I didn't know that reposting will take this much time.
For THOCD: AT readers, if I can I promise to update right after this. =.=
Know what just a share of thought, I was like I thought I don't have anything to do right now, which totally made me happy because I can finally update only to find out that I have lots of homework due on Monday. =.=
Oh well, at least I was able to do it( a little bit rushed, but it's okay XD). Anyways, I'd like to thank Dinosaursgorawr101 for reviewing :)
And the rest for faving and subscribing. I highly appreciated it :)
Anyways, let's get it on! Please do enjoy the third chapter of Searching.
Searching
I wanna know, I wanna know
Your name, Your name, Your name
Why you gotta be anonymous?
I gotta know, I gotta know
Your name, Your name, Your name
Why you gotta be anonymous?
Anonymous By: Bobby Valentino
-Chapter 03-
The first three periods were okay, seeing that we really didn't do much except for homeroom.
*Sigh* I swear that Mr. Heitmann hates me. With the way he just looks at me during class is just plain evil. I bet he might pull off another stunt like that again, which I hope that won't happen ever.
"Hey, wow!" Crow greeted as he stared at me wide eyed whilst his jaw dropped suddenly. I wonder what happened as I allowed myself to trail off to where he's actually staring at.
Oh, it's my plate.
Actually right now we're at the cafeteria, the handbook wasn't definitely kidding alright that the cafe is like a food court since it has a lot of variety of stores placed around the place.
Other than that, it was simple, with large steel round tables placed randomly in the middle of the room, which is matched by its simple steel chairs. The wall just matches the color of the High School building itself while the floor is just plainly covered in white tiles.
There's even a large circular-like T.V. above us, where we can all just watch whatever's flashed on its holographic screen. It's actually a good place to hang out. Now, it makes me wonder what the Mall actually looks like. Seeing that the cafeteria alone is already kind of cool.
If you're wondering if you can choose whatever kind of food you get since it's like a food court? Well, yeah, you can choose whatever kind of food you would want to get, but it also depends on your D-Status.
As you can see, today I just happen to choose the Chinese Meal Set A, it was a simple Yang Chow fried rice, along with a bowl of Sweet and Sour Fish and a plate of Fried Lemon Chicken, just by looking it already seemed scrumptious.
D-Status might affect it, and so far, I don't know how though, but even if, I don't think it will change the food quality seeing that Duel Academy caters mostly to the rich people.
"That's effing delicious! Darn, I wish I was an Obelisk Blue like you!" Crow whined as he took the seat beside me. Then I looked at his plate, I can't believe we ordered the same thing, the only difference with him was, the rice which is plain while he only had a few pieces of Lemon Chicken as his viand.
Now I know how it is affected.
"We can share if you want. Here," I uttered nonchalantly as I pushed the bowl of Sweet and Sour Fish in front of him. He was definitely surprised, and I can see that he was definitely elated with what I did, somehow making me crack a smile a bit.
Somehow, Crow being like that reminds me of the pals I had back at the orphanage. Most especially, Rally. Rally is really a good kid; he's like a brother to me. Like Crow, he's a hyperactive but not this much with the way Crow is. Also, simple gestures like this really makes him smile, like how Crow reacted just now.
"Really? You sure? I mean it's your food! I can just charge for an extra bowl."
If you're wondering how we charge for an extra bowl. Well, as you can see the first serving of food is actually free, if you want extras beyond what is given, you can buy it with your DP, using our I.D.'s where it is stored.
"Yeah, I'm sure," I insisted. His face quickly formed a grin as he allowed himself to get a piece using his chopsticks.
"Wow, thanks! You're really nice; you know that despite that fact that you seem to look aloof!" He exclaimed as he started digging in.
Okay, he doesn't have to say that, but I'll have to admit that. I am a phlegmatic guy.
"Hey, just wondering was Mr. Heitmann always like that?" I asked, I still can't forget him. It was obvious that he was up to no good when he suddenly made me duel this morning.
"Oh, our homeroom teacher! Well, I heard that he was really strict. Honestly, it's my first time being under him. So, I can't say much about him. Oh, which reminds me!" Crow blurted suddenly, somehow making me raise a skeptic brow on him as I perked up a bit.
"Yeah, what is it?"
"Have you seen the Duel King and Queen in class already?" He stated excitedly.
"Well, not really but so far I assume that the King is the blond guy sitting at the back, while the Queen is the girl with burgundy hair sitting just on the opposite side of the King." He really seemed surprised with the way he stared at me weirdly, maybe I got it right?
"Wow, how did you know that!"
"Well, as I said I just assumed that it was them with the way the look and all that. So, they're really the Duel King and Queen, huh?" I clarified with him.
