Alright here we go! LET'S DO THIS! This was going to go up on the 20th, but because so many of you guys reviewed and said you liked it, I decided to post it early just so I could get your opinion on something.

I have a question for you all: Since this project was meant to buy time for planning Rebuild of Prototype Spartan and ended up getting a lot more feedback than anticipated, would you like me to prioritize this over Rebuild of Prototype Spartan? Essentially, which one would you like me to focus more on? While I like both projects, I'd rather spend my time on a project where I can get more feedback since fanfiction is my writing exercise. There's a poll now on my profile, so go ahead and vote, or just tell me in the comments/reviews.

Aaand, REVIEW REPLY TIME, GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

yoav the badass: Thanks! And yes, Irivasel won't get along with everyone, especially because he's not the "nice guy" most protagonists end up being.

Krelongsj Evert Orlejov: Haha, thanks. Though it's not a self-insertion, it's more like the names just happen to match up since we, the creators of the RP that led to this project, were too lazy to change the names. And yes, I really do think that someone would be bound to stick up for themselves in the world. Thanks for stopping by!

hfdt123: Alright, cool! I hope you enjoy today's chapter.

GundamExia247: Thanks! I hope you think it's still good after this chapter.

dicarten-ice: Well, this update came out a lot faster than I expected. Since I wanted to know whether or not you guys want this over RoPS, we decided to just push forward the update.

dragonsfire49: Alright, we will. Whether or not it keeps up roughly at this speed or slows down, we'll find out.

Castor115: Ha, thanks. We (remember, this is the result of a group project) are really looking forward to sharing everything we had a ball RPing in story form.

Alright that takes care of review replies! Here we go with today's update!

Edit v1.1: ADDED ZE COVER, YO :D HOORAY MY CRAPPY ART SKILLS XD

=Helios=

-Volume One: Rising Sun-

Chapter 2: Dawn

=(==)=

"Always stand up for what you believe in, even if that means standing alone."

Proverb

=(==)=

"I try my best in everything I do, no matter what I never give up. I give it my all and give everything I got to prove that I never back down."

Unknown

"Hey… ah… well, uh hey Ichika. It's been a long time since we talked, huh? Oh, um, this is Irivasel Lione. I should've introduced myself. Well, ah, if you remember me, give me a call."

…Hm, despite all of my academic ability, I still lack the capability of leaving a non-awkward voicemail. Tch…

I inhale again, sighing in nostalgia. Dammit… not even one day and I'm already missing her so much… missing everyone so much.

I lock my smartphone and put it into my pocket as two figures approach me on the helipad. I would have gone on ahead, but my instructions were to wait here for further instructions. At least most of my luggage had already been boxed and moved here before I got here, straight off the plane and right onto the helicopters that went ahead before I boarded my own heli.

"You're still not in your uniform." Chifuyu, or perhaps it would be better to say 'Orimura-sensei' now, says sternly in Japanese, as expected.

"I wasn't planning on wearing my uniform until I had to." I reply with a shrug.

Orimura-sensei sniffs the air. "Is that perfume…? Maya?"

The woman behind her, who is a short, green haired woman in a yellow sundress with glasses rapidly shakes her head in the 'no' direction, a bit of a red flare on her cheeks.

"Oh, that would be the scarf." I mutter, breaking up the tension.

"From Celladon?"

"Yes." I fire back, unashamed, glancing over at the other woman to see if she was oka—oh my.

"Excuse me…" I mumble, taking out a camera from my backpack. Orimura-sensei was about to raise an objection before I step to the side of them, bringing the sunrise into view. I snap a picture as it begins to shine over the horizon, the ocean sparkling with a beautiful, unearthly light.

God, it's so beautiful. Every bit of it… every last drop of it. It reminds me so much of home. The light shines like Melanie's hair in the afterschool afternoons, the waves moving like Roy's words and wit, the sound of crashing waves reminding me of Ken's powerful voice and sword strokes, and the sheer beauty of course… reminds me of Yuki.

"They should have sent a poet. Not a kid scientist." I whisper just loud enough for them to hear.

I won't even bother describing it any further. I can't do the sunrise justice. Though it definitely reminds me of my life; every day I rise to a new beginning, ready to take it on regardless come what may.

Taking a deep breath, I turn around to the other two adults as I stuff the camera back into my bag. "Sorry, it's just that I wanted a picture for home."

"Anyways, this is Yamada Maya. She's going to be your assistant teacher."

I give a very slight bow as per custom. There… is part of me that refuses to bow to others. I would never make others bow to me, so why should I bow to them completely?

