“So? How'd it go?” Beln asked as he threw himself into a seat near Koro the following morning.

“Hello to you too” a sigh leaving his lips.

“None of that, how did tryouts go” not letting him dodge the question.

“OOOOH what did you try out for Koro?” Q’yara leaned up against a nearby desk to join the conversation.

“Dueling Club” he choked out.

“That's exciting, did you make a team?” the dark-haired girl asked excitedly.

“Not exactly.” Retreating slightly.

“Damn, I bet you were close though.” Her attempt at comforting him.

“Well the thing is I sort of got a mentorship from the club Captain. He’s trying to get me on team 2 by next semester. He said I'll move to their scrim team by May at the latest.” Rubbing his head and trying to shy away as he spoke.

They both looked at him incredulous. “The team for Tier 2?!” they said in unison.

“Yeah that's right”

“I heard it's rare for first years to even get on the tier 3 team. How the hell did you manage that?” Q’yara piped up.

“Uh it turns out my older brother mentored him. He told me he wanted to legacy me in or something.”

“Wait Koro is your brother ‘The Ice Prince’?" her eyes opened wider as she asked.

“What kind of stupid name is that? I cant believe Zeke would have let anybody call him that” His surprise turned to annoyance.

“So he is your brother. My older brother Haru was on the team with him and so i got to see him duel a couple of times. Absolutely incredible, I bet you learned all kinds of stuff from him growing up.”

“Actually, no. I didn't even know he was on the Dueling team until a few days ago. He kept it a secret.” Koro looked down at his desk, his eyes losing focus as he put his elbows up and slumped down on them.

“Oh, I'm sorry I didn't know.” her mood souring with his response.

“It's alright Qi you didn't do anything wrong.”

“Anyways it's good news you're gonna be one of the youngest tier 2s ever. I can't wait to see you out there.” Beln tried to improve the mood as his friends cracked small smiles. He put a hand on Koro’s back and gave him a thumbs up as the first bell rang.

The other two ran back to their desks as the rest of the class funneled in or moved around.

“Happy Friday class. As you may remember we have some business to take care of first today before we get out to the field. So I've got a list of nominations here for those of you who wished to participate in the running.” He swiped at his tablet like usual and a holo screen popped up in front of the class.

Candidate List

Laren Handis

Meridia Ley

Perriwin O'hannigan

Kol Renard

Beln Sprigg

Joni Suzuka

Vidic Umbara

Eliza Xetkill

“This is your list of potential candidates who made a request within the deadline that I gave you all. So if you're not on the list and you wanted to be, it's your own fault.” He tapped away at his tablet more before looking up at the class again. “Alright, I sent a poll to all of you. Check your holo, make a selection, then hit submit. When all 30 votes are in, I'll announce the results. First place will be president and second will be their vice president.” A beep rang out across the room as their devices all received a notification.

Beln had mentioned he put in for it but it still felt weird to see his name on the list. Koro didn't really know the other students well so he figured he'd at least support his friend. He tapped Beln Sprigg and hit submit before sitting back and relaxing while he waited for the class to finish up the vote.

It took another minute as some looked to be in deep concentration over it but finally Mr. Kenning perked up announcing that the voting had completed. He tapped a few things then swiped to show the results to everyone on the class screen.

Candidate List

Laren Handis 3

Meridia Ley 5

Perriwin O'hannigan 3

Kol Renard 2

Beln Sprigg 3

Joni Suzuka 4

Vidic Umbara 2

Eliza Xetkill 9

"And there you have it class" Mr. Kenning announced as the screen changed. After a moment the other names disappeared leaving only the winners.

Eliza Xetkill Class President

Meridia Ley Class Vice President

"Congratulations to Eliza and Meridia. Can I have you two come up here for a moment." The girl's stood from their desks and made their way to the front of the room.

Meridia was cheered on by her nearby friends and people congratulated her as she walked past them. Eliza on the other hand, carried a look of indifference as she walked. Some of them tried to congratulate her but she just nodded lightly and continued.

Kenning handed booklets to both of them. "These are guidebooks for both of you. They're for general operations of your positions and your responsibilities. I wish you both luck." He then leaned over to talk to them in a more hushed tone.

A moment later they both nodded and turned around with stern looks on their faces before Eliza spoke.

"Alright everyone, it's time to head out. Practical lessons will be at Training Hall #3. Upon arrival, you will have 5 minutes to get changed and out to the field." Her tone brokered no room for argument from the class.

Meridia stepped up and smiled at everyone, her attitude turning bright. "Alright everyone let's go. Follow me and Eliza." Both girls turned and walked out the door.

The class looked a little dazed before their teacher reassured them. "You heard them, get up and follow 'em out." The whole class suddenly rushed to get up and out the door.