No wonder, I was actually right. I didn't know that I have a good intuition. But, in fairness, with the way they look at me like that they're really intimidating, nevertheless it doesn't mean I'm scared of them.
Maybe if given the chance, as long that it's not staking anything like the duel with the Prodigy or with Crow, then I would want to battle them too.
"Yup, you're actually right! Well, nothing really just wondering. I just noticed that they seem to be interested in you." I wonder if those looks they gave me count as symptoms of their interest towards me. If it is, it's really creepy.
I mean, it's like they're boring holes to me.
"I see," I uttered whilst I grimaced at his statement. "Anyway, how did they become Duel King and Queen anyway?" I asked.
"Well, like I said it's really hard to be one, since it requires you not just to be good in studying but also in dueling with a clean record and when I mean clean record that includes whatever kind of Duel you've done within campus. Although, I think I heard Jack losing to the Prodigy once or twice, while Aki lost to Jack at the same number which isn't included because those are exceptions seeing that they're just dueling each other and they're equal in regards to skills. So, if you actually count their battles with the rest of the students it's a winning streak."
Wow, no wonder they're in the position. I wonder if they feel pressured being one seeing that once you're one you're mostly expected not to lose against anybody especially to a normal student.
"Lastly, to be one you have to win a duel against the Top Three, which is the present Duel King, Queen and Prodigy, during the special Annual Tournaments which we call the Fortune Cup to be even considered one. Why? Are you interested in being one?" He said as he nudged me with his shoulder as he gave me one of his mischievous grins again.
Really, I notice that he has a habit of doing that.
"Not really just curious." I replied simply whilst I finally ate the last bite from my meal and took a sip of my soda. "But, if there's a Duel King and Queen already, why is it that there has to be a Prodigy?"
Yep, that really makes me curious. I mean, aren't the two of them was suffice? So, what's the need for the third one? Why Prodigy when you can call her the Jack Knight or something?
"About that, the Prodigy's case is different. Usually, the Prodigy status is gained only during your Elementary or Middle School years. In the present Prodigy's case, she has kept the title since her sixth year in Elementary. To gain that and maintain it you have to be really good in studying, in other words accelerated which she actually is, seeing that she's already on her fourth year in Middle School when she's just thirteen."
I guess, when they meant Prodigy, the person's not just a prodigy in dueling but also in studying.
"Other than that, your level in dueling is at least at par with the Duel King and Queen, with the same track record as them. So, it's actually hard to gain that kind of status. Plus, the status usually doesn't last unlike the King and Queen that can last until you graduate, since like let's say you failed a year, your title will be gone instantly despite the fact that you're good at dueling. Also, it's not regainable unlike with the King and Queen titles." He stated in an as-a-matter-of-fact-tone, and then realization seemed to have hit him as he looked a bit, surprised? I really can't read his expression, but it's sort of close to that.
"Really, since we've been together you've been asking about these guys!" He suddenly blurted, but his expression eased a bit as he started grinning, "Maybe you're just asking in a simple manner to actually get information about the Prodigy, huh," He winked at me somehow sending chills on to my spine. I know that this wasn't the first, but this one really looked different.
Really, he shouldn't do that often, it's freaking me out, or maybe it's just me.
But, it's not like I started the conversation. However, I'll admit that I do want to know about those three. I find them all intriguing, especially the Prodigy.
Before I can even utter a protest, he continued as he quickly stood up and grabbed my wrist.
"Oh well, whatever you seemed to be uptight ever since we met! For now, let's not think about those guys and get loose! Since you're new, let me tour you around our Department!" He said rather in an excited manner as he pulled me off from my seat and dragged me outside the cafeteria.
Crow is really a nice dude. Despite me showing a little bit of disinterest at times. He was still game on showing me around and his mood didn't even change as he kept himself lively all the time.
He started bringing me to the Dueling Floor, which is actually located on the top floor. It is like a courtroom and instead of having the lines there for Basketball and Volleyball you can see the lines from a Dueling Mat instead; they have like 10-12 sets of those, which is placed in a uniform manner in the room.
I guess the only difference with this and the Mat is it's giant-size, and it doesn't have the place where to put the Extra Deck, Graveyard and Removed from Play area, seeing that the Solid Vision only shows the actual field.
The room is wide and spacious, and since it was lunchtime, it's free. I can even see a few students dueling just for fun at the sides.
"It's pretty cool isn't it? The other Departments also have that and we can actually practice our dueling here during breaks!" He exclaimed then we continued venturing off towards the Library.
I can say that the Library is nice due to the fact that it's big. Actually, you can't see shelves and books. The only things you can see there are long rectangular tables, and chairs situated around the Librarian's table as it is placed in a uniform manner in the room while they have Computers attached to the walls.
