The Academy Pt2

"Look, it's that 'Tooth Extractor' guy again."

"Don't talk about him. What if he gets angry?"

"No worries. It looks like he became a pushover after having his ass handed to him by the 'Red Queen'." Two students openly gossiped, causing Fritz to make a helpless smile in response to them.

A pushover... That's how everyone saw him to be after he lost that anger that once… 'defined' him.

The 'Tooth Extractor' existed no more...

No longer did he hang out with the 'Mad Dog' of the middle school he went to. He was just who he was. The young Magus found it hard to even get angry after hearing insults thrown so openly.

He may had been hotheaded previously, but that was just how his Master had taught him to be.

Men don't cry or whine. They were born to be able to handle anything. Only the honourable were men.

Anyone wimps were worthless.

That's why Fritz never cried. His emotions were bottled up. Anger was useless to him now, but that didn't mean he no longer felt it. The fact of the matter was that his fury was now more subdued.

Besides 'her', no one else was worth his temper.

He was untalented in both marksmanship and swordsmanship, so he didn't use a MagiSword or MagiPistol like the other students. The only thing he could rely on was the MagiPen he asked for.

"Huh? Where did he go...?" The two students blinked. He vanished from their sight in a second.

This wasn't an overwhelming speed. Instead, it was a secret technique passed down by his family.

He never bothered explaining the specifics of it to others, because he knew what their reaction would be. Wasn't this a 'Martial Art'? After all, even the lowest class of Cadets knew of 'Step Methods'.

It was the telltale sign of an 'UnderWorlder'; Martial Artists that were the denizens of the underworld.

No matter how he explained it to them, there was no way of explaining how he wasn't one of them.

He knew that from experience...

Fritz couldn't even get angry anymore when others accused him in such a way. He knew for a fact that his family had been living in the mountains of the Earthland Domain for nearly hundreds of years.

Their ties to the 'Above-world' ran deep. It was to the point you could see remnants of the past still exist until today. Though perhaps it was just that the 'AntiMartial Academy' hated Martial Artists.

To them, it was those who practiced killing techniques from a young age that were dangerous.

There wasn't even much of a distinction between the word 'Psychopath' and 'Martial Artist' anymore.

Though unfortunate, Fritz had accepted that fate.

To him, he was more of a 'Magus' than anyone in this Academy anyway. A 'Charm Caster' instead of a modern 'Seal Weaver'. Although his ambitions had died out, he'd never be ashamed of his origins.

As an average Cadet, he knew where he had to go.

But decided to take a detour before meeting up with the rest of his squad at their 'home base'.

Fritz went to one side and looked at certain room from afar. It was a class where they learnt Skills.

While also doing maintenance on their weapons.

There were many places set up around the academy where Cadets could do maintenance.

He chose a quite spot while taking out a tool kit from the lockers at the side. His own was special.

Only in how 'normal' his weapon maintenance was.

He pulled out a chair and sat on his desk, then started fiddling with the MagiPen on his own.

Feeling comfortable under the sunlight.

'Hmmm… Life Seal looks fine.' Although it wasn't possible for him to not notice if it had flaws, he made a habit of checking his personal information through it. Recording the changes within him.

'Looks like my muscles are better now.' Compared to the induction exam, Fritz looked more toned.

After being beaten by a girl in physical strength, he started to gain insecurities about his own physique.

Was he strong or not?

Fritz was quite the talent back at his Clan, but it looked like the sky was deeper than the ocean.

'There is no use whining.' His master taught him that progress mustn't be rushed, but should still be made. It meant that as long as he could see his improvement, then he should continue training.

There was no shortcuts to gain success.

When he was done fiddling with the parts, his whole Limiter Inverter was turned to two pieces.

The 'Limiter Inverter' itself that he had chosen to place his power into from a young age, all in the hopes of attending this prestigious academy to do meritorious for his Clan. Along with his Macro.

Both pieces were based on customised specs.

He looked at the small 'Ink Macro' that was unique to his MagiPen. A computer different but familiar.