The class stood off to the side of the training hall. Ready in their exercise suits as they bunched together. Waiting for their teacher to arrive.

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This training hall was extremely similar to the one Koro had found himself in for the Dueling Club tryout the day before. The exception being that the main floor had been separated into multiple courts that had lines marking boundaries for some kind of game.

Eliza tried to rally the talkative students but most ignored her. Until the doors slid open with Kenning walking in to which, she yelled at everyone to line. Spooking a majority of the class as they positioned themselves in a more orderly fashion.

"Welcome sir, we are ready and waiting" Eliza spoke as she gave a slight bow.

"Oh thank you Eliza I appreciate that. Go ahead and stand with the rest of the class." Gesturing to the crowd as she joined her fellow classmates.

Their teacher spoke up after a moment. "Class, now that we are in the second week and things have gotten into full swing it's time to start really getting to know your abilities and working towards improving and strengthening them. A big part of this is solving what kind of roles your abilities allow you to fill. Now there are many…many subcategories and ways that these things divide up but we are gonna focus on three right now. These are; offensive, defensive, and utility. Now this doesn't mean you can't fulfill more than one role but we are talking about what you are best geared for. This also doesn't keep you from developing yourself in different ways or being more well rounded."

Koro looked around at the class trying to see if he could peg what roles they would fall into. Beln was probably utility, and Jorum’s huge body was perfect for defense. With him and Q’yara definitely being offensive based. His train of thought led him to the belief that Kenning was trying to ‘out’ everyone's role strengths for Protogen. "Yeah that's gotta be it and probably PATH reports too, now that I think about it." The thoughts rolled through his mind as he listened.

"So of course, the showcase told me a lot about your strengths and weaknesses. However I want to push the skills you showed further and get you into learning how to use your abilities in new ways." He tapped at his screen before the fields suddenly lit up. Small spheres flying up out of the center circle of each of the fields before settling in mid air.

“To test all of this, a simple game is in order….” Kenning continued before being cut off.

“En’ball!!!” a couple of the students shouted as their teacher began to speak.

“Yes haha its En’ball. Normally this is played with teams of 9 but we will be playing with groups of 5 today. Each team will face off against the five other teams. The kicker is you’ll have to rotate positions each game so that everyone plays each role once throughout the day.” Mixed murmurs from the crowd of students complained about the various roles.

“Oh you’ll be alright, think of it as just another aptitude test.”

“That’s not helping Teach,” Kaden called out from the middle of the students.

“I suppose that’s fair. Well then just enjoy the game. Anyways get your group of 5 together, the class should fit into 6 equal teams.” The students began shuffling around to find friends and potential prospects.

Naturally Beln, Koro, and Jorum gravitated to each other and went off to find Q’yara who had become an honorary member of their group. Q’yara was talking with Merriam when they found her so the boys assumed she had already found a team but as soon as she spotted them she ran over.

“You boys ready to win this?” She proclaimed to them.

“Oh we figured you were going to join Merriam.” Koro said softly.

“Oh that, nah. I was telling her that I already had a team. I'm pretty sure she has her five already anyways.” Nodding over to where the girl had walked off to, surrounded by four of their other classmates.

As Koro looked over at the other team Perriwin met his gaze, giving him a jovial but fierce gaze before giving him a thumbs up. Koro returned the gesture knowing that the boy was challenging him as he put a smile on his face as well.

“So does anyone have any ideas for our fifth?” Beln suddenly asked the group.

“Q’yara, hey.. wait up.” Nikolai came running up to their group suddenly out of breath.

“Right on time Nik” Q’yara smiled.

“Sorry I got stopped by like three different people trying to get me to round out their teams.” the boy still trying to recover his breath.

“So do you guys have an opening?”

A smile still spread across his face, both him and Beln replied excitedly, “YES!”

They stood on field 1 at the far left of the gym, waiting on their half of the field across from Ash’s team containing; Kaden, Meridia, Baltimore, and Don. Everyone waiting in their places for instructions from Mr. Kennings.

"OK everyone, listen up. It's going to be the first to five. You have free reign with your abilities but I don't want to see anything dirty out there. Shields are at maximum output so don't be afraid to use your moves on each other. Holder is limited to two steps before passing and your Shooter needs to score the goals for them to count. Good luck and have fun." Suddenly pulling up a whistle that no one had spotted, he blew and the fields each activated.

En'ball was a game of strategy and skill with the players having to pass the ball to move up the field as they were not allowed to run once it was in their possession. However the ball used was quite unique. A small metal construction that had been hollowed out and had a big opening on six sides. This allowed the ball to be manipulated with enki providing strange opportunities for throwing it.

