17 Lightning Release
The class bell rang, and I stretched my arms after sitting for so long.
I glanced to the side and saw Mikihiko rushing out of the classroom without saying a word, as usual.
Maybe he can't take it anymore, I figured.
Then, Tatsuya came up to my desk with his usual impassive expression.
What does he want now? I wondered.
"Let's go," he said.
"Huh? Where?"
I raised an eyebrow, taken aback. Tatsuya let out a sigh before answering.
"We've got a meeting at the committee headquarters."
I rolled my eyes; seems like I almost forgot about it.
"I see," I replied, getting up from my seat.
"Haku, you coming? Tatsuya-kun, want to join?" Erika approached us. "Hang on a sec, I've got something to do at the headquarters."
"Headquarters? Oh, got it. Well, I'll have my device on, so you can find me if you need to."
Erika didn't seem too interested in the disciplinary committee and left the classroom while waving.
The two of us headed to the disciplinary committee headquarters; I had a feeling it might be a hassle once we got there. Top of Form
"Excuse me."
As usual, it was Tatsuya who knocked on the door. I unbuttoned my school blazer because it was getting pretty warm.
The door opened, revealing quite a few people inside already, including Watanabe-senpai.
"Oh? You guys showed up too."
Watanabe-senpai greeted us from her seat.
I smiled and asked, "Did we make it on time?" She grinned and replied, "Yep, no worries. Take a seat." We both nodded and found chairs.
I noticed the other members already present were eyeing us curiously, especially at the blank emblem on our uniforms.
Once everyone was there, Watanabe-senpai stood up.
"Alright, listen up. The crazy week is starting again! Last year, some idiot here caused a scene during this period, and others who tried to stop it only made things worse. Be ready; I don't want to be scolding anyone."
Everyone except Tatsuya and I seemed to flinch a bit like they'd been zapped by something unpleasant. It must've been a pretty embarrassing ordeal.
"I'll introduce the new recruits. Stand up."
All eyes turned toward the back bench. Tatsuya promptly stood up, almost military-like, and I casually got to my feet. He seemed calm despite the not-so-relaxed atmosphere, and I wasn't feeling down either.
"Yuki Haku from 1E and Shiba Tatsuya from 1E. They'll be joining our patrols from now on."
Whispers filled the room, causing a bit of a commotion. After all, this was the first time Course 2 had filled all the first-year seats.
"Who are they partnered with?"
Someone raised their hand and asked, and honestly, I had no clue who it was.
"As I mentioned earlier, everyone will patrol on their own. The newcomers are no exception."
"Are they any good?"
I had to roll my eyes at that question – pretty dumb, but I guess it is normal considering Course 2 students are often underestimated here. Watanabe-senpai seemed to share my irritation at the offensive question.
"Don't worry, they're more than capable."
Watanabe-senpai seemed a bit fed up with it. However, she was impressively composed in managing this crowd; I don't know, but the Committee doesn't seem all that cohesive.
"Meeting's over; don't forget your recorders. I'll brief Yuki and Shiba. Move out!"
With that, everyone stood up straight, heels together and used their right hand to thump their left chest.
What the heck just happened?
I couldn't help but wonder about the tradition behind that salute, like yesterday's deal with saying "good morning," no matter that the sun had already set.
As everyone rushed out of the room, some stole glances at me.
Did they really think I wouldn't notice? Even though I'm used to it, a shiver still ran down my spine.
Sigh.
Koutarou-senpai and Sawaki-senpai gave us quick nods before leaving the room. Then Watanabe-senpai approached us with two armbands and a small video recorder, saying, "Clip the recorder to your chest pocket. It's designed to fit right in without you needing to take it out. Remember to press the button before you start recording."
I observed the recorder for a moment before tucking it into my pocket.
"I know it's nothing fancy like your expensive mobile device." Watanabe-senpai grinned at me, and I just chuckle and asked,
"Is the situation really that serious?"
"I'm not sure, but I'd advise you to watch your back, especially with that pretty face of yours." She patted my shoulder a couple of times.
"..."
"Got it," I thought, this might be worse than I expected.
"I'm about to send you the communication frequency; did you receive it?" she inquired.
I checked my mobile device and nodded.
"If anything comes up, report it. You can bring your CAD; no need to ask for permission. Just be wise in how you use it. My gut feeling is you won't cause any trouble, but stay cautious," she instructed, her final words ringing clear.
