Type Three - The Culprit
"I did not attack her!" Nine roared at Ace, who was unfazed by his shouts.
"Then why was her wound made by your spear?" Ace narrowed his eyes.
The rest of Class Zero watched in tension as the two boys glared at eachother. Nine snorted.
"Anyone could have used a spear and stabbed her with it. I'm not the only one who wields a spear. Why are you even defending her Ace!?" He shouted.
"Because," Ace closed his eyes, "If I won't, then who will?"
Nine raised an eyebrow, "Aa?"
"Think about it, most of the school's population respects us and therefore will pick us over the others. If Class Thirteen is the only support Manami will get, then what chance do they have against us? You are judging Manami based on the class she comes from. She's not who you think her to be," Ace said, "And I'm defending her because I respect her. Also because of the research I've gathered, she's working hard to become the Serpent Paladin."
"Serpent Paladin?" Queen adjusted her glasses, "Only the person with the blood of a serpent can become a Serpent Paladin. It is considered that the Serpent Paladin will give the strength of heart to those they protect."
"Please," Nine scoffed, "There is no way she can become one of those blasted things."
"No Nine, she can," Ace said, "She along with Miharu, Sachiko, Emi and Sayuri can become the Mythical Paladins, because they carry the blood of the Mythical Creatures. Manami carries the blood of the serpent, Miharu carries the blood of the phoenix, Sachiko carries the blood of the dragon, Emi carries the blood of the mermaid and Sayuri carries the blood of the a pegasus. All passed down from the Mythical Creatures themselves."
"And how do you prove this?" King spoke up, not believing a word Ace is telling them.
Ace held up five profile cards, "I have asked Khalia to give me a copy of these. Go, read them."
He threw them to Nine, who caught them and skimmed through them. His eyes narrowed.
"Daughter of Atsuo Koizumi? Doesn't that make her the princess of Serpentania?" He asked Ace, who nodded.
"Correct. Though she is a princess, she has given up her title to be queen in the future." Ace said as Nine passed it on to Queen.
"So you're saying that we should treat that girl as a princess now?" Sice raised an eyebrow.
"No. I'm only saying this because her family will be contacted about this and according to Khalia, her mother really treasures her daughter." Ace said.
Seven sighed, "I see. Her mother will not be pleased to know that her daughter was attacked here. By Nine's spear no less."
Nine glared at her as soon as Kurasame entered the classroom. It went silent because the air around the instructor was not at all positive. Kurasame eyed each of the student and then let out a sigh.
"I'm sure you all know what I'm about to say am I right?" He asked as there were low murmurs, "As you are informed, Manami is the infirmary due to her injuries."
Nine felt Kurasame's eyes on him and let out a small scoff.
"I want you to tell me why someone of you dislike her so much?" Kurasame asked.
"Isn't it obvious? She does not belong here." Sice boldly pointed out, a scowl on her face.
"Isn't that interesting?" Kurasame chuckled lightly, "That is exactly the same thing Manami said."
Deuce frowned, "Why?"
"Her reason is her own. I'm not to go further into this. But she is now a valued member of Class Zero. I suggest you try to befriend her after she recovers." Kurasame said, before leaving the classroom.
Jack then broke the silence, "Well, looks like she should start treating Manami more kindly this time. Especially you Nine, Sice."
The two only scoffed, before looking away from the blonde. Sice closed her eyes before opening them.
"Why should I? We don't need to treat her any different because she is a princess. She did abandon her title didn't she?" She eyed Ace with a piercing stare.
"She did, however, that doesn't change the fact that she is a princess. She doesn't deserve to be treated as an outcast because back in her kingdom, she was treated as an outcast. This was only because her father was controlling her and therefore, with all the treatment you've been giving her, it reminded her too much of her father." Ace explained as the classroom went silent.
Queen sighed, "Ace, why do you care so much for this girl? You don't even know her."
"She is part of Class Zero now. I'm only treating her as one of us." Ace said.
"It doesn't matter if she is now part Class Zero, she is still and will always be part of Class Thirteen." Trey spoke up, seriousness in his eyes.
Ace sighed, before giving everyone in the classroom a piercing look, "Listen, if you don't like her, then that's fine. But don't try to ruin her life by tormenting her just because she was part of Class Thirteen."
