Chapter IV the mystery unfolds.

Hirotani Ren.

—at the infirmary—

I opened my eyes. Scratching it gracefully as my visions became clear. I was at the infirmary. I saw a girl sleeping on the couch. The newly transferred student named Hikari. She’s the one with the thick eyeglasses. I tried to commemorate what happened but my dizziness kept me from remembering. I searched for Levi (short for leviathan. the spirit that helped me through these years in a form of a book.) I saw it in hikari’s lap. I hold its corner pulling it away from her gently. Avoiding to wake her up.

“Otani-kun” pulling the book to her lap again.

She spoke surprisingly. Her eyes slightly opened. It narrowed and glowered at me. I was caught by her eyes. There was a difference. I tried to observe. Unlike her introduction, its color changed from black to sea blue. Leaving a truly mysterious aura like the depths of the ocean as its color was.

I nicely asked her a question. “What…”

“Otani-kun” she interrupted.

I tilted my head as a response.

“You are indebted to me” she arrogantly said.

“Huh? What are you talking about?”

“As a payment, I’m going to take this book” she diabolically and childishly demanded—not answering my question.

“You can’t do that!” I exclaimed

She ran away from me like a kid letting Levi out of my reach.

“This is not just a book!”
“You’re going to rip it apart kid!” I shouted.

She paused from her position so I successfully pulled Levi away from her. I checked out Levi, fearing that there was a damage. It’s perfectly fine. I looked back to Hikari and saw that she’s kind of upset. She was looking on the floor. And I saw something that shone on her eyes. It was tears.

“Hikari?’

“Are you crying?’

“I’m sorry” I sincerely said.

There was a moment of silence then she spoke.

“Do you really think I’m just a kid?”

She walked out the door like I did something gravely wrong.

“Does calling her a kid upset her so much?” I mumbled to myself.

“What do you think Levi?’
“Levi?”

I heard no response. I lifted my hands and saw that Levi’s not there. I searched the room but I found nothing. Only one person could do this.

“Hikari!”

I ran swiftly towards her direction, hoping to catch up with her. I run through the corridors and at last! I saw her. She ran off when she saw me. I shouted at her and she only stocked her tongue out as a response. We had nearly clashed together but I just manage to stash one of her blue sashes. While chasing her, I saw Narika walking in the corridors eating her favorite strawberry ice cream. (She is one of my closest friend in the academy) she called me but I did not have the time to respond. Her face looked confused when I left her.

I continue chasing down Hikari. I grinned as I saw that it is a dead end. She looked if there is a way out but she found none.

“Dead end Hikari” I smiled half-heartedly.

I came nearer but she climbed on the window to avoid me. She looked at the distance from her spot to the ground.

“Give me that book Hikari!” I demanded.

She looked at me—smiling.

“No…way…”

She stepped backwards just a little inch away from the rear end of the window. I fear that she might fall from such a high distance.

“Hikari don’t!”

She stepped in and she fell. I caught her sashes and I quickly looked at the ground.
I saw her flipped her body in mid air and she reached the ground unharmed with her right hand and left knee touching the ground. She stands up cleaning the dirt from her skirt. She looked at me and pulled her tongue out. I raged in anger. I looked for another way down. I decided to take the elevator. In a few seconds, I reached the ground floor and I ran to hikari’s direction with both her sashes in my possession. I saw her standing by the fountain—not seeing her face. I went at her panting cause of exhaustion. Her back is facing me— ignoring my presence.

“Hikari, I’m exhausted. Could we continue this later?”

I heard her laugh then she threw me Levi.

She looked sternly at the fountain that then I remembered the cause of my unconsciousness earlier.

I was right here on this spot when I saw a girl playing at the fountain. As the vice president of the student council faction, I wanted to tell her that it is prohibited but I had made a mistake. I startled her by my presence. She stumbled and fell in the water and she is somewhat in pain. It is my entire fault. When you look at it, hikari’s back was similar to the girl I met before.

I noticed that Hikari took off her glasses.

“Hey Otani” she yelled—her voice more mature than before.

“You said that you’ll do anything I asked for right?”

I was confused of what she said. She turned around and faced me. Her hair was touched by the soft gentle breeze.

I was stunned. She is not the same Hikari anymore.

A different person.

—Part one end—

She jumped on the fountain’s stand and came closer to me.
“Sweet dreams Otani,” she whispered in my ear. Before I know it, I fell unconscious to the ground.

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My head is spinning and my visions were blurred. It took me some time to realize that I was in a white colored haven. I have slept on a white furry couch—very comfy beside it stood a small shelf. Since I like reading books, I looked at the book’s titles and authors. On the lower corner placed historical books that are composed mainly of Alexandre Dumas, William Shakespeare, Machiavelli and Cervantes’ literary works. At the middle part are encyclopedias about psychology and astrology. The displays on the wall above the bed distracted me. There were different kinds of swords and guns. Scimitar, jintachi, katana,nagamaki—I was also an expertise on various kind of swords.

