Mana Academy (IC) (Open, Fantasy)

[Charlia]

"Oh!" she said in surprise. "Hello, classmate... ah... I am afraid I am unaware of your name. Please, what is it? I cannot address you merely as 'classmate'. Unless, of course," she said deferentially, "that is the title you desire. Please, do not hesitate to say so if that is what you wish."

"Soleil Rise is my name, but you can call me Sol...and...um, what's your name? Kasumi Chan?" He was not aware that 'chan' was an honorific, and not a surname.

She looked at him bewilderedly for a moment.

Question. Why does classmate Rise-san believe my surname is Chan?

Observation. Classmate Rise-san is not Japanese.

Preliminary conclusion. Classmate Rise-san cannot be expected to know Japanese culture.

Further observation. Classmate Rise-san was present when Sensei Usagi addressed me as 'Kasumi-chan'.

Conclusion. Classmate Rise-san, not being aware of culture and honorifics, believed 'chan' to be my surname.

"No," she said gently. "'-chan' is an honorific in Japanese culture. My name is Shimizu Kasumi. I am pleased to meet you, classmate Rise-san." She bowed as best as she could, for being in a tree.

[Luminesa]

"Soleil Rise is my name, but you can call me Sol...and...um, what's your name? Kasumi Chan?" He was not aware that 'chan' was an honorific, and not a surname.

She looked at him bewilderedly for a moment.

Question. Why does classmate Rise-san believe my surname is Chan?

Observation. Classmate Rise-san is not Japanese.

Preliminary conclusion. Classmate Rise-san cannot be expected to know Japanese culture.

Further observation. Classmate Rise-san was present when Sensei Usagi addressed me as 'Kasumi-chan'.

Conclusion. Classmate Rise-san, not being aware of culture and honorifics, believed 'chan' to be my surname.

"No," she said gently. "'-chan' is an honorific in Japanese culture. My name is Shimizu Kasumi. I am pleased to meet you, classmate Rise-san." She bowed as best as she could, for being in a tree.

"'Honorific'? Sooo...is 'san' an honorific, too? And...what do honorifics mean? And...why are you calling me by my last name? Is that something Japanese people do, too?" he asked, curiously.

[Charlia]

She looked at him bewilderedly for a moment.

Question. Why does classmate Rise-san believe my surname is Chan?

Observation. Classmate Rise-san is not Japanese.

Preliminary conclusion. Classmate Rise-san cannot be expected to know Japanese culture.

Further observation. Classmate Rise-san was present when Sensei Usagi addressed me as 'Kasumi-chan'.

Conclusion. Classmate Rise-san, not being aware of culture and honorifics, believed 'chan' to be my surname.

"No," she said gently. "'-chan' is an honorific in Japanese culture. My name is Shimizu Kasumi. I am pleased to meet you, classmate Rise-san." She bowed as best as she could, for being in a tree.

"'Honorific'? Sooo...is 'san' an honorific, too? And...what do honorifics mean? And...why are you calling me by my last name? Is that something Japanese people do, too?" he asked, curiously.

"'-san' is also an honorific," she said calmly. "Honorifics are simply syllables attached to the end of a name to indicate respect. '-chan' and '-kun' are often used for those younger than the speaker, or simply dear to them, with '-chan' often used for girls and '-kun' for boys. '-san' is generally used for someone of equal station, while '-sama' is used for those above the speaker. As for why I addressed you by your surname, it is simply respectful. Do you want me to call you by another name?"

[Luminesa]

"'Honorific'? Sooo...is 'san' an honorific, too? And...what do honorifics mean? And...why are you calling me by my last name? Is that something Japanese people do, too?" he asked, curiously.

"'-san' is also an honorific," she said calmly. "Honorifics are simply syllables attached to the end of a name to indicate respect. '-chan' and '-kun' are often used for those younger than the speaker, or simply dear to them, with '-chan' often used for girls and '-kun' for boys. '-san' is generally used for someone of equal station, while '-sama' is used for those above the speaker. As for why I addressed you by your surname, it is simply respectful. Do you want me to call you by another name?"

