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If only I knew what I would become later down the line.

<?> Come on Shin were moving on to the next city.

<Shin> Finally, we stayed here too long anyway.

<?> Don't be like that, you know how long business takes.

<Shin> "Business" you were just messing around with those prostitutes around the corner for 3 days.

<?> Hey, you could learn a few things from a man like me. Learn how to have fun and let loose sometimes.

<Shin> Man? You're like a child trapped in an old man's body.

<?> "Old man!?" I wouldn't say I'm old, I would like to think of it as if I'm 46 years young.

<Shin> Still sounds old to me.

The man I was talking to was named Ray, for his age he did look young other than the few grey hairs he had and how muscular he was. He found me when I was just a kid and said that I had potential to become a king, whatever that means, and he took me under his wing to train and teach me a couple things about the world, although all I have done is fight people he gets into arguments with and not learn a single thing about the world. The only problem I have with him is that I don't know much about him. I've known him for over 10 years, and I still only know his first name, I wasn't even sure where he kept getting money from so, we could stay in five-star hotels. To be honest I fine with the way I'm living now, I would take fighting random drunk men every night rather than how I used to live. Even now, I still regret what happened back then.

<Shin> So, Ray, what city are we headed towards this time?

<Ray> Hmm, how about the city in the sky, Impredrift.

<Shin> Sounds good to me.

<Ray> …Actually, before that I need you to go somewhere for me.

<Shin> Wait, are you finally sending me on a mission after 10 years!

I had said sarcastically.

<Ray> Don't get too excited it's not like I'm asking you to go fight God or something, I just need you to go somewhere.

<Shin> And where might that be?

<Ray>Have you ever heard of Highland Academy?

<Shin> Yeah, it's that prestigious school in Dradena.

<Ray> Yes, that one, I need you to enroll there.

<Shin> Are you really asking me to go to school?

Ray then got a seirous expression on his face that I had never seen before.

<Ray> It's not what you think, well it kind of is. You haven't had a proper education since I met you, and I haven't taught you how to fight and you've pretty much taught yourself. So, I was thinking that you could go to the academy because you need an education, and because they hold a tournament every year between the students to see which of them is the strongest. So, you can test your strength out on the other students.

<Shin> Wouldn't that mean I would have to start from the beginning of school, and do you seriously think that there might be people there that might be able to beat me?

<Ray> Don't worry, I have some connections with the school so you should just be able to start with the kids your age, and it's not that I think there are kids who can beat you. It's more I think it might be a good learning experience for you.

<Shin> … Fine I'll bite, but I hope you know that I'm only going there for the tournament and if I go there and the kids there don't live up to the praise you give them, I'm going to find you and then kill you, that's a promise.

<Ray> Sure, whatever. I'll see you later.

<Shin> Yeah, see you soon.

…

After 4 days of riding the train from Athegan where I had to part ways with my long-time father figure, I was too tired to even go to the school, so I just rented out a hotel room for the day. The next day I took my time getting to the school because I wanted to explore Dradena, I've never been to a city that's so technologically advanced to the point where almost seventy percent of the city's population is unemployed, this is because they built androids that do most people's jobs. I read that in a brochure I got handed to me by an android when I got here. Even the skyscrapers were a site to see just because of how beautiful they looked and how they just seemed to pierce the sky with how tall they were, the city was also very bright due to the amount of light that was emitting from every pore of this city. But then of course my sightseeing was cut short by people that rolled up in black limousines with tinted windows.

<?> White hair with a black patch, one red eye and one blue eye, about five foot six. I assume you are Shin Fujimora.

<Shin> Yeah, I am who's asking?

<?>There's no need to be so defensive, I am the director of Highland Academy. My name is Lorenzo Griffin, and I came here to personally welcome you to the academy.

<Shin>I haven't even enrolled in yet though. So how did you know I was coming?

<Mr. Griffin> Ray didn't tell you? He already enrolled you into the academy.

<Shin> This is news to me. I thought I had to come and enroll myself in.

<Dr. Griffin> Haha, there is no need for you to do that. So how about we head to the academy so you can meet your peers and have a tour.

<Shin> I guess I have nothing better to do anyway.

On the way there I felt as if something was off, why did Ray already enroll me in the academy already, why did the director come to greet me personally. None of this made sense to me, did Ray plan to get rid of me from the beginning. It just doesn't make sense why he would get rid of me, It's not like I did anything wrong and from what I could tell he enjoyed my presence. I guess I'll never know. It's not like it matters, my new life is probably going to be more fun anyway, I hope.

