Guradian Academy

Chapter 11: Back to the Norm!

Chapter 11: Back to the Norm!

"That test was hard!" Izumi fell onto her soft bed, wincing as her injuries touched the covers. After yesturday's changelle match, everyone had been taken to the healer's hall for treatment. Izumi's injuries were worst then her friends, but not to bad for battling with a second year.

"Really? I thought it was annoying at best." Unlike her friends, Shira had started her homework the minute they got back to their dorm. "Ms. Yuriko even let us use our notes and papers we wrote."

"Izumi's biggest struggle was everything having to do with primary, dual, and secondary classes." Naomi was seated on her bed, leaning against the wall eating more pockety and reading. "You know how she gets those confused."

After their match and having thier wounds tended, the girls had rushed back to the dorm to study and begin their three page paper. While it wasn't due till midnight the next day, they all knew it was better to have it done sooner rather than later. Classes at the academy at all levels were diffcult and fast paced. This is what made it nearly impossible to skip a grade. Some students chose to forgo the academics and focus on field training. Izumi was one of these students.

The academy values students understanding of what is taught, rather then grades. If you could demeostat your understanding through academics or feild training, you were doing well. That didn't mean one could slack off in either academics or field training.

"Are we going into town for dinner?" Izumi asked, changing the subject.

"Do you have enough gems?" Shira asked, giving Izumi a look that said 'I'm not paying for you'.

Izumi happily nodded, "Yup, just got paid this morning." Students were given chores and other tasks to do in order to earn gems, the currency of the academy and near by towns. Outside of these areas, gems could only be used for bargaining and crafting. Gems were mainly used for crafting and bonding.

"Naomi you should consider being a sparring/training tutor also." Izumi informed their silent friend. "It pays way better than doing inventory."

Naomi shook her head, "To much work and time. I wouldn't have enough time to study or read comics" Naomi reached for another piece of pocky, only to grasp air. Looking into the empty box, Naomi pouted. "To town we go." Naomi hopped off her bed and ran out the door, to impatience for more pockey to wait for her friends.

Izumi just blinked at the dust cloud that was left in Naomi's place. Shira, on the hand, burst out into a fit of laugher. "Never get in the way of that girl and her pocky! Come on, let's go catch up to her before she blows her whole pay check on sweets again." Shira grabbed her shoes and dashed out the door with Izumi on her heels.

********************************************

"Where did that sugar loving girl go?" Izumi searched the crowd for Naomi's familiar brown-blonde hair. "We were literally only two minutes behind her. How could she lose us that quickly?"

"It's Naomi and pockey, I'm shocked she said anything to us at all instead of just taking off for town." Shira's arms were crossed, as she helped look for their friend.

"Knowing her, she'll probably be home soon." Izumi knew Naomi's love of sugar and sweets was a poweful motativeor. Just the promise of sweets was enough to get her attention at times.

"What took you guys?" There stood Naomi, mouth full of pocky and several bags in hand.

Shira flicked Naomi's forehead. "Tell me you didn't spend all of your money on candy again?"

"Okay I won't." Naomi said as she began walking pass them and into another candy store.

Shira groaned, "We're going to dinner. No more candy." She snatched Naomi by the collar and dragged her away from the store.

"NOOO!!!!" Naomi pouted, a rare thing for her. "My candy!!!"

Izumi laughed at the sight before her. Sometimes they forgot Naomi was two years younger then then at fourteen. Their friend rarely pouts or winced, but that completely went out the window when it came to her candy. While pockety was her favorite, anything with sugar in it worked just as well. "How can she still be this strong!" Shira cried, wondering how Naomi could still have such energy after yesturday's battle and the field training they went through that day at school.

"Ah, guys." Naomi stopped pouting, when she heard it, the screams. "We have a slight change in plans." Naomi looked to see where Izumi was pointing. Not one, but two shadows had appeared.

"How did they get into the city." Shira took a step back, ready to strike.

Izumi groaned, "Well, there goes dinner." Reaching into her pocket, she pulled out her compact. "Yo, Mizu. Weapons please." The small device was shaped like a make-up compact, but could do so much more. The mirror inside acted as a two way commication device, allowing students to contact Mizu if needed. It also provided away for weapons and other materials to insteatly be sent. Izumi held her compact out, letting the mirror touch the reflective surface of a nearby shop window. A ripple was created on contact, allowing Izumi to pull her compact back and reach into the window. Pulling her hand out, her held her reforged bow and quiver in hand. Nearby, her friends had also contacted Mizu for their weapons. Shira held her sword and Naomi had her nagatina.

"Guest dinner is gonna have to wait."