Prologue 9 (Part 2) An Appointed Match and A Festive Crowd.

Kazu Nini tried to keep up with Jinja Kaliope, her Administration Manager, as she ‘politely’ shoved bodies out of the way and kept a track of their path in her walk to one of the staircases. This one lead straight to the ground but at the end it opened up to two sides, with a path in the center that allowed traffic to ascend in this bleacher section or proceed to the field.

“You should have protected me from the sweaty, smelly, and mischievous throng of humans in the stadium.” She actually had more trouble not thinking about these sorts of small details especially with her cultivation. “What a man.”

Jinja Kaliope skipped a step and stepped back to hold her hand. “I-I di-did not me-”

Kazu Nini laughed at him and slapped his shoulder. “Did you really believe that?”

He had a confused look on his face.

“Maybe I should have made you kneel for me and trudge on your hands and knees, then I could ride on your back or something.”

Now, he looked wronged. But when he gazed into her eyes, he found a reply that made her cover her lips and laugh. “I did not know that was a fetish. You seem to be a Dom.”

“I am more curious about any one side, actually.”

It was his turn to laugh as they passed by all the food vendors until they circled the field and found one of the three Tower Rooms which resembled a blend between the simplicity of a lighthouse, the fortification of a watch tower and the bland majesty of a castle wall. These threw were vastly separated from each other. One was on different sides of the stadium. And with at least 50 feet away from each other, the leftmost was for males, the right most for females but the center one had a set of stairs that had all the mechanical components which the field operated with on the inside while the underground had a tunnel built for the purpose of popping up backstage.

When they reached the door, the Pixie and the Dark Elf found Troll bodyguards behind it and if the bouncers had not seen their gowns, they would have been sent back.

Walking down concrete stairs, they reached a path flanked periodically with torches. On the edges of the walls were balloons and banners that read ‘congratulations’ or ‘we are going to miss you’, texts.

“Is the New Universe there already?”

“As at when I left, only Lowe Hagp was left to show up.

“She likes being late.”

“Nah, it is more of a sickness.”

They both laughed at that, long before they made two sharp turns preceding a flight of stairs which led upwards. She smacked his head and then ran to the staircases so he would not catch her and she deftly dodged his grab by sharply ducking to the side before reaching the height of the steps.

Now, the AudioDampeners were less effective and the bustle of the crowd could be faintly heard from here. When they both emerged, the pair reached the back of the stage where it was raised up to accommodate the people ascending on the flight. They both were met with a row of chairs that tilted in the direction of the stage where the staff was, extending almost all the way to the bleachers.

The pair were on their seats and she met her saved space as the Principal began speaking.

“Today, I am here to happily announce that the graduation ceremony can officially begin.”

The round of applause was high and the rest of the speech only sucked for Kazu Nini because she had her ears perked up the entire time. The Kings, Queens and Jesters society – what was left or them and what had been reignited of late due to what the Principal had announced a week ago - were also on their toes because they too were expectant today.

Very.

“Their journey started 6 years ago, and I remember them walking in with their innocent and baby faces.” He let a tear slip which he clipped, with an index that had grown out of his silhouette of a blub as suddenly as the tear. “It is truly an honor to raise and nurture these ambitious set of youngsters that will now start taking steps into the real world. Another round of applause, please.”

When the graduating students saw that the announcement they were waiting for had not yet sprung up, there began a low murmur as different topics were being passed about. However, Kazu Nini, Devon and Kivon though, did not let up their intense stares at their Slime of a Principal, Sharlpali Hihpholi.

“Fvil Highschool too was a place that had a history. A dark one that most of the older generation would know about.” The stadium felt silent and he could tell their want to know as heavy as a wet blanket before his skin.

“Schemes, contacts, contracts, debt, blood and much more...a terrible time indeed.”

He had pretty much said nothing about it and they all wanted to know more. At least, the people who did not.

“However, today it is one of the best schools in Jhoklon and we are not done with additions to our curriculum which will be an even greater highlight for both parents and new students.”

“I grew very far from here, actually. In a village where there were barely had any resources.” He enjoyed the silence of their reception. “300 years ago, my life was barely what it was today. If you had seen me then, you would know.” He chuckled, “I would not bore you with details but watching young people grow up into what they are going to be and having a hand in that is a priceless feeling.”

Noise slowly started up again and he hand the mind to destroy everything in sight but apart form the fact that some incredible powerhouses could be mixed in the crowd or it would be unbecoming of a man of his status, he let it slide without any outward reaction.

“...Awards will now be handed out.”

The crowd applauded before a werewolf stepped out. In his hands were plaques, certificates and medals. His hairy form was shaved, cut and trimmed. His suit a brilliant blue like his trousers. The red shirt, black tie and red shoes glimmered in the bright sun.

“Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen, my name is Ryaklin Minuno and I teach Physical Education.” He adjusted his voice. “Let us begin handing out the awards, then.”

Most Oustanding Student (Academics), Most Diligent Student and First Position all went to Kazu Nini while Zlai Dfon got Most Punctual. Naro Meena got Most Outstanding Student (Physics) and Most Outstanding Student (Workshop and Tools) but the rest did not receive any awards.

Naro Meena et out a sigh. “For a second there, Jinja Kaliope, I thought you would be called out.”

“What are you trying to say, Slime?”

“You were only called by a good deal of luck, Slime.” Elric Yjob went into laughter and Shapha Rinmon punched its Shapeshifting arm.