"It is a pleasure to meet you." After I stand back up, I offer a hand to shake. Her grip was somewhat dainty, but still firm. "Ah… well, I mean no disrespect, but if you are my assistant teacher, then who is my teacher…?"

"That…" Yamada-sensei trails off.

"That is something you'll find out." Orimura-sensei… yeah no stuff it, thought wise I'll just refer to her as Chifuyu, completes. Tch, and here I thought I'd have more knowns.

"…Very well." I sigh, shaking my head.

"I'm sorry for my tardiness, Orimura-sensei." A very familiar voice catches my attention, almost causing my head to snap in its direction. An old friend, huh? I wasn't exactly expecting a reunion so soon. "But it took more effort than I thought to shake the early risers from tailing me."

She doesn't seem surprised to see me. I doubt that she would. After all, it wasn't exactly anything new that I was going to be arriving at the IS Academy. But due to the lack of communication and the fact Tabane never mentioned her on the flight (she was on the plane when I had already gotten on), I'm guessing they're estranged.

"It's been a while, hasn't it, Shinonono-san?" I ask, hands in my pockets.

Shinonono Houki… one of my friends prior to coming to the United States. After her came Rin, and then I moved… met everyone else.

"Yes, it has… Irivasel-san." She says with crossed arms and closed eyes, clearly establishing the distance that had come between us over the years of non-communication.

"By the way, your sister is batshit insane."

"Irivasel, language." Chifuyu admonishes.

"Only speaking the truth… sensei."

"Good work on shaking them, Shinonono. Lead Irivasel here to class."

"Ah, what about my belongings?" I ask, shifting the weight of my backpack slightly. "Do I just bring what I can to class?"

"Some workers will take care of the ones you don't bring. As for that backpack, it is permissible today."

Well… I didn't have anything too heavy in here. It shouldn't be too much trouble to carry this around all day. Let's see… laptop, multitool—which reminds me I should check the school's handbook on their policy for that, that's what I've meant to do for a while—some spare batteries for my phone and laptop, and a notebook or two alongside needed writing tools.

"Very well then. Ah, not to sound demanding, but what about a uniform?"

"Just what you have for now is fine."

I breathe a sigh of relief. "Oh, good. I'd hate to have to be stuffed into a tux for the meantime. So, I'm guessing it's time to go to class for now."

"Shinonono, show him the way."

"Yes, sensei." Houki nods, then gestures for me to follow her.

I do rather hope that they aren't just going to make pants for me and then give me the jacket Houki has. I'm not exactly a fan of the stark white that it is with the red stripes on its border. I'd prefer for the uniforms to be black with some sort of golden or crimson as its subcolor.

Oh well, this black coat and purple scarf will have to do for now.

Houki sniffs the air, as if double checking something. "Perfume…?"

"Oh, that's the scarf. Sorry. Haha, Yuki's perfume is a little strong. She doesn't wear it often, but I guess that's all right."

"Yuki?"

"A friend of mine. She's really close. Sorry if it's strong. But, how have you been? Even if it's been all this time… hm, it feels odd asking that sort of question."

"I have been fine, Irivasel-san."

Something seems a lot different about her. Houki is a lot less cheery than when I knew her back then. But then again it's been years. Years are bound to change people. Perhaps it's because I've clearly changed as well.

We eventually come to a classroom that Houki enters, telling me to wait outside here until the teacher calls for me. Hm… Class 1-1, huh? That's fairly common in media, isn't it? Yuki mentioned something about that, one time.

While waiting, I take out my headphones and put the music on. Ah… the band's cover of Nobody's Home… ha… sometimes we did sing Japanese songs. Yuki and I were the main singers and since we both knew Japanese, well… it sort of just became something we did.

After all, music is the universal language. People say that love is the universal language, understood by all, but that's wrong if you ask me. People didn't need to understand what we were saying to know what the mood, the message of the song was. But that's just me.

"Irivasel Lione."

That hardened voice… so she's going to be my teacher, huh? Can't say I'm surprised. Chance tends to be a really fickle and cruel mistress at times.

Turning off my MP3 player and putting my headphones away, I heave up my backpack and then walked into the room.

I almost wince as the massive barrage of cries and sound came at me like a Siege Tank line. So many different things yelled; date requests, personal information requests, boyfriend requests…

But then someone points to the scarf. That it isn't a guy's scarf. It is very obviously a girl's scarf. Then someone realizes that's where the smell of perfume was coming from. Then again… Yuki did always wear this scarf whenever she had perfume on. It was sort of her signature thing.

