Academy of Arms!

For his part, Tobias was the slightest bit nervous about the idea of trying to challenge the Elite Year students for a win this year. His fear was doubled by the knowledge that Lance would be given his scythe back for the duration of the class. Every student in AoA that had been here since last year knew about what he had done with his real weapon. Weapons are not confiscated permanently very often. Not to mention the skill of many others in their group. Ireland would be fighting for her own team in S.A.D. as well, unlike this morning where she had joined the other Second Years. It wasn't that Tobias was afraid. He just knew better than to think a win would come easily.

The truth of the matter was, if it were not for Georgia's enthusiasm and determination to come out on top this year, many of the others would probably have accepted what they felt was inevitable without putting up a fight. Her brief speech, if you could call it that, seemed to actually rally a few of the more timid looking members of their group. Tobias had to admit, Georgia gave their team some hope to actually pull an upset like that off. Her and a handful of other Second Years, Tobias included, were not to be taken lightly. Even Kenzi, for all her timidness, could do more than she would openly admit.

She had stuck close to him after Rolan Sensei had called the two of them to his desk. After an explanation as to why Kenzi had not obeyed his instructions they were permitted to leave without any more hassle. Even now, she seemed to shy away from Georgia's gung-ho attitude in favor of Tobias and the calmness he exuded.

With a tap of his spearhead on the tiled floor, Tobias gathered the attention of the others and made a motion with his head towards the guy who had just walked into Konome Sensei's classroom late. It wasn't the fact he was late that he wanted them to observe. Tobias had keen eyes and a good memory, but he did not recognize who this guy was, this was the important part. After listening in on what he had to say, a small grin formed on Tobias's face. "It sounds like we just might have an extra teammate this year." he confirmed, looking back towards Kenzi, Georgia and Tatsukie.

"Well," with a flick of the wrist and practiced finger movements, his spear performed a one eighty to raise the bladed head away from the floor and over his shoulder. Tobias continued the moment he felt the metal shaft touch down against him, "If we're going to win today's sparring match we'll need a good game plan." Kenzi may have been the strongest strategist in the group but she was very outspoken. Georgia seemed to have seized the unofficial role as group leader with her earlier display and it was her that Tobias set his amber eyes on.
 
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"Well, this is awkward."
Standing with his gun being twirled mindlessly around his right index finger (the safety catch not even being on), he would probably accidentally kill someone - if the teacher did not tear Adam's soul from his body beforehand. All things considered, he wasn't particularly shocked about finding he wasn't going to be readily accepted into a group. Indeed, it was almost as if there was a social forcefield surrounding his being, his inability to comply with the social norm having him abstaining from anything remotely related to socialising. Berating this, but still continuing for fear of being torn limb from limb - quite literally, in this case - he glanced at and analysed the groups forming, taking in which he would be more comfortable in. Saying he would be comfortable in one was something laughable - the decision was set in stone, for him to always be picking the lesser of different evils, at least when it came to actual interaction.
On the outside, despite his tense musing, he would appear as cool as a cucumber - had it not been for the sly grin attaching itself to his face, that is. His knife's blade glinted, its deadly, polished surface reflecting the dim light it came into contact with.
 
Lance gave his scythe a few practice swings, readjusting to its weight. The blade was heavy and, for one unused to it, unwieldy. One of the largest factors in why scythes were so uncommon was the weight and balance of the weapon, the only comparable weapon being a halberd, that was so unlike most weapons. The opposite end was filled with lead to act as a counterweight, but it was still an unwieldy weapon. Lance, however, was used to its weight, and had grown to like it. It demanded slow, deliberate movements, no attack wasted, each filled with its own unique purpose. As he swung his scythe in a wide arc around him, the double-edged blade seemed to sing with just inaudible sharpness. The other Elites gave him plenty of room, knowing full well how dangerous a scythe could be to ally and enemy alike. It was not a weapon of teamwork; a scythe-wielder was a singular force of destruction, dealing death to all who dared approach.
 
Tatsukie didn't get a chance to really walk with Ireland like he wanted to. Before he knew it, the bell had rung signaling that it was time to exchange to their next classes. He waved goodbye to Ireland and made his way towards the door as he blended in with the other students. It was crowded in the hallways with First, Second and Elite year students. If the hallways were anymore fuller, he wouldn't have been able to really see where he was going. Sometimes, being short had its weak points. He took out his schedule fro mhis back pocket as he continued to head down the west hallway. His face dropped as he looked at the schedule.

"Oh no." The next class was SAD and he really didn't want to go to THAT class. he had some bad memories of when he first attended the academy. He would never forget that face of hers or the way she spoke coldly and emotionless. Konome was just as ruthless as her fighting skills. Her speed was like lightning and before you could even lift a finger, she would have sliced you up in 20-30 different ways. Highly impossible? For Konome, it was like taking candy from a baby. Tatsukie took a deep breath as he finally made it to the room. He placed a shaky left hand on the door. Alright Tatsukie, just remain calm and you can do this. He entered the class and looked around. He could see the students that were involved in the fight and he smiled a little bit.

