Apologies if the previous chapter looked rushed, but I was practically begging myself to end the chapter and keep the story moving.
A Personal Struggle
Dateline, July 17th, 1204.
The Summer period at Thor's had arrived and we were to switch to our summer uniforms, which was not to have the uniform sweater on. It had been four months since we all began our time here and we had finally gotten the hang of our academic studies as well as the field studies. We felt like a unified team ready to take anything on, although there was still one lingering issue among us. Laura and Fie had yet to come to terms with each other and we weren't sure of what to do about it.
"All right, that should be enough of a warmup." Sara said.
We were at the pool area in the gymnasium, practicing our swimming and such. Swimming used to be one of my big weaknesses until all this monster battling came along.
"I'm supposed to remind you that swimming classes here are meant to each you skills relevant to military service." She continued. "You know, how not to drown if you wind up in the water, how to save others from drowning, CPR...that kind of stuff. In fact, CPR is a pretty vital skill on any battlefield. Rean, Alisa, would you care to give us a demonstration?"
"Oh damn, you're really going there?" I asked with eyes wide open. 'At least she didn't mention me or Emma, everyone would get the wrong idea.'
"C'mon, guys. Just kidding around. Point is, it's still important that you learn how to do it and that you won't hesitate to use it if the need arises. Whether that means locking lips with someone of the same sex...or the opposite."
'She needs to get laid...mentally.' I thought.
"Well, it is a skill we can use to save someone's life." Emma said.
Sara then continued her lesson. "After we've covered that, I'll be timing how long it takes each of you to swim the length of the pool. Will you give me a hand, Laura?"
"As you wish." Laura replied.
Each of us did an individual swim from one side of the pool to the other, I tried to do it as strong and quick as I could. I made it to the end and them climbed out, I think I made it in just under 30 seconds. I then watched as the others had their turn. I looked at Emma who was swimming quite well...hmmm...focus, Alex, focus!
"Wow, look at Gaius go." Elliot said.
"Yeah, I hear he used to swim in that lake in the highlands every summer, so I kind of expected that." Rean added.
"But Emma's doing quite well." I pointed out. "She's a little fast if you ask me."
"Emma's a lot faster than I thought she'd be too." Alisa added. "Though it's not much her swimming ability that I envy."
Rean look at her. "What do you mean by...ohhh, I get it."
I tapped him on the shoulder. "Hey, eyes up front, chico."
"I know, my eyes are not looking right there."
"Well, any guy would have a hard time taking his eyes off at our class's girls. I'm not even sure who to gawk at first." Elliot said. "I mean, even the other guys are handsome. You're pretty toned yourself, Alex."
I frowned. "I'll have you know that I do not swing that way."
Elliot then noticed something on Rean's chest, Alisa and I saw it too.
"Say, Rean, where did you get that from?" I asked. "Did you have some kind of emergency operation?"
"Oh, that. It's some kind of mark." He answered. "It's been there for as long as I can remember. Don't know how I got it though."
That got me curious, maybe he has some kind of dark secret like I do. Everyone else had just finished, Laura was the last to swim, we watched her swim and she was very fast, I guess her time with the swimming club had worked wonders for her.
"Let's see...20.02 seconds, not bad at all." Sara said. "All right, I think it's time for me to dive into the mix. Everyone, pick a partner,. It's time for a little head to head competition."
"Race, huh?" I hummed. "How about it Rean, you and me."
"Sure, but can I ask why?" Rean asked.
"Considering how we've done the field studies so far, I can't help but feel that I've been a second banana most of the time. I wanna prove that I can break out of that trend and be a ring-leader myself."
"Oooh, getting a little competitive, Alex?" Sara asked. "Then you two shall go first."
Jusis and Machias wanted to settle this once and for all, Emma and Alisa then paired up and so did Elliot and Gaius.
"How about it, Laura?" Sara asked. "Wanna pair up with me?"
