Slayers Academy
Chapter Four- Murder?
Gaav widened his stance, visibly panting. He wiped his brow and looked at Gourry who held his stance perfectly not a sign of exhaustion in him. This is pathetic, Gaav thought, I'm losing to a student, a blonde idiot who over eats and doesn't even know he has a girlfriend. He sighed and shook his head, Insulting Gourry silently would not help him win, he obviously wasn't going to tire the boy out and Gourry didn't seem like the type to get angry. This was not good, Gourry was too good a swordsman and Mozoko Academy would never stand a chance against him. "Gourry!" Gaav yelled, the blonde smiled and waved back, indicating he heard. "How about we call this match a draw and I pay for your dinner over at the inn?" Gourry brightened and Gaav thought for sure the boy would give in, sparing his own embarrassment, but Gourry shook his head and held his sword in ready position. "Your loss!" Gaav shouted laughing. He charged the boy and swung sharply. But Gourry ad already moved and arched his own blade up under Gaav's arm. Just in time Gaav fell away almost losing his balance. Gourry took this chance to step forward and sliced at Gaav's sword arm. The blades caught and since Gaav was already off balance he was forced to his knees. Gourry grinned.
"Ready, Sensei?" Growling Gaav rolled away and stood. Gourry just turned to face him. "Sir, you're much too tense, you should loosen up when you fight. It's a wonder you beat Zelgadis like that." Gaav wanted to yell and scream at the boy but instead he smiled and stabbed his sword into the ground.
"I give, Gourry, I'm too old for this. Good job. You'll find out what these matches were for tomorrow morning. In the mean time rest up. I think Sylphiel is waiting for you over there."
"Really?" Gourry scratched his head, "Why would she do that?" He sheathed his sword and ran over to her. Together the couple walked off and Gaav went inside. Waiting in his room was a visitor and he greeted her icily.
"Eris, what can I do for you?"
She made a face at him, "Nothing, but obviously my dear Kopi Rezo thinks you can do something for his school. Listen, you had better find some way to get that Gourry kid out of the running, he's way to good for Mozoko Academy."
"I know," Gaav replied, sitting at his desk and pouring himself a little Saki. "I know you can make clones of people so do you think you'd be able to duplicate a sword?" Eris blinked uncertainly at Gaav before her eyes cleared with understanding.
"Of course, I can." She laughed quietly and left the room. Gaav smirked and sipped his drink, Slayers Academy will fall so fast...
*****
Celeste waved her sister over to their booth. "Hey, Crescent? Could we have some more drinks?" She smiled sweetly.
"Of course you can." Crescent replied icily but she flashed Celeste a grin before going behind the counter.
Laughing, Celeste turned back to her table. Selene, Manda, Filia, and Romulus sat around her. Sylphiel and Gourry were supposed to be arriving shortly, apparently there had been some last minute Sword Practice. Crescent was working her shift at the inn, The Matron, where she and her new friend Lina had gotten jobs. Apparently Rune Simbriant, school president, was a friend of Lina's sister and also worked at the Matron and had gotten Lina a job as a favor. Celeste thought that was cool since Rune was one of the most popular girls in school. Sylphiel and herself were looking to the sixth year for tips on running a campaign for school president.
Lina, however, didn't have a shift and had decided finish work for school, leaving Crescent in a foul mood and a waitressing outfit.
"Here you guys go," Crescent said, handing out the drinks, there was one extra and Crescent drank it quickly, "I've got a couple of minutes break. Can I sit with you guys?"
"No we don't want you around." Manda replied, "You'll cramp my style with that flashy waitress skirt."
Crescent pushed the girl over and sat down, sitting on the edge where her wings hung over the seat. "Stop it, you know I hate wearing this outfit!"
"Ya know, I'm sure some of these guys like it." Selene replied, giving Crescent a large wink. Crescent blushed and ruffled her wings. The group laughed before being interrupted by the appearance of a very nervous looking Xelloss.
"Hey, have any of you guys seen Lina? She hasn't removed that stupid bounty thing, oh, and nice skirt Crescent."
"No, and you're not supposed to be using magick in town limits!" Filia growled jumping up from her seat. "I'm glad Lina hasn't removed that price, maybe I'll just turn-"
"XELLOSS-SAMA!!!" A large shout came from across the inn. The entire booth looked up in time to see a girl attach herself to Xelloss. "Oh! I'll protect you from that horrible Lina!"