In addition, collections of guns were seen near the window. A revolver that includes cartridges like.380 revolver, .41 avenger, .458 devastator. A series of handguns like automag, eclipse target II, double vektor cp1 and walther p88

I was curious of who possess such a collection at the same time afraid of THAT person.

There was a balcony. Where the cherry blossoms tree were clearly seen. I went at it and saw the beautiful chain of flowers that covered the balcony.

When I looked down, I saw Hikari in a yukata. Without wearing, her glasses and ribbons. There was a staircase leading down to her. Hikari is holding a katana. It is not easy to see what is she doing cause of her fast actions. I focused carefully.

She is dancing. Together with the flow of the cherry blossoms falling leaves. Cutting each leaf that enters her proximity. She saw me, but she did not pause. She continues her rhythmical dance until she cut off the final leaf like a sheet of paper.

She kept her katana on its sheath and put it aside. She walked forward to me resting her hands on her arms

“Finally awake you lazy bum,” she said arrogantly.

Without hesitation, I asked her.

“Really…who the hell are you anyway?”

I flooded her with my thoughts.

“At first, I thought you’re just anybody else…Nothing special. You looked easy and weak cause of those filthy glasses —yet you easily knocked me out.’

“Why are you so fast?’

“Why do you have so much strength?’

“Lastly, why do you wear a mask, Hikari?

She did not answer right away. She fixates her gaze on the falling cherry blossoms leaves.

“I am—the future successor of the largest underworld group on the world with its fortress at London, my hometown. Yet I was raised in Japan where my uncle is and his own business in trading industry. However, he still manages the minority of the underworld group in Japan secretly. I only have my grandparents, my sister and uncle. I do not know what happened to my parents since they kept it hidden from me. Uncle raised me as his own child. He educated me in the arts of fighting and on how to use various kinds of deadly weapons. I went at this academy to find answers about my long-lost parents. I disobeyed my uncle and because of fear, I disguised myself to keep my identity hidden. I might trigger someone who knew him”

“ahh so….is it okay to tell me all that?”

Her serious face turned into a mischievous look. Her eyes furrowed and her lips crack a smile.

“Didn’t you say that you’ll do anything that I wish?” she grinned

“Yeah?”Fearing of the outcome.

She pointed her index finger on me and she spoke

“I want you hirotani ren to be my under of my command!’

“You will be my most loyal and useful servant!” she smiled crookedly

“whaaat?!”

—chapter end—

—the sun has set.—

The next day awaits…

 

Chapter III another world

 

 

 

I was surprisingly calm but astonishment covered up my face.

 

“T-that’s enough mr.kiryuu”said

Mr.Nakamura—obviously scared to death cause of his rattling legs.

 

Ruezaki sat down. He’s at 3:00 on my perspective. I heard him telling his friends that he just showed us 2℅ of his power—that’s something.

 

 The teacher found courage to speak again.  “Next, Ms. Segawa!”

 

There stood a student with different set of eye color—hey is that really possible? Her left eye color is ashy gray and the other is cherry red. She bowed first then she lifted her right hand showing us her silver bracelet embellished with a precious ruby-like stone. Her hands moved towards her face then closing it into a fist.

 

“ethere’ she called on a soft tone.

 

“Spread’

 

The ruby-like stone sparkled momentarily, and then it vanished. Suddenly I felt a mild soft current of air—yet it is getting stronger. It blew some papers away and those with small masses. The wind moved to segawa-san’s wrist to her bracelet—it was indulging the wind. She opened her hand then some particles formed in it. It looked like a shape of a weapon. It was a staff/rod.

It has spherical red crystal at the center.

 

“narika segawa’ she grimly said.

“Mid-level cleric’

“Hoping for us to get along” then she smiled angelically.

 

My classmates applauded as a respect to her ability, while I felt more like a moron for some reason. I was raised as a noble to be treated like this—guess I’ll just have to endure.

 

“Hirotani ren?” the teacher asked.

 

I looked behind me—at 6:00. And I actually saw a student drinking a tea in class hours and it seems Mr. Nakamura is too scared to prohibit such an action. He had a smooth caramel colored hair that has a twist on the side covering his ears with velvet black eyes.

 

He shyly walked to the front with of a piece of paper. He lifted his hand with the paper and pause.

 

“Levi”

“Show them…”

 

He flipped the paper and suddenly it became a large book with an ominous eye that is seen at its cover. Its gaze turned rapidly from one point to another, fixating nowhere.

 

He spoke a Latin language and from the book appeared a lion, blazing with fire. It stared down to us with fraught eyes. Mr.Nakamura was so terrified that the animal might hurt us so he ordered the student to stop such an action. Eventually, he caught the lion’s attention. It slowly walked to Mr. Nakamura, fixing its attention to no one else but him. The teacher crumbled to the floor like he was the prey for the predator.

