The news about ARMS had the whole class on edge, and a mysterious meeting didn’t help. As the second bell rang, signaling the break, Bella told Vergil to meet her on the roof of Block E.

Vergil opened the door and saw Bella waiting, seated on the guardrail. “Hello, my sweet Bella,” he greeted her.

Bella turned around, creating a barrier for privacy. “Just in case someone is listening in.”

“How nostalgic. You’re wearing the same glasses you wore the day we met,” Vergil remarked.

Bella took off her glasses. “I guess. They were a present from Miri because of my reclusive personality; eye contact was impossible for me. She got me these with ‘nothing is impossible’ engraved on them. I remember finding them after I went to the hospital. I was despondent, and you fixed them, even the words engraved in the frame.”

“I have to admit, it was a bit strange seeing someone wearing burnt glasses with broken lenses,” Vergil said, chuckling lightly.

“That was my first time… Wait, I’m getting my words mixed up. What I wanted to say is that it was the first time I could maintain eye contact with someone I just met.” Bella folded her glasses and placed them in her pocket. “I called you up here to clear the air. The last time we spoke, it turned into a weird argument, and I’m sorry for that. You’re the second person who treated me like an actual person, not a burden or a political tool, and I shouldn’t have put you in that situation.”

“It’s okay; water under the bridge, my sweet Bella,” Vergil replied.

“Okay, I know this is your first time in Africa, so when you’ve settled down, hit me up. I’ll introduce you to some of my favorite cuisines, and then we can hit the clubs to show these humans what it means to hold their liquor,” Bella suggested, getting up from the guardrail and walking over to Vergil, embracing him. A few seconds later, she felt something poking her in the stomach. Stepping back, she saw Vergil holding her favorite horror movie. “Director’s cut?” Bella asked, her eyes lighting up.

“Obviously,” Vergil replied, handing her the DVD.

“Thank you. Can we do it?” Bella asked.

“Right here? You know how it’ll look, right?” Vergil asked, raising an eyebrow.

“I don’t care,” Bella replied with a playful grin.

“Okay,” Vergil said, moving closer, their foreheads touching.

Vergil walked in a video shore, scanning the shelves. “Sho, where can I find the classic horror movies?” he asked the shop clerk.

“They’re in the back, bra wami,” the clerk replied.

“Okay, thank you.” Vergil made his way to the back, browsed the choices, and found the one he wanted. “Perfect!” he exclaimed before heading to the counter, paying for the movie, and leaving.

“That’s always a weird experience, sharing memories… Wait, what’s wrong?” Vergil asked, concerned when he saw Bella in tears.

“My people can only share memories with those we have a mutual bond with. Even though we haven’t spoken in a decade, we still have that bond,” Bella said, embracing Vergil and releasing her barrier. “I have to go; I need to meet some students in the library. It’s a club for reclusive people like me.”

“Okay,” Vergil replied as Bella stepped back and walked back into the building, leaving him alone on the rooftop

Penelope, Ciara, Anni, Miri, and Elizabeth were seated near the school fields when Yasmin approached their table. “What’s up?”

“Not sure how to answer that,” Elizabeth replied, glancing at her phone as it vibrated with a text from Nkosi. Yasmin, standing nearby, noticed the message and shook her head.

“What?” Elizabeth asked, sensing Yasmin's judgment.

“Nothing,” Yasmin replied.

“If you want to say something, then say it!” Elizabeth insisted.

“Do you know a goldfish has a memory of three seconds? After that, it forgets everything that happens?” Yasmin said.

“So?” Miri asked, a frown forming.

“It means you can stab it in the guts, and three seconds later, it will have forgotten that you stabbed it,” Yasmin replied.

“You know that’s a myth, right?” Elizabeth shot back.

“Just like your relationship,” Yasmin retorted.

“Damn,” Miri muttered.

Elizabeth shook her head, trying to brush off the comment.

“I mean, he cheated on you,” Ciara pointed out.

“With six different women,” Miri added.

“What if he went in raw and gives you an STD?” Penelope asked.

Elizabeth sighed. “I know you think I’m dumb for taking him back, but he just gets me.”

“Maybe you should ask yourself one thing,” Anni suggested.

