[b]Kikuchiyo[/b]

As the boat docked at the academy and the students shuffled off of it and onto the dock, cargo of apparently great value was being unloaded. A team of no less than six muscular sailors carried on their shoulders an enormous steel crate. It was ornately patterned, and vaguely resembled a coffin in its shape. Most notable upon its side was an engraving of a chrysanthemum flower, painted a dark red. The lid was tightly shut, latched on by locked bolts that had seemingly no apparatus with which to unlock them. The sailors strained their way into carrying the massive box into the grand hall of the Academy, whereupon it was set heavily on the ground with a great thud.

Without warning, the latches snapped open and the hinged lid creaked open. From the box, which was apparently lined with dark velvet, emerged a tremendous figure. No less than six feet tall with a thick, muscular physique, his long coat billowed out behind him as the heavy chain hanging from his collar loudly jangled. Bright blue eyes swept over the hall, but his stony expression did not so much as twitch.

"What a pain in the ass." he grumbled.

Retrieving a packet and a lighter from his pants pocket, he lit up a cigarette as he continued to observe the goings-on of the hall. He paid particular attention to the various students, noting what they appeared to be and what they seemed to be capable of. His shadow rippled, and a young girl floated up out of it. No older than seven or eight with lengthy blonde hair, flashing golden eyes and an empty expression, she wore nothing other than a dirty, torn dress slip and an obnoxious aviator's helmet. Her bare feet padding on the floor, she walked up to stand beside the man who towered over her.

"Pay close attention, Cheri-chan." He murmured without looking at her.

---

[b]Aeka Therion[/b]

Unlike the majority, Aeka took the most direct route to the academy possible. Instead of going from point A to point B, she made the two points metaphysically identical and then chose to be at one rather than the other. Such was teleportation. A very simple feat. With a flash of green light and a crackle of electricity, she willed herself into existence within the grand hall.

She was here for a very specific reason, and had to get her registration done posthaste. There was no time to be mucking about. However, she was quite unsure of where to go. Her pride wouldn't allow her to ask any of her fellow classmates, and as such she was content to wander around in confusion, perhaps idly scanning a mind or two for a hint as to where she was meant to complete her paperwork.