Chapter I
Seven years later...
AOBOSHI: Shiro Jinja! slams a heavy book down on the table, Shiro's white-haired head jolts up.
SHIRO: Aah! I'm sorry, Aoboshi-Sensei! Other students snicker and whisper as Aoboshi stares Shiro down
AOBOSHI: You sleep at night, when the sun is down! Not in the day during my classes! Do you think a demon in battle will kindly standby and allow you a nap? NO! It will eat you! Shiro flinches in his seat. You're a Mage, Jinja. Act like one. And, the rest of you- glares at the class -no chatting while I work! class quiets Now then, about Spell Casting...
-a bell tolls, signaling the end of class-
students start to leave, talking amongst themselves. Shiro hurriedly picks up his items and makes for the door.
AOBOSHI: just as Shiro reaches the door Ahem. Shiro-kun? Can I speak with you for a moment? Shiro comes screeching to a halt just inside the door, moans, and drags himself back to Aoboshi's desk. The students leave and Shiro is left alone with Aoboshi, deadly still and silent.
SHIRO: Aoboshi-Sensei, I'm sorry. I was up late studying and I-
AOBOSHI: I don't want to hear any excuses. pulls out a scroll Here are your marks for the past seven assignments. Shiro looks it over, his eyes faltering You're falling behind and you overall Field Grade is bottom of the class. You can't expect to be a Wizard if you continue failing.
SHIRO: I'm trying, sir! I really am!
AOBOSHI: Well, Shiro, takes the scroll back and rolls it up I suggest you try harder.
SHIRO: I am! I will be a powerful Wizard!
AOBOSHI: sighs That's easy enough to say, but you need real evidence to back up that claim. I see none. Prove me wrong, Shiro-kun. Shiro looks away huffily You're dismissed. Get something good for lunch, hmm? smiles warmly
SHIRO: Tch! Aoboshi ruffles his hair lovingly Oh, stop! Shiro tries to hide a grin
AOBOSHI: laughs Okay! Now get out of here, you scamp! Shiro bows and exits Poor kid... he has so much potential.
-in the crowded hallway-
SHIRO: walks through the hallway among other kids, talking to himself I just don't get Sensei. rubs his eyes, yawning I've been trying my hardest!
TANI: Hey, Shiro-kun! A young boy joins Shiro's side. Tani has brown hair and green eyes. He looks up to Shiro because he's different and unique. What kept you? The anmitsu will be all gone!
SHIRO: sleepily Oh, Tani-kun! It was just Aoboshi-Sensei again.
TANI: You're not still failing, are you?
SHIRO: Maybe... You're failing too, though!
TANI: Yeah, but Aoboshi-Sensei doesn't keep me after class. I'm not a Teacher's Pet, teasingly Shiro-chan!
SHIRO: Don't call me that! I'm not a child.
TANI: Ah, c'mon, I'm just joking. laughs, elbowing Shiro Right, well, let's get some food! I'm ravenous!
SHIRO: moans Why do I hang around you?
TANI: Because, Saya-chan and I are your only friends. Everyone else is afraid of you- his face falls, realizing what he just said Erm- trying to mend his mistake but, it's not all bad, Shiro-kun!
SHIRO: I know. My white hair and one red eye are symbols of evil. They're all scared of me. That's why they whisper behind my back... bows his head.
TANI: Well, yeah, but... I think it's amazing! Two different colored eyes are quite rare, even among Magic Bloods. Besides, The Great Wizard Tsukikage had ice-blue eyes, just like the one you've got! Shiro shrugs indifferently Alright, c'mon. Once you get some food in you, you'll feel better. You'll see.
-lunchtime-
Shiro and Tani are seated at a table for lunch. Tani eats with gusto, Shiro pokes at his thoughtfully
TANI: Aren't you going to eat?
SHIRO: solemn I'm not hungry. sighs Tani-kun, I need a way to become a stronger Mage.
Saya sits her tray down on Shiro's other side, smiling warmly
SAYA: Well, you'll only get weaker if you don't eat, Shiro-kun. boys look up. Saya has short sandy hair and deep brown eyes that sparkle happily Why the long face?
SHIRO: Saya-chan!
TANI: Aw, Aoboshi-Sensei's been picking on him again. with an air of wanting to impress Saya But, I'm doing great in that class! I've got a solid "C"!
SAYA: ignored Tani, who falls over, stunnedYou know, in Magical Studies last week, we were told about a mythical item that can boost Magical Power. Why don't you try to find it, Shiro-kun? Maybe it'll help you.
SHIRO: looks up hopefully Really? What's it called?
SAYA: blushing at Shiro's attention to her Erm- The Butterfly Pearl. shyly and timidly It's supposedly at The North Mountain Shrine, being protected by the deity there...
TANI: still trying to get Saya's attention Saya-chan, that's a brilliant idea! The North Mountain Shrine isn't too far away! only a day's walk there and a day's walk back. We could cover that in a weekend! What do you say, Shiro-kun?
SHIRO: Well, it's a good idea, but... you said it was a mythical item, Saya-chan. Besides, we'd need more than two days to find it.
TANI: mischievously Not if we get permission from a professor!
SHIRO: stops What?
TANI: Yeah! Just listen! It's a shrine, right? So, we just tell a teacher that we're going to study Holy Magic there and BINGO! Permission!
SAYA: Hey! You've got a point, Tani-kun! Saya smiles at him, he turns bright red
SHIRO: uneasily Well...
TANI: trying to impress Saya more C'mon, Shiro-kun, what have you got to lose? Surely, not your Magic skills? raises a provoking eyebrow.
To be continued in Chapter II...
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