Chapter Text
Volume 1: Exodus.
"I can't let them down, you know?"
"Because I have a promise."
- Sensei to Black Suit.
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Date: August 8th, 20##.
Time: 12:11 PM.
Location: Kivotos.
He did it.
The Bastard of Kivotos did it.
He won, at last, whilst Sensei lost.
Sensei resigned from his position as the Advisor of SCHALE and left Kivotos for good.
Sensei couldn't take it anymore. Why even bother at this point?
Sensei tried, but he failed. Again, Sensei tried, and he failed.
He waited and waited and waited, but nothing happened.
Patience felt more like torture the longer Sensei waited.
Sensei gave so many chances, but none took them.
If they did, they nearly died or got hurt.
Sensei finally cracked under the pressure.
Himself? Physically and Mentally Devastated.
Arius Squad? Massacred.
Anyone who still supported or loved him? Beaten up or probably dead as well.
It was as if the world had turned against the man who had pulled Kivotos out of its many crises.
So Sensei left. It was for the best. For the sake not only of himself but also of those around him.
Because the longer he stayed, the more he got hurt, or someone was hurt or even died because of him.
And what was the result of his resignation and departure?
A wave of celebration erupted among many of his formerly beloved students.
It was like they had won a war. It was as if the most remarkable thing had happened to them.
Chief among them is the Bastard, who spearheads the massive celebration and is the architect of Sensei's downfall.
Nicknamed the Interloper, or Casanova, by Sensei himself.
Womanizer of Kivotos, the Rapist, the Debauchee, the Lecher, the Philanderer.
He was even called the Bastard of Kivotos, because he was a Bastard.
But why the Interloper, you ask yourself? Because he doesn't belong to Kivotos.
He isn't supposed to be here to begin with, but there he is, sticking out like a sore thumb.
Thus, he is called the Interloper because he interlopes on the timeline he isn't meant to be.
All for the sake of his envy of Sensei and the desire for wealth, fun, power, and most importantly, women. By using his attractiveness, silver-tongue, and the lust and desperation of Sensei's students. It was the only weapon the Interloper needed to win over Sensei's vulnerable and desperate students.
After Sensei resigned and left, the Bastard of Kivotos did one thing he knew best on such a victorious occasion. It was by throwing the biggest yet expensive celebratory party Kivotos had ever seen in its entire history, happily relishing the chance to deliver one final 'Fuck You!' to his vanquished rival.
As the revelry unfolded live on television, the citizens exchanged worried glances, concerned about the future of Kivotos and themselves.
Even the major corporations, which at first wanted to laugh and mock Sensei because of their past grievances with him, were absolutely horrified by the events unfolding right before them. It was so sudden, so dramatic, and so tragic that even they were appalled by what they were seeing.
Most still held respect for Sensei, recognizing him as the enforcer who had maintained the delicate balance of power in Kivotos. Even regarding him as the true successor to the now late and missing President of the General Student Council, who did the same thing that Sensei did in all of Kivotos.
Sensei's Resignation and the Interloper's Inauguration not only signaled the end of a golden era but also raised alarms about the uncertain future of Kivotos, leaving many wondering what chaos would follow in the wake of Sensei's departure. Unfortunately, their worries would soon become reality.
With Sensei now gone and the 'well-respected' Interloper now officially installed as the new Sensei of Kivotos, reactions from the citizens, as well as from the corporations, were mainly muted. Most offered the Interloper little more than lip service, eager to avoid provoking his trigger-happy harem.
However, as time wore on, concern began to mount among many. The Casanova had quickly gained notoriety for dispatching hit squads that targeted not only civilians but also businesses and corporations perceived as having connections or having merely interacted with the now-disgraced Sensei. Even the students were not safe from the wrath of the Interloper, who knew no bounds in his vendetta against those who were disobedient and disloyal to him.
Their fears were only intensified when the newly opened Shiba Seki Ramen Restaurant in Abydos was ruthlessly looted, anyone who stepped into it was attacked, and finally set ablaze by the Interloper’s Harem, leaving its owner, Master Shiba, barely escaping with his life and now designated as a wanted fugitive.
Naturally, such a violent display would terrify everyone, as it became clear that the Interloper was not kind to anyone or anything that had an ounce of a positive relationship with Sensei, sending shockwaves throughout Kivotos and reminding everyone that no one was safe from his unpredictable and deranged wrath.
Somewhere in the Black Market District, a meeting is being hosted by the major corporate leaders...
All the big names were present at the meeting, including Date Meowru, Don Aranchino, and many more.
"I am appalled. Whatever has transpired before us is still a shocking sight that I can't quite process." Date Meowru remarked.
"Agreed. It happened so quickly that we didn't notice it until it was too late. Perhaps we treated the affair as nothing more than insignificant." Don Aranchino nodded. "Now, we are grappling with the fact that we have to deal with that man. As much as I dislike Sensei, he is a better alternative than the latter."
"Good day to you all, my esteemed guests!" Interrupting their conversation is the CEO of Kaiser Corporation.
"If it isn't the boss of the bosses, Kaiser Corporation." Date Meowru gave a smirk.
"You flatter me, good sir!" The Kaiser Corporation CEO chuckled.
"I wasn't, but oh well." Date Meowru scoffed.
Don Aranchino quickly laughed like a pig with a robot voice modulator, and the same can be said for the others.
"Anyways! Gentlemen, I'm concerned that the recent change in leadership has raised a red flag for all of us." Usually, such an interaction would end with the Kaiser Corporation CEO himself storming out and calling it a day, but the man chose to ignore that and get straight to the point.
"It certainly has. As much as I dislike Sensei's interference in our business ventures and wanted him gone, his successor is even worse, if not the opposite of him." The CEO of Northern Steel Corporation commented, prompting grunts and murmurs from those who agreed with his statement.
"So, what should we do? I wouldn't dare suggest we resist. We simply don’t have the means to confront him and his harem just yet." Seated on the back is the CEO from Fence Street, the financial banker and money giant of Kivotos, the one in charge of securing and hiding every rich schmuck's money.
"For the time being, let's take a wait-and-see approach. We'll observe and see if cooperation is possible." The Kaiser CEO suggested.
"But what if he decides not to cooperate?" Date Meowru glanced. "We don't even know him, other than he is an outsider, like Sensei."
"And what if he does initially, but then changes his mind later?" Don Aranchino added.
"In that case, we'll have to take drastic and radical measures." The Kaiser Corporation CEO answered.
It was the safest decision they could make within the limited time frame they had. For now, all of the corporations begrudgingly tolerate the Interloper until they find a way to handle the 'New' Sensei of Schale, either through a balanced cooperation reminiscent of their relationship with the [Original]-Sensei.
Or through the hostility they had displayed during their first encounter with him. Thus, an uneasy and fragile symbiosis had temporarily formed between the two. Most of them simply observed from behind their skyscraper office rooms, sipping on their high-end wines, hoping to remain undisturbed by feigning obedience and compliance.
Initially, their strategy of inaction and pretense seemed effective. However, over time, the costs associated with their facade of compliance and submission escalated, becoming increasingly burdensome. You can only bribe someone for a limited time, not literally all the time. After all, money doesn't rain from the sky.
Somewhere in an office building owned by Kaiser Corporation...
"It costs K¥200,000,000 for that moron to shut up." The Financier sighed.
"You fucking kidding me, K¥200,000,000?!" His Friend gasped. "Damn!"
The Financier passed a paper detailing the expenses. "You can check the transaction history as proof. I wouldn't, it's making me sick."
"We're paying more than what the company pays to our bosses..." His Friend noted.
"We'll be broke before this piece of shit dies from old age!" The Financier groaned.
"Whoa, whoa, careful there, man. You don't want them to hear that." His Friend chuckled.
"It ain't funny! Seriously, we're not profiting from this at all!" The Financier exhaled.
"We'll have to find a way, maybe increase prices and interests..." His Friend suggested.
"That's not gonna help us at all." The Financier shook his head.
"It's the best we can do." His Friend shrugged. "We have no choice."
Over time, many began to view the Interloper's Regime not only as unprofitable but also as a frequent nuisance to their day-to-day operations.
