Chapter 12: A Day in Doriado Academy Pt.1: The Mysterious New Student
Two qualifier tournaments have been finished, and the competitors for the Red Nova and Abyss Wiess Tournaments have been decided. Our heroes; Maira Yune and Kageru Hinodama have each earned entry to one of these two tournaments after several hard-earned battles. The only remaining qualifiers remaining in Termina as of now are the Aspiring Hope Qualifiers and the Shooting Star Qualifiers. It is only a matter of ttime, before the real challenge befalls on the two passionate duelists.
*ring!* *ring!* *ring!*
"Kageruu! Honey! Hurry up, or you'll be late again!" Kyoko yelled and knocked as Kageru's alarm went off.
*yawn* "Alright! Alright I'm up!" Kageru slowly rose up from his bed and stretched as he scratched his back. Kyoko then entered the room with her arms on her hips and a cold stare fixated towards her son.
"Really...Just because you're a winner of some tournament, doesn't mean you get to come and go to school whenever you please! Why if that were the case, I'd be doing the same for your father and Akane. Now hurry up, get dressed, take a shower, eat your breakfast, and get a move on!
"Okay! Okay! Yeesh...I'm beginning to understand why dad is takin so long to get home." Kageru mumbled to himself.
"What was that mister!?" hearing through his mumbled words, Kyoko glared at his son who began to stutter and shake his head in fear.
"N-nnn-nnn-nothing m-m-mom! Ehehehee.. I-I'll get ready right now..."
Kageru began panickingly running round his room; preparing his bag, clothes, and anything elase for school. Afterwards, he went down to enjoy the breakfast his mother prepared on the table. As much as he enjoyed the food, he was eating really quickly, devouring everything on his plate within a minute, which Kyoko was happy to see.
"My you have quite an appetite this morning."
"Can't hep it! You're waffes are just mmazing! *nom* *crunch* Fanks mom!" Kageru commented as he chewed.
"Don't talk with your mouth open! But thank you anyway. Afterall, the best duelists deserve the best meal. Oh I'm so proud of you. Just like your father and sister, you've done so well." Kyoko giggled as her eyes sparkled, feeling flattered and amazed by her son.
The two suddenly heard knowing near the kitchen window. It was Tetsu with a sly grin on his face. " Good morning Mrs. Hinodama, just wanted to say something really quick... Hey Kageru! Looks like Iiiiim gonna win this time! Better hurry up or you're doin my homework!" Tetsu raced off laughing as Gai tiringly followed, catching his breath and telling him to slow down. *huff* *huff* *pant* "Morning Mrs. Hinodama, Kageru...*pant* Wait up Tetsu, and give me my goggles back!"
"What!? Oh no you don't!" Kageru quickly ate through his last plate before storming out with only a waffle piece in his mouth. "Gotta go! See ya later mom! Hey! Get back here! GRRRRRR! Darn you Tetsu! I'm gonna winnnnnnn!"
Kyoko waved as she watched as Kageru stormed off to school, leaving clouds of dust and floating leaves and trash in his path. "Bye! Have fun, do well, and say hi to Maira-chan for me!" She sighed with joy and relief. "To be young again." She wondered in thought.
Maira walked toward school, yawning. Kell and her had just dropped off Sugar, and we're now on there way there.
"You sure the school enrolled you two days ago?" Maira asked.
"Yeah, told me to just come on in and stuff." Kell explained. "I think I have the same class as you~" he tried to hug her, but she shoved him away with a smile.
"Well, if that's the case, keep your antics to yourself."
"How cruel!" Kell exclaimed, but obviously just playing the part of a tragdetic hero. "But I've come all the way to resuce you from bad duelists, -like Kageru-, and keep you happy!" He whispered the part about Kageru and tried to leap to her again, she side-stepped and he fell to the ground.
"We're here..." Maira said with an annoyed look on her face.
As Maira and Kell entered Doriado Academy's gates, they looked back as they watched as Tetsu and Kageru raced neck and neck towards the entrance.
