Rose Arcane University: The Dragon King Arc

Enter The Shatter Dragons

Exhaustion and emotions ran high after such a somewhat disastrous yet successful battle royale. Instead of the usual fifteen, three contestants were chosen which all were scooped up by the Shatter Dragons. Zeroth Yarborough claimed Raijin, Tetsuo, and Sun in one fatal swipe given other contestants found themselves riddled with fear from the monstrous display of power shown by Raijin and friends. Initial plans aside, the trio found themselves in front of Kusanagi and Zeroth whose guilds work with on a frequent basis together.

"First off. I would like to say that seeing you two again and succeed in passing the battle royale has made me happier than I have been in a very long time. I expected no less from you two. But your new friend is extremely talented as well." Kusanagi admitted to which Sun respectfully bowed. "I look forward to seeing a proper reunion and possible relationship blossoming between the better man." Sun aimed on being formal about a sense of love seen amongst these three individuals. The end result though made Zeroth raise an eyebrow to this phrasing before looking at the three childhood friends. Kusanagi couldn't help but blush and look away attempting to cover her face. Raijin looked at Sun before focusing on Kusanagi's reaction to his words. Tetsuo was the only one to behave rather calmly to this. "Kusanagi is like an older sister to me. I can't speak for these two though." Tetsuo responded only adding more fuel to the flames. This caused Kusanagi to only redden much further from embarrassment. "S-shut up...Tetsuo." Kusanagi murmured those words out. Tetsuo only added on more to the fire by speaking his true mind. "What? Your probably the most comfortable around him in that way. Don't deny it." Tetsuo would speak softly given he was still tired from the fight beforehand. "I would never!" Kusanagi blurted aloud and turned away showing that brother-sister relationship he declared at the start of this conversation. Raijin couldn't help himself but smile lightly to these words because he honestly missed these kinds of interactions.

"Alright. Alright. That's enough banter for now." Zeroth interfered in their conversation. "For now. I'd like to show you the guild hall and get you ready for your first lesson." Zeroth would state gathering everyone's general focus. A single snap of the finger and a massive gaping hole opened underneath sucking everyone in the vicinity downwards until they ended in front of what seemed like a massive estate. Raijin was the first one up after recognizing where they were. His eyes shifted to where Zeroth and Kusanagi who was already standing up. Kusanagi noticed him and walked over offering her hand. "Don't worry. You'll get used to it." She stated to him as Raijin grabbed her hand and stood up. "There is a first for everything." He says in response and unconsciously still held into her hand while standing there. Tetsuo and Sun stood to their feet when they both noticed the mansion placed before them.

"Welcome to The Shatter Dragons Estate. Here is where additional classes are taken to expand the arsenal. Missions are sent out as jobs throughout Elysium for money and experience that will help you in the long run. Personal missions or as I like to call them PBCs... reside there and can only be touched by those who they are signed for." Zeroth tried to explain but Sun politely raised his hand before he could finish. "Yes?"

"Uhh..yes. What does PBCs stand for?" Sun questioned which made Zeroth smirk to himself. "Potential Breaker Contracts." Zeroth answered rather proudly for coming up with the name. "Now. As I was saying, we also congregate here for food, parties, meetings, or to simply gather if we really want to around the pool. Initiation amongst classmates are pretty common here too for newbies but...they were all there at the royale and saw what you did. So they already consider you welcomed members." Zeroth issued as means of saying proving themselves was unnecessary. Relieved, Raijin and the others chuckled amongst themselves. "I'll inform you about everything while you are taking your first lesson." Zeroth spoke causing Raijin to follow in Sun's footsteps. "Yes?"

"What is this first lesson?" Raijin questioned but Kusanagi answered before Zeroth could do it. "Dimension Creation. Or Personal Domain Creation. To avoid readjustments and using the estate as a place to stay for those working on it until the ability itself is mastered, it also allows personal creative control. No need to fight with someone when that space is yours." Kusanagi answered explaining the reasoning behind this specific agenda. "Then your aware of the dangers. Like too many or multiple complex dimensions can lead to utter chaos and destruction." Tetsuo butted in on the subject. "That's where I'm guessing you do something like support shipping amongst classmates to limit them and have them fuse their personal domains. Of course...hopefully it's only Shatter Dragons that is practicing this cause we'd be doomed if every guild was doing this." Tetsuo seemed to believe that was what they were doing. Kusanagi and Zeroth looked at each other before back at Tetsuo. "That's... scarily accurate, Tetsuo." Kusanagi admitted with Zeroth agreeing in the form of a light nod. "It's true. We support relationships amongst the students to potentially limit the amount of dimensions. But roommates are a thing and we've had roommates become partners as their official professions or the sense that you thought I was going for. So be it...as long as it helps." Zeroth would speak up on the methods to ensure they don't risk the world imploding. "Makes sense." Tetsuo would come to terms with the way things worked here. "So, ready to go inside?" Zeroth questioned with a soft smile upon his face showing an actual liking to this trio.

