Kias: Thank you for reviewing! Glad you liked both their development, and the twist! ;)
Kim Nanoha: Aw, thank you, those words mean a lot! :) Glad you liked it!
Guest: Thank you for pointing out that error, I'll pay attention to it in upcoming duels. :)
This chapter's and the next one are inspired by 'Generation Next'.
I only own my OC's!
"SAY WHAT?!" Syrus' shouting voice could be heard inside Slifer Red dorm, or, one particular room, to be precise. Jaden flinched slightly at his friend's loud tone. "Well, what I have just said?" He pointed out with a sheepish grin, rubbing the back of his head. The response he got was his two friends' jaws dropping to the floor. Their eyes were even wider, he noticed.
Now that Jaden remembered it, he hadn't seen Syrus this shocked since… Since he told him about trading his bed mattress for a card last year. However, back then, that shock soon became anger, while now, he was still gaping like a fish. Hassleberry was no better with expressing his astonishment.
It's been a few days since they returned from the Domino City trip. During that time, everything was rather calm. Seeing they were still rather confused about some things, Syrus and Hassleberry finally got Jaden to sit down and explain it to them. Well, mostly, why he and Serena were so close all of a sudden, and what the deal was with Serena, Sartorius and his sister.
"Wait, Sarge," The taller guy spoke up, finally regaining a bit of his senses. "If I understood it, you and Serena used to be best friends and neighbors?" He repeated astonished. "Yup." The brown-haired duelist nodded. "So that's why you constantly went after her…" Syrus spoke up with a frown. "In fairness, I couldn't remember her until a few days ago." Jaden quickly pointed out, not noticing the frown on his best friend's face.
"Any idea why?" Hassleberry questioned. "Your guesses are as good as mine and Serena's." He responded sheepishly. "Well, I'm happy for you two, Sarge." The taller guy then smiled. Jaden smiled back at him.
Hassleberry let out a sigh. "But how does she know Sartorius and his sister?" He asked. "They used to look after her when she was younger." Jaden replied simply. "Oh…" Hassleberry trailed off while Syrus nodded without saying anything. "Makes sense why she defended him that day..." The former then mused.
Suddenly, the door slammed open, making all of their heads turn around. "Jaden, you won't believe what I've just read!" Serena ran into the room excitedly with rolled newspapers in her right hand. Jaden opened his mouth to ask her what she was referring to, only for someone else to beat him to it.
"I thought you would have learned by now to knock before entering." Syrus spoke up sarcastically. The red-haired girl looked at him, her eyes widening in realization. Her cheeks started turning red immediately. "Sorr… Sorry!" She exclaimed frantically, tugging at her long, messy hair. By now, both it, and her face were an equal shade of red. "I do try to knock, it's just that…" She then started rambling, before Jaden cut her off.
"Chill out. It was an accident." "It was also when she barged in recently…" Syrus folded his arms with a frown. Hassleberry kept looking between all three of them back and forth. "I said I was sorry…" The girl reminded in confusion. "Chill out, Sy. It happens." Jaden put a hand on his shoulder with a smile. He then stood up from the floor, where the three of them had been sitting before.
He walked up to Serena. "What have you read?" He then asked curiously. "Well…" The girl looked around the room, her light blue eyes landing on other two occupants for a few moments. before clearing her throat. They then landed on her brown-haired friend yet again. "Can we discuss this…" She cleared her throat and pointed with her thumb behind her. "Oh… You mean…" Jaden trailed off in realization. She nodded. "Sure." He smiled.
"I'll see you guys later." He then turned around and waved. Immediately after, the two of them were out. "Of course, he goes with her. That's all he ever does these few days." "What was that, Private?" Hassleberry raised an eyebrow. "Nothing…" Syrus let his arms fall to the side with a sigh.