"N-No, you can call me that if you want...if that's what you're used to..." Soleil clarified hastily. He was slightly creeped-out by Kasumi's lack of emotion, but she was a sweet girl overall, and she didn't seem annoyed with him. Which was nice. "...So...is Kasumi your last name? I-Is that why Rabbit called you 'Kasumi-chan'?" he continued to ask.

[Rhomaia]

Antonius Ruta

After the girl's question, Ruta scanned the room for any students who still held their hands high. Seeing that there were none, Ruta nodded and exhaled again. Hopefully it was an abundance of understanding, not simply the product of ignorance that the students had nothing else to ask for now. "Excellent. Before I give each of you a partner, I wish to take a moment to explain the nature of the lesson. The object of the duels which each and every one of you will be participating in is not to simply beat your opponent into submission, but rather to think your way past the defenses of your dueling partner. This is not meant to be an easy process, mind you. Most of the pairs that have been arranged for today's assignment were not chosen at random, but rather in accordance with your elemental abilities. Water against fire, cold against hot, and light against dark. Opposing elements, and opposing attributes will force you all to adapt a strategy against your opponent in order to dispatch them." Ruta explained, his deep, booming voice echoing throughout the room. This was a trial run of sorts for him. He didn't just want to see how well students could perform in a fight, but also the different techniques they utilized, the kind of elements they utilized, and to that end, the strength which these students possessed. He expected the upperclassmen to do the best, but there was no way to be sure. There could always be a special one among the freshmen here who wasn't completely inept.

Pulling out a small white scroll from the folds of his robes, Ruta put a smile on his face. "If there are no further questions, then I will give you all your dueling partners now." he said, unfurling the white parchment in his calloused hands, and beginning to rattle off the names in a formal manner.

"Henry Von Kressel and Allistor Abendroth."

"Maria Hirsch and Catherine de Sanguine Vivere."

"Shaun Calhoun and Hikari Shimizu."

"Aria Comnena, and Alexander d'Autriche."

Ruta said these names, and others on the list in a commanding, authoritative voice that asserted that he was the one in control here. No trouble making, no funny business, and absolutely no dishonor was to be done. "Now, if you would all please, assemble into your groups." Ruta voiced one final time.

Though one could say that Ruta was ambivalent towards his students, that final pair...The Comnena and the d'Autriche boy. Two opposite elemental mages, two different noble houses...And some said even an old rivalry between the two. It actually interested him. It would be a genuine fight, one that both contestants would pour their heart and soul into. And Ruta was going to be able to see it. However, if it did get out of hand, then he would step in, he at least promised himself that.

[Woodstovia]

Alex sat looking bored with his head resting lazily in his hand. He didn't care about Ruta's ramblings. His ears did however prick up as he begun listing off the pairs Alex waited to be drawn against one of the new kids or something, but his blood ran cold when Ruta rattled off his opponent. Aria? Alex gritted his teeth. He didn't want to fight her. Well actually... She couldn't kill him here. He realised. She couldn't kill him. There was no rain, no alleyway. But... What if he killed her? What if it looked like he had an accident while duelling and just went a little too far and executed her? He could change fate, he'd save himself from death. Alex rose to his feet with perhaps the only genuine smile he'd ever had in his life and strode over to Aria.

[Rhomaia]

Aria Comnena

The one thing Aria wished wouldn't happen. Not only was she being thrust straight into dueling, a subject she had learned all too well over her years, but it was with Alex...Worse yet, the teacher had a smile on his face while he read it off. Alex was dangerous. For all she knew, he was very much a cold blooded killer. And yet she had faced worse. She had faced her demons, literal and figurative, braved the Storm, and learned well in her young age. Alexander's smile didn't scare her. All it did was motivate Aria to wipe it straight off of his smug little face. She would come out a victor, and she wouldn't be subject to his inanities anymore.

Here, I will put this swine where he belongs, and end him here...
For he who opposes my will is not fit to serve even rats, nor even breathe.
He is deserving of nothing more or less than Judgement.

