Chapter 6: First day, first fight

Elisa woke up early in the morning and got freshened up before changing and heading to the cafe to grab something to eat. She decided not to wear her coat today, and her second blade was strapped to her side. They were allowed to carry weapons with them on campus as long as they stayed sheathed. Elisa learned her roommate was a second-year student, so her classes were later. She also learnt that the first years have their schedules set for them, but after that, they can make their own schedules. As Elisa made her way through the academy building, she noticed people glancing at her. It was odd. She also had no idea where her class was; she woke up early so she could find it, but was having no luck. Elisa kept wandering around until, eventually, by sheer luck, she found the class. Opening the door, she was greeted by a good handful of students already seated. The room was laid out like a theatre, with rows of seats off to the side. The instructor taught the class from the front, using a large whiteboard that also served as a screen in case they needed to project something. She took her seat and waited for class to begin. Her morning class was language. One of her weak points was that she knew the basics; she also knew how to count, add and subtract. Her grandma had taught her whatever she knew, and whenever the travelling merchant came by, he would teach her a few things.

Elisa was slumped over the table in the cafe. Who would've thought that two classes could be so draining? Her second class for that day was world history, but since it was the first day, they didn't do much; her official classes started next week, and these first days were just an introductory type of thing. Her schedule was spread out pretty evenly: two classes today, nothing tomorrow, and one every day after, aside from the weekends. Elisa spent some time walking around campus, which was pretty lively. Some students were walking to class with friends, while others were seated and talking. " Watch where you're going!" A shout caught her attention, up ahead. It seemed like one student bumped into another. The one who shouted was probably a noble, based on their arrogant demeanour and the small group they had with them. She slowly made her way over as others began noticing what was happening. " I-m sorry..." The student spoke in a quiet voice, but it was loud enough to be heard.

" HUH? What kinda half-assed apology was that!?" The older guy was yelling now, " You low-born bi-" He had gone to kick the already downed boy, but Elisa pulled the downed boy out of the way, so the arrogant boy stomped the ground instead, his anger would be directed to her now, good. She helped the boy up and brushed herself off, " His apology was loud and concise, you should just take it and move on," She said half-provokingly. " Back off, new kid, this doesn't concern you." Oh, but it did, she just didn't know how yet. The boy was going to speak, but she held her hand out, " This kid here's also a student at this academy, like me, plus your friend's ugly face over their offends me, so it does concern me." She retorted. Which was stupid, as she just remembered Irakami was back in her dorm, and her second blade was tied directly to her second Ego, drawing it now would mean drawing that power; Even if she wanted to use it, her hand would always stop just before touching the hilt, the Grandmaster's interference instilled in her something thats making her unconsciously not want to draw this blade ever, that pissed her off a little. She snapped out of her thoughts when the bully's friend swung first. Now, she was allowed to fight back without getting in trouble.

That was NOT the case. She still got in trouble since he was a noble; she had forgotten about that, though the whole thing was put on hold since it was the first day, and she feared this would come back to haunt her. Elisa was making her way back to her dorm when she had picked up a stray, unknowingly. The boy from before was following her. She exhaled sharply and turned to face him, " I saved you once and now, you're just gonna follow me around everywhere?" He flinched at her slightly raised voice. Man, this would be annoying. "Don't you have classes you need to be at?" Elisa upped her walking pace, but he persisted.

Eventually, he left her alone, presumably went to his classes. He found her during lunch. Elisa was seated in the cafeteria. Lunch today was cooked rice with beef and vegetables, which she enjoyed. However, it would've been better if this kid weren't here. They didn't speak; they just sat there, both of them. Eating in silence. This long silence would be broken with the arrival of Dan; thank the heavens for his timely arrival. He quickly introduced himself to the boy, "... I'm Hugo, first year." She was learning his name for the first time as well. Dan continued talking about his day so far, and the other two would chime in from time to time. When Elisa finished her meal, she said her goodbyes and got up to put her tray away. Going back to her dorm would be boring; maybe another lap around campus would be fine.

She had the rest of the day today free. Or so she thought. Turns out the Dual Ego course was whenever the instructor wanted it to be. Slyia came knocking on her dorm door and dragged Elisa with her to the grounds where that class was held. It was well into the night when they arrived at an enclosed training ground, surrounded by walls but no ceiling, giving them a good view of the empty night sky. Lucas was already standing ready by the time they arrived; their instructor was the old man, and now it made sense.

"I take it your first days went well? For today's class, you are to use your Ego to attack that dummy behind me." The old man instructor stands aside, revealing three armoured dummies, that didn't seem too difficult. The old man instructor snapped his fingers, and their Egos felt weaker. He set up a small suppression field. "You are to learn how to trigger a weakened Ego. Once you have hit the dummy once using nothing more than your Ego, you may leave." The old man made for the door, stopping abruptly and turning to face them. " I'd prefer it if you called me 'Professor Caland', instead of old man from now on," He left chuckling. Elisa felt bad now. Lucas held his hand up, trying to get water to pool into his palm, a small trail shakily flowed up before splashing down onto the ground. Elisa turned away, trying not to laugh.

" Tch, like you can do any better," He barked. She accepted his challenge. Elisa pointed a finger gun at the middle dummy, she took in a deep breath and pulled on her weakened lightning Ego. Electricity flickered around her fingers before it concentrated into a ball. This was tough; she used her free hand to support her firing arm, trying to concentrate the ego's energy, which was causing her arm to tremble. The lightning ball shot, but only went a few feet before it sizzled into nothing. Lucas grunted,

"It went farther than yours, at least." They glared at each other when the sound of something crashing got their attention. Sylia had caused a vine to sprout from the ground and pierced the dummy. She turned to face her two dumbstruck classmates with a cheeky smile, " I win." She left. The two were at it for a while, as the sun tinted the dark sky pink; one doll was soaked, while the other was fried. The duo lay exhausted on the ground. A shadow looms over them. Prof Caland hovered over them, chuckling to himself as he stroked his grey beard. Unfortunately for Elisa, she had two classes, and she still had some time to head back to her room, take a quick shower, and then crash on her bed for a few minutes before having to head to class. Elisa was not ready for this.

File name: Elisa, no last name. From a small village far from here. The Grandmaster looked over the new kid's paper as he entered an office, "Is she from them?" Asked the old man, getting right to it, it seems. "Evening to you, too, Elder. And yes, she is." The old man let out a sigh as he rubbed his head. Elder Rel was one of the five Ergo Elders in Lu'rein, and of the five, he was Theos's favourite. The Ky'urai family was known for having a powerful dual Ego; they were one of the four clans allied with the Yu Federation...and then one day they were wiped out. "How unfortunate for that child. Do you think she remembers it?" Elder Rel was always a gentler person than he was, despite holding a high rank in the world. He had managed to hold on to the one thing many people give up, empathy. "She definitely remembers; it's what drives her forward. To exact vengeance on those who had done it."

The Weiran Empire claims it was Kraianth, but they still haven't denied, nor have they admitted to it, so with no solid evidence aside from what the village locals saw, which isn't very credible, nothing was done, the entire massacre was swept under the rug, and the world moved on. To think one lived this entire time, Elisa Ky'urai, the sole survivor of her clan, and the wielder of the Null Ego.