"Testing, testing, one two three." I call out to myself, pushing on my ears. "Oh, thank goodness. I've still got my hearing."

My observant gaze sweeps around the room, quickly noting down traits and numbers. Twenty-something girls, higher than twenty five but definitely not thirty, as there a few seats unfilled in the five by six array of seats. Roughly thirty-five percent black haired or at least very dark brown, twenty percent burnette, twenty five percent blond, fifteen percent redhead, ten percent other. Most likely dyed for that last one. Eye color perception is still outside my skillset.

Calculations flood my mind before I blink myself back to reality. Or more like is tugged by the same hardened voice. "Introduce yourself. You are holding up the class."

I turn an eye towards the voice, all joy on my face flooding out. "…Mother."

"That is Katsugari-sensei to you." The light brown haired woman, known as Karin Katsugari, known as my mother, calmly and coldly replies, light green eyes aflame with fury untold.

"I figured as such. But that is fine with me, for I do not wish for the Irivasel name to be tarnished, after all."

"There is not much to tarnish."

"Then you are deeply mistaken."

"Enough of this. You should watch who you backtalk to in this school, Irivasel. You will get into much trouble otherwise. Now, introduce yourself."

"When I damn please." I notice at this point, the girls here are holding their breaths. Two probable causes for that.

One, I'm a guy. I'm a guy who was talking back and arguing with a woman. Out in damn public. In Japan, too. It was pretty bad, apparently. I did my research well. Guys could be told what to do and no one would question it. Same thing with the US, too.

Two, I'm picking a bone with one of the top IS pilots, that is to say, still a good pilot. In fact, one who was one of the first major pilots. Picking a fight against her generally was a bad idea.

But this is something I must do. She insulted the Irivasel name, my identity and my father's. I will not stand for it. To insult my name is to insult me. To insult me is to insult all that which makes me… including my friends.

I pick my head up and face the class, wind blowing through the open windows that makes the scarf seem to hover in the air. "Hello everyone, my name is Lione Irivasel, son of the one and only William Irivasel, a stand-up guy who taught me the ways of life and society before the Infinite Stratos.

"I don't know what you've been told about me nor of your prejudices. I hail from Connecticut out in the States and am simply what I am. Nothing more, nothing less. That of course means I am an ordinary teenage guy who likes video games, rock n' roll, having a blast with friends, plain out living life to the fullest every day, and oddly mathematics. I apologize in advance, since I'm not exactly familiar with the customs here—both in Japan and anything that's some sort of unwritten law at IS Academy—so please don't tear off my head should I do something wrong.

"I'd just like to say it right here and now that I believe in different ideals and values. You might think them old fashioned, but that's just how I am. Don't try to change me, because I'm not going to try to change you. I'm an equalist. You're equal to me, I'm equal to you, I'm not above anyone else. I believe that we are all human.

"If you'd like to challenge that, then I'm right here, twenty four seven three hundred sixty five."

I pause and take a breath to calm myself. "Well, that's all I have to say. Any questions?"

Several shoot their hands up. I take my time to answer each question.

Are you in a band? Yes. What do you play? I'm the lead male vocal and more than occasionally the guitar. What's your favorite song? Welcome to the Black Parade. Favorite food? Hawaiian Pizza from the pizzeria down the street from my house.

What brand of scarf is that? I don't know, it's Yuki's—ah hell.

That last one is a bit of a slip up, to be honest. It immediately triggers the question of "Who is Yuki".

"She's a very close friend of mine that I hold very close to me. One could say that she is one of several reasons I fight. I think that's enough questions, though."

With that, I march over to an empty seat right up front and center. "Excuse me, is this seat taken?"

"N-no! O-of course not! Take it, please!"

"Thank you."

As the class begins to calm down, I slide on my headphones, listening to the dual-language duet that Yuki and I once used to compete in a competition. Heh, it's been a long time, huh? I wonder if we'd ever sing this song again…

Geez, though… Houki's a lot different than I remember, though. Years… well, we did separate quite suddenly. Though to be fair, it wasn't my fault. She was the one that got dragged off.

Seriously though, if someone tries to pin that goddamn blame on me, they've got another thing coming. But whatever, I guess I'll wait for class.

Unfortunately, the door to the classroom opens literally right before the final singing of the chorus of Cry Thunder, meaning I miss one of the best parts of the song. Damn.

"Watch for the boy." My mother cautions Yamada-sensei as she steps off the podium. "He's going to be trouble."

"Katsugari-sensei, may I contest that assertion?" I ask politely, raising my hand as I do so.

"Exhibit A." She calmly says, heels clik-claking away as she does so, every student's breath hitching in time with every step.

