The next day in the early morning in the capital city of Oriana.
"Ahh it's time"
A young man with brown undercut hair, a low skin fade, a brown iris in his pupils that match his hair color, and black gloves. He gets up from his bed as he prepares for school. His black button-up shirt, black slacks Aurora Saint Academy uniform, and first-year emblem on his collar, with a little cape at the end of it like a knight.
"Jericho" a female voice calls to him.
"What" he responds.
STEP STEP STEP
"What did I say about your tone of voice young man"
"Jericho," a male voice says. "Be nice to your mother"
"Of course Father"
"My apologies Mother but I've been bothered by this nagging thought."
"Like what is it?"
Jericho pauses for a moment "I need to make an impression. The first day my arrival was outdone by the Twelve Star mages and the exemption students. Actual former exemption students"
"Am surprised they all would do such a thing especially on there first day. Shame on them" his father comments.
"You would be up there too if our travel to Aiz was quicker. Transportation from Zellar too here. " his mother spoke.
"Just remember son you just as good as them. Also, you're a dragon clad you'll be on the same level or even greater than theirs" his father spoke. "How many Twelve Stars are located in this school"
"Three. Leo, Virgo, and Aquarius. There were a few other students who were on the same level as them, but there was one who was an outlier to the bunch. The irregular no-mana Vaelrus Marina is a skilled weapon handler who has no mana. Somehow he was able to defeat a Twelve Star with no mana whatsoever." Jericho speaks as he continues to walk around the room.
"Did you say, Marina?" the dad spoke.
"Yes Father why is that significant"
"There was once a mage on the Federation that went by name and met his end years ago. If that is Marko Marina's son he would be a formidable rival"
"Is that so father then that means" Jericho takes a pause. He then thinks for a moment by putting his hand on his chin "Hmm yes second day it's time to have my presence felt"
Jericho Pearson makes his way to school.
"What shall I say to him Valerus Marina I challenge you. Hmm, not it "Let's duel Valerus". No prepare for trouble make it. No just make it simple. No I cant do that am might get in trouble but it'll be a sanctioned match. Maybe they wont let anyone fight in the anymore on school grounds since that incident" Jericho says as he arrives at the front gate.
"Today is my-"
WARP
"Look out!"
BANG
Jericho gets knocked down as two people fall on him.
"Uhh, what was. Oh no"
"Val why did you do that"
"I mean he was just standing right in front of where everyone gets warped from the Teleportation Zone"
Jericho temporarily gets knocked out. The two talk about the collision standing by Jericho's feet waiting for him to get up. Jericho slowly begins to get his senses straight as his vision still needs to come back.
"Is that you Val-"
STEP STEP STEP STEP
"Valerus" Ezekiel yells as he comes full sprinting at him.
"Ezekiel good morning," Valerus says as he moves to the side.
"Huh"
BAM
"Uhhhhh,"
"Ugh aye thanks for cushioning my fall man," Ezekiel says as he taps him on the chest.
"So sorry about that" Eriko apologizes as he heals him up.
"Ezekiel you gotta relax with that man," Valerus says jokingly lecturing his friend.
"Sorry my bad Valerus" Ezekiel says rubbing his head.
"Please dont rub my head am not a pet" I say
"Good morning Ezekiel," Eriko says.
The three slowly walk away.
"Who was that guy?" Ezekiel says.
"Am not sure we just landed on him while he was standing right in front of the Arrival Spot from the Teleportation Zone"
"He'll be fine I healed him," Eriko says.
The three head inside the academy.
"Valerus Marina I will get you-"
STEP STEP STEP STEP STEP
"Hopefully today is a better day than yesterday," a female voice says.
"Sunny day were having"
"It is a beautiful day Suneeta Uh, what class is first again?"
"The class that we didn't have yesterday cmon Azalea"
"Have you cooled down Rose?"
"Yeah."
The five flowers arrive.
Jericho stops the girls from continuing to proceed to the school.
"What the" Lily. "Who?" Bella.
"Excuse me you blocking the way could you move to the side please?" Azalea asks.
"Azalea sometimes you just gotta tell them straight up," Sunneta says.
"Rose nice to meet you am-"
"Albeck Reigns!" Rose quickly speeds and walks to him to catch up.
"Next time pal try again, "Bella says.
"Maybe dont block our path," Lilly says.
"Please uh um" "Just tell him to move on aside. We'll see you around Mr.??" Sunneta says as she guides Azalea.
"Who was that guy again?" Sunneta asks the group.
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"Dunno know," Bella says.
As the four try to catch up to Rose who went to talk to Albeck again.
Jericho stands with a smile and a feeling of defeat.
"What's up with this morning!!" he yells while putting his hands up in the air. The rest of the students passing by look at me funny. "Tch I'll just get him at lunchtime"
DING DONG DING DONG
Lunchtime is here.
The same table as yesterday. Valerus, Eriko, Ezekiel, and the student council eat.
