Alright it the beginning of Infinite Stratos timeline. As I said before they won't be any Saito at the beginning. Everything here will be on Ichika P.O.V. I may show Saito a bit to show what is he doing right now but only for a moment nothing more.

I also want to state many thing happened in what supposed to be past arc so expect some character much stronger or a bit different than they canon self.

One more thing although I said they will be some different some things just need to stay the same so they might be similarities to the light novel but I try yo be original as much as possible.

Now then. Should we begin.

Disclaimer: I don't own zero no Tsukaima, infinite Stratos or any other series that may appear on this fic. It belong to their respective owner.


(Ichika P.O.V)

How did this happen. In a wide classroom consist of 30 student 29 of them are female. Yes all of them beside myself. That not even mention entire school staff, teacher and everyone else was female. I'm the only sole male here. I don't know whether I should feel happy or sad I mean this situation is already awkward that I don't even know how to feel right now.

It all start when me touching that prototype of IS also known as Infinite Stratos. If it was just touching I won't be in this kind of mess right now. The fact is the IS respond to me. why is it so weird well for starter IS can only be pilot by female and I'm 100% sure my gender is female. For a moment there I even doubt by ny own gender but I shake it off. It would be to terrifying living that for 15 years as a male suddenly people told you that you were the opposite gender. I doubt there anyone like that out there.

XXXXXXXXXX

Somewhere Kusunoki Yukimura suddenly sneeze.

"What wrong yukimura." A male beside her ask.

"It nothing aniki, someone must be talking about me." she answer without any kind of emotion.

XXXXXXXXX

In this classroom fill with 30 female, 1 of them was a teacher. Although to say she a teacher was bit difficult. How should I say it? Instead of saying that it was a disproportionate sense of 'a kid wearing adult clothes'...it was more like a kid being forced into adult clothes. At least I wasn't the only one thinking this way.

"everyone's here right? Then let start the SHR(Student homeroom meeting)"

The one who spoke that is Yamada Maya. She is a vice homeroom teacher for my class. For some reason our homeroom teacher hasn't shown up yet. It should be a she right since this school is an IS related facilities there aren't supposed to be a male beside myself. Because no male that could pilot the IS like myself though I wish there was one. At least I have someone to talk to. Not that I didn't felt comfortable talking to woman. It just that there are something that more comfortable talking to another guy. Sigh… why isn't there another male that could pilot an IS.

XXXXXXXXX

Somewhere in the middle of desert one male could be seen standing there holding a sword in his hand. In front of him was a giant creature. It look like a bull except that the creature is standing. On it hand was a large battle axe.

"Achoo." The boy sneeze before he rolled to the left dodging the monster attack. With a swift motion he swung his sword and completely cut the enemy in two.

"damn it, just how many more are there, this Minatour had start to become really annoying." He said to no one in particular." As more monster apparently called minatour appear each holding out a battle-axe.

"no time to complain partner, just a few more and we should finish the job." The sword in his hand spoke.

"I know, damn it! This is all Tabane fault!" he shouted as he slashed the next minatour that came near him. And so the battle continued with no one aware of.

XXXXXXXXX

Yamada sensei told us to do an introduction and so we start the name beginning with A. isnce my name begin with O and coincidently our seat is organized based on the later on our name I was seated right in the middle front of the class. Because of that I can feel the stare from every girl in class focusing at me. I'm really wanted to escaped from this place if possible.

The reason I didn't escaped yet is because of my sister. She will skin me alive if I escaped from here. When she found out I'm able to pilot an IS she hasn't let even a tiny shock at that. she appear on me suddenly saying that I will to be enrolled on IS Academy. She even had me registered already/ she say something about need protection but somehow I feel more safer outisde than in here.

"…san, ORIMURA ICHIKA-SAN."

"Ye-yes!"

Suddenly having my name call out I unconsciously responded. As expected there were some snicker but I decide to ignore it.

