Punishment..

Back at the office, Lee sensei recounted my moves and laughed at my desperate fighting techniques.

"You have changed, completely." Lee sensei said, while telling me to take a seat across his desk.

I guess he couldn't laugh about it in front of other students.
His duty as an Instructor takes priority.

"What happened during the break you took from school?"

".."

"Can't tell me, huh."

"Sensei.. I had an outsider perspective on where my life was headed, and it was no good." I replied. "So I had to change my ways... I have to win and prove that I'm strong.."

"Why are you obsessed with being strong?" Lee sensei asked, unfazed.

I thought for a brief moment. It's not like Lee sensei to pry on personal matters..But given my position..
I guess I have to oblige.

"To not lose the people I like..” I answered back. “And, I want to solve the warp gates on my own terms. That's why I have to become the strongest, sensei."

Lee sensei snickered.

"That's a lot of weight to carry for a teenager."

Lee sensei is right.

It is a heavy burden. Except that, I'm not a teenager. At least, not mentally.

My mind is still the same as 24 year old Akira in a lot of ways.

I have to solidify my presence here and climb the mage ranks.

I have no time to indulge in thinking, 'Oh, but I'm still a kid now'.

It doesn't work that way. My consciousness wont let me have it easy.

And besides, the events of the past are changing faster than I thought it would be.. And it changed in ways that I didn't expect at all.

Some things have happened prematurely.

Like the Warp gate that suddenly appeared early at my parents' place where I found Virgilia.

I don't know what else has changed. So, I can't relax now.

"Even though what you had done was a bit too extreme, I'm willing to overlook it since you're not the kind of person who likes to hurt others. I've known you for some time now, and I can tell." Lee sensei said.
"..As long as you knew that you had committed a repulsive act that violates the mage’s code of law and have a clear understanding that even crossing the line once is all it takes to bring harm to others.”

“The fight between you and me was different, you could afford to go all out against me. You cannot do that with a fellow classmate." Lee sensei continued. "You will be forgiven, with a formal apology to Itsuo and a small punishment for now, but repeated violations in the future will result in suspension without notice of return date. Keep that in mind, Akira."

‘Why do I have to apologize to him..’

“You’re thinking out loud.”

“Ah!”

"As a Instructor, I can't let both you and Itsuo off that easily. And I can't blame one of you for what happened either, as you were both troublesome. Itsuo crossed the line plenty of times there, but you weren't honorable, by your own words, you wanted to get him 'done'. That's why I planned a small punishment for both of you." Lee sensei said, standing up from his seat. “Use this chance to correct your mistakes.”

"Thank you, sensei.. I'll not let you down." I bowed down to Lee sensei.

I got up and was about to leave.

"Akira”

“Sensei?”

“Beware of making enemies with other students.Everyone here has an equal chance to reach a high position after they graduate from here. You could end up hurting your opportunities. It makes your life miserable while you're in this school.” Lee sensei replied.

I thanked sensei again. I want to avoid making enemies here if it's possible.

I arrived to take the ‘small punishment' that sensei had planned for me and Itsuo.

His definition of 'small' needs to be checked.

This ground is as big as a mega stadium.

I was told to join Itsuo and clean the ground till lunch break and wait outside the gate for him to drive us off for lunch.

‘I had invited Itsuo along for lunch. Both of you are in the wrong here, so apologize and find a neutral ground of understanding.’ That’s what he said.

This punishment is worse than a suspension.

I met Itsuo on the ground and we started to clean, without exchanging any words. I have sat in silence for long hours with people I dislike before, so it wasn't something that I couldn't do.

But, it must've been hard for Itsuo. He was the first to break the silence.

"Don't you have anything to say to me?"

No, not really.

But, I do have some things to admit.

"Itsuo. sorry."

"Huh?"

"Sorry for calling you creepy." I replied and started picking the trash.

I looked at Itsuo from the corner of my eyes. He is absolutely pissed off at me right now.

"Oi!! Look at this! What about the bite you did??” Itsuo replied, showing off his wound. “Your teeth are still imprinted on my neck!"

I looked back at him. It's healed but it does have bite marks.

"Ah.”

“What?!”

“..You have to apologize for pushing me to the edge too. I wouldn't have bitten you, if you didn't compare me to cows." I replied.

"Tsk. That's just a metaphor..” Itsuo said, his face red. “Alright, I'm sorry."

I guess we have come to a mutual understanding. But still, I feel some disdain.

"Sorry for what? I didn't hear you say the reason."

"I'm sorry for being pushy, geez.." Itsuo replied, and went back to sulking again.

Even if he behaved in a creepy way, even if I had to do all it takes to win, I shouldn't have acted like a cannibal. I can't forgive myself for things I have done.

"I'm sorry for biting." I replied. "I guess that's over now. Let's finish this quickly and go for lunch."

"Hey!! don't sweep this issue aside like that! you demon!!" Itsuo replied.

“What else do you want? I apologized.”

“Is that all you have to say for yourself??” Itsuo yelled. “Your ‘sorry’ doesn’t heal my wounds, you know!”.

“Fine.” I replied. “You can call me whatever you'd like for the rest of today. Is that okay?”

“I’m already going to do that without you giving me permission!”

‘What a pain in the ass.’ I thought to myself and started picking up trash again.

He kept calling me names and I didn't reply. I have more pressing matters to worry about.

"I wanted to ask you something..”

“What? Emo garbage..”

“What's the deal with your friend, Takamasa?"

"Heh. You would be wise not to make an enemy out of him." Itsuo replied with a smug smile. "The King Spider, my friend and your worst nightmare.. Takamasa has already set his eyes on you."

"..."

I quietly refused to respond to Itsuo’s pretentious threats which made him clingy, toying with me for a reaction the entire time. I let him do his thing. But, he didn't clean much, so I had to yell at him from time to time to get him back to cleaning.

I have to think about how to face the next challenges..

After all, Amaterasu is my real rival. And if I wanted even a chance to stand against him, the King Spider and others like him were trials I couldn’t avoid.

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Notes from author:
Here’s the song suggestion for Akira!
♫ VAMPS - World’s End / AHEAD ♫

He’ll have multiple songs depending on the arcs so please look forward to more akira-core songs.
The songs that i suggest have lyrics that are so cheesy but, it fits perfectly with the character i have in mind.
I hope you don’t mind a little bit of cringe here and there lol.

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