8 Chapter 8: 7 Years Later (2)

I was 8 years old when I first got into the public school for Huntsman. It functioned more like high school than grade school with how young the people here are. I read in some books that because of the prevalent need for more Huntsman, the council of every kingdom agreed to lower the age requirement for Huntsman academies and public schools.

Especially to those who want to become a Huntsman in the future.

So I'm treated as a special child because of my future profession? This world is very cutthroat. If I didn't have my [System] with me, I would have chosen another career away from the Grimm.

Hmm, my skills in cooking have been on the rise lately. Maybe I should become a chef instead? I would need some income later on. Food for thought. Heh, pun.

To those who did want to change profession, this was their chance as soon after, we would unlock our Aura.

In 2 years, when I and others reach 10 years old, we will unlock our Aura for the first time and train with it to reach our maximum potential. Then a year later, combat classes. On top of that, some extracurricular for Huntsman training was implemented to ensure we all reached the minimum requirements to survive in the outdoors.

When we heard of this news, many students dropped to other jobs leaving a few others, like myself, as part of those to become Huntsman and Huntresses.

News like this doesn't surprise me, mainly it's because I'm so used to doing multiple things in one day that more stuff is meaningless.

No, what does surprise me is one of my new classmates. He was in another batch of students who wanted to become Huntsman. We all decided to go to the same school and the same section as well.

What doesn't get is him, I've met a lot of my peers and said goodbye to them as well. They couldn't handle the stress and left me with the rest.

No, it's the fact that his name is similar to one of the main cast of the show. And his appearance matches that as well.

Dirty blonde hair, wearing a mix-mash of clothes that fit him well like a brawler or cowboy, with a color scheme of yellow and brown.

This boy, was Taiyang Xiao Long.

How did I meet him? How did I meet the father of one of the main cast in this world? Where her sister is the hero of this forsaken and cruel world?

Well...

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The school I was gonna be attending was Sanctuary. A sister school to Haven, meant for training the youngsters to become fledgling Huntsman-in-Training.

It was the same size as an average school building, with its own facilities for normal activities like swimming, sports, clubs, you name it.

When I graduated from my old school, I was instantly admitted to Sanctuary with no paperwork needed. I checked to realize that my previous school was the first link on a network to make admissions easy for those who wish to become Huntsman.

And to those who wanted to become one but weren't admitted to any of the combat schools, like I have, or have changed their mind last second, they have to pay the fee. A large fee since they'd have to be taught the ground up all in a semester and would lag behind others.

Jeez, a bit harsh but understandable. It's a wonder Jaune Arc wasn't caught already by the teachers in Beacon. His lack of Aura, lack of training, and survival instinct. The only good thing he has is his quick thinking and leadership skills.

Anyway, after a morning assembly, I showed where my classroom would be for the next 5 years and saw my future classmates.

[Observe] and [Kenbunshoku Haki] were telling me someone of importance was here as I felt a large amount of Aura on one person. I narrowed my eyes on him and was shocked to see his information.

[Observe]

Name: Taiyang 'Dragon' Xiao Long

Age: 10

Race: Human

Level: 16

___

Str: 75

Int: 49

Agi: 53

Sen: 50

Lck: 100

The stats weren't what impressed me. So, it was rather who that person was. 

Taiyang Xiao Long. I think he first appeared at the end of Volume 3, as Ruby and Yang's dad. I didn't think much about it as he was more of a supporting character for Ruby and Yang in the later volumes.

Not much was known about him, other than that he trained Yang into a boxer and handled Ruby in her childhood phase. So he must be strong enough to handle 2 children after divorcing his first wife and passing off his second one.

I say his stats aren't good but that's because I compared mine with his. No, on the contrary, he's quite strong amongst others here. His [Str] was only 25 points away from reaching triple digits but all others fell flat.

So a glass cannon, maybe?

I think I stared at him longer than expected since he was waving at me with a smile. I waved back and went to my seat. The odd thing was that he also stared at me but resumed back to chatting with his friends.

I can use my Haki to know what he's talking about but rather not. After all, why not hear what he said but rather feel what he said?

When my Haki reached [Level 5], I too unlocked a perk regarding the power. [Empathy].

[Empathy: Colored Feelings]

[All feelings are as vast as the spectrum of light. You can now 'see' what people are feeling.]

It's Fujitora's Haki that allows me to sense what emotions are running through someone which gives me a perspective on who they are on the inside.

Some are bright and some are dark. A sight that gives me insight into whoever I meet, talk to and understand.

Using this perk, I can tell what Taiyang thinks of me. Let's see...

Amazed... Happy... Hope... and Lust?

Wait... he has a crush on me?

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And so my school life began with the love-struck dragon that is Taiyang. At first, this was innocent love. He likes me and tries to convey his emotions to me.

Such as talking to me, hanging out with me, and even eating with me at the same table.

But I gave no reaction to all of his attempts. I mean, I do like Taiyang but not romantically. But as a friend.

...

...

... My heart hurts all of a sudden. Why do I have to be like this? I mean, I can find love for someone else but to Taiyang, that notion falls on deaf ears.

I tried telling him that I didn't like him enough to consider us as more than friends but he wouldn't listen. He stubbornly proclaimed that he would win my heart, no matter what.

I didn't think too much of it until he became ungodly annoying. All because of a simple joke I laughed at.

It was so corny and so bad that I unconsciously laughed because bad humor will always be funny. And now Taiyang latched on to that premise and used it to his advantage.

Every day, morning, afternoon, and after classes. He would tell jokes, puns, and anything funny to make me laugh and I was getting fed up. I was so close to just killing him and letting the plot run its course but opportunity struck.

Sanctuary was holding a science fair, with its host General Ironwood. Whoever wins the science fair gets the opportunity to attend Atlas Academy.

Normally, I would ignore the reward mainly so that I don't get in Ironwood's graces, at all. Their technology is amazing but the people there are very racist to faunus.

Like, Karen levels of racism. And if what I heard from the web is true, Tenryubito levels of racism.

Just as I was ignoring the contest, Taiyang proudly proclaimed that he would show his love to me at the fair and if he won, I would go on a date with him.

I really was about to ignore him but if he actually won then I would have to get used to him every day in Mistral, Haven and he might even be on my team and I cannot handle that level of cringe in my life.

I'm the fucking [Gamer]. Cringe is good but only in modernity. And I do not back down from the challenge.

So, I accept his challenge. 

The fair was to be held in 3 months and I was gonna win. 

And I have the perfect tool for the job.