A few days later Dino and Rosetta arrived at the school gate at the same time.
"Wow, it's…so…big!" The brunette commented while walking into the courtyard. "And there are so many students here already…"
"Yes, this school is pretty prestigious, thanks to the patrons. There was even a building erected last year to provide room and board for teachers and students who've had a difficulty attending because they live so far away." The young Cavallone explained shortly before feeling his sleeve being pinched and tugged. He stopped and turned his gaze to his friend who was now looking a little apprehensive. "What's wrong? You were excited up until a minute ago."
"I'm really nervous after seeing everything now." She answered and when continuing she became more defensive. "Though can you really blame me when I've been homeschooled all this time?"
Dino's eyes widened with surprise. "So you've never been enrolled in a public school before?"
"My parents noticed early on that my brother and I had trouble maintaining control of our abilities in public, so they hired personal tutors to teach us. As a result I've had little to no interaction with others the same age as me - that is except for you and the other Mezzanotte members' children."
'That's probably one of the reasons why she was so clingy with me…' the blonde concluded in thought. 'Still, I didn't realize that she hasn't had very many close friends apart from myself. Knowing this I probably should've been a better friend…Wait-.'
"Did you just say you have trouble controlling your powers…in public?" He asked aloud with worry.
"I only have very little difficulty now compared to when I was younger, but for some odd reason when I know you're around I have relatively full control." Rosetta explained, making Dino blush in response. "Oh, the same applies to my famiglia too, so you'll be seeing more of Antonio around too."
"Oh," the young Cavallone's shoulders slumped a little with disappointment.
"So Dino, are your friends here yet? If so I'd like to meet them."
Her friend flinched at her question, thinking of the only person who was often confused with being his friend. "Well, about that…"
"VOI!" An extremely loud and menacing voice sounded from the gate.
"…What horribly great timing." The young Cavallone muttered under his breath before continuing aloud. "C'mon Rosetta we need to get inside." - he heard no response from her - "Rosetta?"
He then turned to look for her and found her not too far away trying to get a good look at the new arrival.
"Out of my way scumbags, I'm comin' through!" The loud voice continued, becoming angrier with each word he spoke. "I said…OUT. OF. MY. WAY!"
The crowd around the gate scattered immediately, revealing a tall angry teen with short white hair who wore mostly black in the form of a three quarter sleeve shirt and belted leather pants.
As soon as he stepped out into the courtyard he scanned the area, picked Dino out right away, and made a beeline for him. The blonde flinched and tried to run to Rosetta to get them to safety but before he could reach her the other male had caught him by the shoulder.
"I thought I told you not to come back again this year, Cavallone scum." The white haired teen threatened.
"And I thought I told you that I had no say in the matter." The blonde dared to mutter under his breath.
The white haired male growled as he turned Dino to face him fully in one fluid motion, grabbing his collar tightly with the hand that had grasped his shoulder. "Why don't you try saying that to my face?" He asked menacingly.
"Would you kindly unhand my friend please?" Rosetta suddenly asked from nearby, drawing the white haired teen's attention.
"Who are you…?" He asked while narrowing his eyes at her and unconsciously tightening his grip on Dino's collar.
"I am Rosetta Mezzanotte." The brunette answered, firmly standing her ground. "And I suggest you let my friend go or I'll go fetch an adult to help us resolve this problem."
The male paused for a moment, then let go of Dino before approaching her. "Your parents may be the primary patrons of this school but that doesn't give you the authority to order me around." The teen told her with a threatening tone.
"This doesn't concern my parents. I just wanted you to let my friend go."
"Heh, you're pretty ballsy." The white haired male commented after glaring at her silently for a minute. "Fine I'll leave him alone…for now. But next time your girlfriend won't be enough to protect you, Cavallone scum."
With that he left the two of them in peace, ignoring Dino's correction that Rosetta was just a friend.
"Well that was interesting." Rosetta stated in a huff once he was out of earshot. "I think he's confirmed to us that he's definitely not a friend."
'I tried to explain that to you…' Dino thought before continuing aloud. "Unfortunately Squalo Superbia is like that, one hundred percent of the time. He's aiming to be the strongest swordsman and won't let anyone stand in the way of his goal."
"I'm guessing you've gotten in his way then?"
"Yeah it was Reborn's idea. It didn't end very well in my opini-ON!" Just as the young Cavallone was finishing his complaint, the pint sized tutor in question appeared out of nowhere, kicking him down to the ground.
"On the contrary I believe your encounter ended quite well and now you have a rival." Reborn stated confidently.