That meant if anyone messed up, they'd be out.
"Question."
"Hm?"
Tatsuya spoke up for the first time.
"Can I use the CAD in the committee room?"
His question seemed to catch her off guard momentarily before she replied, "Sure, but it's an older model."
Tatsuya shook his head. "It's not that it's bad, but that CAD is a high-quality piece that professionals use."
"Really? Well, use it however you want. It's just gathering dust anyway."
"In that case, I'll borrow two."
"Two? You're an interesting character."
With that, he took them and attached the two standard CADs to his arms. I grinned, intrigued by what he might have planned.
---
"I'll be with Erika while patrolling. How about you?"
As we stepped out of the committee room, I asked Tatsuya by the door.
"It might be more effective if we split up. Two people in the same area won't be as useful. If something comes up, you don't really need my assistance, do you?" Tatsuya responded with a wry smile.
"Seems like you're taking this pretty seriously. I'm genuinely curious to see how you'll handle those two CADs. If I'm right – and I apologize if I'm not – are you planning to use some form of cast jamming with them?"
I couldn't help but inquire, and Tatsuya's typical surprised look confirmed my suspicion.
"Well... Miyuki has high expectations, and you've got quite the depth of knowledge, Haku. You're right, but I stumbled upon this technique by pure chance."
Tatsuya replied with a wry smile.
I shook my head wearily.
"A happy accident, huh? Quite the flashy way to show off. Well, if that's the plan, let's split up here."
"Alright."
With Tatsuya's decision confirmed, I turned around and used my mobile device to locate Erika's position.
---
Haku descended the stairs to the ground floor and, upon arrival, found Erika waiting. She was gazing at the line of small tents outside the main classroom door, a mix of wonder and a hint of boredom on her face.
"Feels like a festival, huh?" Haku remarked.
"Hikk!"
Erika jumped in surprise at the sudden question from beside her. "Haku! Don't sneak up on me like that! Geez!" she protested, playfully pinching Haku's cheeks with both hands.
Haku thought maybe he should give up on his habit of erasing his presence, considering his ninja-like skills.
"Alright, let's take a stroll," Haku said, freeing himself from Erika's pinching by lightly slapping her hands away.
"Hehe, your cheeks are as squishy as a baby's. Can I pinch them again?" Erika chuckled with her trademark grin.
"If you're that fond of babies... ever thought about adoption?" Haku quipped with a wry smile.
Erika blinked, her face turning red. "I'm not ready to be a mom any time soon!" She started walking briskly, intending to leave Haku behind, but she didn't realize he was walking right beside her.
"Hmmph! I should be the one teasing," Erika muttered to herself, even though Haku had no intention of teasing her.
"Huh? Did you say something?" Haku feigned ignorance, engrossed in observing his surroundings since it was the first time he was truly enjoying the school atmosphere.
'I think I should take a break from practicing,' Haku decided, temporarily setting aside his ninjutsu training by canceling his presence concealment technique.
"I-I didn't say anything to you! Geez." Erika averted her gaze, walking with her arms crossed.
Haku was puzzled by the misunderstanding. "Did I offend you somehow? I mean, why not consider adopting a kitten? Seriously, they're adorable."
Hearing Haku's suggestion, Erika's blushing face returned to normal. "Hmm... Whatever. Just drop it," she muttered. Haku's left armband then caught her attention, triggering a shift in her mood.
It wasn't jealousy over Haku's talents being acknowledged by the school; it reminded her of someone she didn't particularly like from the disciplinary committee.
As they walked down the street, surrounded by the tents of various club representatives, the two of them chatted in their world, oblivious to the glances they were drawing.
The club members were captivated by Haku – his long hair tied back in a ponytail and his blazer unbuttoned, lending him a distinctive aura. On the contrary, Erika exuded youthful vitality, her red hair perfectly mirroring her spirited demeanor.
In their admiration, their eyes gleamed with a hint of greed as they spotted two striking freshmen, potential new club members.
"Sigh... you know, my dad keeps hinting at having grandchildren from me. It's so annoying Haku! I sometimes wonder if I've been secretly engaged," Erika continued to vent, oblivious to the increasingly greedy stares they were attracting.
