Young Writers Society

Most of the crowd in the inner yard was still too shocked to respond in any way.

The members of Annabel Xea’s class weren’t among them, though, roaring triumphantly as they ran towards Yuki, their newest classmate who had just defeated the high school's tyrannical queen.

Eventually many other students also started cheering, an exception to that being Ulura’s class who had gathered around the fallen queen.

She had covered her face, sending one of her classmates who had leaned closer to her in the air with a green laser shot and not a single word spoken.

Meanwhile Hikaru and Seiren pulled Yuki to them before Annabel could reach her to perform her duties as the class’s chief medic, the battered ice maiden leaning on both for support as the hot-headed three looked at each other and smiled.

(Hikaru) ‘-You did great, Yu. But try not to scare me like that again.’

(Seiren) ‘-We were hardly able to keep this bastard from intervening even after what you said. A bit longer and he would’ve lost control completely.’

(Vega) ‘-As if you were any different, Seiren.’

(Yuki) ‘-Thanks, guys. Thank you for letting me do this on my own.’

(King) ‘-That was one hell of a fight, Yuki! I didn’t know you could teleport with a static deva like yours!! You surprised all of us there!!’

(Yuki) ‘-Huh? That’s not a normal thing? (she paused only for a moment because of the confusion before the bright smile returned to her face) Well, I don’t know how it happened exactly, but thanks, King!’

The girl with flowing dark brown hair, hazel eyes and a complexion just a tone darker than the average saw Yuki was surrounded by the boys at this point and none of them clearly paid any attention to her state because they were so impressed by the battle. The initiative needed to be taken by someone if Miss Iceflame was to be stabilized, so Annabel shoved her way between the boys along with the rest of the girls from the class to reach her.

Annabel: ‘-Step aside, you brutes. (finally she reached the wounded warrior) You got pretty roughed up during that fight, Yuki. Let me help you.’

(Yuki) ‘-You can do that?’

(Annabel) ‘-Your hands, please.’

Miss Xea stretched out her hands, Yuki putting her hands in those of her classmate, cyan energy starting to spread from the one girl’s body to that of the other, the wounds starting to heal wherever that energy passed through.

Upon closer inspection, the hot heads’ medic realized she had never seen someone who had been wounded worse. A number of cuts across the whole body, some of those on the upper half of the right arm and the right thigh being quite deep, the deepest being across the left side of the middle trapezius. Alongside that, puncture wounds that were a bit shallower were spread throughout the torso.

She was covered in so much blood that there wasn’t an inch of her underwear that had preserved its original white color. Something definitely wasn’t right with this picture. Anyone else who had sustained such damage would not be able to fight actively enough to take down the strongest female in Sunbird, let alone talk and laugh after that. The girl’s stamina was beyond even supernatural levels.

(Yuki) ‘-Wow. That’s a great deva. Thank you … um …’

(Annabel) ‘-Annabel. Don’t strain yourself with trying to remember my name now. We’ll have plenty of time for that. And I’m the one who should be thanking you. As should probably everyone else in this yard.’

(Yuki) ‘-Why?’

(Exo) ‘-Ulura has been terrorizing most people in school, including some from her own class, for a while now. Everyone hated her, but no one could stop her.’

Tokura jumped straight at Yuki with a dreamy extrawide grin at that point, his arms spread so he could hug her.

(Tokura) ‘-But things changed today because of our queen right here!’

Annabel smashed an elbow in the pseudoknight’s gut before he could reach his target.

(Annabel) ‘-Back off, Tora. She’s in no condition for your bullshit right now. And neither am I.’

(Tokura) ‘-B-but why …? She just showed everyone that she’s hot like hell, she’s strong and is willing to risk her life to protect our school! Now that Yuki’s been accepted as Sunbird’s white goddess, I just want to give her a hug as a sign of my fealty and appreciation!!’

No one of the class had paid much attention to the fact Yuki was half-naked up until then, the white-haired beauty immediately being overtaken with shame when she heard Tokura’s words.

Hikaru then took off his uniform’s blazer and gave it to her so she could cover herself while he and Seiren stood between the medic-patient duo and everyone else around.

(Hikaru) ‘-Don’t any of you bastards look!’

(Seiren) ‘-That’s right! That honor’s reserved just for me!’

A lightning-clad fist smacked the pervert across the jaw then, his rather angry rival being responsible for that.

(Hikaru) ‘-You’re forbidden from looking most of all, Blackscale!!’

As a fight was about to break out between those two and between the students who insisted on talking to the amnesiac and her classmates who had formed a defensive wall around her, a mixture of pale red and orange flames burst from the tallest central part of the main school building.

Out of those flames came a big fiery bird that descended upon the yard, a deafening sound coming out of its mouth as the flapping of its huge wings caused the forming of gusts of hot wind, many students screaming in terror and running back inside the building.

Exo was the one who screamed the loudest but who at the same time could move his body the least because he was gripped by fear. Annabel couldn’t blame him, because she felt some of that fear as well while the phoenix landed before the hot heads.