"I'll keep an eye on him."

"Oh, I'm quite sure you will."

…That tone. That is teasing. That was teasing. What?

I shake my head rapidly, blinking to make sure that I wasn't losing myself here. Please, as if my mother would ever say something like that in such a tone. It just wasn't going to happen. I know who I'm talking about.

But this is a problem to deal with another day. School is starting.

Ding—dong—dang—dong

Ah, the glorious sound of the bell, signaling the end of the class period.

I close my laptop and shuffle away the graphic tablet I used to take notes on it, sighing as I try to recall as much as I could at the moment of the long history lecture that I forced myself to listen to.

If you ask me, it seemed a lot like propaganda. I wonder how much it was emphasized in other places. Maybe it's all a scheme against me.

Pffft, as if. Who am I, Kenji?

Honestly though, I feel a little bit insulted. I was working towards being an engineer before, and here they were, insulting mechanical and engineering feats through the years! Sure, the IS can beat an M21 Abrams tank, maybe a stealth bomber or two, but it's like we've declared all of those null and void!

And for what? Because the IS has more military capability while it is literally held back by a treaty? And there hasn't been any research into domestic usages for it! I mean, not commercial, but something like emergency relief! You haven't heard of shit being done there!

Aircraft carriers are great emergency relief. Helicopters and jets can be used to fight forest fires. Humvees and all of that can be evac vehicles. That's where the real value is. But the IS? No one has even considered shit in that area!

Okay, I'm ranting. I'm sorry, I lost my calm. That isn't like me, but…

"Excuse me."

I look up, snapped out of my thoughts. "Oh. Hello, Houki-san. Or is it Shinonono-san, now?"

She crosses her arms. "Either will do for now. Can we talk?"

I gesture my head at the gaggle of girls eavesdropping on us, clearly failing at trying to look occupied. "Here?"

"Rooftops."

"We're allowed to go there?"

"Yes."

"Sweet. No more lock picking for me." I mutter, picking up my bag. "Sorry, I'd rather just not let this get stolen. Please, lead the way then."

Houki nods before we walk out. In the hallways, she parts the sea of girls that all stared at us with eyes of what may have been jealousy as if she were Moses. Which reminds me, I still need to ready myself for the sheer bullshit-ery that is called dealing with a hundred curious girls.

Eventually, we reach the rooftops, which for once doesn't require me to pick the lock in order to get a nice view to have while I eat. Ahh… this is a very beautiful view.

"Ahhh… hhaaaaaa…" I breathe out, feeling the salty ocean air run through my nostrils. That… was very calming. "This… is very calming. But, what did you wish to talk about?"

She pauses. "A-ah, I just wanted to speak with an old friend alone! Is that too much to ask?!"

"No need to yell. And no, it isn't. It certainly has been years, hasn't it, Shinono—"

"Houki. Since you're willing to acknowledge we were once friends, it is permissible to call me by my given name. And since we're out of earshot from all those girls now."

"Then, Houki-san, it's been a long time. We do have quite a lot to catch up on."

I trace her gaze to the scarf. "Yes, we do. So, how have you been?"

"Been well. Life has treated me all right, I suppose. Met a group of friends that I cherish and wish could be with me right now. Created a band, tried to change the world, influence society. How have you been?"

"Satisfactory. I had to keep moving because of my sister."

"Yeah… that wasn't exactly a pleasant time. You still talk with Ichika-san?"

"Occasionally. Or at least, I try to."

"I left him a phone call earlier, but I'm not sure if he's going to respond. I wonder if he's any different, huh? Back then… heh, no, that's not me. That was a different persooooo—" I cover my mouth, recovering from a yawn. "Ah hell, I'm still tired. I thought I was recovering faster. At least I'll be able to sleep on the weekend—"

It's about three seconds in when I realize what is wrong with my sentence.

"…There are classes on Saturday, aren't there?"

"Yes."

"…Dammit."

"Well, I guess that's one thing I'm going to miss. Late night partying on Fridays, sleeping in on Saturdays."

"…You do not strike me as the partying type."

"Er, late night gaming on Fridays. And then crashing the hell out on Saturday. I think there was one time we slept through all of Saturday."

"We?"

"Oh, the band. Anyways—"

Ding—dong—dang—dong

I shake my head with a sigh. "Already? Man, times flies, doesn't it? Let's get to class on time, Houki. Particularly because I do not wish to make a bad impression."

Unfortunately, it turns out my logical thoughts are proven wrong, and I have Chifuyu as my teacher. Except for the most part, it's Yamada-sensei doing the lecturing.