Haku merely nodded, maintaining his gentlemanly demeanor as he listened to Erika's complaints. Suddenly, his senses tingled, and he felt a tense atmosphere enveloping the area.
"Speaking of annoying, this seems like a dicey situation, doesn't it?"
Erika raised an eyebrow, and then it hit her that the street had become unusually quiet. Looking around, she noticed the eager eyes of senior club members fixed on them.
"E-Eh? But isn't it... your pretty face's fault?" Erika quipped, a bead of sweat forming on her forehead.
"I told you, you're the cuter one," Sensing trouble, Haku swiftly began gathering psions, preparing to use the [Clone Technique].
"Get them!"
In unison, the club presidents shouted while pointing at the two unsuspecting freshmen. However, these two were far from ordinary.
Erika promptly activated [Acceleration] magic all over her body and dashed forward, while Haku matched her pace using his physical prowess.
Both of them raced ahead with their hearts pounding. As the female seniors started chasing after them with magic, it appeared the male students were hesitant to chase the 'girls' as it might lead to accusations of harassment.
Haku remembered Mari's words: 'The school allows them to use magic for training as long as it doesn't endanger the students. Chasing using acceleration magic might still be tolerated.' Mari had said it playfully.
Even so, being pursued by a horde of determined seniors like this was a bit much, he thought.
But he forgot one crucial detail – they were both considered attractive, especially him being quite the pretty boy!
"So annoying! I'm fast enough, but being chased like this is terrifying, Haku!"
Erika shouted at the top of her lungs, while Haku had already completed three sets of hand seals.
"Do you see that T-junction!?"
Haku glanced at Erika while asking.
"Yes!"
"Great, let's turn right."
As they approached the fork leading to a small forest, the clamor of ambition grew louder as seniors from various clubs chased after them with predatory intent.
"Pick up the pace, everyone!"
"Shut up, loser! The Battle Board club has already set its sights on them!"
"Quiet! They're going to be our new club mascots!"
Upon reaching the T-junction, Haku and Erika veered to the right, only to find themselves at a dead end.
The seniors who were hot on their heels wore eerie grins as they closed in. Two individuals advanced and tapped Haku and Erika on their shoulders, saying,
"You're ours now... huh?" The seniors' expressions quickly turned to confusion, forming a collective dumbfounded look.
The moment their hands touched Haku and Erika's shoulders, they transformed into water statues and shattered on the stone path.
"Huhhhhhh!?" The dozens of individuals collectively exclaimed in astonishment.
Haku had outsmarted them using the [Water Clone] technique.
---
"Hahaha! What was that? But it was fun! Hah~ I'm all sweaty now... That's a cool technique, by the way. More ninjutsu, I assume?"
Erika plopped down onto a lawn chair, loosening her tie, and chuckled with a sense of accomplishment after successfully evading their pursuers. Haku shook his head, smiling at Erika's laughter. She was right – the sensation was akin to being chased by bulls at the Spanish San Fermin Festival.
Haku nodded and replied, "I thought joining the disciplinary committee and wearing this armband would make me immune to such situations, but not. Nonetheless, as you said, it was fun."
He extended his right fist toward Erika. Erika smiled and reciprocated with a fist bump.
"You know, we're quite close to the gymnasium. I've been wanting to check out the Kenjutsu club!"
"Ah, Kenjutsu? That's something I'm interested in as well. Let's go, Erika."
"Oh! You're into it too?"
"Yeah, maybe."
The two of them headed towards the second gymnasium, known as the "Arena," where kendo and kenjutsu demonstrations were held.
Upon arrival, they found the place quite crowded with spectators. Despite not being related to the Nine Schools Competition, both clubs were surprisingly popular.
As they entered, they spotted Tatsuya standing alone, gazing down at the arena from the corridor.
"Oh! Tatsuya-kun."
Erika greeted him. Tatsuya glanced at them and smiled faintly, "What a coincidence..."
After exchanging pleasantries, they joined Tatsuya in observing the kendo demonstration from an elevated vantage point.
"Even though this is a magic school, they have a Kendo club too."
Erika commented nonchalantly, though she had already heard about it from Haku.
"Isn't it common for schools to have a Kendo club?"
Tatsuya asked without taking his eyes off the demonstration.
"I didn't expect Tatsuya-kun not to know something..."
"Do I come across as someone who knows everything?"
