As the boats and planes made land fall sea's of students returned to the island, summer break was over and Academy City was back in action. Well some students had stayed through the summer, Airus had stayed if only because he had no where to go, his UN stipend, plus Enforcers paycheck, plus his full ride scholarship meant he plenty of money to go somewhere. Still he had no friends to visit or anything to really do for that matter. So sighing he got ready for work pinned his badge on holstering his pistol and collected his butterfly knife, he had a whole apartment suite to himself in nice high-rise near his school.

He left the spacious apartment and outside was his partner, a Secure-X robot he had named Smokey. He motioned for smokey to follow and he sang a little tune as he walked down to the docks, the boats just starting to dock. He wasn't on duty but Smokey was and all Enforcers off duty were to act as tour guides to new students. Airus had memorized most of the city, he could pick sniper points and order units to positions without even glancing at a map to know the street. Still as the students came off the boat he relaxed and smiled, he waited to see if anyone would need him. Smokey on the other hand simply began to patrol the area, beeping every few minutes.

The docks were lined with suitcase's and bags that had arrived before the kids, other students waited as luggage bots and electronic guides lined up to help bring kids back to there homes away from home here in academy city, from the boats it gleamed like polished silver a beacon of science and magic made in to progress. This was the city of the future, the city of better lives. Anyone who goes to school here, well they've got something special in store for them.

Erika heard a beeping sound faintly, almost like it was far away. She opened her eyes and as she awoke the sound got louder and louder. Rolling over in her bed, she looked to the source of the sound. 8:00_am, the electronic clock read by her bedside. Eight huh, well I guess that's not too... Her thoughts trailed off as it had dawned on her that eight was her back-up alarm. I'm an hour late! Oh crap, oh crap... Her thoughts became a frenzy as she jumped out of bed. And in a chaotic frenzy got dressed, brushed her teeth, combed her hair, and stuffed everything she thought she needed for the day into her school bag. Alright, just got to get out the door and to the harbor to help usher the students applying to Al-Revis. She had gathered her thoughts, and figured she was in the clear.

Erika opened her room's door to find a tall, dark haired man standing at her door. His hair was swept around as if he brushed it swiftly. He was dressed formally, as per his usual. It rather suited the academy's old fashioned architecture. His deep green eyes communicated a sense of sympathy. It was Alister, an Al-Revis graduate serving as Teacher's assistant while pursuing his own research. "Ms. Walker, in a rush?" The man questioned her with a smirk.
Erika huffed. "I got up late alright? Geez, and don't call me Ms. Walker. It makes me feel old." She scolded him. She figured he was just messing with her, the two knew each other pretty well. Mostly because he was assistant to Erika's 'favorite' teacher. She sighed, "What is it you want? I'm running a bit late today."

Alister chuckled at her comment about running late. "As usual." he quipped. Erika shot him a glare, then he sighed and figured he should probably get to business. "Anyway, Mr. Akira wanted me to ask you if you got all the classrooms cleaned and prepped for today's events." He questioned, half expecting her to have forgotten.

Erika put her hands to her sides and puffed out her chest. "I got that all done last night in fact! So tell that to Akira-sensei!" She said with a heavy amount of triumph in her voice. "Anyway, am I going to be seeing you today, or are you going to be running around all day?" She asked, half hoping he'd be free to help her out today.

Alister scoffed, "Well, good to hear you got your work done." He paused, eyeing Erika suspiciously after her next question. "Well, I got some documents to run around. But that shouldn't take more than 20 or so minutes, why?"

Erika laughed and patted Alister's arm. "What's with the look, I just want to hang out with you buddy." She put her hands up behind her head. "Y'know, look around the city, greet the new students, just stuff like that."

"So basically you have to help out the new students and you want me to come with you." Alister remarked instantly.

He had discerned Erika's true intentions. "Please Alister!" She pleaded, hugging him. "You know directions around the city better than I do." She added. "How about I buy you lunch?"

"Alright, alright!" Alister relented, sighing. "You're hopeless you know that right?"

"Yes." Erika responded solemnly.

"That's not something you should agree with so easily!" He chided her, pushing her off him. "Let me go finish up, and I'll meet you by the gate."

Afterwards, Erika left the main building and headed to the gate. She waited around, and soon realized she had left her watch in her room. So after some unmeasurable amount of time Alister showed up to head out with her. They took off from the school and made their way through the city. Weaving through the various crowds and finding their way to the train station, they rode the train for another unmeasurable amount of time. Which bothered Erika since she had no idea how late she actually was.

Stepping off the train, the two finally made it to the harbor as students new and old were piling off the pristine boats. Erika smiled, the looks of so many new faces, all excited to find a place to learn and hone their abilities and skills. Maybe it was just her, since she had lived here all her life. But Academy City was certainly, to her, a very welcoming place. And she was going to be sure that the new students would feel the same.