"…Thusly, the basic operations of the IS have to be guided by the country. If someone doesn't have permission to operate their unit, criminal charges could be held against them…"

Though… I am currently resting my chin on my left hand, right hand trying to take notes and doodling on the screen. I'd been given a crash course in this anyways, during the two weeks back home and Roy's dad had filled me in on all the fine print stuff.

Particularly because one thing they wanted to hammer in was that just because I was the only guy IS pilot did not mean I was exempt from the rules.

If you ask me, all of this law studying isn't like math. You don't build up from let's say, a big platform and slowly specialize, making a pyramid. Law is like building a ton of tiny little towers. Or maybe I just don't like fine print.

It's also killing my academic pride, seeing that I'm struggling to comprehend all of this stuff. I'm an academic, dammit. I study and do well, trying to understand more and more, to gain more knowledge. Ugh…

Though, I'm not technically an IS pilot for the US. I made it very clear (much to the relief of many countries) that I wanted to pilot not sponsored by a country. I reasoned that an inexperienced pilot like me shouldn't be given the privilege of being a representative just because I was a guy, but really this meant I wasn't and didn't want to be the cause of a world war if I made a major fuck up.

Not to mention I also was trying to make it clear the only partnership I had with the US was that they were going to protect my family while I went out here. I wasn't a research subject or anything. I repeated it again and again during that hearing: "I'm only going because the US will protect my family while I go and try to live out a normal life elsewhere.

If I tried to live back home, we'd have to be on the move, all of that, until shit settled down. Meanwhile, if I was here, then they could at least move my family and friends, who weren't as well known, and have them live somewhere else or on government grounds. That's the only thing we had even close to a deal.

Even if it hurts, I look over at the notes of the girl to my right. Okay, my notes match up.

"I-is there something you need?!"

"Ah, no. Sorry, I just wanted to confirm I copied my notes correctly."

"Is… is that so, then?"

She turns back to her notes, looking gloomy.

"Oh, Irivasel-kun? Is there something you don't understand?"

I look up from the screen of my laptop to face Yamada-sensei, who probably noticed I was looking at the other girl's paper.

I shake my head with a sigh, unsure how much my ego and pride would take this. "To be honest…"

She smiles confidently, as if there was nothing that could shake her. All right then, grit your teeth, ego. This is going to hurt. A lot.

"Yamada-sensei."

"Yes, Irivasel-kun?"

"…I honestly do not understand a majority of this."

Agh, there's the metaphorical knife being twisted. Oooh. Dammit, I had a standard to uphold, a façade, a persona of being academically high.

Unfortunately though, Yamada-sensei's face fell. She looks somewhat afraid now.

"Do… does anyone else not understand?" After that, she raises her hand to prompt the class.

…You have got to be kidding me! I'm the only one who doesn't understand?! I can do single—sometimes multi—variable calculus for hell's sake, and yet I don't understand this crap?! This… this is most unexpected…!

"Irivasel, did you read the legal reference book you were given before entering?" Chifuyu asks, looking irritated as she narrows her eyes at me.

"I tried." I admit. "But after page five hundred ninety two, I gave up since I didn't understand the base material for laws. That thing was literally thicker than my PreCalc and AP World History textbook combined! Is it a realistic expectation to have that read, understood, and comprehended in two weeks?"

"You need to know that material, otherwise accidents will happen. Even if you don't understand, memorize it and remain steady. Those are rules and regulations."

Well, I already knew most of the practical material so I won't argue with her there. But… on the subject on knowledge that Chifuyu has so gleefully brought up…

"Orimura-sensei, what good is it to memorize if you don't understand? If I can't comprehend it, if I can't make sense of it, what good is it to me?" I speak, my inner academic coming out. Yes, knowledge is good and all, but was it any good if you didn't understand it?

It's the same with people. We can know each other, but unless we understand each other, then it's just not good. That's why I had nearly jumped before. I knew, but did not understand the world or others. But now I do, and seek to do so even more. So I will live.

"Th-then," Yamada-sensei breaks in, before a verbal battle can really break out. "Irivasel-kun, I'll teach you everything that you don't know, so you'll have to work hard, okay?"

I pause, then let out a small sigh before grinning. "All right, I guess that'll do. I'll work hard, don't worry about that. I just… need a guide, I suppose. At your convenience, of course."

"Mhm. After school?"

"…Hm." I run through my mental schedule. Eastern time… thirteen to fourteen hours behind here. I'd probably call around… nine PM here to hit when they just woke up, ten o'clock if I wanted to not be an inconvenience to my friends. Yeah, that should work.