Other students were busy checking their weapons and preparing to fight. Tobias looked like he was in between Georgia and Kenzi. Kenzi looked like she was never really the one to engage in meaningless fight. She had the image of a more sophisticated girl if anything. Georgia however, seemed more like a hothead ready to brawl. Tatsukie examined Kenzi a little more and noticed that she had a new pair of glasses. He didn't keep his attention on her too much. Tobias seemed to catch his eye. He seemed really confident in his skills and looked as if he was always prepared for a fight.

Tobias's spearhead was pointed at the floor and he continued his conversation with Georgia and Kenzi. Looks like he would be working with them and he looked forward to seeing what they all had in store. It was a few minutes later, that Konome had entered the room. That's when a cold chill hit his spine like ice. She didn't have to be looking at him for him to shake like a leaf. It was just being in her presence that scared him. She was much, much worse than Rolan Sensai ever was. That was by ten folds. All she had to do was say one word and the class instantly quieted down.

Tatsukie turned around and gave her his full attention. She had asked a question that he didn't even dare to answer. Bravery was one thing. But that bravery was looked at as stupidity by Konome for asking a question with a question, or a question to an obvious statement that answered itself. First, she gave the First Years a special welcome. Konome really didn't play around. She was already telling the First Years about the infirmary. She was basically telling them in her own words 'Prepare to get your bones broken, you teeth punched out and your spirits crushed. Tatsukie sweated a little. Her form of sweetness always included barbed wire.

The Second Years got a nice welcome that only turned bad instantly. Last year the fights heightened to the point where they almost killed each other. Konome however, showed no remorse about it. To her it was their own carelessness that ended them in that situation to begin with. When she said put on a good show, she really meant, 'make each other cry and beg for one another's mercy'.

The Elite Years had gotten it worst than the other Years. They always failed the class, because they let their egos fight their battles. Konome didn't have to say much to them. Just that one little sentence seemed to make them shake in their shoes. Moments after, she had assigned them all to different wings. First Years stayed in their places, Second Years went to the right wing and Elite Years went to the left wing.

The class made their way to their places and he walked along with a few other Second Years. He took out his pistols and examined them for any damage. Today, he was hoping that he would do better. His first year at the academy, he had did horrible in SAD. This time he was prepared. He had only hoped that his training would pay off. He looked up at Tobias and responded as he placed his pistols back on his belt, "Yeah, I'm looking forward to seeing what you guys have in store." He waited patiently to see who he would fight. He looked around the class for a bit to see who was all in what Year.

He caught sight of the new second year student. Tatsukie waved at him, and then smiled when he was with the group.
He looked over at Tobias and he seemed focused on Georgia. That would be an intersting fight. If they ended up brawling, that would leave Kenzi and him or the new guy. She may not have had the looks but, he could tell that she would be a force to reckon with. The new guy didn't seem half bad either. He may have walked shy but, he had to looks of a fighter who was ready to brawl if it came to that point.
 
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Konome waited patiently as all bunched around one another in the directions she pointed out. They were not very talkative except for the red haired girl. Georgia, if memory served her correctly. It seems that there were more Second Years than the other two, which was quite odd. Usually in new years, there were a large influx of First Years who were pompous, thinking that they were going to make their mark the seconds they stepped through those large double doors of AoA. Most of them left out of those doors via stretcher at this very hour. Konome could not help but giggle in a small nostalgic memory, remembering the shrieking of one girl that had her shoulder blade broken by a mallet wielded by a fellow First Year who had been kicked out later that year for sheer brutality. Bummer. Konome really liked that boy.

"Yo, Konome, which of the newbies to I get to bully this year?"

Konome lifted a single eyebrow up when she heard the familiar voice from the Elite Year next to her: Kurt. Once her dark eyes slid over to the boy as she strained herself not to put on a look of pure annoyance. She had remembered him when he was a simple First Year, walking into that very room with the broadest of smiles on his faces: the typical gesture of a cocky attitude. Konome would have enjoyed nothing more than making him feel inferior in front of the other kids and was all to ready to do just that. But then she remembered she was a teacher and would probably (most likely) lose her job if she engaged in combat with a student for no apparent and necessary reason.

"Whoever I pair you with. You know you can't touch the students outside of your class."she said, making sure to keep her voice monotone. Kurt obviously didn't feel the need to obey her rules and go over to the other Elite Years, maybe thinking his arrogant would let him off scott free. Most of the Elite Years acted like that day after day in the school but Konome didn't tolerate it for one bit. If there was one thing she liked to keep handy, besides her precision needles, senbon, it was her authority and fearful aura she gave off. For the last time (she hoped) she shoved Kurt away, pointing to the rest of the Elite Years to tell him to go where he belonged. Kurt better have some tricks up his sleeve if he was already confident he would beat someone's face in.

Konome hoped she'd get a show.