In his quest to sustain his extravagant lifestyle, the Interloper swiftly implemented new tax laws and economic reforms that effectively extorted every business and corporation he saw. Unfortunately, most felt they had no choice but to endure the situation for now, as they were hesitant to provoke Mr. Casanova.
To make matters worse, even the smallest businesses and enterprises were not exempt from the burden. It got to the point where academies across Kivotos were obligated to contribute to the cost of sustaining the Interloper's extravagant spending, which seemed to prioritize his expensive whims above all else.
As the days turned into weeks, their view of the Interloper evolved from indifference and apathy to overt hostility.
It wasn't long before skirmishes broke out, primarily between students loyal to the Interloper and the security personnel at the businesses they visited. All of whom are under the belief that by aligning themselves with the Interloper practically granted them the freedom to act without consequence, such as engaging in activities like shoplifting.
As time went on, the Interloper's Regime became more assertive and authoritarian, tightening its hold on Kivotos and enforcing increasingly draconian measures to ensure control, obedience from the locals, and loyalty from his harem. Naturally, resentment also simmered within the corporate sector, and it continues to grow.
"Strength Through Loyalty.
Loyalty Through Obedience."
- The Interloper's Motto.
In a display of typical arrogance, the Interloper, so convinced that he's untouchable and immune to the consequences of his actions, began orchestrating a series of publicity stunts aimed directly at the criminal underworld of Kivotos, with particular focus on the infamous Black Market District.
At the podium in Schale, he delivered a theatrical, dramatic speech to the hundreds of journalists and listeners present, passionately proclaiming his grand and 'holy' mission to cleanse Kivotos of the 'filth', and unmistakably identifying the Black Market District as the source of everyone's troubles.
However, the Interloper conveniently overlooked the obvious fact that many corporations had established a strong presence in the very Black Market District he sought to eradicate. He would have known full well that any disruption to their profits, no matter how minor, would not be taken lightly by the very people he is extorting.
The Interloper's grandstanding not only highlighted his arrogance, suggesting he's free to do whatever he wanted, but also revealed his ignorance of the obvious. Unbeknownst to him, the decision he would make was poised to provoke a conflict with the corporations, one he would come to regret.
Even the citizens of Kivotos were not blind to the reality unfolding around them. Most quickly recognized this latest maneuver as yet another calculated bluff, designed to divert their attention from the worsening standard of living in Kivotos and to give the Interloper a legal excuse to seize the assets of the corporations he is targeting.
As the situation deteriorated, so did the once-warm opinions of many towards [Interloper]-Sensei and Schale as a whole. Everyone is especially frustrated over the blatant disregard for the well-being, rights, and dignity of the citizens and the students who wanted nothing to do with Mr. Casanova's Empire.
Then there's the ever-worsening corruption that has become ingrained in the administrative and commercial fabric of Kivotos, reflecting the Interloper's increasingly dictatorial and decadent reign. Despite the widespread propaganda, promotions, public relations campaigns, fake news, and cover-ups designed to downplay the situation, as well as threats against those who spoke out about their suffering, most people knew that the distractions implemented would not conceal the everyday suffering they were enduring.
After listening to the Interloper's live speech, all the corporate leaders were understandably outraged.
"Did I fucking just hear him say that?!" A CEO seated in the back row slammed his fist on the table.
"Ungrateful shithead!" Another CEO shouted. "We've given so much, and this is how he repays us?!"
"This is a declaration of war!" An Investor seated in the rowdy group of executives pointed out.
"Now I knew why all the citizens here wanted this fucker dead!" Someone at the back commented, earning nods from the others.
"We already gave him K¥50,000,000,000,000 so he'd sod off." Date Meowru sighed. "Perhaps that isn't enough."
"I gave him a supercar, the best ones in the market! I also gave him a diamond piece!" Don Aranchino, who is usually calm, is, for the first time, the angriest among the row of equally angry executives and investors, his tone overcome by anger and a desire to kill [Interloper]-Sensei. "What's next that he'd want, my fucking wife?!"
"What else does he want from us?! We're giving him way too much cash beyond our profits!"
"Gentlemen, please, calm down." The Kaiser CEO stepped in. "I know the situation is undoubtedly a shocking turn of events, but we must maintain a calm demeanor and seek a solution in the most professional manner possible. We're going nowhere if we're just sitting here bickering and complaining over that barbarian."
Eventually, the rowdy noises and angry rumbles died down, and a soft silence finally took over.
"Then what do you have in mind, Kaiser Corporation CEO?" One decided to be the first to ask.
Standing up, the Kaiser CEO answered. "Simple! Really. All we gotta do is declare war."
"Hahaha..! Have you gone crazy?" Date Meowru chuckled. "We'll be put on the wall and shot for treason."
"You want to wage war with that ma?" Don Aranchino smirked, but he liked the idea. "How brave of you."
"I know. We have the numbers, the means, and the will. If we cooperate, that is. Think about it, gentlemen. What would you do when that man is gone?" The Kaiser CEO asked the crowd, who all went silent as if surprised by his question. It will be quiet for the next few minutes until someone decides to be the first to answer.
"I will build a sector where my brand is the only thing they'll have." A CEO from Trinity stood up.
"I will build a city made of gold, whether the people like it or not!" A CEO from Millennium joined in.
"I can see where this is going. Alright, I'm intrigued." Date Meowru gave his approval.
"I can't say no to that, could I?" Don Aranchino joins the bandwagon.
"Well then, gentlemen. I have a proposal!" The Kaiser CEO stands up from his seat.
Whatever transpired in that meeting would soon set Kivotos on a countdown to war.
To them, this was nothing short of a war declared upon them. They had been thoroughly ingratiating themselves with Mr. Casanova, showering him with bribe money and gifts to sufficiently fund his extravagant lifestyle, just so the Bastard of Kivotos would leave them alone. Still, that isn't enough to satisfy him.
Really? This is how the Interloper repays his generous patrons? To them, it was a betrayal of the highest order. Of course, they were horrified as well when he announced his plans to dismantle the Black Market District because it meant their bribes and pretentious lip service were no longer enough to satisfy the Interloper.
It became clear that he's now after their vast wealth, which is all stored in the Black Market District itself. In response, the executives met and formed the 'Corporate Alliance', momentarily setting aside their economic rivalries to focus on a single goal: Kill the King of Kivotos and seize control of Kivotos for themselves.
For now, life in Kivotos plods along as usual. What else can everyone do in the situation?
It's either to cope with the situation or not. It was the only option they had on their plate.
Students make their way to school, and the citizens strive to make ends meet.
Yet a palpable tension hangs in the air, casting a gloomy shadow over the city.
Under the Interloper's Kivotos, life varies depending on who they are and how favored they are by the Interloper. For the average citizen and students, they are perceived as second-class people, nothing more and nothing less. Meanwhile, those who are absolutely favored by the Interloper had special privileges that many could only hope to ever have.
Then there's the case where anyone can be sent to prison or beaten up for merely speaking out or being unable to show their compliance with the Interloper. If caught, accused, and then sentenced, the prison life or physical punishment is horrendously terrible and nightmarish for those who experience it.
Due to the growing class and social divide between the privileged and the less privileged in the Interloper's Kivotos. It didn't take long for discontent and the whispers of revolution to brew among the population, a slow-simmering unrest that threatened to erupt like a volcano if left unchecked.
However, rather than taking the time to reflect on being a malevolent ruler of Kivotos, the Interloper dismissed the growing discontent and unrest as problems his harem is obligated to solve on his behalf. Why bother solving the problem when he can just let Rin and the General Student Council do the work while he has an orgy with his harem?
Work is for pussies! Work is for nerds! Work is losers! Work is for lowlifes! It ain't the Interloper's problem to begin with, apparently.
Thus, the Bastard of Kivotos obliviously left the problem to grow slowly, like a cancer, and it would soon bite him in the ass.