"Ah, no. It's just that you give off that vibe." Erika chuckle.
Haku didn't overhear their conversation, as his attention was drawn to something else. "Is that bracelet with the colors of the French flag their trademark or something?" he mused aloud.
"Hmm? I'm not sure, but it doesn't match Kendo, does it?" Erika was equally puzzled by the choice of bracelet colors. However, Tatsuya's expression changed slightly, a hint of recognition crossing his face. Haku picked up on the shift in Tatsuya's demeanor even though he continued to observe the demonstration below.
'Something seems suspicious here. I thought Tatsuya would say something about it. I'll have to investigate this later when I get home,' Haku thought to himself.
Feeling a bit drowsy due to the lackluster demonstration, Haku began to grow bored. He had initially anticipated a more dramatic display, but the event had turned out rather uneventful in his opinion.
"Yawn! This is getting dull. At least the presence of that female student spices things up a bit," Haku remarked.
"Haha, you're right, Haku. She's sparring against an opponent who's clearly below her level. It's more like practice," Erika chimed in, equally unenthused.
"This is essentially a promotional demonstration for the club. Flashy moves would be for show, and it might intimidate prospective students if they see high-level techniques."
Tatsuya offered his opinion with his usual stoic expression.
"Come on, admit it, you're getting bored too, right?" Erika sighed, losing interest in the display. Both Haku and Tatsuya nodded in agreement, honestly acknowledging their shared sentiment.
After a while, the three of them grew increasingly restless and ready to leave, particularly Erika, who had a strong affinity for martial arts and didn't appreciate it being showcased for spectacle. Then, a commotion caught their attention, and Haku and Erika exchanged knowing smiles, their expressions in perfect sync as if they had been waiting for something more engaging.
"Ugh, I can't see from here."
Annoyed, Haku moved toward the gathering crowd, tugging Erika along by the wrist.
"What the heck?"
"Hey!"
The crowd grumbled in annoyance at being pushed, their irritation giving way to blushes as they caught sight of Haku's face and Erika's apologetic smile. Tatsuya followed close behind, silently observing their actions. 'Are they really fine with drawing this much attention?' he wondered.
"The Kenjutsu Club's official demonstration is scheduled for an hour from now, Kirihara! Why the rush?"
"Wow! Seriously, Mibu? I'm just trying to add some excitement to the Kendo Club's performance."
"W-What? I didn't expect you to be this childish!"
"Come on, Mibu, don't overreact. I merely tapped him with my shinai. If he's part of Kendo, he should be able to withstand a tap without collapsing, right? Plus, he's the one who initiated the confrontation."
"But you provoked him in the first place!"
A verbal exchange ensued between a beautiful girl still wearing her chest armor and a young man with a shinai slung over his shoulder, a mocking grin playing on his lips.
'Just get on with it already!' Haku mentally urged them, growing impatient with their banter. He was eager to see them fight.
"Hehe~ this is getting interesting," Erika mused, positioned between Haku and Tatsuya, her excitement palpable.
"Do you know them?" Tatsuya directed his question at Erika.
"Oh, yeah, I've heard of them, but I don't know them personally."
"I remember now. The second-year girl is Mibu Sayaka, the former runner-up in the National High School Kendo Tournament. The media dubbed her 'The Sword-Wielding Beauty.'"
Hearing this, Haku raised an eyebrow. "And what about the first-place winner?" he inquired.
"W-well, you see, the champion wasn't quite as picturesque," Erika responded awkwardly. Haku rolled his eyes lazily and muttered, "People."
"And the guy's name is Kirihara Takeaki. Former champion of the Kanto High School Kenjutsu Tournament. A true ace."
"Not the Nationals?"
"The Nationals for Kenjutsu are only held at the high school level due to limited participation."
Tatsuya's question was answered he nodded in understanding. Kenjutsu was a sport that combined sword techniques with magic. Regardless of one's skill with the sword, without magic, success was virtually impossible.
"This is it."
Haku spoke up. The trio sensed that the confrontation was reaching its climax. Both newcomers to the Disciplinary Committee readied their cameras, prepared to capture the unfolding scene. They paid little heed to the whispers from onlookers questioning how two Course 2 students had earned a place on the disciplinary committee.
Two figures from Kendo and Kenjutsu gripped their shinai tightly, their confrontation inevitable.
