Chapter One
Lapis stood up from his slouched seat on the wall. His sky blue eyes adjusted to the sun as he looked up, collecting himself. It was his first day in Seidoukan Academy. His uncle had said that he was gifted, yet he had sent him to the fifth lowest school. Well, even if it was the fifth, it was a prestigious academy nonetheless. His mind was a bit hazy, but he had just woken up from dozing off, which was strange in his own right. Dozing off on the way to school? On his first day nonetheless took a level of gall that few had.
Shaking his head, he began walking towards the gates at the entrance to the school. Seidoukan Academy was situated on a large island connected to the megacity. As such, it had it's own set of rules, standards, and policing agency due to regular police officers being unable to contend with Genestellar who could deflect bullets and move at speeds far exceeding those of even semiautomatic rifles.
Running his hand through his black hair, Lapis walked through the gate gaining a side eyed look from one of the nearby students at his unkempt appearance.
Right, where was he supposed to go again?
Admissions. That's where he was headed to at the time.
It was his first day, and he was already running late.
Hurrying up, Lapis began running, however, he went too fast for his own good.
Tearing chunks out of the grass in deep gouges as he ran, leaving deep ravines in the ground behind him, Lapis dodged dozens of students who he was little more than a blur to. Arriving at the front entrance of the academy which consisted of multiple glass doors at the front of the academy, he stopped. Behind him he could hear the cursing of multiple students who had gotten covered in dirt and grass. Unfortunately for them, they did not see who it was who did so to them.
Just as he was about to enter the school, he felt a hand on his shoulder.
It was a slim, delicate hand that held him with a firmness he would not expect from such a delicate, porcelain skinned woman.
Turning his head towards the owner of that hand, he was greeted by a beautiful blonde young woman who had sharp purple eyes who was slightly shorter than him. Her body had a mature attractiveness, unlike many of the students he had passed, giving her a look much older than she might be.
"You're late" came the airy voice of the young attractive woman next to him. She had a certain trustworthiness that one might find themselves revealing more than they meant to at first meeting.
Her hair was nigh golden that split in two bangs and fell down her back in a wavy fashion. Her eyes were fixed on him with a hint of an amused firmness. She wore the white academy blazer with a white blouse and long frilled sleeves. Her black skirt curled at the end of her knees with white stripes curving around it.
She wore night black garters with black heeled shoes that shone spotlessly under the sun.
Lapis looked at her for a moment. She must be a faculty member, but looked too young to be a staff member. Perhaps a security member, or a student council member?
Seeing his discerning gaze, her firm gaze switched to a coquettish smile and she spoke again.
"Just kidding. Initiation lasts for five days" She said with a small chuckle as she moved in closer to him.
Lapis looked at her, still not speaking. This woman was clearly trying to say something to him, but he was not very interested.
"And you are?" he finally asked, pushing her away gently.
Her coquettish smile faded to a flat line for a moment before it returned as quickly as it left.
"I was wondering how the nephew of Mr. Fugishi would be, but I didn't expect the strong silent type" She spoke, running her finger across his chest, feeling his firm muscles under his blazer.
Then after a few moments of her resting her pointer finger on his chest and looking into his eyes, she spoke again. It seemed she had deduced enough about him that she had gained a firm grasp of who he was.
"I am Claudia Enfield. The Student Council president. It's a pleasure to meet you" She spoke, taking a more simple approach.
"I'm Lapis. Likewise." Lapis responded simply. If she was the student council president, she already knew his name. This assumption was compounded by her picking him out of a crowd.
"Well Lapis, I look forward to your results in this school. Now excuse me. I have someone to save" She said, turning away and walking towards a crowd that had formed nearby on the lawn as the sound of fire Meteor Arts exploding caused a large distraction.
Lapis sighed and shook his head to get rid of his invasive thoughts about this academy's students. If everyone was as outgoing as her, he was in for a deep annoyance.
Walking through the turning glass door to his right, Lapis was greeted by a large clean marble floored lobby where students milled about as various faculty members went in and out of hallways and the set of four elevators at the far end.
Right. High school was a mess, and he was facing his first year here as a transfer student.
Walking over to one of the elevators he pressed the third floor. The admissions office was on the third floor. A first year class that he was not looking forward to was in his future. He had gone to a middle school for normal kids, and only now got accepted to a Genestella academy. It was odd, as Genestellar were such from birth, but there were always exceptions to rules, no matter how rare and unlikely.
Two other students entered the elevator next to him. Two blasé brown haired doll like young girls with unassuming appearances. Barely more than background visual noise, and they spoke to each other freely, not caring who listened to them. They were the everyday student one would see coming and going and not pay another minute of mind to.
Lapis stood silently as the elevator rose and the dings reached the third floor. He stepped out into a white hallway with a tiled floor that was well lit by long lights on the ceiling. Students went to and fro in and out of doors that swung opened and closed. The sounds of dozens of different conversations mixed together to form a uniform buzz.
He walked down the hall at a leisurely pace towards the small creme colored sign above a door at the far left end of the hall that said 'Admissions' in black text. A wooden door with a large square window stood in front of it, and he knocked on it.
Within seconds, a middle aged woman with a soft round face and portly body that was obscured by a black business suit and white tie opened the door. Looking him over she spoke.
