"I won't turn tail and hide ,while the trophy hunters could endanger Mistress Aida."
"And ? Your brazenly going out and about could put the whole student body in danger, besides... remember the rules for your enrollment headmaster , would you approve his use of the Chromata."
"Can't say I approve of its usage regardless of my opinion , such matter puts the restriction I had in place on hold."
"In other words Eugene here gave you whelp permission to use the full extent of your powers should your life be at risk."
"I still think it's reckless , let us watch over you at the very least."
"I'm willing to stand upon this hill and refuse any help from the council."
There's a reason I'm rejecting the student council help and master knows while egging me to use Origin I can feel his expectant gaze he's testing whether I'm ready to take over the mantel the burdeny
of the chromata. I alone am weak but Origin breaks the power scales of which this world is built upon. It's exhilarating, liberating as well as frightening.
"What say you Eugune , the whelp is taking responsibility as his guardian I absolve the school of complete liability."
"Are you going to accept this headmaster... an unchecked student , a criminal organization one that eludes us is present in our campus we have to mobilize for our sake , we renown ourselves on being a safe haven and we the student council and by extension the enforcers intend to upkeep and uphold our oath even...
If we were to be at odds Eric."
Russel releases a not so subtle fighting aura aimed at me his gaze piercing through my soul.
"Then we are at odds Student Council President."
The ground shakes as our fighting intent no.. our killing intent bare and gnash at one another silently before laughter and condemnation cuts off the tension.
It was master's and headmaster's
"Hahahaha, don't tear each other up over this whelps or were ya planning on offing each other right then and there."
"Van Fredriche, Eric. Cease this argument at once. We do not know these youth hunters capabilities , neither their ascribed methods therefore after careful consideration the enforcers shall be deployed at full alert throughout the entirety of campus. As for you Eric I ascent to relieving you of the relevant restrictions regarding chromata and its usage will remain within the context of self defense and only defense, do.I make myself clear young men."
"Yes Headmaster , the enforcers shall be deployed at once."
"I shall abide by the regulations , I swear headmaster."
-3 hours later-
"Oi you over there I saw you using magic in the hallways."
"Ggk, it's the enforcers run!."
"The student body looks tense , what got into the student council anyways. "
"Beats me , Eric do you know?."
"Ahh, I really have no idea, I'm just as clueless as you are." Crap , I'm sorry you guys I can't open my mouth. "Which reminds me ?, mistress why have you all come here with Killian in tow." My gaze falls upon the trickster in question.
"We were worried , you're not up to trouble are you? Eric. Not that my retainer would."
"I assure you mistress , there's no trouble here hahaha."
"Suspiciously dodging the question, well we'll know soon enough besides that I have tickets to the capital's aqualand water park ,you lot coming with?"
"Misty , how'd you get a hold of these tickets don't tell me, no you didn't, did you or wait did y-you blackmailed a high ranking didn't you." Killian expressed shock
"I have my ways." Says Misty persisting on silence
"Can I really go, it's too extravagant for me." Says Alice
"Oh Alice this is a good chance for you to unwind , you'd never let the country bumpkin in you out unless you get out there!" Aida
"Besides we'd be missing a core member, I can do without Gil personally."
"Shut it Misty."
"You're a part of our class Alice, you shouldn't question yourself." Prince Joshua chimed
"Have some confidence Alice, you're great."
"Great?." Said Aida questioning my response
"Grea- ough" I felt an elbow at the same breath as my reply
"He's certainly an idiot , a competent idiot that's a first of many." I'm the Butt of Killian jokes now
"Its great having you around Alice."
I get hit by the disgruntled mistress elbow again the force of it enough to put me out in days.
"Mistress Aida, Eric and everyone I'm so lucky to have met you all."
"Enough of this sap, let's go Aqualand awaits!." said Misty
-night time-
"Eric , youre the talk of class these days. Are you aware of that.
I mean ofcourse it swells my pride when I see my retainer praised."
"Praised? Are you sure? It's more like im ridiculed mistress."
"Ridicule or praised matters not, they talk about you because you're the topic of interest, besides youre talked about in multitudes of contexts Eric." She blushes
It is well around midnight , I'm with mistress Aida. Attending to her needs , every now and then she requests me over her appointed chaperones.
I'm happy she does, seeing her smile makes it all the more fulfilling.
"Mistress I left the tea on the table alongside consumables , I know you get hungry around the middle of the night."
"Good work today Eric, take the night off. We have a busy day tomorrow."
" a busy day? , it takes me back 3 years ago. Around the time of the festival. It's been that long."
"Yeah, you changed alot since then. You smile less now."
"Mistress , I'm still me."
"I'm no fool Eric , i know youre hiding alot of things from me."
"Mistress I'm not hiding anything , its just that..."
"You have no answer , well I'd keep you here but curfew is drawing near. Consider yourself lucky."
"Rules never stopped my Mistress before."
"Hmph, go before I lock the door for the both of us."
I left Mistress room with a heavier heart than usual.