STEP STEP
"Valerus Marina," Jericho says aloud.
"Oh, the guy from this morning. Sorry about that" Valerus says.
"I want to fight you"
A brief pause.
"No"
"..."
"No?" Jericho says with a disappointed expression.
--------------------------------------------------------
That same morning Valerus' POV
YAWN
I slept pretty well.
KNOCK KNOCK
"Val you ready?"
What time is it? Oh am late.
I hurry to change into my school uniform and rush downstairs.
"Goodbye Mother see you later" "Goodbye Lady Lila"
HUFF HUFF
"Sorry, I overslept you know how yesterday was a long and eventful day"
"Dont mention it Val I woke up late as well just 10 minutes later than i usually would"
"Better than me"
The two of us hurry to the teleportation zone.
WARP WARP
"Look out"
BUMP
"Val why did you do that"
"I mean he was just standing right in front of where everyone gets warped from the Teleportation Zone"
The two of us just realized this person was knocked out.
"Oh, Eriko what did we do?"
"We? You landed on him"
"We both did technically"
"I mean it wasn't our fault who just stands in front of-"
"Oh he's getting help try and heal him Eriko"
"Ok"
He mouths something but I can't hear it what I can hear is footsteps approaching us from behind. I turn to look at a charging Ezekiel running forward, I swiftly dodge but then realize what's there when he lands.
BAM
Oh no he got knocked out again.
"Ezekiel why?" Eriko says.
"I just wanted to surprise you guys that's all. Oh am not hurt" Ezekiel looks down "Aye thanks for cushioning my fall man," Ezekiel says as he taps the student on the chest.
I lecture Ezekiel a little about jumping out and surprising us as we head inside after Eriko heals him. We then make our way to our classes I haven't seen Bianca yet. We continue to walk as we spot Ms.Carmen. Today she wore a black Sleeveless Dress that looked elegant with her high heels.
"Good morning my dears," Carmen says.
"Good morning"
"Are you guys staying safe and looking out for one another?"
"Yes, we are" Eriko says.
She looks around as too look to see if anyone is watching.
She CLACKED the two together.
VRMM
"What is this?"
A little space gets created encapsulating all four of us.
"Dont panic it's my magic. We did have the facility meeting discussing yesterday's incident. The Federation has been informed. Remember to report to me if anything strange occurs. Professor Fuldre of Class 1A and Heldam 1C are working on something too do.
CLANK
As we return back to our original setting.
"Alright see you guys later"
Ms.Carmen walks away.
"That was here magic," Ezekiel says.
"A pocket space," Eriko says.
"Teleportation?" i ask.
"Possibly anyways let us head over to class"
We head to class and then homeroom to discuss and practice more for the Magus Exam. Each class did say to prepare for the unexpected. Lunch then arrived we sat at the same table arrangement but Albeck sat by himself. With Rose Providence sitting with her group staring at us but mostly toward Albeck. Did something happen between them? I didn't see them interact yesterday.
"Valerus that's the Dragonclad" Faith points out.
"Him?"
"The dude that cushioned my fall," Ezekiel says.
"Oh is he mad?" Eriko asks.
"Jericho Pearson the last-minute registration. A supposed A Rank Mage but since he registered late he didn't get exempted and will have to participate in the Magus Exam. He looked like a fool this morning?" Axel says.
"How?" I ask.
"We this whole interaction with you guys and afterward. From the view from our room. He yelled something out loud then he tried to speak with Rose and her friends" Axel says.
"But got denied it was an entertaining watch. " Luna says as she chuckles.
"That must've hurt his ego a little," Issac says.
"Coming this way," Ceaser says with his short phrases.
STEP STEP
"Valerus Marina," Jericho says aloud.
"Oh, the guy from this morning. Sorry about that" Valerus says.
"I want to fight you"
A brief pause.
Everyone at the table stops what they're doing and looks at me waiting for my response.
"Do what you must Valerus I'll arrange it at the courtyard again" Axel says.
I took a minute to think of the consequences of doing this. Will things repeat from yesterday? I finally came up with my response after running it through my head a bit.
"No"
"....."
"No?" Jericho says with a disappointed expression.
"Can we save it for the Magus Exam?" I ask.
"No?"
"Yeah, let's save it for this Magus Exam."
"We surely dont wanna cause a commotion like we had yesterday so please make way," Axel says.
A short pause.
"Fine, I shall meet you then. Other than that good day to you. Just letting you know that I will be the one to win" Jericho says as he waves his hands and walks off.
"Dragonclad imma look forward to meeting him in the Exam," Ezekiel says as he chuckles.
"That's the guy?" I ask the group.
"Yes, that's him" Axel once again confirms.
"The dragonclad from the Pearson family. Not only do you have him but Albeck, Rose along with her group, and Bianca are participating in the Magus Exam in a few days. " Faith adds on.