"Konome, do I have to do this again?" Konome groaned internally at the constant irritating talking to her while she was trying to plan the following SAD lesson. This newcomer came in the form of a bored looking Elite Year girl, actually, the only Elite Year girl: Ireland. Konome had some slight respect for the girl. She had been holding her own ever since her first year at AoA, not asking for help with anything and learning when it was necessary to do things. Also, her skills with knives were slightly unmatched by many of the other ones used by the rest of the class. Ireland reminded her of a teen version of herself. Flattering.

"Is there a problem?"

"I don't have my knives on me anyway." Konome merely blinked while looking intently at the girl's eyes. If she looked hard enough, she could tell that Ireland knew exactly what she was doing by leaving her weapons somewhere else. The girl was simply asking to watch the fight other than to participate. Konome weighed the thought of laziness with the thought of a good strategist. Strategy won her over. With a slight nod she waved her off the same what she did Kurt.

"As you will."she said before clearing her throat. "Alright. Everybody chill. It's time to start this thing. Second and Elite Years, you all know how this works. So I'm gonna ask you all to be quiet while I explain the rules again." Her voice quieted all other's down at the drop of a pin once more. All of the students had her eyes on her except for Ireland who was lounging lazily against the far wall, watching the ordeal from a distance.

"All of the classes will competing with the same classes until there is only one student from each class left. Don't worry, you all aren't going to die. Unfortunately I am required by law to make sure you all make it out alive. Not alive and well. Just alive. I won't have any foul play in this arena meaning if I say something, you better do it. This lesson is all about making sure you can read opponents in battle. You've already got out of History class so you should know a bit about each weapon if you weren't slacking off. Make use of that knowledge. It can cost you a finger."she said.

"Second Years go first since and since Miss Red Hot thinks she has fighting spirit...

... Georgia. Tatsukie. You two are first."

"The first one to fall, and I mean entire body hit the ground, is out. I don't care how much blood will have to be shed to do it. Make that person go down for the count. Remember, you two are Second Years. Don't go out of the white lined boundaries you see around the arena. And try to keep the talking to a minumum. This is school, not a rerun of Dragon Ball Z. Whenever you're ready." Konome darted her eyes between the two as they walked into the battle square, ready to spark the lesson off.

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Tatsukie was so anxious. The cothers of the class seemed anxious as well. He couldn't wait to see if Tobias and Georgia would go at it. Those two had exceptional skills. Almost to the point were evenly match. Both of them used powerful and heavy weapons with ease. Compared to his pistols, with were mostly used to match his speed. Still, the fact of power over speed remained. He may have had speed, but he lacked power. With a heavy ax in her hand, he was sure that Georgia lacked speed, but had incredible power.

Tobias wielded a spear. He had both speed and power. That alone would make him a troublesome opponent to fight. But, Tatsukie would just have to expect the unexpected. He looked around at the class. They all looked scared, anxious and determined all at the same time. Most of the fear most likely came from Konome's words. Alright, time to see Tobia and Georgia in action!

He could hear a familiar voice. He looked over by Konome and saw that it was Ireland. Turned outthat she wouldn't be fighting at all. It was a shame too. Tatsukie was looking foward to seeing her in action. But, there was nothing he could to about that. The class was really quiet and the silence could be cut with a knife. Tatsukie looked over to the new second year student and smiled. "Don't worry too much about Konome. She may be tough, but I am sure that she has a soft spot," As tough as steel, "somewhere inside her." He turned his attention to Tobias and Georgia.

" I look forward to seeing what you guys can do! A ax wielder and a spear wielder will make for an excellent fight!" He said, practically cheering the two on. To his surprise, they weren't the one's who would be fighting.

"Georgia. Tatsukie. You two are first"

"Well now, this is unexpected." He looked over to Georgia. Yeah, what Konome said was right. Georgia was a complete hot-head. She would fight first and not ask questions later. She was even known for putting her opponents in the infirmary. That ax of hers was big and she swung it with ease. She had power but no speed. The same was opposite for Tatsukie. He had speed but not a great deal of power.

He would just have to use his speed to overwhelm her. If she hit him, on the other hand, he would be knocked out instantly. He wasn't a god. It wasn't as if he could take the hit and then laugh it off and keep fighting. No, he was a human. A human who could be cut like paper if that massive weapon hit him. There was also one upside to ax users, once they swung the ax, they could put speed and force behind it.

Although, that method was sometimes effective, it could also leave the user wide open. That's when he would be able to strike. Going head on would only result in her blocking his attacks. Georgia was a hot-headed girl, but she had skills to back it up. Tatukie looked over to Georgia and lowered his eyes as he placed his hands in his pockets. His twin pistols shifted slightly and turned to face Georgia and Tobias.

"Well, looks like I will be fighting her instead, Tobias. Its a shame, I was looking forward to you two fighting. But, I guess I could give it a shot." He said, smiling at Tobias. He looked over at Anthony and maintained his smile. "Just relax and everything will be fine for you. I was also nervous my first S&D class and I lost my nerve. The results were that I ended up in the infirmary because of it. Just focus and you'll be fine. I wish you the best of luck in your duels."