(Note: A shinai is a practice sword made of bamboo used in Kendo and Kenjutsu.)
"Don't underestimate me, Mibu. This is a Kendo demonstration; I won't rely on magic against you."
"Is magic all you think about? You, a Kenjutsu practitioner relying on magic, believe you can defeat me, who has honed her sword skills?"
"Just cut the talk, Mibu. Here I come!"
With a resounding shout, the duel was ignited. Kirihara surged forward, his wooden sword swinging towards Mibu's head.
The crowd was drawn into the spectacle as the wooden swords clashed, parried, and countered each other's strikes.
"This is fascinating. That Kendo girl is quite skilled; I wonder how she compares to the previous champion," Tatsuya remarked, observing the fray.
"No, it's different from what I remember. She seems to have improved."
Erika disagreed, revealing what she knew. Her surprised expression indicated that she hadn't anticipated Mibu's progress over the years.
The skirmish continued until their shinai were locked, both combatants leaping back to regain their distance, their breaths heavy.
'The girl holds the upper hand in technique, while the guy avoids striking vulnerable points. I'm not sure what his intentions are in provoking her, but he refrains from aggressively targeting her weak spots.'
Haku wasn't certain of Kirihara's motivations, so he pushed that aside for the time being.
"UOOOOO!"
With a primal roar, Kirihara lunged fiercely at Mibu, his shinai aimed for a vertical slash. Mibu mirrored his movement, their combined attacks seemingly determining the outcome.
However, Kirihara's momentary hesitation caused his strike to miss, grazing Mibu's arm. In contrast, Mibu's wooden sword found its mark, hitting Kirihara's shoulder with a resounding crack that echoed through the arena.
A sigh of relief rippled through the Kendo members, while the Kenjutsu students clenched their teeth in frustration.
Mibu gracefully shook out her tied hair after retrieving her shinai from Kirihara's shoulder.
"Know your limits; your strike barely even grazed me. In a real swordfight, that could be a lethal wound," Mibu stated matter-of-factly.
Kirihara's dumbfounded expression shifted into a smile, almost as if he had something audacious in mind.
Both Haku and Tatsuya were on alert, sensing that something was about to happen. They exchanged a knowing glance, readying themselves for whatever might transpire.
"A real sword fight, you say? If that's what you're after, then let's have a real battle, Mibu!"
With the activation of his CAD on his left wrist, magic sequences flowed through Kirihara's body, enveloping his wooden sword with intense vibrations and high-frequency sounds that grated on the ears. 'Oscillation-type magic—Sonic Blade,' Haku deduced.
Haku considered employing [Gram Demolition] to nullify the magic, but he found that option uninteresting. He had resolved to embrace a more proactive approach, utilizing every opportunity to gain experience.
'Applying Ice Release to the arm or the wooden sword wouldn't prove very effective against Reinforcement Magic. However, I can withstand the impact using Lightning Release.'
"I'm coming, Mibu!"
Kirihara lunged, executing a diagonal slash aimed at Mibu's chest armor. Just as he did, Haku executed a swift displacement, seemingly 'teleporting', as he caught Mibu's shinai in his hand and deflected Kirihara's strike with his shinai, infused with magic Lightning Release.
[Purple Lightning]
'Who's that?!' Both Kirihara and Mibu were taken aback by the rapid arrival of two unexpected figures.
The ear-piercing resonance of Sonic Blade and the electric crackle of Purple Lightning clashed together as their swords collided.
Haku didn't remain idle, launching a roundhouse kick aimed at Kirihara's right side. Swiftly, he disengaged and relinquished his shinai.
The conclusion of Haku's technique left him slightly disappointed, as it ended sooner than he had anticipated. However, his eyes widened as he remembered the presence of a girl behind him.
Turning with a smile, Haku faced Mibu. "Hello there. Is your arm all right?" For a fleeting moment, Mibu was captivated by Haku's presence, momentarily distracted by the sight of a girl donning a boy's uniform. However, her admiration for Haku's composed demeanor colored her cheeks with a faint blush.
"Feel this strike, you tomboy!"
But the spectacle was far from over.
---
Sorry for the late update, my work increased while I continued writing until this chapter was finished.
I would like to ask if you have any ideas about the plot of this story, thank you!
Earth Release: Power Stone Technique!