Those who used MagiBlades used Macros that had the function of converting Mana into a dense laser.

Similarly, his Ink Macro also converted his Mana.

The only difference was that it created 'Ink' made of magical power. All types infused with nature.

What Fritz had to do to maintain this was make sure it didn't leak magic ink into the MagiPen itself.

Reattaching it after cleaning the Macro with a special cloth. One made disperse remnant powers.

Taking care of his Limiter Inverter was even easier.

Since the only thing he needed to do was take care of the Life Seal on the inner layer, he just locked it.

Making sure each piece of the MagiPen was properly placed together without feeling loose.

Tightening the metallic little locks that acted as armour on the outside of his writing instrument.

After reattaching the Ink Macro, all he needed to do at this point was make sure he had enough papers.

Special talisman papers imported directly from his Clan. Able to store more magical power than regular paper. Since he hadn't been using any of them in a while, it hadn't taken that much effort.

He merely checked they weren't creased.

After that, Fritz relaxed…

Spending time alone was the best for an introvert like him. Much better than that loud 'base' of his.

But since he had to go there no matter what, he walked there with big strides and high shoulders.

Trying to look tough.

Only to be shocked the moment he opened the door. Fritz was greeted by a scene that left him…

…startled, and a but embarrassed!

"...What are my eyes seeing?" He wasn't quite sure what to make of what was happening before him.

Standing in the middle was a cute blonde girl…

…but why was she wearing an erotic outfit?

Knowing the girl personally made this scene less confusing. Even if it wasn't less startling to Fritz.

He sucked in a cold breath of air.

Sending shivers down his back.

There, Christina flaunted her sensual curves.

All in front of a curious girl who appreciated her body. Taking pictures of her in different angles.

Christina didn't seem to hate the attention of her squad mate, Betty Black. Posing for the camera.

Not only was she not embarrassed by the bunny suit Betty had gotten for her, she seemed to be enjoying the interest from someone other than herself. Fritz couldn't even fathom her thoughts...

The two of them looked at him. Both smiled as if they were waiting for him to come all this time.

"F-rit-z! What do you think~~?" The blondie opened her arms and showed off her outfit.

Fritz unconsciously got into a battle stance, but the strong 'charm' casted by Christina was piercing.

She was too erotic…!

The blondie bombshell was always the looker, but now she was using her clothing to fight offensively.

Could he hold out?

"Err... Good?" Fritz tried not to look.

He had been playing hard to get for a while, and there was no way he'd fall for a honey trap tactic!

A man among men mustn't fall for this!

Mustn't fal-

"Say that while looking at me straight." Christina curved her lips, but her eyes looked a little proud.

The reactions from Fritz were always funny.

Like now: His eyes were looking up at the ceiling.

She came to the door and closed it, even putting on the inside lock before taking a glance at Betty.

That black-haired girl seemed to be enjoying the show. Even clapping her hands with a quite cheer.

'Out of sight, out of mind...' Fritz thought. Trying his best to not fall for her usual seductive antics.

A true man mustn't fall for this!

He'd rather completely ignore her than fall for her tricks. Fritz knew she wasn't being sincere here.

"Oooh~ Do you not like a bunny suit?" (Christina)

"Why do you even ask?" (Fritz)

"You KNOW what I want from you, riiight~?" The bunny girl crept closer to him, and he couldn't run.

All avenues of escape had been blocked off.

'Mayday! Defences are going down!' Alarm bells were ringing in his head, and a redness in his eyes.

Fritz swiftly blinked and calmed down before she noticed. This wasn't something to show off here.

"You're not getting it." He put on a stone cold look.

It was too bad his face was still looking high.

"Come on~ You don't think I'm cute?" (Christina)

"Why ask me that?" (Fritz)

"Don't pretend you don't know." Christina's words, plus her action of leaning onto him, caused a chill down his spine. Seeing that Fritz wasn't going to look down at all, the bunny girl pouted again.

