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Ace believes that guy was an Einstein reincarnation.
It's only been around two weeks since Robin came to this world, yet it looked like he was born here from how knowledgeable he is. Even Ace himself as someone who actually was born here didn't know things as much as him!
When they were in class, Robin would barely pay attention. But instead of playing with his pen or yawns like what Ace did, he prefers to read another section in the textbook, not listening to the teacher explaining things—just like him. But if he gets asked to answer something, he'll be able to answer it with perfect accuracy that would make the teacher smiled wide then say, “that's a brilliant answer from Urton!” (Unlike Ace who would just guess his answer and occasionally gets the correct answer.)
Sure, he couldn't use any magic. But his knowledge around magics aren't that bad either. The teachers already knew about his inability to cast magic from the headmaster—and that time when they forced Robin to cast something but were only to be greeted by absolute nothingness in front of them,— so they'll let him only to recite the theories and steps on how to cast several spells. And he would do it perfectly with the perfect pronunciation that made teachers clap.
At some point it became quite annoying for Ace. It felt comical, because the teachers here are known for being difficult to please and has high standards for their students. Yet Robin could made them all start clapping like a kindergarten teacher who would praise their students for doing absolutely nothing! Heck, he even has a privilege to skip class at his will because his grade would still be good nonetheless!
He does agree Robin isn't that bad for someone who has no magic. He had saved him, Deuce, and Grim from being expelled in their first day at school by coming up with a plan that utilized everyone's forte in a nick of time. Robin also was able to adjust himself in this new world quickly. He also had helped them to study at times especially for theory based studies. But this is just too much!
What is he even, anyway? He's not a God or something! There should've been something that he can't do!
So that's Ace wants to do now. To find a subject or something Robin isn't good at.
But, where should he start?
“Oh, yeah. How are your arms now?” Deuce asked as he scooped a spoonful of omurice into his spoon, the clanking noise made Ace stops daydreaming. “Are they healed yet? Or do they still hurt?” He continued while putting the scooped rice into his mouth.
Robin stopped eating his sandwich (which made Ace noticed something: he eats very slowly because they've been here for 10 minutes but he hasn't even eaten half of it,) then he stared at his arms and thinks for awhile.
“I guess they're better than last week. Why?” Robin asked back as he nibbled on his sandwich that made Ace wanted to shove the food inside Robin's mouth because God, he barely puts anything into his mouth with those mini bites.
“Hmm... because Mr. Vargas said there'll be a small test today, so he wants everyone to attend his class now. You never went into his class, no?” Deuce explained while spinning his spoon in his hand. Then Ace noticed Robin tensing up. It was subtle, but he could see how his grip tightened on the cheese and ham sandwich. “If you're still feeling unwell, I can tell Mr. Vargas about it. But you'll have to retake the test on another date,” adds Deuce. He probably noticed Robin tensing up, too.
“Naaah, he probably just doesn't want to do the test since he's beloved by so many teachers,” Ace commented, teasing Robin who was sitting beside him. “Come on, it's just a simple jogging test. Why would you even abuse your privilege that much? I bet Mr. Vargas wants to see the face of the student who was able to bring back the mythical magic crystal!” Ace pointed his fork at Robin and twirled it in front of him while grinning, taunting him even more.
Robin sighed as he put down his sandwich. “Fine, I guess I'll join you guys today,” he said which made Ace cheered inside since Robin finally gave in. That boy had been avoiding several subjects like a disease, such as summoning class and P.E. He would occasionally came to summoning class, but he never appeared in P.E due to his arm injuries.
So today will be the day Ace would see him in his P.E uniform for the first time!
“Don't we need to hurry? His class will start soon,” He then asked while tossing his lunch to Grim, who accepted it happily and swallowed the sandwich that was just eaten a quarter of it. Deuce checked the clock in his phone, then gasped audibly.
“You're right! We need to hurry!” Deuce picked up his tray and dashed to put his tray on the cleaning counter, leaving his three friends behind. One was busy munching food, the other was frozen in his place, and the last one was smiling internally.
Maybe today he'll see Robin's weakness!
Ace just can't wait!
After changing their outfits to the P.E uniforms, they went to the yard where they meet Mr. Vargas, standing proudly with hands on his waist and a confident smile on his face. He looked as annoying as ever.