I learn from someone of you don't know how to handle one situation and kept calm it better to ignore it so that you can think thing through. It seem that during my monologue it was my time to for my introduction. Though when I realize this it make me a bit nervous though.

"W-well, I'm sorry for calling you out so loudly. Are, are you angry? Sorry, sorry! But, that, self-introductions, we started from 'A' , and now we're at 'O' for Orimura-san now. So,pl-... please, could you introduce yourself? Could, could you?"

The vice homeroom teacher, Yamada Maya-sensei, bowed politely. However, bowing to such anextent caused her spectacles to slide down. And that attitude of 'whatever goes' really worriedme. Speaking of which, is she really older than me? If it's said that she's as old as me, I couldbelieve that.

"No, about that, there's no need to continue apologizing… besides, it's just a self-introduction,so please calm down, sensei."

"Re-really? Really? Really? Ok, yo-you said it, so you better do it!"

Yamada-sensei suddenly looked up and grabbed my hand, holding it really tightly… well, it just attracted quite a bit of attention again. now then I guess I better make my introduction simple. I want to finish this up fast so I wouldn't have to dealt with those stare.

When I turn around to face my classmate I can feel the stare intensified. Wah… now I'm starting to have doubt whether I could make proper introduction.

I send a pleading look to my Childhood friend Houki who had been sitting just beside the window but she just look at me as if expecting something like the other girl.

What this, don't tell me she couldn't read my mind anymore. I must have success on blocking people from reading my mind. For some reason other people seem to be able to read what I was thinking like an open book. But even so I was hoping she could helo me somehow but she had been so called lately when I see her here. we haven't seen each other for 6 years and this is how she react.

I stood facing all my classmate. Gah… the pressure is getting to me.

"Hm— …well, I'm Orimura Ichika. I'll be in your care."

After I bowed courteously—wait a second? What's with those 'say something more' looks and'it can't be just this, right?' atmosphere?

It's impossible for me to rattle on about myself. It's not uninteresting, but I don't want everyoneto hear it. Besides, isn't it more troublesome to talk about interests right from the beginning? I'llscare the girls if I'm to suddenly talk about 'planting and grafting cacti!', right? On a side note,my interest isn't in planting and grafting cactuses. I'll say this as a precaution.

"that is all."

*donk* several girl fell out off chair, what were they expecting from me? stop spouting nonsense.

"That, that…"

Behind me, I could hear a voice. The crying has doubled. Eh? This won't do?

PANG! I got knocked on the back of my head.

"OW—!"

It hurt, but compared to this, something even more important flashed through my way of knocking— suitable force, perfect angle, suitable speed, someone—though it'sextremely similar to someone else's method that I'm familiar with, but…

"…"

I gingerly turned around. Black tight fitting skirt, tall and slim, the bodyline of someone whodoesn't look muscular even after lots of training. Her hands folded in front of her chest, her sharpslim phoenix eyes would remind anyone of wolves.

"Eh, Guan Yu!"

PANG! There goes another hit. As the impact was too big, well, look, all the girls are staring here.

"who's the hero in the Romance of The Three Kingdom? Idiot?"

Eh… this voice, it can be none other than Chifyu-nee.

Wait a second here, why is Chifuyu-nee here, and what with calling me Idiot, isnt the person who calling other Idiot is a real Idiot.

PANG! I got him once more by Chifuyu-nee. It seem she just read my mind. I have to be carefull of what I'm thinking. But the question still remain why is she here?

"Ah Orimura Sensei, is the meeting over?" upon hearing the name Orimura everyone start to pice thing by thing. at this rate everyone will knew that em and Chifuyu is sibling. Not that it bother me but for some reason I have a bad feeling about it.

"Ah, Yamada-sensei. It's been tough on you, forcing you to make them introduce themselves."

Now that the voice I felt relief on hearing. It makes me feel relief a bit at least for a little while before she turned to me. no on the whole class. I just happen to be on the path of her view.