Rem agreed with Ace, nodding her head, "Machina and I are no different. You treat us like one of you guys. Manami shouldn't be treated any different."
"Are you taking Ace's side Rem?" Cinque asked, narrowing her eyes, "Are you two forgetting your reputation as Class Zero?"
"Yes they have," Machina spoke up, surprising Rem and Ace, but what he said next surprised the others, "But so have I. Manami isn't what you appeared to be. So, I'm with Rem and Ace."
"Me too!" Deuce raised her arm as eyes went ont her, "Miss Manami is such a nice person! Sure she may be quiet and seem cold, but she is so nice to talk to!"
"Exactly as Deuce said," Eight spoke up, "She may look cold and act cold, but her heart is gold."
"Her smile is also brilliant too, but I doubt most of you have seen it." Jack grinned.
Ace then looked at a certain grey haired student, "Seven, you don't really dislike Manami do you?"
Seven blinked a couple of times, before letting out an inaudible sigh, "I don't hate her, but that doesn't mean I trust her either. However, I may regret thinking that way of her, only because I know she isn't like that."
"Huh?"
"She and I used to help out eachother with the underclassmen. She was kind and caring, but may be a bit rough at times. She's not what you appear to see her as."
"So Seven, do you change your mind about her?"
"...Yes I do."
Nine slammed his hands onto his desk and glared at Ace, "Stop trying to change people's opinions! They can think for themselves!"
"Enough Nine," Queen spoke up, silencing the dragoon, before letting out a sigh, "Ace has a point. A point we should all think about."
Nine snorted when he heard that, before standing up and leaving the classroom. Rem went to stop him, but Machina shook his head at the brunette. Cinque sighed.
"I guess we see your point Ace, but even if we changed, what makes you so sure Manami will be friends with us?"
"Because...she is not the type to exclude those who want to be closer to her."
[][][]
Nine walked along the hallways that was previously splattered with blood, belonging to Manami Koizumi. He shoved his hands in his pockets and made his way to the roof to get some fresh air.
"Why can't Ace just drop the fact that not all of us wants to be friends with that outcast?" He asked himself, punching the wall to vent out his frustration.
Nine then looked up at the sky and noticed the grey storm clouds making their way over to Suzaku Peristylium. He narrowed his eyes, before scoffing and laid down on the roof, arms behind his head. He couldn't stand how Ace always tried to make others feel welcomed here at Suzaku Peristylium. Ace was probably the only one who would go near Class Thirteen, the class which Nine holds a grudge against the most.
"Excuse me."
A soft voice made Nine sit and glare at the person, before frowning, because the person wasn't in the school uniform. The person was a woman, wearing a beige and blue dress that flowed to the floor and the sleeves was from her wrist and it connected with her dress. Her dark brown hair was curled in delicate waves and around her neck was a necklace of Serpentania. Nine instantly knew who it was. He kneeled down to her, albeit grudgingly.
"Lady Koizumi. You are here to see Manami right?" Nine wanted to kick himself for saying his enemy's name out loud, though he had to admit, it didn't sound bad coming from him.
"Yes, may I know where the infirmary is? My guards seem to have gotten themselves lost in this prestigious school." She smiled gently as Nine led her to the infirmary.
"You heard of her injury?" Nine asked.
"Yes. When I heard my precious daughter was attacked, I had to hurry over here. Although people had said I should not worry too much about her because she had abandoned her title, but she is still my daughter," She said, before smiling at Nine, "I'm sorry, but I haven't introduced myself. I am Akira Koizumi, Queen of Serpentania."
"Nine," The dragoon said, pointing a thumb at himself, "Part of Class Zero."
"Oh, you are part of the class Manami was transferred to. I hope she's fitting in well."
Nine grunted lightly to himself. He couldn't just tell the queen that her daughter wasn't well liked by some members of Class Zero.
"We're here." Nine said, stopping at the infirmary.
Akira smiled and bowed at him, before heading into the room. Nine scratched the back of his head, before sighing and heading off in another direction. He did not want to go back to class, because right now, Ace irritated him. Instead, Nine made a detour and ended up outside Class Thirteen.