Ace looked to the person beside him—Robin. His uniform was black and has long sleeves like his, but with streams of soft blue—unlike Ighnihyde's who's a bit too bright for his liking. And he wore long light blue shirt underneath with sleeves that covered his palms. His pants were long until it reaches his ankles, and also he didn't zip his zipper to the top, leaving his collarbone exposed.
If he could be honest, this was the first time Ace saw him with other outfit—other than his usual dark hoodie or with an extra of his blazer and a white shirt. And he was pleasantly surprised with this new look.
“Turns out you could wear another outfit other than that lame hoodie, huh?” Ace joked as he tightened his outer on his waist. Robin only rolled his eyes, refused to reply to Ace.
Then they heard a loud whistle which stopped everyone from taking. “Good morning, everyone! As I said last week, today we'll do a mini test! Now, form into a long line of 3 and we'll start!” Said Mr. Vargas, still with that annoying smile. Everyone started moving in a blink of an eye, and suddenly Ace lost his sight of Robin. He looked around, trying to find the familiar figure around people moving around him. But before he could found him, Mr. Vargas already blew his whistle once more, indicating the test has begun. So Ace had no option left except to start running since he was in the front line.
Ace had decided to slow down his pace, wanting to find Robin while he jogs around the track. Then he found it, near the end of line, second to the left. Bless him who has different color tags than the other seven dorms. And it looked like his pace is decent since he was running in the same pace as others, so it made Ace quite disappointed.
Turns out sport wasn't his weakness too, huh, he thought to himself.
So he returned his focus to the track in front of him, focusing on his own jogging. But soon his will to stay with the same pace disappeared when he saw Deuce jogged in front of him, jogging with a faster pace—which made Ace a bit agitated. He decided to quicken his pace and catches up to Deuce. He knew Deuce is quite athletic since he joined the track and field club, but Ace himself is a member of the basketball club, so there's no way he'll let himself gets beaten by this mediocre guy! In terms of running, he has better stamina management! So he jogged faster, and it seemed like Deuce didn't want to lose too.
They went through so many laps until Ace himself had lost count. He had been focusing on the blue haired guy next to him, jogging past through so many students he never focused his eyes on. He didn't even think of looking for Robin again, because he only wants to beat Deuce on this jogging competition they improved with.
Suddenly, he heard Mr. Vargas yelling, “You're too slow!” which ruined his focus. He was curious, so he looked up and found the teacher was encouraging (or maybe scolding?) someone. He slowed down carefully only to see someone almost drags his own feet to jog around the track. And those soft blue stripes just gave it off to Ace.
Must've been Robin.
“You only jogged for 2 laps, you're falling behind than the others!” Mr. Vargas blew his whistle beside Robin, but it seemed like it did nothing to the latter. His breath was uneven, his bangs already sticked to his forehead, he looked like he was about to fall at any second, and overall he just looked like one sweaty mess! The scenery caught Ace off guard until he accidentally lets out a big snort. Robin turned his head to see Ace holding his laugh with one hand on his mouth and jogs beside him.
No wonder Robin had been skipping P.E classes on purpose! Even though his hands had healed, he still wouldn't come up to this class if Deuce didn't tell him there was a mini test! Ace just realized he might've abused that skipping class privilege every time there's a P.E class!
It also explained why he was always on the back when they went to get the magic crystal! He couldn't match the pace of two athletic students and one cat who were desperate to not get kicked out from here. He used to thought that Robin was falling behind on purpose or because he was lost, but he was just unathletic! Ace could imagine Robin trying to follow him but was left wheezing in the forest alone. He couldn't control his laugh and lets out a big laugh which surprised Robin.
“Why are you... laughing like that...?” Robin asked in between his wheezes. Ace had to stop from jogging because he laughed too much until his stomach hurts. This revelation felt like a blessing for him, and he really needs to tease Robin with his newly acquired knowledge.
“Dude, if you couldn't finish 5 more laps in a second, you'll absolutely fail this test,” Ace answered, saying only the truth. But of course with that condition, there's no way Robin could jog any more longer. Even Ace couldn't jog that fast, unless he transformed into a superhero with super sonic speed. The latter could only groaned that was full of grudges. He then stopped beside Ace like he was about to do something.
Something amusing for Ace, that's for sure.
”... just kill me already,” Robin mumbled, finally falling face first to the ground until it made a loud thump.
Then Ace laughed hard at Robin who had already given up until he almost tripped with his own leg and fell too.
Well, at least now he knows.
Ace's quest to find Robin's weakness: successful on first try!