 

The student stash a piece of paper from the book and it flew to the lion. The lion was drained by the paper showing us an illustration by a blazing lion drawn only by ink. It came back to the book and the student spoke.

 

“Hirotani Ren, intermediate shadow warlock’

“Blue rosarian”

 

He ignored the applauses for him as he went back to his seat continuing his tea session.

The introduction of my classmates went on. I gawked at them each time they show off.

 

But someone really caught my attention.

 

“Shinichi Zero’

“Adept Rogue mastery level’

“Black Rosarian”

 

That’s what he said. He didn’t even show something for the class yet the class idolizes him like a God. It’s not impossible though. His features are extraordinary. He has brown hair that shone like it was sprinkled by moon dust. His eyes are enticingly striking, golden as the sun.

 

He’s so beautiful. My heart pounded hard as if it would come out of my chest. But my feelings were obscure—mixed with different emotions as I gaze at him. There was sadness, fear, loneliness, amazement and Love…?

 

I shook off my head to relieve the tension and to stop the silliest thing I was thinking.

 

Mr. Nakamura —finally eased by the end of the entire introduction, began his discussion on some of the academy’s rules and regulation. He said that we will meet our other teachers tomorrow. Except for me, he said that I shall go to the rosarium.

 

After 4 hours…

 

 

The bell rang. It’s our dismissal time. I’m fixing my things, putting mechanical pencils and some notebooks inside my bag. A group of students surrounded me with frigidly attitude.

 

“Hey little girl, come with us” said the tall guy with pierces.

 

 I acted scared almost like a kid. They continue scrutinizing me, especially my appearance. Zero stood up and the bullies stopped their criticisms and gave a salute to zero. Zero’s eyes strike like a basilisk. The bullies back off and they disperse at different areas. I was standing behind my seat holding my chest, fearing that my heart will crumbled as it beat heavily inside me.

He was walking towards me, the reason why my heart beats heavily. TUD TUD…TUD TUD…

 

“Thank you” I said the words unclearly but I knew he understand.

 

He left the room. My heartbeat finally slowed down. I want to follow him—holding no reason. I headed towards his direction but I saw that he is already at the ground floor. I rushed towards the window and jumped. While in mid air, I heard someone screamed. I realized that I stepped on someone’s back. When I reached the ground I tuned my gaze back to the window to apologize to the person later. I saw ruezaki stand up with a growling expression.

 

“Dead…” *gulp*

 

 I saw him jump off the window just like I did but and he really looked as if he’s going to kill a person. I ran off to a different direction avoiding him.

 

“I think lost him” I sighed.

 

On my way I saw a huge fountain. Embroidered with silver and gold sculptures of roses. Its crystal-like water splashes elegantly around the piles of heather.

I wander around its proximity to gaze at its beautiful scenery. I came in closer— untying my sashes and taking off my glasses. I played childishly with the water. My hands moved swiftly along its surface creating small currents. I watched my reflection and then I remembered why I’m here. I tapped my pocket searching for the memento that my mother once possessed. A locket embellished with stones of aquamarine. Inside craved a message. “Keep the flames of your light strong. Step forward and find yourself. Don’t be afraid. Darkness can’t reach a strong light” I was distracted by the tension in the water. My reflection shattered. Looked closely and saw a reflection of another body formed in the water. I quickly flipped to dodge the person but I lost my balance. The water got me. I was deeply in pain cause of the contact lenses I was wearing. I covered my eyes with my hands to ease the pain. I stood up and face the person who caused me this occurrence.

 

“Who are you?!” I growled at him.

 

“I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to startle you”

 

I struggle to open my left eye and peek to the space between my index and middle finger.  

 

He bowed to me and apologizes. “I’m really sorry of what happened. Please I’ll do anything you wish as an apology”

 

“You are?” I asked.

 

“Hirotani ren”

 

He was one of my classmates—the one who showed us the flaming lion. I was afraid that he might know who I am so flashed towards him and strike his upper back to make him unconscious. As expected, he fell on the ground without consciousness.

 

I took my garments and put it on before somebody else could see me. I was about to go but I turned back to him— a little pitiful. I decided to help him thinking that he might become useful to me a little— harsh. I carried him on my shoulder and went off to the infirmary.

 

—Chapter end—

 

—The sun has set—

 

The next day awaits…

Chapter two: BEWILDERED THOUGHTS

 

“Hikari— are you sure about this?” asked yuriko.

 

I replied “I guess…its just temporary till uncle soothes down”

 

Yuriko merely took a minute before she replied. She was carefully observing my looks.