(Random student) ‘-It’s the headmaster! Find cover! Run before he incinerates us all!!’

As usual, headmaster Zoran Lawell exuded enormous amounts of both light and heat, the power emanated by his deva echoing probably even beyond the school grounds although it was limited to just 30%. Annabel or any of the others had never been this close to him, however, so all of them started sweating, some – quite profusely. Whether it was because of the heat or because they were afraid, the hot heads’ medic couldn’t say.

Another burst of pale red and orange flames led to the replacement of the creature by a man in his late 30s – early 40s with very long and shiny straight black hair, black eyes and warm ivory skin, who wore a black coat over a suit that consisted of a brighter red waistcoat and trousers and a darker red shirt, his belt and formal shoes being black, having a rather stern expression right now.

(Hikaru) ‘-Headmaster, about what’s happened here …’

Mr. Lawell raised a hand to interrupt the hot heads’ negotiator.

(Zoran) ‘-Hold it, Hikaru. I saw everything. (his gaze focused on Yuki now, which immediately made her look away with a guilty expression, Annabel letting go of the amnesiac’s hands to stop the healing process and standing in front of her) I must say this is not the sort of behavior I was expecting when you enrolled in our school, Miss Iceflame.’

(Seiren) ‘-Yuki acted the way she did to protect the school! If you were watching, you should know most of the damage you see around you was done by Nightsong! If it wasn’t for our baby, a whole lot more of Sunbird would’ve been destroyed!!’

(Yuki) ‘-Annabel, move away. (the medic turned with shock to her patient, the new student looking very serious now) I carry some of the responsibility for what happened here, so I will accept the consequences.’

Annabel felt she should respect what the warrior who still had quite a few injuries left unhealed, so she stepped aside.

(Zoran) ‘-If that’s the case … (he leaned closer to Miss Iceflame and put his hand on her shoulder with a warm smile) … it’s OK. Don’t worry.’

There had been few times in the young medic’s life where she had felt her jaw might literally fall off her face from shock as much as she felt it now. Looking around her classmates, their expressions were as full of bewilderment as her own.

(King) ‘-So that’s it? We’re cool?’

(Zoran) ‘-If I have to be honest, Ulura was a problem for me as well. Her family makes a number of donations to our school every year and it would not be an overstatement to say Sunbird has survived as it is because of the Nightsongs. There aren’t many deviants who want to financially support our school and much fewer who have the resources to do so, which is why I was forced to accept the contributions from Ulura’s family all this time. While relying on that money, I couldn’t really take any measures to punish her in spite of the fact she tortured everyone. (he turned his attention from King back to Yuki) If one of the students was able to take care of putting her in her place however, I could say it was out of my hands. That’s why as soon as I saw someone was able to hold their ground against Miss Nightsong for as long as you did, Miss Iceflame, I thought a perfect opportunity had presented itself. I ordered the teachers and staff to stay alert but not intervene in the fight unless absolutely necessary. While there was more damage than I expected, I would still like to say I’m very grateful to you, young lady. And I want to apologize for exposing you to such danger on your very first day here. You’d be well within your rights to leave Sunbird after what happened and I will make no objection on the matter if that’s what you wish.’

(Yuki) ‘-It was quite an extreme first day, I’ll admit. Then again, every day since I arrived in Deckstoru has been extreme, so it’s nothing new. If I leave Sunbird, I’ll have to attend a high school in another city and be separated from everyone here and I don’t want that. Moreover, I’m not sure another school would accept me with the troublemaker name I seem to have made for myself. I’d like to stay right here, if that’s possible.’

(Zoran) ‘-It’s more than possible. I would welcome it, Yuki! (everyone around the class’s newest troublemaker took a sigh of relief as all the tension in the air finally disappeared, Yuki herself beaming with joy) It appears you will need some additional medical treatment, by the way. Annabel can’t heal such wounds at 50% output.’

(Exo) ‘-We’ll be taking her to the nurse’s office, then.’

(Zoran) ‘-Do that and get right back to class. Today’s schedule has been ruined enough as it is. Yuki’s excused from classes until the end of the day, of course, so she can get proper rest. (he looked at the baby doll again) And since you’ve decided to stay and contribute to the school’s future, Miss Iceflame, I expect you sharp and ready for work tomorrow!’

(Annabel) ‘-Work, sir? What work would that be?’

Zoran’s smiling face turned back into his stern frown.

(Zoran) ‘-I said not to worry but I didn’t say there won’t be any punishment for Yuki’s actions. Enough school rules were broken today to leave this scene without reprimanding the students responsible.’

(Seiren) ‘-Reprimand Ulura, then! She’s the one who’s most responsible here! I told you!’

(Zoran) ‘-As I already explained, Seiren, I can’t punish her. Ulura’s parents will not be happy with what happened here and will claim their daughter was the victim. They’ll insist someone be punished for what’s been done to her.’