"Everyone, my name is Orimura Chifuyu, and my duty is that for this one year, I'll be training you in the operations and controls of IS. Everything I teach, you have to remember, and understand. To those who can't understand, I'll teach till they can. My job is to thoroughly train you in your youth, from the age of 15 to 16. You can oppose my attitude, but you have to listen to what I say. Roger that?"

What with that declaration of violence? Where is the gentle voice I just heard a while ago. Is that just an illusion of mine?

But the respond I got was different from what I expected.

"KYAAA—! It's Chifuyu-sama, it's the real Chifuyu-sama herself!"

"I've always been your follower!"

"I came to this school from North Kyuushuu because I admired you, onee-sama!"

"I came all the way from southern Hokkaido!"

"I'm so happy to be taught by Chifuyu-sama!"

"I'll gladly die for Chifuyu-sama!"

What with the reaction. Does this girl have a death wish? I better ignore those word for now. Let move on.

The IS training as the name suggest is school facilities related to IS. This school has the largest authorities of IS since it was owned by Kutsuwagi group. Because of that not just Japanese, you can see different girl from every nation. In fact I don't know how many were Japanese in my class. you can basically access any technology related to IS here. not to mention Kutsuwagi is the name of Henrietta-nee adopted family I feel a bit better being here. that doesn't change the fact that I'm the only male here. isn't there another male Pilot out there.

XXXXXXXX

Deep inside the volcano that look like it would about to explode one male equipped with a Black IS stood face to face with the creature that look like a dragon.

The Dragon open it mouth as it fire a blaze to the man.

But the man held out his sword as the blaze got absorb by it.

"Achoo!" the man sneezed. Before it sword start to shine and a bright light engulfed the area.

After the light down the Dragon was nowhere on sight.

"phew… finally, fighting with fire dragon is tough especially when you're inside the active volcano." He said as he wipe out a few sweat from his face.

"Partner, it time to leave, the volcano will erupted in a matter of time." The sword in his hand talk.

"Yeah…. Just how much more is this going to continued. That Tabane can is a slave driver." He said as he flew off from the area.

XXXXXXXXX

Since it was the first day it was just a simple introduction and some history about IS.

Suddenly a bell rang.

"Oh my, SHR is over. Everyone, I'll have you people memorize the basics of IS within the next 6 months. After that, it's practicals, you must let the basic maneuvers sink in as a part of your body's actions within half a month. Okay? If you understand, answer me. Whether good or bad, answer to whatever I say."

Oh, a demon trainer from Hell. Right now, Chifuyu-nee should be a demon in human skin. No, I could still handle it if it was a demon, because those aren't humans. And yet this person in front of me could only understand half of the human functions, how inconsiderate.

Though I said that I don't think I will be brave enough to face something like those Ancient Dragon. I don't know why they call it that but it seem it was the official name for the Dragon from 6 years ago. Just after the appearance of Ancient Dragon many weird thing had happened. They say there were monster appearing on the whole world. though the rumor was never verrified because the monster were defeated before anyone could confirm whether it was true or not. It is said that the one who defeated it is the legendary Black knight. For some reason he always appear where there is a rumour about monster.

It was hard to believe story but after the appearance of the ancient Dragon that cause an uproar to the whole world no one dared to denied it. Just what happened to this world I wonder. But there no need to worried I guess. Unlike before where there only two IS in the world. today there had beem many IS on the entire world so if something like the ancient Dragon accident happen again I'm sure we can handle it just fine.

Either way this Chifuyu Orimura is a pilot of a first generation IS and if my suspicion is correct was also the pilot of the legendary White Knight. Just when IS was introduced and much more type were created. They quickly introduced a tournament to see the capabilities of it. Chifuyu-nee is the representative of Japan at that time and she won it without a sweat.

But one day… she announce her retirement and disappear. So that only mean she went to teach. She could at least told me. I was an idiot for worrying about her.

