Irio's High School was located near the Irio's Heart.

  A busy City surrounded Irio's High School, but the area around the school was large enough for the students to stay uninterrupted.

  There were two main buildings, the building where all classes are and the teacher's building.

  There were also third buildings, but they resembled quite a lot of dome.

  It was the Martial Arts Building that had been in heavy use for a long time.

  Around the buildings, youthful students walked with their friends, and some walked with their lovers.

  The sky on top of the Irio was bright blue, making the weather absolutely lovely.

  To enter the High School, students have to go through a few inspections done by Guards that were located next to the Metal Gates.

  The High School was one of the most heavily guarded buildings in Irio, and it clearly showed.

  Currently, in one of the first-year classrooms.

  A muscular young man with short black hair was sitting right next to the window.

  Around him, loud discussions were being held by his classmates.

  Everyone looked youthful, with long lives ahead of them.

  ''Captain.'' Few of the classmates bowed towards the muscular youth with a respectful tone after walking past him.

  Lucas nodded at them and looked out of the window.

  For some reason, many members of the Martial Arts Association were gathered in the High School and were rushing towards the Martial Arts Building.

  'I wonder what is happening…' Lucas murmured.

  Soon, his attention shifted to the door after it suddenly slammed wide open.

  From there, a teacher with an excited look appeared.

  The students looked surprised to see their serious teacher smiling.

  The teacher dropped all his books down to the desk and spoke instantly, ''In about an hour, there will be a Martial Arts Rank test held in Martial Arts Building.''

  ''What?!'' The students exclaimed.

  ''Isn't it too early?''

  ''Why now? We haven't prepared for it!''

  The students who wanted to join the next Martial Arts Rank test were angry at the sudden turn of events.

  ''Current test is held for only one person.'' The teacher raised one of his fingers, ''The next test is scheduled to be held in a few months.''

  The students sighed in relief and were somewhat glad that the rank test wasn't for them, but still, questions remained: Why are they hosting a rank test for only one person?

  ''Who is it for?'' The classroom became quiet after Lucas spoke.

  No one dared to speak over his words.

  The teacher smiled with excitement and said, ''It is for Kurogami Ichiro!''

  The students blinked dumbly and had to register those words before erupting in excited cheers.

  ''What?!''

  ''He is coming here?!''

  ''OH, MY GAWD!''

  The most loudest ones were the female population in the classroom, that screamed their hearts out.

  Lucas wryly smiled and once again looked outside the window.

  Excited-looking students were already running towards the Martial Arts Building like their lives depended on it.

  ''Principal allowed everyone to go watch the test.'' The teacher said, and before anyone could interrupt him, he continued, ''Today… Irio might have another Martial Commander.''

  ''What?!''

  ''Ichiro is testing for Martial Commander rank?!''

  ''Well, he did win against that bastard from Marq, and he was said to be Martial Commander.''

  The more they talked, the more excited they became.

  Today could be a historic day.

  …
In another classroom.

  The student also received the news, and another round of heated discussions happened.

  The male population looked respectful and almost worshipped the very name of Ichiro, while the female population was practically hyperventilating.

  But, one of them was sitting quietly.

  Amanda looked outside the window with almost no emotion on her face, but the beating heartbeat couldn't hide her feelings.

  …
''Noelle, did you hear?'' A young woman in her 17s asked from the beautiful young woman that was sitting alone in the corner of the classroom.

  Noelle was a beautiful young woman with light blue hair and delicate-looking eyebrows. She had a cute pointy nose with pinkish lips and soft-looking cheeks, which looked very pinchable.

  She was wearing her usual high school uniform, which consisted of a jacket and skirt that left her legs wide open.

  In the classroom, male and female students were discussing the sudden news they received with excited looks.

  Noelle raised her head away from the book and looked at her friend, ''Eh, about what?''

  Her friend had short brown hair with a wry smile painted on her adorable face, ''Geez, about Kurogami Ichiro having his Martial Rank test here!''

  ''Oh,'' Noelle replied and went back to reading her book.

  ''What is that reaction!'' Her friend overreacted and excitedly said, ''You saw his battle against Avery, didn't you?!''

  ''I did.'' Noelle nodded and turned pages in the book, ''And?''

  Her friend pouted and sighed heavily, ''I don't understand you sometimes.''

  Noelle's mouth curved into a smile, and she said, ''I just don't understand the excitement about Martial Arts.''

  ''But, you still listen to Lucas and his explanations about Martial Arts.'' Her friend playfully said.

  Noelle smiled and closed her book, ''He is different from the rest and is very passionate about Martial Arts. He is trying to show me the appeal of the Martial Arts, but I don't get it yet.''

  ''Well, are you coming to watch, at least?'' Her friend grabbed her hand and looked at her with puppy eyes.

  Noelle sighed and nodded, ''Fine…''

  ''Yay!'' Her friend shouted with excitement and giggled, ''Hehe, you won't regret it. Today, another Martial Commander will be born in Irio!''

  ''Soon, there will be a third,'' Noelle said with a giggle.

  ''Eh, what do you mean?'' Her friend tilted her heard with a questioning look.

  ''Lucas will reach Martial Commander.'' Noelle said with confidence, ''It will happen sooner or later.''

  ''Wow, Noelle, you sure have a lot of expectations for him.'' Her friend looked surprised. Rarely her long-time friend would say such words.

  ''Do I?'' Noelle stood up and winked mysteriously, ''Maybe I know something no one else does.''

  ''Hmm, I am curious now.'' She grabbed Noelle's hand and started walking towards the classroom door, ''Let's go get good seats!''

  Noelle wryly smiled and followed her energetic friend.

  While they were walking past the desks, most of the male population turned their heads towards Noelle and closely looked at her movements with lovestruck faces.