Valkyria Saga

I walked into the cafeteria, looking around the room and noticed everyone sitting with a group of friends, the room filled with the sounds of chatter and smell of great food. I walked toward the line and grabbed a tray, following behind the line and picking out what I wanted to eat.

Valkyrias had a very balanced meal with one main food, at least one fruit cup or vegetable cup, the choice between milk or juice, and one dessert. Soon, I made it to the end of the line to pay for my lunch then made my way around the cafeteria to find a place to sit down.

As I walked around, I noticed an empty spot at a table with Orika, who was sitting alone, studying for the upcoming test for Alice's class. I approached her table, a soft smile playing on my face. "Hey, is this spot taken?"

Orika looked up from her lunch and notes, her eyes slightly widening. "U-Uhm..! N-No, you can sit down here! I don't mind," she said, frantically making room for me to sit down at her table.

I smiled at her and sat down at the table with her, setting my bag down beside me in the seat next to mine. "Thanks..."

There was a bit of silence between us, a bit awkward but not awkward enough to be placed in the uncomfortable category. We were still basically foreign to each other, so we had barely anything to talk about.

"Uhm...I heard that you arrived here with Yumeji, Kikyo, and Professor Ashikaga yesterday from Tokyo. That's pretty cool...were you recruited by Professor Ashikaga?" Orika asked, her gaze flicking between me and her notebook.

I glanced at Orika, place a french fry in my mouth and sat up straight. "Mhm...I was recruited by her due to my Spirit Energy and my combat ability. Before coming here...I guess you could say I was a mess, but I suppose giving this a shot wouldn't hurt."

"What were you like before coming here?" Orika asked, her gaze slightly meeting mine.

I didn't answer straight away, staying quiet as I reflected on my past life and let out a soft sigh. "Uhm...I guess you could say I was an agent back then...but I was betrayed down the line. That's why I'm here. What about you? Why are you learning to be a Valkyria?"

Orika looked down at her notebook again, slowly drawing doodles upon the page. "Well...it is because I want to learn to be strong. I want to learn to...protect people. I don't want to be weak or be seen as weak anymore..."

I stared at Orika for a moment, noticing her soft, timid and narrowed gaze. Her demeanor was very shy and reserved, almost as if she had been through some traumatic event before coming here as well.

"Be strong huh..?" I echoed part of her words then turned my gaze to my tray of food. "Don't we all..."

Orika glanced up at me, this time noticing my introspective gaze. She was about to speak then grunted as someone pushed her forward, causing her face to land into her lunch tray and her fork fell on the floor.

I looked a bit surprised then turned my gaze to look at the person who did this, noticing two girls with smug expressions on their faces.

The first girl had long, wavy black hair with striking red tips, giving her a bold and edgy look. Her eyes were red with a sharp, confident gaze, enhanced by long eyelashes, which added to her intense, rebellious vibe. She was blowing a pink bubblegum bubble, further emphasizing a carefree and slightly defiant attitude.

Instead of wearing her uniform, she wore a white tank top, showing off a tattoo on her shoulder, which added to her tough and rebellious image. Over her tank top, she had a black jacket with red buttons and some intricate designs, suggesting a streetwear or gang-like style.

The second girl had long, sleek, indigo hair with straight bangs framing her intense, pale eyes. Her gaze was sharp and piercing, giving off a powerful, almost intimidating presence. Her expression was serious and somewhat aloof, enhancing her mysterious and formidable look.

Just like the first woman, she didn't wear her uniform. Instead, she wore a dark, leather jacket with various details and symbols, contributing to a modern, street-style aesthetic with an edgy vibe. Her gloves and metallic accessories, such as the silver buckles or rings on her arms, added a sense of sophistication and toughness, almost reminiscent of a cyberpunk or noir style.

"Oops, sorry. I guess I didn't see you there since your Spirit Energy was too weak for me to properly sense," The first girl said, a condescending chuckle escaping her lips.

"Not too much, Usagi...you might hurt these weaklings' feelings," The second woman said, staring at us with an aloof gaze.

Usagi chuckled and turned on her heels. "Alright, Arei, I'll spare them for now..."

I glanced at Orika, noticing her using her towel to wipe her face let out soft, saddened exhales. I knew I couldn't just let them walk away after doing Orika so wrong. I stood up and slammed my hand on the table, getting their attention.