"Ara ara~ I brought that outfit for her myself. Don't you think it suits her?" Betty gave a wicked laugh.

"I said to stop doing this to me, haven't I?" (Fritz)

"Doing what?" (Betty)

"What she said: Doing what?" The bunny ears of Christina's outfit kept on going into his view.

'Oh?' He felt something soft leaning on his chest.

He was about to explode with a bunch of criticisms, but stopped. Instead intensely saying:

"I don't want a girlfriend!" He spoke with sincerity.

These words seemed to have come from the bottom of his heart. Surprising the two of them.

"Hey, I can do cosplay for you every day if you take me as your wife. Ahem... Even in a naked apron." It seemed like the bombshell was embarrassed. She fiddled with her hands while saying as such.

'What am I to do?' It wasn't as if Fritz didn't see her as a cutie. There's no way he wouldn't fall for this.

It was just that... he had his reasons.

"Tina..." Fritz spoke quite intimately, giving the cute girl hopes that maybe he'd accept her proposal.

"Yes...?" Christina used her finger to curl her hair.

"No." His response was like being drenched in a bucket of cold water. It brought her to reality.

Betty had to hold in an intense fit of laughter.

The bunny girl's darkened expression became so red in rage that she stomped on the floor angrily.

But she wasn't going to give up easily.

Christina made a smirk in fury.

Fritz heard a rustle in clothes before someone gasped in shock. His curiosity was a little picked.

"My chest is showing." A tremor ran through his body. The youth's head turned up even higher!

The redness in his eyes were reappearing again.

Not like the veins of the white of his eyes, but more like a red mist that was trying to escape his body.

"If you look down, you'll get to see." Christina boldly made use of everything she could.

"D-don't be so immature!" Fritz didn't like her reasoning for doing this. It was way too petty!

"Are you calling my body 'immature'?!" (Christina)

"No, I mean... That's not-" (Fritz)

"Are you saying they're small?!"!" (Christina)

"They're big! They're big!" Fritz panicked. The bouncy 'weapons' touching his chest was softer!

He felt a layer of clothing was now gone, and all he could sense were the direct touch of her assets.

Everything else in the world was fading.

"Hmph... Not as big as mine though." Betty made a quip in the background. Bringing him to reality.

"Can YOU shut up?!" Why was Betty the only one who could anger the youth these days? Was this on purpose? His hormones were raging out of control right now, and he couldn't control his feelings...!

This wasn't him being a pervert or anything. Any teenager would feel the same in this 'hot' situation.

In fact, they would've definitely 'touched' by now.

Instead of just getting touched.

'Calm down... Calm down!' He really wished he had a Charm for this situation, but had nothing on her.

"Are you going to finally look down?" (Christina)

"And if I do?" (Fritz)

"Marry me." Christina spoke quite innocently.

It was the lovely confession of a girl that even made Betty quite down a little. Not interrupting.

The mood had changed.

Both of them had been perusing him, but it was only Christina that had ever asked for his hand.

A proposal to be together until their lives end…

"I know your circumstances, but why does it have to be me? Can't you find 'normal' guys?" (Fritz)

"Do you think I'd show THESE to anyone? If it wasn't you... isn't you with me… then…" Christina stopped her words there. He couldn't see it, but he knew she was trying her best to convey her heart.

"Still..." Fritz couldn't accept it.

"Do I have to spell it out for you?" Christina felt like she needed to say it clearly. The word in her heart.

What she felt towards him.

"No. Please don't say it..." Fritz already knew why she picked him, but didn't want to accept her.

But the rising hormones he was getting at this moment was bashing away at his ability to reason.

'Maybe… Maybe…' His mind was in a war between his last remnants of trauma and his strong libido.

'If I look down, I would have to marry...' Wedding bells were ringing in Fritz's head while imagining a scene. Having a beautiful wife and kids... It was something he once thought of, but couldn't really imagine until she hammered it into his heart.

His head slowly started to look down, unable to resist the temptation any longer or that future.

