Nyūgakushiki

How long had it been since that day? The one in which the child had stumbled their way into signing up for this academy. They were unsure. It felt like it had only been two days, but the reality that maybe it had been weeks, even months, had sunk in as the final day loomed. For the first time the child truly looked around the classroom. The gathering of students excitedly discussing the exam to come as well as their future plans made the child feel strange. The instructor, who had seemingly aged several years in the span of weeks with this class, handed out lots.

The child stared at the symbols that were etched onto their card. They had no idea what it meant and continued to gaze at it in silent curiosity as the rest of students began their presentations. Finally their was a pause, a lingering silence that hung in the air for far too long. "Saku." The instructor's voice cut into their thoughts. "It's your turn." The child's eyes moved from the card to the front of the class. Another long silence as they made their way over. "Just...do anything at all." The instructor pleaded, their once bright and hopeful eyes having long dulled from having to deal with these students.

A long silence was broken by the instructor's hand slapping their own forehead in frustration. "Just go si-"

"I have learned much, and will become a ninja." The soft voice spoke from behind the bandages.

Another long silence followed. The instructor stood dumbfounded. Their eye began to twitch, "You could speak this en-- just go sit down." They finally dismissed them with a visible slumping over the shoulders.

The rest of the class went by before they were dismissed, the examination to graduate set for the next day. The child wondered if they would be there for it. Their plans remained uncertain, though perhaps they would continue on this path in hopes of finding something. As their footsteps echoed down the empty hallway of the academy for perhaps the last time they wondered if this had all been some sort of strange dream.

Had all of this really happened? It was hard to...believe it.

[Exit]

2028 Total Wordcount

Claims:

Saku wrote:
2028 Total Wordcount

Claims:

Approved

The classroom buzzed with a cacophony of whispers and rustling papers as Xuexing sat nervously at his desk, his hands fidgeting with the edge of his sweater. His gray eyes darted around the room, observing his classmates with a mix of curiosity and apprehension. Today was the day they would each stand up in front of the class and present their aspirations as shinobi. It was a daunting prospect for Xuexing, whose anxiety seemed to amplify with every passing minute.

His heart raced as he watched each student take their turn, some with confidence, others with a nervous tremble in their voice. As the presentations continued, Xuexing's mind raced with thoughts of inadequacy and doubt. What if he stumbled over his words? What if he forgot everything he had practiced? The weight of uncertainty bore down on him like a heavy burden.

Finally, it was his turn. Xuexing felt a lump form in his throat as he rose from his seat, his legs trembling slightly beneath him. With a deep breath, he squared his shoulders and made his way to the front of the class, trying to exude an air of confidence he didn't entirely feel.

Clearing his throat, he began, his voice trembling slightly, "Um, h-h-hello everyone," he stammered, his words barely audible over the din of the classroom. Swallowing hard, he pressed on, "M-my name is Xuexing, and, um, I want to become a b-b-better shinobi."

A few murmurs of encouragement floated through the room, but Xuexing's nerves only seemed to intensify. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a small scroll, unrolling it carefully to reveal diagrams of hand seals and detailed notes on various jutsu.

"W-we've been learning a lot in class, and I've been practicing really hard," he continued, his voice gaining a bit more confidence with each word. "I-I'd like to show you some of the jutsu I've been working on."

With a trembling hand, he began to form the seals for the clone jutsu, his fingers moving with practiced precision despite the nerves coursing through his veins. A puff of smoke erupted from his side, and when it cleared, a perfect replica of Xuexing stood beside him, mirroring his movements exactly.

A murmur of impressed whispers rippled through the classroom, and Xuexing felt a swell of pride in his chest. Maybe he could do this after all.

Encouraged by the positive reaction, Xuexing took a deep breath and moved on to the transformation jutsu. With a series of swift hand movements, he focused his chakra and willed his form to change. In an instant, his body shimmered and shifted until he stood before the class in the guise of a small bird, his features blurred and indistinct.

The classroom erupted into applause, and Xuexing couldn't help but smile, the warmth of validation washing over him like a wave. For the first time since he had stepped foot in the academy, he felt a glimmer of confidence in his abilities.

As he returned to his seat, a sense of relief washed over him, mingled with a newfound sense of determination. Maybe he wasn't the most skilled or the most confident shinobi-to-be, but he was learning and growing with each passing day. And as he watched his classmates continue their presentations, he knew that he was on the right path, one shaky step at a time.....at least that is what he wished would have happened.

In truth reality is often a much crueler thing than what we think up in our head.  While it was true that he went to the front of the class and let everyone know that he wanted to be a better shinobi......the rest unfortunately was just a daydream, one that he was awoken from quite harshly.  When his eyes finally fluttered open, a wide smile on his face, he was confused to see the faces of his parents, and the school medical shinobi, the last feint wisps of a green chakra leaving his hands.  They let him know that shortly after he spoke, he had passed out.  The third such thing that had occurred since he had started at the academy.

Despite these setbacks, his grades and performances where good enough to sit for the genin exam, so such a thing was not yet removed from him.  Still....he had a very serious talk with not only the councilor, but his parents where were starting to really worry about him and regretting their decision.    The day would continue, and he would be escorted back to class just in time to see the final boy go.  The one that never spoke....and yet now he had.  

Perhaps it was this more than anything that made him convinced he would finish out school and become a shinobi.  He didn't like the prospect of war, but the thought of being so inept for so long finally helped clear his mind, even if it was just a little bit.  The exam was the next day....and he was determined to pass it.  No matter what.

TWC - 2502

Exit

Claims

6 E-Rank Missions Complete
+25 Vigor
7500 Ryo
36 AP

250/250 Genjutsu Release
250/250 Genjutsu Release Mastery No Handseals
500/500 Body Flicker

Xuexing Yuki wrote:
TWC - 2502

Exit

Claims

6 E-Rank Missions Complete
+25 Vigor
7500 Ryo
36 AP

250/250 Genjutsu Release
250/250 Genjutsu Release Mastery No Handseals
500/500 Body Flicker

250/250 Substituition

250/250 Transformation

250/250 Clone tech

250/250 Surface Walking

500/500 Double Jump

Approved