"Yes, Yamada-sensei. After school will work."

"After school…" She repeats again and again. "After school… a teacher together with a student… two people alone after school…"

What. Geez… all right, damage control time.

"Yamada-sensei."

"First time—ah… ah! Y-yes, Irivasel-kun?"

"You went into a bit of a daze."

"O-oh, I'm sorry. A-anyways, yes, after school will work."

"Can I have a moment?"

What is this, am I in a modern JRPG now? Meeting all the eventual party members who approach me during the day? Whatever… I'm clearly tired to be thinking like that.

But that tone of voice is far from friendly. With a grimace, I turn and find a blonde girl, blue eyes shimmering with some amount of unhappiness and plenty of haughtiness, which is further aided by the fact her hair is slightly curled up like a princess.

…This is one of those "women are strong and all men are weak" types, isn't she? Someone who's going to try to force me to be like a slave. Well, looks like a fight might break out…

"I'm not sure if you can own a moment, but if you mean a moment of my time, you have already taken it." I say snarkily, checking the battery on my phone. "Is there something you need?"

"W-what's with that tone?! Just me talking to you should be enough to make you feel greatly honored! You should have a much better attitude towards me!"

"…Is that so? I don't feel honored. I have no idea who you are."

"You don't… hahaha, that's very funny. You don't recognize me? You don't know who Cecilia Alcott is? The Representative Candidate for England and the top scorer of the school's entrance exam?"

"Oh. Well, congratulations." I say evenly back, responding to a text from Yuki, apologizing that I was late in responding due to class. "I don't know what you want with a newbie like me, but I guess well met. Lione Irivasel, if you didn't catch my introduction earlier."

"…Are you trying to make a fool out of me?"

"How so?"

"You're in the same class as the chosen ones, yet you seem to know nothing about the IS. You willingly call yourself a newbie… to think I expected a lot of you."

"Uh, I had like a week. You've probably been studying this for years, so excuse me for not knowing shit 'bout something I had no plans of doing for my life. Besides, if you make such careless assumptions, you'll be pretty disappointed."

"Hm… if you cry and beg me, I might teach you. After all, I'm the only one who defeated an instructor during the entrance exam." She says haughtily.

"I beg to no one. And an instructor… well, I guess my placement match sort of went like that. My opponent was pretty good with a sword, but I was better."

"…What?"

"Yeah, if a battle was the entrance exam, then I remember winning it. I mean, yeah I can't really pilot, so I simply remained still and fought without taking a single step or trying to outmaneuver them."

"But… but I heard that I was the only one?"

"It was probably due to the fact I was really late in taking it. By the time I had done that battle all of you probably had long taken it so there wasn't really a need to inform everyone."

That was a good battle. That instructor really knew her way with a sword. I mean, IS Academy went through the trouble of bringing their own unit over just so I could try to fight and see how good I was. It was part of the week where I was getting ready to leave home and I didn't note it since it wasn't exactly... well, important to me at the time.

"H… how could someone like you beat an instructor?!"

"Well, I guess I didn't really like, outpilot them, per se. I just utilized my skills, something along those lines."

Before she can say anything more, the bell goes off. Ah, thank you for that. I'm starting to get sick talking to her.

And before class actually begins, it seems we're going to be choosing a class representative. They'd have to do meetings, committee roles, blah blah blah. And in addition, in any class battles, they'd be representing our class. No rules for nomination, anyone could nominate someone else or even themselves.

Fortunately, that takes me out of the running. I'm way too underqualified for that—

"Sensei, I recommend Irivasel-kun!"

…No.

I stand up. "Orimura-sensei, I refuse to accept the duty. I am confident in my knowledge that I am extremely underqualified. I possess little knowledge of the IS and my piloting skills are extremely below what a representative should have. Since I will need to catch up in academia, class representative duties will interfere with that. Therefore, as I said, I refuse to accept this duty despite your all willing faith in me."

"Irivasel, sit down. The nominated have no right to refuse."

"I'm willing to argue that this is a special case."

"The one nominated should be prepared already."

"Then because of my lack of preparation, shouldn't it stand that I not be nominated?"

"Hold on! I won't accept this!" a new voice yells, hands slamming on the table. Oh joy…

"Oh look. She clearly wants the position. In such case, I assume a competition is in place. I concede, and the position of Class Representative goes to Alcott-san." I say evenly, sitting back down.

However, it seems she's ignored me. "In terms of ability, it's obvious I should be the representative! It'll be troubling if some rare monkey is chosen because—"

My fist slams the desk, causing half the class to jump at my sudden mood swing.

