzard Prince, would never change.
"What do you want?" He himself was surprised at the slight irritation in his voice. He wasn't really angry at Asuka's older brother, just annoyed that he was distracted, that's all.
"Now, now, that's not the way to talk to your senpai, Judai-kun," Fubuki replied in a playfully reprimanding voice. "I was just curious."
"Curious of what?"
Fubuki smiled mischievously as he patted Judai on the head. "Because you've never daydreamed till now! You sleep and then dream, that's what you used to do. Why the sudden change now? Are you thinking of someone?"
'Yeah, I am,' the brunette replied in his mind, though he didn't want to say it out loud, because he knew Fubuki would pester him about it till he learned the truth. But that was the Ice Elementist's (like his sister) way of showing concern, having been acquainted with him for three years now. If Shou called him Aniki and was dependent on him as big brother, then that was also how he felt about Fubuki, minus the calling Aniki part.
Truth was, he was thinking of a certain Reverse Fuser, making him spaced out. And just like Fubuki said, he didn't normally do that, but when it came to the bluenette, it was always him, his mind and his heart arguing and pondering about some relevant (to him, anyway) things.
"Don't worry about me, I'm just fine. I'm not like I was before, right?" He tried not to burden Fubuki with his troubles.
The Blizzard Prince ruffled his junior's hair, smiling. "Yeah, you're not and everyone's glad for that. Still, I wonder what really happened when you went out. You came back to Duel Academia with a smile and with a new friend."
Judai blushed lightly at the implication of Johan, because the newbie magician was just filling his thoughts before.
"Well? Can you tell me what's bothering you?" Fubuki asked, still grinning.
"It's... I don't really know..." He was just confused, unable to sort out his thoughts and his feelings properly, which made him spaced out in the first place. He was experiencing feelings he never felt before and he didn't know what to do about it. When it was not related to food or Card Summoning, he was unsure. He couldn't just decide and settle this complicated matter in a Card Duel.
Fubuki removed his hand from the top of Judai's head. After a while, he said astutely, "It seems that this aspect of you will never change, Judai-kun. Telling your friends about your trouble is not burdening them, you know."
The brunette looked up to him with surprised eyes. "Fubuki-san..."
"KYAAAA! It's Fubuki-sama!"
"There he is!"
A group of girls then came running to where the two of them were and swarmed the Blizzard Prince, prompting Judai to stand up and back away lest he get trampled by them. Fubuki's fangirls were rather... wild.
"Ladies, no rushing. There's plenty of me to go around~" Fubuki declared with a sweet smile, as he struck a pose.
Some of the girls fainted.
Judai sighed. So where did the slightly more mature and brotherly Fubuki of thirty seconds before go?
Tenjoin Fubuki, also known as Blizzard Prince, would REALLY never change.
0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0
"So what do you think happened?"
Shou looked up from browsing through his cards, sending an inquiring look at the one who asked the question, Asuka.
Currently, four of them were at the lounge of the blue dorm. There were couches and tables there, so most students who didn't like spending their free time under the sun preferred the place. While there were normally six of them in their little group, Judai and Johan got detention during lecture, for a really stupid yet funny reason. It was because the Tamer fell asleep in the middle of the discussion, crossing his arms on top of the desk as a pillow for his head. Johan was seated next to him, and while this was a normal occurrence and the new guy had gotten used to Judai's sleeping-in-the-classroom habits, on this particular day the Reverse Fuser accidentally did something different. And obviously disastrous.
Johan usually nudged him lightly and quietly till he woke up groggily but today the bluenette by some chance poked him in the armpits, causing the Tamer to wake up, naturally.
It's just that, unlike the previous times, said Tamer woke laughing out loud.
And evidently, by some invisible iron rule that was practiced by all schools, magic or not, disrupting class by laughing out loud, even more so when there was an implication that you were asleep a few seconds before that unexpected action, meant that you had detention.
Luck wasn't on the two teens' side today but the mischievous crack-head fate apparently was.