…

<Dr. Griffin> And we are here, I welcome you Shin to Highlands academy

Compared to the rest of Dradena the school building wasn't much other than being big, but for some reason the classical look to the school had a somewhat effect that seemed to draw you in. The marble pillars were glistening off the sun, the water fountain at the front of the school was also shining, and the students seemed to be having fun practicing their techniques in the main field of the school.

<Mr. Griffin> impressive, right?

<Shin> It's okay.

<Dr. Griffin> So how abou-

<?> AAAAAHHH!!!!!

CRASH

<?>What the hell Yoomi, why would you throw me into a car!

<Yoomi> You're the one that got an attitude and decided to pick a fight with me dumbass.

<?> All I said was that when the tournament rolls around don't expect to be the one to win this year.

<Yoomi> What's that, is the guy who lost to a girl in the final round still crying about it a year later.

<?> I didn't lose to you, you cheated in the final round. I was going to win if you didn't use that cheat move.

<Yoomi> There's nothing in the rules that say I can't use a new technique against an opponent.

<?> You know what Yoomi how about I just take you out now, so nothing like last year happens again.

<Yoomi> You can try, but I doubt you would even land a single hit on me.

As soon as she said that she got into a fighting stance and her fists were covered in a red aura, and then her entire body was covered. While the other person's body lit into flames, he then pulled out a sword from what seemed to be a small portal. Are these the powers of the people at this school? It's kind of underwhelming. I'm not judging them because they do seem strong, but does Ray really think these kids are that strong? From what I can tell they haven't been in a real fight, where your life is on the line. So, they don't have any killing intent, it just seems as if they have only been in monitored fights with each other?

<Dr. Griffin>You two seem to be getting along just as usual.

The two people then stopped what they were doing and then looked at Mr. Griffin, and at the same time said.

<Both> Director!? When did you got back, I thought you were going on a business trip.

<Dr. Griffin> I did go on a business trip to get this young man right here. His name is Shin Fujimora, and he will be your new classmate in the advanced classes. Shin, I would also like to introduce you to one of the best students in our school, Yoomi Scarlet.

I looked over at the girl he was talking about an she was probably one of the best-looking women I have ever seen, she had short silver hair and a face that seemed very welcoming with deep purple eyes that pulled you in. Her frame was like mine, small but not too small and seemed to be fairly built but very flexible at the same time. Of course, my face didn't really show my amazement of her beauty. Then I looked over at the guy that was fighting her, and he was very... average. In my eyes at least. He had red hair and Firey red eyes he was about two inches taller than me and was also fairly built, he also had a scar across his nose. Other than that, he wasn't someone that would catch your eye, to me at least.

<?> Director why are you introducing Yoomi as one of the best students when I'm better than her!

<Dr. Griffin> Because you lost last year to her in the tournament, don't you remember?

<?> That's because she cheated, I wouldn't have lost if she didn't cheat!

<Dr. Griffin> That's also another reason why I didn't introduce you Tai. It's because you are too immature.

<Tai> Immature!?

<Dr. Griffin> Anyways Yoomi could you please show Mr. Shin around the school. I have things I need to attend to.

<Yoomi> Sure, No problem!

Yoomi then grabbed my hand and then started to walk off with me. But before we left the parking lot, I saw Tai standing there murmuring to himself. Probably because he feels embarrassed that he got called immature Infront of a new student, and a woman.

Me and Yoomi then got into the school, and she started to show me around.

<Yoomi> This is the main hall, pretty much even hangs out here to eat or talk, on the east side of the school are the classrooms and where we spend most of our time, to the west side are the battlegrounds where practical training is held once a week.

<Shin> I have a question, Yoomi.

<Yoomi> What's up?

<Shin> Where is the tournament held, and when?

<Yoomi> Oh, that's all, it is held somewhere away from the school, on a remote island that's owned by the Sentauri, and it takes place in about a month.

<Shin> Sentauri, who are the Sentauri?

<Yoomi> You don't know who the Sentauri are. Well to put it simply they are the people who pretty much own the world, the government is also run by them, pretty much any powerful person you can think of is either in the Sentauri or they have connections to them.

They also are the people who pay for everything in this school. The only thing they don't own is the Andromedas, which is a continent owned by the Ten Kings.

<Shin> Ten kings? Are they stronger than the Sentauri.

