Stein had begun his teaching, yet again many of the students neglected to study, Maka however, studied as hard as she could, Crona followed albeit at a slower pace, but he got most of the material. Black*Star answered all the questions he was asked to answer, incorrectly.
Patty dozed off, which Stein ignored, Liz had at no point listened to the lecture, Tsubaki was taking notes and surprisingly, Soul was too. Maka stopped for a moment, "Wait a second, you're taking notes? Since when?", she asked, genuinely thinking this was a joke.
Soul turned, "Well if it helps, I gotta try, but I don't know, I don't get how it's supposed to sink in... You should show me study tips sometime".
Maka sighed, carrying on taking notes, "Maybe, but right now just try and listen for once".
Stein put the chalk down by the board, "Alright, now can anyone tell me the best place to hit an opponent with a soul wavelength? Black*Star? I pray that you know this given your strategy".
Black*Star sat up, "Hecks yeah! The Solar-Plexus!", he sat down, confident in his answer, but everyone else pretty much knew this already.
"Very good!" Stein said turning back around, "Surprised you even knew that..." Stein mumbled in addition. "Anyway, moving on-", Stein continued to draw carious diagrams to recap everyone's knowledge.
Crona looked around, "Maka, where's Kid? Is he sick?".
Maka stopped for a moment, "Good point, Kid hasn't turned up yet...".
Liz yawned, "Geez, he better not be skipping class like last month trying to play detective again... He had us all worried sick, I swear if he does that again, I'll, complain more!".
Maka thought for a moment, "Maybe, something has to trouble Kid to cause him not to attend".
Soul closed his book and leaned back, "Eh, Kid's tough to crack, I'm sure he's kicking through, dude had to see his Dad after all. That guy only calls if something important needs to be said, we all know that from experience".
Maka nodded, "Yeah, you have a point there".
Kid left his father's room, "So, it's come to this" he said, walking to class, "Father's time is coming, and I'll be the new Grim Reaper". Kid had a lot to take in, "I have to head to the library, I should have access to all of Dad's books and material if I'm to take over", he confirmed to himself.
Kid headed to the library instead of Stein's lesson, minutes later the students were dismissed for lunch. Soul, Maka, Crona, Liz, Patty, and Tsubaki were eating at their usual lunch table, Black*Star decided to skip lunch as he had a huge breakfast, he was currently out on the front yard of the school counting up one-armed press-ups. He was dead set on reaching his highest amount yet.
Crona took some bites out of the sandwich he had, giving the dessert to Ragnarok, who thanked Crona with his mouthful, though not without spluttering everywhere.
Patty looked around, "Black*Star had a reason to leave but, Kid seems to be away huh? How come he hasn't showed up?".
Patty bringing up Kid's absence again furthered Liz's frustration, Liz swallowed before speaking, "Ugh, who knows? Where the heck could he be?".
Maka put her food down, "Hope he's alright...".
Soul was prodding his food sluggishly, "He's fine, dude probably freaked out that some doorway was misaligned or something".
Liz paused, then leaned in, "He did have a moment like that this morning, something to do with candles not being burnt evenly, but I wanna bet that isn't it".
Liz got up from the table, "Patty and I will look for him, we'll let you know if we find him", she said hands on her hips, she was sure she'd succeed.
"Alright! Kid search go!" Patty cheered.
The sisters left, on the search for Kid, Tsubaki also put her food down, "Just worrying about Kid's whereabouts makes me not feel like eating...". Tsubaki got up too, "I'm gonna go and see to Black*Star, he'll train better with my assistance".
Soul, Maka and Crona bid farewell to Tsubaki, Soul pushed his tray away from him a little, "Well, we do have a free period next, is it alright if I help look for Kid, Maka? Rather have my meister's permission to snoop around".
Maka nodded, "Yeah, it's alright, you have your meister's permission, only because I'm a little scared too. Besides, Crona and I can study, he said he needs the help".
Crona blushed and looked away, bobbing his head, Soul got up, "Sweet, well, have fun, I'm gonna check the fifth floor first, you enjoy yourself too Crona". Soul gave the thumbs up, walking off to search for Kid, he began to phone Liz and tell her he'd check the fifth floor.
"S-so, studying" Crona said rubbing his arm, "I guess we should get to it... If that's alright...".
Ragnarok however came to a halt, cake dribbling out of his mouth, "Huh? More studying? Give a guy a break!".
Maka stood up, "Yep, we'll head to the classroom, it's the best educating vibe we can get! I know you'll love it Ragnarok", she stated, trying to hold back laughter.