Serena's POV
"What's got you so excited?" Jaden questioned in a bit of amusement once we were on the clearing in front of the dorm. He must have noticed I was jumping up and down like crazy. But I couldn't resist it! I may have looked like an idiot, but it was worth it!
"Sorry," I apologized with my cheeks still red from before. "But what I've just found in today's newspapers is too good to be true!" I then unfolded the newspapers and started looking through them. After a few moments, I finally found the page I was searching for.
I then gave it to Jaden so he could read it. "It says they've seen one of missing 'Industrial Illusions' workers in Domino City?" He read out loud. "Si." I nodded with a grin. "It even says they captured a photo of him!" I then pointed at the paragraph in the newspapers.
"A man named Oliver Johnson." Jaden read before looking up at me. "Does that name sound familiar to you?" He asked curiously. I shook my head. "I don't exactly know names of my aunt's colleagues…" I trailed off in a bit of embarrassment. He sighed. "Why did I even ask?" He then let out a laugh. "Makes me wonder as well, since you know I'm terrible with other names." I agreed wholeheartedly.
"I guessed you could at least remember some…" "Back in October, I couldn't even remember Crowler's name." I put both of my hands on his shoulders and patted them lightly with a serious look on my face. "Really?" He looked at me wide-eyed.
I nodded. "I was literally praying for either you, Bastion, Ben, or Syrus to say it while we were in his office." "What about Bonaparte?" He asked in a bit of amusement. I rolled my eyes for a moment before they landed on him yet again.
"He was easier for remembering, since he immediately noticed I was Italian, and started telling Crowler all about our stereotypes." I stopped, looking up for a few seconds. "That, plus his name is like Napoleon's." I pointed out with my right index finger.
A look of amusement appeared on Jaden's face. "Do I even want to hear them?" "Oh, nothing, just the ones with mobsters and terrible drivers…" I trailed off sarcastically. "The most insulting ones?" He guessed. "Si." I nodded. "Thankfully though, Crowler interrupted us before we could start discussing each other's stereotypes properly."
"Wait, you know about French stereotypes too?" He asked in surprise. I nodded. "A lot of them, in fact… Aunt Maria told me." I then shook my head to get back to our previous topic, seeing that explaining Aunt Maria's experience with the world and her family roots would take quite a while. I could do that another time.
"Anyway, the point is, I didn't remember Crowler's name until Bastion said it." "If it makes you feel better, when I had to duel him for my entrance exam, at first I thought he was some kind of an Academy mascot." Jaden grinned sheepishly.
The moment I heard those words, I started laughing. It was nothing against Crowler, but the way Jaden said it, and his thoughts concerning the man himself…
"That's a story I'd like to hear one day." I was brushing off my tears from all the laughter. "I'll gladly tell you." He smiled. I smiled back before looking at the newspapers in his hands. "Anyway," I pointed at them. "Since Aunt Maria went missing, and they saw one of missing people, that means she might be somewhere nearby as well." I explained.
Jaden looked at me and the newspapers back and forth for a few moments. "It seems possible…" He trailed off curiously. "After all this time, there are finally some good news." I sighed in relief. "Ben would be happy to hear that." He noted. "If he weren't acting like this…" I pointed out with a frown.
"He's not himself, just like the others." He reminded. "I know," I looked up. "And it's relieving. Until a few days ago, I was convinced he and Sartorius hated my guts… I felt completely alone." I finished dejectedly.
"I know the feeling… But you're not alone." Jaden put an arm around my shoulder, pulling me closer to him. "You have me, and the rest of the guys. We'll get out of this." He smiled.
While I considered Jaden my friend, the same couldn't be said for Syrus, Bastion, Hassleberry and Atticus. They were… Acquaintances. I didn't feel as comfortable around them as with Jaden. However, I decided not to tell him that. Not yet, at least, since those were his friends after all.
I simply smiled back and hugged him. Our hug lasted for a few moments. When we were younger, I would enjoy them, but now, I also cherished every moment like that. I missed the feeling of affection towards my friend, and warmness of those hugs… I wouldn't trade them for anything else in the world.