"Hey!" I called out, my voice echoing around the cafeteria.

Usagi stopped in her tracks and turned around, her red eyes slightly glowing. "Oh? Looks like the little kitten has decided to show her claws..."

Arei turned around as well, her pale eyes faintly glowing as well. "I guess we should've declawed her and put her down after all..."

"What you two did to Orika was wrong! Apologize now!" I demanded, pointing at Orika.

Usagi glanced at Arei then let out a laugh and pointed at me with her thumb. She let out a soft sigh and turned her gaze toward me. "Listen, I already know who you are. I saw you with Yumeji and Kikyo in your little beat up clothes yesterday. I bet you think you're top shit don't you? Riding down in the Star Shooter and getting a tour from two of the best B Ranks in the academy..."

"It isn't about me! It's about you doing Orika wrong! Now apologize!" I shouted, my patience already running thin.

Usage smirked at me, closing her eyes as she sauntered her way toward me with a nonchalant demeanor. She shoved me back, opening her eyes, her gaze intimidating and sharp. "Or what, D Rank? What are you gonna do about it? You D Ranks can't even hold a candle to C Ranks... especially not C Ranks like us...you're pathetic and weak...Useless."

Her words echoed in my mind, slowly causing my patience to run thin until her "useless" comment. I grit my teeth, my Spirit Energy awakening within me and surrounding my body powerfully in a volatile manner.

Usagi grunted softly, taking a step back and noticed my powerful Spirit Energy then smirked at me. "Well...a D Rank with a B Rank Power Level? All of that power just for show huh? Even the strongest of predators can look weak in the eyes of a bigger threat..."

I balled my hands into fists and lightning began crackling around my body. "I'm not gonna ask you again... Apologize, NOW!"

Usagi grunted as my raw energy pushed her away, forcing her to guard herself. Arei caught Usagi and scoffed at me, looking down at Usagi. Usagi got out of Arei's arms, dusting herself off then glared at me.

"You just made the biggest mistake of your life, bitch...just because you're new here doesn't mean you're exempt from getting your ass beat," Usagi said, taking her gloves from her back pocket and surrounded her fists with Spirit Energy.

Everyone immediately cleared the area for us, but Orika was too shocked to move, her gaze fixated on me with awe and respect. I stepped to the side, my Spirit Energy still pulsing around my body in a volatile manner.

"Just because I'm new doesn't mean you can just do whatever you want to me. You want to fight? Fine, I'll give you a fight...but when I win, you WILL apologize!" I said, getting into my stance and met her gaze directly.

Usagi laughed lightly, rolling her eyes and got into her stance. "Beating you down will be such good experience for me..."

Usagi wasted no time dashing toward me and launched a powerful punch aimed at my face. I pushed her fist away then delivered a volatile blow to her stomach, some of her Spirit Energy bursting from her back. Usagi groaned as she stumbled back, clutching her stomach in slight pain.

She looked up, noticing me rushing toward her with a spinning kick, but she ducked under it, countering with a clean uppercut to my chin, knocking me in the air then palmed my stomach, releasing a pulse of energy to knock me away. I rolled backwards along the ground, recovering onto my feet.

'For a D Rank, she's very durable...Does she really have that high Survivability? D Ranks cap out at a power level of 100, so how did she managed to supersede that limit?' Usagi thought, her gaze watching me very closely now.

I dashed toward Usagi, using a burst of speed to appear behind her faster than her eye could track. Usagi looked surprised, turning around then grunting heavily as I landed a powerful blow to her cheek, stunning her then followed it with a rush of attacks before knocking her away with another Burst Strike.

{Notice: Enemy Stunned!}

{Usagi's Defenses have been lowered!}

I noticed the holographic notification appear to the right of me, notifying me about Usagi's current condition. I decided to not question it for now, rushing toward Usagi and began rushing her with strikes from all angles, using my speed to its fullest then knocked her away.

I gripped my wrist, focusing lightning around my hand then bellowed, rushing toward her at high speeds. I leaped toward her, thrusting my hand forward, but noticed some grab my wrist and stop me. I looked at the person, noticing it was Liao Ru and grit my teeth.

Out of pure Instincts, I yanked my hand from her and went for multiple strikes toward her, thinking she wanted to fight me as well. Liao Ru effortlessly dodged each of my attacks then pulled me behind her, chopping my neck in a weak point.

