The GATE Academy [Please read description]

Chapter 2: The Arena

The class quieted down as Professor Cloud began to speak.

"I will be your teacher this year. Many of you are seniors, but I can see that there is quite a good amount of juniors in here. That is very promising.

"My class will not be easy. While we do spend much of our time at the Arena, the curriculum for the standard subjects will not be ignored, as many of your previous teachers may have done."

A few of my classmates, Riku included, groaned a little at Cloud's comment.

"If you are to survive in this world as a superhuman, supernatural, a "gifted and talented" person, take your pick, it is absolutely crucial that you are to learn the roots of our ancestors and how we came to be."

Professor Cloud picked a black Pilot pen from his desk and held it up.

"You can expect two major essays this year. One regarding yourself and the other, a recap of this year's "History" lessons regarding the founders of this school."

"But..." Professor Cloud set the pen down and began reach under his desk, "We can hold off the lessons for later."

Professor Cloud pulled out a long, white-gold bladed sword with a white hilt. The blade brilliantly redirected the risen sun's rays from outside into the classroom, causing a number of students in the front row to shield their eyes from it's shine. It's a nice blade.

My own black-bladed blade was in my dorm, but I can easily summon out of thin air. Neat, huh?

The door to the class swung open and stopped before hitting the doorstop. Professor Cloud stood up and made his way to the door. He stopped at the doorway and turned back to look at his class.

"C'mon guys, we're going to the Arena."

***

The Arena is a large dome attached to the back of the school. The highest point of the dome is exactly three-hundred feet high and has a diameter of six-hundred feet. There are four entrances, one at each cardinal direction, and lining against the curved walls of the Arena are bleachers. Assemblies, tournaments, and other school activities are held at the Arena.

During school hours, the Arena can be used by GATE teachers to bring their classes to and practice combat. After school hours, students are free to, and encouraged to, spar with other students. Some teachers even require a certain amount of "outside practice" at the Arena for their students.

As I walked out onto the stage of the Arena, a white-tiled (self-repairing) field, Professor Cloud started to herd us students into the bleachers to our right.

Keita and Riku sat down on my right side and Yuki, whether intentional or not, sat on my left.

"That's my spot..." Riku complained to himself.

In front of me sat a white-haired boy wearing his own take of the school uniform. Instead of GATE's colors, red and black, he wore a uniform sporting the colors blue and white.

I tapped his left shoulder.

"Glad to see you're here, Mizu."

Mizu turned to his right and looked up at me, smiling brightly.

"Shizuo!"

"I was wondering if you were going to be in this class, you're CL-9, right?"

Mizu blushed slightly and replied.

"Yeah, I was able to test out of CL-8 last year."

"Really? Same here. Are you excited to spar?"