Well, summer break had been pretty boring, one way or the other. It had gone in a flash. More because he had nothing to do. Still, Touji had some things to do over the summer break, so it wasn't all that boring... if he had liked games as much as other people did, that is. However, his passion for games was really low, and more the kind of games his friend lent him, since most of them were dating simulators. It was the oddest thing ever. He got why people would want to play fighting games, shooter games, many other kinds of games, but daring simulators? They should go out and get some friends already, instead of holing up and drooling over girls inside a screen.

"Chiyo-chan..." He said, holding tightly against him a figurine of a girl. The fact that he thought they were games for losers hadn't, however, given him any reason as to why he shouldn't officially declare one of the game's girls as his first 'waifu'. He somehow understood nerds and otakus a bit more now, definitely so. He still wouldn't start watching anime and whatnot just because of that, of course. "I should really go out today. Besides, my stomach is grumbling like crazy now." His stomach grumbled like it was some kind of monster caged inside his stomach. "And I just ate 30 minutes ago... What the hell..."

He stood up, put on his jacket and set out from his small time apartment. He was now about to go to his favorite restaurant. Still, he also had class. Now, what should he do? Last night he pulled an all nighter, finishing the route of the only character he actually liked from the game he borrowed from his friend. "Crap, I don't feel good. Maybe I should skip school. Is there even school today? It'd be a dream that today was actually saturday or something. I just want to go back to my bed and dream about Chiyo-chan..." His tired frown soon became an expression filled with bliss, while he thought about the fictional character from the game, before shaking his head. "Crap, I need to stop thinking about that, or I might really become an otaku."

After clearing his head from those thoughts, he finally set off for his favorite restaurant. The only restaurant in the city where he could eat so much until he got satisfied and for a very low price. While he walked, a cat like smile could be seen in his face.

"Don't worry Pat I made it here alright, I'm getting off the boat right now. No need to get your knickers in a not lass." A crimson haired boy spoke with a exasperated tone into an ancient looking flip phone as the large fairy ship he was bordered on began to pull into one of the ports of the city. The lad had a slight furrow in his brow as he looked over the awe inspiring skyline of the nearly legendary teaching community.

"Sis I have been going here for how many years now? That's right, you don't need to get so worked up over anything. I know where my flat is, classes start later, I have already ate on the boat, NO I DID NOT FORGET MY KNICKERS!!" The boy shouted into the phone, quickly realizing how loud he said that when a group of girls not too far off from him started to giggle. His cheeks now nearly matching the color of his hair the boy pulled the phone closer to him before he began to speak in a near whisper.

"Look Lassie I will make sure I call you as soon as I get everything settled in my flat, okay? Good. I love you too Patty, give Seamus a good whack on the head for me. The boy sighed and hung his head as ended the call and slid the phone into his back pocket.

"Oy, I've got to stop picking up her calls in public. The boy sighed, his blush slowly fading as the boat came to a complete stop. After letting most of the crowd get off in front of him, especially making sure to stir clear of the girls he already managed to make a fool out of himself already. But as soon as most of the passengers cleared off the boy walked off the ship, almost tumbling into the water in the progress only to be caught by a very helpful handrail.

As he migrated with the other arrivals to the city towards the luggage claim a electronic voice rang out above the collective buzz of the crowd.

"Michal Ronny!" One of the luggage bots exclaimed as it held up a few green plaid suit cases and a ratty looking brown sports bag.

"It is Mikhail Rooney." The fiery haired lad said as he came up and picked up his bags, slinging a few over his back and holding one in each hand while having the sports bag strapped over his shoulder.

"I swear you bolt for brains get it more and more wrong each bloody year." The boy mumbled as he started to turn towards the city. He took a deep breath before letting out a sigh. "Well Mikhail back to the grind eh?

Kanako was late, and not just a little bit, either: it was almost nine o'clock, and she had entirely missed first period. As she struggled to climb over the locked school gate in a skirt, she briefly wished she could control her powers well enough to actually phase through the gate without leaving her clothes and dignity behind. Then she lost her balance for a one short and terrifying moment, and reminded herself to actually concentrate on the task at hand.

It was a good thing that not many people were this late to class, because if anyone had been around, she would almost definitely have flashed them. As it was, she got over the gate minimally embarrassed, and started sprinting to class. By the time she actually made it to her second period classroom, she was red in the face with exertion and trying not to pant too loudly. The teacher --a stern-looking elderly man with an incredibly bristly moustache-- gave her a rather unimpressed stare. He had been her homeroom teacher last year as well, actually.