"…You would reduce me to not being human?" I almost half-whisper in a monotone, standing back up. "…Is that what you mean to say, Alcott-san? I'm just some beast, some animal, some monkey, just because of my gender?"

I clench my fists, turning around to face her head on. "Is that what you mean to say? Answer me."

Silence meets my demands.

"Do you look down on me that much, Alcott-san?" I prod. "You won't even answer a fellow human being? Is that what you think of me? Very well. If there must be a competition for it, as I am apparently not allowed to concede, nor do I believe your pride would let me do such a thing, let us settle this right here."

With that, I take up a simple boxing stance.

"Irivasel, sit down. We will not settle this with a fist fight."

"Then, let us go to the dojo on campus and we shall settle this with a blade."

"Hahaha! You would ask me to use such a brutish weapon?" Cecilia asks with a hearty laugh. "Of course a uncivilized boy like you would suggest such a thing."

"Hmph. I would wager then, that you use a gun. Of course, I believe that guns are the far more brutish between our weapons of choice. With a gun, all you do is pull the trigger and guts, gore, and blood fly. With a blade, you must hone your skill over and over again until you can kill with a single stroke."

"Hmhmhm, so then, do you want a handicap for when we duel?" Cecilia asks, causing some of the class to laugh.

I shake my head. "Since this is a duel now, I would hardly accept a handicap. I shall defeat you then, with my own strength and skill."

The class continues in their laughter. I find my nails digging deeper into my skin as my face goes pale from the adrenaline.

"I-Irivasel-kun, seriously?"

"Isn't a man being stronger than a woman a story of the past?"

"Irivasel-kun, you might be able to pilot an IS, but that's just going overboard."

Hmph. This is what happens when you allow your minds to be polluted and not consider the big picture. Even all the IS units in the world would hardly be able to take down a coordinated and efficient strike. And in the end, all it would take would be eliminating the pilots or other warfare. Everyone believes that straight on combat is what determines victory… no, that is hardly the case.

Still though… in this time of disbelief and doubt… Yuki, believe in me.

At the end of the day, I close up my notebook and don't give Cecilia the benefit of acknowledgement. However, by now the rumors that we will be fighting have spread through the school.

"Ah, Irivasel-kun."

I look up and find Yamada-sensei holding a book. "Yamada-sensei? What is it?"

"Your dorm is ready." She says, handing me a paper with a number on it and a room key. Ah, right. Security measures. "…Have you heard anything else?"

"No, no word from the US nor from the UN." I say, checking my phone once again. "…I'm guessing my belongings have already been moved there?"

"Yes, they have."

"Thank you."

"Ah, for dinner, you should head to the first-year dorm cafeteria from six to seven in the evening. Also, each room is equipped with a shower. Um… while you're not allowed to use it, there is a large public bath."

"Damn. Gonna have to scratch that off the list of things I wanted to do while I was here."

"Are you an idiot?" Chifuyu half-snorts. "Do you want to bathe together with girls of the same age as you?"

"No, it's just that while I was in Japan, there was a list of things I wanted to do so I could tell my friends back home about it. Like I said, going to have to scratch that off the list."

"W… what? You're not interested in girls? That… that might be a problem."

Unfortunately, I did not process what Yamada-sensei said until the damage had been done. Well then, that's going to be interesting to deal with.

"Regardless, I'll head to my room immediately and introduce myself to my roommate… if IS Academy was dumb enough to give me one. Thank you, Orimura-sensei, Yamada-sensei. I'll see myself out."

I put my headphones on as I slung my backpack on, cranking up the tunes, head bobbing the whole way.

Hm, fancy room. High priced cloths from what I can tell by the feel… yep.

Wait… what is…

A sword in a sheath lies on top of my bed. There is a card next to it, written in Japanese. I don't recognize the handwriting, but I'm sure from what I've seen, it's not Chifuyu's or Tabane's, nor anyone I really know.

"You may send your other blade back."

I look at Ken's sword and then put it on the bed as well, taking up the new blade. This feel… this handle… this sheath…?

I draw the blade. Pristine, freshly polished, kept in almost completely brand new condition. It is… the blade of the Irivasel line.

It's a katana, roughly sixty inches. The handle is black, with golden embroidering for the holding area. The steel looks just as shiny as the day I first laid eyes on it.

So this person knows I am a swordsman…? Perhaps they just guessed that.

Oh… and there's another box here…? It has… a flower pendant inside? Oh, and it's with a card from Yuki? It looks to be her handwriting, anyways. Aww… thanks Yuki. I'll wear, definitely.