"Why the hell am I here?" He asked himself, before turning back, but was stopped by some shouting.
"What the hell is the matter with you!? Why the hell did you try to kill Nami!?"
That was Miharu's voice. Nine frowned and quietly creaked the door open to see what was happening. Miharu was shouting at Akihito, who had his eyes closed and turned away from the brunette.
"I didn't. I only want to her hate Class Zero. I wanted her to come back to Class Thirteen."
"You used Nine's spear to stab her! Do you know how fatal that could be!? If Nami can't fight anymore, then this is all your fault!"
Nine cringed at the loudness of Miharu's shouts, but glared at the unknowing Akihito when he found that the the boy was the one who used his spear.
"She doesn't belong in Class Zero. She belongs here, with us."
"Not after you tried to kill her! She is now part of Class Zero! Kurasame's orders!"
Nine had just about enough and kicked open the classroom door. Students apart from Miharu and Akihito jumped at the sound of the door hitting the wall. Miharu and Akihito turned to look at Nine, who had his arms crossed and his eyes narrowed at Akihito.
"Oi you. So you used my spear to injure Koizumi ah? You are asking for an early death." He said, cracking his knuckles.
Akihito wasn't fazed, "I only used your spear because you would get blamed and Manami would come back to Class Thirteen."
"Piece of crap Akihito!" Miharu shouted, glaring at the blonde, "Nami won't be allowed to be put back in Class Thirteen, because we want what's best for her!"
"And you used my spear to try to pit the blame on me," Nine narrowed his eyes, "Sorry, but do you know what happens when you mess with a student from Class Zero?"
"I don't care what you do to me, just return Manami back to us." Akihito narrowed his eyes at Nine, who glared back at him.
As the two engaged in a one on one glaring competition, Miharu placed her hands on her hip and let out a frustrated sigh. She narrowed her own icy blue eyes.
"You two are being immature! Glaring at eachother will do nothing! Akihito! Just don't go near Nami and you, don't treat Nami differently because she
came from his class." Nine scoffed, before leaving the tense classroom.
He growled as he made his way back to Class Zero and slammed the doors open, startling the students inside. Sice was the first to recover from her slight shock and glared at Nine.
"What the hell Nine!? Are you trying to give us all a heart attack!?" She shouted angrily.
"Shut up. I know who attacked Koizumi." Nine folded his arms and directed his statement mostly towards Ace.
Ace stood up from his seat and strided over to Nine, "Who is it?"
"Some kid named Akihito." Nine answered, causing Eight to put his head on an angle.
"Akihito? Why would he try to kill Manami? He's one of her admirers." He said.
"He attacked her, because he wants her to come back to Class Thirteen. Using my spear and pitting the blame on me will get me in trouble and her to leave." Nine folded his arms, a rough look on his face.
Cinque placed her hands on her hips with a frown, "Why would he go that far? Don't admirers tend to try and talk to their idol or crush?"
"Not Akihito," Seven spoke up, her arms folded, "He gets jealous easily when the girl he likes is being admired by another boy. He would go as far to try and get closer to the girl, even if he had to hurt her."
Rem frowned, "That's terrible."
"In any case," Ace spoke up, hand on his hip, "We should all pay Manami a visit. Even you Sice and Nine."
"Why!?" Sice shouted, hands slamming onto her desk and glaring at Ace.
"You and Nine are the only ones who still has a grudge against her, but you should still check up on her. She is part of Class Zero." Machina explained to the girl, who only turned to glare at him.
"I'm not going to visit her! Go if you worry so much about her!" Sice narrowed her eyes at Ace when she said this.
Ace narrowed his eyes back at her, before sighing and making his way over to the infimary. Rem and Machina followed behind him. The rest followed after the two, excluding Nine and Sice. The white haired girl sighed in frustration.
"Ace is too much of a goody goody," She noticed Nine wasn't listening, "Hey, what do you think of Koizumi?"
"Don't know anymore," Nine answered her question, "However, I still don't like her."
"What don't you like about her?" Sice raised an eyebrow.
Her reason for not liking the dark haired brunette was because of the fact that she didn't belong in Class Zero. Nine closed his eyes and reopened them again.