Tatukie looked at Georgia and then walked into the battle square, listening to Konome speak. There was that 'kindness' of hers again. Tatsukie took his hands out of his pockets as he stood in the center of the room. He could feel the tension from Georgia. Her stare alone was enough to tempt her opponent. Tatsukie was not going to back down, no matter how strong she was. This year he was going to win and prove his strength. "Lets have a good fight, Georgia." He said, removing his twin pistols from his belt and holding them and holding them at his sides.
 
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"Oh piece of cake..." Georgia smirked, cracking the side of her neck when Tatsukie's face dropped a slight when he heard Konome announced that the two of them would be first. It didn't come to much as a shocker for Georgia. Konome was smart and devious, but she wasn't too good at organization like Rolan Sensei was. The first thing that popped out to the woman was the first thing she was going to roll with. Georgia knew full well of that weakness, which is mainly why she made that little 'speech' of hers so loud; to capture Konome's attention. Of course, Georgia knew the difference between a strategy and cockiness, but the other students didn't. They all would have thought that she did what she did to be the first to win a fight. That statement was not entirely true. Though she did plan on winning, she also wanted to get Tatsukie, the only one that was going to be a challenge to here out of the way. That is where strategy played in.

Georgia flipped a pig tail laizly over the shoulder that did not hold the ax. Tatsukie had already wished her luck in the fight to come, giving her that same iridescent smile he gave everyone else...and that's when she saw it. A gleam of knowing and competition glinting across his pupils, masked by the smile he wore. During her First Year, she had noticed the same familiar glints and the eyes of many Elites and Second Years and they never ended pretty. She was never afraid to look someone head on, even stare at them if it came to that. Georgia was willing to do any and everything she must do in order to read her opponent. Tatsukie was a simple essay laid out there for her to read. A reflection of herself appeared in his eyes before she confirmed what she knew was probably on his mind: he had no idea he would be the one fighting her. Just as he had no idea he would start such a mess in the cafeteria earlier that morning.

Georgia molded her feet into the far right section of the arena. The five pillars were patterned in front of her with a Tatsukie some 40 yards away from her. The distance was wider than she would have hoped it have been, especially for someone with a giant melee weapon such as her ax. No matter how graceful and delicate she was with her movements, the guy still had guns. Far-ranged and close combat weapons were obviously on two opposite ends of the pole. Still, with little more than a smirk on her lips, Georgia's ax was gracefully propped in both hands, awaiting the whistle that hung on Konome's neck. In the small, spare seconds of her time. Georgia noted how wide the pillars were in diameter and the angle of holding two pistols would do on her.

She had a plan.

WREEEEEEEEEEEEE!

Georgia sprung into action on the whistle, mainly out of pure adrenaline. She had uttered the same sentence over and over in her head: "Once that whistle blows, he shoots. I'm down." It was a cunning mantra in her head that by the time the last echoes of the whistle had blown, Georgia already had her ax up to her body length protectively, gracefully walking forwards to Tatsukie with no problem. She noted that she passed a single pillar and the next was to her right. If Tatsukie was as smart as she made him out to be, this would be a battle of barriers. If not, Georgia would win this in a heartbeat.

"Your move, Stryker!"she yelled out from behind the safety of the ax's crest, taking dangerous steps in a straight line across the arena.
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The air was a little thick. Tatsukie could feel his heart beat, but not beat at the same time. It wasn't fear, but the excitement building up inside of him. He knew that the fight against Georgia would be different. He looked at Konome for a second. A thought that continued to linger in his mind, was if she had purposely set up this fight. Maybe, she just wanted to see him fail like he did last year in First Year. The air thickened even more when Georgia spoke. Seems she didn't care who she was matched up with, so long as she could beat another student to a pulp. Tatsukie was even starting to wonder if she had a secret crazy side to her.

He looked at the pillars and out the corner of his left eye and then at Georgia and then at Konome once again, before setting his eyes back on Georgia. There was a glint in his eyes and he focused his eyes solely on Georgia's ax. He was planning on attacking her head on with his speed to throw her off, but he was still hesitant about it. He had originally tried it last year as a First Year ax user and it worked for a moment. He breathed a little then lowered his pistols to his sides and outward. When the whistle blew, he ran forward with his arms hanging behind him at a 20 degree angle. He got mid-way to Georgia, and then shot a couple times to distract her.

His original plan was to throw her off and hope that she would move and alter her position. Since she was walking in a straight line. She would have been expecting him to be naive and attack her head-on, just because she had her ax covering her face. He knew all to well that she wasn't that dumb. The moment that he was close, she would only push him back with the ax and then attack him. The weight of the ax would send him tumbling to the ground, causing a lose under his belt. No, instead, after the shots, he jumped back and shot a few more time.

If she manages to dodge those attacks, it will cause her to lose her balance a bit and I can counter that with a finishing blow. Tatsukie quickly jumped back a few feet away from her.
 
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It went exactly like she had thought it would go.

