Akiri and Tatsuya entered the Disciplinary Committee's headquarters, to see that the place was an absolute mess.

There were boxes and rolls of paper everywhere, and the tables were littered with books, stationaries and unused CADs.

Mari: It's a little untidy, but hey, find yourself a seat somewhere

Akiri: A little untidy...?

He said as he looks around the messy room and Tatsuya let out a sigh.

Tatsuya: Chairwoman, would you mind if I straightened this place up?

Akiri: I second that. This place is an eyesore

Mari: What?

Tatsuya: As an aspiring magic engineer, I find this environment somewhat unbearable

Both Mari and Akiri were surprised when they heard that.

Mari: Magic engineer? When you have such tremendous combat skills?

Tatsuya: At my skill level, I can't hope for anything more than a Level-C license

Akiri: I see. Fair point...

Tatsuya got back to cleaning, but unknown to him, Akiri was glaring at him with a suspecting expression.

Akiri: ...

(Timeskip)

About 30 minutes later, they've already made a lot of progress and the room is looking a lot more cleaner than before.

They are currently putting some boxes away when Mari began to speak.

Mari: The reason I scouted you was... Come to think of it, I've pretty much already explained that to you

Tatsuya: And I remember, but if you ask me... Dealing with Course 2 students is a measure that could backfire

Tatsuya said as he was sorting various different CADs into different boxes.

Mari: Why do you think that?

Tatsuya: The Course 2 upperclassmen won't take kindly to being policed all of a sudden by a younger student in the same boat

Mari: But I think your fellow first years will surely welcome you

Akiri: Not so sure about that. There'll be double the animosity from the Course 1 students

Tatsuya nodded in agreement as he is now sorting the CADs onto a nearby shelf and Akiri is sweeping the dusty floor.

Mari: Sure, there's bound to be some animosity. But right now, everyone's just started here. They shouldn't be all that poisoned by discriminatory impulses yet, right?

Akiri: Hate to break it to you, but most of them already have

Tatsuya: Agreed. Just yesterday, I got hit with the I'm never going to acknowledge you treatment from someone

Mari: Are you talking about Morisaki?

Tatsuya: You know him, then?

Mari: Just like Amatsuki, he'll be joining this committee under Faculty recommendation

Hearing that, Tatsuya accidentally dropped the CAD he was stacking on the shelf in shock while Akiri stopped sweeping for a moment before continuing.

Mari: So even you can get flustered, too, I see

Tatsuya: Well, of course I can

Akiri: What, you think he was some kind of emotionless robot or something?

He joked.

The door then swings open and two Course 1 students with the black and red armband of the Disciplinary Committee walked into the room and bowed to Mari.

???: Good evening!

They both said in unison.

??? 1: Hey, Big Sis! So, you're here, huh?

??? 2: Chairwoman, we've completed today's patrol mission. No arrests have been made

Akiri: Big Sis?

He smirked as Mari walked over to the first student and slapped him with a rolled-up piece of paper.

She then proceeded to whack him on top of his head with it while he cowered in front of her.

Mari: Don't call me Big Sis! How many times do I have to tell you?! Is that head of yours just an empty ornament?

??? 1: Please don't beat up on me like that!

Akiri let out a chuckle while Mari scoffed and crossed her arms and the student stood up, rubbing his head as noticed Akiri and Tatsuya.

??? 1: By the way, Chairwoman, are those new faces I see over there?

Mari: That's Akiri Amatsuki of Class 1-A. He'll be joining us under the recommendation of the Faculty

She said, pointing towards Akiri

??? 1: The Faculty recommended you, huh? Well, congratulations

Akiri: Thank you

They shook hands with him and Mari continued.

Mari: And that's Tatsuya Shiba of Class 1-E. He'll be joining us under the recommendation of the student council

She said, pointing at Tatsuya.

One of them then looked at Tatsuya and noticed the lack of a flower emblem.

??? 1: Emblem-less, huh?

??? 2: Tatsumi, your choice of words may run afoul of the banned words regulations. In this case, the proper term would be Course 2 student

The second student said, looking at Tatsuya.

Mari: You guys, you're going to get the rug pulled out from under you if you hold such a simplistic outlook

She then leaned closer towards them and lowered her voice.

Mari: Between you and me, Hattori just got himself royally tripped up a little while ago

She said, gesturing towards Tatsuya. The two gasped in shock and looked at Tatsuya again.

Tatsumi: You mean... That guy defeated Hattori, then?

Mari: That's right, in an official match, too

Akiri: Got his ass handed to him, that's for sure

??? 2: What the...? Are you saying that Hattori, undefeated since he started here, got beaten by a new student?