"But I still don't get," I started as we pulled away. "What kind of evil force made Sartorius brainwash all of them." I ran a hand through my hair with a frown. "Beats me." Jaden shrugged. "There must be a way to find out…" I trailed off, looking in the direction leading towards the White Dormitory.
"Maybe we could get closer to their dormitory…" I mused. "You do remember what Sarina had said?" He reminded. "I remember." I frowned, remembering Sarina's words. "If you go there, you'll just give him more chances to kill you." "But there's got to be a way to find out more about that force without getting closer!" I then let out a groan, running both hands through my hair by now.
Jaden rubbed the back of his head quietly for a few moments. "Reminds me of how you always wanted to know everything your aunt mentioned." He let out a chuckle. "What?" I gave him a perplexed look.
"When your aunt used to look after us, you would question her about some things she mentioned. If she refused to say it, then you would grab books and start looking for it. I think I even heard her telling Mum how she had to watch what she was saying around you." He explained, trying not to laugh.
"Cazzo!" Aunt Maria's shouting could be heard. "What happened?" I could hear Sarina asking in confusion while I was getting closer to the door. "I hit my head…" By now, I was finally in front of the living room.
"Aunt, what's 'cazzo'?" My seven-year-old self spoke up curiously. Both of their eyes widened. "It's… Nothing!" Aunt Maria let out a nervous laugh. "You have to watch what you're saying around her…" Sarina gave her a warning look.
Aunt looked at her. "Why? She'll forget it in a matter of seconds!" "What's 'cazzo'?" I repeated. "Nothing, dear." Seeing she wasn't going to tell me, I raced to the nearest book shelf and grabbed the Italian dictionary.
He was right, I remembered those situations now… She would be near to losing it whenever something like that happened. Heck, Sarina and Sartorius had to tell her thousand times to watch what she was saying around me… They knew it first-hand after all.
But that didn't matter at the moment. It only reminded me of what I could actually do… I was so stupid not to think of it!
And I wanted to be a biologist, huh? There was no way I could become one if I didn't do what they always did; researching things… Granted, I couldn't become one if I didn't have a degree… And that couldn't happen without attending university, which couldn't happen until I graduated from this place.
However, I had to set my priorities straight. Getting through all of the current chaos was the most important thing right now!
"Jaden, you're a genius." I grinned at my friend. "I am?" He repeated in utter confusion. "Si! How could I be such a freaking moron?!" I tugged at my hair in disbelief, pacing back and forth. "If you could explain it…" Jaden trailed off, looking at me perplexed.
"There's got to be something in the Academy's library!" I told him excitedly. "The Academy has a library?" He repeated in what seemed to be a mixture of surprise and confusion. I nodded with a smile. "Never knew that, since me and books don't exactly get along, as you already know…" Jaden stated sheepishly.
"But you used to listen whenever I said something about nature." I reminded. "The only thing I ever paid some attention to." "Care to enlighten me?" I asked with a small smirk, wanting to see whether he truly remembered that part or not.
Jaden frowned for a moment. "Right now, I only remember most disturbing things…" He trailed off. "Disturbing?" I raised an eyebrow. "Don't get me started on that shell you claimed could destroy ships."
"Oh, the shipworm?" I presumed. "Whatever it's called already." "It can only destroy wooden ships. Sailors used to have a lot of trouble with the shipworm back then." I explained with a small smile. "But it's not disturbing, it's nature!" I then shook my head in amusement. "Nature can be disturbing sometimes." Jaden argued.
"If you say so." I chuckled. "Anyway, thanks, I could hug you right now!" I then exclaimed, feeling even more excited. Finally, maybe I could get to find out more about that evil force Sarina had mentioned! "Then what's stopping you?" Jaden asked in amusement. "Nothing…" I trailed off sheepishly after a few moments and threw my arms around him. He let out a laugh, hugging me back.