"I don't like her aura."
"I did not attack her!" Nine roared at Ace, who was unfazed by his shouts.
"Then why was her wound made by your spear?" Ace narrowed his eyes.
The rest of Class Zero watched in tension as the two boys glared at eachother. Nine snorted.
"Anyone could have used a spear and stabbed her with it. I'm not the only one who wields a spear. Why are you even defending her Ace!?" He shouted.
"Because," Ace closed his eyes, "If I won't, then who will?"
Nine raised an eyebrow, "Aa?"
"Think about it, most of the school's population respects us and therefore will pick us over the others. If Class Thirteen is the only support Manami will get, then what chance do they have against us? You are judging Manami based on the class she comes from. She's not who you think her to be," Ace said, "And I'm defending her because I respect her. Also because of the research I've gathered, she's working hard to become the Serpent Paladin."
"Serpent Paladin?" Queen adjusted her glasses, "Only the person with the blood of a serpent can become a Serpent Paladin. It is considered that the Serpent Paladin will give the strength of heart to those they protect."
"Please," Nine scoffed, "There is no way she can become one of those blasted things."
"No Nine, she can," Ace said, "She along with Miharu, Sachiko, Emi and Sayuri can become the Mythical Paladins, because they carry the blood of the Mythical Creatures. Manami carries the blood of the serpent, Miharu carries the blood of the phoenix, Sachiko carries the blood of the dragon, Emi carries the blood of the mermaid and Sayuri carries the blood of the a pegasus. All passed down from the Mythical Creatures themselves."
"And how do you prove this?" King spoke up, not believing a word Ace is telling them.
Ace held up five profile cards, "I have asked Khalia to give me a copy of these. Go, read them."
He threw them to Nine, who caught them and skimmed through them. His eyes narrowed.
"Daughter of Atsuo Koizumi? Doesn't that make her the princess of Serpentania?" He asked Ace, who nodded.
"Correct. Though she is a princess, she has given up her title to be queen in the future." Ace said as Nine passed it on to Queen.
"So you're saying that we should treat that girl as a princess now?" Sice raised an eyebrow.
"No. I'm only saying this because her family will be contacted about this and according to Khalia, her mother really treasures her daughter." Ace said.
Seven sighed, "I see. Her mother will not be pleased to know that her daughter was attacked here. By Nine's spear no less."
Nine glared at her as soon as Kurasame entered the classroom. It went silent because the air around the instructor was not at all positive. Kurasame eyed each of the student and then let out a sigh.
"I'm sure you all know what I'm about to say am I right?" He asked as there were low murmurs, "As you are informed, Manami is the infirmary due to her injuries."
Nine felt Kurasame's eyes on him and let out a small scoff.
"I want you to tell me why someone of you dislike her so much?" Kurasame asked.
"Isn't it obvious? She does not belong here." Sice boldly pointed out, a scowl on her face.
"Isn't that interesting?" Kurasame chuckled lightly, "That is exactly the same thing Manami said."
Deuce frowned, "Why?"
"Her reason is her own. I'm not to go further into this. But she is now a valued member of Class Zero. I suggest you try to befriend her after she recovers." Kurasame said, before leaving the classroom.
Jack then broke the silence, "Well, looks like she should start treating Manami more kindly this time. Especially you Nine, Sice."
The two only scoffed, before looking away from the blonde. Sice closed her eyes before opening them.
"Why should I? We don't need to treat her any different because she is a princess. She did abandon her title didn't she?" She eyed Ace with a piercing stare.
"She did, however, that doesn't change the fact that she is a princess. She doesn't deserve to be treated as an outcast because back in her kingdom, she was treated as an outcast. This was only because her father was controlling her and therefore, with all the treatment you've been giving her, it reminded her too much of her father." Ace explained as the classroom went silent.
Queen sighed, "Ace, why do you care so much for this girl? You don't even know her."
"She is part of Class Zero now. I'm only treating her as one of us." Ace said.
"It doesn't matter if she is now part Class Zero, she is still and will always be part of Class Thirteen." Trey spoke up, seriousness in his eyes.
Ace sighed, before giving everyone in the classroom a piercing look, "Listen, if you don't like her, then that's fine. But don't try to ruin her life by tormenting her just because she was part of Class Thirteen."