Tatsumi: I'm glad to have him on our side!

??? 2: We've got ourselves a phenom. Right, Chairwoman?

Mari: Who would've thought, right?

Mari and Tatsuya looked at each other for a moment.

Mari: This school, with its asinine 'Bloom/Weed' labelling, is teeming with people either wallowing in their sense of superiority or drowning in their sense of inferiority. To tell you the truth, I've been fed up with it all. Fortunately, both Mayumi and Juumonji of the Extracurricular Activities Federation know what kind of personality I have. They've used their recommendation slots to pick people who are relatively immune to those kinds of sensibilities. Their feeling of superiority may not quite be at zero, but they're good guys who can evaluate others' skills fairly

Mari leaned over and placed her hand on the table.

Mari: I don't think this place will be all that uncomfortable for you

Tatsumi then walked over to Tatsuya and held out his hand.

Tatsumi: I'm Koutaro Tatsumi of Class 3-C. Nice to meet you, Shiba. Able guys like you are more than welcome here!

??? 2: I'm Midori Sawaki of Class 2-D. Glad to have you onboard, Shiba

The boy known as Sawaki said. Tatsuya looked at them for a moment before shaking Tatsumi's hand.

Tatsuya: I'm first year student Tatsuya Shiba. Likewise. It's nice to meet you, too

(Timeskip)

It is the next day and currently, Akiri is in the Disciplinary Committee room. He is sitting next to Tatsuya along with some other members, including Morisaki Shun, listening in on Mari's instructions for the day.

Mari: Once again, this year, the week of unbridled shenanigans is upon us. As the snagging of talented club members is a crucial task that directly influences the power map of each club, it is unfortunately not uncommon for the ensuing mad scramble to degenerate into no-holds-barred fistfights or magic shootouts

As Mari was speaking, Shun was continuously glaring at Tatsuya and Akiri. The two of them noticed this, but they just ignored it.

Mari: Luckily, this year we were able to replace our departing graduates in time. Let me introduce them to you. Stand up you three

At her call, Akiri, Tatsuya and Shun stood up from their seats.

Mari: This is Amatsuki Akiri and Morisaki Shun of 1-A, and Shiba Tatsuya of 1-E. They'll be joining the patrol detail right away

???: Are they gonna be of any use?

One of them said, pointing a thumb at Tatsuya.

Mari: Don't worry, the three of them are competent

Mari said defending them.

Mari: I've already observed Shiba's skills in person, Amatsuki can hold his own, if his scores are anything to go by and Morisaki can wield a pretty mean device himself

Mari: Does anyone else have anything more to say?

Mari asked and everyone just stayed silent.

Mari: Fine. Then let's send you on your way. Mobilize!

The members got up and saluted her by putting a fist over their chests.

They then began to walk out of the room.

A while later, the room emptied until only Akiri, Tatsuya along with Shun and Mari remained.

Mari then walked over to the table and placed three pairs of the Disciplinary Committee armbands as well as video recorders.

Mari: First off, let me give you these. Also, about CADs, Disciplinary Committee officers are permitted to carry CADs on the school grounds

Mari walked toward the door.

Mari: There's no need to request anyone's permission to use them, but...

She turned to face them and had a serious expression on her face.

Mari: If you are found to have used them inappropriately, not only will you be relieved of your post, but you'll also be penalized severely by the general student body. So don't take this lightly

Akiri: Understood

Tatsuya: I have a question

Mari: Go ahead

Tatsuya: Are we allowed to use the committee's equipment as CADs?

Mari: That's fine, but those are old-school, you know

Tatsuya: True, they may be old-school, but they're also top-flight items calibrated for experts. Those devices...

Mari: If that's the case, then feel free to use them. They were just sitting there collecting dust, anyway

Tatsuya: Then...

Tatsuya walked over to a shelf.

Tatsuya: I'll be borrowing these two

He said, grabbing two black bracelet-like CADs and Shun silently scoffed at him.

Mari: Two of them? You really are an interesting one, aren't you?

Tatsuya didn't respond and just attached the CADs to his wrists.

With that, the three of them then walked out of the door to begin their patrol.

Shun: Hey

Tatsuya and Akiri stopped and turned towards him.

Tatsuya: What?

Shun: There's no way that you can activate magic by using two CADs simultaneously. You lowly Course 2 student... Get over yourself already, dammit!

Shun shouted before walking away.

With narrowed eyes, Akiri went to take a step towards Shun, but Tatsuya held out a hand to stop him. He looked at Tatsuya to see him shaking his head.

With a sigh, Akiri backed down.