"Not today, I'm afraid." Laura replied as she looked at Fie. "I wish to challenge Fie this time."
"Me?" Fie responded.
It was time to start. Elliot, Gaius, Rean and me stood on our podiums.
"Go easy on me, Gaius." Elliot said.
"Same to you." He replied.
I looked at Rean and then back at front.
"Ready...go!" Sara called.
I dived into the pool and I swam as fast as I could, keeping the rhythm going until I touched the end of the pool with my hand.
"Hah...hah." I panted. "Really, it was that tight?"
"Yeah...you nearly...had me." He replied.
We got out of the pool and walked back to the beginning where Sara showed me the time on the stopwatch.
"Well, it was very close, but Rean just beat you by 0.10 milliseconds." She said.
I sighed. "Well at least I gave it a good effort. I'll put that leadership moment to one side for the foreseeable future."
"I wouldn't worry about it, Alex." Rean replied. "In fact, you've helped me out a few times as well. Even as leader, I can't exactly solve everything."
"Yeah, I suppose that's true."
Next up were Machias and Jusis, and Alisa and Emma and they were almost as quick as each other. Last to go up were Laura and Fie.
"Okay, are you two ready?" Sara asked.
"Not quite." Laura answered. "Fie, how about giving it all you've got this time?"
"What if I already did?" Fie responded.
'Uh oh, I sense a cat fight.' I thought.
"I don't think so. I could tell just by watching you." Laura said. "Don't make light of me. Your earlier time was certainly not the best you're capable of."
"Well, it's not very polite for your opponent to hold back." Sara intervened. "This isn't like the battlefields you grew up fighting on. It's a place you can grow and better yourself by challenging others. Deep down, I know you realize that."
Fie sighed and nodded at Laura.
"Good, then let us go." She said.
The two of them stood on their podiums and we watched as they dived into the pool, my eyes were opened wide when I saw how incredibly fast Fie was, she overtook Laura but she was pipped to the post at the last second, possibly due to Laura having longer arms than Fie that may had decided the outcome.
The afternoon swimming session was over and we were back in the classroom.
"Well, the temperatures are going up, up and up. And I dunno about you, but I'm wilting like a flower." Sara said. "But as everyone knows, when the heat is on, that's when the refreshing power of beer is at it's peak. Oooh, maybe I should spend my free day tomorrow to hit up all the capital's beer gardens."
"Sara, how strong is your liver?" I asked.
"Well, that came from nowhere." Jusis said.
She frowned. "You just had to ask...aaaanyway, moving on. Your next practical exam is coming up next Wednesday. I'm sure you're already used to them by now, but just make sure you're ready."
"Then next weekend will be our field study." Alisa said.
Machias sighed. "Just when I thought were done with the previous one."
"Awww, if we're doing our field study, we won't be able to go to the Summer Festival in the capital." Elliot added.
"A summer festival?" Gaius asked.
"Oh that's right, I remember going to one of those last year." I said. "My father took me there as part of his scout patrol day. It's a very big deal, especially considering that it's held in July, the same month that the War Of The Lions ended."
"Yeah, that does make sense." Rean agreed.
"Well, that about does it for homeroom." Sara said. "Machias, will you do the honors?"
"Yes, instructor." Machias stood up and we followed suit.
Sara left the classroom and we got chatting for a while. Fie stood up and left the classroom in silence, Emma went after her.
"I wonder if it affected their study's overall score." I said.
"It's true, they were like that during last month's study trip." Machias replied. "Is there nothing you can do to smooth things out between them, Rean?"
"Well, I'd love to do something if I could, but why me?" Rean asked.
"Well, you just seem so good at this kind of thing." Gaius answered. "A real natural."
"Not to mention that he's become quite the reliable guy for the student council." I added before smirking. "Even that Towa girl seems to like you."
Rean laughed a little nervously. "Anyway, it's not like I'm doing anything major."