"Come in and take a seat. You will be called shortly" She spoke, opening the door for him and pointing to a cushioned row of gray chairs lining a wall across from a large receptionist's desk. The hum of an air conditioner thrummed in the background and the occasional ringing of phones in the background in the hallway leading back into the offices behind the receptionist's desk. Abstract art printings underneath glass cases sat comfortably on the walls and gave the room a modern and present day aesthetic common to the schools which all wanted to prove that they were the future of humanity.
Lapis sat down on a chair in the office that was empty except for him and the young red haired Irish receptionist who was slim, pale, and had light green eyes. She wore a simple white summer dress and a thin linked gold necklace.
After about two minutes of nothing happening, The receptionist stood up from her seat and called out to Lapis.
"Lapis Watanabe. Can you come here for a moment?" She asked in Japanese.
Lapis stood up, giving the slim woman a nod and walking up to the desk. As someone who was six foot tall he had a good look over the desk which was covered in stacks of paper and various bits and bobs.
"I'm here" He spoke looking towards the shorter woman.
"Most of your paperwork has been completed beforehand. We just have to give you your schedule and information booklet" She said, handing him a sheet of paper and a small softcover book half the size of the paper.
"And, you need to chose your Lux" She said, her light voice raising as she smiled at him.
"Alright, lets just get this over with" he said, not really caring much one way or another. He was capable of fighting at full efficiency with or without a Lux. Though he had promised his uncle that he wouldn't do so without there being a need. However, something seemed wrong for the slightest moment, like his memories felt off. However, the feeling passed swiftly and he disregarded it just as fast. However, a seed of doubt was planted in his subconscious that even he wasn't aware of.
Fu's memory changing programming was ever so slightly resisted for a moment in time, and that was just the start of a long list of strange occurrences the wayward Android 17 would soon be facing.
In the armory, Lapis was greeted by a staff member who usually supervised new students who would be choosing their Lux. The armory was a large metal room the size of a coliseum lined with racks of various Lux. Swords, Spears, Guns, Axes, Bows, Gauntlets, Boots, and Rocket launchers. Too many to count filled racks on the walls.
The staff member, A man in his mid thirties, easily reaching the upper limits of six foot five and well built, stood watching Lapis with his light skinned arms crossed. His large muscles easily as wide as Lapis's head. He wore a gray shirt that did very little in hiding his musculature and wore black track pants over black boots. His square face was sharp and his eyes were watching Lapis intently.
The choice of a Lux wasn't always yours to make.
Ogra Lux had a will of their own, however, Lapis would not be able to chose an Ogra Lux even if he wanted to, as they were reserved for well preforming students who had a long history. However, it didn't mean that regular Lux could not compete in the hands of skilled students.
Lapis walked over to a display that held several handguns and shotguns. He did like guns. They were simple, reliable, and got the job done when he needed it. Walking past it and to a long row of Rifle Lux, Lapis began picking them up and injecting his power into them. Simple yet effective.
Finally at the end he picked up one that looked quite like an M-16.
Simple and reliable.
Injecting his energy into it, he began releasing Mana which was converted from his energy within him.
Yes. This was what he needed.
It also doubled as a good way to make an opponent who was not very bright assume he wasn't good in close quarters as a gunman. However, that only worked on idiots.
Walking back to the staff member, Lapis confirmed that this was the one he wanted.
After some registration, he was all set. Now he was a full fledged student in high school.
The cool thing about gun Lux is that you could materialize and dematerialize them at will, so you'd always have them at all times with you unlike some sword Lux that had physical forms that you had to carry with you.
His next goal was to get acquainted with the campus. It would be no good if he didn't know where to go and where not to.
Taking the elevator in a rather uneventful ride up from the basement armory to the surface, Lapis walked out and to the courtyard of the recreational building not more than fifty meters down the road from the armory.
It was a ten story glass and steel building that held most of the clubs and various other facilities like the library and three Olympic swimming pools.
Walking up to the doors, he was almost trampled by two young girls that burst out giggling and laughing to each other in sundresses and wide brimmed summer hats. Obviously, they were on some sort of leave, as school still had a few days before it officially started. Watching them pass by quickly and out onto the grass lawns Lapis closed his eyes for a moment imagining how carefree they were and for just a moment wished he could be like that.
However the feelings quickly passed and he entered the facilities only to be greeted by yet another diversion.
A young man with messy brown hair, light skin and brown eyes walked up to him. He was slim with a firm stance, and Lapis noted his deliberate and methodical movements. He had a sharp face with a thin jaw that seemed to contain an all too friendly smile. he wore an faded green hoodie under his white blazer and faded green sweats.
"Hey, You look like you're new around here. This campus is pretty big. Need a hand?" He asked, reaching out his left hand for a shake to Lapis. Receiving it with a short firm shake, Lapis responded.
"I suppose I could use a hand. Who are you?" Lapis asked, letting go of the young man's hand.
"The names Eishirou. I'm a temporary administrative assistant. Helping out newbies like you is kinda my job" He said with a warm smile and clear eyes. Just like the blonde lady from earlier, the man had a disarming air to him that spelled trouble.
"Hmm" Lapis responded, noting that the young man didn't ask for his name. This meant either that he was waiting for him to offer it. It wasn't important, or he already knew it"
"So, what are your classes? I'll show you around and where to go" The young man led the conversation, quickly getting to the point.
Lapis took his paper from his back pocket and showed it to the young man causally.
The young man read it quickly and handed it back.
"Yep, those are the first year high school classes all right. Though I'm sure you'll do well" He gave Lapis his vote of confidence.
"Let's hope so" Lapis responded as the young man began leading him towards a hallway that led further into the building.