"Is it a recess period now?"
As he made his way back to his class, he saw that many children were running around the hallways. That small hallway was full of laughter and chattering. Ignoring some of the unwelcome gazes, he squeezed himself through that crowd and made his way back into the class.
Pushing open the heavy, white door, Julian cast his gaze across the familiar-looking classroom. The room was painted white and blue, with carvings as decoration around its walls. At the opposite side, large rectangular windows lay.
There were three rows of long tables stretching to the very end of the room, with each table fitting three wooden chairs. Almost all of the tables were already occupied, clear in a mess from the books and utensils scattered on top of the tables.
[Nian Flowbloom]
Importance: None.
[Rizan Turnbower]
Importance; None
[Sadian Waterfan]
Importance: None
He gazed at several children who remained in the classroom. Most of them piqued no interest in him. Most but one.
[Xideon Constellation]
Importance: High
While he recognized that name among the 45 records he had drawn earlier, Julian was more interested in the Importance line. It was the first time he had seen that category.
He found an empty seat at the front table in the right row. That table for three did not seem to be used by any students, making Julian the first person to sit there. As for why that table was unoccupied, he could tell it was because the teacher's desk was placed directly in front of it.
'Right, where is my backpack?'
As he sat himself down, he came to the realization that he had no bag with him.
'Is it those bullies?'
Soon, the hollow bell rang throughout the Academy, announcing the end of the recess. Students flooded in, bringing along their rowdiness into the classroom. Julian paid close attention to each of their cards, but unfortunately, none of them was as interesting as the boy named Xideon.
"Julian, are you all right already?"
"Fortunately, yes. I am sorry for worrying you."
"I hope you are, you suddenly went pale like a ghost!"
"Haha, that was my bad."
The boy from the earlier morning, Millian, came up to him the moment he entered the room. Relief was clearly written on his face.
"But Julian, why are you sitting here?"
"Why? Does anyone sit here?"
"No.... but we have been sitting at the back, right?"
"Well, I want to sit here starting today."
Ktang.
The heavy door was open and slammed closed by a tall man. The whole class immediately quietened down, and students ran to their desks. The teacher had long, messy hair that greatly fit his tired eyes. Walking over to his desk, he cast his gaze across the classroom.
"Xideon, is everyone here?"
"Yes, Teacher Hatta."
"Good. Sigh, all right. Class, do you remember what I told you a week ago? If not, starting today, every class after the recess will be changed into combat classes..."
After reminding the students about the change, teacher Hatta led them to a training ground. It was a large, circular, open field with reddish dirt as its flooring. At the edges, high platforms were placed for spectators. There appeared to be three other classes present, each accompanied by their teachers.
"All right. We are going to use this side, so do not wander off to the other classes. We do not want to disturb them, do you guys understand?"
"Yes, Teacher."
The teacher then went on to remind the students about what he had informed them the previous week. Julian was only half listening as he scanned the cards of the other classes, to which he found a few people that he needed to pay attention to.
'I really don't recognize any of them.'
He also realized that he had no memory of 'Julian' before he took over that body. Just as he was about to wonder how that could happen, teacher Hatta called for everyone's attention.
"For today's class, I need everyone to find a pair. Those that have none, come find me."
"Rizan, do you have a partner?"
"Oi, let's become a partner."
"Does anyone have no partner?!"
His classmates were quick to move, swiftly finding their pairs. Looking to his side, he found Millian, who was avoiding his gaze. He seemed to have found his partner already. However, he did not mind as he already had someone in mind. It was the boy whom the rest also strangely avoided like a pest.
"Xideon, become my pair."
"...What?"
Xideon was a boy with pale, silky blue hair and golden eyes. Under his sharp nose were three small moles that were shaped in a triangle. He held a confused expression and was looking at Julian up and down like he was a crazy kid.
"Why? Are you looking down on me?"
"N-no, I didn't mean that..."
Well, Julian would not take any offense even if Xideon was truly looking down on him. Even without using the Affinity Altars, he could tell that the new body of his was lacking in any way possible. It was truly an embarrassment for someone who held the name Shordshards.
'Right, I should look for the altars next.'
"So what is the problem? It's not like anyone wants to pair with you."
Xideon, though his face was still hesitant, nodded in the end.
"If that is what you wish."
[+10 Fate]
"Alright, who wants to go first?" the teacher yelled out lazily.
"Teacher Hatta, please let us go first," Xideon answered, also lazily. Looking at Julian like he was a bother, he whispered, "You don't mind. right?"
"Not at all."
"Xideon Nightwing and... Julian Swordshards, step forward."
Though he said he did not mind, his heart seemed not to have the same sentiment. It trembled and pounded nervously the moment he was called out by the teacher. Wondering if there were still remains of the original Julian left in that body, he calmly stepped forward.
"You may take your weapons from the storage. Just pick whatever you like," teacher Hatta continued.
Ignoring the strange expression from Xideon, Julian followed him inside the storage under the platform at their side.
Inside, weapons of all kinds were lined up across the storage. There were bows and arrows,shields, swords, spears, and daggers. Some of them were chipped, and some of them even showed cracks. Only a few of them were in good condition.
He held up a wooden sword, swinging it around a few times before going into the storage. Perhaps it was because the training ground was used for the lower grades, but they did not seem to pay too much attention to the weapon maintenance.
'This will be overkill.'
He briefly gazed at the spear before him. It was the one and only weapon he had used in his previous life. It was also the weapon that had paved his way out of the city. Regardless, he knew better not to look down upon his enemies.
He picked up the spear, holding it up and inspecting it.
"Argh."
Ktag.
Julian suddenly hissed and let go of the spear. He looked down at the spear and at his palm. He did not know what had happened, but he felt as if he was holding onto a hot rod just a moment earlier.
Bending down, he picked up the spear again.
"Tss."
Ktag.
It was not an imagination. The pain was real. He then went on to pick other types of weapons. Shield, dagger, and even bow, all of them felt burning hot in his hand. All but swords.
'What is going on?'
He was truly bothered. He had never encountered something like that before. It was as if he were being rejected by those weapons. If they were mystical weapons, he could understand.
But they were all just ordinary wooden weapons.
"Are you going to keep wasting my time?" Xideon asked as he leaned against the storage door. A sword in his hand.
"... I am coming."