Meanwhile, Liz and Patty were sifting through the many rooms on the second floor, "Damn it Kid, where are you at?" Liz groaned, she then wandered past the library doors. Liz stopped and walked back to the doors she just went by, Kid was in there with a pile of books, reading intensively.
"Of all the-" Liz began, stopping to phone Soul, "Soul, I found Kid, he's in the library".
"Thank God" Soul said over the phone, "You need me there or?".
Liz shook her head, despite the fact he couldn't see her doing so, "Nah, I think we got it, thanks".
Soul sighed, "Don't mention it, I'm gonna chill here for a bit".
Soul ended the call before she could ask him what was up, Liz entered the library, "Kid! You had us all worried sick! How come you didn't come to class? You could've spared us the pain of Black*Star trying to answer all the questions, he only got the one right...". Kid did not respond, which aggravated Liz further.
Patty strolled next to Kid, "Whatcha readin' Kid?", unless there were pictures of any sort, Patty wouldn't have much interest in the book either way...
Kid looked at Patty, "Well Patty, if you must know I'm reading the stories that involve my father, including his old squad that included Asura, also some of his diary entries when he was in wars and when he had spare time, it's some personal research".
Patty stared blankly, "No animal pop-ups?".
Kid rolled his eyes, "No Patty, no animals...", Patty's interest plummeted after hearing that, she headed deep into the library to find herself a 'fun' book.
Liz sat beside Kid, "Reading about your old man huh? You didn't seem this interested in his history before... Why now of all times?".
Kid bookmarked the page he was on, closing it, "Let's just say something's cropped up that means I should give his past a look into", Kid avoided eye contact as he spoke.
Liz tilted her head slightly, "What's up? We're your weapon partners so I should know at least", Liz glanced over at Patty, "Even Patty should know".
Kid twiddled his thumbs, "Well, father's going to bestow his title and authority of the Grim Reaper to me personally".
Liz beamed with excitement, "Al-right Kid! That's great! What's your Dad doing after you become the reaper?".
Silence was flooded between them as Kid hesitated to speak, "He'll pass away".
Liz was a little confused, "Wait, pass away? But he's Death...".
Kid sighed heavily, sounding slightly agitated, but rightfully so, "Yes, and then I will be the next Grim Reaper, the next Lord Death, it's the same for him and his father too, and the father before that, and the father before that". Kid rubbed his forehead, "I'm honoured by this but, I just can't accept that Dad will die... I wonder if he'll make an announcement, I don't know, I just hope I can fill his place effectively".
Liz leaned on the table, "Kid, I'm more than sure you'll do fine, we'll have your back, you can do it with our support".
"Thanks Liz" Kid smiled, "I just want to keep this quiet for now, I assume I can trust you?".
Liz nodded, "Of course!".
Patty dropped a book on the table, "Sis! Sis! Read this one with me!", Liz looked at Patty, the glanced down at the book, it was called 'Animals and Their Homes, Ages 3-7'.
Liz pinched her forehead, "Of course Patty, why don't we rent this one out huh?"
Patty jumped up and down like a child being told they could pick out any toy they wanted, "Really?!".
Liz and Patty left the library, taking Patty's new animal book with them, a book usually used to entertain younger siblings of children and teenagers looking to enter the academy. Kid promised to meet them later, he had more books to read through, Kid opened up the book he was reading before, on the page he bookmarked.
"Father certainly has a lot of history, I never knew so much could be said about him, he really did a lot in his time..." Kid spoke to himself, growing interest into the book some more. Kid closed the book eventually, "I must assume that training schedule to Liz and Patty, if they're going to stay by my side as partners".
Kid began to finish up his research, elsewhere, Soul sat on the balcony on the fifth floor, taking in the view. Soul breathed in through his nose and out through his mouth, he was truly relaxed, "Nothing like a moment of silence to calm down back to school nerves... That wouldn't be cool".
Soul heard a noise, an obnoxious, overconfident cackling, "Oh lord" he muttered. He peered down to see his best friend Black*Star laughing away and claiming how 'unstoppable' he was, Soul smiled, "Well, it was only a moment of silence I suppose". Soul watched as Black*Star hopped up and down, laying orders.
"Alright Tsubaki!" Black*Star began, "Time for some stealth practice!".
Tsubaki held her hands together, "Alright, just remember the assassin rules Black*Star".
"Heh, of course! What do you take me for?", Black*Star scoffed, doing some flexes to warm himself up.
"Nothing, just reminding you".
Soul scratched his head, "Sheesh, Tsubaki's the only one for him, like Maka said a while back. I couldn't handle being Black*Star's weapon, she's pretty strong-willed to deal with that noise".
Black*Star started the training, his objective was to sneak on Tsubaki without being seen, Black*Star couldn't figure out how he kept messing this test up, everyone else knew however...