"Is it possible to give us any tips on it?" Eriko asks.
"The one thing to expect is the unexpected" Luna says.
"Like I said before The first stage tests your knowledge. How well do you know your magic? And the second stage could be any of these scavenger hunt, hide and seek, or tag. I suggest you work on conserving your mana, especially during the second stage. The first and second stages happen on the same day while the final stage happens a day after. " Faith adds.
"From our experience, myself and Ceaser here passed the 1st stage with ease but the second stage can be tricky," Issac says.
"Very tricky" Ceaser spoke.
"How so?" Eriko questions.
"It's the fact that you won't know what kind of stage it is until you arrive," Issac answers.
Issac casts his hands out and creates a diorama of the layout of the second stage.
"Interesting" Eriko says.
"The second stage is usually in a big wide area so we can roam freely. This space gives you enough time to plan out your strategies with your partner."
"So what about fighting?" Ezekiel asks.
"Stage one is a test from the second stage and on you can fully display your fighting capabilities to everyone," Faith says.
"Partner?" I ask.
"I forgot to mention before stage two begins you will be assigned a partner," Luna says.
"Are they predetermined or do you get to choose?" Eriko asks.
"At random," Ceaser spoke.
"You and your partner will then work together to defeat other teams as the final 8 teams remaining will be put in the tournament then the winner of those matchups will be the team for the Aiz Magnificant Magic Games. With the winner of the of those being the winner of the Magus Exam being granted S Ranking and Captain of the team for the Magic Games," Faith says for me I was partnered with Axel last year," Luna says.
"I was with Ceaser," Issac says.
"As for me, I was with Alekzander the winner of the Magus Exam," Faith says.
"What happened to him?" I asked.
"Currently right now he decided to go join The Federation. As may know the winners of the Magus Exam are labeled S Rank mages and the majority of them became Captain in the Federation. But with this new luitenenat role in the Federation Alekzander is currently the lieutenant of Squad 4 under his Captain Percival Caldwell the other known Dragonclad in Aiz. This is of course after our dominant performance in the Aiz Magnificent Magic Games." Axel says.
"That maybe different this year" Luna says softly.
The three of us take notice of what Luna said.
"I see," I said aloud. That is my goal right now to win the Magus Exam join the Federation and show everyone am not just some irregular with no magic. I said to myself.
"I have a question so what are the plans for the third years?" Eriko asks. " Yeah, I haven't really seen any besides our first day at the opening ceremony" I add to her question.
"Pretty much got their own thing going for them," Issac says as he points up.
There was a flight of staircases leading to another floor of the lunch area.
"That floor up there is designated for third years only no 2nd or 1st years are allowed. They're pretty lax as they dont really start drama unless something happens," he states. "Third years are free to do whatever they want once they graduate from the academy."
"Are they strong?" Ezekiel asks.
"They are pretty good in my eyes. From what we saw there are three that are distinguished from the others but that we can talk about another time. We'll see them eventually and you'll know." Issac says.
"There the former student council" Axel speaks up. "The former president, vice president, and secretary."
"We beat them last year as they were 2nd years then while their Secretary and Historian graduated and are doing who knows what," Luna says. "Surely I believe there is no grudge but to lose their place to lower classmen must've made them feel some way" Faith responds.
We carried on and enjoyed our lunch as we headed for our next class.
-----------------------------------
Celeste Carmen overlooks the students at lunch from the 3rd floor classroom building.
"Hmm"
CLICK CLACK CLICK CLACK
A sound of a cane echos throughout the hallway.
"Ms.Carmen do you have a second" a voice calls out.
"Professor Kayneth how may I help you"
"Just about the infilitration meeting we had the other day."
"Go on"
"After all these years that I have been here no one has made it through Headmasters Barrier but this year it was simply done. Yet it has started this year with the introduction of the Twelve Stars here."
"What are you suggesting professor?"
"Nothing its just a bit of information that I wanted to share with you. Good day?"
"Haa. Its almost every day that am getting interogated"
"Rough day huh?" a female voice calls out.
"Ariana" Celeste says.
"Wow not even surprised that I just snuck on you like that huh. Well anyways getting interogated too?"
Celeste remains silent.
"Dont sweat it its not just you me and Taz are also being questioned as well" Ariana states.
"Really even though you guys have been here longer?" Witha surprised voice Celeste questions.
"Yeah I guess the other professors impressions are that we are the homeroom teachers of the Twelve Stars and maybe we let the intruder in. Crazy for them too think like that huh"
"Yes very strange" with her eye aquinted with a thinking expression Celeste thinks.
"What are you looking at?" Araiana peaks over her shoulders.
"Making sure my students dont cause any trouble. As should you too."
"Oops your right. Yeah yesterday. Was exciting. Having there exceptions being revoked."
"All we can do now is wait for there Magus Exam to begin. Did you hear about the headmaster might do this year?"
"What?"