Each team of 5 was constructed of a Shooter, Offensive Support, Center, Defensive Support and a Goalie. They had decided on holding out on their best team construction until they were up against Eliza's team and so for going up against their first opponent they decided to have Jorum on shooter. Nik is off-supp, Qi as center, Koro on defense and Beln playing Goalie.

The ball floated in the center as Jorum positioned himself on one side of it facing Baltimore who stood in a readied position. Her bird seeming to be prepared to push off as the two stared each other down.

"We're gonna need to be careful of that bird. It's technically her Enki so it can move independently." Koro called out to Beln and Qi.

A loud beep suddenly sounded from the field with a red ring that flashed at the center of the field. A sequence of beeps counted down as everyone tensed up. Glancing at Jorum his legs began to bulge, preparing a leap.

“DING” the center flashed green. The massive boy pushed off as the field exploded from where he pushed off. His hand reached out to grab the ball but before his fingers could connect, it disappeared.

He heard a screech as a black blur passed him. The bird, having scooped up the ball, was now rushing toward the goal. Qyara tried to nimbly jump at it but the bird simply threw its weight to one side putting it into a barrel roll, dodging the attempt. “Dammit” she shouted as it blew past her.

Koro had started preparing a bolt and marked the bird with his energy hoping he could guide the bolt on a moving target. As he watched it dodge around Qi’s tackle he fired hoping to catch it coming out of the spin. It tried to pull up as the bolt shot out but it curved following the mark. Throwing its feet up to block, the bolt smashed into the ball knocking it from its grip. Qi rebalanced rolling out of the tackle and jumped on the ball as she heard it thud to the ground. Quickly snatching it up she focused fire into its center as she looked ahead for a pass.

Nik just broke free from Ash’s defense as she spotted him and let loose, jetted the ball with her flames and rocketing it towards her open teammate. Nik had told her beforehand that he could slow the ball down before catching so if she needed to throw it fast he could handle it. Sure enough he jumped to grab it with his palms facing each other and a small gap between them. Static built up between them forming a small field of electricity. Which he used to slow the ball before collapsing his hands to grab it.

Ash tried to get in his face but he threw the ball sideways, confusing him before he noticed the electrical charge on it that was now causing it to curve right toward Jorum. Kaden tried to put up stone walls but the giant smashed them before grabbing the ball. As he grasped it Jorum turned, taking one step towards the goal as he focused specific muscles in his hand and arm flexing them to amplify the throw. The air around his hand rippled and pulsed as he released the ball. Meridia looked at the ball in horror as she stood in front of the goal forty feet away. Don attempted to throw up smoke in front of Jorum to block his line of sight but the ball had already been let loose. Waiting to hear the ding of the scoreboard, he grew nervous as it never came.

The smoke cleared revealing a relieved Meridia holding the ball in her hands. Taking a breath she tossed it to Don who immediately shrouded himself. Qi noticed that Ash had also disappeared in the smoke before noticing Kaden launch himself into the air with a pillar of earth. A loud bang like a gun came from the smoke as the ball shot like a bullet.

“Ash, that punk he used my trick!” Qi yelled out as Kaden used a hand covered in stone to catch the ball mid air. Qi looked back at the smoke at the opening from where the throw came from, Ash blowing off a smoking finger before winking at her. “Stupid dork” she whispered to herself.

Looking back at Kaden, he caught himself with another pillar that seemed to soften as it pulled him back to the ground, his hand holding the ball raised as Baltimore’s bird swooped in grabbing it. It rushed toward the goal again as Koro prepped another guided bolt. Expecting to keep fending the bird off this way. As another bolt got in range of the bird this time it didnt flinch. Dipping its head to make it more aerodynamic it faced the bolt head-on. A purple aura solidifying in front of its beak as it did so. The bolt deflected off, Koro panicking trying to throw more as he slung energy at it. The consecutive shots bouncing off like the first.

“Beln!!!” he shouted as the bird shot past.

Beln tried to hurry and pull up wooden tendrils from the ground in an attempt to stop the bird. The tendrils closing around like grasping hands as the bird shot through the opening, feathers falling as it barely escaped the grip before crashing into the back of the goal.

BBBRRRINNG!!!!

An announcement rang out across the field. “Blue team one point.” A “1” popping up on a holographic floating above the sidelines.

“Ahh i had that!” Beln shouted, obviously annoyed with himself.

“It's the first to five man and I failed you too so no worries ok. We can still get them” Koro ran over patting him on the back.

Beln dumped the ball into an opening on the side of the goal, a vacuum pulling it in and shooting it under the field to the center.

“I got it, i got it” the small red haired boy clapping his hands together preparing for the next round of play.

Nikolai put his hands up to his mouth before yelling to his team. “We got this guys, let's go!” as he lined up at the center to face off against Kaden.

The beeps started and the light flashed green again as the two shot towards the ball at the same time.