"*sigh* what can I tell her , fusing with this world Eric gave birth to a new me and the new me.... ."
A voice cuts my contemplation, I look ahead and see a group of 3 hooded individual , dressed in black fitting shirt and trousers.
"Is a monster." A sword wielding man interjects
"Who are you people?."
Their appearance alone suggests that they're assassins and if my hunch is right they're
"You're a person of interest Eric."
The swordsman bares his blade ferociously i attempted to move and without me realising time froze.
"What?!."
I use my willpower the furnace within to cut the chains of time.
"YOU , WHO ARE YOU!."
His sphere of influence is much greater than mine and parallels master.
The assailant smirks and lunges again attempting to strike me down
I parry the first strike and respond with a flurry of spinning slashes
The assailant evades almost all of them parrying the ones he couldn't
He commits to vital slashes once he sees opening.
I tap in to Origin and accelerated my timing with the strikes. I grow frustrated as Origin is about to overtake me.
"You're quiet a marvel and a disappointment, I can't believe he chose someone like you. He should have let you rot in the slums instead THEODORE CHOSE A WEAKLING!."
Something snapped in me, I wasn't myself entirely it was Origin he chose to come out.
Origin took form the transformation is complete.
"Cut right to the chase , say you want to die."
Time distorting aura gathers at the tip of the sword
-infinity strike-
Leaping into the air , I propel myself my sword cutting through time and space
' I'll consume him right here and there '
I dont stop Origin , for the first time we are aligned. This foe shouldn't be allowed to come out unscathed and alive.
The sword struck , a localized distortion followed and there he is
Holding Origin sword , a silver aura oozed out of him followed by the familiar clockwork gear sound. A guantlet manifests on his hands.
A hand maintains a firm grasp on my sword another gathers silver aura weaving time as he speaks.
"You proved me right you're incompetent."
He punches me in the solar plexus sending me flying , Origin falls apart and dissipates long before I hit the ground.
I look at him confused and for the first time I met true horror.
There's another monster among us.
He holds my sword by the hilt as if to inspect it and smirks.
"Finishing you with his sword, won't be so bad."
He saunters ahead keeping his omnious gaze on my fallen form.
He slowly raises the sword , his gait relaxed
He lowers the sword
I lay there in frustration , wishing I could resist, i suddenly hear coughs
"T-time *coughs* is up." He smirks as blood flows out of his mouth.
He throws the sword back and vanishes.
Time resumes its course as the catalyst leaves.
"Where did your friend go?."
The two hunters unaware of the fight , looked confused yet even so they are not the type to forgo a wounded prey.
"Damn it."
I unsteadily hold myself together , sword in hand.
One of the hunters throws a throwing knife.
I strike it down , as another with a spear moves in to engage.
It takes my all to counter the thrusts , wounded and my tolerance passed its limits.
"Damn it!"
Like hell I'd lay down and lose, I have my Mistress to protect!.
I hold myself together through sheer force fighting an uphill battle
The dual knife wielding hunter drops in for a kill , I parry the slashes and part ways with an upright arch cutting him.
The spear wielding unrelentingly thrusts his tip and strikes a combination with absolute finesse
I repel the most positioning myself to close quarters
As I planned my next move I overlooked a fatal flaw, the dual knife wielder still stands he cuts me up from the side and not to pass up on the irony a shot permeated from a rooftop
My right shoulder caught a bullet.
It wasn't meant to end my life he had a clear shot and chose to spare me.
I stood there bleeding as a the spearman and the dual knife wielder pounce for a finishing blow.
It was but an instant
I looked in awe as they were cut down instantly.
"I apologize for my late appearance, are you alright Eric."
It was the student council president Russel accompanied by an aide.
He holds the comms and receives an update
"Sir the sniper had retreated , we weren't able to pursue."
"That's two and the third.. "
"Escaped."
"Well there's that, we need to patch you up first."
"Thanks Russ- I mean president Russel."
"Dependable ain't I?."
"You saved my life , I owe you begrudgingly."
-next morning-
I'm still sore from the attack yesterday, what that swordsman did to me affected my chromata. I can't sustain chroma skills or tap into Origin without ripping my body apart.
"Eric , are you ok?." Asks Aida " if you don't feel well you should stay in the dorm "
"I'm fine mistress sorry to have worried you. I just stayed up last night."
The student council cover up was impeccable no one knew about the assault or that we apprehended two of the hunters youth wing , they look like ordinary students but behind these masks they're killing machine
"Let's meet up with the rest of the group mistress. I'd hate for you to be late."
"As you say , but should you fall ill. I'll drag you back to campus."
"Haha as you wish mistress."
Aqualand consists of pools, waterways , lakeside boat rides , aquariums , waterslides, water coasters and shooting ranges.
"Look at this they're staying faithful with the water setting , a pirate show." Micah looks around the park noticing the theme
"Are those dolphins?, these are actual dolphins." Killian replies in awe
"Hmph, look at all these kids getting excited over nothing."