I could have stayed like that for quite some time… Except that someone calling our names made us pull away.
Bastion was racing towards us. He cleared his throat once he finally stopped in front of where we were. "While I hate to interrupt whatever you two are doing…" He trailed off uncertainly, looking between us back and forth. "We were just talking. Isn't that what friends do?" Jaden asked perplexed. "Oh, alright then." The British guy nodded with a frown.
"Anyway, I've just run into Crowler. He and Bonaparte are telling everyone to come to the auditorium right away." "Why?" Jaden questioned, now even more confused. "Crowler didn't say anything," Bastion let out a sigh. "But I heard rumors that Sheppard's returned."
I frowned since I didn't know who that was. Jaden, on the other hand, grinned. "Sweet! Sheppard's the best!" He cheered. Bastion shook his head in amusement. "Where are Syrus and Hassleberry?" He then asked. "They're still in our room." "Then I'll go and tell them too."
"We'll find places in the auditorium." Jaden nodded with a smile, wrapping his right arm around my left one. Bastion looked between us back and forth before nodding yet again. "In that case, see you inside." He was then off to tell the others as well.
The brown-haired guy looked at me. "Let's go find some good places inside." He said excitedly. "Sure," I nodded, still a bit confused with everything. "But who's that?" I then asked, my eyebrows furrowing. "He's the Chancellor." He explained. "But isn't that Crowler?" I was feeling more and more confused by every second that passed…
"He was the Chancellor before Crowler." Jaden explained. "Oh." I nodded. Things were a bit clearer to me. "Does that mean he's the Chancellor again, or…" I then trailed off. "I don't know, really." He shrugged. "That's why we'd better get there as fast as possible." A grin then appeared on his face. I simply nodded.
While I understood a bit, this was still confusing… It also ruined my chances of going to the library. It would unfortunately have to wait…
"Let's get going then." I spoke up, making him nod with a grin. We were then on our way to the main building, with our right and left arm still wrapped around each other respectively.
"If Sheppard really is back, then it makes me wonder what that means for Crowler." Jaden mused while we were inside the building. "Just wait till he learns what he tried to do with Alexis, Ben and me." I smirked. "Wait," He suddenly stopped, looking at me in surprise. "You were caught up in that thing too?" His eyes were wide.
I nodded with a smirk. "Si." I looked down for a moment. "In fact, that's why I had to duel Bonaparte. If I had lost, then both Ben and I would have been obliged to sing." I chuckled, my eyes meeting his. "Man…" My friend trailed off with a laugh. "Anyway, thankfully I didn't." "Would have it been that bad?"
"My singing is equal to door creaking, as Bastion would say." I looked at Jaden seriously. "He really said that?" He rubbed the back of his head in surprise. "No," I shook my head. "Actually, he did, but he was referring to Alexis, which earned him a slap from her." I face palmed as memories of that event flashed through my mind. "He did it to help her, of course, but it backfired…" I trailed off, seeing he was staring at me.
"But Ben said he was a terrible singer!" Jaden then pointed out in amusement. "You're telling me?" I raised an eyebrow. "Jaden, he tried to convince me he was worse out of two of us." "He said so too." He started laughing.
I rolled my eyes at that statement. "Let's just get in there." I tilted my head towards the door of the auditorium.
Finally, he stopped laughing. "Whatever you say, Serena." He said teasingly. I rolled my eyes yet again, this time with a smirk. "Just get in, will you?" I let out a laugh, pulling him by his arm towards the entrance. "Your grip is stronger." Jaden noted playfully, just as we entered the auditorium. "Well, what did you expect? We're obviously older now!" I pointed out and burst in laughter. He joined in, and it lasted for a few more seconds, until…
"ACCARDI! YUKI!" Bonaparte's booming voice made my heart rate go faster in shock. With a joint yelp, Jaden and I stopped laughing immediately. All eyes were on us, from all around the room. Bonaparte was down there with Crowler. A glare was on his face.