Far ranged weapons were a lot quicker to use than melee ones, and heavy ones at that. The shots echoed out as soon as the whistle blew. Georgia couldn't tell if the boy was standing still with a smug look on his face or if he was sprinting towards her. Whatever the case was, there were bullets being shot and bullets hurt. So, as quickly as she could manage, which was quite quick indeed, Georgia swung her ax in a high crescent moon, the curved blade swing in a half circle above her head. Tatsukie knew he wasn't supposed to kill, that meant the shots had to be directed somewhere around her and not technically at her. With a smirk on her lips, Georgia was expecting for the bullets to hit the ax's impervious blade.

Somehow, she was wrong.

The second she noticed that he jumped back and aim again. Georgia knew she was screwed for the moment. Her ax was still leaned to the right side of her while he had the barrel of both of his gleaming pistols set straight on her. A momentary prickle of fear spiked behind her throat before she side stepped as fast as she could. At the same millisecond, another shot or two zipped across to the other side of the arena, one barely missing her left arm. A gasp rang up from the crowd of students to her left, the usual happenings of the first battle in SAD. It was getting intense and was only the first minute. Georgia cursed under her breath and grasped the handle in her hands and made a run for the first pillar to the left. She didn't stay there to think about her thoughts or contemplating what she should do next. No. Georgia never thought about anything she did. So, after catching her breath, Georgia gripped the handle even more until the white of her knuckles showed before her red pigtails appeared from around the pillars. Georgia took no other pause before she zipped directly towards Tatsukie in more speed than she knew she had, wielding the ax in her two hands while it stood awaiting to meet his flesh.

"You....MISSED!"she yelled, pausing before him on her left foot but turning in a ballerina form on her right, ax swinging along with her. The air cut clearly be heard being cut by the blade, but when Georgia met no skin in return, she knew she had missed. Tatsukie was just too fast. He was really starting to piss her off. Her thoughts were now all skewed and not focused on the main task at hand. Before, she wanted the Second Years to win the Class Match. Now, she just wanted the little rabbit that was Tatsukie to bleed. With another roar, she managed to let go of her weapon, holding it with one arm while her free hand grabbed at his arm sleeve. Her fiery eyes were burned into Tatsukie as if to tell him the pain he was about to endure.

One tug later and the two were face to face, ax waiting to slice directly into his abdomen. She smirked and swung her ax to the side, knowing that soon, his blood would cake the SAD floor...but the weight of the ax finally caught up to her right arm. The hand that gripped Tatsukie's arm slipped while the pounds upon pounds of metal from her ax slipped down and crashed directly into the wooden floorboards. Georgia hissed in anger and tug wildly on the handle like someone trying to free the Sword from the Stone.

But it was no use. The axe was stuck there. Georgia wasn't strong enough to lift it out. And she was right next to her opponent.
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It seemed to have worked! Tatsukie shuffled his feet and slid out of the way, just as the hunk of metal was on a collision course with his abdomen. She missed and the ax hit the floor with a loud clanking sound. Tatsukie was now next to her. She was to wrapped up in trying to hit him with the Ax, that her own strength had been her downfall. That was part of his plan as well. To use her power against her was as sly as a fox running away from hunters. Her ax was lodged in the arena floor and she couldn't get it out.

Thanks to her letting his arm go, after she had a grip on it, he was able to attack her freely. With his left hand, he raised the gun to her forehead. He could end it right then and there. Her life could be no more and it would all be because of her underestimation of her opponent. She needed to be taught a lesson on respecting her opponent and that loud mouth of hers wouldn't be so loud anymore. All he had to do was take one action to end it all. Pull the trigger of his gun. He personally knew that Konome would have loved to see the blood shed and it would do no more than to put a smile on her face.

But, he didn't want to be pleasing to her pleasure. He loved to fight, and it gave him a thrill. The eyes of all his classmates befell on them like hawks watching their prey in the night. The class was quiet and not a pen drop was heard. His finger shook on the trigger and a single bead of sweat formed on his right Tempo. What was he doing? He had finally proven his strength and won. He could advance to the next round and fight. Looking down on his opponent, though she was an enemy right now, didn't seem to satisfying at all. Tatukie could feel the room spin and his body shake. What was wrong with him? Get it together, Tatuskie! End it now!

Tatsukie shook his head and then sent a hard kick to Georgia's side, sending her sliding to the floor. "It's over, Georgia. I've won this fight." He turned to look at Konome with a strange, but concerned look. He didn't want to hit her that hard, but she had to be taught a lesson. She needed to learn that brute strength alone could not win a battle. She also needed to learn that she should never underestimate her opponent. He had hoped that she would learn that from her defeat. He put away his pistols and looked over to Tobias. He didn't speak at all. Just stood in his place in the square, waiting for Konome to speak.
 
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The first match was about to be decided. Konome Sensei had announced it was to be the Second Years who would kick off the exercise. Tobias's keen eyes looked over his fellow students, tension thick in the air. Tatsukie showed interest in the idea that Tobias and Georgia should square off first. Tobias had to admit, being matched with her would give their group some high points. He still dreaded the idea of facing Georgia and her axe in a fight, though. Running the risk of receiving severe lacerations, even amputations if he wasn't careful around her were not exactly worth winning this to him.

