Disciple

We were once again back in our homeroom, but most of my classmates had tried their best to completely ignore my presence completely, with the exception of James and Lindsey.

James, who sent me a meaningful glance when he entered the room, and Lindsey who chose to sit beside me.

It was a little bit awkward sitting at the desk without my reliable butt pillow. It was once again too high up for me to use it comfortably. Another side effect was that my head was much lower than I was used to making it hard for me to see past the heads in front of me.

I had unconsciously already entered some kind of pseudo battle mode as soon as I entered the classroom, just like yesterday, but it didn't feel all too uncomfortable today.

After yesterday's sequence of events, the idea that my classmates were just kids had been reinforced in my brain. And kids are hot-headed and stupid a lot of the time.

My feelings regarding James had also cooled a bit, though it did not mean I would just let it go. Being young wasn't an excuse for the choices he made, and he was ultimately the one to choose to challenge me in order to drag me down in front of the rest of the students.

Honestly, I didn't care about what rank I had, it didn't matter as long as I could stay in the academy. What I did care about was how James consciously reinforced the idea that I had to be defeated, so much so that even my close friends turned their backs on me.

"Now, you will once again get your schedules sent to you on your DADs. Please check them and then move to your designated classes."

There was nothing else important about this homeroom session, we were only here so Mike could help if someone didn't get their schedule, which felt pretty unlikely.

So when everyone's devices started to buzz, I couldn't help but sigh.

'What is it this time then...'

I raised my hand, "Teacher, I didn't get my schedule."

Putting his sights on me he kindly gave me an answer, "Oh, your schedule will be a bit special so I have to speak with you as soon as everyone else is done. Just sit tight, lad!"

As everyone was taking their leave, Lindsey turned to me with a deadpan expression, "Good luck! I'll see you later!"

At least her mildly pitched tone proved that she was trying to be friendly.

"Yea, see you."

All my classmates had left the room, leaving me and Mike behind.

I walked up to the podium to get my answer regarding what my schedule would look like.

"So, Miren..."

"Yes, Mike?"

We were already acquainted well enough for me to address him casually, something that the rest of the class found kind of awkward.

He scratched his head as explained the situation.

"Unfortunately, you will probably not be able to attend normal combat classes."

"And why is that? Is it because of the incident during my fight against Arthur?"

With a sigh, he clarified, "Yes and no. It's part of the reason. A lot of teachers judged that it would be detrimental for the groups they were teaching if you were present, but not all. The biggest reason as to why you will not attend these classes is because the principal has officially announced you as his exclusive disciple."

My head got to work immediately and a number of questions arose. In the end, there were only two important ones that I had to ask, "Why did he announce that, and what does that have to do with what classes I can attend?"

"This is going to take a while, let's go to my office and talk there.

He started to walk out of the room and signaled me to follow.

****

His office wasn't what I had expected. Instead of a boxing bag and weights lying around, it was just a normal office.

A big desk with papers lying around and a computer chair to sit on, accompanied by two smaller sofas in front of it.

When we had taken our seats he continued to explain the situation at hand.

"So first of all, the reason why the principal had to announce you as his disciple was because he used it as a means of getting Mr. Garb to accept the demands from Basilisk. It was the sole reason as to why he decided to approve of it."

It had been strange that they would write an entirely new law just for me to be freed, even if I was the rank 1 student of Kirkegaard, so this explained a lot. But...

"Who is Mr. Garb?"

"Mr.Garb is the head of the Union, a guild who could presently be said to the ruling family of District 5, as a side-effect of the Luminary family being gone."

'A bonafide big shot, I guess.'

"So, the principal got pigeonholed into having to present me as his disciple to free me?"

He nodded a bit, "That's right. And because of the principal's status, it isn't something that can be trivialized, even more so as you are currently the only student he has even taken as his pupil."

His last words shocked me a bit, I was the only disciple he ever had? Isn't that a bit crazy, choosing a no-name orphan?

As I didn't believe my teacher to have the answers to these questions, I ignored them for now.

"And what does that have to do with me being unable to attend regular courses?"

"It's because the principal has decided that he will personally be overseeing your training and studies for the foreseeable future. It should prove to the world that you truly are his disciple."

Of course, there would be suspicions about him choosing me. There were probably a lot of people unable to accept this fact, thus they would most likely go quite far to prove this was not the case. Therefore it created a need for the principal to strengthen his words with his actions.

"I understand. So, what will my schedule look like then?"

Although I was a bit depressed that I still wouldn't get to attend the courses I had chosen at the beginning of the first semester, I knew there was nothing to be done about it. Also, I had made some incredible progress last time I received the principal's guidance, so I wasn't worried about falling behind.

"Well, like before your days will start with the general theory classes, still held by Mrs. Johnson, but after that, you will make your way to the principal's office where he will most likely be taking you to his secret training area. Oh! This counts for all days except Wednesdays! On Wednesdays, you will come to my room and practice with me!"

The fact that I would still get the chance to practice with the gorilla was very good. Even if the principal was powerful and knowledgeable he wasn't a master of weapons and close combat like Mike. But my main focus would now most likely be on manipulation and cultivating mana, something I had a dire need for after blowing off my hand multiple times in the time capsule.

"I'm assuming I won't be starting training with the principal today?"

Most of the other students would go to their general combat classes briefly, getting information about what they could expect from the course as well as what was expected of them. As such there weren't any real classes held today for anyone.

"Yep, that is so."

Feeling like we had concluded our conversation I stood up, getting ready to leave my teacher and spend some time in the time capsule, but before I could go he stopped me, "Wait! There is one more thing!"

A bit confused as to what could be left to say, my left brow raised a bit, "What is it?"

He also took a stand, now wearing a full-on smile, "I'm going to help you move into your new apartment!"

My face turned skeptical, "What do you mean?"

"I'm going to help you transport your personal belongings and furniture, of course!"

We both became silent, while he was still wearing a huge smile, and me looking at him like he was an idiot.

"You do realize I don't own anything right? I have already stored everything I own in my DAD."

"Oh right..."