<Yoomi> Who knows, no one really knows anything about them other than the Sentauri.

Another girl then came over and stepped in the middle of our conversation.

<?> Hi Yoomi where were you, I was looking for you for over 30 minutes now.

<Yoomi> Oh hey Erin, my bad I got into another fight with Tai again.

<Erin> Tai Igneel? You two should just go out already, you guys would make a cute couple.

I looked at Yoomi's face, you could visually see how disturbed she was by Erins comment. It was as if when she imagined her and Tai being together her mind threw up.

<Yoomi> Erin I'm going to need you to never say something like that again, and besides I'm way out of Tai's league.

<Erin> That doesn't mean that you two can't get together, look at some famous people, they sometimes date guys that look like they drink sewer water even though they themselves look amazing.

<Yoomi> Yeah, I guess that's true, but my type is more people like- huh where did he go?

When Yoomi and Erin were talking I just decided to leave because they seemed to be enjoying themselves. But in doing so, I got lost and ended up in one of the battle grounds.

<Shin> This school is so confusing, Yoomi said to the east are the classrooms, that's where I meant to go, so how did I end up on the west side of the school.

Before I could leave the area there was a loud explosion behind me, I then turned around to see what it was.

<Tai> GOD DAMIT! Why can't I get this right, it's not like it's a complicated technique.

The person screaming was the one from before, Tai Igneel. He seemed to be trying to practice a new technique.

<Tai> Hey, you you're the guy from before right, Shin Fujimora Right?

<Shin> Yeah, I am, what about it?

<Tai> … How did you get put into the advanced classes even though you just got here? Did you get in through recommendation?

<Shin> Why do you care, are you in regular classes or something.

<Tai> Me, in the regular classes, don't joke with me like that, I'm the strongest person in this school and soon I'm going to be the strongest in the world.

<Shin> Didn't you lose last year to Yoomi, so wouldn't that make her the strongest?

<Tai> Like I said before, she cheated!

<Shin> Are you sure you're not just saying that to cope with the fact you lost. You know most women don't like insecure men.

<Tai> You know what, how about me and you fight right here right now.

<Shin> Do you really think you can beat me, even though you can barely even get a random technique right? Huh, this feels like déjà vu.

Tai, without even saying a word rushed at me, his body lit into flames again and he stomped the ground to get his footing and then shot out a blast of fire at point blank range.

Before it could hit me, I managed to dodge and get behind him

<Shin> You know you're easy to read, that's probably why you lost last year.

<Tai>Shut up, you don't know anything about me.

He then started to shoot fire out of his foot to make it go faster and went for a kick to the head.

Again, I managed to dodge and then I backed up. But he kept coming at me, with a flurry of punches and kicks.

<Tai> Stop dodging and just fight me you coward!

<Shin> You know cowards are normally the ones who live the longest, because they don't take risks, they stick to what they know, they do this because they find comfort in their unchanging little world.

<Tai> What does that have to do with anything we're doing right now?

<Shin> Oh, it has absolutely nothing to do with what we're doing but I just wanted to distract you for a second.

<Tai> What the hell are you talking about-

As soon as he said that I tripped him, spun around and kicked him in his chest, he got sent flying into the wall, and dust and rubble came off it.

<Shin> I told you that you were easy to read, but that statement was partially false. I could see your movements easily but, for some reason they were harder to dodge the more the fight went on. It was like you were trying to force your attacks to connect to certain areas of my body as if you knew how I would move. If I was as weak as you think I am, I would have lost to maybe your 4th attack.

As I was talking, he stood up and walked out of the rubble.

<Tai> You know, someone said something very similar to me, but they taught me that people that let themselves get consumed by their own attacks tend to be better fighters.

<Shin> Whoever told you that must have been the idiot of the century.

<Tai> I guess he was, but he taught me what it meant to survive, and I won't let someone else like you talk down on him like that.

<Shin> You have such basic "main character" dialogue Tai, just get over here and fight me.

The small portal that I had seen before then opened right below my chin and a sword shot out from it. I dodged backwards, but Tai was already behind me with another blast of fire waiting to be fired. I thought to myself "Do I use it? No, I can do this without using it." As I was thinking, I felt an energy in the sky that was moving extremely fast towards me and Tai. Instinctively I kicked Tai away from me while also pushing off of him so whatever was coming towards us wouldn't hit us both.

