As I opened the door to the back entrance of the auditorium, I was met with an unexpected greeting.
My hair was blown back by a bloodcurdling roar as Sylvie had to cling onto Arthur to avoid falling off. Along with the deafening shout of the mana beast that greeted me came bullets of saliva that would have showered the three of us but they fell to the ground as ice before they had the chance.
"Do you want to die?" My voice was Ice cold, the mana beast immediately laid down in submission. I nonchalantly proceeded to pet its face, which I kneeled down to do just for a second. Grawder was by no means a small and nonthreatening mana beast but compared to Zeph's dragon form, I could only see it as a newborn kitten.
Even Sylvie looked at the mana beast with little interest as she just settled back on top of Art's head.
"Woah... he wasn't surprised at all..." From behind the mana beast peeked out a slightly older-looking Feyfey.
"I told you Al wouldn't be surprised, I'm more shocked that he didn't just throw Gawder across the room," Claire said in a casual tone.
"Bah! Another frail-looking pretty boy and Nerd! Why aren't there any more real men in this committee?" Looking around, I found Doradrea walking towards us.
"Hey, Alex." Dordrea gave me a casual wave and walked up to Art and Elijah behind me.
"Looks like we'll be working together, so I might as well introduce myself. I'm Doradrea Oreguard, a first-year, like yerself. Let's get along, ey?" she said simply while firmly smacking Their backs causing them to wince.
"Arthur Leywin. Nice to meet you,"
"Elijah Knight, Likewise," they replied both rubbing their backs, Elijah used a tiny amount of soulfire to ease the soreness, nobody other than me noticed since it wasn't in large enough quantities for someone who doesn't use it to sense.
"Well, come on now! Follow me. The rest of the DC officers are in the other room. Director Goodsky didn't really give us any details so everyone is curious." Doradrea led us through a hall, Feyfey following behind us with the mana beast.
"Everyone! The last three are here!" Doradrea shouted at the top of her lungs as we reached a room at the end of the hall.
Inside the gigantic room that was used to hold events, I saw three other figures.
Without further ado, we walked up closer to greet them all at once.
"My name is Arthur Leywin and I just started attending this academy as a Battlemage student. I am a dual-elemental attribute augmenter capable in wind and earth." Art offered a curt bow.
"I'm Elijah Knight I'm a first-year battle mage as well. I'm an earth conjurer with a single deviancy in metal." Elijah bowed less so than Arthur.
"yer a dwarf?" Doradrea questioned, and to be fair Elijah didn't look like a dwarf at all.
"Half but I look like a human." Elijah clarified quickly.
"Alexander shard, First-year battle mage, conjurer with water and wind elements." I sounded off not even bothering to bow.
"Arthur Leywin and Alexander Shard?" The first voice that spoke up sounded surprised. Looking back up, I saw a boy that appeared to be around seventeen. He had deep, mahogany-colored hair that spiked out, making him look almost like a lion himself. His fierce sword-shaped brows combined with his strong brown eyes produced a striking gaze. It took me a couple of seconds but I soon realized who he was.
"If I remember correctly, you must be Prince Glayder?" Art asked
"Art with those eyebrows is there really a possibility that he isn't?" I reminded in a sarcastic tone.
Both of them let out a choked laugh for an instant before recomposing themselves.
"I can hardly call myself a prince now ever since the three kings and queens dismissed their titles and became The Council. Just call me Curtis." He spoke very charismatically, but his voice was clearly a bit disappointed at me recognizing him from his eyebrows.
"Nice to see you again, Curtis. You must be a fifth-year now, right?" Art responded cheerily, which eased the troubled look he had.
"Yup! fifth-year fire attribute augmenter as well as a beast tamer. Nice to see you again," he announced as he grasped hands with Arthur. Curtis' uniform looked much more intricate than my loose-fitting robe. His outfit reminded me of an old-fashioned military uniform without the cap. His black blazer had dark gray accents and gold buttons. A military cord attached from his right shoulder to the collar of his blazer, giving a refined yet fierce air to him.
"Ahh, that world lion that greeted me must be the one your father acquired at the auction several years back." Art announced as the mana beast that so kindly greeted me sat down behind Curtis.
"Ah... did feyrith use Grawder to scare you?" He shot a look at feyrith who just flipped his hair back. "Anyways, yes. I remember you were with us when we purchased him as a cub. We formed an equals contract last year after he reached A class." He tried to sound humble but I could tell he was extremely proud to call himself a beast tamer. I didn't mind because it would be useful in the war.
"Looks like your bonds changed a bit as well! Although it didn't really change much in size." He rubbed his chin while studying Sylvie and Zeph, Sylv had fallen asleep on art's head, Zeph sleeping using my neck as a pillow. Just by analyzing his internal mana circulation, Curtis didn't seem to have gone through assimilation since the World Lion's beast will wasn't too strong on him.
"Yeah, her growth rate seems awfully slow," Art said indifferently.
"Yea Zeph can change his size and just uses it to sleep on my shoulder or in my pockets."
"Well that's surprising, Not many mana beasts can change their size." Cutis voiced a bit surprised.