"Good morning, Kivotos! You’re tuning into Poli Radio, and what a lovely Friday it is! It’s currently 12:12 PM on August 8th, 20##, and we’re here to bring you all the uplifting vibes you need for the day. The weather is looking delightful with a warm high of just 70°F. Perfect for enjoying the outdoors, just remember to stay hydrated and dress comfortably! As for traffic, it's smooth sailing to the Center of Kivotos and the Outskirts, so no worries on that front. Before we dive into today’s news and exciting happenings around Kivotos, let’s take a moment to give a big shoutout to our wonderful sponsor, Kaiser Corporation. Their unwavering support means the world to us and the freelancing radio community! Alright, folks, let’s get back into the groove of the day!"
Hours later.
Days later.
Weeks later.
It has been some time since Sensei resigned and left Kivotos.
Now the cracks in the Interloper's Reign are starting to show.
With Sensei's departure, the Interloper was beginning to grasp just how heavy the mantle of responsibility truly is as the new Sensei of Schale. While he reveled in the newfound power and considerable wealth at his fingertips, the challenges he faced quickly proved to be more complex than he ever anticipated.
It didn't take long for the Interloper to find himself overwhelmed by the demands of his position as Sensei of Schale. Every day, he had to perform back-breaking bureaucratic tasks and administrative processes with the General Student Council, and the sheer volume of paperwork became an insurmountable obstacle.
It was clear that Mr. Casanova is ill-equipped and inexperienced to handle the daily responsibilities that came with his new role, revealing the inadequacies beneath his bravado. The Bastard would rather do anything other than physical work. He'd usually relegate this task to Sensei, who would manage it all with ease.
Now that Sensei is gone, the Interloper is in a big dilemma. Who is gonna do his stressful work now? He can't do any form of work. Frankly, he could. It's just that he is in no mood, nor does he have the appetite, to do any of these. He is the Harem King of Kivotos, for heaven's sake! It's not his thing!
He is supposed to be doing daily lovey-dovey work with his faithful harem, who are there ready to get railed at the whim of his fingers. Mr. Casanova, as he calls himself, is supposed to take them to parties and lavish hotels, and conquer their virginities for himself. He isn't meant to be doing administrative work that is reserved for workaholic nerds.
Like Sensei, the person that the Interloper had used to do his work, while he turned one student into his slave before finally ousting him. Unfortunately, Sensei isn't here anymore, so either the Interloper had to do it himself, or Kivotos would falter without the guidance of a chosen adult, which is [Interloper]-Sensei.
But he hated work to the point that it made him vomit and faint in disgust just from looking at the paperwork stacked before or even thinking slightly about it, as if the man was allergic to work. Blinded by his arrogance and supposedly 'brilliant' thinking, the Interloper devised a clever plan to solve his problem.
He offloaded all of Schale's burdens onto the already overstretched General Student Council (GSC). Because what could go wrong? As the Interloper expected, they accepted it with enthusiasm (not that they could refuse it either way) despite already being buried under mountains of paperwork and numerous pressing issues of their own.
Many of these could have been resolved by Sensei, but with his resignation, the General Student Council now finds itself in an even more precarious situation. As some of its staff are beginning to regret their decision to side with Mr. Casanova, who is more interested in doing as he pleases than fulfilling his duties as the Sensei of Schale.
However, they fear the severe repercussions of voicing dissent, and even a small complaint is enough to get oneself in trouble. So they kept their opinions to themselves, with no other choice but to remain loyal to the new ruler of Kivotos or face abuse or death for merely objecting to his rule and presence.
The Interloper constantly expressed gratitude to Lady Luck for always being on his side, convinced that her blessing was the sole reason for his meteoric rise to power. Little did he know whether that was Lady Luck who had quietly deserted him long ago, no longer amused over the drama she had caused.
Plus, the tides were soon turning against him, and Lady Luck prefers to side with the winner. Too bad for the King of Kivotos. He wouldn't see it coming.
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Date: August 1st, 20##.
Time: 1:48 PM.
Location: Lakeside Retreat, Conference Room.
In a quiet lakeside forest far from Kivotos, a secret meeting is underway beneath Sensei's Lakeside Retreat...
Security became a top priority given the ongoing events below, so the entire area is guarded by a mix of troops, including the elite automatons from Decagrammaton, veteran foot grunts from the Delinquent Alliance and Arius, and then the undying and feared Mimesis Mimics from Gematria.
Besides the foot soldiers, various types of fighting vehicles littered the compound. However, Sensei saw all these measures as unnecessary and overkill, given that his safety was already ensured by the preparations he had made before arriving here. Nonetheless, he appreciated everyone's concern for him.
Before Sensei's resignation and departure took effect, plans behind the scenes were already put into motion.
Gematria immediately opened its doors to Sensei, upon seeing his tragic downfall starting to take a toll on him. Reluctantly, Sensei agreed to join in after Black Suit offered a hand. He had no choice in the matter anyway. Plus, Black Suit genuinely wanted to help him. It wasn't a bluff. Sensei's #2 Nemesis is actually worried.
After that, Black Suit asked as to where Sensei would establish his base of operations for the duration of his expected long exile. Sensei chose the lakeside area thousands of kilometers away from Kivotos because it's so remote that only those who know the way can traverse or explore it.
There's also the fact that a thick forest surrounds the entire compound itself, adding to the lack of satellite mapping of the place, and then there's Sensei effortlessly tricking his persistent pursuers, who are none the wiser, biting the bait and gladly assuming that he is still hiding within Kivotos: 'Rotting like a Beggar.'
Construction of the Lakeside House began immediately, weeks before Sensei resigned and left Kivotos. Despite the difficulty of building a fortified house in the middle of nowhere, the task had been made easier when Decagrammaton happily provided transportation for the construction materials and the workers.
It was a troubling few days of construction, but the workers managed to do the impossible, and the Lakeside Estate is finished on time.
When Sensei finally resigned and left Kivotos, his initial reaction was one of dismay. He specifically requested that it resemble a 'Fortified Compound' should the students track him down. Instead, it looked more like a 'Luxury Lakeside House Estate', built with top-tier amenities, furniture, and home features that Sensei doesn't necessarily need.
He would soon find out that the construction of his Lakeside Estate was designed personally by Black Suit himself, who boldly claimed that he had added everything that Sensei liked to be put in the house, paired with the luxurious amenities and furniture that made Sensei spit out his tea upon hearing it.
Unfortunately, there was nothing Sensei could do but accept the generous gift. He knew Black Suit wouldn't take a no for an answer, regardless of how much Sensei insisted that he refused to do so. Thus, with reluctance, Sensei took the keys to his new, temporary, and possibly permanent home.
Nonetheless, Sensei absolutely appreciates Black Suit's rare kindness, which felt genuine for once. Although he is also a bit skeptical about the gifts given to him by Black Suit. After all, it's Black Suit, and whatever he gives sometimes has a silver lining attached to it that would put Sensei indebted to Gematria.
I mean, Sensei is already bound to Black Suit's Gematria, so I guess there's no need to be worried with that part.
Anyways, today is the day Sensei would meet with everyone who remained by his side. It's not much, given that everyone else is stuck at Kivotos, either in hiding, imprisoned, or, at worst, dead. It'll eventually grow, and they, too, will become a part of his proxy-war operations against the King of Kivotos.
Sensei may have resigned and fled, but he hasn't given up on Kivotos. He has to save it, even if it means letting it be destroyed again. After some time and brainstorming for what he should this organization, Sensei eventually decided to call it the 'League of Exiles'. After all, everyone within his organization had all been exiled and they're not fighting yet.
While it is true that the Interloper had won the Battle for Supremacy of Kivotos against Sensei, that didn't mean that Sensei has given up. That's where Mr. Casanova is wrong. Just because his nemesis had resigned and left, that doesn't indicate that Sensei had entirely given up. Instead, Sensei doubled down, and he perseveres.
"Even in exile, the spirit of home whispers hope."
- Sensei, creating the League of Exiles Motto.
In the Underground Conference Room just below the Lakeside Estate, at the center of the podium stood Sensei.
Meanwhile, the rest sat comfortably in their chairs, notable figures such as Black Suit, Malkuth, Sunaookami 'Anubis/Terror' Shiroko, the Smiling Professor Niyaniya, Kiyosumi Akira, Kurihama Akemi, Komakaze Rabu, and other key attendees partaking in the first-ever meeting in a long time that is hosted by Sensei.
