Chapter 2 – The Instructor, the Rebel and the Loner
Instructor Trepe stands in front of the class, briefing us on some theory about the ways of junctioning magic to our Status Attacks, Defense, blah blah blah.
I studied my grubby boots in fascination. The specks of dust on them were definitely more interesting than the lecture that was going on. I've, like, listened to this gibberish for more than a hundred times. Okay… so I'm exaggerating a little, but it was more than enough. I think I can even memorise at which point she inhales, which words were emphasized at what point, even the examples she would list, like how much more effective it would be if we junction 100 Pains onto our status defense instead of just 100 Blinds… As if I would need to endure her droning, when all I wanted to do was sleep.
If I continued listening, I was afraid that I might puke there and then.
"Seifer Almasy! If you are not interested in my lessons, you can get out of my class. No. You can get the hell out of Garden and forget about EVER becoming a SeeD. Do I make myself clear?" The Blonde Instructor was standing at my terminal before I had noticed.
"………lcdaljatk mejlk" I mumbled.
Damn you. Who are you to lecture me? Just because you're an Instructor doesn't mean that you can boss me around. You're well on your way on my disciplinary list…
"What was that again?" She glared at me like a teacher would at the class menace, hardness reflected strongly in her pair of ice-blues.
"I said, yes, Instructor Trepe." I replied in a mocking tone.
Why does she always have to be so overbearing? It is no wonder that her nickname given by those whispering behind her back was "The Ice Queen". How apt. In fact, I couldn't have come up with a better one myself, even with my knack for conjuring up thigh-slapping yet highly suitable nicks for the subjects of my ridicule.
"And wipe that insolence from your voice!" She turned and stalked to the front of the classroom. "Class Dismissed!"
The cadets started trooping out of the classroom in a great hurry, for it was lunchtime and the availability of seats was a huge question on many a cadet's mind. The only ones left were the Trepies, who hounded the Blonde Instructor with their endless questions. Hell knows what they have to ask about, after suffering for an hour of her relentless brainwashing.
Oh, not to forget Leonhart and myself as well.
"Hey, Leonhart." I poked him on the shoulder with my index finger. "Hows about a duel tomorrow morning?"
"……" As usual, he kept a stony silence, and continued dragging his feet on his way out of the classroom.
"What… don't have the guts for it?" I asked snidely, deliberately aiming to provoke him. I knew that he would rise up to the challenge I had dangled so openly in front of him.
Sure enough, he turned around with his azure eyes ablaze with aggravation.
"Tomorrow? You're on!" He gritted his teeth while spitting out each and every word as if they poisoned his mouth.
"Five-thirty in the morning. Granite Quarry. Don't be late."
"I won't!" He stormed out of the room as if the whole world killed his mother.
I followed him out, only to see the Instructor glaring at me.
What kind of tricks are you up to this time? Her eyes seemed to be saying while attempting to bore an imaginary hole in me.
I shrugged my shoulders, mouthing the words "I didn't do anything!" with a so-fake-you-could-spot-it-a-mile-away innocence all over my face, and continue on my way out.
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Ooooh… I'm so mad that I could just wring his detestable neck! If not for these annoying Trepies hanging about and in front of me, there wouldn't be anything holding me back!
"Run along now, I've some matters to attend to." I said in a tired voice, turning and walking towards the door.
"Wait! Instructor Trepe!" They cried out, but I ignored them. I've got better things to do than waste my time answering their million-and-one questions.
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Next day, early morning.
Six a.m., to be precise.
Leonhart's eyes widened in a mixture of disbelief, followed by fury as he laid back on the ground in a half-lying, half-sitting position, supported only by his arms. A crimson river trickled from his forehead, which had been newly decorated by a diagonal slash.
I had just used a fire spell on him, and fully utilising the element of surprise, I slashed him with my weapon, thereby giving him that nice battle souvenir. I know it's forbidden to use magic in training. You might even call me despicable, but hey, I was only testing his skills to the limit. In fact, he should thank me instead, for giving him such an invaluable experience. It isn't everyday that anyone can get to train face to face with such a strong opponent.
He started getting up again. What incredible speed. He's strong too, that I have to admit.
Scraping his weapon on the hard granite ground with blue sparks flying off from the contact, he swung it towards me and gave me a similarly placed scar.
Ouch. I must have been too complacent, and too careless to let him catch me unawares. I could have easily blocked his attack if I wanted to.
But this just goes to show that my appraisal of him as a worthy opponent wasn't misplaced. It isn't often that I have such a high opinion of other people's abilities, but obviously Leonhart isn't like other people.
I think we have quite a lot in common… and yet are too fundamentally different for us to stand each other's presence. Quite the riddle, but interesting, nevertheless.
Later in the tutorial… or maybe it was a lecture, these things escape me, our Dear Blonde Instructor directed a warning to me right in front of the whole class
"Do NOT injure your partner during training." She announced. Or something to that effect.
Does she have to disgrace me in front of the whole class? You don't see her lecturing Leonhart about injuring his training partner, even though he had a hand in it as well.
There's no secret who was her favourite pupil.
I growl audibly. A few of the cadets sitting around me were giggling. I had to silence them with a fierce stare…. Can't they mind their own business?
Ah well, it's not like this had happened for the first time.
I had better save my energies for the SeeD exam.
If I do not pass it this time, I swear I'm going to murder someone.
Maybe it would be Leonhart. Maybe it would be the Instructor. Maybe even the Headmaster.
So they'd better let me pass if they know what's good for them.
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Today, two of my most outstanding students, Squall and Seifer take their all-important exam. Squall had passed his written exam AND prerequisite at the Fire Cavern with outstanding results. I should know. I was his support at the Fire Cavern.
As for the other one… he's talented, no doubt about that. But he has a major attitude problem… as if he has to prove to the whole world how great he is, striding around with his gunblade resting on his shoulder while ordering people about. All this just because he was the Head of the Disciplinary Committee. This is his what, third attempt? I hope he passes it. I can then rid myself of a pain in the neck.
I know I practise favouritism… but I can't help it. Why…? Even I can't answer that myself.
I know it shouldn't be avoided… but now isn't the time.
When is it then?
At least, let me wait until their exams are over. I cannot be out of control at such a time.
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Author's notes: What kind of title is that? However… I really couldn't think of another one… I rack my brains, empty them inside out, probed through all that mulch like you would when choosing fish, and still, this is all I can come up with… which doesn't say very much about its contents. So don't blame me.
Another thing… I'm not too clear about the details, like the number of attempts Seifer and Squall took for their SeeD exams… that's why I used what I thought was correct. By the way, should it be Instructor Trepe or Instructress Trepe? I'm at a loss… help me out here!