12 Chapter 11 - Playing Catch...

"No... one to... practice with."

Hmm... I look around to see that each person was in a group of two. If the class is in an odd number, then it would be hard to have even pairings. Wait...

"Couldn't you just join another group?"

This is what I had to do as a child on Earth. When everyone was paired up, the last person either joined the teacher or make a 3-person group.

"No... one wants... me in... their group."

"Oh... Well, what about practicing with the teacher?"

Wait, practicing? It looks like people are just playing catch. How is this practice?

"The teacher... was called... up to the... principal office. Also, she... doesn't like... to practice... with me... either."

"Okay..."

That's a bit weird. Why doesn't anyone want to practice/play with her? Is she that repulsive? Even the boys don't want to be in her group. That doesn't make sense. Any boy would love to be in a group with such a beautiful girl. Well... I don't have any else to do.

"Here, I'll be your partner. Let's practice!"

She cocks her head as if I was joking.

"Really?"

"Yeah, why not?"

She blinks a couple of times. Before she could respond, I grab her hands and pull her up. Then, I copied what everyone else was doing and stop a meter away from her. When she was sitting on the bench, her ears were slightly hidden. Now that I pulled her up, I could see that her ears were short and pointy. Maybe she's a half-elf?

I faced her and stared for a bit. Okay, what now? I'm still unsure what everyone is doing...

"So, what is everyone doing here?"

"Practicing catching... magic balls... for mana... training."

Oh, okay. So, it is a game of catch, but the ball is made of magic. Let's give this a shot!

"Okay, let's play!"

...

We continue to stand there for a while. Maybe she's not ready?

"Um... Are you ready?"

"Yeah..."

"Oh, okay... How about you start?"

She blinks after hearing this.

"Are... you sure?"

"Yeah, why not?"

She again blinks. Then, she holds out her hands and creates a ball made of magic particules. The ball is about 1.5 times the size of a baseball.

Everyone around starts to notice us. I could hear their murmurs...

"No way, look! Tomo is about to play catch with a stranger!"

"Who is that boy?"

"Uh, oh! Where's the teacher when you need her!"

Huh, why is everyone freaking out? Is Tomo not allowed to play or something?

"Ready?"

"Yeah, throw anytime!"

She hesitates for a bit; then she begins to toss the ball to me. Before she throws it, the double-doors open up, revealing a middle-aged woman.

"Sorry about that, class. The principle... Huh?! No, stop! Don't throw that ball, Tomo!"

The teacher, or who I believe is the teacher, starts charging and shouting at Tomo, but she is too late...

Tomo throws the ball at me. The ball flies in the air at high speeds. The teacher screams right as she threw it.

"Everyone! Get on the floor!"

Everyone follows her direction and flops to the floor, covering their heads. The teacher cast some barrier magic on everyone. Unsure why I focus on the task ahead of me.

It takes 10 seconds for the ball to reach me, though it feels like an eternally. The ball seems like it is moving in slow motion, though I know it's not. I catch the ball as it comes for me. Wow, that was easy. I step back and look at Tomo. She looks at me with a widen expression.

After a bit, the teacher and the other students look up to see what happen.

"Huh? There wasn't an explosion..."

"The new guy is alright?! Impossible!"

"Awe... I wanted to see more bloodshed."

I'm still unsure why everyone was freaking out. I first thought it was because I was the Blue Devil; however, this changed when the teacher walked in. The teacher was more worried about Tomo's ball harming everyone around.

"Hmm... That throw seems a bit weak. I bet you could do a thousand times better! Next time, give me your best shot!"

She blinks at my response then nods.

"Okay, it's my time to throw!"

I grab the ball like a baseball pitcher. I'm still not sure about everyone's power level, so I might need to scale down my toss. How's about I go at 50%? That should work. I toss the ball to Tomo at 50% power. The ball makes a whip sound and flies at Tomo around 100 times faster than her ball.

The ball whizzes by Tomo's cheeks and flies into the wall. Oops... It seems like I was a millimeter off. Even though the ball missed Tomo, Tomo's left cheek has a cut on it. Plus, when the ball impacted the wall, it destroyed the entire surface. The impact also created a shockwave that shook the whole school.

Oops... Even though I turned the power to 50%, the damage was still devastating... I ran up to Tomo and apologize to her, then I cast [Heal] on her small cut. After bowing, I walked up to the hold in the wall and cast [Repair], which reform the wall back to normal.

After a minute has passed, the teacher blinks and runs toward us.

"What were you two thinking!? Tomo, I told you many times not to engaged in training without my permission, and you! Who are you, and what was that throw?! Are you trying to kill Tomo and the school?"

Well, this is a bit embarrassing. I didn't mean to. It was all an accident, but I don't think she will accept that response. Tomo was the first to apologize. I followed up on her and bowed.

The teacher put her hands on her face. Then, someone barges into the room. That, someone, was a familiar face, Ken.

"Mrs. Aio! What on the creation is happening in..."

He stops midway after he notices me. I wave to him.

"H-hey... What's up, Ken? I didn't think you would be here..."

He blinks a couple of times and then facepalms.

"Ugh... That explains that. So, Akuma, why are you here?"

"Well... That's a bit of a funny story."

I giggle, but Ken wasn't impressed. The teacher watched our conversation and then interrupted us.

"E-excuse me, Mr. Endo, is this boy y-your son?"

"Huh? Oh, no. He's a bit of a... special case. Like Tomo, I suppose."

Tomo reacts after hearing Ken. She looks at me and tilts her head. Then she points at herself.

"Like... me?"

I shrug at her response. How am I suppose to know if we're alike? I mean, are you a monster that is feared among all? I can't say that, but I thought it. Ken clears his throat.

"Anyway, Akuma, you need to adjust your power in this school if you wish to attend. I'll give the principle a visit so, please don't cause any more trouble. You have already given me a massive headache."

"Yes, Sir. Sorry again."

"It's alright. Now, follow me."

I nodded and started to walk toward Ken, but stopped halfway through. I turn around and look at Tomo.

"Hey, Tomo. Let's 'practice' again. Next time, maybe a bit better."

I smile at her. I could see pinkness imbue in her cheeks. She smiles back and nods. Then, I turned back around and followed Ken to the principal room.

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