"Oh trust me if you saw Zephs true size you would be shocked at how I feed him,"
"It can't be that bad," Claire said looking at the cute sleeping Zeph on my shoulder.
'Zeph can you grow a bit? just enough to show that you shouldn't be messed with,' I asked Zeph mentally and nudged him a bit.
'Fine but I want a snack,' Zeph woke up and agreed begrudgingly.
Zephyr jumped onto the floor and grew to be 3 meters long and 1 meter tall, Zeph looked like the same white-bearded dragon but his scales and horns were a bit more menacing and sharp.
"Whoa," they mused surprised at Zeph's size already Impressed.
I pulled out a b-class beast core of my ring and they looked at it impressed that I had one on me that I didn't use.
"What's with the beast core Al?" Claire questioned, the others looked at me just as confused. I dropped the beast core near Zeph before it fell a foot from my hand it was gone with a flash of white.
"where did it go-
*CRUNCH!!* the beast core shattered in Zeph's teeth like glass before it was ground up and swallowed.
"What in the ever-loving hell?!" Doradrea questioned looking at the now small Zeph that just destroyed and swallowed a normally expensive beast core with the sound of a demonic Metal grinder that just had a car thrown in it.
"Yes, he did just eat that beast core."
"it's best not to question Al when things like that happen," Claire patted them on the back.
"Ah, right! You remember my sister, Kathlyn, right?" he continued. The pretty, petite black-haired girl gave me a silent bow. She was dressed very similarly to his brother except instead of pants; she wore a skirt that came down above her knees, much like all the other girls in this academy. The only girl I'd seen so far that hasn't worn a skirt was Doradrea, which I had no complaints about.
"Nice to see you again." Art gave a simple bow in response. She had grown to look more and more like her mother. The stark contrast of her flawless porcelain skin and her jet-black hair, dark eyes, and long lashes made her look like a doll.
"Nice to meet you once more, Arthur. I am a first-year as well, I am a single specialist conjurer in ice attribute magic." She bowed once more, her expression set like stone.
"I can sense your ice mana, it needs work I can show you how to train it-
"Al No! you can't just do that torture you call training to everyone." Elijah and Art scolded me.
"fine I'll go easier on her if I do later on." I said slightly upset that some potential will be wasted.
"I guess I'm next, although the order is off! My name is Claire! Claire Bladeheart. After the new changes in the school grade system, I'm considered a sixth-year battle mage student with a dual attribute in fire and wind, and a deviant in sound thanks to Al, and I'm also the leader of the disciplinary committee! I'm an augmenter like Arthur, so just ask me if you have any questions!" This Claire oozed positivity and passion from her very pores. And holy shit it was hard to resist smiling like Arthur with Tess right now.
She is prettier than Tess and Kathlyn, with her scarlet red hair that came down to her waist that she kept short to her chin in front. Her uniform was a military-style uniform as well but instead of golden cord like the Glayder's had, both her shoulders had gold epaulets along with an embellished collar that went up around her neck. That, along with her light gray and gold-accented skirt with knee-high boots.
'wait why the fuck am I going into so much detail in my own internal thoughts??'
'Dad I think you're in love with her.' Zeph teased me in my own damm mind.
'Aw shit, your right, I'm not complaining I like her but I hope to god I don't start thinking with my other head.'
'I'll beat the sense back into you if you do dad'
'thanks, Zeph, I mean it'
'No problem,'
I tried imagining myself in a uniform like Claire's or Curtis' and I shuddered at the thought. While it looked great on her, I was glad that the DC officer uniforms were tailored to each of their preferences and that Director Goodsky made mine much simpler and comfortable.
"Are you perhaps related to Kaspian Bladeheart?" Art questioned.
"Oh? Do you know my uncle?" She tilted her head to one side.
"No. I've just heard many great things about Kaspian Bladeheart's strength from my father's ex-party member." Art said nonchalantly.
"I see. Well, I received training from my uncle as soon as I had awakened so many of my techniques are similar to his. But after Al's training Iv been able to fight toe to toe with my Uncle!" She smiled brightly.
I mentally slammed a table 'Fuck Claire is too god damm cute!' I yelled mentally.
'you got that right!' one of my other thoughts sounded like another person chimed in.
'Guys shut the fuck up, She might cloud our judgment!' another me interjected being a voice of cold logic.
'Hey all y'all fuckers shut up, why not train her so she can fight on par with us so we don't worry about her and at the same time be in a relationship with her.' another thought acting as the fourth version of me mentally added on a perfect Idea.
'Good idea were doing that!' the 3 versions of me and myself all shouted in agreement.
I cracked a visible warm smile at her out of pride, and the joy that her smile filled me with, which she saw before I wiped it off my face before Art and Elijah saw it.
Claire placed a hand on the golden hilt of the rapier strapped on her left side, It had a few marks on its guard after training with me for 3 months.
"Long time no see, Arthur Leywin!" Feyfey Finally greeted Arthur.
"I apologize... Do I know you?" Art had no idea till Sylv recognized him by smell.