Kanako winced. "Sorry I'm late, sir," she mumbled, fidgeting. Was Touji in her class this year? She didn't see him, but maybe he was skipping.

He sighed. "Go sit down, Sakihara."

She nodded meekly and made her way to one of the unoccupied seats near the back, wondering if it was worth risking her teacher's ire to text one of her friends. Math class was so boring, after all! She quietly withdrew her phone from her bag.

To: Mizutani Touji
From: Kanako
MESSAGE:
are you at school today???? or just not in my class??? hellooooo????



Allen sat in class and did his best to focus, but he kept getting distracted by the boy sitting next to him, who was currently engaged in a rather dramatic text exchange with his girlfriend. She seemed to be accusing him of cheating on her with some other girl.

"Mr… uh… you there. With the black hair and the glasses," said the teacher. Allen looked up. Him? Sure enough, the teacher seemed to be pointing at him. "Are you new this year? Come up and predict the products of this alchemical formula for us."

On the board was a rather easy alchemical formula. Davies' School of Magecraft did not, after all, specialise in alchemy, so students only really had to learn the basics.

"Yes, Mrs. Inoue," he said, standing up dutifully. "I'm not new this year, though. I've been in your class for the last two years, actually."

A few people snickered.

Mrs. Inoue blinked. "I see," she said at last.

Allen sighed. Whatever. He was used to this sort of thing.

Taro yawned and stretched, somewhat tired and more than a little bored. He stood behind stage curtain in the Auditorium hall of St Sebastian’s knight school, watching the others prepare for the new student’s introduction. His part was already done, and he had little else to do. He watched others rush around, preparing everything for the welcoming speech. He sighed and brushed some dirt off of his white uniform, not quite as white and pristine as the uniforms of the other students. He looked around, looking for something to distract himself. He saw another student, glaring at him under the weight of a speaker, being carried by 2 people. He would’ve liked to help, but there wasn’t enough room for a third person. He offered a lazy wave as he sat on his collapsible chair, idle.

“You there!” One of the students managing the preparations said. “Why are you just sitting around? Go and make yourself busy!”
"I’m just here today to look pretty, you know." Taro said casually.
He tapped his badge, a golden brooch with a bow and arrow design, which singled him out as the marksman representative.
"And I don’t see those guys doing anything." He said, waving his hand dismissively at the other representatives sitting next to him.

The representatives of St Sebastian were the best members of their respective divisions. There was Tactics and management, close quarters combat and marksmanship divisions. The students of each divisions didn’t necessarily have to stick to their department, it was more of a general ‘group’ thing with several sub groups that branched into other departments. For example, the stealth section was a branch of tactics and management, but took teachings from close quarters and marksmanship groups.

The representative of tactics and management was some golden-haired, blue eyed, multi-lingual pretty boy (A third year) who headed the student council president. The representative of the close quarters combat was some burly, black haired muscly dude (who Taro could hardly believe was a teenager, though he’s in 3rd year so maybe that was something) and the representative of the marksmanship department was obviously Taro (who was a second year).

”But-” The management student said.
"Look." Taro sighed. "If you have any complaints, you can take it up with the principal. He’s just over there, anyway."
The boy spluttered, stopped and walked away, clearly annoyed. Taro looked over to the principal, a big man with an awesome beard, and silently thanked the principal for being so imposing.

See, other than just having a fantastic beard, the man was huge. The principal was about as tall as a basketball player and twice as thick. He also had a reputation for being a super serious guy, who expelled people at the drop of a hat. Taro found him to be a chill guy, or at least that’s what he was like when Taro met him for the first time. Taro had met him when he was given his scholarship, and they’d talked about why he’d got it. Turns out that St Sebastian’s were trying to overhaul their marksmanship programs, but no one went in it. So it was up to Taro to bring their ranged potential up!

"And that’s the grand story of how I got stuck here an hour earlier than usual, waiting to do something I don’t particularly want to do." Taro thought, idly picking at his clothes.
He wasn’t really here to say anything, and he wasn’t required to do anything in particular. He just had to show his face to all the hopefuls, maybe smile a bit and wave or something. Taro yawned, wondering when it would begin. There was a rush of voices and the curtains were slowly drawn back. Taro stood up straight, only to be hit in the face with a ray of morning sunshine as the curtains revealed the crowd of students in front of him. There was a large variety of faces, some dead serious and some less so. Some of the student’s expressions turned slightly wary as they took in the sight of the large principal.