"THIS IS THE AUDITORIUM, NOT YOUR ROOM!" He then roared. "Uh, we live in different rooms?" Jaden reminded a bit nervously. I glanced at him; my eyes wide. What the hell did just go through his mind?!
At hearing those words, some students burst in laughter. From what I could see, those were mostly the Society Of Light's members. Crowler sighed and looked away, while Bonaparte face palmed.
He then looked up at where we were. "THAT'S WHAT I MEANT!" He shouted. "Sorry, sorry!" Jaden exclaimed, covering his head with hands. "Sorry." I added. Bonaparte frowned at us but nodded.
"Let's just pick where to sit." I quickly told Jaden, seeing some people were still looking at us. "Any ideas?" He asked. My eyes landed on the fifth row. Ben, Alexis and Chazz were sitting there, right next to Sartorius. The three of them then started talking between each other.
Sartorius' purple eyes, however, were looking straight in our direction. His mouth formed a thin, straight line, and his arms were folded.
It frightened me a bit. He rarely had that expression on his face, and that only happened when he was either mad or upset. Even with all the trouble I caused as a kid, he rarely got that angry… Seeing the expression made it clear to me that I should get away from him.
"As long as it's away from Sartorius." I whispered to Jaden. He nodded to me. "The second row?" He whispered. I frowned for a moment, thinking about whether that was a good idea.
All upper rows were full by now, so was the first one… Sartorius wouldn't dare try to pull anything in front of employed people here. Or at least, that's what I believed… I would feel more comfortable if it was a row behind him instead… Except that was pretty much impossible.
"It's still close to him though…" I whispered to Jaden. "Just relax. He won't dare do something in front of Crowler and Bonaparte. Even if he does, he'll have to go through me." He whispered back reassuringly, squeezing my hands as well. Those words, along with that gesture, made me feel a bit relieved. While the society was here, I still had him… "Okay then." I looked up at him with a smile.
We walked down to the beginning of second row and sat there. Not long after, Bastion, Syrus and Hassleberry joined us there. Syrus sat on Jaden's left, followed by Hassleberry and Bastion.
Atticus, Aster, and those two girls sat in a row behind. By now, the auditorium was full. Almost everyone was talking about what this was supposed to mean.
Finally, the door opened. A plump, bald man, who was wearing a long, maroon blazer, walked through. "Is that the Chancellor?" I asked Jaden quietly. He nodded back to me, just as the man stopped in front of the screen. One thing I couldn't help noticing was Crowler's and Bonaparte's forms. They were as still as soldiers from an army…
"First of all, it's good to be back!" The Chancellor spoke up. "Judging by your clothes, we've got a popular new white dorm on campus…" He mused with a smile, his eyes darting over to where Crowler and Bonaparte were. "Sorry!" "Sorry!" The two men chorused.
Truth to be told, I was wondering how much that man actually knew about what was going on here… Since Crowler and Bonaparte were so casual with letting the sect do as they pleased. Though, Sartorius could have threatened them too if they had refused to comply… Anything was possible with that force possessing him. It just made me more eager for this meeting to be over. Then, I could go to the library and try to find out more about that thing…
My eyes briefly looked up, towards the row where most of the Society's members were sitting. All of them were looking at the Chancellor.
"Well, despite these changes," I quickly turned my head back to listen to the man in front of us. "I'm still in charge! And I have a special gift to offer all of you!"
The moment he said that, everyone started talking at the same time. From what I could hear, they were mostly pleased with that surprise… Although I didn't have the slightest clue what it was supposed to be.
"Man, it's good to have Sheppard back." Jaden smiled, looking at Syrus and me. He also reminded me of what the Chancellor's name was… I had to try to keep it in my mind this time. "Sheppard." I repeated to myself quietly. "It sure is, Jay. He's the best." A small smile appeared on Syrus' face. "Well, anything's better than Crowler, right?" Hassleberry presumed.