"Yes sir!" Raijin and company shouted in pure excitement.

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An hour of exploring the vast hallways that led to spare rooms in case eventually culminated in what was to be the training area. A beautifully established marble plated circular platform with the guild logo painted across the center. Surrounded by a pool of water along the outer rim as well as multiple platforms to jump from, this exact location would benefit their capabilities soothingly well.

"Here is where different forms of training happens. But for now, let's get your home settled...if you can." Zeroth stated to the trio before him. From this point on, the boys found themselves underneath the specific guidance of Kusanagi to channel their energy and forge a blank personal domain. Meanwhile, Zeroth found himself creating a longwinded presentation on everything that occurs throughout the course of attending Rose Arcane University. This school supports both friendships and rivalries to occur given they also have annual sporting events and guaranteed that friends within your circle but in a different guild, will surely be your enemy for this particular day. How every guild has a very particular value or motive that drives them and believes needed to achieve their very best capabilities.

The first guild he spoke about was Shatter Dragons. Shatter Dragons are currently ranked at the 1st Position amongst the others. They value balance as the motive for reaching their true potential. Balance in finding various objectives to make said person feel whole. To confront your past and prepare for the future was the goal as you need both to understand where you've come from and help improve upon it.

Next was Women of Limbo, where it was revealed that despite Kusanagi being a Guild Leader, she can be called upon to help in missions because she's still considered a student with a popular guild she created since none of the once original four shared her values. Kusanagi believed having heart, love, and dedication to reach this ultimate form. Finding the right one would encourage the person to become their very best and strive to be better. She knows the various types of love presented in the world but for her specifically, behind every great man, there is a great woman. She however, has found that great man. Just haven't expressed it towards this man. Therefore, their relationship is still up in the air.

Next was Shadow Wolves. A one-sided rivalry brew between them and the Shatter Dragons given Kusanagi revealed that Xerxes was chosen out of retaliation for grabbing Raijin beforehand and wanted a on-going rivalry between them to occur. But didn't expect Raijin to obliterate him. Shadow Wolves followed their animal symbolism. Freedom. Freeing yourself of all worries while handling everything that comes your way while expressing loyalty to those that'll accompany or listen to your orders willingly for the betterment of those within your pack.

Valiant Lions followed the Wolves in terms of using their symbolism as their motivation. But to them, strength meant more than physical power. The ability to stand against impossible odds and continue to fight. The courage that bests all and show why they are rightfully kings and queens in their own right. Everyone following a very incredible sense of justice was their key value.

But then, this left the Steel Serpents. This group in particular shook Zeroth to his core given the intense implications of what drives them. Found in dead last, Steel Serpents heavily embrace the concept of rebirth in a sense to a lizards habit to shed their skin and become anew. They took this idea and have become the object of constant hate as well as speculation that rebirth is students being killed and revived as a whole other person. A sense of evolution by discarding their past life and starting fresh will unveil such hidden potential.

Hearing all of this, the boys found themselves wanting to remain away from this bunch. It's bad enough that one of the guilds is acting out of spite and jealousy. But it's another that if these methods are proven true then they are glad they choose this guild or rather having Raijin speak for them. Now the informational speech over and done with their current focal point rested with achieving their goal of opening a personal domain.

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A challenge was met creating an inducing struggle for this as both Tetsuo and Raijin never had to really use their powers. Therefore, they lacked the proper training. Sun, on the other hand, managed it after gathering a vast amount of energy to create it and was in the process of making it specifically for him. So, since there was only two members left, Kusanagi and Zeroth split duties to help them. Zeroth with Tetsuo and Kusanagi with Raijin. With Kusanagi knowing he is at least a quarter of his build is part dragon, she at least figured that quarter came purely through his abilities and could help him achieve such powers faster. Plus encouragement from the best person would fit accordingly.

