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Chapter I: Entering the World of Men
“Watch your back!” a voice of a guy shrieked, hustling me aside in a mild panic.
I jumped backward in the direction that he was indicating. “AAHH!” I shouted, heart racing. I held out my two not-too-short saber and was ready to battle the enormous vicious monster, quiet well-known as the name Bahamut; The legend monster. I was ready to strike another attack but the Bahamut could see right through me so I had to defend myself. I rolled to the other side and quickly slashed it. When I was about to cast a different attribute of magic, my materia ran out.
Oh gosh! This is not the time to run out of materia.
While I was distracted, the monster hit me towards the wall using his giant and sharp claws leaving me a harsh scratch. I felt my back hitting the wall hard as I saw red liquid coming out of my mouth. Yup, I just coughed out blood after that one attack. I slid down the wall and panted heavily as the monsters came closer to me. Just then, I heard slashing sounds and saw the monsters collapsing. It was Vincent and Yuffie. As I force myself to get up from the ground, the surroundings area changed, from a nothingness desert to a futuristic room.
“Simulation Ended” announced a metallic voice of the computer system, with a hint of smugness.
I put back my saber at my waist and dusted myself off. I tilted my head a little and found that the both of them (Vincent and Yuffie) were furious. I sighed heavily, knowing what they would say since I’ve been listened to their lecture about every time of training.
“What are you doing spacing off like that? Vincent asked furiously. “Don’t you realize yet that you are in battle?”
“And run out of materia? What’s with that?” Yuffie added.
I remained silent until I find the right words to let out. I could hear Yuffie’s sighing, showing how she was disappointed in me. Without saying a word, she left just like that and that left me and Mr. Valentine here. I looked him and clenching my teeth, hesitating what I’m about to say.
“I’m sorry,” I said, looking abashed. “But I promise you that I’ll do better next time.”
“Now, why do I feel like I heard you say that for a gazillion times?”
I make my cute puppy-like eyes, wanting him to give me another chance. “Pretty please, with the cherry on top?”
“Fine. Now dismiss!” he said, defeated by so-called my innocent face.
“Sir!” I straighten my body with both hands on my side.
I walked out from the simulation room and through the hall. Guys and no girls were gathering at the cafeteria. I thanked the cafeteria lady for the food and went to the nearest seat to eat my meals. For some reason, I feel so awkward being here, ya know why? Because I’m the only and first girl being transferred here in the Shin-Ra building located at the big city of Midgar.
"Hey Hey! Have you seen the new rookie guy?" One SOLDIER guy asked another.
"Yeah! And correction it’s a girl," another laughed.
"Forget about the details. Anyway, I wonder how long she would survive in here," the third one looked at me in the cafeteria, eating my lunch.
"Probably a month?" the one laughed, making all three of them laughs.
“I bet in a week!” another SOLDIER came joining them.
“You’re right! She doesn’t belong here. This is the work for us men!” one of them said.
“ONLY!” all of them shouted at the same time.
I could not pay attention with everyone laughing at me. What's wrong with being girl! The rule doesn’t say that girls are forbidden to be here. Moreover, the president himself invited me so what should I declined such fine offer. I could get anew experience in anew city. I got up, slamming my tray on the table and put it away before I’m out of the sight of those rude SOLDIERS. Well, everyone have the limit of their patience.
My name’s Shelke Li and yes I'm a girl. How did I end up in SOLDIER? It's a long story. You see, I'm an alchemist from the Al – Revis Academy, which located near to a small town of Rosevelt; it’s a long way from Midgar. My dream is to become a world greatest alchemist and in order to do that, Kreuz (My alchemist tutor) sent me here to learn the true meaning of being an alchemist, which I haven’t discover yet since I just arrived here about three days ago and I still haven’t got used to the life here. Obviously, because of the other guys that keep on teasing me every time of training. It all started during one of my school days…
.I closed my eyes as I instructed to and pay total concentration. Before I recite the oat, I gulped of nervousness. I followed my master’s advice and was ready to swear.
“The power to create… The power to destroy… The finesse of total control… Mana, the father of power… the mother of life… The source of all nature…”
“I hereby pledge to uphold the tenets set forth by Lilith, the Mana of Creation.”
“Now, slowly open your eyes,” Kreuz said quietly. “Shelke, as of today, you are a full – fledged alchemist.”
“Oh thank you, Master and I shall never forget your advice,” I replied with my eyes lit up as a smile came across my face.
“Here, I want you to have this,” he said while hand me something.
“How pretty… it’s a pair of rings, right?” I asked as I took that ‘something’ from him.
“It’s called the Share Ring. Its true purpose is unknown,” he explained. “Perhaps you can figure it out. You should give one to someone special.”
“What?”
“So, have you decided who to give it to yet?”
“…” I remained completely silent as a small blush appeared.
“Be mindful of your feelings,” he advised once again.
As I about to step out of the ceremony room, Master Kreuz gives me a quick reminder about me leaving Rosevelt for the time being because of many reason such as, he told me that I'm still new in this alchemist thing. Although I'm quite the expert, still I haven't understand the true meaning of Alchemist. After the whole session is over, I dashed to the main hall to see someone, whom I have a very close bond to.
“Oh. Hi Shelke. So how’s the ceremony?” he asked me.