Taro sighed quietly to himself. Another batch of serious and arrogant slightly-better-off-than-normal spoiled children, sent into the frontline of academic warfare in the hopes of achieving excellence. Even if his division was the smallest, he’d have to deal with another batch of snooty teenagers and arrogant idiots.
"This’ll probably be a long day…" Taro thought as the principal started his introductions.
He sat with his chin on his fist, to look like he was being attentive. He let his mind wander as the principal began what Taro liked to call the “You won’t come out of this alive” speech. He stared at the distant horizon, the trees and pretty much anywhere else. The sky was relatively clear, and the sun was warm. A cool breeze swept through the grounds as the principal sent chills down the spines of the new students.
"Oh look, a dog." Taro thought idly.
He yawned as the students practically shuddered in their seats.
"I think I have the evening shift today…" He thought as his thoughts spiralled into the clouds.

BEEP.

BEEP.

BEEP.

BEEP.

BEEP.

BEEP.

BEEEPBEEEPBEEEPBEEEPBEEEPBEEEPBEEEPBEEEPBEEEPBEEEPBEEEPBEEEPBEEEPBEEEPBEEEPBEEEPBEEEPBEEEPBEEEPBEEEPBEEEPBEEEPBEEEPBEEEPBEEEPBEEEPBEEEPBEEEPBEEEPBEEEPBEEEPBEEEPBEEEPBEEEPBEEEPBEEEPBEEEPBEEEPBEEEPBEEEPBEEEPBEEEPBEEEPBEEEPBEEEPBEEEPBEEEPBEEEPBEEEPBEEEPBEEEPBEEEPBEEEPBEEEPBEEEPBEEEPBEEEPBEEEPBEEEPBEEEPBEEEPBEEEPBEEEPBEEEPBEEEPBEEEPBEEEPBEEEPBEEEPBEEEPBEEEPBEEEPBEEEPBEEEPBEEEPBEEEPBEEEPBEEEPBEEEPBEEEPBEEEPBEEEPBEEEPBEEEPBEEEPBEEEPBEEEPBEEEPBEEEPBEEEPBEEEPBEEEPBEEEPBEEEPBEEEPBEEEPBEEEPBEEEPBEEEPBEEEPBEEEPBEEEPBEEEPBEEEPBEEEPBEEEPBEEEPBEEEP-

Eri had apparently overslept this day, but, she hit the "snooze" button.

A couple minutes later...

BEEEPBEEEPBEEEPBEEEPBEEEPBEEEPBEEEPBEEEPBEEEPBEEEPBEEEPBEEEPBEEEPBEEEPBEEEPBEEEPBEEEPBEEEPBEEEPBEEEPBEEEPBEEEPBEEEPBEEEPBEEEPBEEEPBEEEPBEEEPBEEEPBEEEPBEEEPBEEEPBEEEPBEEEPBEEEPBEEEPBEEEPBEEEPBEEEPBEEEPBEEEPBEEEPBEEEPBEEEPBEEEPBEEEPBEEEPBEEEPBEEEPBEEEPBEEEPBEEEPBEEEPBEEEPBEEEPBEEEPBEEEPBEEEPBEEEPBEEEPBEEEPBEEEPBEEEPBEEEPBEEEPBEEEPBEEEPBEEEPBEEEPBEEEPBEEEPBEEEPBEEEPBEEEPBEEEPBEEEPBEEEPBEEEPBEEEPBEEEPBEEEPBEEEPBEEEPBEEEPBEEEPBEEEPBEEEPBEEEPBEEEPBEEEPBEEEPBEEEPBEEEPBEEEPBEEEPBEEEPBEEEPBEEEPBEEEPBEEEPBEEEPBEEEPBEEEPBEEEPBEEEPBEEEPBEEEPBEEEP-

snooze.
snoozenoznosnonornoznenoznoasnonsoekzdl-

BEEP.

Now, she's awake. She spots the time, and notices that it's like 9 am, and that she's late for school today. See, Eri remembered the date that school is open again, and she also remembers that she needs to take a shower, get dressed, brush her teeth, get her things ready for school, and get to school in a short amount of time, as she's missed first period already.

After she had gotten her things ready, she also had to climb the gate, and she then began going to class, which was Science, because homeroom is obviously the worst period. She sped into the room, and opened the door, panting. Her Science teacher looked at her with a very disappointed face. But, she just walked silently to the back of the class and took her seat.

She hadn't listened to much of the lecture, as she couldn't hear much at the back of the class, so she just waited for the bell to ring so they could go to third period.

So she waited...

and waited...

and waited...

and waited...and waited...and waited...and waited...and waited...and waited...and waited...and waited...and waited...and waited...and waited...and waited...and waited...and waited...and waited...and waited...and waited...and waited...and waited...and waited...and waited...and waited...and waited...

and then she waited some more.