“Funny how Lowe did not get any awards.” Zlai Dfon made the Gnome look at her before she completed her sentence. “For Least Punctual in anything, ever.”

Lowe Hagp bit at the Wood Fairy and she quickly apologized as she knew that there was nothing Gnome teeth could not chew through. Depending on cultivation, though. “Just a joke, no need to get serious.”

“Mine was a joke too.” The girls’ innocent smile gave goosebumps to Zlai Dfon.

“I believe you.” She nodded. “Totally.”

Students received awards, various teachers spoke and Kazu Nini who had been straining her senses was disappointed until...

...The Principal climbed back to the stage, inciting another round of clapping, and grabbed the microphone.

“So, I mentioned something earlier about some changes to the school.” The seated and standing people quieted down. “Knowing the history of this Educational Institution has taught me one thing; do not forget your roots as they are things that you must is to inspire yourself to greater heights or reflect on for enlightenment.” He looked back towards his departing students. “I would like to call out both Kazu Nini, a brave Pixie, and Devon and Kivon who are Sprites, but no less ambitious than the strong lady I just mentioned earlier.”

The graduates began clapping, recording and sending text messages to family and friends who had not yet arrived.

The two students who had been called out stood on opposite sides of their Principal like he asked. Mako Nini sat up and her niece winked to her.

“The girl on this side,” he clamped stubs of almost transparent fingers to her shoulder. “Has been through a lot. Some months ago she was kidnapped from my very school.” A gasp rippled through the crowd. “I would not go into details as this is her personal business but make no mistake, she came back to us with bruises and a different mind.” He waited until he was sure that everyone was rapt. “A week of beatings, and questions all under the strain and weight of RestrictionHolderChips.” He waited as he watched some people tear up others with their hands clapped above their mouth, scattered groups of people with bulging eyes and another bunch who began clapping.

A good percentage were wondering why they had not seen anything about it in the papers.

“If this was me a few years before, they would not dare to even abduct one of my students.” The pin drop lack of noise was a silent agreement from the crowd. “The point here, nonetheless, was that with a scarred mind, broken bones and injuries all over her form, she did not hesitate to aid in creating a cause. A cause that looks down on abduction of students, or anyone else for that matter. A cause that has garnered over 900 members despite only beginning a few months ago.”

“Some of her methods were a bit graphic and ruthless to herself even, but one thing she taught me is that whatever catalyst can be an aid to metamorphose any caterpillar into a butterfly.”

She scrunched her brows. “Not a caterpillar, oh no.”

The audience laughed but most clapped and Sharlpali Hihpholi turned to Devon and Kivon.

“Right from our Primary school branch, the Sprite twins have been with us a long time; one of our oldest customers. If I may. I know what they looked like when they still has baby fat then and I know what they look like now. Just to add that there is not much of a difference.”

The crowed gagged at his statement as he pulled Kivon closer to him with one arm.

“They and Kazu Nini have had the highest following in the societies we have around Fvil Highschool. Despite a sensitive past or a horrible experience – at least as much as I know of – they also do not dare to attempt to create a place to belong, that does not look happy at kidnappers.”

He waited again for the people to listen.

“Throughout history of both kings and men, there are several ways to settle a dispute – politics, exchange of resources and battle.”

The graduates clapped in such excitements that the principal was tempted to shove the Sprite and the Pixie towards their own stage already. The same one Kazu Nini had asked Mako Nini about not too long ago.

“These sets of people have opted for the third option.”

Another thunderous round of applause.

“So, before we begin it must be stated that Martial Schools are important, an importance I regret to have missed in terrible mistake, considering how I got here and the need for people to learn the arts of self-defense.” He waited again, “Self-defense is a means to help, training the body and mind is a way to armor people in the face of danger and this event today is to announce that after this semester, Fvil Highschool would become a Martial School too.”

Most of the crowd welcomed this piece of information with their hands but everyone just wanted a good show at the moment.

“So, before we begin this bout in its elaborate stage, we have to have rules set down to avoid any barbaric impressions.” A finger popped out of Sharlpali Hihpholi’s elbow that rested on Kivon’s other shoulder with each regulation that he added.

“Number 1, no deaths or killing of course. I will personally see to that hence you guys can go all out. Number 2, all weapons to be used must be inspected. Number 3, the first round would be hand to hand combat. The second would be hand to hand but Specie traits can be shown at this point. The third round would be long distance fighting. The fourth would be Mid-distance. At the fifth, Restoration Pills would be given to make sure that you can go all out at the last round.”

“Rule Number 4, the loser has to stay in Fvil Highschool for an additional year to await instruction and Rule Number 5, both contestants can add one more rule to the fight.”

Kivon now had the microphone in their hands with a smug look on his face. “The winner has to transfer resources and Hyur to the opponent that reach at least 5 million Bronze Hyur.” The Kings, Queens and Jesters beat their chest and snarled at their opposing society in their seats, who ignored them mostly apart from Lowe Hagp who flashed her teeth and some of them flinched back.

Th audience on the other side began murmuring but most took a sharp intake of air. However, Kazu Nini only chuckled.

When she had the microphone, she looked the Sprite who had just spoken in the eye. “Whoever loses has to be under the loser. As in their society has to become subordinate to that of the winner with absolute deference.”

Most of the New Universe began laughing because the last time Kazu Nini had told them they were going to get a show, they had not been disappointed when they had gone over to Belthion Ijima’s.

One had targeted finances, while the other was influence.

And thus, argument broke out amongst the crowd about which one was more superior or logical.