Fortunately, Maestro was unable to attend the meeting, and most would agree that it's for the best that he wasn't there.
"So..! What’s our first agenda for the day, Sensei?" Black Suit looks at Sensei with that unreadable smile if his.
Black Suit had been quietly observing Sensei for some time now, who remained silent throughout the day.
Sensei just stood there, as if waiting for something before talking to the crowd watching him.
Black Suit soon noted that Sensei's face was marred with patches, his left arm encased in a cast. Sensei's eyes betrayed an exhaustion that spoke volumes, and his expression reflected the weariness of a man who had endured the unimaginable. Meanwhile, everyone remained quiet, waiting for Sensei to talk.
Much to Black Suit's amusement and surprise, Sensei's expression shifted from unreadable and somber to unexpectedly cheerful out of nowhere. Black Suit recognized this bright demeanor as one of Sensei's well-known trademarks from his days as the Sensei of Schale. In an instant, the former gloom vanished, and Sensei turned to Black Suit, nodding in response to his unasked question, a smile lighting up his face.
"I'm glad you asked, Black Suit!" Sensei replied, his tone cheerful.
"Today's agenda, or rather our very first mission, will be an extraction operation!" He continued.
"Specifically, it will involve a city-wide coordinated rescue mission aimed at locating and freeing a list of students who are either imprisoned or in hiding." He added, then turned on the television screen behind him, revealing a presentation he had worked on throughout the night.
"Now, now! I know you all have plenty of concerns about this, like the words: 'Sensei, have you gone completely nuts?!' So I'll provide you with all the necessary details." Sensei began. He then outlined the specifics of the mission, detailing everything, assuring the listening crowd that there's nothing to fear.
From everyone's perspective, it was clear that whatever this mission entailed, it had been meticulously planned and thoughtfully considered by Sensei. However, most began to question the sanity of the man himself, since what he is proposing is utterly insane unless it somehow worked, as if that would work!
Sensei then reasoned that this mission was about the hundreds, if not thousands, of innocents falsely imprisoned for merely disagreeing, having a different opinion, existing, interacting with Sensei, or simply because the Interloper wanted them imprisoned. Meaning, no one was safe on the Interloper's Kivotos.
For those imprisoned for petty crimes, sentences are typically temporary and lenient. However, for the unfortunate others, sentences were typically indefinite or deadly, as shown to the Arius Squad when they were massacred, and the only way to alter this fate is for the Interloper to reduce an individual's prison term to a less severe one.
Unfortunately, the Interloper forgot about this and isn't the forgiving one, which means that all those who are imprisoned were just ignored and left to suffer. If he did, those were usually the students he would coerce into changing their minds and siding with him rather than with the locals with whom he had no interest.
Then the topic shifted to those who have managed to escape and are now forced into hiding. Despite being on the run and in the safe confines of their hideout, that didn't mean that the students were safe from the hundreds of active bounty hunters and loyalists who hunted the so-called fugitives as if it were a hunting sport.
Sensei then added that he fears the unpredictable behavior of the Interloper, who may suddenly have the 'brilliant' idea of eliminating all those imprisoned to make room for a new batch, or because he wanted to. Sensei knew the King of Kivotos was absolutely merciless toward anyone he disliked, especially criminals.
[Interloper]-Sensei perceives them as no more than vermin that he could no longer coerce into siding with him, and could be easily replaced anyway. Plus, he had plenty of girls to choose from, and they're as expendable as the others. Therefore, Mr. Casanova would reason that their extermination is a simple matter.
Sensei also reasonably feared that the Interloper might stage a citywide manhunt for those in hiding. Not only for his entertainment but also as a way to reward his loyal subjects for how obedient and compliant they are. Although that part is a bit exaggerated since the manhunts were already a thing, but not created by the Interloper.
Still, Sensei's paranoid assumptions were not entirely unfounded, but they had major flaws, born mainly of the imagination of his already exhausted and mentally fragile mind. If Professor Niyaniya were to be asked, or Malkuth. Both of them would point out that the Interloper is too busy mingling with his harem to even think about doing that.
Thus, the likelihood of this occurring is less than 0.1%. Still, Sensei insists on his plan to rescue them. Although Sensei could very much tell that the Interloper wouldn't give two shits about the prisoners or those currently in hiding, knowing they'll eventually die at the hands of his harem, Sensei is still concerned about the 0.1%.
As Sensei finished explaining the first layer of the operation, someone already had a question.
"Have you gone mad, Sensei?" Niyaniya raised her hand, asking the man with that smirk of hers.
"I am. As if that underlying and concrete fact would stop me." Sensei answered with a straight face.
"I see. Knowing it's you, I have no reason to doubt your wisdom." Niyaniya remarked, prompting a chuckle from Sensei.
"Question. Given the magnitude of this mission, what risks are we facing?" Malkuth inquired, slightly concerned over his plans.
"Well? It's gonna be the security personnel of the prison, or everyone if we somehow stirred the hornet's nest." Sensei answered. "I'm confident you girls would be able to handle them, given the wide array of resources presented to the table during preparations and the start of the mission itself."
"Our only main concern will be the possible response that you might encounter, like the General Student Council and Schale, which I want you all to avoid at all costs." He added. "After all, we are here to rescue the prisoners, not fight them. It's why this mission is required to be quickly accomplished as fast as possible."
Malkuth nodded, satisfied with the answer. "Thank you, that's all."
"What if things take a turn for the worse?" Professor Niyaniya asked again, raising her hand to emphasize her point. "Sensei, you do know that everything could go wrong so quickly, correct? If one of us gets captured, there goes your cover, literally blown, and the Interloper's Harem would come for you, even more angry than ever."
Niyaniya's concern echoed the primary worries of many involved in a rescue mission of this scale. It was so large that it may not even be possible to be carried out without resulting in casualties or the mission screwing up quickly before it began, and it's absolutely insane that even Malkuth wasn't on board with the mission proposal.
"I know. You have a point, Niyaniya. I agree that it's crazy, but what about all of those stunts I've pulled out of pants back then, are they not a good example that my irrational and insane strategies actually give results?" Sensei replied, nodding. "I don't care if it's insane. I will make it work, and all I need is faith from you all."
"Additionally, I've already devised backup plans in case the worst does happen during the operation." Sensei reassured the skeptical crowd. "If anything, I will make sure that everyone involved in the mission comes back alive and fine. I will not let a single student disappear from my eyes again. I promise you all that."
Then the crowd went silent. Sensei isn't wrong with what he said, since he actually had a good track record of pulling the impossible that the Interloper could only hope of also doing, but couldn't because the lowlife himself is just so bad at strategy that the idiot had to copy everything that Sensei does just to impress his harem.
After a few minutes of silence, Rabu decides to break that silence, raising her hand. "What about the consequences after all of this?"
"Here I was thinking no one would ask me that!" Sensei smiled. "Thank you, Rabu! I'm glad someone finally brought that up!"
"(Oh, Sensei. You never fail to amuse me with your strategy of changing the topic in an instant.)" Niyaniya mutters to herself.
"Odds are 2-1." He explained, prompting puzzled looks from everyone. "I know what I am saying is unheard of and unconvincing, but the possibility of an immediate response is all but low. Especially on a logical theorized scenario, the dumbass would certainly just do your typical cover-up to hide the mess we've made."
"Otherwise, if fate somehow made it happen or the man suddenly had a change of heart, decided to take on like a man." Sensei continued. "Although that part is far away within his scope, and I doubt he'll do that, as he is more concerned with saving face rather than taking responsibility like he is supposed to do."
"At this point, you know that man so much since he arrived in Kivotos that you are confident that he isn't gonna something as drastic and unheard of as responding to a crisis at the same speed as you are. Is that what you are trying to imply, Sensei?" Black Suit cuts him off before he can continue further.
"Correct. I've known that man since he arrived here. I've learned his personality, his habits, and how much of an idiot he is. I know a lot about him, so it is impossible to feel afraid that he might do something uncharacteristic, such as changing his stance in his actions, behavior, or thinking." Sensei explained.