"Ah! You're Feyfey!" Art pointed at him in surprise.
Feyfey's face instantly turned beet red as he placed both hands on my shoulders. "It's FeyRITH...Feyrith Ivsaar III. And although I'm a first-year like you, I'm still a couple of years older than you so don't call me by nicknames. I'm a water specialist conjurer, by the way." I could see veins popping from his forehead.
"Haha! Long time no see!" Art exclaimed as he shook his hands. He just looked at Art, bewildered.
I pulled out a small container of popcorn that I had saved for this moment, I saw Feryrith's eyes go wide as he recognized me.
"it's you, the one who is always there eating popcorn when I get humiliated!" He said pointing a finger at me.
I put him under a illusion of him being lost in the forest of Elshire, and Watched as he flailed around in confusion eating my popcorn.
Claire pinched my ear, "Al that better not be a Elderwood illusion again," She scolded me.
"Ow ow Ow, Claire he's just lost in a forest!" I winced in pain.
"Undo it," She Sighed letting go of me.
I stopped the illusion and he fell flat on his ass and looked at me in embarrassment.
"here take this if your ass is as sore as your ego after that." I teased throwing a chunk of ice to his feet.
"Last but not least, this is Theodore Maxwell!" Claire got in between Feyrith and me and directed my attention to the last member.
"Hmph! Seems like the disciplinary committee has stooped low enough to recruit twerps." Theodore stood up.
He stood in front of me gave me a respectful and slightly fearful nod and placed a hand on Arts shoulder.
Suddenly, Art's feet began sinking, the floor around him, beginning to crack. under the gravity magic.
Art strengthened his body further with mana as he lifted his hand off of his shoulder, his eyes dead set on Theodore.
"Hmph." Feeling the cold, wordless gaze I gave to him, Theodore released his skill and walked over to Elijah, The same thing happened Except that when Elijah lifted his arm of his shoulder I could sense his mana slowly becoming gravity magic. He was close to breaking through.
A whistle sounded from the cluster of students.
"Arthur and Elijah have guts. Feyrith crumbled to his knees when Theodore did that to him." Curtis snickered from the side.
"Hey, I'm a conjurer and Arthur is an augmenter! Please do not compare me to brutes like you guys," he lashed out, his face red from embarrassment.
"you can't use that as an excuse I'm a Conjurer too," Elijah called out looking at his hand and sensing he was close to gravity magic.
"why didn't Theodore do that to Al?" Curtis Questioned.
"Al slammed him against the roof with wind pressure last night when he tried, Curtis" Claire shook head and pointed to the dent in the roof and the ground when he fell.
"Feyfey, Curtis, and Kathlyn looked at me with a mix of fear and shock after that bombshell was dropped.
"Now, now! I'm excited as to what this semester will bring us! We're going to be a team from now on, guys! We'll get lots of chances to bond and get closer, so look forward to it!" Claire piped up in a cheery voice as she puts her hand out.
"Already am!" I said putting my hand on top before anyone else.
"Aye! Sounds like we're going to have some interesting times!" Doradrea got on her toes as she put her beefy hand on top of mine.
"Haha! Yes! Let's do our best!" Curtis placed his hand in as well, Kathlyn wordlessly following suit.
"likewise," Elijah and Art put their hands on top as well.
Zeph, and Sylvie ran down our arms and placed their paws in as well.
Theodore put his massive hand on top of Sylvie's and Art's hand, making the whole circle stumble a step forward. As Theodore gave a silent nod, Claire gave us a big, confident smile and shouted, "TO US! THE DISCIPLINARY COMMITTEE!"
"AYE!"
______________________________________________
"Before the club rush commences, the student council would like to formally introduce to you, the students of this academy, a group that was personally picked by the director in hopes to resolve and prevent disputes amongst students as well as enforce penalizing measures for troublemakers. While the student council's main job is to help the director make sure this academy and the events held run smoothly, this group's job allows them to use magic appropriately to uphold the peace and safety of students, whether against other students or trespassers. Please join me in welcoming the disciplinary committee!" Tessia's voice rang at her last words.
The auditorium filled with applause as the red curtains we stood behind were raised. We stood there, shoulders square and hands glued to our sides. I had to admit that with people like Curtis with Grawder behind him, Theodore, Claire and even Feyrith, we were an impressive sight in our color-coordinated uniforms.
I took a peek at Tessia and I realized she was staring at Art but as soon as their eyes met, she quickly turned her head away, but i can see her ear turning a bit red after she saw the mark she left on Arthur. As we stood in front of the students of Xyrus on the stage, side by side, we pulled out our knives and held them out in front of us so the insignia showed. Unsheathing our knives, we proceeded to do a small, choreographed routine before saluting the crowd.
Claire spoke out on behalf of the disciplinary committee with a short speech before we all headed out towards the back of the stage, leaving the crowd with mixed emotions.
For some students, the disciplinary committee meant to serve as a shackle that prohibited their spoiled behavior. For others, the disciplinary committee served as an aegis, protecting them from the threat of harm.
Either way, it would be an interesting school year.
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