BOOM

The ground flew up in the air and more dust was covering the area. Me and Tai both looked at what was in the center of the battlefield. What we saw a man, from what I could tell he was taller than both me and Tai, he had black hair, and green eyes. He looked kind of on the slimmer side. The man then stepped out and then looked at Tai.

<?> Tai I thought I told you to stop picking fights with random students.

<Tai> But sir he's the one who started it, you seriously think I would just start a fight for no reason?

<?>Based off your track record, yes, I do think you would start a fight for no reason

<Shin> Hey who the hell are you?

<?> Oh, little old me, my name is Luther Boudreaux, I'm your combat instructor for the advanced classes. I'm assuming you must be Shin fujimora, I have heard a lot of praise about you from the director.

<Shin> The Director? He barely even knows me, what praises could he give me?

<Luther> The why doesn't matter, what matters is that you managed to get the director to talk about you, which is an extremely impressive feat.

<Shin> Umm, sure, Well I'm going to go. I forgot I left Yoomi to go walk around so I'll get back to you soon.

<Luther> Oh ok, well you have a nice day Fujimora... Tai what was it like to fight him?

<Tai> what?

<Luther> What was it like to fight him?

<Tai> What the hell are you talking about?

<Luther> I mean How does it feel to fight someone trained by one of the ten kings?

<Tai> … What!?

…

A couple hours later I found myself again confused on where I should go in the school, the sun was setting and if I had to guess there are dorms here, but I have no idea where they are. That's about the time when I ran into the girl from before that was friends with Yoomi.

<Shin> Ah, your Erin, right?

<Erin> Hmm, um yeah, I am, who are you?

<Shin> I guess I never introduced myself to you. I'm Shin Fujimora. I just transferred here today.

<Erin> Oh, you're the guy Yoomi was talking about earlier. What are you doing all the way over here, this is the girls dorm.

<Shin> I'm looking for the guys dorm but I don't know my way around the school, and I got lost.

<Erin> That makes sense, when I first got here, I also got lost and couldn't even find my way to my first class. I can show you to the guys dorm if you want me to, it's not that far of a walk.

<Shin> That would be great, I appreciate it.

We started walking, and then Erin started to talk about her life and how she ended up coming to the school, to be honest I didn't care about her life story, and I think she knew this, but she told me anyway. She told me about Yoomi and Tai, and she revealed a bit more than I expected, but she never said anything about their powers and how they work, she didn't even talk about her power either.

<Erin> Well we're here Shin.

<Shin> Thanks for showing me the way Erin, I really do appreciate it.

<Erin> It's no problem, that's just what I do, if you ever need anything from me just ask okay.

<Shin> Will do, see you later.

<Erin> See you later.

She walked away back to the girls dorm and I walked into the boys dorm and stepped to the front desk. When I got to the desk, I realized that the person at the desk was actually an android

<Shin> Excuse me, I was wondering what room I will be in? I just transferred here and haven't gotten one yet.

<Android> Hello, Mr. Shin, I will get you a room right away... Your room shall be room 216 on floor two.

<Shin> Thank you, have a nice night.

<Android> You have a nice night to Mr. Shin.

Before I left the desk the android handed me a key card for my room, which had my picture on it and my student id number. When I got to my room it was already unlocked and the lights were already turned on. I walked in and saw the someone's else's things were spread around the room, there were swords leaned against the wall and posters of women in bikinis. I thought that maybe I walked into the wrong room, so I went to check, and the room number was 216 and was on floor two. I then yelled out to whoever was in the room.

<Shin> Is someone here!?

Then someone came from around the corner of the wall, and I could immediately tell who it was based off his hair.

<Tai> … Why the hell are you in my room!

<Shin> I could be asking you the same thing.

<Tai> No you can't, this is my room, and always has been my room, so why are you in my room?

<Shin> The android at the front desk told me this was my room, so either you let me stay here or you can got try to handle it with the front desk.

<Tai> How about this, if you beat me in a fight then I will let you have the room and I'll go somewhere else but if you lose then you leave. How's that sound?

<Shin>… Is that really the only way you know how to solve problems, you just fight until you get your way.

<Tai> N-no I just think that it's a fair way to settle this.

<Shin> I'm not going to fight you over a room, and besides there's another bed in here plus I already beat you in a fight early today, so I have no reason to fight you again.

<Tai> You didn't win, the fight was stopped before I could go all out!

<Shin> Sure, it doesn't really matter anyway, lets just settle this tomorrow when I might feel up for it.

<Tai> No I refuse to accept that either you fight me, or I will-

…