"You're gonna eat my dust Hinodama!"
"Shut Up! You move slower than it takes for a Final Countdown deck to win! I'm gonna own you!"
Just as the two were about to enter, they were suddenly greeted with a family of ducks that happened to cross by from the nearby lake.
"W-whoah!?"
"L-look out!"
The two boys were forced to halt themselves, causing them to tumble down from imbalance and rolling across the ground below. They barely avoided the ducks, who were just casually passing by their dazed faces.
*pant* *pant* "Man...I told you guys that you shouldn't be running at this time." Gai barely managed to catch up to the two boys on the ground. He then caught his breathe and went to snatch the goggles Tetsu took from him as an incentive to make him join the race.
"Give me those back." Gai took a thorough look at his goggles. *sigh* "Seriously Tetsu, if you even put a scratch on this, my dad is gonna kill me, and you're gonna have to pay me for a replacement lens too."
Kageru and Tetsu got up slowly and brushed off the dirt that caught on their uniform. Much of the students nearby, including Maira and Kell looked at them awkwardly.
As the two soared by, a herd of the family of ducks flew franticly by Maira and Kell. when the storm settled, a duck was flapping it's wings in a panic while in Maira's arms and Kell had a baby ducky on his head.
"...What delightful friends you have..." Kell commented, but both his and Maira's faces were unamused.
Maira stroked the duck to calm it, it quacked and looked around as she slowly set it down. she also gently took the baby duck down and petted it's head cutely. "Why is it that you two can manage being a danger to every environment you enter into?" joked Maira as she set the baby duckling down with the other ducks. They took off after their family.
"Ha! what a bunch of goof balls!" Kell laughed at them, holding his stomache and slapping his knee.
"I Thought it was funny." Maira commented with a smile to the boys.
"...I thought so too." Kell suddenly commented, changing his attitude and scratching the back of his head like he made a mistake.
Kageru and Tetsu slowly gt up, still feeling dizzy from the fall.
"Did I win?" Tetsu was spinning in circles.
"N-no way! I totally won...ehehehe uhhh..." Kageru seemed to struggle keeping his balance as well.
As the students around them laughed, Gai took a glance at his watch. "Oh dear,looks like the bell is gonna ring soon. Come on guys."
The group went on together, with Kell as a new addition to the group. Somehow they all managed to end up in the same 1st class with Ms. Shimura. The class bells rang and school began. Ms. Shimura came into the room and proudly greeted her students.
"Welcome back class! Good to see you all!"
The entire class all greeted their kind teacher with an equal attitude.
"Good morning Ms. Shimura!"
Misuzu Shimura is one of the more well reputed teachers of Doriado Academy, who majors, in Science and Technology. She is a very bright, kind, calm, and optimistic individual, who possesses a great passion for technology as well as the environment. Her class covers topics on the science and nature of Termina as well as the technology used to utilize its resources along with he rest of the world. On top of everything, she is able to see the good in people, is well loved by her students, and is also Gai's favorite teacher.
Ms. Shimura nodded with glee, seeing all her students on time and ready to learn. She turned to both Maira and Kageru with pride.
"Thank you class, and I would also like to congratulate our very own Mr. Hinodama, and Ms. Yune for their outstanding performances in the preliminary rounds. Congratulations to the both of you."
The students clapped and cheered for their fellow classmates who have made great progress so far. Maira let out an awkward smile but nodded and waved slightly. Riski rolled her eyes at the modesty she was showing but didn't dare speak of it then. Kell clapped the loudest, or so he seemed to be.
"Ehheehee. Well then now that that's done, I have another annnouncement to make. As you all may have heard, we have just recieved two fine young students who will be joining us as well. First...Mr. Kell Cadoni."
Everyone looked at Kell and greeted him with a smile, while Kageru simply clapped a few times with a sour look on his face. A student turned to the group and whispered up a conversation beginning with Gai. "Hey, so about this other new student. I heared she just transferred from Aldew City."
"Aldew?" Kageru wondered.
