Chapter II: New Gen Ranker's

Act: 2

"A dream..? Ah!? That's right, I must hurry up before the Ranking's begin!"

"Taku! Waait!"

Shizu jolts up off the ground and makes his way towards the assembly room. Rushing down the stairs that had led to the roof of the building, continually passing each floor going in a circular motion, passing the 4th floor, 3rd floor, 2nd floor and finally reaching the 1st floor Shizu aimlessly misses his step after leaping from off the 2nd floor.

'Thud, Thud, Thud, Thud!'

"Oww-w..! That wasn't the ideal way of getting to the bottom floor."

After catching a bit of his breath, he stands back up and continues making his way towards the assembly room. Located down the narrow hallway on the right side, with the enormous doors pushed up against the wall that couldn't be missed.

- - - -

*Ding, Dong.*

A calm but strict voice echoed from the podium upon the brightly lit stage.

"Welcome, to all the students that could attend this important meeting I would like to introduce myself but before I begin talking about the new generation Rankers and the gathering of Stars. As your student council president, you may all call me Hano Arakan. Please feel free to inform me if you have any issues that occur during our time in school."

Hano continues talking more about the boring student council business, while everyone else seems to be tuning him out waiting for when he'll begin talking about what's going to happen with becoming a Ranker.

Meanwhile, Shizu is frantically trying to make his way around the other students in search of Taku. A few seconds pass by but for some reason, Shizu felt an uneasy presence glaring at him that seemed to be coming somewhere from the stage, without a moment's pass he quickly looks over, noticing a pair of eyes that were locked onto him then quickly shifting their attention back onto the crowd of students.

"Was he looking at me? No, no, no, that can't be right. What would an important guy like him want with me..? Wait a minute I know that brown spiky hair anywhere!"

"..."

"It's Taku!"

Without hesitation Shizu managed to shift his way through the crowd of students and finally reached Taku, greeting him with a warm touch to the shoulder.

"I finally found you Taku, I don't know why you couldn't have just waited for me-"

"Shh, he's starting to talk about becoming a Ranker."

Shizu had muttered some words underneath his breath, glancing at Taku and removing his hand off his shoulder.

"...rude much...and I went through the trouble of finding you.."

The lights within the room begin to dim as president Hano stops talking and pauses for a brief moment.

"..."

"Ranker's."

As the mic echoes that word within the overflowing room of students, not a single word could be heard coming from anyone.

"Ranker's, so it seems to be everyone's dream which I can now guarantee will turn into your reality. First thing that I should mention is that when you become a Ranker, you are not only just gifted your Ranker number but in addition, you will receive a Star number. A Star number will help you determine where you will be placed as a Ranker in itself and the following mission you should most likely go for."

[ Star Numbers aka Star Markings: Broken down into 6 individual numbers that indicate one's ability and power level. Which varies from how special, Unique, or what can be classified as a "Legendary" power. ]

1. Basic ( Basic type abilities, nothing too extravagant ) - Lower damage output

2. Common ( common type abilities, useful in different ways ) - Not an excessive amount of damage, but can get the job done...

3. Rare ( Frequent among Ranker's, Rare abilities are given ) - Moderate damage which can have a chance of growth

4. Special ( High functioning abilities, that contain something special for the user ) - High amounts of damage can be produced and a higher rate of leveling up the user's power - +Extra effects can be unlocked with the user and its ability

5. Unique ( Can be considered almost even with Legendary Abilities, grants an immense amount of strength ) - Provides an ability that no one else uses which can be formed from the user's personalities/Traits

6. Legendary ( Strongest Abilities out of all of them, not many people have been granted this form of strength and the rarest one to obtain out of all ) - Excessive amounts of damage / even considered destructive - Has chances of user wielding more than one ability - Able to easily control and create new types of styles for their ability

- - - -

"Now that you all understand"

*Adjusts glasses*

"How important a Star Number is to a Ranker and with that being judged you can then see where you will be placed as one. Even if you possess a low Star, that doesn't mean you will automatically be judged as a low Ranker, it depends on how well you can use your Star, how efficient it is around teammates, and most importantly what it possesses."

[ Rankers are Evaluated into 5 different classes S, A, B, C, D, E, F, and then your own subclass ]

"And for your brief understanding in the exam hall the machine there will unlock your Star and reveal your true potential. Some may have already experienced leaks, where your Star showed its sign, and you might know what it will revolve around. I can't wait to see what you all get and the potential each and every one of you have. Thank you all for your attention and time, that will conclude my speech and you are now free to leave and enter the exam hall to receive your Star marking."

Once the speech ended the eager students had made their way to the exam hall showing multiple expressions, some of fear, joy, and anxiousness.

Shizu and Taku both look at each other with a striking grin on their face, both excited to see where they could end up as Rankers. Right as everyone ended up leaving the assembly room Hano let off a sigh, curious about "him." He had looked back at the teachers and the rest of the student council members.

"We should keep an eye on him, something tells me that his Star Marking will be worthwhile. I plan to do some research on him in the meantime."

"..."

"I can tell by the look in his eye."

Hano casually makes his way off the stage and heads on off to the exam hall curious about the new Gen Rankers.

"Hm, about Hano Arakan by any chance what Ranker Class is he?"

The voice of a soft-spoken female could be heard responding to what the principal had said.

"A Class sir."

"I see.."

- - - -

Meanwhile at the exam hall.

"Shizu! I'm so pumped right now I can't wait to see where I'll be placed!"

Shizu starts muttering to himself, as he looks around while people are getting their Star Numbers.

"Hm... It seems that two students just received 4 Star Numbers, wow.. and that girl over there received a 5 Star Number, if I'm not mistaken, I think that's Chisaka Hinako, better yet known as one of the popular girls."

"Hey I'm up next Shizu, hope I get something amazing!"

"Yea.., I hope so too.."

[ ------ Taku #4 Sta- ; Ability – Ice –e-tio- ]

"Hey.. I can't see... move a little"

The most I could read was that he got a 4 Star Number and something to do with Ice.

While Taku is jumping around with joy, flailing his arms back and forth.

"Let's go!! Shizu I will see you in class, let me know what you end up with. Ok."

"ok."

Taku rushes back to class and Shizu then makes his way up to the hand scanner placing his palm inside the box, proceeding to slowly lift his head up to the mini screen.

[ Shizu #2 Star; Ability – Resurrection ]

"!!"

"..."

"That can't be right.. I'm a 2 Star.."

After Shizu reads what had been written on the screen, the lady managing the machine looks at Shizu and gives off a gentle smile.

"Don't forget to sign up for the upcoming Colosseum match."