“Great. I finally graduated,” I answered, looking at those aqua eyes of him. “I could burst into sobs right now.”
“Then I shall lend you my shoulder,” he joked. “So you will transfer to somewhere else huh..?”
My eyes rolled down, looking at only my shoes. I just don’t know what to answer because, I just don’t know. “Maybe,” I finally spoke.
“Wow, you finally leaving Rosevelt. Isn’t it been your dream since you was little?” he asked proudly.
“Huh… Y-Yeah…” I answered, hesitating.
Leaving Rosevelt with you!!
“So… I see you around. Gotta finish the paperwork right away,” he explained. “Seriously, Master Galahad needs to cut me some slack.”
He waved me good bye before he vanished in the crowd. I went out the exit to start packing. As soon as I came home to pack, Plua helped me out. Plua is my next door neighbour, who has been taking care of me after the death of my beloved parents. I felt embarrassed since she had to put "girly" things in the bag such as my underwear, perfume, beauty supplies like lotions, cleanser, etc. Since I’ll be leaving not so long from now, I thanked her for all the times she was there for me.
The went to the helipad since the chopper will take me to Midgar. I got inside and be seated. As the chopper begin to take off, a stature of guy with light purple haired run towards chopper. He was sweaty like crazy as if he was rushing to come here. I put my hands at the window and seems like he was shouting something, which I couldn’t hear it clearly since the sound of the chopper was louder than his voice. Two guards prevent him to go further.
“FELT!” I yelled his name but soon the helicopter faded into the white puffy clouds.
That was how end up here, in SOLDIER. Sad isn’t it? Anyway, even though they laughed at my tiny stature but I tried my best to be like the others. Some say I have potentials to be a fighter and the others told me to give up. While I was touring around this gigantic building I saw an interesting guy. I think I saw him before doing those squats test and he was doing them again by the same exact spot. He sure was interesting. I walked towards him and try to imitate him doing Squats. It was hard, but worth trying since I loved challenges. After about 5th trial, I fell on the ground as the guy began to laugh lightly. He then held out his hand to help me get up. After I got up he sat down on the stairs and talked to me.
"You pretty good." the guy complimented me.
Did he just compliment me? Yeah, he just did. Score!
“For a girl…” he added.
I spoke to soon.
“So what are you doing here, lost one?” he asked me.
“Are you talking to me?” I asked back.
“Well, duh! Who else is here other than you and me, bud head!” he called me names while snapped me lightly at the head using his fingers.
“Ouch!” I groaned with my hands covered my head. “That’s abusing!"
Normal 0 false false false MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:#0400; mso-fareast-language:#0400; mso-bidi-language:#0400;} "You are very interesting. Wait! Are you the new rookie people talk about? The super midget?" the guy asked.
"Yeeeaah~" I said with my guy-ish voice.
"Woah! I thought you were super tiny but I guess my imagination was way off," he laughed. "By the way, the name's Zack," he introduced himself while stuck out his hand to me.
“I’m Shelke,” I next introduce myself and then my eyes rolled down, staring at his hand. “Do I really need to shake it?”
“Shelke? Shelke Li? The girl from the Al - Revis Academy? You’re that girl? Wow...” he sounded so amazed and still held out his hand.
“Yeaaah~ I’m that person. Why do you look so...surprise?” I asked him again.
“Nothing, just that this is the first time a girl ever step in, joining the SOLDIERs. So now I’m supposed to say something like, ‘Nice meeting you, my lady,” he joked again.
“Like wise…”
I smile and shook his hand slowly. Unexpectedly, the building got under attack and the glass next to the window broke. Zack quickly pushed me towards the ground to cover me up. I was worried about him because if he gets injured by the flying glasses it would be my fault. Luckily he wasn't hit with any broken glasses, but something else happened. I feel something smooth touching my lips. When I opened my eyes, Zack's lips were touching mine. Zack's eyes widen when he saw his lips touching mine. He got up quickly and saw that other SOLDIER guys gasping at this sight. My face blushed like an over ripe apple. Everyone moved on quickly since the building was under an attack. After couple of hours of fighting, the enemies were gone, but the shame still stayed. Zack took me somewhere behind the building to talk privately. I looked away as Zack did; he then looked at me and apologized.
“Listen. It was a total accident. I wasn’t doing on purpose and I’m sorry,” he apologized nervously.
“Me too! And I don’t remember asking for your protection, Mr Fair?” I asked him, unacceptable of what just occurred earlier. “Anyhow, thanks for covering me.”
“Isn’t it usual for a guy saving a girl’s life? At least that what, I saw in the movies and based on any fictions books,” he explained.
“I don’t know. Is just t-th-that. It w-was--” I shuttered until I wasn’t able to finish the sentence because of embarrassment.
“"AHHH!!! It's the end of my life!!!!" Zack shouted out suddenly. "My reputation, after many years I built it up and now it’s ruined like ashes!! NO~~!!!!!"
After that day, the rumor spread, about the whole kissing accident. Good news is that, I wasn’t punished or anything and the bad news is that I’ve being teased more often. While Zack, he was stressing out because of the rumor and I don’t know whether I should feel bad for him or not because I’m one of the victim too ya know! I heave a sigh as I only thought that at first, the teasing part was the only obstacle but now, I wonder if there’s more awaited for me…