'What....happened...?' I thought, my body feeling weak nearly immediately then I fell upon one knee, my spirit energy vanishing.

Liao Ru looked at me and Usagi, holding her hands behind her back in a stand easy pose. "Fighting is prohibited outside of designated zones of the academy. Usagi, you will be sent to detention since you're obviously the perpetrator. Hisumi, since this is your first offense, you will be let off with a warning."

Usagi scoffed, standing up slowly and fixed her jacket to rest on her shoulders. "Whatever, prick. Arei, let's go..."

Liao Ru watched as Usagi and Arei left the cafeteria then looked down at me, gently grabbing my arm and helping me on my feet. "Orishi told me to take it easy on you since you are new and come from... Judgement background but the Valkyrias here are your peers and sisters...not your enemies."

I looked down and let out a soft sigh. "I understand...it just frustrated me when they bullied Orika and Usagi's comments about me. They just..."

"I understand...just be sure to keep your emotions in check. I could sense your energy all the way from the Training Area. Your energy is still volatile, any surge of emotion would make your Spirit Energy unstable," Liao Ru said, letting go of my arm.

I kept my gaze to the floor, closing my eyes and stayed silent.

"However that's not all bad. When your energy is Volatile, that means you're in Burst Mode meaning you're constantly dealing Burst Damage, but at the cost of your stamina draining a lot faster than when you're dealing normal damage. In Burst Mode, you sacrifice Survivability for maximum damage output. Burst Damage is a double edged sword. Remember that," Liao Ru said, patting my arm then walked off with her hands clapsed behind her back.

I watched as Liao Ru walked off, now even more curious about her. Not only was she able to beat me in one hit, but I wasn't even able to land a single hit on her.

Soon, the bell rang, signalling the end of the lunch period and the start of everyone's free period. I walked over to the lunch table to gather my things, my eyes locking with Orika for a moment. She stared at me, a mix of gratitude and awe etched onto her face.

"Thank you, Hisumi... you didn't have to stand up for me, but I truly appreciate it..." Orika thanked, standing up from her seat.

"It...it was nothing. I just couldn't let them do that and walk freely.." I said, my tone full of modesty.

Orika smiled at me, nodding then grabbed her tray. The two of us began to head off to throw away our trash and set our tray on the conveyor belt to be cleaned. Soon, the two of us left the cafeteria and began to find something to do for our free period.

The two of us walked outside the academy building, noticing Yumeji and Kikyo waiting by the entrance gate for me. I made my way toward them, the two of them looking at me with a smile.

"Well, well, well. First day here in St. Fraskia and you're already in your first actual fight? Ahh, I remember those days~" Yumeji giggled softly, crossing her arms and staring at me with a teasing smile.

I grunted softly and rubbed the back of my head. "You saw that..?"

Yumeji let out a soft laugh, nodding her head. "Both Kikyo and I did. It was super cool seeing you move like that. All that raw power and you even got Liao Ru involved!~"

"It...wasn't like I was just here picking fights..." I mumbled, my demeanor becoming more bashful by the second.

"I-It's true! She was protecting me! I'm sorry if I caused any trouble!" Orika exclaimed, bowing toward Yumeji and Kikyo.

Kikyo smiled at Orika, gently placing a hand on her shoulder. "It's alright. We know she didn't start it. Anyways, Hisumi, are you ready to go out shopping while we have the time?"

I looked at Kikyo with a smile then glanced at Orika. "Is it okay if Orika joins us?"

Yumeji shrugged her shoulders, smiling warming at Orika. "We don't mind, the more the merrier~ That's what I always say."

"Yeah, she can join us. I'm sure I can squeeze an extra on my tab with my monthly allowance and with the extra cash I got from the latest mission," Kikyo said, checking her phone to see her balance.

"Y-You don't have to pay for me! I don't want to burden you with that," Orika blurted, having her hands in gentle protest.

Kikyo smiled at Orika and chuckled softly. "It's fine, Orika. I don't mind, besides I have enough to get us all something during our shopping trip."

"If... if you say so," Orika shyly smiled, nodding at Kikyo.

With that, the three of us headed off campus to head into the plaza area of St. Fraskia. After an intense run in with Usagi, I needed this shopping trip more than anything plus I get to hang out with Yumeji and Kikyo more outside of spending time with them in our dorm.