All his traumas and reluctance were vanishing...

The pop of someone opening a large bag of potato chips could be heard from Betty's direction.

The crunching of someone eating them...

His head was lowering at a snail's pace, but speed was still fast for the eyes of Christina Flint...

'Alright, he is going to fall for it!' She was a little excited, but also felt she was doing wrong by him.

'Wait, am I prepared for this...?' Christina only now realised what she was doing to get his attention.

Wouldn't this be a little TOO desperate?

Her desires, modesty, and reason started to clash within her, all until she could only helplessly smile.

Fritz suddenly felt a hand underneath his chin.

"That's enough... I won't do this in front of you ever again." A tear was in her eyes while using her other hand to pull up the outfit. Not long after, the clothes were slipped back on her chest area again.

The girl then held her chest with both arms.

Fritz finally came out of his daze...

"Ummm... Sorry." (Fritz)

"What are you sorry about? I'm the pathetic one who's always trying to seduce someone who isn't even interested. I even wore a sexy nurse's outfit for you..." Her response caused his expression became strange. Then he asked inquisitively:

"And who gave you the idea to do this?" He held the tearful maiden's shoulder while speaking.

Before she could even answer, one particular black-haired girl got up and went behind the sofa.

"Betty..." Cristina's reply popped one of his veins.

"BETTY!!!" His arms lifted to the sky like King Kong as he looked at the mischievous devil in anger.

"Hey, let's talk this out." Betty tried to tame him.

"My ass we are!" But Fritz was having none of that.

"Hehe, he said 'we are'~" She pretended to laugh.

"You know I don't like this sort of stuff...!" Fritz chased her around in circles until she got behind Christina, using her as a meat shield. The cutie was too heartbroken to put up any form of resistance.

"I have a good reason for this!" (Betty(

"You better not say 'you were feeling bored'...!" He took out a Charm Talisman from the holster on his waist. A blue glow manifested from the markings on the small Paper Charm he'd saved from earlier.

"There's that~" Betty spoke out real shamelessly

"Oh, you son of a-" Fritz was about to attack.

"But that's not all!" But stopped with her words.

"Then...?" Fritz lifted a brow. What else was it?

The cheeky smile on Betty's face hadn't faded after hearing the youth ask about her reasons.

She held the pitiful blonde bunny in her arms while caressing her cheek erotically, then said outright:

"You two suit each other." She was matchmaking them. Even though she too showed interest before.

"W-we don't...!" (Fritz)

"One uses Ancient Seals while the other is good at Modern Seals. You're made for each other." (Betty)

"That's only for US to decide." (Fritz)

"You'll turn into a monk at this rate. Also, you're misunderstanding. Hey, why not tell him?" (Betty)

"Tell what?" Fritz lifted a brow.

They both looked at Christina in Betty's arms, who regained herself and spoke with embarrassment:

"...Cosplaying for someone felt nice. She even helped me set up an account to show it online."

'You damn attention whore!' Fritz cursed inwardly as Christina was awkwardly scratching her head.

It looked like she'd also had her intentions.

'So what was all that about earlier?!' He really wanted to ask, but chose to put it aside instead.

"...Don't do that again." Fritz said this instead.

"Understood, Captain!" The girls both saluted him before going off on their merry way like best buds.

Fritz laid down on the sofa that opened up and sighed deeply. Their shenanigans were annoying.

But he still valued them... As someone who knew what it felt like to have once mundane things snatched from him, he hoped he could protect this small 'family' called the Squad 42 of the Academy.

He watched as the energetic Betty and the playful Christina started ignoring his existence again.

They were both in their own worlds...

He touched the clothes on his chest and felt indecisive about what he truly felt about them.

'Love'... That was too heavy of a word he could never say. It was something he couldn't afford.

This distance between them was fine. At least, he didn't want to get more hurt if they left him alone.

Before he fulfilled his objective he came for, there was no way he'd settle down by having a lover.

A darkness appeared in his eyes at this thought.