Rem agreed with Ace, nodding her head, "Machina and I are no different. You treat us like one of you guys. Manami shouldn't be treated any different."
"Are you taking Ace's side Rem?" Cinque asked, narrowing her eyes, "Are you two forgetting your reputation as Class Zero?"
"Yes they have," Machina spoke up, surprising Rem and Ace, but what he said next surprised the others, "But so have I. Manami isn't what you appeared to be. So, I'm with Rem and Ace."
"Me too!" Deuce raised her arm as eyes went ont her, "Miss Manami is such a nice person! Sure she may be quiet and seem cold, but she is so nice to talk to!"
"Exactly as Deuce said," Eight spoke up, "She may look cold and act cold, but her heart is gold."
"Her smile is also brilliant too, but I doubt most of you have seen it." Jack grinned.
Ace then looked at a certain grey haired student, "Seven, you don't really dislike Manami do you?"
Seven blinked a couple of times, before letting out an inaudible sigh, "I don't hate her, but that doesn't mean I trust her either. However, I may regret thinking that way of her, only because I know she isn't like that."
"Huh?"
"She and I used to help out eachother with the underclassmen. She was kind and caring, but may be a bit rough at times. She's not what you appear to see her as."
"So Seven, do you change your mind about her?"
"...Yes I do."
Nine slammed his hands onto his desk and glared at Ace, "Stop trying to change people's opinions! They can think for themselves!"
"Enough Nine," Queen spoke up, silencing the dragoon, before letting out a sigh, "Ace has a point. A point we should all think about."
Nine snorted when he heard that, before standing up and leaving the classroom. Rem went to stop him, but Machina shook his head at the brunette. Cinque sighed.
"I guess we see your point Ace, but even if we changed, what makes you so sure Manami will be friends with us?"
"Because...she is not the type to exclude those who want to be closer to her."
[][][]
Nine walked along the hallways that was previously splattered with blood, belonging to Manami Koizumi. He shoved his hands in his pockets and made his way to the roof to get some fresh air.
"Why can't Ace just drop the fact that not all of us wants to be friends with that outcast?" He asked himself, punching the wall to vent out his frustration.
Nine then looked up at the sky and noticed the grey storm clouds making their way over to Suzaku Peristylium. He narrowed his eyes, before scoffing and laid down on the roof, arms behind his head. He couldn't stand how Ace always tried to make others feel welcomed here at Suzaku Peristylium. Ace was probably the only one who would go near Class Thirteen, the class which Nine holds a grudge against the most.
"Excuse me."
A soft voice made Nine sit and glare at the person, before frowning, because the person wasn't in the school uniform. The person was a woman, wearing a beige and blue dress that flowed to the floor and the sleeves was from her wrist and it connected with her dress. Her dark brown hair was curled in delicate waves and around her neck was a necklace of Serpentania. Nine instantly knew who it was. He kneeled down to her, albeit grudgingly.
"Lady Koizumi. You are here to see Manami right?" Nine wanted to kick himself for saying his enemy's name out loud, though he had to admit, it didn't sound bad coming from him.
"Yes, may I know where the infirmary is? My guards seem to have gotten themselves lost in this prestigious school." She smiled gently as Nine led her to the infirmary.
"You heard of her injury?" Nine asked.
"Yes. When I heard my precious daughter was attacked, I had to hurry over here. Although people had said I should not worry too much about her because she had abandoned her title, but she is still my daughter," She said, before smiling at Nine, "I'm sorry, but I haven't introduced myself. I am Akira Koizumi, Queen of Serpentania."
"Nine," The dragoon said, pointing a thumb at himself, "Part of Class Zero."
"Oh, you are part of the class Manami was transferred to. I hope she's fitting in well."
Nine grunted lightly to himself. He couldn't just tell the queen that her daughter wasn't well liked by some members of Class Zero.
"We're here." Nine said, stopping at the infirmary.
Akira smiled and bowed at him, before heading into the room. Nine scratched the back of his head, before sighing and heading off in another direction. He did not want to go back to class, because right now, Ace irritated him. Instead, Nine made a detour and ended up outside Class Thirteen.
