Chapter 10: Sorry Not Sorry.
"Huh?!"
Both Riné and Mime, in synergy, reacted simultaneously. Confusion and frustration built up between the two
"Riné this guy can't be serious. All because you knocked him out he decides to get pissy at us?"
"You threw two shoes at him…"
The duo stepped forward together as the examinees continued to shift their eyes toward the two, the administrators, and the indignant instructor. Riné's unfazed continued to walk forward without wavering confronting the instructor. If one looked closely into his face they'd get the sense of disgust as Riné felt a dislike toward the instructor that grew in his heart. The first to speak their dissatisfaction though was the latter.
"Listen old man you should get some more rest. Take a sabbatical or something before you embarrass yourself further."
Mime's informal disrespect grew as he stepped toward the instructor, slipping past various examinees. Being the center of attention made him a bit queasy but he shook it off. The situation was going to grow ugly at this rate as examinees whispered in anticipation.
Before the situation could escalate, the sound of something crashing into the ground caused everyone to turn toward the source.
"Gyak!"
Kenn's head was slammed into the ground as a blindfolded man held onto the white hair on his head rubbing it into the dirt as Kenn yelled out in pain.
"My lady made a decision and you want to speak out? Kill! Kill! I'll-"
The blindfolded attendant who stood by the Headmaster's side stopped for a brief moment before turning seeing the scared reactions. Freezing for a moment from the grimness of the outburst he eased his grip.
About to step away an explosion consumed covered two as Kenn screamed out drawing his blade emerging from the explosion swinging toward the attendant who began to imbue his fists with mana and killing intent.
The two would have met each other's attack again had not the suppression of the night created a wall between the two of navy sky contrasting the night's darkness like a streak of dye in water.
The blindfolded attendant went down all fours as he slammed his head onto the ground drawing blood as he apologized full-heartedly.
"My lady I apologize for my insolence I just couldn't hold it in when he disrespected you!"
Contrarily the instructor pointed his blade at the attendant from the other side of the sky barrier.
"Don't underestimate me I wasn't even going serious but a mere bat wants to face me? He He HA HA JUST BECAUSE SOME KIDS GOT LUCKY? Headmistress I'd like to use my position as Head instructor to deduct a maximum amount of points from those two."
Switching the point of the blade pointing it toward Riné and Mime were left at odds with his proposition.
"Headmaster will you allow this?"
Riné understood the best course of action. Placing his hand over Mimes mouth who was about to protest Riné nodded. His expression sharpened as the eyes of the arena turned toward the headmaster however a voice intervened.
"Headmaster Catherine, may I have a say?"
The student council president took a step forward as he looked down toward the two. The headmaster nodded giving an affirmation as the student president chuckled before giving his take.
"Instructor Kenn that is in your ability to do so however the time for evaluation has already ended. Final to say. If you have any problems regarding admissions please file one and have it processed."
The student president held his arm at his chest as he began to reprimand the instructor with a professional tone belonging to the most public relations-trained. To this left the Neon green-haired student next to him spoke up crudely with an enlightened tone.
"President I believe you meant to say go shove your complaint and screw off."
The gasps and outrage among the students, examinees, and staff grew louder before the student president turned around and feigned a shocked reaction.
"What!?! I believe wholeheartedly that the system at this school and nation will prove to be just and fair, rather than making an interruption to an important event and disregarding social norms!"
The staff turned toward each other as the outrage calmed over. The usage of vague wordage hid the insults toward the instructor's behavior and was a subtle warning to revoke his actions to avoid career suicide. The student president's friendly and righteous demeanor turned into a grim reminder toward the instructor as his livelihood was raised over his head.
'I've already tread the line. I'd rather die than have this disrespect go unpunished. Besides if I get fired I'll just go to Aletheia.'
The instructors angered face his a twisted with delight. His ticket to another boat was in view and he was planning to board it long before the incident now his pride was on the line.
"Student president, has the school already forgotten the decades of work I've served not just the school but the nation?"
Using his background working for the school and throwing his connection to the Daelk Empire, he seemed to be using all the cards at his table as the student president was forced to tread a thin line.
"Instructor the school hasn't forgotten your contribution however haven't you? We humbly request that you withdraw your statements before disciplinary action is taken."