These words rang in her head. She had heard them before. In her dreams. In her nightmares. In her visions of emptiness. Yet never until now had it been more clear. The whispers became words, commands. It all filled Aria with a strange sense of purpose. End him here..End him here...

Returning Alex's genuine smile, her left eye flashed an amber orange, the color of dusk. Letting out a soft, childish kind of laughter, Aria asked Alex, "Well, I guess we both saw this coming, didn't we? Shall we dance?" she said, her voice somehow cheerful even in this circumstance.

[Sky-TheLandOfNekos]

Antonius Ruta

After the girl's question, Ruta scanned the room for any students who still held their hands high. Seeing that there were none, Ruta nodded and exhaled again. Hopefully it was an abundance of understanding, not simply the product of ignorance that the students had nothing else to ask for now. "Excellent. Before I give each of you a partner, I wish to take a moment to explain the nature of the lesson. The object of the duels which each and every one of you will be participating in is not to simply beat your opponent into submission, but rather to think your way past the defenses of your dueling partner. This is not meant to be an easy process, mind you. Most of the pairs that have been arranged for today's assignment were not chosen at random, but rather in accordance with your elemental abilities. Water against fire, cold against hot, and light against dark. Opposing elements, and opposing attributes will force you all to adapt a strategy against your opponent in order to dispatch them." Ruta explained, his deep, booming voice echoing throughout the room. This was a trial run of sorts for him. He didn't just want to see how well students could perform in a fight, but also the different techniques they utilized, the kind of elements they utilized, and to that end, the strength which these students possessed. He expected the upperclassmen to do the best, but there was no way to be sure. There could always be a special one among the freshmen here who wasn't completely inept.

Pulling out a small white scroll from the folds of his robes, Ruta put a smile on his face. "If there are no further questions, then I will give you all your dueling partners now." he said, unfurling the white parchment in his calloused hands, and beginning to rattle off the names in a formal manner.

"Henry Von Kressel and Allistor Abendroth."

"Maria Hirsch and Catherine de Sanguine Vivere."

"Shaun Calhoun and Hikari Shimizu."

"Aria Comnena, and Alexander d'Autriche."

Ruta said these names, and others on the list in a commanding, authoritative voice that asserted that he was the one in control here. No trouble making, no funny business, and absolutely no dishonor was to be done. After reading all of the names, he realized that the trouble maker, Hikari, was left without a partner. So that was the disadvantage of having such a small class today. "Now, if you would all please, assemble into your groups." Ruta voiced one final time.

Though one could say that Ruta was ambivalent towards his students, that final pair...The Comnena and the d'Autriche boy. Two opposite elemental mages, two different noble houses...And some said even an old rivalry between the two. It actually interested him. It would be a genuine fight, one that both contestants would pour their heart and soul into. And Ruta was going to be able to see it. However, if it did get out of hand, then he would step in, he at least promised himself that.

Lance stepped into the classroom. He was late as would be expected for someone who had just been through sorting. He didn't even have time to unpack. As soon as he got to his room, he realized that it was already time to head to his second class.

"Forgive me," he said as he closed the door behind him, "I'm running a little late today. Can someone explain to me what I've missed?"

[Kingdom of Irhk]

Henry Von Kressel

Allistor. This is going to be hard. To fight with Allistor, I have to be cautious. One eye on him, the other eye in his snake.

The pairs were interesting ones. The Hirsch girl would fight Catherine, a rather creative mage in the use of her blood: Both of them had restrictions in their elements, but Henry would bet on Catherine, due to the friendship he had and her dedication to her studies.

The other one was the "fight of the century": Aria against Alex. It was a constant theme of discussion in his mind who would win this fight. Alex was talented, but apparently his sanity was leaving him day by day. The slight worry that Henry had about him crossing the line and trying anything against her dissipated when he remembered that the teacher would be watching, and that Aria was more than capable in a magical fight.