"You call him a rival?!" Dino asked incredulously. "He's out to kill me because of you!"
"Don't blame me for your blunder, Pipsqueak Dino. It could've gone better if it weren't for your clumsiness."
His tutor threatened him at gunpoint, making him squeal which attracted the attention of any students passing by. Soon the antics of the tutor and his student had its own curious crowd and Rosetta tried to disperse on her own but had no success. This in turn caused the nearby entrance to be blocked off, therefore grabbing the interest of yet another 'rival' of Dino's.
"Why are you all blocking the entryway? Look at the time. You should be picking up your schedules and heading for the coliseum if you've been assigned there." A male's voice announced strictly while ushering the students away.
Once they had all been cleared away he saw the blonde left laying on the ground and scowled. "I should've known it was you, Cavallone…" he uttered with a stiff tone.
Dino scowled back at the amber eyed dark brown haired teen wearing an off white collared button up shirt with blue jeans and sneakers. "Still using your position as the student council president to order others around I see, Emilio Alfieri." he rebutted while standing up.
"I would watch my mouth if I were you." The brunette male said in response with anger. "You're already on thin ice as it is."
"I keep telling you I'm innocent. He's the one behind everything." Dino pointed an accusing finger at Reborn who was standing innocently next to Rosetta.
"And yet the only one I've seen in the middle of it all is you." Emilio countered. "Honestly I don't even know why your…" - he trailed off, having noticed Rosetta - "Hello, you must be a new student. Rosetta Mezzanotte, I presume?"
"Yes, that's my name. How did you know?" The female in question asked with surprise.
"As the student council president I try to be familiar with every student attending this school. I would deem myself unworthy of the title if I wasn't." The brunette male answered elegantly. "Now how would you like a tour from the rather famous Emilio Alfieri?"
"I appreciate your offer," Rosetta replied with an apologetic smile. "But I'm going to stick with Dino for now."
"Very well then." Emilio stated simply, aiming a quick seething glare at the other male before smiling at her. "If you need anything, don't be afraid to ask. Be seeing you."
The brown haired male then left and once he had gone Rosetta turned to Dino and commented with, "I see now that you seem to have more enemies than friends here after what I've witnessed so far."
"Unfortunately…" the young Cavallone couldn't help but agree with her, looking exhausted already. "Anyway we should probably go get our schedules and head over to the coliseum too before we get in any more trouble."
"You mean before you get into trouble." Reborn spoke up, earning himself a glare from his student. "Rosetta isn't someone who attracts trouble like you do."
Dino looked like he was going to talk back to his tutor but instead he said, "You're…not wrong."
The trio then entered the school to do as Dino had advised before heading to the coliseum where most of the student body were assembling.
"I'm not really looking forward to this…" the young Cavallone commented with dread as he entered through the double doors of the coliseum.
It was shaped exactly like most older coliseums with a large circular 'stage' in the center of the building surrounded by what looked like some bullet proof glass that was built up from the floor and reached the ceiling. The floor from there sloped up and out, providing a seating area for the students in the form of folding theater style chairs. Off to the side a large monitor was built against one of the walls.
"Why is that?" Rosetta asked curiously from behind him. "And how come we are assembling here?"
"Well if one of your courses happens to be combat then it's customary to participate in a battle simulation so the teachers can see what level you're at. You know, like if you've grown or not during the summer." Her friend explained before taking a double take of her. "Wait, did you come to watch or are you taking combat classes too?"
"Of course I'm taking this class too!" The brunette said in response defiantly. "I may end up becoming a boss' wife but my aim is to actually be useful and help protect my eventual husband."
"Words to live by." Emilio complemented her as he approached them. "I have no doubt you'll do well." - he then turned to Dino - "I'm predicting you won't last that long however."
The young Cavallone made an attempt to rebut, but Rosetta beat him to it by announcing, "Dino will pass this. You'll see. As I am his witness, he has grown stronger over the summer."
"Oh~? Then perhaps I'll personally request a special battle against Cavallone to see for myself exactly how much he has grown." Emilio said, looking intrigued and yet still confident. "See you on the battlefield."
True to his word Dino did end up being called to face off against Emilio.
"Who in their right mind would approve something like this?" The young Cavallone asked half to himself after it was announced.
"I did." Antonio suddenly answered from behind them. "Reborn advised me to do so but as one of the teachers for this course I had the final say."
"Reborn did?!"
"Yes, of course. You need the challenge." His tutor spoke up. "Besides this is your chance to let Emilio know to back off Rosetta." - he paused while pointing his gun at his student before he could complain - "So get down there and win."