Airus helped a few students in to the city and find there dorms and schools. As he was about to return to his class he received a phone call, picking up his cell he check the number, it was command no doubt a pre-recorded one way order. He groaned and knew exactly what it was. The order to go to a randomly assigned school and meet with students, a sort of comfort thing to let them know whose protecting them. Sighing Airus hit the answer button and then typed in Tenroujima High School, an Esper school he couldn't even met with Knights, still orders were orders so he set a brisk pace as he headed over to the place, apparently third period would be moved and he'd get a chance to meet with the students today, joy. Still he had a weapons demo to look forward to in the court yard after the lecture, he sent a message to Smokey telling him to retrieve a combat suit and a his rifle.

Mean while at Tenroujima High School as the clock ticked along an announcement came on in the science room. "Hello students, once your class is over please remain in your seats. A Enforcer rep will be arriving to talk to you all, please remember he is to be treated with respect as this I have been notified he is a high ranking Knight from the United Nations Military Academy for the Gifted who will be giving a weapon demonstration here. Other students from other schools in the area have been invited to watch as well." As the announcement finished, text message went out to students from around the campus, some of them trouble makers others possible recruits invited to watch and speak with the local Enforcer agent.

The worst nightmare of the restaurant had just arrived and was looking at the owners with a mocking smirk and confident eyes, while the owners cried their eyes out. Touji was definitely NOT the kind of guy you want in your restaurant, even less if it is a buffet restaurant. The original focus of a buffet restaurant is, as told to him by his father, to serve businessman who come in waves but only eat a little bit due to their tight schedule. And their worst nightmare? Families, who eat a lot AND also leave a lot, that which they couldn't eat. And their most recent nightmare, known only to this restaurant in particular, the only one near Touji's apartment, a boy who could actually eat ALL of the buffet alone. It was pure hatred that came from the owners' bodies.

Digging in happily and without a worry in the world, in Touji's mind, it was definitely sunday, or saturday, perhaps friday, no that would get him in troubke, let's leave it at saturday. It was pure bliss, the thought of being able to eat all he wanted and then going back to sleep to dream with a fictional character he had become infatuated with. Now, if he only had a friend to share his bliss with.... He had not checked his phone out of fear of shattering the fantasy he made in his own head, but he took it out just to send a text message. He slurped a whole serving of pasta before getting on with that, and then pushed the power button of his smartphone.

He almost spitted out the food inside his mouth. "What the hell!? There was class?!" Searching through his photos to check on his class, he finally found what he was searching for. He finished the serving of soup, the hamburger, a serving of spicy 'frijoles' from Mexico, a pair of tacos and his drink using his super speed, before leaving the plates clean and shouting. "Thanks for the food! See ya, idiots!" Touji left some money, what he knew was enough to cover for his food, and then left. He didn't quite use his power, only in critical situations, like this. The owners sighed with relief after seeing him go.

In the blink of an eye, Touji was already on the frame of his classroom, with a tardy arrival, but at the very least, he was there. He gasped for air. "Teach... I'm here.... Sorry... I'm late... for my first day." He said between gasps. The teacher did NOT look happy. With a simple motion head, he told Touji to go in. [color=6ecff6]'He hates me, he totally does. Argh, why... Now he isn't gonna leave me alone.'[/CENTER] ITouji stepped into the room, looking tired and sleepy. He didn't even have his backpack with himself. He'd go get it later.

He approached Kanako and sat beside her, while he tried to regain his breath. "What's.... up? Kanako..." He continued saying between gasps, before taking a deep breath and finally getting his soul back into his body. "We were in the same classroom after all, blockhead." He greeted his friend.

Today was not going to be a good one....

The whole ride over to the infamous "Academy City", Aya had been stuck rooming with a preppy, hyper-active, all rainbows and sunshine girl from the United States. The trip by sea could not have been more uncomfortable, with two storms that, while Aya would have no complaints, her roommate seem to think otherwise, constantly freaking out at the slightest change in the ship's angle, or at the sound of thunder. The food had been generally terrible, and once again she had this young, retarded child latched onto her the whole time. From equipment maintenance to literally showering, Aya could not shake her.

This was the sleep deprived, annoyed beyond belief Aya that stepped off that boat on such a sunny, bright day. She squinted at the daylight, her exhausted eyes trying to adjust to the harsh light. She felt a tap on her shoulder. It was the girl. The girl that had not even once told Aya her name, nor stopped talking. "Hey Aya! Long trip right! But we're in paradise! Paradise! We get to live out on our own, no parents, no rules! Party and have fun! Wooo! But uhh.... it looks like we might have to part ways for a bit! Hey! Give me your phone number and email and Spacebook and Sklype and Instagam and-"

Suddenly, Aya covered the girls mouth her hand and leaned in very closely. "Nein" Was all she said before letting go and briskly walking away.

"But-!"

