The Village Disciples

Loud snores could be heard throughout a large open outdoor space. Leaves from the surrounding trees fall and settle as gently as possible on the ground. A chirp was released into the world every now and then by a passing bird or two.

A boy with jet-black hair was spotted sleeping on the earth's dirt ground, surrounded by a few leaves that had fallen on top of him. It appears that a new day has arrived, judging from the deep, vivid blue sky. The sun is currently rising above the horizon.

The young teenager's eyes started to flutter open, adjusting to the light of the outdoors. He then started to push himself up and off the ground, a few leaves falling off his body in the process. "..Huh?"

His mind began to renew as he gently rubbed his sore eyelids, remembering what had happened to bring him to this point. 'Where am I..?'

This young boy with jet-black hair could be identified as Tanjo Nozomu, and he was waking up outside, still exhausted, and… "I'M GOING TO BE LATE FOR SCHOOL!"

And going to be late for school.

XXX

"Hey, guys. Where's Tanjo?" Akogare questioned his fellow classmates as they were either already seated at their predetermined desks or just entering the classroom.

"Tanjo?" Utsukushi suddenly queried, "Doesn't he usually enter the school with you?"

Akogare nodded his head slowly. "Yeah, he is. But I haven't seen him yet today." Akogare replied, scratching the back of his head in thought.

"Well, he seemed to have had something more important yesterday. So, why don't we just let him be." Naderamu spoke, her tone laced with snide.

Akogare gave Naderamu a look of confusion. "What happened to you?"

Naderamu remained unmoved in her seat. "Nothing. It just seemed that he had something 'really' important going on with that Tassei lady."

*SLAM*

Mr. Oshieru groaned as the already open classroom door was slammed shut, withdrawing even more into the wall than it had before. "Tanjo, you don't have to slam the door every time you're on time. And it was already open to begin with!"

Tanjo winced slightly at his teacher's reprimand. "Sorry, Mr. Oshieru. But I may or may not have woke up somewhere outside when training yesterday."

Mr. Oshieru raised his left eyebrow at Tanjo's words. "Do I have to take away your training card already, Tanjo?"

Tanjo's eyes widened in terror, and he hurriedly shook his hands. "No, no, no! I simply exhausted myself by accident. It's not going to happen again!"

Mr. Oshieru's forehead furrowed in satisfaction. He then let out a long sigh. "Okay, I'll just take your word for it." Mr. Oshieru then got out of his chair and walked around his desk, clapping his hands in anticipation. "Now take a seat so we can get started."

Tanjo nodded and went over to his seat, where he joined his classmates in anticipating the start of the day's session. Before beginning, Mr. Oshieru cleared his throat. "Before we get started today, I'd like to make an important announcement about what we'll be doing starting next week."

Mr. Oshieru only required the pregnant silence in the room to continue his conversation. "I received information yesterday about a planned school trip that all of the first-year students will be participating in. We'll be going to a village that's about the same size as us. Ryakudatsu is the name of the village. They are also a council-run community, making it simple to reach 'village to village' agreements." Mr. Oshieru informed his students of class 1AB.

Mr. Oshieru immediately noticed Meisei when he raised his hand high. "When is this 'trip' going to happen again?" Meisei then went to query, receiving a number of nods from the kids in the room.

Mr. Oshieru inhaled gently, expecting a bad response to his impending answer. "... Starting Monday next week."

The eyes of every student in the room widened, and the majority of their jaws dropped in surprise. "NEXT WEEK!?" They all proceeded to shout at the same time.

Mr. Oshieru thanked himself for his quick reaction time as he covered his ears to hide the loud shouting of his students. "Yes, the following week. This is something over which I have no control. I recommend that each of you return home and notify your parents or guardians. This way, they'll have a heads-up at the very least. Although it isn't much, it is something. Then, because this trip to Ryakudatsu isn't going to be brief, keep your training outside of school to a minimum." Mr. Oshieru finished by closing his eyes and pointing his index finger to the ceiling.

"So, what is this trip for?" Sukudo abruptly questioned, not bothering to raise his hand.

Mr. Oshieru irked. 'I can't say it's because Buraun is aiming to construct a bridge with another village. That'd just make them think negatively of their own village.' The blue-haired instructor inhaled for the umpteenth time of the day. "It's meant to speed up your education. As you are aware, this group of first-years is progressing at a much slower rate. So, this is really a way we intend to employ in order to assist you in becoming stronger."

Sukudo, like the rest of the class, nodded enthusiastically. 'Thank the gods,' Oshieru exhaled, relieved but disappointed that his students are so trusting.

Mr. Oshieru then clapped his hands again, his attention returning to the classroom's academics. "Okay, that's it. That's all I had to say. We've got to get back on track with today's lesson!"

With that, the students groaned.

XXX

AFTER SCHOOL(NOZOMU RESIDENCE)

The white with black tinted-haired Nozomu could be seen making dinner in his kitchen, seemingly preparing for Tanjo's return. Speaking of Tanjo-

*SLAM*

'He needs to stop slamming doors in this damn house.' Nozomu grumbled mentally.

"Old man! Where are ya' at?" The jet-black-haired teenager hollered out into the house. Not noticing the man standing right in front of him.

"I'm right here, there's no need to scream. Ever." Nozomu chastised the adolescent, who replied with a quick 'sorry.'

After Tanjo's apology, which also include a traditional bow, he stood straight up to look at the 'old man', "Today, we were told about a school trip that's next week. We're apparently goi-"

"Next week? That's a little sudden. It'd be nice if they updated the parents or guardians of all the brats so they could prepare." Nozomu interrupted, annoyed by the scheduling.

"I suppose so," says Tanjo. "But we're going to a place called Riatatdsu or something along those lines. "Perhaps it's Riatudatsu?" Tanjo went on to say more, ostensibly puzzled by the location. In thinking, he raised his index finger to his chin.

The older Nozomu halted in cooking the food. "Wait, do you mean Ryakudatsu?"

Tanjo slammed a fist into a palm. "Yeah, that's it! How do you know it?" The jet-black-haired teen then questioned.

Nozomu didn't answer Tanjo's question but only gazed at the teenager, instilling nervousness within the jet-black-haired adolescent. "You wouldn't mind if I invited your principal over for some questions, right?"

Tanjo paused for a second, his face flushed with bewilderment.

"Wait, what?"

XXX

Hey! I hope you guys enjoyed today's chapter. I'm really trying to get to the juicy parts without necessarily rushing the story. Stay tuned for more!

Have a Good Day!

Peace - Cr1ticalz_