"Riley?" Celeste asked, it was a girl from her language class, "What are you doing?" Filia, looking much annoyed, separated the girl from Xelloss and turned on her.
"He doesn't need any protection, the idiot got himself into that mess and he'll get himself out!" While saying this, Filia had been dragging the struggling girl to the door where she promptly kicked her out. She turned, obviously hoping to find Xelloss but he had already vanished. She sighed and returned to her seat where everyone exchanged quick glances.
"Umm, well I have to get back to work," Crescent said, breaking the silence, "Do you guys need anymore drinks?" At that moment however three guys entered the inn. They all looked smug, and Celeste noted that they also wore Mozoku Academy uniforms. She looked away from them to make some outrageous comment when she saw Crescent's face.
"What's up Crescent?" Manda asked, "You know those guys?"
She looked at Selene and the two exchanged a worried look. That peeved Celeste a little, obviously Crescent had told Selene something and not her. "Yeah, sort of. Anyway, they've seen me, I guess I have to go." She left, slowly approaching the table.
"Alright, what was that all about?" Celeste asked, keeping her eye on Crescent.
"Dunno, they're just guys from the other school, why should she be so upset?" Romulus added.
"I think you're about to find out," Selene said, not looking at the rest of them. They all turned to watch as Crescent began to talk to the guys.
"Good afternoon, can I get you something to drink?"
Duran grinned, "That's fine, miss. How 'bout three beers, eh?" Crescent nodded and went.
"That wasn't so bad..." Manda said, "I mean, besides the fact that they seem like real slugs...they didn't really do anything though."
"I don't know." Selene stated firmly, "But whatever happens you guys please don't interrupt."
"What? Why?" Celeste asked, but Crescent had already returned with the drinks and they all focused their attention on the table.
"Hey, you wouldn't care to join us, would you Miss?" Duran asked with an evil smile.
Crescent paused; it was inn rules that the staff was to never refuse drinks from any customer, as long as it didn't infringe on their work. Looking around she saw that that excuse would not work; the inn was practically empty except for her friends and some other customers. Still, there was no way she was going to sit with these idiots. "No thanks." She finally replied, poison dripping from her words.
Duran's eyes flashed dangerously; before Crescent could walk away he had her wrist and had pulled her roughly into a seat. "Hey now little Miss wings, you remember me don't yah? You're good friend Duran? Ah would hate to think you weren't gonna show me some kind of hospitality, especially when you look so nice." He hissed the last word making Crescent pull away. But he refused to let go.
"Never." Crescent whispered, "Let go of me or you'll be seriously regretting it."
At the booth on the other side of the inn Selene was pulling everybody back into their seats.
"Let go of me Selene," Manda hissed, "I'm gonna rip that guys lungs out!"
"Not if I get to him first!" Both Filia and Celeste said together.
"I wish I had my sword, I tear him into such tiny pieces!" Romulus added. Selene was fazed by none of this and pulled all them back into their seats.
"Look you guys, Crescent has already dealt with these guys, only she lost. If we interrupt now she will definitely be mad at us."
Celeste nodded but still looked worried. She'd seen that look on Crescent's face. She was channeling her anger so that she could release it all at once. The transformation would make her strong but also dangerous. She stood and held a hand out to Selene motioning for her to be quiet. Then she ran to the back of the inn.
"So what will you do, girlie?" Duran asked, still gripping Crescent's wrist. "Are you going to get blue boy to come in and save you again? Funny I don't see him here." His henchmen laughed and Crescent glared at them.
"So are guys his lap dogs or something?" They stopped laughing and Duran began to bend her wrist backwards. Crescent did not yell out.
"I'd be careful if I were you, miss." Duran said icily, "Maybe you should just come outside with us? Eh?" Crescent didn't have to respond, she felt the anger build, felt the changes happening. She stood bringing Duran with her and threw him to the ground.
"I already said never." His henchmen attacked, together, trying to overpower her. It was useless, as a normal girl she was pretty strong, but in this transformation she was probably twice as strong as any man or woman. She threw them away from her, one landed in an empty booth and the other on the ground. She turned, and saw a kick coming at her. Too late to block she let it hit her in the stomach, she did not flinch and Duran stared at her stupidly. Grabbing him by the color of his uniform she lifted him so that his feet were dangling from the ground. "Leave me alone." Out of the corner of her eye she saw Celeste bringing out the manager. Looking around she saw what she had done and quickly dropped Duran.