"NEIN!"

Aya made her way to the check in area to grab her luggage. Thankfully, the school she was to sign into did not have as long as a line as some of the others. Hell, she and only four others even went to the Special Naval Operations table for sign in. There they gave her some equipment, her room assignment, and schedule along with the rest of her luggage. The orientation was to start tomorrow, according to the digital calender for the Arkillia Naval Academy, so Aya had some time to kill. And thank goodness she did. Two hours later, she still could not find her room.

"Gott verdammt, dumm schlecht gemacht Karte!" she cursed to herself, frustrated beyond belief. All she wanted to do was to catch up on all those hours of sleep lost to listening to the latest trends in fashion from her infamous roommate. Thankfully, she spotted a student that seemed to be at least a second year, maybe later. His thick accent gave away his nationality, but at this point, she would take anyone. Aya approached the Irishman.

"Uhh... Hallo mein freund! Do you know vhere I might be able to find my room? It is my first time here." she asked, trying to remain as professional as a exhausted , frayed nerved Aya could be.

Kanako had just started to doze off when Touji burst into the room, gasping. [color=6ecff6]"Teach... I'm here.... Sorry... I'm late... for my first day,"[/color=6ecff6] he said. Kanako perked up immediately: so he was in her class!

She was about to start trying to wave him over when the teacher levelled her with a sharp glare. She wilted into her seat. Okay, okay, she got the message… she'd already disrupted the class enough. And, according to the text message that she'd just received, she didn't even have to be in this class any longer, because there was some sort of weapons demo going on!

As it happened, it turned out that Kanako didn't have to wave Touji over after all, because as soon as he came in, he made a beeline for her and plopped himself down on the seat next to hers, trying to regain his breath. "What's.... up? Kanako…" He said, and then took a deep breath. "We were in the same classroom after all, blockhead."

"I know that now!" she said under her breath, not even acknowledging the insult, and stood up, dragging Touji along with her. "Get this-- we don't even have to be here anymore! As long as we leave quietly, we can go to that weapons demo thing!"

With Touji in tow, Kanako awkwardly started shuffling out the back of the classroom. Not too many people seemed interested-- after all, they were all Espers, and barely anyone needed to learn how to use a weapon. Kanako, though… even if she told herself that she was just going because she wanted to skip class, in reality… her powers were pretty much unusable, weren't they? Maybe it would be a good idea to learn how to use a weapon. But which one? She'd have to ask someone's advice on the matter. Maybe Taro? He was a knight, and they had the evening shift together later on, so she'd definitely have opportunity to talk to him about it.

Once they were in the hallway, she released Touji. "So," she said as they walked down the corridor to the science room, "How was Chiyo-chan? Sakura Love is a pretty good game, huh? I mean, not the best, but pretty decent."

Honestly, when Touji had asked to borrow her copy of the game, she'd been thrilled! He'd always made fun of her for liking dating sims, but… could it be? Was he finally understanding the true beauty of the dating sim, the emotional depth of the characters, the heart-wrenchingly beautiful romantic subplots?

Airus sighed as he checked his rifle, grumbling as he waited for students to show up. Enforcers never got the credit they deserved, they had to spend time they could use studying or hanging with friends on duty protecting the city. He sighed loading his rifle and checking his pistol. The combat suit would the last thing he showed off and that had two other Secure-X droids protecting it. Grumbling he waited for anyone to show, secretly he hoped no one would and he could call it a day, but someone always wanted out of class even if it meant watching a Knight fire guns at things. Still he had brought along forms encase anyone did want to join the Enforcers, which he seriously doubted.

Allen, meanwhile, was debating the merits of going to the weapons demo thing being held by the Enforcers. Did he actually have much of an interest in going? Certainly not. But it looked like a lot of his classmates were on their way there, and well… Allen just went with the flow. That was what he always did, after all.

Halfway to Tenroujima High School, however, he started having a bit of an existential crisis. He was forgettable, sure, but did that mean he should just blend in with the crowd all the time? Did his tendency to go with the flow mean that he was conforming to other's expectations of him? Could it be? Was he… losing his own identity by trying to be just like everyone else?

He stopped, and took a left turn. He would have to distinguish himself from his classmates, then, and he would do that by going to Tenroujima High School a different way than everyone else.

Unfortunately, poor Allen had no idea how to actually get to Tenroujima High School, and without following the crowd, he didn't have a hope of finding his way there by himself. It didn't even occur to him to use Google maps.

And that was how Allen found himself standing at the gate of Arkillia Naval Academy. For a moment, he stood there, uncertain as to whether he should enter or not. Then he reminded himself-- he wanted to distinguish himself! To do the unexpected… right?