"Of course, being the paranoid man that I am now. I've made sure to put in a lot of precautions should he suddenly play smart." Sensei points to Niyaniya. "The Smiling Professor will ensure that anyone brave enough to follow in our footsteps shall find themselves chasing shadows and phantoms."
After listening to Sensei speak like he was before he resigned, the crowd fell silent, seemingly at a loss for words. That was until Black Suit decided to break the silence again with a question. "I have to ask, Sensei. With all the planning and cunning you've employed, there's one question many of us have for you: Why go through all of this?"
"Because I have a promise. I can't let them down, you know?" Sensei answered.
Black Suit nodded thoughtfully, a smile spreading across his face after getting his answer. "I see. In the end, you're still 'Sensei,' carrying those principles with the same energy and enthusiasm. You continue to hold onto them despite everything. I have no reason to object to that. I'm sure the other attendees feel the same way."
Sensei's confidence is utterly unshakable and unyielding, despite the reasonable doubts from his attendees. With Sensei at the helm of the operation, the likelihood of failure diminished significantly. Should anything go awry, Sensei would be there to manage the situation, as he always did, in every situation.
It's clear that Sensei had meticulously prepared for every detail of this operation, leaving little doubt about its impending success despite the concerns. Still, many in the conference room had plenty of lingering questions and reasonable concerns. With typical energy, Sensei addressed them, providing insightful, on-point answers.
After some time, Sensei eventually managed to convince everyone that the rescue operation would go smoothly, like cutting through butter. If they have doubts, they're free to refuse to participate in the mission at any time, and he isn't gonna stop them if they're concerned with the craziness of the operation.
Truth be told, Sensei wanted a challenge, and since he's gone mad, he might as well make it spectacular.
Thinking of a good name, Sensei would later name this mission 'Operation Grab' or 'Op-Grab' for short.
Sure, Operation Grab is widely regarded as insane by the brightest minds like Niyaniya and Malkuth. However, Sensei remains absolutely confident in the success of Op-Grab, due to the limitless resources at his disposal, thanks in part to Gematria and Decagrammaton, his primary providers.
As its name implies, Op-Grab is all about rescuing high-priority students such as Sorasaki Hina and Tanga Ibuki, among many others that are added to the list. Hina and Ibuki, especially, were put in priority, as it is likely believed that they are slowly dying of malnutrition and the poor condition of their prison.
Kosaka Wakamo is also given priority. Not only due to her infamy and unquestionable loyalty and love to Sensei, as demonstrated when she fought the Interloper's Harem when she tried to kill him. It is believed that she is likely to be put on death row if Mr. Casanova felt like it, and Sensei is not taking any chances.
Although Operation Grab has prioritized the rescue of everyone currently imprisoned or in hiding. It's just that specific individuals who are put in full priority first due to their current dire circumstances, like the first three mentioned before, who are suffering from declining health and could die at any time.
Surprisingly, the Fox Squad and Shiranui Kaya are also on the list, along with a few more names that would usually set off alarm bells for any student. Initially, some of the attendees were understandably concerned until Sensei reiterated that he had forgiven them to the same extent as he had forgiven Saori's Arius Squad.
Before everything went to hell, Sensei attempted to reduce the prison sentences of both the Fox Squad and Kaya herself, and even went so far as to offer them an official pardon, provided they work under the supervision of Sensei and Schale until the General Student Council deemed them successfully rehabilitated.
Sensei is on the verge of making this happen. Unfortunately, that's also the time the Interloper is at its prime, and the rest is history.
While Kaya was quick to label this turn of events as karma for the adult she harbored deep resentment towards, she, along with the Fox Squad, was nonetheless horrified by the sudden developments that happened before them. It also marked a significant turning point for Kaya. Instead of reveling in Sensei’s tragic downfall.
Kaya chose to express sympathy for the forsaken man. Staying true to the principles she had picked up whenever Sensei was around to teach her things during her short but meaningful rehabilitation classes. Thus, Kaya decided not to side with the Interloper as a way to repay Sensei for everything she had learned from him.
The Fox Squad, too, followed the example carried out Kaya after learning about the shocking things their juniors, the 'Rabbit Squad', have done to Sensei during the Interloper's Rise. Despite the efforts to persuade the Fox Squad to join the Interloper's Harem, which is still growing to this day, all attempts were politely declined.
"You should at least try, Yukino-senpai!"
"How exactly is it gonna work? We're prisoners, Miyako. I doubt he'd be interested in us..."
"D-Don't worry! I'll convince him to give you guys a chance..!"
"Thanks, but you don't have to. We're better off taking the punishment for what we've done, Miyako..."
Yukino had every right to be concerned with the King of Kivotos. If there's anything well-known about the Interloper. It is that the man had a strict taste for the kind of woman he wanted to mingle with. Again, Miyako tried, but Yukino kept turning her down, so the Rabbit Squad Leader had to leave empty-handed.
Next on the list were the girls from the Make-Up Work Club stuck in Trinity's Black Market District.
"This is going to be quite the endeavor, don't you think, Sensei?" Black Suit remarked with a smile.
"No one else dared to think outside the box, so I figured I might as well do it!" Sensei responds.
"As daring as ever, Perseus." Black Suit grinned, calling Sensei by his Gematria 'Title'.
"He who dares, wins!" Sensei said with a smile, prompting a chuckle from Black Suit.
Fortune shall favor the bold, and fate itself happily gave its blessing to Sensei.
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Date: August 1st, 20##.
Time: 5:00 PM.
Location: Lakeside Retreat, Conference Room.
After some back and forth, the meeting eventually reached its climax, though it lasted longer than Sensei had anticipated. Nevertheless, he appreciated witnessing the cooperation and teamwork among the attendees as they brainstormed not only how to organize such an ambitious and insane operation.
"Okay, that wraps it all up then! I declare the conference adjourned. We will discuss further details tomorrow. Arona and Plana will provide you with all the information regarding your assigned roles for Op-Grab. If you have any questions or concerns about Operation Grab, don't hesitate to reach out to any of us three." Sensei said to the crowd, shuffling a stack of papers as he concluded the meeting, finally allowing all the attendees to relax and stretch after an hour of sitting.
"Please get home safely and make sure to get the rest you all need. We have a lot to do tomorrow and in the days to come. Great work and good night, all of you!" Sensei said as he organized a stack of papers back into his briefcase before sitting down to sort out emails on a computer resting on his table.
Once he wrapped up the meeting, the once serious atmosphere in the conference room shifted instantly. All the attendees began gathering their belongings back into their bags, engaging in casual conversation and indulging in their usual after-class banter before, one by one, making their way out to head home and rest.
"Good work, Sensei!"
"You too."
"Bye, Sensei! See ya!"
"See you later!"
"See you tomorrow, Sensei!"
"And to you as well!"
"Good night, Sensei!"
"Sleep well."
"Be sure to eat properly, Sensei!"
"I will, no worries."
"Don't forget to take your prescription, Sensei!"
"Haha, I definitely shouldn't..!"
"Thanks for helping us, as always, Sensei!"
"You're very welcome."
The 'Smiling Professor' Niyaniya is the first to bid farewell to Sensei in such close proximity, pausing to remind him to take care of his fragile mental and physical health before exiting the room with her signature smugness, much to his bewilderment and to the 'pleased' amusement of the smug girl herself.
Then, Kurihama Akemi followed, echoing Niyaniya’s sentiments and expressing her heartfelt gratitude to Sensei for his assistance in helping her underclassmen evade the Interloper's Wrath to criminals, delinquents, and troublemakers - even if their crimes were petty and something that shouldn't be taken too literally.
Branding himself as a political genius, Mr. Casanova decided to sign the death warrants of every delinquent in Kivotos, believing that executing them was a moral obligation he must fulfill. Originally, this initiative was a rehabilitation reform that Sensei intended to implement, but the Interloper adopted it and presented it as his own original idea.
Under his new decree, all delinquents are now considered public enemies, regardless of whether they have committed minor offenses that would typically warrant only a slap on the wrist and a short stint in jail. Today, they face severe punishments or, in the most extreme cases, the death penalty.