"Okay. Back home we kept our powers secret. Here in Elysium, it's embraced...so I know it's hard." Kusanagi started now that the two of them were alone.

"Okay...let's try this again, Rai." Kusanagi would command and watch his movements to a whole other level. Raijin attempted to charge his fiery red dragon aura to create this entryway for him to pass through. A swirl of fire started forming in front of him but it led to nowhere. Instead of creating a threshold, it vented a small flame tornado. This extensive usage of power took a toll upon his body. Raijin fell to one knee expressing minor pain and pants aiming to recollect the breath he had lost. "I don't think I was even close there. Damn." Raijin groaned in disappointment to himself. Kusanagi couldn't help but take her examination and put it towards what he's shown so far which was simply his dragon powers. Something he's relied on only since meeting again. That's when the idea hit her. "Maybe...its a quintessential power for you." Kusanagi questioned with Raijin finding what she just said confusing at best. "A what power...?" He asks causing Kusanagi to center her attention to him again. "Oh. Right. Sorry. Quintessential. It's a force that comes from your body that is practically limitless. It has drawbacks such as a lot of rest or the body can only handle so much. But you can at least say your relying on yourself. We've seen only a portion of your father. Let's see your mother for a change." Kusanagi offered as a piece of advice for Raijin to think about. "My mother, huh?" Raijin pondered for a moment while starting to possess a dark red hand coursing through his left hand. "Never really used this side of me before. Let's give it a shot." Raijin gave into his hidden potential oozing at his fingertips. His hand raised high towards the heavens before slamming down with with excessive force; slicing through the air and creating a rift revealing a blank entrance to his dimension. "You did it!" Kusanagi yelled excitedly before hugging around his neck. The surprise of the hug led to Raijin gently cuffing along her waist but would genuinely smile about this display of affection between them. Kusanagi soon came to realize what she was doing and pushed herself off. "I'm sorry! I'm sorry!!" She apologized for her actions only to blush hard with sheer redness covering her entire face. "Ahem! So! Have you decided on what you want to put in there yet?" She tried immediately changing the subject after what happened. Playing along with the topic, Raijin found his mind drifting into the infinite possibilities now that he's granted access to a place he could call his own. "Infinite choices. But I'll happily start with the things I've never had before." Raijin says with a wide grin across his face. "I'll need some time to work on it, right? Give me five minutes." Raijin would reply before he jumped into the gateway yet left it open.

Tetsuo, on the other hand, could be found channeling his energy with Zeroth watching at a distance. "Focus, Tetsuo. Use your chains and rip yourself a reality away from all this. A place to call yours." Zeroth encouraged from the sidelines given the boost and advice Tetsuo needed to coil his chains around his right wrist and sling his signature weapon forward into a entrance to his rift. Latching to the possibility that his chance was here, Tetsuo yanked his portal open and finally succeeded in its creation. "See that? Stick with us...you'll be able to do more than just chains. I'm sure of it." Zeroth spoke fondly of his new students. "You can work on your home now...or...you can check the board for a personal mission. That's up to you, Tetsuo..." Zeroth offered choices to the young male who closed the portal now that it's been created and can open more easily now that he knows what he can do to access it. "Thank you, Master Zeroth. I'll go check the missions for now. Wait for Kusa and Rai while I'm there." Tetsuo replied as Zeroth would smile and nod in response to his choice. "Let me accompany you. It might be a while before we see them again." Zeroth would trifle with the sparkling childhood romance Kusanagi holds for Raijin. "She's usually so tough and hard to communicate with. But this Raijin character is so...indulging to watch. What is it about him that leaves this couple...so amusing to watch take place?" Zeroth spoke almost poetically about the bond Kusanagi and Raijin share. "Hmm? They were like this since childhood. Raijin was the new kid. Everyone bullied me and Kusanagi until he showed up. He is my best friend. If I could, I would instantly make him a brother. But...that's just how life is. He was protective of us both. He was blunt with how he felt about us too." Tetsuo started explaining their current standings which only made Zeroth even more interested in the pairing. "Oh? Continue." Zeroth insisted as the two walked. "Yeah. Raijin was caring towards both of us but it seemed even more in terms of Kusa. They would always be near each other. When she got hurt, he was there to defend her with such ferocity. When a nightmare frightened her, he stayed up watching and protecting the two us and sleep during the day only to wake if we were in trouble and pass out when the threat subsided. He was her shoulder to cry on. Her motivator of sorts. A shadow to her light. A demon to her angel. A beast to her beauty. He was supportive of us both and put himself last. He never once lost his smile even though we were basically the bottom of the barrel in terms of adoption. He was the last one there. That was the last time I saw him...until today that is." Tetsuo finished as he grabbed a glass of beer from a nearby tray. This fascinated Zeroth to know such a man existed and was only this way towards a female with a reputation to have a rough yet beautiful exterior to crack. "My my. This is all but a rush of fascination for me. To think her knight in shining armor finally returned to her side. She must be flustered from every encounter or interaction." Zeroth spoke elegantly to have Tetsuo only look on in utter confusion. "Heh. I know it must be quite the bolt of energy to be around someone you love. She just doesn't seem like the type to confess right away." Tetsuo figured in regards to Kusanagi. "Do you think she's the "best her to bed her" type?" Zeroth teasingly spoke to poke at his brain in terms of thoughts. "Definitely not. Plus if you tried, I doubt you'd live long enough to see Rai even coming." Tetsuo would flat out determine Raijin would eradicate Zeroth if they fought. "Heh. Your probably right." Zeroth admitted after what he's witnessed today. 'He's not even showing his full potential. I'm not going to test me luck...' Zeroth thought before grabbing a beer of his own.