And now, back to the situation at hand... Shou put down his cards as he answered the blonde girl's question with one of his own. "You mean, when Aniki disappeared to Ruby Village and came back as his old self?"
"He's not completely reverted," Manjyome, who was seated lazily on the couch, retorted with a frown. "He's still not over that, it's obvious."
Asuka's worry showed up even more on her face when the Electricity Elementist mentioned and put emphasis on the incident nobody really liked to remember. But then, he was a rather blunt person who had a weird way of showing how he was also worried about their friend. "Even if he'll never be the same anymore, at least he's no longer blaming himself about it, and I'm glad for it. What I'm wondering about is... I wonder if Johan-kun had something to do with Judai's personality changing to something similar to how he was before."
"His idiotic happy-go-lucky self, you mean? Though I have to admit, although I don't like it, he's much less of an idiot now. That practical the day after he came back was the fastest time he ever beat me." Manjyome crossed his arms, grumbling.
"We can't say for sure, but I do agree with your theory, Asuka," Misawa said as he interlaced his fingers and rested his chin on them, in a posture of pondering. "It would really seem that way, given that, that's the only time we didn't see him. But it's almost hard to believe that he could change so much in a day and a half."
Shou voiced out his thoughts in a quiet and unsure voice. "And they seem really close, as if they've been friends for a long time, or like they've known each other their whole life..."
At that statement, everyone remained quiet for a little while, sorting out their own thoughts and opinions on the matter.
The Ice Queen shattered the silence, looking uneasy. "If the two of them are that close, then the Dark Army might do what they did before again. And this time, to Johan."
0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0
A beautiful full moon graced the sky that night. It was the queen of the heavens, and the stars looked content settling on the sidelines with their tiny lights.
However, the sight wasn't the only thing beautifying the night.
If one were to tune out the hooting of owls and the barking of dogs, one would be able to hear the faint song of a flute being played so cordially from up a tree, one of the many in the campus of Duel Academia.
Gentle fingers pressed up and down on the holes of the musical instrument, like those of a skillful weaver. The melody was comparable to a crafted piece of art, not perfect but wonderful enough to be enjoyed and appreciated. It had its rough edges, like a diamond just unearthed, yet the emotions behind each note were honest and clear as untainted gems.
Johan didn't feel cold; the warmth his song was providing blanketed him from the chill most nights gave. Although the air was free-flowing from where he was sitting, which was a sturdy branch up a big tree, he endured the cold. His shirt sleeves reached up to his wrist, anyway, and the fabric was rather thick for night clothes.
He was secluded in the world of his music so he had no idea how those who heard the flute-playing reacted, the list composed of mainly the students of Duel Academia. Most of them were asleep, and thus oblivious to the sound, but those who were awake literally stopped on their tracks or whatever they were doing when the melody reached their ears.
Asuka's pen halted as she closed her eyes, enabling her to feel and enjoy the music more. 'It's a sad song... but somehow, it gives a warm feeling too...'
Meanwhile, Manjyome was just about to close his eyes and go to sleep when he heard the tune. He said nothing, and merely adjusted his laying position. But he couldn't deny that the music was giving him positive vibes about his dilemma.
Misawa closed the book he was reading as he listened to the music. While he admitted that he did enjoy it, the flute-playing also made him curious, because as far as he knew, there were no prominent musicians among the students.
Shou looked over the empty bed opposite him. He hadn't noticed but sometime during the night Judai had sneaked away. Most likely, it was because he couldn't sleep. The brown-haired Tamer seemed to do that a lot in the previous months, ever since coming back from his adventure in Ruby Village. It didn't seem like he was going back to his old self again, but that there was something bothering his mind... and heart. 'Aniki...'
"Can't sleep again?"
Johan abruptly stopped and opened his eyes (when he played, his eyelids automatically closed themselves, enabling him to feel the music more). He turned his head around, spotting none other than Judai standing under the tree. With a smile, he jumped off the branch, landing right in front of the Tamer. The branch wasn't that high anyway so he didn't break a leg doing so.