The instructor and student principal glared at each other from prior clashes at the school. If they could shoot lasers from their eyes they'd have blasted the other into dust.
'Don't tell me you have a problem with me brat.'
'Quit looking at me old man and sit down.'
Riné however felt annoyed before he walked forward holding Mime by his shoulder dragging him as he approached Kenn. Riné was going to end this here and now as he cleared his throat catching the attention of the instructor.
"If Mime here can beat you in a duel a year from now will you drop this issue here and now?"
As Riné proposed this duel the person supposedly dueling opened his mouth in shock from the betrayal mouthing.
'Et tu, Brute?'
Riné however was calm and collected as his eyes glowed with determination to end this confrontation that drew attention to him as he threw it toward Mime.
'I'm sorry Mime but not sorry.'
Riné turned his head away ignoring the gaping hole Mime was burning into him with his betrayal stare.
The school president burst into laughter losing his righteous impression to many of the students as the instructor joined in for a different reason.
"Him! . . . Him? Really you think he can beat me in just a year of training?"
Kenn stopped laughing as he began to grit his teeth scanning Mime who now felt the pressure stacking on him. Mime had accepted his fate at this point as he became pale as he whispered in Riné's ear.
"Riné. You owe me."
Hearing this made a vein burst for Riné as he pulled on Mimes ear. Riné after a second and Mimes wincing began to sigh.
'You owe me since I helped you get honors.'
"Mime said if a veteran like you is afraid to take the bet with an amateur like him then he'd call you Instructor um- "
Seeing an opportunity and a moment to get a reaction he instinctively whispered in Riné's ear. As Riné heard what he said Riné's got a genuine laugh as he covered his mouth with a chuckle. Mimicking Mime's mocking tone Riné clicked his tongue.
"Instructor ChiKenn!"
The joke took a second to land as examinees, students and some of the staff began to laugh before stopping when the Headmaster waved her arm allowing for the instructor, who was flame red in his face to respond.
"Fine! A year and if you lose both you and Riné are expelled!"
Stomping out it took a minute before the crowd settled and the order continued as the Student President was given the reins by the Headmaster to announce the names of those accepted that day.
While the names were being called out Mime tried to find a spot to sit down before collapsing on the ground pale as a ghost muttering undecipherable utterances. Riné followed sitting next to him as the two took a moment of silence before Mime reached his hand out in a fist. Riné was confused before he stuck his hand out to shake it.
Mime closed his hand into a fist before he bumped his fist with his as he smiled cheerfully before looking down toward the sky that was full of stars from the Sky Magic.
"Thanks a lot genuinely though. I appreciate you helping me out."
Riné was surprised as he hadn't seen this side of Mime yet who was down to earth as Riné didn't know what to say and stumbled on his words.
"Than-er-no problem…"
"So are we friends or is that a no-go?"
Mime felt shame in asking such a question finding it such a lame thing to ask before facepalming going red. Riné however turned his head confused.
"Wait weren't we already?"
Mime was left speechless as he shook his head. His purple hair was slightly ruffled as his expression softened.
"I haven't had many so I couldn't be one to tell, but I guess so!"
Riné however was trapped in his own feelings as new emotions swirled.
'Friends huh. Friends! Mime, Keth, Kairi. They're all kind and fun people to be around hopefully we can all stick together at the academy.'
Poor Holless was left out of the friends list as Holless felt a soreness in his neck from the lack of mention that was caught by Keth who noticed him rubbing his neck confused. Kairi however seeing Mime and Riné laughing together forgot his worries of acceptance as he walked toward the two before sitting between them.
"Kairi, don't sweat this just watch any second now they'll call your name."
Mime shook Kairi as he turned toward the stage.
The student president continued to call names.
"Gael Aze."
Kairi's eye twitched in frustration as he looked toward Mime.
"Alright, the next one!"
"Dale Sparrow."
Kairi at this point stared down Mime with his eyes yelling Next time huh?' Mime awkwardly chuckled before continuing.
"Alright, third time's the charm!"
"Keth Carrer"
Riné and Mime chartered for their friend who jumped up in celebration as his name was called.
"Mom, Dad, I'm going to Sophis!"
Keth was jubilant while Kairi held his arms together praying. Name after name as most of the applicants were called Kairi's hope was going down by down before at the last name the student president cleared his throat announcing.
"Kairi Relo"