Steeling himself, he bravely (and perhaps idiotically) walked into one of the most prestigious Knight academies, and just… stood there. In the middle of the grounds. With no clue as to what to do.

As students trickled in to watch he began to explain the point of this whole thing. "Alright every body, I'm Airus. I'm an Enforcer and your all here because you want to skip class or because you want see what the hell the police force is like in the city." That got a lot murmurs and quiet comments from the audience. "Well to start with only a third the force is students, the rest is Secure-X droids. Now I'll be showing off weapons we use on any Gifted student who gets out of hand. These are concussive rounds but encase of emergencies we have lethal rounds. Now this the standard issue Enforcer pistol." He held up a heavily over-sized pistol. "Those dummies down there are made to react like you would if you got hit by these things." With that he fired three shots in to the dummies, each hit it's and sent them flying in to the wall behind, hard.

With that he placed the pistol back in it's holster. "So give me a minute to hook up my rifle and for the bots to clear the range and you can see what happens when enter an arena fight. Yes that is right all Enforcers may bring there gear in to combat arenas." He pulled on his backpack reach back he squeezed the first lever releasing the rifle as he brought it out it extended and the scope popped out. "This is a variable pulse rifle, they rely on energy from the charging station in pack, 100 shots in sniper rifle form and 1000 in Sub-machine gun mode. However these are blasts of energy, so they are able to put down people at long range, they hurt like hell to." He steps up to the range, the crowd having swelled a lot since he started.

"Give me a break..." Touji felt frustrated and merely let Kanako drag him away. Well, he wouldn't be getting a tardy arrival in class thanks to this. He didn't hear most of it, but he was plenty sure that they said they could go to.... whatever that things was and it wouldn't amount to their absences in class. Perfect. He was just thinking on how to take nap without being discovered by the teacher. Still, the question remained. "Hey, Kanako... Why you wanna see a weapons exhibition? Ain't you an esper? Yeah, you might kinda have the most useless ability in existance, but it must be better than having to carry something dangerous around, right?" Touji said. He even felt like picking his nose, but decided against it.

After finally being freed from her grasp, Touji could finally stretch out, yawn a bit and feel the sleepiness come back to him slowly. "I absolutely loved it. I hate it too. There's no way there's someone that cute in real life. They give me expectations on what a woman should be like, and I doubt I'll find anyone like that anytime soon." With another big yawn, Touji finally looked more relaxed than he ought to be. He looked as if he were to fall asleep anytime now, even if it meant sleeping in the floor. He really did feel like it.

"Besides, it's all Chiyo-cha-" Realizing he was about to make a huge mistake in front of this otaku woman, he cleared his throat before going on. "That Chiyo girl's fault that I didn't sleep a bit. Her route is too long." Even though he said that, he still thought that it was rather interesting. Not that he would openly admit that though. "I'd give it a 7 out of 10, to be honest. I still prefer sport-based video games." His throat somehow felt dry and something wasn't right. He caressed it a bit. "Hm....? I think I want to have a smoke." He said, seeming really serious, despite not having smoked ever before in his life. Soon enough, though, his stomach grumbled like crazy and he smiled like a cat again, lax and lazy. "Nah, forget it, I'm just hungry."

"Are you kidding me?" Kanako sighed, glad he had given her an opportunity to vent. "I can't use my ability at all! It's terrible! It's the most impractical ability in the universe! Remember that time I fell through my bed and woke up buried in the foundation of the apartment building? It's a good thing the night guard heard the crash and got me out, I could have died!"

She shuddered, and started walking faster, confident that Touji was following her. Or not following her. Honestly, Touji kind of did his own thing most of the time. "Imagine suffocating to death in the foundation of a building. There's a reason phasers don't really last too long... You and Eri-senpai, you guys are lucky you have such cool powers!"

Kanako sighed, a little envious. Honestly, all she wanted was to be able to control her powers... but Academy City got kind of crazy, sometimes, so it was definitely a good idea to learn some means of self defense. "Anyway," she sighed. "Chiyo-chan doesn't need to be real to be perfect, and once you have Chiyo-chan, you don't need a real girlfriend. Or boyfriend, in my case."

They rounded the corner. Wait, had the demo already started?! Kanako dashed around the corner and ran into the science room. Eri was there already, and Kanako waved to her briefly. "Talk to you later," she hissed to Touji. "I gotta go do something. I just saw Eri, though!"

She pushed her way to the front of the crowd. She had to get a better look: after all, this sort of /was/ pretty important to her.

There was a Knight firing guns at things: was this the demo? Was she allowed to ask questions? Was she allowed to ask this person to teach her how to shoot a gun?

Well, might as well give it a shot. (Heh.) "Excuse me!" she said, raising her hand but not bothering to wait for him to call on her. "Can you teach me how to shoot that gun?"

