The Arrangement Pt.2

Zero was in the middle of the gym. 

It was time for practical sword-fighting class.

Some students split into pairs to duel, others listened to the instructors in small groups. The teacher, a red-haired woman with a stern expression, watched everyone with her arms crossed.

She also had a youthful appearance. In fact, all the teachers did.

Tadashi had been given the job of observing the place, so he’ll explain it better:

The whole place has a strange vibe. At first, I thought it was just a regular school, but from what I’ve gathered, it’s actually a preparatory school. The real hub of magic in this country is the university. Judging by all the preparation going on here, the entrance exam must be brutal.

Sad but true: we’d never get that proper “magic school” experience. The magic taught here was super basic, watered down by all the other subjects. Most of our day was filled with classes similar to the Japanese curriculum — the only difference being a magic class here and there, plus afternoons dedicated 100 percent to combat.

The focus of this place was to give students a solid conceptual foundation, nothing more. That’s why the teachers were so young; this was a first-job kind of school, not a dream-job.

What I didn’t get was the whole deal with nobility and bourgeoisie. The concepts didn’t stray far from the cliché, but… what were we doing here? Apparently, we were the only nobles around.

Hmm. A mystery to unravel! Let’s file that under side quests.

Our priority was to establish the kind of character Zack Zero would be. A mysterious and quiet noble? An average student secretly chosen by fate? Maybe a dark, strategic type with a traumatic past?

So many possibilities.

While I was plotting, Tadashi was observing the surroundings. The pratical class had a much looser system compared to regular lessons. The impression was that if you didn’t want to do anything, no one would stop you — but I personaly wouldn't permit Tadashi to slack off.

From among the pile of swords, Zack picked one, readying himself for a first strike.

"What are you doing?" came another mysterious, feminine voice.

Our attack froze mid-swing as a girl with jet-black hair and purple eyes lined in black approached.

Wow, another pretty girl is talking to us. And she’s a goth, too! Jackpot.

Linsley — the name bubbled up from Zack’s scattered memories. But unlike before, this name carried weight. She was definitely a relative. The question was: which one? Another cousin? Maybe even a little sister?

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! WHAT THE HELL! SHE’S OUR RELATIVE…

Losing interest in giving a clever answer, Tadashi just went with the obvious dialogue option:

"I’m practicing… This is a practical class, isn’t it?"

"I meant, what are you doing with your life? I’ve heard some rumors… What were you talking about with Ms. More?" Her low, weary voice drifted out.

"Should that name ring a bell?"

"Are you kidding me?"

"Why have all our conversations so far been nothing but questions?"

She rubbed her forehead — exactly like Aunt Maddie always did. The cousin theory was looking stronger.

"Sometimes I forget how useless you are,” she sighed. “I’m talking about the prodigy girl—the daughter of the town’s big shot, head of that weird cult. She’s been the best student for the past ten years and is the only one already accepted into a magic academy. An academic genius!"

Her low voice gradually rose to normal volume — was that her idea of yelling?

"Huh?"

"I’m talking about Rush, goddamn it!"

"I see, you mean that cute girl. So she’s famous? ...So what?"

"Cute girl? Hmph… you’re practically begging to get yourself killed. I preferred you when you didn’t talk." She pulled up the black hood of the sweatshirt she wore under her leather uniform.

Damn, isn’t she hot?

What the hell, Tadashi? She’s our relative.

No, I mean literally! It’s hot out here and she’s wearing two hoodies!

"I just wanted to know what happened. Rumors are spreading all over the school—about how you two were whispering suspiciously, and how she turned red with anger and ran off crying"

"Eh? That’s not what happened… I think..."

"Try to remember what was said, at least."

"She mentioned some kind of agreement. I didn’t remember making any sort of deal, so I had to stall the conversation a little"

"What do you mean you didn’t remember?"

"You know about this agreement?"

"Unbelievable… don’t you remember?"

"Huh… No? Should I?"

"Haven’t you listened to anything our aunt’s been saying these past few weeks?"

I CAN’T TAKE ANY MORE QUESTIONS!

WHY IS THIS WHOLE FAMILY SO COMPLICATED?

OH, FOR GOD’S SAKE, ANOTHER QUESTION!

"No wonder she ran out crying. Watch your back. Those cult guys are weird. They might get violent if they find out their golden girl had her heart broken."

"Linsley, thanks for the warning. But don’t you think you’re being a little—" Tadashi tried to patch things up, but midway through, he realized the girl was already gone.

Two weird conversations in a single day. If you count the one with my aunt at breakfast, the butler crying, and the teacher earlier, that’s five weird conversations.

A strange feeling sank in. We’d been dropped into the middle of the plot and skipped all the important exposition!

Living was way more exhausting than I ever imagined.

"Damn, I’m so confused…"

Channeling his frustration into strength, Tadashi finally decided to attack.

Despite its aristocratic style, the facility was packed with tech — like training dummies that could measure your performance.

There, you could test the strength, aim, and technique of your strikes.

Zack raised his sword in full samurai style, aiming for the dummy’s head. But as he lunged forward, his baggy pants betrayed him — he tripped on the loose fabric, turning what should’ve been a clean strike into a pathetic swipe.

“ATTACK SCORE 1.2…”

Well, at least it wasn’t zero.

“…ON A SCALE OF ZERO TO ONE HUNDRED.”

WTF?

The machine didn’t lie; it had been a terrible attack. Scratching his head, Tadashi realized he wasn’t controlling his body properly yet. He needed to get used to all the height and… hotness contained in this body. Despite our fit physiques, our souls weren’t in sync yet.

I felt two taps on our backs:

Suddenly, a frightening man with a murderous look appeared:

“Hello, Mr. Zero. It's a pleasure to meet you.”

IT'S THE CULT ASSASSINS. THEY REALLY CAME TO KILL US!

Calm down! They wouldn't kill us in a public place like this.

“As you well know, I am the school principal. I saw you from afar, and I couldn't help but come here to talk to you.”

Yeah, Tadashi. You're screwed. He's going to expel us after seeing this shitty attack.

HEY, WAIT A MINUTE. Now you're the one jumping to conclusions!

Two twin women followed the director. The nervousness we both exuded was so overwhelming that there was no room even to appreciate the classic cliché of twin assistants.

“On behalf of our institution, I officially wish to offer congratulations on the announcement of your engagement to Lady Rush.”

Marriage?

Lady Rush? 

"Wait…You mean, that agreement was about marriage?"

Inevitably, Tadashi overdosed on plot!

“Mr. Zero… MR ZERO?” I didn’t know whose voice it was, but nothing else mattered.

Another item on my list had been crossed off!

Our first cinematic fainting spell.