Henry stood up, straightening his cape while he walked to Allistor. They were acquainted, and Henry himself was betting on his opponent, or in a draw. The results didn't matter this time, the practice of fighting and thinking strategically worth it. Before he initiated the conversation, he directed a trustful smile to Aria, in a sign of wishing her good luck. With his mind set on the fight to come, he finally talked to Allistor.

"Allistor. Pleasure to see you again."

[Rhomaia]

Antonius Ruta

"You've got to be kidding me...A student this late? Why in God's name does it take these damn kids so long...This one even has his bags on him. Either he just got to the Academy, or he is one hell of a slacker." Ruta thought to himself, rolling his eyes as he saw the new student walk in. Late or not, the boy had the sense to take a class in defense, so Ruta held back his urge to scold the boy. Walking over to where the boy sat, he answered, "You haven't missed much. Class has only just begun here. Today is the dueling unit and the pairs have just been arranged. I am Professor Ruta, overseer of this class. What would your name be?"

[Sky-TheLandOfNekos]

Antonius Ruta

"You've got to be kidding me...A student this late? Why in God's name does it take these damn kids so long...This one even has his bags on him. Either he just got to the Academy, or he is one hell of a slacker." Ruta thought to himself, rolling his eyes as he saw the new student walk in. Late or not, the boy had the sense to take a class in defense, so Ruta held back his urge to scold the boy. Walking over to where the boy sat, he answered, "You haven't missed much. Class has only just begun here. Today is the dueling unit and the pairs have just been arranged. I am Professor Ruta, overseer of this class. What would your name be?"

Lance

He looked up at the professor, his eyes showing a slight shine of rebelliousness. "Just call me Lance," he replied. "I prefer not to be called by my birth name. Aside from that, what should I do if the dueling pairs have been assigned?"

This teacher is going to get on my nerves frequently... Just by that look on his face, I can already tell that he has me labeled as a troublemaker, he thought to himself.

[Woodstovia]

"When I fight it's not a dance." Alex said with a large grin. "And you can't hurt me here. You can only kill me in an alley." Alex said, his mind beginning to slip away from him. He was experiencing one of his first fits, a pain most d'Autriche's suffered through. Alex snapped his fingers and an explosion of flames occurred beneath Aria's feat. The flames were smoky and pitch-black. Alex beginning to use the black magic his voices had taught him.

[The Isles of Lux]

Ozzi uses a burst of pressurized air to shoot him up onto the roof a the building closest to the tall tree. Once on the top of that building, he backs up, and then starts off at a run. He sprints forward at full speed, not slowing. For a moment it looks like he is simply going to run straight off the edge of the roof and fall down to the ground in what would probably be a lethal drop. At the last minute, however, Ozzi leaps forward off the edge of the roof and flies through the air towards the tree. He uses the air to propel his body forward, and also to cushion the impact as he lands on the branch next to Soleil and the female student he is speaking to. The branch shakes dangerously, as if it might fall, but in the end it steadies.

[Rhomaia]

"When I fight it's not a dance." Alex said with a large grin. "And you can't hurt me here. You can only kill me in an alley." Alex said, his mind beginning to slip away from him. He was experiencing one of his first fits, a pain most d'Autriche's suffered through. Alex snapped his fingers and an explosion of flames occurred beneath Aria's feat. The flames were smoky and pitch-black. Alex beginning to use the black magic his voices had taught him.

Aria Comnena

Aria was more than prepared for a dirty fight, especially coming from Alex. Redirecting Mana from her arms, where she could generate her bolts, to her legs for a remarkable burst of speed, Aria barely dodged the flames which Alex had set under her and made a running dash towards the insane, red eyed boy which she hated so much. Her speed was inhuman, and her lightweight frame helped this quite a bit by allowing her even more movement. Aria made a sweeping motion towards Alex and sent a wave of red water from her palm, which she immediately blasted with a lightning that was equally crimson. For now, she was but a blur on the battlefield, sending water and lightning to douse the flames that her foe dared to graze her with.

