11 CHPT 11: A Storm is Brewing

Claude entered the academy and was greeted by numerous pairs of eyes, all the students that were present at yesterday's sparring match must still be thinking about what a spectacle the match truly was. Their gazes only reminded Claude that he got absolutely decimated yesterday and that very fact filled him with a fresh dosage of red hot rage.

Claude went through his classes with increasing anticipation, he wanted to see Samuel, he wanted to see if the Rebirth changed him....even if it's only been a day. As he continued to go through the classes they shared together he would only see Tai who seemed to be enjoying having him and Samuels usual harem of women all to himself.

***

Claude silently endured all of his classes until he found himself in his last class of the day, with Prof. Raizen.

"Claude....hey Claude!" Prof. Raizen shouted bringing Claude out of his apparent daydream.

"Erhm yes Prof. Raizen?" Claude replied sheepishly.

"What's the answer, Claude."

"Uhhh...I don't know sir I wasn't paying attention...sorry."

Claude felt the whole class stiffen as they realized the mistake Claude made. Prof. Raizen pinched the bridge of his nose in frustration and then rolled up his arm sleeves revealing muscular forearms with far too many scars. He walked over to Claudes table and slowly began to circle him and two other students, Lucas and Warren.

After Prof. Raizen made one circle around the table Lucas's bright blond hair was beginning to clump together from sweat and Warrens sweat was visible on his shirt and dark ebony skin.

Claude stayed silent and kept his eyes forward as he waited for the verbal assault that was bound to happen.

Prof. Raizen kept his laser-like focus on Claude as he asked,

"Why on gods green earth are you daydreaming in this class?!"

"Sorry sir, it won't happen again."

By the time Prof. Raizen finished his sentence both Lucas and Warren were trying their best not to tremble out of their seats.

Prof. Raizen made another circle around the table before taking another verbal jab at Claude.

"I certainly hope your not still moping about yesterday's match." Prof. Raizen hissed from behind Claude.

Upon hearing this Claude couldn't help but bounce his feet under the table and clench his jaw in anger.

"Oh Claude, you've told me so much and you haven't even spoken a word." Prof. Raizen said mockingly as he continued to circle the table.

**

Lucas has always had a serious fear of Prof. Raizen, ever since his father started telling him stories about him and the Prof. going on Tangent runs together many years ago, the scariest story Lucas's father ever told him was of Prof. Raizen screaming lightning down an Orc Chief's throat and then splitting the orc open to show the evaporated remains to the rest of the orcs. Ever since Lucas heard that story, whenever Prof. Raizen was angry and speaking near him he felt like he was outside in a thunderstorm with a metal pot on his head...just waiting for that strike to turn his brain to stew.

**

Prof. Raizen watched as Claude fought with his anger, his self pity. As he continued to circle the table he could see Claudes muscles tensed up through his shirt, he knew Claude would've had that win under normal circumstances, he watched him study Samuel...stalk really, for days. He knew Claude was getting answers wrong in Class on purpose as well to encourage Prof. Raizen to make training sessions more intense for everyone, he knew Claude wanted that win more than anything, but he couldn't let him fall behind because of an unfair loss so he had to get him back on track.

"Why are you so angry Claude?" He asked despite knowing the answer.

"Because I am sir." Claude responded flatly while still looking straight ahead emotionlessly.

"BUT WHY?" Prof. Raizen yelled startling the whole class.

"BECAUSE I KEEP LOSING AND THE ONLY REASON IS BECAUSE IM NOT STRONG ENOUGH." Claude roared startling himself as much as the rest of the class.

Claude didn't even know that's truly why he was mad, almost like Prof. Raizen coaxed the answer out of him. Claude could keep saying it's because of their fortunate upbringings and because of their fancy gear but at the end of the day all he could change was himself.

Prof. Raizens intensely aggravated demeanor seemed to melt away once Claude yelled his answer leaving a satisfied grin on his face.

"Good Claude, but you're wrong on one part." He said still grinning.

Claude held his gaze seeming to think about what he said incorrectly.

"Not can't win." Prof. Raizen said with an emphasis on the "can't".

After Claude heard that, the message Prof. Raizen was trying to send became clear as day.

"Haven't won."

Claude answered realizing his pessimistic view was illogical. This is why he liked Prof. Raizen, he was able to pull out Claudes truths and insecurities, but instead of using them against him he helped him solve them making Claude a better student and individual a little every lesson.

"Now for my question Claude, how do you kill Plated Snakes?" Prof. Raizen asked

"Plated Snakes can be killed three ways, either you stab them on the sides where there is no keratin plating or sandpaper like skin. The second way is ice damage, whether it be Magical weapons or Elemental Manipulation both can lower its natural body temp until it dies. The third way to kill it is by completely overpowering it but to do that you have to be a mid-bronze ranked Hero with high attack." Claude responded

"Correct Claude, welcome back to class." Prof. Raizen said as he walked back to the chalk board smiling.