"You really know me well already," he commented.
Given that the moon was bright in this night, the darkness had a hard time concealing the blush that formed on Judai's face with that reply. He turned his head to the shadowy side, hoping that Johan wouldn't notice it that way. This situation wasn't certainly helping the worries that Fubuki wanted him to reveal earlier. He wanted something, anything, to divert his attention from this right now. Luckily, his eyes landed on the musical instrument clutched on the bluenette's right hand.
"Johan, since when were you able to play?"
"Hm?" The Reverse Fuser seemed surprised by the sudden question but decided to answer anyway. "I don't really know. I've already told you I was found when I was seven, right? As far as I can remember, I've always had this flute, even before I started living in the orphanage. I don't know how I got it though. It feels mysterious, actually."
"Why?"
"Because I was able to play it before I even started learning musical notes in our local school. Somehow, when I want to play, my fingers just move on their own accord, as if they know the song. It's a little hard to explain... It's like there's a voice within me who tells them how to move. I know it's a little hard to believe too, but that's really how it is."
"The flute itself feels magical, to tell the truth," he added. "See, it's pure white and has seven holes. It's night time so you won't be able to see, but, during the day, when the flute's hit by sunlight, it actually shines like a rainbow. It's weird but I think it's cool," Johan said as he smiled sincerely.
The brunette gulped when he saw the smile directed at him, and he suddenly lowered his head so that his bangs covered his eyes.
Johan tilted his head, confused. "Judai, is something wro—"
He was cut off when the brunette suddenly grabbed his arm and pulled him. His head bumped into Judai's chest, and his face was buried into the black shirt, as the Tamer's other arm wrapped around his back, further drawing him closer to the taller teen's body. The hand that originally had an iron grip on his arm let go and moved to the back of his head, fingers evident of a skilled fighter buried themselves surprisingly clumsily and hurriedly in untamed blue hair that the night was trying to paint black.
'...!'
At first he was surprised by the sudden action, but when he realized that the act was a hug, the strange sensation that was building up in the last two months immediately made itself known again, much more pronounced than before, and he felt his face turn scarlet.
Judai was... hugging him?
His heart thumped loudly in his chest, while his mind was a mush of fuzziness at the moment. He also felt a strange tingling in his body, travelling from his heart and to his whole body up to the tips of his fingers, making him shiver. He felt frozen, stuck in the moment from shock.
This close contact enabled Judai's warmth to seep into his body, like heat waves from a bright and undying flame. It completely and utterly burned away the natural coldness that was biting him to return to reality.
His ears were ringing, and the nightly sounds seemed so far away. He faintly felt his flute clatter to the grass with a soft thump, his hand feeling too weak by the astonishment to remain clutching to it.
He could definitely breathe in Judai's scent, a piece of information that only served to intensify the redness of his cheeks and the beating of his heart, and it certainly didn't help in his attempt to get his mind to be more coherent.
Why was this happening? This wasn't the first time he made body contact with Judai. When they first met, he held Judai's hand. When he saved the brunette from death the first time he did a Dimension Crossing, he was also holding him. All the previous times before this, any touch just felt normal, a friendly deed. They were best friends, after all.
So... why?
What was with this particular moment and action that made it so... different, and somehow, more blissful?
He closed his eyes, not daring to move his head from where it was. For some reason, he couldn't bear to look at Judai's face now, slightly afraid that the answer to this sudden strange act was in there, and it was something he wasn't prepared to know.
But one thing he was sure of: right now, standing in this moonlit night nestled in Judai's arms, he felt like he was in the safest place in the entire world.
The feeling of heaven didn't last long as Judai suddenly tensed, as if he just realized what exactly he had done. The Tamer's arms quickly let go, as if electrified. He hastily backed away a few paces from Johan, who was completely bewildered and felt a bit distressed that the sudden release seemed like the brunette was repulsed. "Judai...?"