"I'm not finished with you, girlie!" Duran shouted, gathering his henchmen and leaving. Crescent heard a shout from behind her and turned to find Manda hugging her.
"You were awesome!" Manda said. "How'd you learn to do that?"
Crescent didn't reply and instead sat. Calming herself she felt the changes melt away, all except her wings. Selene patted her on the shoulder and Crescent could hear Celeste explaining what had happened. Then Sylphiel and Gourry walked in. Gourry surveyed the room and scratched his head.
"Did we miss something?"
Celeste sat in first period wondering what had really happened at the inn. She was sure that Crescent was hiding something else besides her obvious dislike of the guys from Mozoku Academy. She sighed and glanced at her sister who was staring out the window. That other guy, Zelgadis was glancing at her two but his face was blank and Celeste couldn't tell what he was thinking. She didn't have time to figure it out because at that time the bell rang and Manda an her room mate Martina sat by her. Milgasia was not in the room so Manda turned around and began talking to her.
"Hey Celeste, you'll never believe what I just found out!" Manda squealed. Martina began laughing loudly.
"HO, HO, HO, HO, HO!!!" Celeste was forced to cover her ears and she looked painfully at Manda.
"Is she related to Naga?"
"No, she's just Naga's best friend. I've been trying to get her to stop." Manda added she clamped her hand over Martina's mouth and smiled apologetically at the class. "Look Martina, say what you were going to say and don't laugh anymore! Got it?" Martina shook her head and Manda released her.
"Manda, you would have never found out about it if I hadn't told you."
Manda grinned, "Yes, but you would've never found out if I hadn't told you to ask Xelloss."
"Ahhhhh…." Martina sighed, putting a dreamy face on, "Xelloss-sama…"
"Xelloss-sama will be MINE!!!" A voice erupted from the back of the classroom. Celeste looked up in time to see Riley bonk Martina in the back of the head. Damn she's fast…Celeste thought as she stood and tried to help pull the struggling girls apart. "Leave Xelloss alone you little slut!" Riley screamed, squirming to get out of Celeste's grasp.
"Me?" Martina gasped, pushing Manda away and facing Riley. "I'm no slut, I am a bone-I-fied Princess of Zoalgomaester! Dare you call me a slut!?"
"SLUT! Tramp! Ho-"
"That will be ENOUGH!!!" Milgasia shouted. The entire class looked up. No one had seen him come in. "Riley, Martina…Both of you will serve detention this afternoon in my room and clean up this mess you made after class. NOW SIT DOWN!" In a rush of students, papers, and desks everyone was seated with books and quills ready. Milgasia's gaze swept the room. "Good. Now I have an announcement to make. Slayers Academy will be competing in a tournament this year. It is called 'Champions Skills…'" The class moaned. "…Yes, the name is…somewhat lacking, but the actual competition is a challenging and entertaining set of events that include weapons, free-hand fighting, magick, and other such skill areas." The class was now murmuring with excitement. Celeste winked at Manda; this could be fun. "Of course, we will not be fighting amongst ourselves, we will be fighting…Mozoku Academy." An eruption of cheers was heard throughout the school as each teacher told this little detail to their class. Mozoku Academy was a long rivaling school to Slayers and almost everyone carried on the natural rivalry. "The first even will be in two weeks. Gaav, your weapons sensei, has already decided the participants so of course the first event will be the weapons; skill and fighting. The girls will be…Selene Lunar with the Saber, Rune Simbriant with the Rapier; those will be fighting matches. Also, Crescent Moonstorm will be in the Archery skill competition and Naga the Ser-erm; Naga will be in the Whip competition. For the boys we have Xelloss with the staff, Zangulus with the broadsword, Shadow, my personally trained student whom you may call Shadow Dancer, with the Foil, and Zelgadis with the Bastard sword." Milgasia looked up from the list he was reading. The classroom was looking as if they'd just seen someone killed. "What?" Milgasia asked, "Is that all you have to say?" Slowly Celeste raised her hand.
"Ummm…. Mr. Milgasia, you didn't call Gourry's name." The rest of the class nodded.
"Yes I know, his name was not on the list."