Bastion shook his head in what seemed to be amusement. "Just let him say the rest…" At that moment, I could hear someone clearing their throat.
"LET THE POOR MAN SPEAK!" Bonaparte roared, almost making me jump up from my seat in shock. "Why, thank you," The Chan… Sheppard, pointed at the screen behind him. "And now, I give you the 'GX Dueling Tournament," He declared, just as the screen turned on.
My eyebrows furrowed in confusion. The screen showed some sort of a blue and gold medal. Initials 'GX' were at its center…
"A competition for the next generation of master duelists! It's like nothing you've ever experienced before, and it starts right now!" Sheppard continued. "Duelists from around the globe will converge here, students and professionals are welcome! And when the dust settles, only one duelist remains… He will be known as the world's greatest!" That was when everyone started cheering.
And me? The man said those words so quickly I had no time to process them while he was talking… But now, everything sank in.
There was going to be a freaking dueling competition… The thought of that just made me want to run out of the auditorium. While I did decide to respect dueling and cherish good memories, that didn't mean I wanted to participate in something like this! As far as I was concerned, 'respecting' it was not talking smack…
"The entire island is your field. To start, you'll each get a 'GX' medallion," He showed us a blue and silver medallion, pretty similar to the one on the screen. "The rules are simple. You must accept the first duel you're challenged to," My eyes widened at those words. "And you must participate in one duel each day," The more he said, the worse I was feeling… "If you win, you get all of your opponent's medals. The final winner will be easy to spot, they'll have all of the medallions!"
I grabbed my hair with both of my hands nervously, not knowing what else to do by now.
"During my travels, I've met some of the world's most talented duelists. They have all been invited, because I truly believe you are as good as they are. Now get out there, and make your Chancellor proud, will you?"
"Dio santo…" I muttered with my eyes wide, grabbing my hair and tugging it out of pure panic. Except that I didn't get a chance to do anything else because Jaden's foot suddenly jumped on the part of the desk in front of me.
I quickly looked up to see him standing on the chair with his left foot as well. "What are we waiting for? I've got a tournament to win!" He said excitedly.
Of course he'd be thrilled about something liked this… But while he had a tournament to win, I had a tournament I wanted to avoid…
"Don't forget last year… The grand prize was a kiss!" Syrus reminded sheepishly. Whatever that was supposed to mean, it looked like Jaden was quite uncomfortable about it…
I looked at the medallion in my hand while walking out of the auditorium. The more I looked at it, the more I felt uncomfortable…
As soon as he was done with his speech, Sheppard told Crowler, Bonaparte and Dorothy to give each student a medallion. I was the last one in line (on purpose of course), and at first, I didn't want to accept it at all… But I couldn't say 'no' to Dorothy. Out of three of them, she was kindest to me. Besides, I never refused to accept it out loud, since that would be rude, but more in my mind…
I really wanted to ask Sheppard whether the participation was mandatory or not. I just couldn't imagine myself running around, accepting challenges or challenging someone else. While I did challenge Sartorius to a duel that day, it was done out of anger… Plus, I could have lost my head that day. I really didn't want to do this. It was something Jaden would do, not me! I also wanted to go to that library instead… I had to talk to Sheppard about this, I just had to. Hopefully, I'd convince him to let me sit this one out…
"HELP!" Syrus' screaming made me look up in surprise. He was running down the corridor, with Hassleberry, and a lot of other Slifer Red, Ra Yellow, and Society students on his heels.
I blinked for a moment, still a bit confused about what just happened…
"Serena." Jaden's voice made me look to my left. He ran up to me. "You got the medallion too?" He asked with a smile. I simply nodded, showing him the thing in my right hand. "Sweet." "I guess so." I nodded yet again, not really knowing what to say about the subject.