XXXXXXXXX

"Aahh-…"

I can't bear it. It's too much trouble. I can't. I'm desperate.

"…"

The first theory class for IS is finally finished, and it's the break now. But, I don't know how to respond to the abnormal atmosphere within the classroom.

Incidentally, while the IS institute is a profit-earning business, there is also education about IS, and made the daily schedule of the courses. The structure of the school? You can look at the map by yourself.

(But, I cannot to not think of a solution…)

Apart from me, everyone here is a girl. Not only my class, but everyone in the school.

Incidentally, the news that 'I'm the only man piloting an IS' has also spread everywhere in the world, from the concerned people of the school to the students, everyone knows about me.

That is why, in the middle of the corridor there are girls from other classes, as well as 2nd and 3rd year sempais. Even though I'm used to seeing girls, however, almost no one approaches me to talk. It seems that the schoolgirls of the same year are also thinking 'Come talk to me', the air is full of the 'Hey, are you running away in front of difficulties', tension.

The current weapons are waste metal in front of an IS, that's why the balance of the world's military has been broken. And because IS was invented by the Japanese people, they have the monopoly on IS technology. The other countries that have became more aware of the threat signed an IS Application Protocol—called commonly as the 'Alaska Treaty', and had convened the IS's disclosure and its information share, establishing the foundation of world research institutions, and prohibiting military usage, among other things.

That's why, the number of IS pilots in a country has a very close relationship with its military force (a credible defense force). Only girls can be pilots, so all the countries implanted a female protection priority system.

That's why, because of the 'woman = great' image that was imprinted in everyone's heart, in only six years women became superior to men in the hierarchy.

When suddenly an equal 'man' has appeared, it was obvious that there would be curiosity first.

(After that, it became a situation like this.)

By chance I looked at the girl at the next desk, and while she was staring at me before, she immediately looked away in panic. It created an 'I'm being approached' atmosphere.

Also, becoming the representative of the entire country's girls' veneration, along with being titled as Orimura Chifuyu's little brother made things very complicated.

(Who could lend me a hand in this kind of situation…)

Suddenly, I thought about my old friend Gotanda Dan. That guy always said that he envied me, where is he now? It still isn't too late to switch places with me.

"...Excuse me for a moment."

"Eh?"

Suddenly, I got someone talking to me. Seemed like there's a winner among the girls trying to duke it out?...No, from the almost silent conversations that were carried out inside and outside of the classroom, there's only one girl who could do this.

"...Excuse me"

"..."

In front of my eyes is standing the childhood friend who last I saw six years ago. Shinonono Houki. The girl I learn Kendo with at the same dojo. I see that she havent changed her style for 6 year that why I can recognize her right away.

"…come with me." she said as she make a gesture for me to follow her. With nothing to do(in fact I don't think I can stay here much longer) I follow her.

XXXXXXXX

She led me to the rooftop.

Although were the only one here I have a feeling that were beeing eavesdrop. Furthermore they could at least lower they voice if they wan to eavesdrop. I can here then just fine from here.

"By the way..."

"What?"

I just thought about it, so I initiated the conversation. Say Houki, you asked me to come but you don't say something, isn't it too late?

"Last year, you won the world kendo championship, right? Congratulations."

"..."

After Houki heard me say that, her cheeks turned red.

red. ...Huh? Why is she angry? I was obviously congratulating her.

"Why do you know that?"

"You say why, I saw it in the newspaper..."

Is there another way for me to know about it. If there is I like to know to. It was bad already that she have to forfeit at the final of the kendo tournament before.

"Ah-also."

"Wh-what?"

"..."

"Ah, no..."

Finally I noticed the aggressive attitude, becoming an uneasy Houki, and now inconceivably excited. Unbelievable girl.

"It's been a long time since we have seen each other. Even though it's been six years, I still recognized you immediately."

"Eh..."

"You see, the same hairstyle." While saying this, I pointed at my own head, Houki immediately starts to play with her ponytail.