[Charlia]

"'-san' is also an honorific," she said calmly. "Honorifics are simply syllables attached to the end of a name to indicate respect. '-chan' and '-kun' are often used for those younger than the speaker, or simply dear to them, with '-chan' often used for girls and '-kun' for boys. '-san' is generally used for someone of equal station, while '-sama' is used for those above the speaker. As for why I addressed you by your surname, it is simply respectful. Do you want me to call you by another name?"

"N-No, you can call me that if you want...if that's what you're used to..." Soleil clarified hastily. He was slightly creeped-out by Kasumi's lack of emotion, but she was a sweet girl overall, and she didn't seem annoyed with him. Which was nice. "...So...is Kasumi your last name? I-Is that why Rabbit called you 'Kasumi-chan'?" he continued to ask.

"Oh, no," she said, shaking her head. "Shimizu is my last name. I am not sure why Sensei Usagi chose to call me Kasumi-chan. My sister calls me Umi-chan, but that is only because she despises me. She believes I am to blame for killing our father. I could say the same about her and our mother, but I am not as vulnerable as she is."

[Rhomaia]

Antonius Ruta

"You've got to be kidding me...A student this late? Why in God's name does it take these damn kids so long...This one even has his bags on him. Either he just got to the Academy, or he is one hell of a slacker." Ruta thought to himself, rolling his eyes as he saw the new student walk in. Late or not, the boy had the sense to take a class in defense, so Ruta held back his urge to scold the boy. Walking over to where the boy sat, he answered, "You haven't missed much. Class has only just begun here. Today is the dueling unit and the pairs have just been arranged. I am Professor Ruta, overseer of this class. What would your name be?"

Lance

He looked up at the professor, his eyes showing a slight shine of rebelliousness. "Just call me Lance," he replied. "I prefer not to be called by my birth name. Aside from that, what should I do if the dueling pairs have been assigned?"

This teacher is going to get on my nerves frequently... Just by that look on his face, I can already tell that he has me labeled as a troublemaker, he thought to himself.

Antonius Ruta

Ruta shook his head at the student. If only he had come earlier, this entire problem could have been avoided, and yet his luck kept pushing him further back. This was the third troublemaker to come into his class, and he wouldn't so much as give his name this time. "Lance, I wasn't quite expecting many more students than I have already recieved. However, you are still welcome here. I believe that you could find another partner if chance allowed it, but if there is no such luck, then I will be your dueling partner."

[Luminesa]

Ozzi uses a burst of pressurized air to shoot him up onto the roof a the building closest to the tall tree. Once on the top of that building, he backs up, and then starts off at a run. He sprints forward at full speed, not slowing. For a moment it looks like he is simply going to run straight off the edge of the roof and fall down to the ground in what would probably be a lethal drop. At the last minute, however, Ozzi leaps forward off the edge of the roof and flies through the air towards the tree. He uses the air to propel his body forward, and also to cushion the impact as he lands on the branch next to Soleil and the female student he is speaking to. The branch shakes dangerously, as if it might fall, but in the end it steadies.

Soleil yelped, as the branch shook, and he clung to Ozzi, as he thought they were all going to fall. When he realized they weren't, he breathed a deep sigh of relief. Though he wondered...

Wait...what's going to happen when Aidan gets up here?...

"Aidan! Please be careful!" Soleil called to his classmate, afraid for him.

Meanwhile, Rabbit continued to watch them, without a fear in the world. They knew the possibilities and were well-prepared for them.

[Luminesa]

"N-No, you can call me that if you want...if that's what you're used to..." Soleil clarified hastily. He was slightly creeped-out by Kasumi's lack of emotion, but she was a sweet girl overall, and she didn't seem annoyed with him. Which was nice. "...So...is Kasumi your last name? I-Is that why Rabbit called you 'Kasumi-chan'?" he continued to ask.

"Oh, no," she said, shaking her head. "Shimizu is my last name. I am not sure why Sensei Usagi chose to call me Kasumi-chan. My sister calls me Umi-chan, but that is only because she despises me. She believes I am to blame for killing our father. I could say the same about her and our mother, but I am not as vulnerable as she is."

