Jade quickly donned her workout outfit, finding comfort in its familiar snug fit. "Snug as always, if nothing else, I suppose," she mused, appreciating at least one constant amidst the whirlwind of recent events.
Stepping out the door, Jade was taken aback by the transformation of the previously empty halls. Now, they buzzed with life and activity, with people bustling back and forth. They carried folders and engaged in conversations as if everything was perfectly normal, a stark contrast to the solitude she had grown accustomed to.
Jade thought to herself, "It's not too many people though, a good 20 people in total going in different directions. But I have never seen any of these people since I have been here. What in the—"
Her internal musing was abruptly interrupted as a hand landed on her shoulder, accompanied by a voice that remarked, "You must be new here, just after." The sudden contact and the implication of the statement jolted Jade
Turning around, Jade's gaze fell on a hand unlike any she had seen before. It was vibrant orange, adorned with lines of fur that extended up to the shoulder, leading to a face that looked surprisingly human under a hood. The person's eyes were a striking orange, matching the vibrancy of their hand, and they offered her a bright, friendly smile.
"I—I'm... I'm sorry, who are you exactly, and what do you mean by 'new'? I have been here a little bit already, actually," Jade stated, her voice tinged with nervousness. She couldn't help but look the person up and down, her surprise evident at the sight before her.
"This is your first morning after the ritual, is it not? That's why you're able to see us now, right?" The person, still smiling, placed a finger on Jade's chin, gently turning her cheek as if to get a better look at her.
Jade, still trying to grasp the situation, replied, "Yes, but why wouldn't I be able to see you normally in all your... orange or redness?"
The person laughed softly, their amusement clear. "They really don't explain anything anymore, I suppose."
"Y-Yes, I actually have to be off. Though it was a pleasure to meet you, I hope to find out my ability soon," Jade said, giving a bow before turning around and walking down toward the path. Rosa called back out to Jade and stated, "Yes, the ears are very soft by the way. I'll let you pet them sometime," giving a smirk to Jade.
Jade, her cheeks flushed with embarrassment, gently slapped them as she turned away from Rosa, offering a shy wave before continuing down the hallways. The sound of her footsteps echoed softly against the polished floors, mingling with the distant murmur of voices from nearby classrooms.
As she walked, Jade couldn't help but notice the absence of others with fur-like features. It sparked a curiosity within her, prompting her to muse silently, 'What a bubbly personality. Every day I'm here, though, I get 1 or 2 questions answered, and 6 more seem to pop up.'
With a sigh, she finally reached the designated spot that Gojaro had mentioned. Pushing open the door, she was met with the sight of the white-haired Gojaro skillfully swinging a massive claymore through the air. The metallic clang of the blade reverberated in the training room, accompanied by the faint scent of oil and sweat.
Jade's gaze wandered around the room, taking in the assortment of weapons neatly arranged on a sturdy rack. The gleam of polished steel caught her eye, alongside the intricate carvings adorning the handles of some of the swords. A faint breeze brushed against her skin, carrying with it the faint scent of leather and metal.
On the rack, an eclectic mix of weaponry stood proudly, ranging from sleek bows to gleaming swords, and smaller, mysterious implements that piqued Jade's curiosity.
Noticing Jade's entrance, Gojaro paused his workout, setting down the sword with a clatter. "Ah, you're here. You were a bit late, so I started working out a bit."
Jade, still feeling a bit bewildered, replied, "Sorry, I got a bit delayed by all the new faces outside. And this lady named Rosa was definitely not something I was expecting to see, to say the least."
Gojaro, giving a bit of a chuckle, stated, "She sure can be a bubbly person."