Four days had passed since I found out about the team formation, and it was our first day at the new school. Our uniform had the same color pattern as the ones the soldiers wore being black and gold lining running from collar to the sleeves. The pants were the same. I couldn’t help but wondered how Sakura and Jun were doing it has been too long since I last spoke to them. Hina, fortunately didn’t suspect anything although I did lie to her. Even when I wanted to come in contact with Miss Blackwood, I couldn’t find her at all.

When we finally reached outside, I rubbed my sister’s head. I could tell she didn’t like as she flick my hands away. “Ah geez, it took me forever to fix my hair” sounding annoyed

“You nervous?” smiling faintly while asking her. She pouted with her mouth avoiding my eyes before responding “A little bit. But you can stop worrying already I know where to go. So, hurry and go.” Flicking her wrist motioning me to go away. I laughed a little before parting ways her afterwards.

On the way to my new school, I kept looking around to see if I can her again today but all I could see was my new schoolmate. Everyone looked normal but they all must be super strong as they are attending this school too. Suddenly I felt someone tackled me from the back of my neck. It felt so familiar but when I turned around, it was instead Zach and not Jun, smiling at me as he greeted me cheerfully. Not too far behind was Jin, who ran up to apologizing to me “I’m sorry for not stopping him. I really hope you can let this slide.” He said while bowing down to me. It was kind of awkward as he reminded me of a mother apologizing for their child’s misbehavior.

“Hey, it’s okay. It’s not a first” I really wanted to have Jin stop bowing down because not only was it awkward, but also people were staring at us. It didn’t even help either that Zach, interrupted saying he won’t do it again just to forget. Honestly, I could have sworn I heard Jin, clicked his tongue when he said that.

A while after walking with these two I noticed there we were still getting looked at from the people around us, but I knew the reason why. Although I never noticed it before even though we’re all wearing the same uniform Jin and Zach stood out with their face. Instead of a uniform the clothes made them look like models. The girls kept stealing glances while the boys were cussing at me. I really wanted to disappear from these two like right now. I didn’t have the energy to deal with this in the morning.

Our first day school at school was extremely brutal, the new lectures were harder to understand and. It also surprised me I was sharing the class as Souh. It felt uncomfortable being near him, but I tried pushing through ignoring him throughout the day. When it was finally time to go home the sun was close to setting already. I seriously wondered if this was how higher education is going to be like. But to my surprise I saw Miss Blackwood standing outside my school gate. I parted from Jin and Zach as I walked towards her. Her eyes looked serious. When I got close, she gestured to me to follow her into the forest of this island.

We came out near the ocean. The atmosphere around us heavy but Miss Blackwood kept in walking with as I followed behind her. Soon enough she stopped and started taking off her coat revealing her only wearing only a tank top. I felt embarrassed even though she was still wearing clothes but her sudden action made me felt flustered. It was quiet for a while, so I turned back to face her direction but, in that moment, a sudden pain struck me while my vision blurred. The pain was indescribable. I sparred a lot when I was still going to the gym, but her punch hurt a lot more than some of the bigger guys back then.

I stood back up on one leg albeit unsteadily as I felt my legs trembling and head ringing. She walked closer before stopping in front of me, her gaze looking down at me. “I saw your profile, you have some proficiency in martial arts. Do not take this too personal because starting now we’ll see how your skills are in actual combat.” once she was finished another fist came flying towards me faster than I could react. Knocking me out

Training was killing me, that by the time d I finally arrived back at the dorm. I didn’t realize how late it was already. Worse of all this was just the first of my 6 days training evaluation with her, my bodies completely beaten black and blue. I found my sister already sleeping with the windows closed and a smell of cook food. I don’t have to worry about her, but I got a whiff of my sweat and man did I smell. I didn’t delay it any further and went for a nice relaxing shower to end the end.

When I stepped out, I noticed her notebook completely open on the desk; curios to see her progressive I snuck a glance. I was shocked that I couldn’t believe this was the middle school standard for this school. She tried her best, but I recognize some of them were wrong. Even I would have thought they were right on first glance. I helped her worked on some of them since I needed time for my hair to dry.

By the time I was done, I stepped out on the veranda. Warm cool breeze hit my face. I could smell forest and seawater and we were so high I could see everything in my direction. I wonder if this is how rich people lived getting to enjoy security and luxury in a world were living is considered in itself a luxury already. I didn’t think long before a sudden feeling of hunger struck me. Normally I would ignore it, but this hunger was on another level I quickly rush to the small kitchen pressed the button that made a hidden door slide of the wall separating the bed and kitchen. Supposedly it’s sound and smell proof, preventing the smell from leaking through even though it looks almost transparent. I turned on the ventilator and seeing how my sister didn’t wake up I guess it must be true but still I wonder sort of technology they used. I raided the fridge with whatever we had and finished my night with a late-night feast before heading to bed.

Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.

I felt the sudden tugging of someone. My body was so numb or tired my eyes would move. Suddenly I got cold slap across the face, anybody would wake up even if they wouldn’t want to “Ah fuck, the hell?!” shouting angrily at her. In return my sister shouted back.

“Says you you’re going to be late its way past 8 already idiot. Gosh you came home late and eat without cleaning the dishes and didn’t wake me up. I’m going to remember this.” She said all while rushing out the door. I was still out of it, processing ‘I’m going to be late.’ I got out the bed quick, my body rigid. I ran towards the bathroom to change my clothes. Stopping in front of the mirror looking at my body, the bruises I suffered yesterday still there the pain finally started registering. I wanted to skip but who knows what sort of punishment I’ll receive after skipping one day. I couldn’t afford it. I quickly brushed my teeth afterwards I grabbed my pants and shirt wearing my belt and wrapping the coat around my waist bursting out of the room.

When I finally got outside Jin and Zach ran out behind me. “Morning.” Zach Said Cheerfully like always

“Are you also late?” he asked in surprised only to have to have Jin interject.

“Shut the hell up and run you baboon!” Jin seem to always be in a foul mood

“What’s wrong you two?” I flinched at his sudden loud voice.

“This monkey kept whining in bed about not wanting to wake up early”

“I need my sleep or not I won’t be able to do well in school”

“Even a monkey is smarter than you and all they know how to do is eat, sleep and shit!”

“You’re cruel you know that?!” Zach expressed in such an overly dramatic way I saw tears even though he still smiled. It’s like a comedy show in the morning between these two.

“Hey, Kazuki, wanna take a short cut?” he asked eyes beaming with excitement

“What?”

“Don’t you dare you. I’m warning you Zach”. Jin scowled but Zach had already grabbed both our hands and forced us to run.

By the time we arrived, our uniforms were a mess. I was busy cleaning my pocket from leaves and sticks stuck on it. Everyone looked at us today as if we just back from war. It was only the second day and already it seems like I’m in the center of unwanted attention. I tried ignoring the piercing gaze, whispers, and gossips from my peers as I tried to separate from Zach and Jin. I’ve never felt more embarrassed coming to school than I do now.

By the time school finished late afternoon, I saw Miss Blackwood from afar near the gate entrance. She wasn’t wearing her usual military uniform. Instead sporting only, a slimmer pants with boots and a crop top. She’s definitely showing a lot of skin. I never noticed until now but seeing her in casual clothing I could see she was definitely attractive physically. But maybe it was because of the beating but i felt no admiration but genuine fear.

“Instructor?” I pondered why she showed up. Maybe because she thought I would run away?

“I want you to follow me, The Director, told me to help you practice for this fight”The look in her eyes was sharper yet gave off a worrying feel like there was a reason behind it. We went deep into the jungle somewhere pretty secluded. “Uhm, Miss? Where exactly are we going?”

“Just be quiet and follow me we’re almost there”. Her words were stern but not angry with me, but I haven’t the slightest clue as to why? I felt nervous thinking that perhaps I might have broken a rule, but nothing came to mind. When we arrived at our suppose destination. We are standing in the middle of forest kept us completely hidden. She scratched her head a moment before looking at me “Look sorry with how I’ve been acting but…it’s just…the plans changed, I received news that your team will be participating in a special festival” she looked troubled “That’s why I’ve been going at you a little bit hard. I apologize.”

“Please no don’t be.” I quickly denied everything. It felt weird being apologized to from what I experienced yesterday “But if you don’t mind can you explain to me what’s wrong?”

She looked at me confused before giving me a somber look. “I see, you didn’t know about this either. Be prepared for what I’m about to you.” her face firmly looking at me. I swallowed my saliva in anticipation.

” The festival is called the seven-day festival where the four other specialize schools that rivals our will meet. It’s essentially a fighting tournament taking place in a span of 7 days hence the name 7-day festival. You can think of this like a gladiator like tournament, you fight for fame and glory. The selected individual will attend to as a means to recruit potential future soldiers to their country or cause. Even people such as the World Government.”

I didn’t know how to respond so stayed silent. “It’s a team based so I know you can figure out where I’m going with this.” I reassured her I was fine. “Let’s continue my training please. In preparation for this festival.”

Instructor Blackwood looked at me confusingly, but she gave me a soft smile. She probably already guessed it but even if I were to ask her, the Director wouldn’t even give her a clear answer for me. Reaching into her pocket, she pulled out a pair of gloves and tied her hair up in a short ponytail. Before she starts, she advised “You can stop calling me Instructor too it feels weird being called that, I prefer you calling me Miss again or just Sarah. Also, this will be you last day with me before getting someone else as you’re combat instructor.” I nodded in agreement before realizing what she said. In the midst of my confusion, she brutally punched me straight across the face following yesterday still fresh injuries.