"W-Wait...your father..." He was startled by the bluntness with which she spoke of such a tragedy. "Wh-What happened to your father? And why does your sister blame you?...And why do you blame your mom?" He couldn't understand why a family would be so quick to all jump at each other like that. Of course, his sheltered life was the reason he thought that.

[Charlia]

"Oh, no," she said, shaking her head. "Shimizu is my last name. I am not sure why Sensei Usagi chose to call me Kasumi-chan. My sister calls me Umi-chan, but that is only because she despises me. She believes I am to blame for killing our father. I could say the same about her and our mother, but I am not as vulnerable as she is."

"W-Wait...your father..." He was startled by the bluntness with which she spoke of such a tragedy. "Wh-What happened to your father? And why does your sister blame you?...And why do you blame your mom?" He couldn't understand why a family would be so quick to all jump at each other like that. Of course, his sheltered life was the reason he thought that.

"Oh. I do not blame my mother. It is my sister I am... unsettled with." She tilted her head, and looked almost sad. "My mother was a water mage, and my father controlled fire. Hikari and I each inherited one parent's ability, along with a small amount of control over air. Unfortunately, when we were young, we started fighting. Things escalated, and..."

She looked down.

"When it was all over, our parents were dead. Father had drowned, and Mother... there was nothing left of her save ashes. Hikari has blamed me for killing Father ever since."

[The Isles of Lux]

Ozzi yelps in surprise when Soleil grabs him, and almost loses his balance. Luckily, there is a very sturdy tree trunk situated right next to him, and it doesn't wobble when he in turn grabs on it for support. Once they are both well balanced again, Ozzi turns to Soleil with a grin.

"Do not be so fearful, Sol. You might scare Aidan if you talk like dat." Ozzi remembers that Soleil does not take jokes very lightly, and that he may be upset by his comments, so he quickly speaks up again. "I am joking."

Ozzi blinks a couple times and squints up at the sky. Though he maintains a very calm outward appearance (or at least as calm as is humanly possible for Ozzi), his heart is beating about two million miles a minute. He worries that it might be noticeable to Soleil, as close as they are sitting.

[Woodstovia]

Why the fuck was that bitch so fast? Alex wondered angrily. Large columns of fire rose around Alexander, protecting him from the waves which evaporated around him, causing large waves of steam to rise around him. Alex coughed a little and it was harder to see Aria but he persevered. His columns disappeared with a wave of his hand and Alex began sending great whips of plasma, imbued with fire crashing around him. One darted off and struck Ruta's desk but he wasn't going to be able to hit Aria with small, accurate bursts which were too quick. The only option was to send his plasma everywhere.

[Sky-TheLandOfNekos]

Lance

He looked up at the professor, his eyes showing a slight shine of rebelliousness. "Just call me Lance," he replied. "I prefer not to be called by my birth name. Aside from that, what should I do if the dueling pairs have been assigned?"

This teacher is going to get on my nerves frequently... Just by that look on his face, I can already tell that he has me labeled as a troublemaker, he thought to himself.

Antonius Ruta

Ruta shook his head at the student. If only he had come earlier, this entire problem could have been avoided, and yet his luck kept pushing him further back. This was the third troublemaker to come into his class, and he wouldn't so much as give his name this time. "Lance, I wasn't quite expecting many more students than I have already recieved. However, you are still welcome here. I believe that you could find another partner if chance allowed it, but if there is no such luck, then I will be your dueling partner."

"Well, I don't exactly have the best people skills," he answered. "So, it looks like I'm going to have to take you up on that offer." With that, he pushed himself from his seat and turned to the professor. His expression remained blank and uninterested. "Where do we start?"

