Noah Habiki (& Jade Sapphy)
Russian Institute - Blue Settlement
Monday - Morning
Despite your best efforts to conceal your pain, it takes no more than a second for Anastasya to notice what you are going through. Yet, the kind of aid you'd expect from the average teacher never arrives. In fact, the more time passes, the more you come to realize that your health is none of her concern. Moreover, the silence between you and her is so sharp that you get the impression that your words have not been the correct ones to use in a situation like this. Indeed, the woman never asked to hear the reasons that brought you here. And you are fortunate that such is the case, otherwise... What would you tell her if she dared to press further? That you got randomly caught in a wild snowball alongside Jade, and that said snowball brought you all the way over there? That ridiculous boy-meets-girl story might work for a light novel, but certainly wouldn't work as a excuse, especially not in the Russian Institute. All you can do now is remain silent. You don't want to risk getting expelled, or worse, a trip to the rumored 'torture chambers'.
"You guys came to help me out, so it was the least I could do! Although... For you, Ma'am... I would have thrown myself into danger regardless!"
Meanwhile, Jade and the Penguin, or Pengy, as she calls it, seem to have reverted to a much lighter mood. Despite its small frame, Pengy's actions were key in turning the tables in your favor, so you'll overlook the fact that he is trying to shamelessly show off in front of a girl again. After what can only be described as a victory dance, the two part ways for moment, the girl intent on approaching the rest of the group. Your heart skips a beat as Jade walks past Anastasya without meddling a word. If Pengy deserves a medal for his valor, then how is one supposed to condecorate Jade's courage? Because, without a doubt, there is no one present who would dare to do what she just did.
"I am the one who's not done with you, Red." Funnily enough, the first response does not come from the teacher, but from the boy she just challenged. Even in close proximity, he remains calm enough to spit a response fitting for a delinquent to her face. "You were lucky to have your third-rate mascot around to save your ass today, but the next time I see you, you are dead meat."
He is definitively the youngest of the Blue group, so when you put him and Jade together, the whole thing ends up resembling a rivalry between 'little kids', even if the sentiment shared is much deeper. In any case, the whole thing is not meant to last with Kristoff there. Lifting the red haired girl single-handedly from behind, the woman simply tosses her back in your direction. It's an abrupt motion, one that certainly leaves clear that Jade is being treated like an object, however, the teacher's movements somehow fail to lose their grace. But more importantly, it's cruel...
---Because in your current state, you can't really dodge the incoming human projectile.
"Playtime is over. Igarashi, have you and your group use the translocator at the main building. The Opening Ceremony will begin shortly and we cannot afford to have the students with the highest distinctions be late. No detours... Is that clear?"
The bullies know an escape chance when they see one and so they gladly accept Anastasya's orders, leaving the scene with hurried steps. As you do your best to recover from the recent collision, the woman brings up an holographic display by raising his right hand. Even at a prudent distance, you can tell that's she's looking at your records. After all, your image displays for a moment there, before being replaced by Jade's and finally Pengy's. Naturally, she doesn't find anything interesting about you given that you just started. She does pause a second when she scans through Jade's profile, but at no time does she look anything but displeased.
"I see... The two of you are newcomers. It's unfortunate that you won't be able to enjoy the full thrill of the survival experience the first day has to offer, as today marks the start of the World Wide Magic Tournament."
... You had enough survival for a day, honestly.
The World Wide Magic Tournament, or WWMT for short, is a competition that takes place every couple of years where the four biggest schools of Miracle Wielders pit themselves against each other. The concept is similar to any other sport's World Cup, but since everyone who is a student can join, it's the perfect opportunity to show your skills and land a job in the future. The whole thing is pretty big deal, so you'd have to be deaf not to have heard about it at least once.
"Hmmm... I cannot let you travel with students from the Blue dorms as that would only hurt the school's reputation, so I'll have to transfer you manually..."
Rather than talking to you, you get the impression that she's just talking to herself.
Red and Blue, through your experience at the Russian Institute has been short, you've already witnessed the gap that exists between the two. Like the rich and the extremely poor, it appears that the two cannot co-exist in the same environment without birthing trouble...
That said, what exactly does she mean by 'transfer'...?
The moment you ask yourself that question is the moment you notice the world has begun to rapidly spin. Ah, it suddenly becomes hard to hold a grip on your consciousness... You feel like you are about to pass out...
-------
As you come to your senses, the first thing you notice is the ring of a bell. It's the classic Japanese school bell, you can tell. And speaking of Japanese schools, you find yourself standing at the gate of the biggest Japanese school. The place is brimming with students of all colors and sizes, and despite their rushed movements, everything appears to be in complete harmony. It honestly resembles the normal schools you are so fond of. If you had turned to see neither Jade nor Pengy by your side, you would have thought of anything that came before as an unpleasant dream.
"...huh?"
Is the only reaction you are allowed before an outstretched pamphlet lands on your face. You most certainly can't read it that way, so you use your hands to place it at a more comfortable distance. At first glance, it looks like a map. There is even a big 'X' close to the center, where you suppose everyone is heading. The school building is huge, but what calls your attention is that the map features the entire island, which has somewhat of a teardrop shape.
'Welcome to Starlight Academy!'
Reads on the top.