(Timeskip)

Currently, Tatsuya and Akiri were walking down the main walkway that leads to the entrance of the school where most of the clubs had set up shop.

The area was completely crowded with students and club members searching for new members for their clubs. Both Akiri and Tatsuya were keeping their eyes peeled for any incidents.

Akiri then noticed a commotion not far ahead of them and noticed a familiar red haired girl and he nudged Tatsuya.

Akiri: Hey, isn't that Erika?

He said as he points to Erika who was surrounded by three different groups, trying to get her to join their club.

Erika: Uh, please let go of me now

??? 1: This girl is adorable!

??? 2: Hey, want to join our club?

??? 1: You'll definitely like our club better!

??? 3: Enough already! Let go of her arm!

Someone had grabbed the back of Erika's uniform and was tugging on it.

Erika: Where do you think you're touching me? Stop it!

Akiri: Let's move

Tatsuya just nodded and the two of them went towards the group.

Tatsuya casts a spell and disperses the crowd long enough so that he could grab Erika and run away.

Tatsuya: Run

??? 3: Hey, wait!

The two took off and Akiri used his CAD to cover their escape by casting a low powered flash spell.

The three ran behind a building before Tatsuya let go of Erika's hand. Akiri leaned up against the wall and looked around the corner to make sure they weren't followed.

Akiri: Okay. I think we've lost them

Tatsuya: We should be far enough away for you to feel safe

Erika was breathing hard while Akiri and Tatsuya were barely breathing faster. As Akiri and Tatsuya looked back at Erika, their eyes widened.

Her uniform had gotten loose, exposing the top part of her breasts and Erika's face turned beet red.

Erika: Don't look!

Tatsuya quickly turned around and Akiri turned his head away immediately.

There was an awkward pause until Erika spoke out.

Erika: Did you see...?

They stayed silent.

Erika: Did you see?

She raises her voice.

Tatsuya: I caught a glimpse. I'm sorry

Tatsuya said turning back to her.

Akiri: Me too. I apologize

Akiri said with a slight bow.

She kicked both Akiri and Tatsuya's legs.

Erika: Idiots!

She shouted before fixing her uniform.

Erika: If you're really sorry... Then you both will keep me company after this, all right?

Erika said with a blush on her face.

(Timeskip)

Sometime later, the trio had ended up in one of the gymnasiums and they were watching a kendo exhibition match.

Akiri was watching the fight with interest while Erika with none at all. Tatsuya then turned his head towards Erika.

Tatsuya: I take it you're not thrilled

Erika: Well, but it's so boring. Trying so hard to look good sparring, and then delivering a predetermined blow. This is no better than a staged sword fight!

Akiri: It's is an exhibition match, so it being a staged swordfight is understandable. You can't really show a true martial arts battle to the public because, you know, it's basically two people trying to murder each other

Erika: I know that, but...

They then suddenly heard the sound of someone shouting and they looked down to see that another club had interrupted the Kendo club's exhibition.

Tatsuya: Trouble?

Tatsuya muttered.

Akiri: Looks like it

The three of them made their way down to the lower floor where an argument was raging on between two students.

???: There's still more than an hour before the Kenjutsu Club is up, Kirihara-kun! Why can't you wait until then?

A girl with brown hair from the Kendo club said.

Kirihara: Not what I expected, Mibu

The boy known as Kirihara said.

Kirihara: Since you can't put your abilities on display sparring with such a newbie, I just thought a little collaboration was in order

Mibu: You're the one who forced him to challenge you! Collaboration my foot!

Akiri, Tatsuya and Erika pushed their way through the crowd until they got near where the argument is happening.

Kirihara: But it was the Kendo Club who struck first

Mibu: Because you provoked us, Kirihara-kun!

Erika: This is starting to get juicy, huh?

Erika muttered to the two as Mibu and Kirihara kept arguing.

Akiri: Almost too juicy...

Tatsuya: Do you know these two?

Tatsuya asked her.

Erika: Well, not personally, but... The girl is Mibu Sayaka. The year before last, she was second place in the National Junior High Kendo Tournament for Girls. The guy is Kirihara Takeaki. The year before last, he won the Kanto Region Junior High Kenjutsu Tournament

Kirihara took his kendo stick off his shoulder and pointed it at Mibu as she slowly drew hers.

Erika: Whoops, looks like it's about to start!

Kirihara: Don't you worry, Mibu. This is a kendo demonstration. I'll do you a favour and not use any magic

Mibu: You think you stand a chance against me with just sword skills? You, Kirihara, coming from the spell-depended Kenjutsu Club, a match for a member of the Kendo Club where we focus solely on honing sword skills?