Still though, to really have the Irivasel blade once again…! I'll send Ken's sword back immediately.

Sheathing the blade, I sit back down as I put on Yuki's pendant.

…Hm, this other bag here—oh shit, that has Houki's name on the tag.

Aaaand, the shower is running as well. I'll just leave a note then and go outside. I do have a room key. Let's just write it… here we go. "Hello, Houki. It seems that IS Academy has decided to room me with you, most likely because they did their research and found we used to live near each other. I'll be outside the room as you were showering and I wished to avoid any misunderstandings. Just fetch me whenever you're ready. –Lione Irivasel"

I head out of the room and go down the hall, getting myself a juice. Ah… Hm, I guess I can call.

It doesn't take even two rings before the phone gets picked up. "L-lione?!"

"Hey, Yuki, what's going on?"

"Awawa, I just woke up a little bit ago and finished showering. Are things going well over there?"

"Better than I expected."

"That's not good sounding, Lione."

"Ah, don't worry about it. I'll be fine. Believe in me, okay?"

"Mhmm! I will!"

I laugh, leaning back on the wall. "So yeah, I'm actually roomed with someone I used to live near when I was still in Japan before heading out to the States."

"Oh, really?"

"Yeah. I'll introduce you two once I get myself set up. So… how's it been?"

"Things are good. O-oh, it' s just Lione, mom! S-sorry, I didn't mean to make so much noise. Oh, wait Melanie, is that due today?"

"Um… yes? Don't tell me you forgot our essay is—"

"Aaaaaah!"

I shake my head. "Go get your essay written, Yuki. Just call me when you're free."

"Okay! Sorry Lione, I really wanted to talk, but…"

"Nah, I understand. It's perfectly fine. Talk to you later, Yuki."

"I'll talk to you again, Lione!"

I close the phone after that and smile. Her voice is really comforting…

"Irivasel."

I look back and find Houki, now dressed in sleepwear. "Oh, hey Houki-san. Also, just call me Lione, no honorific needed. I don't really think I need 'em for myself."

"Thank you for stepping out." She says as I reenter the room. I immediately note she's taken the room closer to the balcony door.

Hmph, as if that's worth any praise. Anyone who had common sense would've seen a bad situation incoming a mile away.

"No need to thank me. Anyway, your rules? You after all, laid claim to this room first. As the second guest, I'll listen to your rules regarding living here."

"…You're taking to this surprisingly well."

"I'm prepared, is all. Besides, I don't exactly like pushing myself onto others. My space is my space, and that is all I will ask for."

"…Showers. I will have it seven to eight, you have it eight to nine."

"Understood. Hm… damn, it's going to be annoying considering that there's no men's bathrooms. I guess I'm holding it in." I mutter with a sigh. "Anyway, I guess I'll go shower then. I'll unpack later."

"Are those swords yours?"

"Oh, yeah. Well, one is borrowed for now, the other is mine. Does the Academy not allow live steel for training?"

"No, it doesn't."

"Damn. Well in the end, I won't be training on anyone. However, I prefer steel when practicing alone."

"Hm, interesting."

"Yes… that is certainly the word to describe how life will be from now on…"

Chapter End~

Alright, so that was fun.

Soooo, clearly establishing that Irivasel is not one for romancing all the girls. Rocking Yuki's scarf was a fuuuuun thing we've written.

And if you didn't catch it, Houki and Irivasel are old friends. Irivasel's mom is also the resident hardass, but Irivasel's got an even harder head. Hehehe. They'll be clashing horns for quite a bit.

Originally for the Cecilia conversation, Irivasel wasn't supposed to even have a battle. But then we decided to throw in a battle note where Irivasel, as he said, stood perfectly still and relied on only his sword skill to fight. Which led to him wanting to fight against Cecilia. Irivasel's really, reeeeally pissed at her.

Then we get to one of our favorite (to a memetic level in our RP group) lines, "Yuki, believe in me." Just so you know, we have way too much fun with this line once I actually dropped it.

Did you figure out who sent Irivasel his sword and flower pendant? Hehehe, it's not exactly obvious, but if you pay enough attention, you'll figure it out.

And then in addition, we had Irivasel be SMART. Like, holy shit, girl in the shower and she's not expecting you? BETTER LEAVE and avoid a harem moment! 'Cause Irivasel's not a dumbass XD

Anyways, I think that's all I've got to say. If you have any additional comments or questions, please don't hesitate to leave a review or a PM!

And again, please do vote on which project you'd like to see updated more often: Helios, or Rebuild of Prototype Spartan?