Reminiscing of our memories involving dueling was one thing, but our opinions were so different when it came to this tournament… I felt like this was quite a touchy subject to talk about.
"What was that with Syrus?" I asked, trying to change the topic. "Oh, everyone wants to challenge him to a duel." Jaden waved it off. "Aster went outside, while Bastion went to challenge someone too." He then grinned. I let out a small smile and nodded, feeling a bit awkward.
"What about you?" Jaden then asked me. "What about me?" I repeated, feeling even more like an idiot. "Are you going to challenge someone, or are you going to let them challenge you instead?" "I…" I trailed off, wondering what to say.
This was Jaden I was talking to. Out of all people I knew, he loved dueling the most… But he also knew I didn't like it as much as he did. Surely, he would understand… Wouldn't he?
"I'm going to ask Sheppard to sit this one out." I said simply. "Why?" Jaden's eyes widened. "I just can't." I frowned. "But you said you didn't hate dueling anymore. You said you'd respect it from now on, and cherish old times…" He reminded.
I nodded. "That's just it. I won't talk smack about it, but I'm not willing to participate in this tournament either. It's something you would do…" I trailed off. "Serena, that's just stupid." He shook his head. "Maybe to you, but the idea of this tournament makes me feel rather uncomfortable." I replied calmly.
I really didn't want to argue about something like this… And not after I had just got my best friend back!
"It will be good for you!" Jaden grabbed both of my hands with a smile. "I beg to differ." I shook my head coldly. "Come on, at least give it a try…" "Just why do you think it could be good for me?" I asked, trying to remain calm.
While Jaden was my friend, and I did appreciate his persistence… Right now, it was beginning to get on my nerves. I knew he meant only the best, but if I told him something, why was he so insistent on changing my mind about this subject?! If it was any other topic, I wouldn't get mad at all!
"You'll get a hang of dueling again. You won't feel so uncomfortable anymore." He smiled. "But…" "You just have to jump right in and try." I was looking at him for a few moments, thinking about what he had just said…
But, honestly, I just didn't see it happening. I couldn't imagine myself feeling comfortable in that tournament, no matter what Jaden said.
"Sorry, but I can't." I shook my head and took my hands out of his grip. "Have fun dueling." I smiled at him and started walking towards the Chancellor's office.
Finally, I could see the door of the office on my right. I was about to walk through…
"What's wrong? Do I sense a slight tone of mistrust? There's no need for you to fear me…" Sartorius' icy voice was coming from the inside. It literally made me jump up with a yelp in fear. I just hoped no one had heard me… By now, my heart was racing like crazy. What in the world was Sartorius doing here at this moment?! Couldn't he have done whatever he wanted to do while I wasn't on my way to Sheppard's office?!
Sarina's words of him wanting to kill me immediately appeared in my mind. The smartest thing was to just get out of here, and come back later… I loved life! It may have been a bit messed up lately, but I found Jaden, and found out Ben, Sarina and Sartorius didn't hate me… Was getting killed here really worth it just because of some tournament? No.
"Why would I fear a scrawny misfit like you?" Suddenly, I could hear Sheppard saying that. I couldn't help it. The curiosity got the better of me.
Knowing I was crazy for doing this, I pressed my back against the wall. I also made sure to be away from the door, so they wouldn't open. If they did, then Sheppard and Sartorius would know someone else was here…
For a few moments, no words came out of the office. "That's not to say I won't keep my eye on you… But you seem harmless, so I've invited that duelist you asked for." Sheppard's voice could be heard once again. "Thank you…" I could hear Sartorius saying, making shivers run down my spine.
The way he said those words showed he was quite happy about that person being invited… But, even though it sounded happy, it also sounded quite sinister.
"Now, if you excuse me, I'm afraid I've got to go…" The moment I heard those words, I ran down the corridor in panic. I just couldn't risk Sartorius seeing me, nor did I want that!
