Yuuto sat alone in the cafeteria eating his food with less vigor than usual. The food was as tasty as always, yet Yuuto felt like there was something wrong.

Asagi Karasu, what’s with that guy something about him just rubs me the wrong way. How the hell would he know if I was fighting seriously or not? Huh…and even if I wasn’t how is that disrespectful, we were supposed to be practicing.

Yuuto began tapping his spoon against the table while he grumbled to himself. He didn’t notice when Senji sat down in front of him. Or when Flint sat down besides Senji.

“Yuuto, are you alright? You look mad or something.”

“What the hell’s that guy’s problem? How was I being disrespectful? And what do I have to be ashamed about huh? Seriously. That guy.”

“Hey Yuuto are you listening? Yuuto? Yuuto?”

“Oh so Asagi’s got you riled up? Well, what do you plan on doing about it?”

Yuuto looked up from his food glancing at Flint and Senji, who he just realized were sitting there.

“Who are you again?”

Flint blinked twice then placed a hand on his chest. “I’m Flint Naegi. We fought together at 3TX. Anyway, I knew you were strong but I didn’t think you’d be able to fight against the second strongest student in class 1A, Asagi Karasu.”

Yuuto looked at Flint curiously. “And who is number one exactly?”

Flint grinned widely. “Me of course.”

Yuuto pointed at Flint with his spoon. “You wouldn’t happen to be talking yourself up there would you?”

Flint laughed Yuuto off while Yuuto looked him up and down. “Anyway Asagi comes from a family that is big on honor and tradition. So, it’s only natural for him to respond a certain way to someone who he thinks is being disrespectful.”

Yuuto looked over at Senji who shrugged. “I wasn’t being disrespectful though.”

“Weren’t you. I mean I’ve seen you fight. You weren’t even trying back there. And not taking your opponent seriously is pretty rude. It’s essentially saying they’re not worth your time. I mean Asagi even used one of his family techniques on you.”

Yuuto cocked his head to the side and looked at Flint curiously. “What are you talking about?”

“Before I answer that. I’ve got a question for you. Why didn’t you just put more effort into fighting? Like using your enhancement magic.”

“Yuuto’s always using enhance.”

Flint looked over at Senji then at Yuuto with a surprised look. While Yuuto glared at Senji.

“If that’s true then you definitely could have done some damage. Question is why didn’t you? I know it was training and all but you could have shown some of your power.”

Yuuto stared at Flint for a moment then narrowed his eyes. “That’s a slippery slope. Which leads to a road with a lot of problems for me. And no, I’m not gonna explain what that means.”

Flint smirked then dropped the subject. “So are you two gonna join any clubs?”

“Maybe but that only really matters after the Elimination Exam right? Kinda pointless to join then get kicked out.”

“Can’t think of any reason I’d join a club. Besides I’m too busy cle…”

Yuuto caught himself before he mentioned the demolished shed. Which would have led to an inquiry into what happened. Flint managed to catch Yuuto’s sudden hesitation but pretended not to notice it.

“Well in case you two were wondering. I’m planning to join gardening club. And the botany club.”

“You sure seem to like plants.”

“Well of course. I am a dr…” Flint paused then smiled choosing to keep the information to himself in an effort to annoy Yuuto.

“So Flint. I’m guessing you’re pretty confident about the Elimination Exam.”

Flint nodded. “Of course I am. I have bullets down to an art form. And soon it’ll be the same with Skildus. What about you Senji are you confident about your chances?”

Senji tensed up for a moment. “Well I’m fine when it comes to bullets. But we only just recently started practicing Skildus. And the Elimination Exam is two and a half weeks away. I’m not exactly too sure of myself right now.”

Flint continued to nod then turned his attention to Yuuto. Flint gave Yuuto a look which seemed to say. And you. Yuuto flinched for a moment while his right eye twitched a second later. Then he looked away from Flint avoiding eye contact.

“I…still can’t make a bullet.”

Flint looked beyond surprised. His mouth hung open as he looked between Senji and Yuuto. A moment later he motioned his hand toward Yuuto while looking at Senji.

“He’s joking right. How can he not learn such a basic technique? You have a strange sense of humor.”

“It’s not a joke. In fact I barely passed the entrance exam.”

Senji and Flint looked at Yuuto and just stared. “WHAT?!?!?”

The entire cafeteria turned their attention to Yuuto’s table. Yuuto grumbled to himself while Flint and Senji stared at him.

“Are you stupid or something? That’s got to be it right?”

Yuuto glared at Flint for a moment. “You know nobody asked you to sit here. And no one would mind if you left. In fact I insist. Anyway Senji!”

Senji jumped up when he heard his name. Yuuto had said it a lot louder than he meant too.

“I wanted to ask a favor.”

“A favor?”

“Yeah. If you could help me practice. By the looks of it I don’t think I’m going to get the hang of bullets or even Skildus for that matter if I don’t get in some extra practice.”

“I could help you. After all I am the ace of Class 1A.”

Yuuto turned his head to face Flint narrowed his eyes into a glare and in a stern serious tone said. “No one asked you.”

Flint raised his hands up in defense. “Sorry. Sorry. Hey, tell you what Asagi is in the Kendo club. He practices in the morning. If you want to talk to him that’s a good opportunity right there.”

Yuuto blinked twice. “Huh?”