The Academy Arc

I hopped and quickly shoved my books into my bag, not wondering where they came from. I rushed out of the door and slowly walked back in backwards, marveling at the keys. "Geez, I don't have time..." I picked up both of them and thought. "Let's see which key I should use..." I coincidentally used the key that led to cram school and shoved the other key in my pocket. "Now where is that class...?" I said, walking without clarity until I found the room. I peeped in and walked forward. "Hello...?"

A few students turn around to you, they seem to be generic looking...however something pops up....Im sitting near the teachers desk reading a book while he, the exorcist teaching, takes attendance he then looks up and smiles beckoning you in, I don't seem to notice you.

I nodded to everyone and took an empty seat. Looking around, I sighed. "I don't see anyone familiar..." I mumbled. Until orange hair and a spiffy jacket caught my eye. It couldn't be... him!? No escape, can I...? I leaned back in my seat, barely being able to pay attention to the lesson because of being lost in thought. I stared out of the window while daydreaming.

I close my book with a rather loud bang. "My sincerest apologies teacher however I must interrupt, Ayumi was it? I think this is rather important. After all he is talking about fin-tuning a type specific dragoon rifle and other guns that may be suited in the field." I look at you, my eyes like dull mirrors waiting for you to tune into the lesson- How did he even know you were a dragoon specialist/exwire? I still seem to have that odd light "aura" glittering around me if you look at a slight angle. However that doesn't warrant enough attention ; The teacher continues with his lesson after about a total of 3 minutes of silence however I'm still looking off in your general area making sure you are indeed paying attention like everyone else.

I glared at him and slammed open my notebook angrily. First you shock me out of my thoughts, then you command me to pay attention. What is this, prison!? I stuck out my bottom lip and tried to pay attention, but to little avail. I mumbled, flipping to the next bare sheet of paper. "What does he know... telling me to... ooo!" By the time the lesson was over, I'd scribbled and drawn on most of my notes. Bunnies, candy, everything but. Even a little epic stickman fight in the corner. "I'm just terrible... oh well..." I mumbled once more, leaning onto my fist.

I sigh, I talk off about some boring topic to the teacher when class is over...what the hell? He's talking to him as if he's a peer of the teachers? And as if that isn't strange enough he walks up to you with his signature unfazed look and stride almost seeming to be polite and withdrawn.....which would serve to make anyone get infuriated especially with his display and over all "adult" attitude when one would look at his appearance. And with that I simply look up at you and the words follow " You'll be attending a special exercise with me this afternoon which will extend through tonight and partially tomorrow. It wont be too boring in fact it will give you a chance to test out anything you know. Consider it a preliminary field test, it wont count for anything its just for assessments sake on my part. " I scratch my head and my amberish orange hair shifts. I await your response but clearly I wont take no for an answer....so that's what he was doing with the teacher ; Clearing this out so he could take you on this [Field test] whatever that could be.

I ran my fingers through my messy pink hair and sighed. "Really...? Alright fine..." I looked to the right, poked out my lips, and mumbled, "But I just got here... Is this a joke..." I nodded and stood up straight. I sleepily blinked and studied Akiyo's face. Still unnerving. I shifted my weight to my left leg and placed a fist to that hip. "What's in mind?"

"Its going to be a trip. And no its no joke ; The academy to my understanding wants able minded and bodied students to attend to consider this an assessment and a re-conditioner of sorts. Follow me. " I walk out of the class room and wait for you outside, Assuming you come with me which you will ; We head to the pavilion of the school. "Do me a favor and hold on...also keep this whole bit a secret, Not like you have to but it's for your safety." Was that a threat...? Before you even have time to object your warped across in a stream of light particles to the forest.....the dancing energy fades off into the dawn-light as night is drawing closer...we're in the middle of the forest clearing...it seems to have a chair and I walk over to it...too plush to be out here, Was it moved just for the exercise? "You'll be staying here for a night. If you survive you will be allowed special "privileges" as a exwire +. It isnt much but more to persuade you to learn more in class...while yes it is extreme believe me ; It works wonders for the most part". He leans back and tosses you a clunky transmitter "Use it if you need me, anyways just find some other spot and hang tight until tomorrow afternoon. Try not to die hm?". My eyes blink and slowly shift to you waiting for a response or for you to walk away into the woods entrance.