Since his footsteps could be heard nearby, I decided to hide in the auditorium. After making sure he passed it, I waited a few more minutes. Finally, I decided to come out. Sartorius must have been outside by now.
Yet, I couldn't help wondering while I was walking towards the Chancellor's office. Who was that person Sheppard had mentioned? And why did Sartorius want the person to come here?
I was about to turn right… When a hand suddenly pushed me away harshly. "Hey!" I exclaimed with a yelp, completely caught by surprise. "Didn't they teach you not to eavesdrop on someone else's conversation?" A familiar, icy voice made shivers ran down my spine.
Sartorius came out from where I was about to turn right. His eyes were glaring daggers at me, while his mouth formed a straight, thin line. I immediately knew I shouldn't have stayed there to listen to those two, since he was furious.
I should have tried to get away. But I felt completely frozen, with him looking at me like that. I was so scared…. By now, I even started shaking.
Suddenly, the man's eyes started glowing purple. To make it even worse, they were still looking into mine… Finally, I managed to muster up some courage to cover my eyes and look away. Running away was certainly a cleverer option, but at that moment, I just couldn't think clearly…
"Answer me when I ask you something!" I was suddenly grabbed by collar of my blazer violently. "Don't touch me!" I screamed and quickly took hands off my eyes. I shoved Sartorius harshly out of pure panic. Thankfully, it made him let go of me…
I was taking deep breaths in attempts to calm down. My eyes didn't leave the man, who was getting off the ground by now. My actions may not have been smart, since he looked extremely angry… But, right now, I was too panicked to care.
"Don't you dare come near me…" I trailed off, trying to sound threatening. I then raced down the corridor, wanting to just get out of the damn building.
Once I was far away from the main building, I let out a sigh of relief. Everything was a lot easier now…
I let myself sit down on grass near the Slifer Red dorm. I then took the medallion out of my blazer's pocket.
While I was happy that I managed to get away from Sartorius, it cost me asking Sheppard about that tournament… I would have to go and ask him later. Right now, I didn't dare enter that building again so soon. Not without someone's company, at least.
He was just as violent when I lost that duel… I was apparently supposed to become brainwashed because of it. The same thing was supposed to happen to Hassleberry… The same thing happened to all the duelists who lost against Chazz. Bastion even claimed Alexis got brainwashed like that as well, by losing.
I wasn't even sure what the deal was with being brainwashed because of losing… Nor did I understand how come I didn't get brainwashed back then. But I didn't want it to happen again… Did I really want to put myself in such vulnerable position?
While I was still trying to get used to everything, I certainly didn't want to get brainwashed. That would happen if I lost… And that would happen if I didn't get better. I had to defend myself. I wanted to avoid physical contact, but dueling was certainly something I could work on. I couldn't be uncomfortable with it if a Society member or Sartorius challenged me to a duel… They could do that for all I knew. They had right to do so, since those were the tournament's rules. It was a perfect chance for them to brainwash more people.
I didn't want to come across them yet… But it was also clear to me Jaden was right. I had to jump in and try. This was a perfect chance for me to get a hang of it, and stop being uncomfortable… It didn't even have to be fun to me. I just had to become comfortable with it, and this whole 'tournament' idea…
I owed Jaden an apology for being such a freaking idiot. Granted, I still owed one to Sartorius as well from before this whole mess started… Words like the ones they had said always helped me so much!
Letting out a sigh, I considered my options. I could duel, but I could also use some of that time to look through the library…
I stood up from the grass while holding the medallion tightly. Hopefully, I could find Jaden first before anyone challenged me to a duel… Then I could challenge them later instead. If not, then I'd just duel, no matter what.
I started walking towards the Slifer Red dorm.
Well, another chapter done! And yes, finally, the GX tournament! I'm so excited for upcoming chapters...
I hope you liked it and until next time! :)