"Psst , I bought you a floater Gil. The park won't be liable in case you drown." Misty interjects teasing Gil
A death glare shot at Misty , I can see the fumes rising from Gils body.
"You got a nerve on you Misty, I'll kill you!!."
Gil gives chase to Misty around the park splitting the group.
"Hahaha , you'll have to do better than that to catch me Gillie boy."
We use this opportunity to explore the aquapark
We head to the theatre area , where they perform as pirates.
The show reminiscent of a certain movie with a certain artist.
The premise involves a cursed treasure and a witty pirate.
We are heavily engrossed in the show , especially mistress Aida watching the play with pure enthusiasm.
"Your eyes were glued to the stage mistress , did you enjoy the show." I said to her in jest
"It was a good play , besides Alice was gasping at the scenes she was more engrossed tan Iam!." Said Aida
"Ms.Aida , It was my first time seeing a play and I always wondered how theatres are."
"This isn't a theatre Alice, I'll show you a real theatre sometimes we'll enjoy that together!." Aida held Alice hands finding a compatriot in art.
"Those girls are bonding , how about we guys do the same." Killian said
"I'll have to decline."
"I'll avoid anything pertaining bonds with you." I follow up on Micah
"You lot are cruel, tell me Joshua. You don't by any chance share their opinion."
Prince Joshua deflects Killian on the spot
"The weather sure is nice today , what say we explore more of the aquapark.
Has anyone seen Misty and Gil."
"You don't think?."
"Its them." I say matter of fact
-a while ago-
"OI , COME BACK HERE Misty! When I put my hands on your sorry existence!!."
Misty stops and looks at all the shooting ranges in the stalls.
"Hahaha, Gil you've chased me to the furthest edge of the park. Know what? , beat me in the range and you'll get to order me around. "
"What do you mean order you to do anything?."
"You can order me to delete certain embarrassing pictures I took we when we were whee little children."
She holds embarrassing pictures of Gil wetting himself
"Give me that!"
"No, you're going to have to pry it over my dead body or beat me in the range for it."
"*sigh* let's get this over with and if I win you'll do as I say."
"Yes , yes absolutely cross my heart and hope to whatever comes after."
They get into the line and purchase rounds
Gil starts first shooting over and over missing every shot. His stubborn nature gave no chance for concession.
"You're going all out , yet after all these hours you still failed to shoot a single target mphahaha. "
"Shut up , I told you I'm gonna win this!."
"Gil, you're really fired up about this , you're like a baby mfhahaha."
Gil and Misty argue over the stall when a voice suddenly interrupts their chatter
"You, you there country bumpkins what are you doing holding up the stall like that. Didn't someone teach you some manners."
"We paid for our turns , and besides there are other shooting ranges for you to try you're making this about your ego such a small man you are." Replied Misty her voice with edge
"Did i ask you , backwater baronette!."
"Oi , oi isn't she the bastard daughter of the barony."
"Oh now that you mention it , it's her."
"Hahaha, so the bastardess can walk outside campus without an ounce an shame."
"Don't you dare, insult her."
Gil clasped a fist holding the noble by the collar.
Misty stands there incapable of forming words , the shock prevents her from doing so.
-few moments later-
We arrive at the scene and we're greeted with a 3 on one brawl.
"Mr Gil, he's hurt !, we have to help him." Alice yells.
Gil landing blows as much as he receives them. Misty stood there lifeless, i know the reason.
The word flows out of Misty lacking her usual vigor.
"Stop Gil."
"I won't stop , I won't. You mean alot to me and anyone who dares make you sad shall answer to my fists."
"Phew , thats some scene alright." Said Killian
"what's going on here." Said Prince Joshua
"A brawl between 2nd years, unruly scruffians." Said micah sighing
"Eric , would you please."
"As you wish mistress."
I stand between the two parties , holding both the noble's and Girl's arms. Twisting the behind their back to restrain both.
I try not to wince as the pain from last night threatens to make me yelp in pain.
"Commoner, unhand me right this instant. Don't you know who iam!."
"You're not at the level of mistress give it up."
"Gil, stop im fine dont get your knickers twisted like that again.
I dont like seeing you like this." She mutters under her breath.
"Listen to her and stop acting like a violent cretin its unsavory." Mistress holds a fan to her mouth mocking Gil
"What Aida meant you really care about Misty and she wouldn't want you to act rash." Prince Joshua diffused her ire
"Mr Gil please, you're kind this isnt how you are." Alice adds
Ding ding ding ding
Bells keep ringing as shots keep getting fired , Killian had raided the shooting range alongside Micah.
The two cleared stock plushies and rewards pile up to their feet.
The stall owner weeps tears of blood
The man looks familiar , oh well.
"Ah sorry , we got carried away. Want a pushie " Micah offers
"Say , dont you think youre over reacting Gil at the end of the day. What's his name is disinherited, even I as a poor noble son hold more prestige. For all that stuck up shtick you really are a loser."
He leaves plushies over Gil and the noble heads
And leaves.
He looks back dark circles around his eyes and yawns before he leaves
To be continued