"What the heck!?" I move my hand and ball it up. "Its not but my second day here, and you decided to throw me in the woods like demon bait? Knowing I have no protection whatsoever, and is completely vulnerable to anything and everything out here!" I glared at him and scowled. "What is this!? Keep quiet my ass... what is this, a joke!? Yeah... that's gotta be it..." I poked out my lips, folded my arms, tapped my foot, and looked off. "You're messing with a pre-arsonist here. Are you sure this is a good idea...?"

"Arcenist is a funny word.....For a half demon." I look up at you, my face is so emotionless its like looking at a mirror....an arrogant....eerie....mirror. " I'm taking you on this venture not for my personal gain but to make sure you know full well how to focus and if you can manage on your own, Exorcist like you litter the metaphorical crusade(s) graveyard. I've seen many who go off to fight and who are deemed "average" yet lack the ability to focus...to pay attention....And then they die." I get up and walk slowly up to your person...Im slightly taller making me ever more emphasized. " I don't see the problem. All you have to do is walk around and act like any normal person would. The order hinted at preforming this so im going to oblige. Now you can either cooperate or face the consequences. Where-ever those chips may fall. " I walk back to the chair and look at you, I cross my arms and my head looks onward. " Half-demon, the order simply wishes to gauge your worth and deem you are suitable...It was either this or a sneak attack and raid by a familiar. Be happy it wasn't the alternative." How could he know what you are......Only an informed exorcist...or a demon would know such a thing....He may be neither....both...Or something else entirely...

I opened my mouth to retort. "This 'half demon' has a name, and it's Ayumi." I shot a glare in his direction. How could he possibly know I was half demon...? I'm betting he's a demon himself. With power like that... "A surprise attack and a raid... huff." I lowered my head and raised my fist. "I'm not gonna make this a competition, but if you think that I'm the one that can't pay attention on the field, you're wrong." I lowered my eyes and smirked. "That class is just boring is all. I'll do the damn challenge if it's that important to you... so bring it on!" I smiled and brought down my fist. "Let's do this!"

"Then go on, venture into the forest. Use what knowledge you may have at your disposal." I sit back in the chair leaning my head onto my fist in a lazy manner.

"Alright, cool." I stood like I was about to run track. "But I'm not gonna run though..." I said walking off coolly.

The forest itself is odd....and a bit....freaky. Its open and hard to see inside. Almost like a black veil ; Various noises and animals all of which sound inhuman are not far off.....most of the places are dark and chances are you have to make it to a secluded location before too many demons flock on you, Otherwise you'll have to call for help from akiyo...who expects it. Undoubtedly a humiliation if you had to do so. Now all that's left is for you to walk.

I walked further in and looked off slightly. "I don't need him..." I ran off and decided to climb up a tree. "Nothing like leverage..." I pulled out my bow and arrow. "I hope nothing of the sorts lives in these trees..." I sat back on the branch and closed my eyes, listening to my surroundings.

(Sorry, going to bed. I'll post a reply tomorrow.)

(OKay. I'll wait for you to post that reply then. C:)

The sound of bending wood slowly draws your attention....the tree your in happens to be a demon and it's slowly starting to lean down near you. Its mouth open wide and drooling so as to seem even more demonic. Its form is that of a tree with a mouth and a long extension of a branch most likely used to wrap up victims...and you just walked right up and sat near it.

I tumbled off of the branch in fright, aiming my arrow at it. "Wait, this won't work!" I took off further in. "Damn! I don't know what I did with the holy water! Why do I go for Aria too!?" I stopped somewhere far off and breathed out. "Looks like sleep isn't an option... and I can't call for that baka... I just won't!" I pouted and searched for the holy water vial.

As your trying to catch your breath a couple butterfly like demons fly past and turn to you, they emit some sort of high pitched wail and you hear the entire forest move about...Seem's they alerted everything of your presence. Dinner time.

I put my hands over my ears and yell, "What kind of forest is this!?" and take off run again, pulling out the vial now.

Just as comically a bunch of goblins looking like they have plants out of their backs chase you with vigor.

I shriek and take off again, yanking the holy water vial, sending half of the bottles content on the goblins. I closed it and kept running further from my start.

They fall down and start thrashing about and burn, more demons take their place as your run. Seems it's going to be a long night.

I threw the rest of the holy water and sped off even faster, my demon senses kicking in. "Crap..." I grabbed my bow and arrow again, lighting up slowly.