It was not to be, however. At least not today. The first match did indeed include Georgia, but it was Tatsukie himself who was assigned as her opponent. Tatsukie looked at Tobias this time, expressing what sounded like disappointment at the lost opportunity to see Tobias face Georgia. Georgia on the other hand didn't seem to mind who she fought, she was just eager to be first in line. While the two of them approached their ends of the arena Tobias shot a glance at Kenzi. She still had that uncertain expression on her face. It was difficult to read her. Tobias guessed that she was likely concerned for the safety of her friends. Just which one or even if it was for the both of them was impossible to tell.

The fight started off with a shock to Tobias. Rather than go straight for one of the arena's barriers, Georgia used her own axe as protection. In interesting tactic, definitely not something most people could have attempted with their comparatively smaller weapons. Tatsukie on the other hand began the match pretty much how most people would have expected. Keeping his distance and laying down suppressing fire. Impressively Tatsukie leaped back out of Georgia's dangerous range right before she made her first thunderous swing, leaving herself open. When more shots flew in her direction, the majority of the school all gasped, fearing she'd be hit by several of them. Too bad for Tatsukie, Georgia's battle instincts were sharp enough to get her out of harms way.

With a small pause in the action, both combatants took a moment to reform their strategy. Georgia cut the surprises, opting to charge her long range opponent with little warning. Not to sell Tatsukie short, he managed to dodge this short notice swing skillfully, probably avoiding a trip to the school infirmary. With this second miss, the look on Georgia's face shifted. The way she carried herself changed as well, she roared in frustration, now carrying her axe in one arm while she again narrowed the gap between herself and Tatsukie. She grabbed him by the arm, looking squarely into his eyes and pulled him even closer.

She wouldn't...

As much as Tobias wasn't to believe that, he knew she was filled with blood lust now. Just as Tobias braced for the gut-wrenching sound of a blade going through flesh, instead he watched in disbelief when her axe dropped out of it's swinging arc and became embedded in the floor. The moment she proved she was unable to pull the axe up, the match was over. Tatsukie raised his pistol, signifying his victory. Rather than just point it at her however he raised it level with Georgia's forehead. Just what was going through his mind? Tobias watched him intently, his grip on his spear tightening. It only lasted a few moments, but his eyes seemed to falter before he lowered his weapon and kicked Georgia in the side, knocking her away from her weapon and onto the floor. For all her talk of wanting to win against the Elite Years, Georgia had underestimated Tatsukie and let her temper get the better of her. A costly mistake. Another detail he was sure Konome Sensei would notice, she also did little to no damage to her opponent at all, unbelievable for Georgia. Tatsukie had been impressive as well. You couldn't take anything away from him.

With his win secured, Tatsukie looked over in Tobias's direction. It seemed like a silent challenge, of sorts. Tobias nodded solemnly, a non verbal agreement to do his best and meet Tatsukie out in the arena. With that done, Tatsukie turned to face Konome Sensei. Tobias then cast his amber eyes on Kenzi. How had she taken in what just happened in the arena?
 
At first Lance watched the battle with only passing interest, as he doubted the victor would last long enough to face him anyway. Still, he took note of how the gunner fought. Firearms had an obvious advantage over weapons such as his own, and victory meant being careful and knowing how and when to move to avoid getting hit. If only it were as easy as movies made it look.

He was surprised to see the girl start by using her axe as a shield. From what he'd seen, and heard from across the room, he would have guessed her to be too hot-headed to use such a tactic. The gunner behaved as Lance would have expected, staying at range and trying to keep the enemy from getting close. The axe-girl tried to get close enough for a good hit, but the gunner was just able to stay out of range, and fired a few rounds while the girl recovered from her missed swing. Lance was all too familiar with that issue. Heavy weapons were slow, and one missed swing could get you killed. He had always found it ironic that such weapons, while so often requiring calculated and cautious attacks, were most common among the hot-headed and short-tempered.

The girl, impressively, was able to evade the bullets. That's when the girl let her rage take over. A few missed slashes later, she had let go of the axe with one hand and grabbed the gunner by the arm. She meant to pull him in, keep him close, and cleave him in two. Lance could practically taste the girl's blood lust. But he also saw she had lost. Her axe fell into the ground as if it her made of lead, and the gunner brought his gun up level with her forehead. Lance felt his eyes widen slightly and the corner of his mouth rise into a brief smile, unsightly for one who took such pride in keeping emotion off their face, but he simply could not help it here. Yes, he silently urged, pull the trigger. End her life. Claim your divine right as victor and deliver execution! The school frowned on such things, obviously, but Lance desperately hoped he was about to witness the girl's death.

Sadly, the gunner lowered his weapon and kicked the girl away instead.
 