Airus stopped, he stopped lowering the rifle, someone had either missed most of the lecture or they just wanted to get a rise out of him. "The weapons are Academy city property, if you want training in how to use them you'll need join the Enforcer core or be attending one of the Knight schools in the city. However if anyone is interest see me after the demo." With pointed out a few targets at very long range, then they promptly collapsed as round impacted them. With that they released eight or nine moving targets, the rifle collapsed to an SMG an Airus went to work bringing down targets, each took a hail energy rounds before they feel back shut down. Once that was done he blew the smoke away from the tip sliding it back in to the backpack shutting it down.

"Now, I'll demonstrate something we currently only allow the best Knights in the city access to." He stepped into a metal suit, the other part closing as he pulled on a helmet. "So if you'll all step back, were switching the drones to combat mode. Oh and try to watch me, I don't do repeats." The crowd backed up and the Secure-X bots switched on a energy shield as Airus stepped in to the ring. With that suit lite up blue he just folded his arms, not even drawing his pistol. As each of the drone sprouted a machine gun turret. "Sorry folks but these things and using live rounds, the shield will stop them, now Smokey give me some music and lets start."

A Secure-X bot with red S painted on it's forehead clicked something and Japanese pop song started to play out of the speakers around them. All of the bots opened fired, however Airus seemed to calling where the bullets where going to be going and moving in other direction. Many of the bots shot each other as Airus used speed and agility to weave through, the gun fire he was just a blur of motion. Yet now the bots had formed a firing line yet drawing his pistol he shot the bullet that would met him out the air before sliding under the guns and spinning, his legs threw every bot hard in to the shield breaking it and destroying every drone.

Pulling off the helmet as the suit removed itself from him folding neatly in to a pile. "They have a thirty minute time limit and can injury anyone with Knight credentials." He spoke still lecturing, of course many had just videoed the event and were posting it online. They room began to clear as the Secure-X droids packed things away. Airus just leaned against the table waiting to see if anyone was going to want to join or wanted to see him."Those who want to apply see me." He told them, the crowd dispersing as they reflected on his skill.

Hooooly mother of god. That Enforcer was like-- Iron Man or something!

But Kanako had something more important to contemplate than how much the Knight's suit resembled Iron Man, no matter how badass Iron Man happened to be. Join the Enforcers? All she had to do was fill out a form, and then she'd be able to learn how to use a weapon and stuff?

Honestly, it sounded like a really, really good deal. And Kanako was so tired of being so much lamer than all her friends. After all, Touji and Eri could do that whole super speed thing, and Taro had his bow and arrows… and what could Kanako do? Fall through floors and nearly suffocate in the foundation?

The problem was, well… wasn't being an Enforcer supposed to be super dangerous? And she already had a part-time job! But… maybe if she cut down on her video game time, she could do both? And surely they had desk jobs or something, right?

Honestly, she just really, really wanted to learn how to use a weapon. She had no idea which one, but honestly, it didn't matter. Anything would do.

And that was why, when the demo was over, she leapt up and hurried over to the Enforcer, still leaning by the desk. "Um," she said. Actually, on second thought, this guy was… kind of scary-looking. But no! She had to steel herself, and summon her courage! "Excuse me! I'd like to sign up to be an Enforcer, please!"

Oh god. Touji and Eri and Taro were all going to think she was insane, once they heard about this.

Airus was surprised when the little girl from before walked over. "Alright then, here." He handed her a form and a pen. "You'll need to fill out the boxes and answer the questions. He smiled and took a seat. "If you want I can talk to your teachers about letting you go with me to head over to the station and we can give a weapon tutorial. If you make the cut then you will most likely be working dispatch or like me you'll do patrols with a partner occasionally. I'm Airus Delta by the way and who might you be? Honestly he was more curious what type of gift she had but right now it was more important he talk with her about the work. Enforcers needed every able body they could get, he hoped the girl could show at least a little skill.

Oh. Not too scary after all, then.

Kanako took the form a little hesitantly, and started answering the questions. Age, school, grade… it was all pretty simple, actually. She hoped he wasn't expecting anything too impressive from her, because she was sure to disappoint. Was there some kind of test she was going to have to pass? She hoped not. If it involved her gift, she'd almost definitely fail.

"I'm Kanako!" she said, doing her best to hide her nervousness and stay her usual energetic self. "Sakihara Kanako! Um… I've never used a weapon before. And, um, my gift is kind of… um. Well, anyway, I'd really like to be an Enforcer! Even if it's just… a desk job? I'm good at paperwork, promise!"

She smiled nervously. Actually, she wasn't sure if she was even good at paperwork, but she was sure she'd pick it up… somehow.