"But joking aside, I guess I better get to the music club. You're coming along, Elliot?"
Elliot suddenly looked at me. "Huh? Oh, sorry I wasn't paying attention."
"It's fine, you were staring into deep space nine, you okay?"
He nodded. "Yeah, it's nothing. I'll catch up with you at music club in a minute."
"Alright, then I'll see you guys back at the dorm later." I left the classroom and made my way to the music room.
When I got inside, Mary was waiting for me.
"Hello again, Alex." She greeted. "How is our rising vocalist star doing?"
"Rising vocalist?" I raised an eyebrow.
"Why of course, everyone in our club has grown to like your voice." Mary sat down with the piano in front of her. "Now, shall we begin with the song you've been learning?"
"Ohhh that one, I almost forgot about it. Sure, we can go with the first verse and chorus as a warm-up."
She smiled. "Wonderful, then let's practice, everyone else hasn't arrived yet, so just relax and let your voice travel through the wind."
I nodded and she started playing the piano, it was a ballad that I had been learning the words on and I sang.
Are those your eyes, is that your smile
I've been looking at you forever
But I never saw you before
Are these your hands...holding mine
Now I wonder how I could of been so blind
For the first time I am looking in your eyes
For the first time I'm seeing who you are
I can't believe how much I see
When you're looking back at me
Now I understand why love is
Love is...for the first time
Mary stopped playing the piano and I looked at her.
"Was that okay?" I asked.
"Splendid." She answered. "Could you find the time to practice the rest of the song for our next vocal showcase?"
I nodded. "Yeah, I'll find the time to learn the rest of it tonight and be ready by Tuesday."
"Wonderful, Alex. Have you also been learning to control your voice as well?"
"Yep, thanks to a very useful book I keep in my dorm."
Elliot then turned up and so did a few other students who were part of the club. I felt so glad that I joined this club when I was asked, cause I had liked music as a hobby.
Dateline, July 18th.
I was rehearsing the song I was learning from, I had just nailed the rest of the song and felt ready to sing it altogether when I heard my ARCUS ringing.
"Oh, is someone calling?" I picked it up. "Yeah?"
"Hi there Alex, it's Rean." Rean said. "Are you up for exploring the old schoolhouse this month?"
"Well, it's good timing for me, count me in."
"Great, see you in a moment."
I ended the call and made my way to the old schoolhouse. I had joined up with Rean, Alisa, Jusis, Fie and Gaius, we then entered inside.
"Let's have a look at the elevator panel first." Rean suggested. "I'm betting we'll be able to go down to the fourth floor now."
"You mean those rules you told us about last month?" Fie asked.
"I don't know how it's possible, but I have a weird feeling your theory is probably right." Alisa said. "But we should see it for ourselves."
"If anything else, we're given the chance to get even more stronger." I added. "The power of my voice...uh I mean my fists will prevail!"
"Your voice?" Jusis asked.
I rubbed my head. "Don't ponder over it too much, the music club was on my mind."
"Anyways, time to get this month's investigation started." Rean said.
We walked to the door and opened it to go to the elevator room, we looked at the panel and there was now a blue hexagon lighting up the IV icon.
"Well, just as you thought." I said. "We can go one floor deeper now."
"Yeah, let's head on down." Rean Replied.
Fie nodded. "Ja."
Pushing the button, the elevator took us to the fourth floor. When we saw the room around us, it was a lot bigger than the rest, there was also a small door to the right.
Gaius hummed. "This wind..."
"What's up, Gaius?" Rean asked.
"The wind in here feels like it did in the ancient quarry in the Nord Highlands. I suspect the higher elements may be at work here."
"You think there's some connection between here and the ancient quarry?" Alisa asked.
"It might be a possibility, based on the journies we've had so far." I answered. "By the way, I haven't formed a combat link with you yet, Alisa. Do you mind if we give it a go?"
Alisa smiled. "Sure, let's give it a go."