Naturally, many began to flee from the Interloper's Kivotos, desperate to escape the threat of imminent death and the potential for endless abuse in prison because they happened to be designated as delinquents. Sure, they recognized their faults, but they believed that being marginalized by society did not justify being put to death.
After all, every troublemaker deserved a chance for redemption rather than being condemned simply for their circumstances. Unfortunately, the Interloper doesn't agree with such frivolous terms as 'moral and rational logic' and prefers to be utterly ruthless in stopping people from thinking about doing anything 'illegal'.
It didn't take long for Akemi's Sukeban Alliance to find themselves in dire straits when they were declared public enemies. Upon learning of their predicament, Sensei quickly sprang into action despite still recovering from his injuries. He wasted no time helping them escape Kivotos, even with the risk of getting hurt himself or worse, killed.
In the end, Sensei managed to help them all escape to the Outer Cities of Kivotos, albeit with casualties among their ranks. Regardless, this was a remarkable display of tactical brilliance by Sensei, even against overwhelming odds and the seemingly unending pursuit by the Interloper's Harem, desperate to kill them.
As she turned to leave, Sensei reminded her that even though he's no longer their Sensei, officially at least. All of his principles would always remain a part of himself, and this only deepened her respect and admiration for Sensei. With a smile, Akemi waved goodbye before following Niyaniya on their way back home.
Next is Kiyosumi Akira to approach Sensei. As she got closer and closer to him, Akira thought about hugging him to lift his spirits after witnessing the evident sadness and trauma he had shown earlier. However, upon seeing the severe injuries that marred all around his body, Akira decided to rein in her affectionate instincts for the moment.
"Thank you for worrying about me, Akira..." Sensei said with a smile, patting her on the head. "It means a lot."
Sensei could quickly read her face, so he decided to show his appreciation for her concern for him.
"Just promise me to take it easy with your art-nabbing antics... At least for now, okay..?" Sensei continued to pat her.
"I won't, but if I do end up stealing from that unscrupulous beast, would you let me?" Akira asked, happily indulging herself in the head pats.
"Of course, but you need to inform me first. Is that clear?" Sensei replied, leaning in closer to her face.
"I-I...! W-Will..! D-Don't worry, Sensei!" Akira is taken aback, especially by the fact that their lips were so close to contact.
After that, Akira eventually had to leave, since she knew there were plenty more who wanted to personally speak with Sensei.
When Akira left, it was the turn of Anubis, also known as 'Shiroko Terror' by those who had crossed paths with her during the 'Chroma Incident'.
Anubis stood before Sensei, her eyes cast down, unable to meet the gaze of the man she had failed to protect, like how she had doomed her original world. Now, Anubis had once again forsaken the only place that took her in despite everything she had done. Naturally, guilt quickly washed over Anubis for not stopping the Interloper's Rise.
Along with her inability to stop her friends from falling in line with Mr. Casanova, something she could've done if not for her hesitation to take another life. Regret gnawed at Anubis like a knife stabbing her in the chest, relentlessly reminding her just how much she messed up by being so complicit with the Interloper, like Sensei did before.
Shiroko 'Anubis' Terror had contemplated taking her own life by leaping into the abyss of a black hole to punish herself. It was only because Sensei managed to stop her in time, pleading with her to stop what she was about to do, and convincing Anubis just enough for her to chicken out from her attempt to take her own life.
Sensei would reiterate to Anubis that it was not her fault but his, and would adamantly imply that he bore responsibility for the ongoing tragedies all around them. He would point out his failure to stop the Interloper had set everything in motion. If Sensei had acted sooner, he might have been able to prevent it altogether.
Anubis is reminded that Sensei, too, felt exhausted and mentally shattered, on the brink of giving up and putting a bullet in his head to end it all, just like her.
Still, Sensei chose to persevere on the new path he was forging because he's Sensei. As far as he is concerned, the bell had not yet rung, and he is still breathing, which meant the fight was not yet over. Sensei lost the battle, that's for sure, but not the war itself. It would only conclude when he decided it was time to end it.
Those words alone are enough to galvanize Shiroko Terror, killing off the negativity and suicidal thoughts that took over her mind.
After sobbing quietly beside Sensei for a moment and embracing one another, Anubis finally whispered her goodbyes. As Anubis prepared to leave, she decided not to take the exit doors like everyone else. Instead, she activated her portal powers, eliciting an amused facepalm from Sensei, who couldn't help but grin at her silly actions.
"Anubis, for once! Please act normal!" Sensei mutters, visibly amused. "You haven't changed at all..!"
On the back, Komakaze Rabu stood patiently, waiting for Anubis to finish her one-on-one moment with Sensei.
After Anubis vanished like a wizard through her portal, Rabu stepped forward to Sensei, her face reflecting gratitude. Echoing Akemi's earlier sentiments, she expressed her thanks for everything Sensei had done, even highlighting his willingness to help the Helmet Gang, despite their reputation as delinquents.
"I'm just a bad delinquent, though, Sensei, so why bother saving us?" Rabu says, leading Sensei to hold her hand.
"And? You may be a delinquent, but you're still my beloved student. I wouldn't be able to call myself your Sensei if I didn't offer my support to everyone, even those who stray from society a little..!" Sensei said with a grin, reaching out to give the red-haired tomboy a gentle pat on the head, causing her to blush.
Rabu quickly pouted in response, and after a few more playful jabs aimed at her flustered reaction.
"Y-You will regret accommodating me!" Rabu remarked angrily as she walked out, blushing like a tomato.
As Sensei watched Rabu leave, he turned to encounter a familiar presence in front of him: Yasumitsu Heyami, the Headmaster of Arius.
Heyami was recently appointed as the Headmaster of Arius. It was believed that she was from the 'Ancient' Arius Aristocracy, according to the sparse records that remained about her family line. Much about Heyami remained shrouded in mystery, since Beatrice practically wiped out all the records detailing the Yasumitsu Bloodline.
In the aftermath of the Arius Squad Massacre, the surviving members of the Arius Student Council convened to elect a new leader. After much deliberation and discussion, they appointed Yasumitsu Heyami, recognizing her exceptional leadership skills, her historical lineage, and the promising potential she would bring to Arius.
Initially, Heyami hesitated to accept the position, grappling with the weight of responsibility it entailed.
However, she ultimately convinced herself that her appointment was vital for the future and betterment of Arius.
With resolute determination, Heyami embraced her new role, fully committing to do whatever was necessary to ensure that Arius remained strong, even as it once again teetered on the edge of destruction and extinction by adversaries that wanted them gone. Fortunately for Arius, their fortune was about to shift for the better.
Although Sensei's Exile was undoubtedly disheartening for many. It turned out to be a blessing in disguise if you think about the beneficial and helpful perks of being far away from the dangers of the Interloper's Kivotos. Since that meant that Sensei is no longer tracked and hunted down by the Interloper's Hit Squad.
Due to the assumption that Sensei is dead, meaning their attention is mostly pointed to the King of Kivotos, and they were happy to indulge in the everyday sex that he would offer to his faithful harem. As a result, Sensei managed to pull off a daring escape mission, finally pulling Arius out of Kivotos, saving them from an impending massacre.
After successfully evacuating to the safety of his Lakeside Estate, he quickly set about making them feel at home in their temporary home. Sensei recognized the challenges they faced, yet the man worked diligently to accommodate the hundreds of students from Arius, who were understandably feeling out of place.
Thanks again to the daring leadership of Sensei during their brutal but successful exodus from Trinity and Kivotos, which permanently solidified the unquestioning loyalty and respect of Arius for Sensei, making them among his most devoted and loyal academies, eager to follow him wherever he goes - even in hell.
Heyami glanced at the man who had once more saved them. She waved softly, a warm and shy smile slowly forming across her face.
Sensei mirrored her gesture, his signature smile lighting up his attractive features, causing Heyami to blush at his \smile.
Heyami, on closer inspection, bore a slight resemblance to both Hiyori and Natsu, if the two ever had a baby, which is a bit of a horrifying description. Heyami had a unique greenish-light-blue ponytail and striking wine-red eyes, paired with a petite stature that often led Sensei to tease her for her small height.