"I bet you're wondering where the shelves have gone to, huh? As you can see, Duel Academy is sort of Hi-tech so we use E-Books instead. Here, let me show you," He stated as he dragged me towards the nearest computer and typed on the keyboard 'Famous Duelists' on its search bar.
With that, a list of books appeared in a matter of seconds, as you can see books titled with the words he just just typed with different authors, editions of a particular book and year.
"So, to get a book, all you have to do is insert your Flash Disk there and Copy it then book it out to the Librarian." Crow stated as he pointed to the man on the desk that is in the center of the whole room. "I think he's name is Yanagi something; I actually find him a bit freaky though, I mean just look at him." He whispered.
I let my eyes trail off to the man carefully. I can see that he's old, due to the gray hair he has. But, I have to admit he is weird with the old-fashioned yellow and black Yukata his wearing, the way he sat in a slouching manner at his place, and stared weirdly and blankly at nowhere.
"Not just that, as you can see ever since I entered Dueling Academy I always see him as the school's Librarian and on each Department! I'm not kidding!" He exclaimed in a low volume.
Somehow, it occurred to me just now if Crow has friends, seeing that for the whole day he only talked to me. I didn't even see him talk with the rest of our classmates. If ever he has enemies, he doesn't seem to be a bad guy based on my observation so far. So, I find it quite impossible that he doesn't have one.
So, without even thinking,
"Don't you have other friends?" I just asked, I didn't mean to not even reply to the statements he just said regarding the weird Librarian. It's just curiosity got over me.
I notice he was caught a bit off guard, as it stopped him from yapping, and then stared at me. I can see that he was a bit sad with the way his expression quickly changed.
"Well, Yeah I do, but I guess me and my buddies went on separate ways during Middle School, which I don't mind. It's more likely to happen seeing that there will always be a time that you have to let go, right?" He tried to let out a smile, but I can see that he was sad, which somehow made me regret in asking.
"Although, it's weird. I was sure there was nothing wrong then suddenly something just happened to them that caused us to separate. I really didn't get to find out what that is about though, but it's like I can do anything about it anyway. Oh well!"
"I'm really sorry for asking." I uttered as I gave him an apologetic look, but all he did was grin at me as he patted my back a bit heavily.
"What's with the long face! Well, yeah it kind of sucks but that was like two years ago! Plus, we're buddies now anyway, right?" He exclaimed as he gave me a thumbs up. I guess he's just not the person to be down easily like that, which I find quite admirable.
Although, it makes me curious, I wonder who they are. Are they in the same year as us or not?
Not just that, I'm not that naïve, but his friends could at least give him a closure or something like that. What they did was just rude.
I just cracked him a small smile as I let out a nod, somehow causing him to put his arm around me and shake me a bit in joy.
"Hmf, who needs them anyway!" He exclaimed this time with no control somehow causing the old Librarian to wake up from his seemingly reverie as he gave us a nasty glare and gritted his teeth.
"You kids keep your mouths shut or I'll send the hell out of you here by kicking your asses towards the door!" He bellowed as he tried to scare us off whilst he wave his rolled-up newspaper wildly.
That is actually effective, as it somehow caused Crow to panic.
"Oh my gosh, I never knew he can actually do that!" He said his voice obviously taken aback as he just dragged me out of the library in that same uncomfortable position.
I may not look like it but I actually find it fun. Crow was definitely laughing hard the minute we got out of the Library.
"Man, did you see the look on his face!" He stated while still laughing as he got a hold on his stomach due to too much laughter, as I chuckled in return. "I never got to actually see that! To be honest I thought he was dead, since I've never see him move in my entire life! I didn't know that the old man has spunk!"
Being with him is not just nice it was actually nice and that was just the first day.
I guess, I may haven't gained a lot of friends so far but just being Crow feels certainly suffice.
The following day, since we really didn't got the luxury of time, we went to wards the floor were the club rooms are, and I can say thay're a lot!
"I wonder why is that there are a lot of rooms and all of this are just for the clubs in the High School Department?" I asked as I raised a brow on the surroundings.
I'm not kidding that there are a lot seeing that I can't count the rooms. The floor was just specially made for it, seeing that I don't see anything else other than that.
Each club has their own logo on it signifying what kind of club they are. Clubs related to music have either musical notes, or microphones with a few notes on the sides on their door. I wonder what's the difference with those clubs?
I think the one with the Flower mark shows that it is a club related to the gardening or environment something. There are also clubs related to sports, like the Soccer club, Volleyball club and Basketball Club. However, I wonder where they're practicing though seeing that I haven't seen an actual football field or basketball court within the premises.
"Well, these are just for fun and extra-curricular activities to make your school life more awesome I guess." Crow answered as we continued to walk on the hallway and glance at each mark we pass by. "All Departments have their own set of clubs that you can join in for free."