Brant was watching the fight closely. The basic strategies were obvious, gunner stays away, axer tried getting close. Watching Georgia, Brant was judging how her attitude would affect her fighting ability, and his guess was correct. Although she displayed some cunning her disposition ultimately caused her to forget a crucial detail in her technique and exposed herself to a finishing attack. While Tatsukie was holding his gun at Georgia, Brant took the moment to look around and quietly gauge everyone's reaction.

He looked back in time to see Tatsukie send Georgia across the floor with a kick, instead of putting a hole in her head. The match was decided, Tatsukie won and it seemed he was prepared to fight as tenaciously as he thought he needed to, short of taking a life. Maybe. Brant looked back to Georgia, feeling some disappointment at not having a chance to go up against her. She had potential, she'd have to learn patience, maybe the hard way. It was a scenario he had seen before. Brant was also familiar with the disadvantage to leaving an opponent alive. Distantly he looked down at where his hand rested on the flanged head of his mace.
 
Adam frowned in a disappointed manner at Tatsukie not having himself split wide open, and it took all he had not to voice his further disappointment at not being able to witness the profuse splatter of blood that he loved to create so often. His frown deepened upon Georgia not being finished off - though he knew that it was against the rules to murder in the school, he craved the ecstasy that the spilling of blood brought him, the sheer rush of excitement when an artery was severed, and the warm shower that followed after. The severing of body parts, the excruciating pain, the frenzy that his blood lust combined with his bone saw brought on... He relished it. But, the fight had not satisfied his cravings - not that it would have regardless, seeing as for him to truly be able to satiate his psychotic hunger, he needed to actually perform the lacerating - he needed the spray of the blood on his skin, the feeling of metal teeth cutting through bone, and the screams of agony that resulted. An image flashed into his mind - hands steeped in red and a mutilated body on the dinner table. Just another Saturday for him.
Yet, despite his mindset, he felt it - fear.

He was, by and large, not suited to combat. He was skilled with a scalpel and a saw, yes, but he could not fight effectively against someone who obviously had the upper hand, both in weaponry and in skill. Thus, he feared that it was his blood that would be spilt on this day - yet, his face remained stoic.
 
Emil had been watching the fight, passively rooting for none. He kept his eyes blank and held his composure. He'd enjoyed watching the fight, and it gave him an idea of what to expect from the different fighters. He was interested in their skill, and couldn't help but be silently impressed. He stuck around with the crowd of second years, but stuck behind to not draw any attention. Silently, thinking to himself, he wondered, Who will I go against..? If it's that Lance, I fear it will get messy. However, while looking around, Emil couldn't help but realize that any fight could get exceptionally messy, more than could be said for his years at his previous academy.

He wasn't sure how to feel when Tatsukie kicked Georgia away. Emil's first instinct would have been to end her right then and there, however, he felt that if Tatsukie had done so, it would have been greatly frowned upon by the rest of the academy. No doubt in his mind, honestly, that it would have been bad considering what Lance had done & the consequences of his actions.

Standing like a statue, Emil waited calmly for Konome to announce who the next two to fight would be. He inwardly feared that something bad would happen were he involved in the next fight, but he kept his face stern.
Please not me, please not me...


(By the way, it IS clear that Emil is a second year, right? :| )
 
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Everything spun so quickly. Everything had toppled so fast.

"Georgia!"

She heard Kenzi's loud and squeakish voice from even that distance in the middle of the arena where she lay crumpled and writhing in pain. Crumpled and writhing in pain, something one does not usually see from Georgia, especially in a SAD class, at that. Yet, there she lie, red hair sprawled over her back side as her hands slid pathetically down the steel pole of her ax. She was whimpering in pain though she kept her volume at the very lowest she could make it. Even Tatsukie wouldn't have been able to hear her pathetic whimpers from the distance he was at. He didn't stick around long enough to observe her pain anyway. Once he delivered the blow that sent her sprawling to the ground, a shrill whistle rang out, signifying the end of the match.

"Tatsukie is the victor!"

Konome's voice was the loudest thing in her ears, louder than Kenzi's screaming of her name as she ran towards her in the middle of the arena. Georgia lay sprawled there, unmoving and unyielding to Kenzi's commands of rising.

"Georgia! Georgia, get up!"

"Would you give me a second?"she seethed. Kenzi was actually afraid to touch her, fearing that all of the anger she had gathered in her defeat would somehow burn to the touch. Her hand froze in mid air as Georgia pulled herself up with no trouble at all making sure to keep her head down, red hair shrouding her face. Kenzi knew Georgia didn't want everyone to see th elook of shame in defeat on her face; not after all of that other stuff she was boasting about before. Even though Kenzi secretly told herself that this is what Georgia deserved, she was a friend before a therapist. So, she smiled and patted the shoulder of her friend, wheeling her off of the arena, past Konome.

Konome watched the two combatants walk away before she scribbled the name down of the winner. Tatsukie, the one with the guns and who thought he knew everything about combat. A smirk tugged on her lips as she thought of the fights to come, the lessons to learn.