Clad in the standard-issue combat uniform of Arius, like her fellow affiliates, she is shy and easily anxious around anyone, especially Sensei, whom she is often trying to hide from. However, in both combat and administrative leadership, she demonstrated a remarkable ability to lead, which is why she was chosen for the role.
"Hi, Heyami. How are you doing?" Sensei approaches Heyami, noticing her slightly tense demeanor.
"I'm fine, thanks for worrying as always..." Heyami replies, bowing slightly to reassure him.
"How are the girls doing?" Sensei inquired.
"They're adjusting well so far..! However, some are still trying to get accustomed to the new environment, the new home they now live in, the abundant amenities provided to them, readily available gun maintenance, and especially the good food..!" Heyami answered, trying so hard not to look at Sensei in the eyes, but failed.
"That's wonderful to hear. I hope they adapt further because that's what they'll have to look forward to from now on." Sensei chuckled.
"I-I'm sure they will! Thank you for always looking out for us..." Heyami replied, bowing once more. "I wish we could thank you more, Sensei..!"
"Save that for later, once we've returned to Kivotos. Right now, all that matters is that you girls are all alive and fine." Sensei patted her on the head.
Straightening up, Heyami quickly adjusted her posture, still struggling to fully accept Sensei's kindness and the comfortable accommodations that she and her friends were now living in. After all, they had endured great suffering under Beatrice's Reign, and now, seemingly out of nowhere, they are experiencing such a life.
Heyami and her friends didn't mind it at all. Although the shift in their lives felt foreign. It was the blessing they had always longed for.
"I-I'm sorry, it's just... I’m n-not used to t-this yet..." Heyami stammered, her voice trembling.
With a smile, Sensei recognized Heyami's nervousness and gave her his signature pat on the head to help calm her.
"It's alright. I suppose I need to get used to it, too." He replied, his reassuring smile easing her anxiety.
Eventually, Heyami decided it was time to leave after an hour of a heartfelt one-on-one conversation with Sensei. Then Heyami tucked the neatly covered and tied file under her arm, happily waved goodbye to Sensei, and joined two other attendees who were also on their way out to go home and call it a day.
"Be sure to tell your friends I said hello!"
"Will do, Sensei!"
"Rest well!"
After watching Heyami and the others leave, Sensei thought about wrapping up his day and heading back to rest.
Then Sensei remembered something about discussing something with Black Suit and Malkuth. So he called them to halt their departure, asking them to stay for a moment so he could speak with them personally. To which the two did, prompting them to stay behind for now, eager to know what Sensei had for them.
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Date: August 1st, 20##.
Time: 6:20 PM.
Location: Lakeside Retreat, Sensei's Office.
Luxury is not a foreign concept to Sensei. He has experienced it personally and had a daily taste of it. So when he got a new Private Office of his own, right at the balcony top of his Lakeside House, it's not that Sensei could complain at this point since Black Suit had already finished the construction.
To be fair to him, most of the money spent on his Lakeside Estate was Black Suit's own, probably originating from his dubious business ventures. Therefore, Sensei saw no reason to object to Black Suit's generosity. If the funds originated from S.C.H.A.L.E. or the General Student Council, then he would react differently.
Once again, Sensei found himself in possession of his very own office, safe and away from danger this time. Although it wasn't quite the same as his previous workspace at Schale. Either way, the man is just happy to be back at somewhere he could work again, even if that work of his isn't about Schale anymore.
Looking around, he saw the room had been thoughtfully designed to resemble his old office, but with a few changes to avoid his former affiliation with Schale, like a complete set of state-of-the-art equipment and the best office amenities, preserving what Sensei had left behind when he resigned from Schale.
Sensei wanted to reminisce about the joyful, serene memories of his time at Schale, when laughter, playful banter, and silly moments filled each day. However, Sensei is too overcome with trauma that he decided that it'd be best to stay away from nostalgia and embrace the new kind of aesthetic he's happy to welcome.
Those wonderful experiences had once been an integral part of life at Schale and Sensei himself. Now, they all faded into obscurity as traumatic black-and-white memories immediately took over his mind, forever lingering in his consciousness, refusing to let go to remind him of his past inactions.
You are a massive fuck-up, Sensei!
Of all people to bear you, that fucking womanizer?!
You are more intelligent than he! How did you manage to lose?!
Pussy! Your whore of a student was right about you!
You are a fucking pussy, a loser!
Nerd, workaholic, just a disinterested lowlife!
Then you're surprised a girl would turn against you?!
Think, Sensei! Think!
You can't be stuck forever in your principles back home...
You are in Kivotos, for heaven's sake. Kivotos!
You can't be stuck forever. You must get out of the confines.
Change for the better, or you will lose everything again!
One thing about Sensei was the changes he went through. After seeing the Arius Squad get massacred, Sensei literally broke. He went from desperately trying to coordinate their survival, only to fail, watching them all die, and then finally losing it. Sensei's mind shut down, and he nearly went insane.
Trauma has become a daily issue for Sensei. It was so prevalent and erratic that even though he tried to replay the good memories of his past, he'd instead be twisted into recapping the abuse, the near-death experience, the beatings, the insults, and all those awful things he had experienced.
As a way to distract his turbulent mind, Sensei decided to marvel at the design of his recently built office room and balcony. By design, it was built with the best amenities that are considered a rarity in Kivotos. Sensei knew only Black Suit could pull the impossible, which naturally made Sensei respect Black Suit, yet also be a bit terrified at how Black Suit managed to acquire all of it. Nonetheless, Sensei appreciates what Black Suit had done for him.
Most would call it boring, ancient, or too old to be something Sensei would love to have. Unfortunately for the naysayers, this is something Sensei would love to have as his own personal office when he retires, or perhaps when he finally has his own house far from the prying eyes of his clingy students.
While he waits for Black Suit and Malkuth, Sensei decides to kill time by taking out what remains of his personal belongings.
First was an old USB drive that looked as if it had seen better days. Sensei couldn't fathom why it appeared so battered. He could only assume it was because he refused to replace it. It was also one of the few possessions Sensei had with him in his first few days in Kivotos, and he quickly concluded it must have been. Inside, it housed hundreds of videos, featuring a vast array of movies from all genres, which he would often indulge in whenever he had time.
Second was a miniature portrait of himself alongside what Sensei believed was an image of him with his family. These cherished photos were tucked into his wallet and then placed in a small picture frame conveniently located on his desk, allowing him to glance at them whenever he had the chance.
It's a way to hope that this might help his mind finally crack open a secret that had been waiting to be revealed when the time came. Unfortunately for Sensei, there were no results, and his hopes were dashed when it became clear that he wouldn't be able to find out the names of what he thinks is his family.
Before things went to hell, many students expressed their desire to meet his family, especially his parents, eager to learn more about Sensei and perhaps obtain their permission and blessing to have the man they love for themselves. That was until the Interloper came to Kivotos and destroyed everything.
Lastly, it was the Sushi Kaiten Mk. 0 Mech Figurine that Sensei managed to protect despite enduring frequent raids and looting at the Schale Office by the students now bound to the Interloper. This item represents not just a physical possession, but also a symbol during Sensei's early days in Kivotos, when he faced a stern reprimand from Yuuka.
Sensei smiled once more as memories of good old times flooded back, like an adult coming across his cherished childhood toys and feeling a wave of nostalgia wash over his mind. However, those joyful reflections were abruptly shattered by Sensei's PTSD. It felt like getting hit by a train, the weight of past traumas crashing down.
In an instant, he stood frozen, grappling with a barrage of painful memories that pierced both his heart and mind.
It was unbearable. It hurts. It was excruciating. Sensei struggled to suppress his PTSD Episode, but it was of no use.
You're weak.
You're inept.
You're a loser.
You're a failure.
As the weight of his trauma bore down on him, his pent-up rage began to manifest.
Despite his attempts to rein it in, he lost the battle, and rage swiftly eclipsed his reason.
Sensei's fists tightened into hard knots.
His face betrayed the intensity of his anger, every feature etched with fury.
In an instant, Sensei's mind was engulfed by a torrent of hatred.
Kill them all, Sensei.
Why forgive them?