"I'm betting the monsters will be even stronger than what we've dealt with on previous floors, too." Rean said. "Stay on your guard, everyone."
We went through the door and began our exploring through the areas of the fourth floor, getting strong and using our combat links all the while. During the battles, Alisa and I were working well with the combat links. Of course we each took turns so we could keep the bond improving. We eventually made it to the depths, so we prepared ourselves and entered a big room where a trio of giant floating statues were waiting for us.
"These look almost like the ones I had encountered on the second floor." I said. "Then again, it doesn't matter, it's time for a knock out!"
The battle began and we had to be a little careful since we didn't have Elliot or Emma with us who could heal us quickly. But many of the quartz that Rean had got from the completed tasks were put to good use here. He weakened one of them and I moved in with my seven-hit combo craft that I had learnt whilst getting stronger. Alisa and Fie worked together to eliminate the second one, Gaius and Jusis destroyed the final one and the battle was over.
"Another one bites the dust! We've become so awesome." I boasted. "I guess this prove what you told me a while ago, right?"
"Yeah, it's becoming more likely that something or someone is testing us." Rean replied. "At least, that's the impression I get."
Suddenly, we heard a rumble from far away that surprised us.
"Woah, where did that come from?" I asked.
"Sounded like it came somewhere in here." Fie answered.
"This hasn't happened before, has it?" Alisa asked.
"I think we should head up for now and assess the situation." Rean replied. "Let's head back to the elevator room."
When we got back, were in for a quite a surprise, a large section of the wall was now gone and in its place was a massive red door with an usual shape in the middle. We tried to open it with what we could think of, but nothing was happening. We chose to give in and leave the schoolhouse, making sure we'd report this in detail.
"Right, what can I do right now?" I asked as we all split up. "I guess I should have my equipment looked over, my ARCUS could do with a serious upgrade."
I walked over to the engineering building to see George sitting down at a table.
"Oh, hey there, Alex." He said. "You're looking for an improvement?"
"Sure am, I think my ARCUS could do with a few slots open." I answered as I placed it on the counter.
"Ah right, I don't think you've asked for that before. Well as you know already, this isn't gonna come cheap."
"Yeah, I know." I sighed. "I have only three slots and I'm looking to have three put in so I can do much more."
"Alright, just hand over the mira I need and I'll get to work on it."
I got my pouch bag from my belt and grabbed a handful of mira to give it to George who then took my ARCUS and went over to his corner whilst I sat down.
"Did you just came from the old schoolhouse?" George asked.
"Yeah, we finished exploring the fourth floor." I answered. "Rean believes that this is far from over."
"I see."
Just then, I heard an engine from outside before it stopped, then the door opened and in came a woman that was dressed in leather and had short indigo hair.
"Oh, welcome back, Gelica." George said.
"Hey there, George." She replied before noticing me. "Oh, you must be from Class VII, huh?"
"Yeah, the's name Alex."
She smiled. "Then it's nice to meet you Alex, my name's Angelica."
"Then nice to meet you Angelica. What was that engine from outside?"
"Oh that was my motorcycle, I like to enjoy a free ride along the highway a few times."
"Gelica also built that motorcycle, we're currently working on building a sidecar so there can be one passenger to go along for the ride." George added.
"Rean's been learning to ride my precious bike. He's got a good handle on it too."
I nodded. "Right...a motorcycle, eh?"
"Alright, it's all done, Alex." George handed my ARCUS back to me. "Three new slots available for you."
I stood up. "Thanks, see you again soon."
"Take care of yourself, good looking boy." Angelica said before I left the building.
"Me...good looking?" I asked myself. "Nah." I was walking when suddenly. "Oooh!"
"Ah!" I heard a voice respond.
I turned to my left and saw a young girl, she was dressed in a dark dress and had long navy blue hair, where have I seen that colour before?
"Whoops, I'm sorry about that." I apologized, holding my hand out. "Are you okay?"