Gai most of the group seemed to recognize the name of the city. "Aldew? The capital of the Aoi Faction Regions?"
"Yeah. And not only that but she's one of the winning participants in the Abyss Weiss Qualifiers."
Tetsu's eyes widened. "A girl and a strong duelist? Awesome. I hope she's nice. Girls from the Aoi regions are always so cute!"
Maira could not help but listen and thought of the girl. She probably had a good idea of who it was. Riski nudged her with her elbow, "Hey, pst! Aren't you entered in that tournament?"
Maira sighed, "Yep, wonder if she'll reconize my face..." she stared back at the teacher, but her thoughts were obviously else where.
"Don't worry, Maira! your gonna win no matter who duels ya!" Kell cheered to her in a whisper, winking. She gave him a questionable smile and then conutined to listen to the teacher.
Ms. Shimura wasn't oblivious to the fact that her students were whispering.
"Well. I see you're all interested. You all seem to know quite well who she without further ado, I would like to welcome Ms. Aria Castelle."
Gai was caught with a surprise, having heard of her family name before.
"C-Castelle!? You mean she's-"
"That's correct." Ms. Shimura finished. "She is the beloved daughter of the Aoi Faction Leader;Lady Noel Castelle. Please won't be so kind to come and introduce yourself Ms. Castelle?"
Aria; the girl with long-blue hair entered the room. She wore glasses, a skirt, grey leggings, and a blue-grey academy uniform. Her hair was knotted on one side that flowed pass her shoulders, decorated with a long white ribbon and longer one knotted on the rear flowing up to her knees along with a tie on the back of her head. She walked up infront with a souless, and somewhat cold yet calm expression.
"Pleased to meet all of you. My name is Aria Castelle, and I thank you all for welcoming me to this school." She turned to Ms. Shimura and politely asked "May I take my seat now Madame?"
"Oh my. Such wonderful manners." Ms. Shimura smiled with amazement as she pointed to Aria's new seat. "You may sit there at the 5th chair on row 7 along with Mr. Tetsu Karaka and Mr. Kageru Hinodama."
"Thank you." Aria proceeded along to her seat. She quickly glanced at Maira and Kageru who both sensed quite an eerie feeling at her look.
"Hmm?..." Kageru turned and glanced at Aria, feeling somewhat uneasy.
"!" Maira suddenly recognized the girl. "Riski!" she franticly whispered to Riski, "I have seen her before! but I never knew she was the daughter of a faction leader.."
"Woah, really? Must be rich." Riski looked a bit disappointed, she had a thing against rich kids. "Think she'll be nice competition?"
"I hope so... rather not start a riot if you know what I'm saying. I can't fight her either, or we'll both be disqualified." Maira added, and then sighed, trying to not notice the glance that Aria gave her and Kageru.
After all the greetings were done and all the students were in their respective seats, Ms. Shimura was now ready to begin her lesson. While she went on with her discussion, Tetsu attempted to get near Aria.
"So. What's your name?"
Aria's attention seemed fixed towards the discussion, hearing such a stupid question she replied. "I believe I have already introduced myself to you. Don't you think it rude not to listen? If you expect me to get attracted to a shallow individual like you, then you are sorely mistaken."
Tetsu was speechless at her response and nervously inched back front. "Ehehe right, right sorry, just wanted to greet ya. Well hope we can get along."
Aria kept her looks towards the teacher, but also noticed Kageru who was glancing towards her, as well as knowing well that Maira was also suspicious.
"!(Shoot!)" Kageru quickly turned with a shock as she glanced back towards him.
Maira kept her gaze to the front, not wanting to look back, but Riski had heard how coldly she had brushed off Tetsu and quickly whispered to Maira.
"What do I always tell you!? Rich kids! they think there everything!"
"I do feel bad for Tetsu, I'll get her back for it at the tournament."
"I'd rather kick her in the butt right now and be done with it all.." Riski conutined to utter small and discret mutterings of threats under her breath while Maira sighed and tried to not think about it.