Torture them, slowly and painfully.
Show no mercy.
Punish them.
Consume the hatred, Sensei.
Dark, troubling thoughts began to swirl, consuming him with their weight.
Kill all those treacherous students of yours, Sensei.
They're no longer the students you always cared about.
So, why hesitate? You now have every right to kill them.
His thoughts began to fixate on the students who had turned against him.
You should kill that piece of shit with your own hands.
He is at fault for everything. He is the reason why you suffer.
He killed the Arius Squad. He killed everyone you cared for.
Soon, he will do the same thing to you. It's kill or be killed.
He cursed the Interloper who had set this chain of events in motion.
Scarred by their indifference, he felt angry at those who merely stood by as he suffered.
Neutrality is betrayal. You should also punish those who watched.
An eye for an eye? Indifference comes with a heavy price as well, Sensei.
And he lashed out at anyone else he perceived as responsible for his tragic fall from grace.
He craved revenge, yearning to inflict brutal punishment on everyone who had wronged him.
In his mind, justice would be served on his terms, with each act drawn out for maximum impact.
Though his conscience could have intervened, it was powerless to stop the descent into darkness.
Fortunately, after a while, Sensei's rage began to wane like a volcano ejecting all its lava, allowing him to distance himself from the diabolical fantasies of punishing his students and that piece of work as well. Once he calmed down, a moment of peace washed over him, as if the rage episode had never occurred.
It felt as if his explosive episode had been nothing more than a figment of his imagination.
"..Sensei? Sensei! Sensei!!!" Frantic voices of Arona and Plana echoed in Sensei's ears.
Sensei quickly recognized that his outburst had startled his AI Assistants, who were diligently monitoring his fragile physical state and declining mental health, fully aware of the PTSD and depression he was still grappling with, even at the relaxed and safe confines of his Lakeside House.
"Arona, Plana?" Sensei murmured, grabbing the tablet from his desk to meet his AI Assistants face-to-face.
"Sensei, are you okay?! We’ve detected an abnormal rise in your emotions and heart rate, and then you suddenly fell to the floor!" Arona and Plana exchanged worried glances as they looked at him. As the two noted with concern after seeing Sensei collapse to the floor during his PTSD Episode.
"I hate to say it... But I wish I were..." Sensei sighed, finally weary of the pretense of lying that he was fine.
"Sensei..?" Arona and Plana were taken aback.
For the first time, Sensei openly acknowledged that he wasn’t okay.
"I’m sorry you both have to see this side of me..." He muttered, disappointment lacing his voice. "What a failure of an adult I am..."
"Can you believe it? I let a womanizer get the better of me?" Sensei comments, wiping his tears from his eyes. "Why am I even saying this?"
"It's done. It's over!" Sensei sighs. "He won! I lost! It is what it is..!"
Sensei sighed again, his exhausted self in full view of Arona and Plana.
"But still! Thank you for standing by me, you two." Sensei straightened up, brushing off his hands and back. "It means a lot to me."
"Anyways..! That was so childish of me, my apologies! Ehm! Arona, could you send this blueprint to our Decagrammaton Patrons for their evaluation? I'd like their professional input on this." Sensei’s tone shifted abruptly from being sad to his usual workaholic positivity, quickly surprising the two.
Arona was initially taken aback, but she quickly shook off her confusion and complied with Sensei's request.
At this point, she knew Sensei had lost it, and he was simply holding on to whatever humanity he had left.
"Will do, Sensei!" Arona replied cheerfully.
"Plana, please forward the recorded data of my recent mental breakdown to my therapist. I'd like to schedule a one-on-one psychotherapy session after I finish my private discussion with Malkuth and Black Suit." He glanced at Plana, who was also confused by his change of mood, but soon caught on.
The AI of Phrenapates also knew that, too. Still, the man before her is still Sensei, who is just trying to do what he can.
"Understood, Sensei. I'm sending the recorded data to your therapist." Plana affirmed, nodding at his request.
"We have a lot to tackle tomorrow, so let’s give it our best!" Sensei said, smiling at his ever-reliable AI Assistants.
"Yes, Sensei!" Arona and Plana responded in unison. As always, they are ready to help their beloved Sensei.
Unbeknownst to the two, Sensei had already lost it. When the Arius Squad died before his eyes. It finally happened, and his mind cracked like glass, shattering into pieces. Now, Sensei began to hear voices, his personality and emotions constantly changing to an unpredictable, random degree.
Arona and Plana are unaware of any of this. It was for the best that they didn't. However, that secret will soon be found out.
Sensei has kept everything under wraps, presenting a façade of normalcy to those around him. However, beneath this exterior lies a profound and obvious struggle with his depression and trauma. Sensei chooses to guard his secret inner demons, believing that they might one day serve a greater purpose.
After realizing he had an upcoming meeting with Black Suit and Malkuth, Sensei quickly composed himself, smoothing his messy clothes and tidying his surroundings, as the room looked as if it had endured a surprise visit from a very distressed and furious man who had suffered a mental breakdown.
Just as Sensei settled into one of his comfortable chairs to prepare himself for his meeting with Black Suit and Malkuth, a sudden knock interrupted the silence. Then the door creaked open, revealing the figure of Black Suit standing at the threshold, drawing Sensei’s attention.
"Ah. Just in time, Black Suit." Sensei greeted his enigmatic friend.
"I see you are enjoying your new office. Old! Gothic! Ancient! Medievalesque. Exactly how you wanted." Black Suit teased, smiling.
Sensei slightly grins at his friend's comment. "I can't really say no to an insistent fella. So, I have no choice but to concede."
"Still, you don't have to go beyond reading my personal preferences that somehow you know about. But hey, thanks for hitting the nail regarding my preferences, you dark-faced stalking freak." Sensei remarked, causing Black Suit to laugh at Sensei's 'light' insult, taking it as a compliment instead.
"I must say, you have quite an eye for sophisticated office design." Black Suit remarked, taking in the room with admiration.
"You could say that. I like the medieval aesthetic, or perhaps something more reminiscent of the old world." Sensei replied with a casual shrug.
"Perhaps we share something in common after all?" Black Suit suggested, prompting Sensei to chuckle at his comment.
"Only in our interests for such aesthetics." Sensei corrects his assumption. "Though I do find it weird that you had interests in these."
"Congratulations, Sensei. You have unlocked additional information about me." Black Suit commented, which confused Sensei.
As the two yapped, another knock echoed through the room, cutting their conversation short.
"You wish to speak with me, Sensei?" Malkuth says as she softly closes the door behind her.
"What are you two discussing? If you don't mind me asking." She inquired as she slowly approached the pair.
"It's about Sensei's admiration for the old world." Black Suit replies, earning a glance from Sensei. "You can't keep everything a secret, Sensei."
"I see. Could you share more about Sensei's preference for the past?" Malkuth asks, her tone aloof as always but with a hint of curiosity.
Sensei and Black Suit were slightly taken aback by Malkuth's question. After all, Decagrammaton showed obvious indifference toward the old world and would rather keep its hands on its own interests. Both had assumed that Malkuth would share this lack of interest as well, so her curiosity came as a surprise to the two.
In particular, Sensei is happy to learn that. It would be nice to have someone to share his perspective once again.
"Well, are you sure about this, though?" Sensei asked, slightly going pink. "I mean, my past isn't exactly worth any audience..."
"I have no problem with that, Sensei." Malkuth answered casually. "I'd like to know more about you."
"I see..!" Sensei nods, grinning slightly. "It's not the right time right now, but I'll be happy to enlighten you later, Malkuth."
"That's perfectly understandable, Sensei." Malkuth gave him a small smile, which was barely noticeable unless you looked carefully.
"Now, where was I? Oh yeah, I'm sorry for dragging you two on short notice." Sensei quickly went back to the point.
"I know you two have a hectic schedule, so I'll make this quick. I'd like to be cloned!" Sensei says, with a proud grin on his face.
Thus, Sensei acquires the 'best' and 'worst' sidekick he could ever ask for. It's either gonna work as planned, or likely not.
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The Yin and Yang. The Bad and the Good.
Sensei hopes that he's right with that idea.