 

Her eyes narrowed with worry “others might think you’re easy hikari…”

 

“maybe. Well I don’t really care as long as I stay out of trouble’

 

“I’m confident in my skills, don’t worry yuriko.”

 

Even though she knew what I have learned from the past. I saw incomprehension at her face.

 

“hey —don’t fret at me dummy. Ill be fine”

 

She took a weak grimace and spoke.

 

“alright let’s go to our first day of class” she smirked.

 

 I nodded to signal our leave. I took my bag and followed yuriko as she went out of my room. We headed to the bus station leading to the institution’s main building. We were the first to come. We sat at the rear end of the bus— waiting for the other passengers. On the other hand yuriko sat behind me. We were always arguing of whose seating near the windshield and to avoid that, she suggested to seat behind me. Since there is much time to leave, I took a short nap. After an hour, I felt the movement of the bus. We are now leaving the dormitory section but then it suddenly stopped. I was distracted from my nap and so I checked what the cause is. I also saw that all the seats were occupied except mine. I guess my new schoolmates don’t like me — well I expect that.

 

The bus’ door opened and a male student came inside —He was the last to come. He has black ebony hair and crimson red eyes with his hair spiked from the right side. Since the seat next to me were unoccupied, ha sat beside me. Many of the students greeted him and he replied nicely without paying any attention to me. I heard them calling him ruezaki. At last! The bus started to move. I stared at the different sceneries along the way till we have reached the main building for the middle school department. We got off the bus and walked to the hallway. While walking I asked yuriko to what class she belongs. I pouted when she answered.

 

“Class 2-b” she said.

 

“That’s bad — I’m at 2-A” I replied frowning.

 

She took a deep breath and patted my back.

 

“well good luck to us” she said with teary eyes. The moment has come for us to part ways— wow like those in the movies *giggles*. Luckily her room was just next to mine. She went to her class and I did the same. The rays of the sun covered the room. I was expecting to see more than just the well polished tables, comfy seats and elegant styled class. I looked for a vacant seat and picked the one near the window. I placed my bag under the table and I observed the room. I was wondering what’s so special about this school anyway? The teacher finally came and he’d like each one of us to introduce ourselves to begin the class. First he told us his name.

 

“G-good m-mmmorning class I-im your first subject teacher Mr. Henri Nakamura”

 

He was feeling uneasy when he spoke. I guess he was just a beginner. Then he looked at the student log.

 

“Ms. Asahina!’ he called out

 

“L-let us hear your introduction” he said pretending to be brave.

 

 

I confidently stand— presenting the new me. I wore thick, wide, rectangular glasses completely covering my eyes and eye lenses to change its original color to brown. My hair is messy. Not neatly combed. I tied them with blue satin sashes at both side of my head.

 

“Hikari Asahina’

 

“A transfer student from Eirin academy —pleased to meet you all”

 

After my introduction, I heard the gossips of my classmates. Maybe it’s because of my new looks that I felt such a loser. But it seems my intro gave the teacher some assurance.

 

The teacher called another student.

 

“Next, Mr. Kiryuu!” he said now confident.

 

The others pulled their chair away making a space for ruezaki. While I clueless as I remained.

 

“Bloody Rose” he called

 

There is a red spark in his hand then suddenly, a gigantic scythe appeared. Black as his hair tainted with bloody red.

 

He swung it aimlessly and we were all terrified. When he paused, we heard the cracks of the broken floors and ceilings.

 

“ruezaki kiryuu’

 

“adept rogue level 1 acquired 2^nd extension.’

 

“a black rose”

 

I was deafened by the loud cheers and applauses of my classmates. I was petrified by the occurrence. I thought this was just another rich school yet I was wrong—COMPLETELY. It’s Phantasm.

 

 

 

End of chapter

—the sun has set—

 

The next day awaits…

I want a guy who would move away the hair in my eyes and then kiss me..

 

Hold my hand in line that will make all the girls jealous..

 

Someone who could sing to me at random moments

 

Who would let me sleep on their chest..

 

A boy who would get mad at someone if they called me ugly or mean to me..

 

Someone who could call me 3x a day if he went away..

 

Someone who would let me gossip to him and just smile at everything that I say

 

He would throw stuffed animals at me when I acted dumb and will kiss me a million times..

 

Someone who would make fun of me just to make me laugh..

 

He would take me to the park and put his hands around my waist and give me bear hugs all the time…

 

He would tell his friends about me and smile when he did it…

 

And we’d make out in the pouring rain…

 

He would never be afraid to say that he loves me in front of his friends..

 

We’d argue about silly things then easily make up…

 

Lay beside me in a grassy field and count stars with me…

 

Give me flowers without a special occasion…

 

 

 

Someone who would tell me im beautiful but not often…

 

Who would make me laugh like no one else could…

 

But mostly….

 

I want someone who would be my Best friend..

 

And would never break my heart…

 

 —-some are true ..some are not..—-