Chapter One: Rumors and Daylight
Time: 6:30 am - 1 hour before classes begin
Thousands of students poured into the Academy. The start of the new school year brought with it an energetic air that flowed into the students and created an excited mood among them. As the largest school of Noble Arms in the Philippines, the crowds that formed during the start of the school year were no joke. They formed a veritable sea of people as students mingled in the courtyard, a popular hangout spot for the students. Others were scattered about, each finding a spot were they could pass the time until classes begun.
Of course, though the students were excited about more than just the new imminent beginning of the new semester, there was something more in the rumor mill that circulated among them:
The identity of the new Director.
Five months ago, the previous Director of the school, Rupert Rodriguez, had passed away due to a heart-attack, leaving the postion vacant. Now, apparently, a new Director had been appointed, though the identity of the person was inexplicably unknown. None of the students were aware of who the person was; they didn't even know if the person was a teacher affiliated with the school.
Rumors sprung up about who the person was, each one getting more extreme than the last. Some said that the new Director was a teacher high-up on the chain of command, others theorized that they were the one responsible for the death of the previous Director in order to take the position. Another train of thought led to some students thinking that it was a military conspiracy meant to take over the school completely.
Whatever the case, everyone was waiting expectantly for the new Director to make their first public appearance.
While all the discussion and activity went on, the focus of everyone's curiosity looked down from the top of the schools main tower. Blood-red eyes swept across the student body with unconcealed contempt.
"Weak. So very, very weak."
His voice was deep, smooth baritone. It was unbearably pleasant to the ears; it was as though the devil himself spoke, tempting you, and the though the soul rejected its call, the body gravitated towards it.
He ran his hand through his hair, his lips curling into a thin smile.
"Well, that's what I'm here for, I suppose."
Turning around, the Director paced through his room, and stepped outside, and whether it was real or imagined, a chilling wave spread throughout the school.
Excitement and rumor mongering rarely ever ended in nothing but simple discussion. Tension was already high, and in a school filled with students that possessed weapons on their persons constantly, it was inevitable the fights broke out. And indeed, even though it was the very first day, there was already a fight on the way.
"Listen here you bitch, just try and repeat that again!" a large student carrying an axe in hand scowled deeply at a short girl brown-headed girl with red highlights.
"Sure! Here, listen loud and clear you jackass: You're a fucking moron and you should keep your moronic opinions to yourself! I don't know how you graduated from grade-school, with a brain like yours!"
Very few teachers had arrived at school yet, and the guards were busy parsing through the large rush of students entering the school to react to the fight. A few instructors were already alerted, and rushing to the scene, but it would be a few minutes before they arrived.
The students had formed a ring around the two in conflict. Some looking on worryingly, others cheering them on. Still others ignored them and went about their own business. Some were taking bets.
The large young man snarled and brandished his axe, and lightning erupted from its edges.
The girl narrowed her eyes, and pair of flintlocks materialized in her hands.
The two stared at each other, daring them to make the first move.