A door creaked open, Soul spun himself around, "Hey, done studying already?", he was surprised how quick that was.
Maka walked up to Soul, "Yeah, Ragnarok kept getting in the way and Crona couldn't deal with it, but we learned more about soul resonating...".
Soul kept quiet, Maka looked down, then after a moment had a thought spark, "Oh yeah, since Blair moved out, I decided to offer our place for Crona, since we have the spare room now".
Soul lifted his head, "Huh, really? Suppose it's better than living in a cell, dude's cool with me now", he confirmed, holding his chest where his scar was still placed.
Maka seemed glad Soul had no qualms with it, "He'll be moving in soon, we just have to run it through the academy, shouldn't take more than a few days for it to be finalised".
Soul hopped off, "Right, we'll get that done tomorrow, anyway I think it's about time to head home".
Maka concurred, "Yeah, you're right, wait, is that Black*Star I can hear?", Maka looked off the balcony.
Black*Star was behind Tsubaki, "Speedstar" he said, dashing toward Tsubaki.
Maka was surprised, "Woah Soul, he's gonna do it!", she cheered now grasping the support of the balcony in excitement, she was looking forward to seeing one of her peers progress.
Soul peered with his hand in his pockets, "Seriously?". Black*Star almost reached Tsubaki before tripping over a crack in the floor, he soon face-planted.
Maka and Soul seemed unimpressed to say the least.
"Why am I not surprised?" Soul said, his tone of voice seeming unconvinced that Black*Star would ever get anywhere, "C'mon, let's head home".
Maka watched Black*Star blame things other than him for his failure, "Yeah, coming".
Maka got off the phone, "Seems that they found Kid in the end, he's been reading about his Dad's history".
Soul flicked through the TV channels, "Really? Huh, Wonder why that's peaked his interest now...".
Maka shook her head as she placed the phone on its support, "Beats me, you want a drink Soul?".
Soul accepted the beverage offer, he watched the TV for a few seconds before he began to flick through the channels some more. "Ooh, classical films tonight" Soul said out loud, "Definitely". Maka brought their drinks and placed Soul's cup in front of him, "Thanks" he said leaning forward to pick it up.
Maka stood for a few seconds, she then sat on a different chair, just by a different wall, it was at a semi-profile angle to the TV so her vision wasn't impaired. Soul and Maka talked here and there through the film that was showing on TV, enjoying each other's company and insulting each other playfully when warranted.
As the two enjoyed their time before they were to head to bed, Black*Star and Tsubaki were at their home down the streets. Black*Star was putting an ice-pack to his face, "Stupid crack in the floor, if it weren't for that, I'd have had ya...".
Tsubaki sat next to him, "Well, maybe", she agreed, not wanting to hurt his feelings too bad, "We'll try again tomorrow", she added with a smirk.
"Yeah, I'll do it, I can do anything...", Black*Star claimed. Black*Star's confidence shun, he wouldn't stop here, not now, not ever, Tsubaki didn't comment, in fact, it probably made him stronger as a result, stronger than he already was.
There was still Kid, Liz and Patty in their home, Kid tended to the candle issue accordingly, it had been bugging him all day, he then looked out his bedroom window. "I'm going to be the new Reaper huh? Very well Dad, I'll do my best to fill your position in your honour". Liz was reading Patty's animal pop-up book to her before they slept, Patty was enjoying herself a bit too much compared to Liz, who had to endure it.
The night seemed pretty calm, everyone was relaxed and were ready for the next term and what it would lead them to.
Or so they thought, on the outskirts of Death City, a bare foot stepped into view, her nails black with yellow arrows painted on them. Her beige hair scaling down both sides of her face and crossing over, looping, if you will, around each other over her chest.
The Witch was accompanied by another Witch and The Man with The Magic Eye.
"Ribbit" the other Witch said, her orange hat jiggling in the breeze, along with her blue hair waving through the gentle breeze. She smirked with her dimpled mouth, "Our time to shine, right?" Eruka asked.
The man next to Eruka flexed his arms, "Yeah, let's take advantage and set her plan to action! After all, I am immortal... Nothing can stop me, or us now".
Eruka and Free were the same as always, they stood behind their self-proclaimed leader, she pulled down her black hood. "Now now you two", her voice soothing, yet sly, almost like every word she said had some evil waiting beneath, "We will do as I say, if our plan is to succeed. Firstly we'll need some more, assistants".
"Yes ma'am Lady Medusa" Eruka said, bowing, "Whatever you say".
Medusa opened her eyes to Death City, "Yet again, we'll meet Mr. Reaper, I know you're weakened, I know your time is up".