(Tokura) ‘-So you’re throwing Yuki under the bus after she dealt with the most troublesome person in school for you? Sounds to me like all your problems are solved while someone else who’s completely innocent will take the blame, sir.’

The phoenix shifter smiled awkwardly and scratched his head upon hearing that.

(Zoran) ‘-It does sound quite bad when you say it like that, but that’s why I told Yuki there’s no need to worry. The punishment won’t be anything severe. It’s just a formality to appease the Nightsongs.’

(Yuki) ‘-And what will the punishment be exactly?’

(Zoran) ‘-You’ll have to fix all the damage that’s been done to the yard and the main school building, clean the pool, the gym, the bathrooms and some of the rooms. Nothing much.’

(Hikaru) ‘-Excuse me, headmaster, but even with Yuki’s abilities, that sounds like a whole lot of work for one person!’

Zoran now turned to Hikaru, patting his shoulder with an encouraging wink.

(Zoran) ‘-Right you are, Hikaru! That’s why you and the rest of the class are going to help her out with all the cleaning.’

Another unprecedented jaw-dropping moment.

(Seiren) ‘-We can’t possibly do all this today! We’ve still got classes! And what about our club activities?!’

(Zoran) ‘-You can get to work when you’re finished with today’s classes. And as for the club activities, I’ll excuse all of you from those until the week’s end.’

(King) ‘-But why until the week’s end?’

(Zoran) ‘-Because you’ll be doing this all week long. Our cleaning staff members have been exhausted by having to clean up the aftermath of each mess the students make and this newest one would definitely be the end of them, so I’ll let them rest this week while you do their job. Now that the attention of Ulura’s class will be focused on her and they won’t be causing any trouble, you won’t be fighting them at every turn and will have more free time on your hands. Might as well use it to repair some damage rather than cause it for a change.’

(Tokura) ‘-Are we gonna get paid for this, then?’

(Zoran) ‘-No, Tokura. This is punishment.’

(Vega) ‘-That’s just straight-up criminal, sir! Can’t we …’

Zoran’s expression had become even sterner, now appearing to be borderline angry as his eyes were engulfed in his two-color phoenix flames.

(Zoran) ‘-Do you have an issue with the punishment, Vega? Or maybe one of your classmates does?’

(Exo) ‘-No, no, no, sir! No issue at all!! We’ll do all the things you’ve told us to! For the whole week! Even for longer, if needs be!’

(Annabel) ‘-Come on, Yuki. I’ll take you to the nurse while these suckers get back to class.’

Annabel knew the way to the nurse’s office better than anyone as she often assisted her when some student got hurt too bad. It was in the same part of the main school building as the canteen, only on the second floor. And since she knew nurse Neana Ilre better than any of her classmates, she thought it best to personally prepare Yuki for her first visit with Sunbird’s main medic.

On the way there she could tell the ice maiden felt very guilty as she avoided eye contact with her classmate and as a whole looked at the floor while walking forward.

(Annabel) ‘-Yuki, are you …’

(Yuki) ‘-I’m starting to think there’s something wrong with me, Annabel. Anywhere I go, I get in trouble. And what’s worse, I get those around me in trouble. This time around, it’s my classmates that will have to pay for my mistakes.’

A whole-hearted laugh came out of Annabel when she heard that, confusing the new student.

(Annabel) ‘-That’s what’s bothering you? I don’t think you quite yet realize what a class you’ve become a part of, girl. We’ve been getting ourselves in trouble like this and worse long before you came along. That’s just who we are. I for one am actually relieved you have a penchant for getting in trouble yourself! That means we’re bound to get along really well!’

Those words succeeded in bringing some happiness to the baby doll, judging by her expression, just then the duo stopping in front of a pink wooden door that had ‘NURSE’S OFFICE’ written on it with dark purple metal letters.

(Yuki) ‘-Looks like I made the right choice by staying in Sunbird, then.’

(Annabel) ‘-Absolutely. We’re here, by the way. (she knocked on the door and then turned to Yuki) Now, about our nurse. Neana is also the deputy headmaster of Sunbird, so she’s very strong. She looks a bit weird, but is a really nice person, so long as you don’t say anything about her appearance. Just a piece of advice from me: focus on all the other stuff she’s put in the room to not look at her too much, don’t say anything bad about the headmaster and you’ll be fine.’

(Yuki) ‘-I’ve seen all kinds of weird stuff for the last couple of days and have been around quite a few dangerous and unstable people. I think I’ll be fine.’

Neana partially opened the door then, sticking out her long scrawny neck with a pale-skinned bald head attached to it that had a number of stitches on it, mostly on the pate, deep dark circles under its icy blue eyes and some black cracks on the skin around the lips wearing dark blue lipstick.

The white-haired beauty was clearly not prepared for such a sight despite her words.

(Neana) ‘-I was wondering when the famous queenslayer of Sunbird would find her way here. Come in, then. We have a lot of restructuring to do.’