"Do you used to be part of these clubs then?" I asked, as he came to a pause, but that wasn't long as we continued walking.
"Well, sort of. I was part of a club that we call Club Satisfaction. My friends and I made it, and we made it for the sake of protecting the innocent from bad Duel Gangs during Middle School. It was fun, but along with our friendship, it also dissolved. So, I guess I'm no longer part of anything at the moment." He was sort of sad, but compared to his mood from the Library incident I can see that it wasn't as bad that.
I guess a lot have happened to him. But, I find it pretty interesting though, I didn't know that Duel Gangs also existed inside the campus per se. I guess that is what you just can call as a 'Teen's Rebellion Stage' or it can be more than that.
"I see I'm sorry to hear that. But, do those Duel Gangs still exist today?"
"Nah, not really. So, far Duel Academy is peaceful for now."
"I see," We continued as we reached the end of the hall. It was clearly empty since it was just the only door left. It doesn't seem to be crowded seeing that it was on the end, plus it even have a weird logo on it.
The logo looks like a red dragon drawn in a semi-circle fashion. It actually looks like the markings you see on ancient tablets, jars and what not. However, despite it looking odd, I find it intriguing.
"Hey, what's this club all about? I can't seem to guess what this one is." I stated as I pointed at it. He really didn't show any kind of expression as he just gave a nonchalant look on it.
"Oh that, I think that's the Signers Club. I really don't know what they're up to or why it is there. I think there's also one in the Middle School Department. It's actually the most unpopular one in Duel Academy." Crow replied.
"I see do you know anybody who's in it then?" I asked as I kept my eyes on the dragon thing.
"Nope, not really. Why? Are you actually interested in joining that club?" Crow uttered in a sort of chuckling manner.
"Nah, I'm not the type to be active in clubs. I just find this club intriguing that's all." I stated aloofly.
"Oh well, never mind that. Let's go, plus it's time for class anyway."
It has been a week since I entered this school. You wouldn't actually believe it, but the B.E.W.D. section is sort of warming up to me little by little, but I barely hang out with them of course.
It's just they're talking to me now, unlike before whenever they'll just stumble around me they just give me this careful head-to-toe look and walk off that I find a bit weird.
But, I really don't care much about that now.
The only thing that keeps my interest so far is the Prodigy, the King and Queen, Crow's past, and the Signers Club.
It's just for some reason I find myself drawn to them.
I mean like I said, the Prodigy has this relationship with the Principal, while they used her to test my skills during the entrance exams which is unusual. Plus, the fact that I haven't found out about her name yet.
The King and Queen seemed to have these so-called interests in me which I find a bit unnecessary seeing that I don't think I'm on 'par' with them in regards to status, skills and what not—simply I'm just not in league with them.
If you're wondering if I actually got to know who those friends that Crow used to have, guess what? No, I would find myself crossing the line if I asked him too much seeing how much it affected him. But, that doesn't mean that I'm not curious. If you'll add the fact about them battling Duel Gangs, that's a plus to my skeptics.
Also, it's weird the way they separated, I know it's not my business but isn't it just odd that they left him without saying a word? If that was me, I would really demand for a closure at least.
In regards with the Signers Club, I just don't get it why is it even there? I mean, if it's unpopular, as Crow later informed me, clubs like that usually gets dissolved, and seeing that no one seems to be part of it, it's still existing! I even heard that it has been there for years; even if it's short on members.
Also, (which is kind of irrelevant) the dragon thing seems cool though.
See weird? Not just weird, I find it all mind-boggling and intriguing; those things never left my mind since then. I guess there is more to Duel Academy than just being one of Neo Domino's top schools.
Oh yeah, you have to add my desire to know about my Father as well, seeing that the teachers seem to know about him pretty well. I mean, every professor that sees me seemed surprised and says things like:
'Wow you just look like your dad' and you're just like him' Or something near to that, and whenever I try asking them in an insinuating way about him they all seem to disregard it.
Yup, epic weirdness.
Maybe there is something about him, but why do they all have to hide it? I mean even Martha hides facts about him from me.
But, guess what? The day finally came where I was actually able to literally tackle one of those things that I'm skeptic about.
It was during the first day of my second week, and I can't believe that I was actually late myself!
I wasn't even able to eat my breakfast, as I sped off towards the Department with my D-wheel and rushed to the stairs.
First Floor
Second Floor
Third Floor
I was completely unstoppable, I'm actually near there! With just a few minutes left until the clock strikes eight! When I was about to reach the stairs towards the Fourth Floor, without even given the chance to actually move or what.
I just found myself lying on the ground wincing a bit in pain, while I felt someone lying on top of me.
How was that? Well, the fun starts on the next chapter so do look forward for that!
I'll be reposting it right away :)
TC