Chapter XII – No Mercy

The rivalry deepens once more…

And no mercy will be shown…

All because of one decision.

Seifer strolled through the halls of Balamb Garden with his hands in his pockets, occasionally glaring at passing students and Trepies. He was on his way to his last class of the day, and also his last class with that sorry excuse of a narcissist, Talman Aki. Best news he's heard all day, he gathered, other than the fact that Instructor Brahne was apparently retiring.

His thoughts unconsciously wandered to the train incident the night before. The fury still loitered in his veins and made him walk faster, disapproval written all over his face. That Aki boy was bold, all right… Bold and stupid. Stupid enough to mess with Seifer Almasy. Thanks to that idiocy, he had landed himself a place at the top of Seifer's List. No, scratch that. The boy wasn't even worth the time and trouble.

The next time he does something I don't like, his digestive system will be the first thing I rip out.

Talman's discussion with the Instructor on the train came back again (of course Seifer had been eavesdropping). There was no way that Seifer Almasy was going to let some stupid kid show him up. If Talman was taking the next exam, then he should, too. He did at least take care to ensure that his written tests and assignments were exceptional. There was no possible way that his intelligence level could be any lower than Talman's. Come to think of it, there was no possible way for anyone to have an IQ lower than Aki's, or so Seifer liked to claim.

Early exam. Hah.

Snorting a little in mockery like the gentleman he rarely was, Seifer continued his walk until his eyes locked upon a familiar figure. With a sinister grin, he quickened his pace and managed to retain a stealthy stride. Suppressing a smirk, Seifer stepped on the person's ankle, which led to an expected thud.

"Wh—oh, very mature, Almasy," said Talman, getting up from the polished floor.

"I didn't know you were so good at falling on your ass, Aki," Seifer retorted, thrilled with the glare he was receiving.

"Hmph," Aki scoffed. "If you'll excuse me, Almasy, I'm going to class." He turned his nose high in the air and started to walk away.

Seifer laughed loud enough for Talman to hear, and the younger man turned around. "Yeah, that's right, Aki. Take your scrawny little ass and go straight to class like the little geek that you are."

"Who are you calling a geek, lapdog?" Talman said, knowing it would have some sort of effect.

Seifer's eyes narrowed the slightest bit. "You, who else? You're an idiot, thinking you can pass an early exam."

"What? You mean you don't think you can pass it? That's a shame, Almasy. So sorry to hear that."

Seifer sniggered at the boy's foolishness. "Of course I don't think I can pass. I know I can pass, which is so much more than I can say for the likes of you."

"Oh, really?" Talman stepped backwards, turned, and began walking towards the classroom again. Seifer followed. "Who got permission to take the exam, huh?"

"Only because you asked first, Aki. If even you can take it early, then so can some ten-year-old from Balamb Town."

Instructor Aki's son sputtered but no words came out. He slowed his walk a little. "You think you're so smart? Wait 'til I tell my father about this."

"Daddy's little boy…always need him to fight your battles for you?"

"Shut up, Almasy." Talman was becoming angrier by the second. "I know for a fact that you're on probation. All I need to do is file one report and you'll be on the streets where you belong."

"Oh, I'm so frightened. And sorry to burst your tiny bubble, but I don't 'belong on the streets.' My standards for my own living are actually quite high."

Talman stopped outside the classroom door. "We'll see who gets the last laugh once I file that report."

"Last I heard, you were still a Cadet. Your little 'report' won't have enough power to push a dead Grat over the edge of a table. Face it, you can't do anything to me."

"Almasy, you're just—"

"If you're not in the classroom in ten seconds, gentlemen, then you are going to be late," Quistis's voice came loud and clear from inside the classroom.

Talman's head turned towards Quistis's voice then swirled back to face Seifer. "We'll finish this later, Almasy."

"No, kid. You mean you'll finish it later. Don't drag me into this. You started it, you finish it. Stop relying on other people and do something on your own for once." Seifer brushed past him with his usual air of defiance and took a seat, leaving an irate young man at the doorframe.

"Mr. Aki," Quistis began. "Do you want detention for tardiness?"

He snapped out of his thoughts. "N-no, Instructor Trepe," he replied as he quickly stepped into the classroom right as the bell rang. He could see Seifer smirking as he reluctantly sat down beside the taller man. Talman's eyes fixed themselves on the workstation with loathing humiliation and one thought.

I'll get you, Almasy.

Quistis waited for the bell to ring before dismissing her class. The sound of students stretching and gathering their belongings filled her ears. The infamous pair seemed to be taking their sweet time leaving. Perfect, Quistis thought.

"Mr. Aki and Mr. Almasy, please come see me at my desk," she said calmly as she rummaged through her briefcase. Seifer and Talman stood in front of her desk and waited. Soon, Quistis gave a portfolio to Talman.

"If you still wish to challenge the earlier exams," she pushed her glasses back to a comfortable spot on the bridge of her nose, "please fill in these application forms and have them back to me within the next two days. This is your first time, correct?"

"Yes, Instructor Trepe."

"Please take a few minutes to look through the forms now, and tell me if there is anything that you don't understand."

"Yes, Instructor."

Talman opened the envelope given to him and sorted through the papers. While he did so, Quistis pulled Seifer aside and spoke quietly to him, "I noticed that time is running short for you. Your twentieth birthday is coming up and it's October already."

"Why, you know when my birthday is, Instructor?" Seifer deliberately raised his voice so that Talman could hear him. "I'm so flattered."

"Never mind that," Quistis said, which produced a soft victory snort from Talman. "The point is: I want you to take this next set of exams as well. I am sure you have no objections."

"Of course not." Seifer smirked when he saw the look of surprise on Talman's face as Quistis handed him an identical portfolio.

"And I'm sure you know how to fill out those forms." She looked back at Talman. "Do you have any questions, Mr. Aki?"

"Uh, no, Instructor," he responded.

"Seifer?"

"Do you even have to ask?"

"Very well. You're both dismissed. Have a good day." Both males gave a salute and left the room.

Seifer exclaimed once they were out of the Instructor's earshot, "What did I tell you, Aki? I didn't even have to ask her."

"You got lucky, that's all."

"Luck has nothing to do with it. It's called natural talent and charm. They're handing out some artificial samples at the secret storage room at the Quad. Maybe you should go stand in line and get some."

Author's Note: To be honest, this chapter isn't the best...I promise the next one is much better, with lots more action.