Spirit Caller

Chapter Eight

8

The two stumbled into their seats together causing a lot of unnessacary noise.

"S-Sorry I'm late!" Connar called out, louder than she meant to. From up in the seating, she heard Chazz slam his hands on his desk.

"Will you be quiet!?" he hissed," Some of us are planning to pass this test!"
"Test!?" Norika gasped. She was never too good at those...

Connar had completely forgot there was even an exam today.

"SHHHHHH!" the entire class shushed her and she blushed deeply.

"Oops..." She muttered to herself and groaned softly hiding her face behind her hand.

Stupid dream...

she thought to herself.

It's got me all sorts of out of wack today...

She sighed as Professor Banner motioned for her to come down.

"Jaden has already received his exam, , I suggest you abd Ms. Norika hurry now, and do the same."

"...Yes sir..." the girls muttered while their surrounding class mates began snickering all around them.

'Come get my exam' he says...

she sighed.

I'll be lucky if I will even be able to finish this exam...

She glanced up at the clock.

Judgeing by the time... they're about 20 minutes into this thing already...

The reason they were even was late was Connar over sleeping from her restless night. So Norika was already a little irritated...but she grinded her teeth and scribbled down what she could.

XXXXX

"Man...I can't believe I actually passed that exam~" Connar beamed and sighed in a happy relief

"Lucky for you..." said Norika, who wasn't so lucky.

"I'm sorry Norika..." said Connar, "If you weren't helping me-"

The red head sighed and cut her off.

"It's whatever." said Norika, "Even if I didn't help you, I probably would have flunked that exam." she stated, "Still though you've got me curious..." she blinked, "Just what was that dream over yours about, anyway?" she asked, "It seemed intense."

Before Connar could respond, Syrus chimed in.

" Of course you would pass, Connar..." he sighed, "Man, I wish I could say the same."

"Maybe next time studying might do you better than an all night Slifer Seiance, Sy~" Jaden snickered.

"Him!?" Connar blinked,"What about you!?" she giggled,"You slept right through the exam! I wouldn't be surprised if you fail."

"Nah, not likely." Jaden laughed as he stretched and yawned from his nap,"I may flunk now and then...but I never fail~"

"Say...come to think." Norika blinked and glanced around the barren classroom,"Where is everyone?"

"Good question." said Jaden,"I wanna get out of class as bad as the next guy but this seems like an extreme extent..."

"You don't know much, do you?" Bastion Misawa chimed in, attracting the attention of the Slifer amigos. "Everyone wants to be first to get their hands on the new shipment of cards to soup up their decks before the upcoming field exam." he explained.

"All right, Field exam!" said Norika, "I should definitely be able to make up some lost points with that!" she grinned, "But...why aren't you going, Bastion?" asked Norika.

"Oh please. One mis fit card and my deck's delicate balance would be completely thrown off." he stated.

"Mine, wouldn't!" Said Syrus.

"So then what are we waiting for Sy?" said Jaden."Let's get going, you coming Connar?"

"No thanks." said Connar,"My father says if a Duelist can't trust in his or her own cards, then they are hardly worth the title."

"Suit yourself." Jaden shrugged,"Catch you later, let's go Sy!"

"Right!"

Connar and Norika stayed behind with Bastion, watching the two boys dart ahead to the card shop.

"So...your father sounds like quite a serious duelist." He stated, startling Connar.

"Oh...you don't know the half of it..." said Norika, while Connar shot her a glance.

If we're not careful, too much might get said...!

"S-So, Misawa!" she chimed, trying to change the subject,"You sound like a pretty serious duelist yourself!" she shated,"You trust your deck so much you don't want to risk anything throwing it off balance, I think that's awesome!" she smiled sweetly.

"Ah...No need for the last name formalities..." he said slightly blushing. He must feel embarassed to be called in honorifics.

"Don't think much of it." said Norika, "That's pretty much how Connar speaks to everyone until she gets to know them better..." she stated, "You should have seen how long it took for me to get her to FINALLY stop calling me 'Satsuna'." she laughed, ad Connar blushed. She couldn't really help herself...It came withher raising, so she sometimes forgets that not everyone talks the way she does.

"Yes, well." he coughed and cleared his throat,"My Formulas are always perfect, of course I wouldn't want to risk anything." he said,"So then shall we head to the Duel Field for our field exams?"

"Yeah that's probably a good idea..." Connar chuckled reaching around to check on her deck holster. Suddenly she froze up, a eavy wave of dismay washed over her...

She suddenly felt empty...and sick. A pale expression covered her face.

"What's the matter?" Bastion blinked, "You don't look so well, my dear..."

"He's right, COnnar you're really pale..." said Norika, "Maybe we should take you to the infirmary."

"Uh...I uh..." she gulped,"N-No need..." she sighed, "I'm fine."

"Well...if you're certain...but...I don't feel too convinced." he said. He gently placed a hand on her back he was much nicer than she had thought he would be for being top of the first year class. But she gave him a gentle smile and slowly shook her head from side to side.

"That's very kind of you to be concerned for me Misa-Bastion, but I'm afraid I must politely decline."

"But...are you sure?" Norika blinked,"You would be putting your grade at risk if you try to go in a duel half assed like this..."

"Maybe so." she said,"But My father also says, never shy away from any challenge."

"Hmmm." Bastion gave a smile and an understanding nod,"Very well but then...are you sure you're really all right?" he asked,"How did you do on your written exam?"

"Oh, I aced it." she said non-chalantly,"Perfect score."

"You don't say!?" Bastion seemed shocked to hear this,"You scored perfect despite being late? I say I might have an intelctual rival on my hands..."

"Yeah, well..." she scratched her cheek and chuckled awkwardly,"Let's just say I received a strict...education."

It seems being an hairess has his benefits as far as education is concerned...

"Hmm...so I see." he chuckled softly,"Well then, if you insist on going shall we head off then?"

Connar nodded.

"Even if couldn't duel...I'd never forgive myself for not being there for my friends!" said Connar.

"Very kind of you, haha." Bastion chuckled,"Hope I count too!"

"Of course you do!" said Norika, "Nerds of a feather should stick together." she laughed, "Now let's get the deck out of here!"

The trio laughed lightly together as they walked down the hall toward the Duel Field. Though Connar's condition, only seemed to worsen, the closer they got.

To Be Continued