[Charlia]

Antonius Ruta

After the girl's question, Ruta scanned the room for any students who still held their hands high. Seeing that there were none, Ruta nodded and exhaled again. Hopefully it was an abundance of understanding, not simply the product of ignorance that the students had nothing else to ask for now. "Excellent. Before I give each of you a partner, I wish to take a moment to explain the nature of the lesson. The object of the duels which each and every one of you will be participating in is not to simply beat your opponent into submission, but rather to think your way past the defenses of your dueling partner. This is not meant to be an easy process, mind you. Most of the pairs that have been arranged for today's assignment were not chosen at random, but rather in accordance with your elemental abilities. Water against fire, cold against hot, and light against dark. Opposing elements, and opposing attributes will force you all to adapt a strategy against your opponent in order to dispatch them." Ruta explained, his deep, booming voice echoing throughout the room. This was a trial run of sorts for him. He didn't just want to see how well students could perform in a fight, but also the different techniques they utilized, the kind of elements they utilized, and to that end, the strength which these students possessed. He expected the upperclassmen to do the best, but there was no way to be sure. There could always be a special one among the freshmen here who wasn't completely inept.

Pulling out a small white scroll from the folds of his robes, Ruta put a smile on his face. "If there are no further questions, then I will give you all your dueling partners now." he said, unfurling the white parchment in his calloused hands, and beginning to rattle off the names in a formal manner.

"Henry Von Kressel and Allistor Abendroth."

"Maria Hirsch and Catherine de Sanguine Vivere."

"Shaun Calhoun and Hikari Shimizu."

"Aria Comnena, and Alexander d'Autriche."

Ruta said these names, and others on the list in a commanding, authoritative voice that asserted that he was the one in control here. No trouble making, no funny business, and absolutely no dishonor was to be done. "Now, if you would all please, assemble into your groups." Ruta voiced one final time.

Though one could say that Ruta was ambivalent towards his students, that final pair...The Comnena and the d'Autriche boy. Two opposite elemental mages, two different noble houses...And some said even an old rivalry between the two. It actually interested him. It would be a genuine fight, one that both contestants would pour their heart and soul into. And Ruta was going to be able to see it. However, if it did get out of hand, then he would step in, he at least promised himself that.

Hikari smiled wide, looking for Shaun. She didn't know which one he was, but started tossing a small fireball just for the sake of getting ready.

"Calhoun?" she questioned. "Which one are you?"

[Luminesa]

"W-Wait...your father..." He was startled by the bluntness with which she spoke of such a tragedy. "Wh-What happened to your father? And why does your sister blame you?...And why do you blame your mom?" He couldn't understand why a family would be so quick to all jump at each other like that. Of course, his sheltered life was the reason he thought that.

"Oh. I do not blame my mother. It is my sister I am... unsettled with." She tilted her head, and looked almost sad. "My mother was a water mage, and my father controlled fire. Hikari and I each inherited one parent's ability, along with a small amount of control over air. Unfortunately, when we were young, we started fighting. Things escalated, and..."

She looked down.

"When it was all over, our parents were dead. Father had drowned, and Mother... there was nothing left of her save ashes. Hikari has blamed me for killing Father ever since."

This was a terrifying story. Two small children, armed with magic, managed to kill their parents and nearly each other. For what? A sibling rivalry? How could two little kids...two innocent little kids...do such terrible things? "...What were you fighting over?" he asked, nervously.

[Charlia]

"Oh. I do not blame my mother. It is my sister I am... unsettled with." She tilted her head, and looked almost sad. "My mother was a water mage, and my father controlled fire. Hikari and I each inherited one parent's ability, along with a small amount of control over air. Unfortunately, when we were young, we started fighting. Things escalated, and..."

She looked down.

"When it was all over, our parents were dead. Father had drowned, and Mother... there was nothing left of her save ashes. Hikari has blamed me for killing Father ever since."

This was a terrifying story. Two small children, armed with magic, managed to kill their parents and nearly each other. For what? A sibling rivalry? How could two little kids...two innocent little kids...do such terrible things? "...What were you fighting over?" he asked, nervously.

"Hikari called a theory of mine childish and idiotic," Kasumi replied quietly, her voice tinged with... was it shame? "Her volatile personality ignited, and everything went wrong. After it was all over, we separated, and the Sorting was the first time I had seen her in years. Unlike me, apparently she has not learned to control her emotions and still harbors a grudge towards me. No matter. If she wishes to kill me, she may do so. Oblivion would be a place of peace."