"At-at least you still remember."

"That, I can't forget that, since we are childhood friends. "

"..."

A fierce light flashes. I'm still being glanced at. Huh-, why?

"Fufufufu~ I never though Houki to be playing dirty trick." A voice suddenly resound through the area. I swear that this voice seem familiar somehow.

"that!" Houki seem to recognize the voice as she spun around holding her….. Shinai? Wher dis she kept that.

Suddenly something passed me as it headed to houki. With a swift motion sje deflect that something. on a closer look ti look like an arrow except the tip is blunt meaning it cant be used to kill. Though it will still hurt if you got hit by those.

"Just because your breast is bigger doesn't mean you can make the first move." The newcomer complain. And what with breast have to do with anything. I turn around to Houki a th the mention of breast, and I must say they had grown since the last time we met.

"That got nothing to do with it- and you where are you looking at." She denied it before glaring at me when she noticed my gaze. I immediately look away as to not create any more problem.

That when I got a good look on the attacker and I must say I recognize her on first sight.

"Tsunami! You were here to? Oh…. It good to see the old gang back." I said before I noticed the murderous intent on the air. Why arre there looking at me? isnt good to meet the old friend back.

Tsunami here is the Sister of Saito. a few month after Houki had to move out she receive an offer to further study in IS related thing because of her close relation with Tabane. She wasn't happy and when she ask me what to do so I just said she should do whatever she want. She doesn't seem to be happy from my answer. What wrong with it? Wouldn't it be better if you decide something for yourself?

"Sigh… you never change one bit." Tsunami sigh. What with her. Is it so bad to not cahnge at all. I don't think my personality is problem to anyone else so I don't see that the problem here.

"Yeah…. Look like it."

""sigh….."" both of them sigh at the same time. What, even houki agreeing. What wrong with what I am?

By the way Tsunami, which class are you from?" I haven't see her at the classroom today meaning she must be from different class.

"huh me? I'm in a class 1-C." she answers me. 1-C huh. Well it about two room after our class so it not to far.

There something else that bother me to.

"By the way you two act as if you have met before this why is that." I cant help but notice this. The way that Houki move to block the attack as if she had experience that befoe as if it was natural.

"hmph… that girl just happen to be on the same school as me." Houki said while turning away. She have a bad tempered like usual. The same school huh… so that why. Look like maybe we really should hold a discussion when we got the chance. Just as I mulled this over suddenly.

Ding-Dong-Dang-Dong.

Look like the bell for the second period.

"let's go back." I said a Houki nod.

"eh! No way, I just got here~" Tsunami whine but that not going to cahnge the decission.

"You may be fine but our homeroom teacher is Chifuyu-nee herself." As if understand what it meant she nod as the three of us head back to our respective classroom. I don't want to imagine what will happen if I late.

It was weird. I seem to have a reunion with my Chillhood friend, well it would be even more surprised if I suddenly see Rin here though I guess that wont be possible right?

Both of them sure had grown. Though they personality aren't that different. But Tsunami seem to look more like Tabane. That something I wasn't looking forward to, one Tabane is enough I don't think this world can handle two Tabane.

Sigh… and once again I was hoping for another male pilot so suddenly show up so I wont feel to isolated right now.

XXXXXXXXX

"Achoo!" a man in the middle of snowy mountain suddenly sneezed. In front of him stood a huge tall giant holding a large club.

"damn, I wish Chifuyu can substitute this for me." he said as the sword start to burn as he swung at the giant. Completely burned to to ash even in the middle of snowy mountain.

"this should keep me warm for a while." He said as he continued walking deep inside the ice cave.


Ok I decide to end it right here. there really not much worth to say here beside I have to apologized for following the novel line. I don't think I need to tell who that man that kept appearing during the story. the introduction hasn't finished yet as there still something need to be done before I could create an original arc that doesn't exist in Canon.

I hope you enjoy this chapter even there isn't much and don't forget to review.