She looked at me. "It's alright, I'm okay, thank you." She replied and took my hand so she could stand up. "Please forgive me, I should've been looking where I was going."
"It's okay, I should've been paying more attention. I haven't seen you around here before, are you here on a visit or something?"
"Why yes." She did a light bow to me. "I am Elise Schwarzer. A pleasure to make your acquaintance."
I suddenly blinked. "Schwarzer? Does that mean that you're...Rean's sister?"
"Yes I am. I came here to visit him in regards to the letters has has sent to me. You must be one of his friends, correct?"
I nodded. "Yeah, I'm Alex, the one that I consider myself as the light and soul of the class."
Elise smiled. "Then it's a pleasure to meet you, Alex. However, I would ask to have a bit of time to myself."
"Oh, did something happen?"
She sighed. "I am afraid so, if you please excuse me."
"Okay." I nodded.
Elisa then walked off and down to the...wait...why is there a cat there...and why is she following it...wait, that's the way to the old schoolhouse! I better follow her and make good use of the slots in my ARCUS, just in case. I kept a good amount of distance away as I saw Elise follow the strange looking cat into the schoolhouse. When the door closed, I rushed to the entrance and slowly opened the door, peeking in to see Elise go through the other door.
"Going in here by myself will no doubt be very dangerous." I said. "I should call everyone else, but if I waste a second, she could end up getting hurt, or worse."
I shook my head and rushed to the other door, I opened it slowly to see Elise stand on the elevator before it moved, taking her with it.
"Crap! This isn't good at all." I rushed in and I could see there was no way to call for it back up here. "Ngh! Hah...no...not now!"
'Why are you being an idiot?!' My dark self appeared. 'You know you can fly, don't you?'
"I'm not a bird, so how can I?"
'You don't remember? Then let me remind you...by force!'
Suddenly, several jolts passed into my head. "ARGH! ARRRRGGHHHHH!"
A massive aura of darkness covered my entire vision and my body started changing shape, when my vision was restored, I looked around me to see that I now had a pair of wings on my back, a tail and my hands now had claws at the end of my fingers. Dammit...my dark self must've forced me to release some of my dark secret powers.
"Eeeeeek!" I heard a scream from down below.
I gasped as my wings started flapping, before I swooped through the elevator hole and down to the fourth floor. I landed safely and then saw a shocking sight. Elise was down on the floor and in front of me was the red door that was opened and a large headless armored knight that was standing close to Elise.
'Now, do it!" My dark self spoke in my head. 'Release all of your power and annihilate all of it!'
"Arrrrghhh...this pain!" I whined. "This freaking hurts!"
The elevator suddenly moved and went upwards, then I was suddenly forced into a battle. Due to my half-transformed state, I now had two new skills that I had placed in my memory. "No mercy for you!" I exclaimed. "Here's a taste of my darkness! Qaud Swipe!" I attacked it four times at once and it staggered slightly. "I'm not stopping now! Here's another dose of my power! Demonic Cannon!" I launched a laser beam at it through my clawed hands and the knight fell on one knee.
"Hah...hah...hah..." I panted in anger and determination. "Ngh...no...stop this! I don't want to..."
The headless knight got back up and it swiped at me, catching me by the stomach.
"ACCCCKKK!" I was sent flying to a wall. "Stop...stop...control...ling...me...ahhhh."
'What a disgrace! If you're gonna fall unconscious, then both of our powers are useless!'
As I began to lose consciousness, my body started turning back to my normal self. I then heard the elevator return and heard familiar voices.
'You gave out a lot of our powers, so I'll let you rest for a while.' My dark self spoke. 'But next time, you will unleash those powers to all...'
I heard my name being called, but I couldn't respond. For I had already passed out...
Phew, quite the cliffhanger at the end there, huh?
Next time! For the first time, Alex leads Group A and tries to help out with Laura and Fie's issue.