"But he's the best fighter we have!" Someone shouted. Choruses of 'yeahs' and 'that's true' went around the classroom. Celeste gave them a look that quieted them.
She turned back to Milgasia, "Do you think maybe Mr. Gaav made a mistake?"
Milgasia looked pained, he knew that Gourry was their best swords-man; it was true that even the teachers, all except Gaav, had a held a meeting talking about it. Didn't Gaav know that Gourry was the best!? Milgasia had been elected to tell Gaav of his mistake, which is why he was in such a grumpy mood.
"I'll have a talk with Gaav, I'm sure he just made a mistake. Anyway, there is one more announcement. A sixth class has been added on to your schedules. That means some of your classes have been moved but mostly they have remained the same. I will now pass out the newest schedule." He did so, and Celeste was happy to see that she still had almost all classes with Sylphiel. But still, doubt lingered in her mind about the tournament. It was odd that Gaav had not picked Gourry. That had to have been the extra practice Gourry had gone to the day before and Sylphiel had even said Gaav looked strangely tired after Gourry's fight, and that he had lost. She sighed; this was way too confusing for her.
"Gourry! Wake up you blonde idiot! She didn't call your name!" Lina shouted into Gourry's ears. He sat up with a start.
"Wha-?" Gourry mumbled looking around. The entire class was looking at him as if they all felt sorry for him. He wondered why. "If she didn't call your name then why did you wake me up?" Gourry asked, rubbing his ears. Romulus patted him on the back.
"Hey man, I thought for sure you'd make bastard sword, that's your specialty and it's the only thing both Zelgadis and Gaav can't beat you at."
Gourry smiled, "Zelgadis is cool, but Gaav is kinda weird." Suddenly his head swung back and Gourry realized Lina had his hair. "Lina, please let go, that hurts!"
Lina smiled and let go. "Gourry, you dolt, didn't you hear any of that. There is going to be a swordsmanship competition and you aren't in it!"
"Really?" Gourry asked. "That's too bad, it could have been fun. Hey, is Zangulus in it?"
Romulus nodded, "But that's not the point friend. You aren't in it and you're the best this school has."
Gourry sat for a minute thinking this over. "So?"
The entire class face-faulted. Lina jumped up. "Don't you get it? You should be in the competition. That snake, Gaav, cheated you!"
Gourry grinned, "Who wants to be in a tournament anyway?"
"It's against Mozoku High," Romulus said. Gourry's eyebrows furrowed and he placed a hand on the hilt of his sword; the students were allowed to carry swords as long as they didn't draw them.
"You mean the guys who were messing with Celeste's sister?" Gourry asked. Romulus and Lina nodded. "Hmmm, then it's really too bad I can't fight them."
The teacher of the class, Aqua walked over to the table. She smiled friendly and patted Gourry on the shoulder. "Gourry, Gaav wants to se you and Romulus in his office now." Gourry nodded and stood following Romulus out of the room. Aqua turned to the class, "Now lets get back to those mythology notes."
Romulus led the way to Gaav's office. Down the hall, right, left, left…his mind wandered, why is Gaav in his office instead of teaching? Why did that bastard not choose Gourry? Doesn't he want us to win? Darn it, this is so confusing! Someone had stopped him, he looked and saw Eris standing in front of him. She looked angry.
"Romulus? I need to see you about your paper. Gourry, you may continue on to Gaav's office."
"But Miss Eris-" Romulus started.
"No buts! Go on Gourry."
He looked at Romulus and shrugged heading on toward the door. It was only two classrooms down Romulus watched Gourry enter the door.
"What is it Miss Eris?" Romulus asked.
"Don't give me attitude boy, I believe you have cheated and plagiarized on one of your papers."
"What!? I didn't-"
"AAAAAARRRRRRGGGGHHHH!!!" A male voice screamed, two doors down.
"What the hell was that?" Romulus said, swinging his head up. Both he and Eris ran down the hall and flung Gaav's door open. Gourry was on the floor rubbing his head. His sword was gone. Looking up Romulus could see where it was. Gaav's familiar form was hunched over his desk, the hilt of Gourry's unmistakable sword protruding from his back. Romulus looked away and Eris screamed. At this second scream students and teachers were entering the hall and would soon see the scene that lay before Romulus and Eris and there was nothing Romulus could do about it.