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Back on the training platform, Kusanagi awaited Raijin when five minutes passed. Kusanagi advanced closer till her body phased through and entered a world of pure wonder. The portal left her along a rocky mountainous terrain where lava came down with a constant downpour like a waterfall with a beautiful Sakura Blossom tree resting beside it. The petals flew into the distance ever so gracefully. Looking further down behind the vast levels of fog created within the atmosphere resided Raijin's dream home. An expansive outtake on a modern day home. His entire home was built simplicity on the brain with the usage of marble with a essence of jade laced in the edges and corner pieces for the foundation and the main floor until going higher via the steps to have dark oak hardwood flooring polished to perfection. The interior walls were painted a incredibly beautiful cream color. A impeccable gallery kitchen with a bar could be seen from her perspective as was a downstairs entryway to what was believed to be a set up for his hobbies. An open living room granting free passage safely if visitors were allowed in relax near the fireplace amongst one another.

Kusanagi was stunned by the detail he has put into his home to the point Raijin easily walked up to her unannounced. "So...what do you think?" Raijin questioned only for Kusanagi to shift her hues towards him in silence. "You better give me access to this place." Kusanagi answered before heading towards the exit. "Heh. Show me how to do that and I will." Raijin retorted as he followed and closed the gateway to his domain.

Entering the main hall of the estate, Raijin and Kusanagi was met with silence and fear etched onto everyone's faces. "What? You guys look like you've seen a ghost." Kusanagi says as she began noticing the stares were towards Raijin rather than her. Zeroth was found on the lower level. His face was showing a rather distraught expression on it which only brought concern to Kusanagi as this was actually a rarity to see him like this. "Zeroth...what's going on?" She asked before he answered as calmly as possible. "Raijin's first personal mission appeared on the board. Its what has everyone afraid for his health I'm afraid." Zeroth would speak only for Kusanagi to run upstairs and Raijin to follow. There they found Tetsuo who looked at his two best friends approach him as he pointed Raijin's mission given only he can touch it. Raijin reached up taking the letter into his hands with Kusanagi looking over his shoulder. A short passage and written in gold shown above before his mission was given. "Your past is foggy, no doubt on that part. The only hard part here is figuring where you start. While your life beforehand was as best bearable. Now you must face Ragnar the Terrible. Whose that?" Raijin asked upon hearing that name. A name which sent a shiver down Kusanagi's spine. "A very powerful dragon that landed in Elysium before I even came here. Many attacked without an exact cause for it. But those who do...never come back... Raijin...your not going to-" She spoke worriedly for her friend who looked at her plainly enough to quiet her. "If this dragon has a key to my past that I'm unaware of then I have not much of a choice. I have to fight it." Raijin answered as he stared the paper intensely. "You will tell me everything..."