“ For those of you who are not aware of who I am, let me introduce myself” his gruff voice carried across the arena though he had not been much loader that a whisper. “My enemies call me the end, because I end them. My friends call me the Flash because there’s none quicker. Those who give me orders call me a loose cannon because… well you get the meaning.” Dramatic pause “ But you my dear unfortunates have the misfortune of calling me Professor. You better run while you still can, because I am your worst nightmare, only I’m as real as it gets.”

After a tense moment of silence, Zen erupted in laughter clutching his strained ribs. The class joined in soon enough. “You should have seen your faces,” he wheezed, struggling to catch his breath.

“ Ate up everything I said like a bunch of over-sheltered, naïve noble brats, oh wait_” he paused, awfully self conscious like a child caught licking a lollipop he should have. “ That’s exactly what you are so eh… I guess, well this is just awkward…sorry?” Most students did not know how to react while douche-bag Justin looked like a volcano in heat, loads of fumes.

“You are our professor, we are supposed to trust what you say.” a plump girl complained. A few others raised their voices in agreement. Jason wisely remained silent.

The professor laughed again.

“Well young lady, I guess that is the first lesson of my class then.”

“ And what’s that professor? Justin managed to make “Professor” sound like an insult. Trust him to mess things up. “That you are not qualified to teach us?”.

The professors eyes narrowed and everyone went silent except Justin of course who was way too dumb to get the hint.

“You come to class dressed in rags, potbellied, claiming to be the legendary Zen. You insult our Nobel families. You are Nothing. How do we know you are who you say you are? Prove it then. I could roast your sorry ass in a duel if I_” Justin stopped ranting. The silence in the arena was deafening. The professor’s eyes pinned him in place. His overwhelming presence was felt by everyone. Justin blinked and the professor was in front of him “ ahhgg!” he cried, falling backwards in surprised shock.

“Well, you want proof eeh brat, that can be arranged.” once again, his voice carried though barely above a whisper.

“Damn, I’ve got to learn that trick.”, Jason mused. He wasn’t very concerned about what happened to Justin. Instead, he focused on the professor. He needed to gleam every bit of insight he could get from this confrontation if he was to succeed at what he had planned. He did not have much time though because the professor was half-dragging half- carrying an extremely spooked Justin to the center of the arena for their supposed duel. He needed to act now. He started forward only to have a hand grab him.

If you find this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the infringement.

“What in god’s egg-shelled beard do you think you are doing?” Felix hissed.

Jason flashed a half smirk

“Challenging the legend of course, what else would I be doing?”

Felix groaned “I feared you’d say that. There’s no stopping you is there?” Felix asked resigned. He knew Jason could not have done this on the spot. He would have thought about it carefully before coming to a conclusion, and once there, nothing would make him change his mind.

Felix didn’t know what to be more worried about; that Jason had apparently had time to think over it and still make such a stunningly stupid decision, or that he had thought at all. Anyway, nothing to do now, he might as well get his ass-whooped, if that was the only thing he’ll have whooped before this was over.

Jason shook his head

“You know I’ve got to do this yeah?” Felix nodded

“I know. It doesn’t stop it from being egg-freaking stupid but go on, I’m behind you, way, way, way, behind you. Away from all the action and blood and whatever other evil the Professor inflicts on you.”

“Your loyalty is touching my friend” Jason mocked. And with that, he turned towards the professor who’d taken up position in the center of the arena.

“Hey Professor Man!” That certainly got the professor’s attention, his gaze locked on Jason.

“Yes my Rofana?”

“I challenge you to a duel”

Tantadadaaah!!!

“This is going to be a good one”, Felix whispered, pulling out popcorn from his pockets.

*************************************

Zen had been watching Jason long before Jason knew. Right from the moment he saw him take down the buffoon and his goons protecting the skinny one last year. The boy was quick, he had seen that. His heart was clearly in the right place if he was standing up to bullies. For a time, Zen had thought of taking him as his apprentice. The thought lasted right up till he watched Jason’s abysmal training. It was shocking how horribly he did in training and Zen knew immediately that something wasn’t right, the boy was holding back.

Zen was disgusted at first, thinking the boy did not have the determination to reach high heights, the sort of heights Zen himself had reached.

Determination and drive were very important Zen knew, no matter how much talent one thought they had. He later found out the boy didn’t necessarily lack drive, but was just wary of the attention that excelling in the academy brought. What with the shadow constantly lurking, searching for fresh goons for her nasty missions. Zen could relate to that, he himself had been someone’s goon. But he wouldn’t teach someone without spin, or would he? He never really made up his mind on things, maybe that’s why some people thought him mad. Was he mad? He didn’t know, but if it got him off shadow duty, he’d take madness everyday.

Bottom line is, Zen had been watching. He knew the boy would need a teacher, not just for his silly duel, he could handle the meat head on his own, but for the Grand Tournoi at the end of the year.

He needed Jason prepared, prepared to win the competition, prepared to be the greatest student the school had seen since Zen himself. He’d already decided to train Jason, didn’t mean he couldn't have some fun in the process. He thought, his lips pulling away to form a mad grin.Yes, Jason could do with a bloody nose and some bruises. Yes, pain, pain builds character, he will give Jason some pain today, and then tomorrow or most likely the week after when Jason had hopefully recovered, he’ll train him.