The brown-haired teen raised his head a little, allowing the moonlight to shine on his face, and enabling Johan to see the confused, and somehow, terrified, amber orbs looking directly at him. Johan froze.
After a while, Judai yelled in a panicked voice:
"I'm sorry!"
And before Johan could say or do anything, Judai turned back and ran away, not even looking back.
The bluenette felt dread in his heart as he watched his best friend go. The air felt so heavy and he couldn't get the energy to move and go after him. He wanted to know why Judai did that but after seeing those brown eyes...
He just couldn't.
Furthermore, what exactly was Judai sorry for? It wasn't like he did anything bad, did he? He just...
'...hugged me.'
And that thought just sent Johan's heart beating faster.
Was that something normal friends did? And even if it was, was it normal to feel a strange pounding in your chest when your friend did it to you?
Then was that why Judai apologized? Because he did something friends normally didn't do?
As Judai ran farther away, Johan was getting the terrible feeling of something breaking.
Was it his heart?
Or was it their friendship?
To be continued...
Oh no, cliffhanger? D:
Hey, if you're confused about what happened to Judai and Johan, maybe you can relate it to this: 'There are times when the transition of friendship to love can be harsh, and difficult to accept when you realize it.'
Hah, I come up with the strangest quotes for some reason...
Chapter Notes:
-Jim Crocodile Cook: He's a fifth-year in this fic. While his meeting with Johan seemed random, he has a prominent role in this story which I will explain... later. :p
-Manjyome as an Electricity Elementist: I bet this fact came out of left field to most of you! xD Maybe you expected him to be an Equipper because of VtoZ? This in itself has a deeper story than it seems, not only because his nickname is Thunder, and that in Episode 111 he summoned thunder to destroy his computer monitor just because Google (or was it yahoo?) wouldn't give him info about Amon Garam. xD
His back story would have an impact on our two main protagonists. Actually, it's not just him; even the rest of the characters' stories will affect the relationship between Judai and Johan, both positively and negatively. Because hey, just because this fic is Spiritshipping does not mean that the minor characters should be shoved to the closet. I am slowly introducing them, before I start delving into their histories in the latter chapters.
-Tenjoin siblings being Ice-users: This is a reference to manga Asuka, who uses an Ice deck unlike the anime version's Cyber Sporty Girl deck. One of her Ice deck cards is 'Frigid Ice Pillars', the attack she used in this chapter.
As for Fubuki, it's a play on his title of 'Blizzard Prince'. Feedback on my portrayal and introduction of him in this chapter would be helpful.
And since they are siblings who are famous in the Academia (be it this version or the anime's), I modified Asuka's title of 'Queen of the Obelisk Dorm' to 'Ice Queen'. Very fitting and ironic at the same time, I think. Why? Because Fubuki's older yet he is 'Prince' while Asuka is 'Queen'. xD Like Manjyome, their story is a plot point but it's not the common scenario of Asuka liking Judai and Johan gets jealous. NO.
-Shou as a Tamer: Endless Dream's reasoning is the same as mine. :D
Ah, this chapter appears to be the starting line of non-friendship Spiritshipping. And Johan's having some very dangerous thoughts D: But really, given how he is, he's bound to think that way. He is the type to be beside Judai, after all ;) This way of thinking is vital to the plot, so note that in your predictions of this story.
So what did you think of the detailed show of Johan's ability? As for the Duel Energy activation, I got the idea from the third season, where the orange blobs floated in that capsule Cobra made.
More characters will be introduced in the next chapter, along with the in-depth narration on the turmoil of emotions that Judai and Johan are experiencing. Be on the watch about the Dark Army as well, Mad King and Scout did say something ominous...
Next chapter preview (some bits):
Why was it that being with Judai now seemed awkward, unlike before when it felt so comfortable?
And now it seemed that this current turn of confusing events affected his ability.
"He told me he was skipping class today."
"I never thought this fact would be vital, but I guess I'll say it now: Your heart has the greatest influence on your magic, more so than your mind and your body."
Review if you please. All comments and suggestions are appreciated.
~Rine-Line