"Good duel. I need Emil and Anthony in the arena. At my whistle and only at my whistle, boys."she said, not even bothering to check on Georgia or Tatsukie, If it were that bad, they knew where the door was.
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As Anthony had settled around a group of the second years a bit off to the side he began to watch over the fight. The man he had noticed earlier with the guns seemed to be so calm and collected while the girl who was so loud and obnoxious sat there with her ax as a shield. It was a delirious tactic but it worked to some extent. As the bullet fire stopped the girl swung her ax expecting the man to be there which was a fatal mistake as the rest of the battle spiraled downwards for her. In the end she was sent sprawling towards the floor in utter defeat while the man walked away. The noise of the loud whistle was almost deafening as it broke his trance of spectating the battle.

As Tatsukie was walking away the victor he could hear the chattering and mumbling of the students around him while one of the others even ran onto the battle ring to help the girl up. He could only begin to imagine how badly her pride was hurt by the utter defeat when her boasting was so big. Regardless of her though the teacher began to announce the new combatants. It was as he feared though, he did seem to draw attention by arriving as a new student to this school and was put into a duel with another person quite early. Anthony tried to find his opponent in the crowd but to little avail so he instead he walked over towards the arena with his sword and gun in hand. He could feel pretty confident in himself against most opponents since he had the basis of range and speed as well as melee and power on his side but he knew that if his opponent was skilled enough he would stand no chance.

At first Anthony was just sitting there waiting but he began to get a bit nervous and impatient so he began to hop around a little bit in a goofy manner. His feet were moving around as if he was in a boxing ring and his upper body was following the motions of some strange martial arts, and for a moment it sort of seemed like he was a bit drunk. Anthony only did this for a few moments before he shook his whole body and straightened up again relieving all of his worries and nervousness.

"Well. Im ready to go when you are Emil. I look forwards to our fight and may the best man win."
 
Emil was busy telling himself to stay calm, the words going around in his head until Konome's voice cracked into his head. "I need Emil and Anthony in the arena." His heart shot up about ten beats per minute, and he could almost feel his pupils dilate a little. It always happened before a fight. He'd ALWAYS had issues with fear when about to fight. Funny. Fear, when you're at a fighting academy. More than a little ironic. He noted the blades as well as the pistol, and felt sick to his stomach. This wasn't going to end well. He could feel it. Emil didn't have a perfect record at his old school, but it was better than 80% of the others' records. He'd felt proud, and his father had congratulated him upon graduating his first year. He remembered that feeling, and now realized that if he lost, humiliation awaited him.

He began to feel the adrenaline and lost a little bit of control. He nodded his head to Anthony and spoke solemnly, in his apathetic tone, "Agreed; may the best man win." His father had taught him how to use his knives and the best ways to dealing with other weapons. Despite all this, his training against light and medium weight weapons was not his forte, and his father almost always won. To top it off, training against firearms was not something his father taught. Wishing he knew how good with his sword Anthony was, he decided it would be best to let Anthony strike first, so that he would be able to see how good he was with his weapons.

(So so so so so so so so so so so so so sorry for the long delay.)
 
Anthony saw that his opponent only had knives on them as he approached. He had already seen that one of the people in the class had used knives but did not know how proficient his opponent was. Even with that he still wanted it to be somewhat fair so he holstered his gun and made sure it was latched tight before pulling out his katana and taking a stance with it against his hip. He could see his opponent waiting so he figured it was his move on whether to engage or wait.

Knowing that if he showed too much hesitation he would be seen as either weak or intimidated he decided to attack first. He quickly charged forth with his katana still at his side. Once he got within ten paces of his opponent he unsheathed his katana in a horizontal slash attempting to either cut his opponents gut or force him to retreat. As soon as he launched his first slash he spun around quickly and let loose a vertical slash using his momentum to increase the speed of the slash and advancing another pace or two.

"I hope your ready for this, don't hold back on my part either. I want you to give it your all."
 
He watches something cross Anthony's eyes, but he can't tell what it is. He prepares himself, drawing his knives as Anthony dashes towards him. In the split second before Anthony strikes, the voice in the back of his voice whispered tauntingly, but with a tinge of truth to it's words: This won't end without bloodshed, Emil. But who's blood shall hit the floor first, and who shall be the one who suffer their first loss at this academy? Emil bit his tongue and a look of ferocity crosses his face.

He uses the steel sheath on his arm to block, for the most part, the first attack. It draws a small bit of blood, and he grimaces. The strain from blocking such an attack put too much strain on his arm, making him have to back up for the second strike. He wasn't used to the reach of a Katana though, and it barely catches his clothing, lightly grazing the skin underneath. "No holding back." He said aloud, almost wished he could take those words to heart, but he never could. He always must conserve something so you're not exhausted after an initial fight.

You're holding back, Emil. Why, why hold back when you could win. You could win this, you know it. Emil grits his teeth, not caring. He can taste blood as he bites his tongue too hard. He strikes back with his dagger, an upward strike, then following up by lunging for his stomach. It had to work, but he knew that it wouldn't. He begins to sweep the ground with a kick. Not very fancy or effective, but he knows that it can work to throw his opponent off balance.