Spirit Caller
Chapter Eight
8
What makes A Duelist?
-

The trio stumbled into their seats together causing a lot of noise-
"S-Sorry we're late!" Connar called out, louder than she meant to from up in the seating, "You see I over slept and Jaden and Syrus were- "

She heard Chazz slam his hands on his desk, cutting her off-
"Will you be quiet!?" he hissed," Some of us are trying to PASS this test!"
"Test!?"Connar gasped.
She had completely forgotten there was even an exam today-
"SHHHHHH!" the entire class shushed her and she blushed deeply.

"Oops..." She muttered to herself and groaned softly hiding her face behind her hand.
Stupid dream...
It's got me all sorts of out of wack today...
She sighed as Professor Banner motioned for her to come down.

"We are already 15 minutes into this exam, Ms. Connar." he said softly, " I suggest you and your friends hurry now, and catch up."
"...Yes sir..." the trio muttered while their surrounding class mates began snickering all around them.
'Come get my exam' he says...
I'll be lucky if I will even be able to finish this exam...

It's not that she's bad at tests...in fact she makes an effort usually to be on top of the class or ahead in the lessons-
But that didn't mean a time cut would do her any favors...
The reason they were even late was because of her-
Connar over sleeping from her restless night...
So she was already a little irritated...but she grinded her teeth and scribbled down what she could.
xxx

"Man...I can't believe I actually passed that exam~" Connar sighed in a happy relief
"Lucky for you..." said Syrus, who wasn't so lucky.
"I'm sorry Jaden..." said Connar, "If you two weren't helping me-"
"It's whatever." said Jaden, "Even if I didn't help you, I probably would have flunked that exam." he shrugged, "What with Syrus having pulled an all night Slifer Seiance...Who's to say he would have made it in awake!" he snickered, "Still though you've got me curious...Just what was that dream of yours about, anyway?" he asked, "It seemed intense."
"Ugh...if I could even begin to explain it in a way that makes any sense-" she shivered, "Let me tell you...that dream sure tipped the scales of the weirdo meter-"
Not to mention the weird events that happened afterward that Jaden filled her in on-
The door knob heating up so that they couldn't get inside?
Waterlogged speech hitting his ears when she was certain that she was speaking perfectly clear?
That was all too weird-

Before Connar could begin on the details however- Syrus chimed in.
" Of course you would pass, Connie..." he sighed, "Man, I wish I could say the same."
"Like I said- " Jaden laughed, "Maybe next time studying might do you better than an all night Slifer Seiance, Sy~" Jaden snickered.
"Him!? What about you!?" she giggled, "You slept right through the exam! I wouldn't be surprised if you fail in general."
"Nah, not likely." Jaden grinned as he stretched and yawned from his nap, "I may flunk now and then...but I never fail~"
"Say...come to think." Syrus glanced around the barren classroom, "Where is everyone?"
"Good question." said Jaden, "I wanna get out of class as bad as the next guy but this seems like an extreme extent..."

"You don't know much, do you?"
Bastion Misawa.
Said to be the top student of their class... attracted the attention of the Slifer amigos.
"Everyone wants to be first to get their hands on the new shipment of cards to soup up their decks before the upcoming field exam." he explained.
"All right, Field exam!" said Jaden, "I should definitely be able to make up some lost points with that!" he grinned, "But...why aren't you going, Bastion?"
"Oh please. One mis-fit card and my deck's delicate balance would be completely thrown off." he stated.
"Mine, wouldn't!" Said Syrus.
"So then what are we waiting for Sy?" said Jaden. "Let's get going, you coming Connar?"
"No thanks." said Connar,"My dad says if a Duelist can't trust in their own cards, then they are hardly worth the title."
"Suit yourself." Jaden shrugged, "Catch you later- Our conversation isn't over by the way, so put a pin in it, okay?" he said softly, "Let's go Sy!"
"Right!"

Connar stayed behind with Bastion, watching the two boys dart ahead to the card shop.

"So...your father sounds like quite a serious duelist." He stated, startling Connar.
"Oh...you don't know the half of it..." she said softly.
If I'm not careful, too much might get said...!
"S-So, Misawa!" she chimed, trying to change the subject, "You sound like a pretty serious duelist yourself!" she stated, "You trust your deck so much you don't want to risk anything throwing it off balance, I think that's awesome!" she smiled sweetly.
"Ah...No need for the last name formalities..." he said slightly blushing.
It felt a little embarassing to be called in honorifics...
"O-Oh sorry..." said Connar, "That's pretty much how I speak to everyone until I get to know them..." she stated, and blushed shyly.
She couldn't really help herself...It came with her raising.
Being brought up in a rich family- different mannerisms were often displayed- so she sometimes forgets that not everyone talks the way she does...

"Yes, well." he coughed and cleared his throat," I must say, you come off very polite. So thank you." He smiled softly, "My Formulas are always perfect, of course I wouldn't want to risk anything." he said, "So then shall we head to the Duel Field for our field exams?"
"Yeah that's probably a good idea..." Connar chuckled reaching around to check on her deck holster.
Suddenly she froze up.
Her body pulsated...and she felt her chest begin to tighten- A feeling she couldn't explain yet it also felt so familiar to her... drenching her in a heavy wave of dismay...
She suddenly felt empty...and sick.
A pale expression covered her face.
"What's the matter?" Bastion blinked, "You don't look so well, my dear... Shall I escort you to the infirmary?"
"Uh...I uh..." she gulped, "N-No need..." she sighed, "I'm fine."
"Well...if you're certain...but...I don't feel too convinced." he said. He gently placed a hand on her back comfortingly.
Perhaps he was much nicer than she had thought he would be for being top of the first year class...
But she gave him a gentle smile and slowly shook her head from side to side.

"That's very kind of you to be concerned for me Misa-Bastion, but I'm afraid I must politely decline."
"But...are you sure? You would be putting your grade at risk if you try to go into a duel like this..."
"Maybe so." she said, "But My dad also says, never shy away from any challenge."
"Hmmm." Bastion gave a smile and an understanding nod, "Very well, but then...are you sure you're really all right?" he asked, "How did you do on your written exam?"
"Oh, I aced it." she said non-chalantly,"Perfect score."
"You don't say!?" Bastion seemed shocked to hear this-
"You scored perfect despite being late? I say I might have an intelectual rival on my hands..."
"Yeah, well..." she scratched her cheek and chuckled awkwardly, "Let's just say I received a strict education."
Being an heiress has benefits as far as education is concerned...
"Hmm...so I see." he chuckled softly, "Well then, if you insist on going shall we head off then?"
Connar nodded.
"Even if I couldn't duel...I'd never forgive myself for not being there for my friends!" said Connar.
"Very kind of you, haha." Bastion chuckled, "Hope I count too!"
"Of course you do! Nerds of a feather should stick together, right?" she laughed, "Now let's get the deck out of here!"
The two laughed lightly together as they walked down the hall toward the Duel Field.
Though Connar's condition, only seemed to worsen, the closer they got...

To Be Continued