"Why the hell am I here?" He asked himself, before turning back, but was stopped by some shouting.
"What the hell is the matter with you!? Why the hell did you try to kill Nami!?"
That was Miharu's voice. Nine frowned and quietly creaked the door open to see what was happening. Miharu was shouting at Akihito, who had his eyes closed and turned away from the brunette.
"I didn't. I only want to her hate Class Zero. I wanted her to come back to Class Thirteen."
"You used Nine's spear to stab her! Do you know how fatal that could be!? If Nami can't fight anymore, then this is all your fault!"
Nine cringed at the loudness of Miharu's shouts, but glared at the unknowing Akihito when he found that the the boy was the one who used his spear.
"She doesn't belong in Class Zero. She belongs here, with us."
"Not after you tried to kill her! She is now part of Class Zero! Kurasame's orders!"
Nine had just about enough and kicked open the classroom door. Students apart from Miharu and Akihito jumped at the sound of the door hitting the wall. Miharu and Akihito turned to look at Nine, who had his arms crossed and his eyes narrowed at Akihito.
"Oi you. So you used my spear to injure Koizumi ah? You are asking for an early death." He said, cracking his knuckles.
Akihito wasn't fazed, "I only used your spear because you would get blamed and Manami would come back to Class Thirteen."
"Piece of crap Akihito!" Miharu shouted, glaring at the blonde, "Nami won't be allowed to be put back in Class Thirteen, because we want what's best for her!"
"And you used my spear to try to pit the blame on me," Nine narrowed his eyes, "Sorry, but do you know what happens when you mess with a student from Class Zero?"
"I don't care what you do to me, just return Manami back to us." Akihito narrowed his eyes at Nine, who glared back at him.
As the two engaged in a one on one glaring competition, Miharu placed her hands on her hip and let out a frustrated sigh. She narrowed her own icy blue eyes.
"You two are being immature! Glaring at eachother will do nothing! Akihito! Just don't go near Nami and you, don't treat Nami differently because she
came from his class." Nine scoffed, before leaving the tense classroom.
He growled as he made his way back to Class Zero and slammed the doors open, startling the students inside. Sice was the first to recover from her slight shock and glared at Nine.
"What the hell Nine!? Are you trying to give us all a heart attack!?" She shouted angrily.
"Shut up. I know who attacked Koizumi." Nine folded his arms and directed his statement mostly towards Ace.
Ace stood up from his seat and strided over to Nine, "Who is it?"
"Some kid named Akihito." Nine answered, causing Eight to put his head on an angle.
"Akihito? Why would he try to kill Manami? He's one of her admirers." He said.
"He attacked her, because he wants her to come back to Class Thirteen. Using my spear and pitting the blame on me will get me in trouble and her to leave." Nine folded his arms, a rough look on his face.
Cinque placed her hands on her hips with a frown, "Why would he go that far? Don't admirers tend to try and talk to their idol or crush?"
"Not Akihito," Seven spoke up, her arms folded, "He gets jealous easily when the girl he likes is being admired by another boy. He would go as far to try and get closer to the girl, even if he had to hurt her."
Rem frowned, "That's terrible."
"In any case," Ace spoke up, hand on his hip, "We should all pay Manami a visit. Even you Sice and Nine."
"Why!?" Sice shouted, hands slamming onto her desk and glaring at Ace.
"You and Nine are the only ones who still has a grudge against her, but you should still check up on her. She is part of Class Zero." Machina explained to the girl, who only turned to glare at him.
"I'm not going to visit her! Go if you worry so much about her!" Sice narrowed her eyes at Ace when she said this.
Ace narrowed his eyes back at her, before sighing and making his way over to the infimary. Rem and Machina followed behind him. The rest followed after the two, excluding Nine and Sice. The white haired girl sighed in frustration.
"Ace is too much of a goody goody," She noticed Nine wasn't listening, "Hey, what do you think of Koizumi?"
"Don't know anymore," Nine answered her question, "However, I still don't like her."
"What don't you like about her?" Sice raised an eyebrow.
Her reason for not liking the dark haired brunette was because of the fact that she didn't belong in Class Zero. Nine closed his eyes and reopened them again.
"I don't like her aura."