Meanwhile, Gai was deep in fascination with Ms. Shimura's current discussion. He seemed to pay no mind to the group whispering behind him.
Kageru was sweating nervously as he felt a hint of fear when Aria looked at him. "Something doesn't feel right." He thought "Why does she seem so familiar? I...I feel like I know someone like her."
Just then, Ms. Shimura called him up. "Kageru?!"
"Huh? Y-yes m'am?" Kageru's train of thought suddenly broke off.
"Since you look so focused today, would you mind telling me the process in which resources and power are distributed throughout our beloved Termina? And how about you as well Riski, I bet you're having a nice discussion of the class topic with Ms. Yune?" Ms. Shimura eventually overheard all the whispers, feeling the need to discipline them.
"Wait! Ms. Shimura, allow me to answer this one!" Gai feeling the need to show his knowledge and more importantly save his friends, got up in attempt to save them from detention.
"Sorry Gai, but you cannot help them this time. If these two don't start acting up, then that will be detention after class, unless someone else is willing to provide an explanation." Ms. Shimura folded her arms and began tapping her foot as each step clicked as the clocked ticked. She was slowly holding her patience.
"..." Kageru nor Riski were able to answer and were completely blanked out.
"I expect an answer in 4...3...2...1...ze-"
Suddenly, at the last moment, Aria raised her hand, and stood. "If I may madame? I believe that even these two simpletons deserve a second chance, so if you would kindly allow me to answer?"
Ms. Shimura and the class paused for a moment; they were all stunned by Aria's sudden initiative. "U-Um yes. Yes of course Ms. Castelle, if you may?"
Aria proceeded towards her deep explanation of the cycles that occur in Termina. "As we all know; Termina divided into 4 different factions which are: The Kurenai, Aoi, Miyabi, and Kurogane Factions. These factions which are all named after the ancient spiritual arts used by the Famed Elemental Charmers are what supply different resources towards the continent.
The Miyabi Faction and its dense forests and spacious valleys provide the technology for clean air, as well as vegetation throughout the continent.
The Kurenai Faction, serves as a manufacturer for industries. They supply resources for creating buildings, bringing heat to our homes, and most of all weaponry.
The Aoi, where I am from, holds the task of providing pure water, goods from the seas and lakes, and also scribes who provide us with the intellectual resources that we have access to today.
Finally, there is the Kurogane Faction which provides us with resources from the earth as it possesses numerous Mining facilities that harvest precious stones, and metals. On top of that they play a role in keeping order and peace in Termina and it is within the Kurogane Faction where the famed Allies Of Justice are settled in.
These 4 Factions are all linked together under our very own Doriado City; named after the Elemental Mistress of Legend Doriado, this serves as the treaty between the Factions, and it is where all these resources cycle throught Termina.
Aria stood after finishing her explanation. Everyone in the class froze in fascination. All, especially Ms. Shimura were stunned at the vast amount of clear and precise knowledge Aria displayed within a few minutes.
"Amazing.." Ms. Shimura thought. "It's no surprise she's from the Aoi faction, and to be a daughter of its leader at that too. Her parents educated her very well I'm sure." All eyes were still fixed on Aria, and so Ms. Shimura felt the need to move on. "Thank you Ms. Castelle. You may sit down whenever you feel like it."
Just as she was told, Aria quietly sat down and politely gave her gratitude. "Thank you madame."
Ms. Shimura turned to Riski and Kageru again, only with a slightly creepy smile. "Well it looks like you two are off the hook this time. From now on, you two better not be so disruptive okay?"
Riski and Kageru simultaneously nodded in agreement "YES MS. SHIMURA!"
"And if you two would be so kind as to thank and apologize our charming new student; Ms. Castelle for involving her?"
The two nervously turned towards Aria, and forcibly bowed their heads with respect. "Y-yes thank you Aria!"
Ms. Shimura chuckled along with the other students. Feeling satisfied enough with torturing her students, she gleefully went back to her discussion. The lesson went on until the bell rang.