Kirihara: Focus solely on honing sword skills? Right. You're full of bluster, Mibu...

Both Akiri and Tatsuya activated their video recorders, which were tucked into the upper uniform pocket.

Kirihara: I'll be happy to show you, then. What it means to battle in a dimension beyond the limits of physical ability... The sword skills of Kenjutsu!

The two then charge toward each other with their weapons held above their heads. When they got closer, they swung their weapons down towards their opponent.

Erika: A draw?

Akiri: Not entirely. Look closer

They looked closer to see Kirihara's attack had struck Mibu in the forearm while Mibu had struck him in the shoulder and Kirihara had a shocked look.

Mibu: If this was a real sword, you'd be fatally wounded

She said as she knocked Kirihara's sword aside.

Mibu: As for me, your strike stopped short of the bone. Accept your defeat like a good loser

Kirihara: If it was a real sword? You disappoint me

Akiri: I've got a bad feeling about this...

Kirihara: Mibu, is that what you want? To fight with real swords? If that's the case, then I'll oblige you... I'll take you on with a real sword

He said as he tapped a few buttons on his bracelet designed CAD and both Akiri and Tatsuya immediately begin to read the activation sequence.

Akiri: (thoughts) Oscillation-type, Close Combat Spell. Sonic Blade. Threat level: Medium

Kirihara's kendo sword began to glow orange. In an instant, Kirihara rushed forward and sliced at Mibu, cutting through her uniform.

Kirihara: How do you like that, Mibu? This is a real sword!

Akiri and Tatsuya shared a look before nodding.

Kirihara charged at her again, but this time, Tatsuya got in front of Mibu, crossing his arms while Akiri tackled Mibu out of the way.

As Akiri looked back, he saw that Tatsuya's two CADs were emitting some type of waves which caused Kirihara's Sonic Blade spell to fail.

Akiri: (thoughts) Cast Jamming...?

As Kirihara's Sonic Blade was dispelled, Tatsuya grabbed his arm and he grabbed the back of Kirihara's uniform and in one swift motion, he slammed him to the ground.

Akiri: Are you all right, Mibu-senpai?

Akiri asked her as he looked at where Kirihara had struck her to see that there are no injuries. She just nodded and Akiri moved on to help Tatsuya restrain Kirihara.

???: Who's that guy?

???: Hey, look! He's a Weed!

???: Are you serious? A Weed's on the Disciplinary Committee?

The mutters from the surrounding students continued as Tatsuya called HQ.

Tatsuya: Calling from Small Gymnasium No. 2. I have one student under arrest. He's wounded, so please send a stretcher

??? 1: Hey, what the hell's going on?

One of the Kenjutsu Club members asked, but Tatsuya ignored him and continued to talk

Tatsuya: We'll be taking Kirihara-senpai in for the improper use of magic.

??? 1: The hell you are, you stinking Weed!

The Kenjutsu member attempted to grab Tatsuya but he was able to dodge out of the way.

??? 1: Why only Kirihara? Mibu of the Kendo Club is guilty of the same crime!

Akiri: Mibu-senpai didn't use Magic. Thus, she isn't charged

??? 1: Don't give me that crap!

He shouted as he went and attempted to hit Akiri, but he dodged his telegraphed punch and grabbed his arm, twisting it around his back.

Akiri: Stand down. Resistance is futile

They ignored him and went to attack both him and Tatsuya and they just dealt with the attackers by simply dodging their uncoordinated attacks, causing them to crash into one another.

Akiri then saw that two students were preparing to cast some spells and he quickly read its activation sequence.

Akiri: (thoughts) Prioritize higher threat spell

He quickly pulled out Eclipse from his jacket and was about to break the activation sequence of only one of the students, knowing that he isn't fast enough to break both of their activation sequences.

But to his complete shock, Tatsuya beat him to it and broke their activation sequences, something that Akiri couldn't do.

Akiri: (thoughts) What the...? He's faster than me? And not only that, he got both of them in such a short amount of time...

He thought to himself as he was still in complete and utter shock at what Tatsuya is capable of. He was then broken from his trance when he noticed Tatsuya calling his name.

Tatsuya: Akiri?

Akiri: Y-yeah?

Tatsuya: You okay? You were zoning out a bit there

Akiri: Yeah... I'm fine...

Tatsuya just nodded and the two of them got back to work on handling the situation.

Unknown to them, they were being watched by a man wearing glasses.

???: How interesting...

He muttered as he adjusts his glasses using his finger.

-------------------

(A/N: Quick announcement, this book is going to be put on hold for now. I sincerely apologize, but I am currently nearing my final exams at college, so I wouldn't have time to write. That is all, and thanks for reading.)