Dino could only sputter in response but he knew there was no reasoning with Reborn so he trudged down to the center room.
"I hope you don't mind us using my favorite battle simulation." Emilio commented after the two of them took their places.
He then made the signal to start and the room buzzed to life, changing their surroundings to a few large platforms which were bobbing on the surface of a body of water.
Dino was taken by surprise and tried his best to keep his balance on the platform he was standing upon while his rival had no trouble at all.
"I see that you're having difficulty, though it seems like you have a better sense of balance than most." The brown haired male stated. "Shall we make this more interesting with a little wager?"
The young Cavallone became guarded. "You think I'd be dumb enough to make a bet with you?"
For a moment Emilio glared silently at his opponent. Then as he readied his weapon which was a spear a bit longer than he was tall he said, "You will take it, because it involves Rosetta." - he noticed Dino's scowl aimed at him - "Don't worry. It's just a question. All I want to know is what you and Rosetta are to each other. If I win you must answer truthfully."
The blonde just steeled his gaze and took his stance as if to say, "Let's just get on with this."
"I'll take that as you accepting it then…" Emilio smirked before charging in.
In the meantime Rosetta had taken a seat with Antonio and Reborn in a rather secluded area so they could observe the battle in peace.
"This is quite the spectacle." Antonio commented lightly with interest. "The top student who is also the student council president, or the clumsy one who seems to cause the most trouble. Who will come out on top I wonder?"
"Dino will of course." Rosetta and Reborn happened to answer at the same time.
"Hmm…I did happen to look over the results of last year's finals and all things considered Emilio is the more experienced one in this matchup." Rosetta's uncle state with thought.
Reborn smirked. "If you think that even my student may surprise you."
"Hmph, looks like you've just about exhausted yourself Cavallone." Emilio commented while gazing down at his opponent with a smirk. "I've got this win in the bag."
Dino said nothing, catching his breath and nursing his wounds while glaring at his unscathed rival.
Emilio frowned and then had a thought. "This thought may not cross your mind but I'm not too bad a guy, and I'm in a giving mood right now." He continued. "I'll give you a chance to admit defeat now, or you can choose to go on. Just know that I can defeat you with my next move. I'll give you a little while to think it over."
'He isn't giving me much to choose from…' the young Cavallone considered carefully in thought before turning his gaze away from his opponent to the glass surrounding them. 'But I know Rosetta is out there in the audience rooting for me to win.' - he bit his lip and faced Emilio with renewed determination - 'I just can't afford to lose and disappoint her!'
As he finished his thought he stood, and in that moment he decided to use the last of his energy to try and take the win.
"I take it you've made your decision then?" Emilio asked simply.
The young Cavallone nodded before answering aloud, "I have chosen to do neither." - he clenched his jaw - "I will defeat you before you defeat me."
The brunette looked on with shock for a moment before bursting into a fit of laughter. When he had finished he gazed at his opponent with a fire in his eyes and said, "Let's see you try."
Suddenly Emilio darted towards Dino, brandishing his spear but when he attempted an attack the blonde ducked over to the side and snapped his whip at his opponent's spear. It successfully wrapped around the shaft of the spear and Dino gave it a good tug, stealing Emilio's spear from him.
Once the spear was in his possession, the young Cavallone used the non-pointy end to trip his opponent up, making him fall back onto the platform. The brunette layed back disoriented for a moment and when attempting to sit back up he was prevented by his own weapon.
"But how…?" Emilio started, trailing off when he realized he couldn't find the words.
"I won," Dino stated coolly before dropping his opponent's weapon next to him. "Looks like I don't have to answer your dumb question."
The simulation ended promptly after that and once the young Cavallone left the stage area he was greeted by Rosetta, Antonio, and Reborn.
"I've gotta say…you did really well Pipsqueak Dino." His tutor complemented with an approving smirk.
"You certainly did surprise everyone with your victory." Antonio added. "The other students were left speechless."
"I had no doubt you would win!" Rosetta exclaimed while taking his hands in hers and hopping ecstatically. "You were absolutely amazing!"
"Easy Rosetta. I am covered with scratches." The young Cavallone said, gritting his teeth in pain.
She stopped before Antonio suggested they get him to the nurse's office to patch him up. At that moment Emilio emerged from the same exit. Everyone silently stared at him while he stood nearby for a minute.
Finally he announced, "You may have been victorious today, but I will not let you win again. Consider us proper rivals now, Cavallone." - he continued to walk down the hall but stopped short and turned back - "And mark my words, I will get an answer to my question."
"This…is gonna be a long year…" Dino thought exhaustedly while watching his new rival walk away.