“What’s that?” Elizabeth asked.

“You both were close friends before you dated, right?” Anni prompted.

Elizabeth nodded.

“Are you dating him because you want to be in a relationship with him, or because you don’t want to lose a boyfriend and a close friend at the same time?” Anni asked.

“That’s a good question, Anni,” Penelope commented.

“I feel you,” Elizabeth said, feeling the weight of Anni's words. Just then, the bell rang for the sixth period.

After the sixth period ended, it was time for the ARMS session. Bella rushed over to Penelope and tapped her shoulder. “Can we talk?”

“Okay, what do you want?” Penelope replied.

“Maybe take that bass out of your voice,” Bella joked.

Penelope twisted her face, confused. “What?”

“I was just playing,” Bella said, trying to lighten the mood.

Penelope’s frustration was palpable. “Do I look like a toy to you?” she asked, her voice tinged with anger.

“No,” Bella replied, taken aback.

“I don’t have time for this,” Penelope said coldly before walking off, leaving Bella behind.

“That was a train wreck,” Miri remarked sympathetically.

Bella sighed, realizing she had made things worse. “I know.”

“I didn’t think you could make it any worse, but I guess I was wrong,” Miri replied, putting her arm around Bella’s shoulder as they left the classroom.

At the front of the class, Ciara and Vergil walked side by side, still deep in conversation after sitting across from each other for several periods.

“I know the layout of the school, Ciara,” Vergil said.

“Yeah, but did someone give you a tour?” Ciara asked.

“No,” Vergil admitted.

“Exactly,” Ciara said, smiling.

Penelope intervened, pulling Ciara aside. “Hi, can I borrow her for a second?”

“Sure,” Vergil replied.

Penelope and Ciara walked to the women’s changing rooms.

“Are you okay?” Ciara asked.

Penelope sighed. “Bella came to me, didn’t apologize for what she said, and tried to make a joke. Like she didn’t just call me that derogatory name a couple of hours ago.”

“Calm down,” Ciara said gently.

Penelope snapped, feeling gaslighted. “Don’t talk to me like I’m acting hysterical!”

“I’m not. It’s just combat training today, and Gugu will challenge you. You don’t want to accidentally traumatize the whole class,” Ciara explained.

Penelope took a moment to steady her nerves. “No, but I’m not in the mood today.”

They changed and headed to the training area, waiting for the rest of the class to arrive. Once everyone was ready, Mr. Zwelethini addressed the class. “Now that we’re warmed up, we can start with field training. Today, I’ll split you into groups of four for two different scenarios: a hostage situation and an active shooter in a shopping center. But first, it's combat day.”

Gugu eagerly raised her hand, and everyone knew who she was going to challenge. “Penelope, run me my fade!”

Penelope sighed. “What?”

“You heard me, run them hands up!” Gugu insisted.

Penelope replied, “You don’t want this problem.”

Mr. Zwelethini turned to Penelope. “Do you accept the challenge?”

“Will not accepting show up on my record?” Penelope asked.

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Mr. Zwelethini shook his head.

Ciara whispered in Penelope’s ear, “You don’t have to do this.”

“I know, but I haven’t seen Gugu this hyped. If I say no, I wouldn’t hear the end of it. I accept the challenge,” Penelope said.

“What will be your form of combat?” Mr. Zwelethini asked.

Gugu grinned. “Metaphysical.”

Everyone was shocked by Gugu’s suggestion.

“You’re not doing that,” Pretty yelled.

“Don’t worry about it; I got this,” Gugu replied confidently.

“She’s going to kill you,” Pretty warned, visibly worried.

“Listen to her, Gugu,” Elizabeth yelled.

Will walked up to Gugu. “Do you think you can win?”

“Fighting Penelope in hand-to-hand combat would be a fruitless endeavor,” Gugu clarified.

“You didn’t answer my question,” Will pressed.

“I will win,” Gugu replied.

“Okay, let’s go, Pretty,” Will said, starting to pull Pretty away from Gugu.

---

**Metaphysical battle** is when two or more beings agree on this form of combat. After the agreement, a battle circle is created around the participants, enclosing them within their respective circles. A designated room transforms into a battlefield. The combat is straightforward: you must use any means necessary to push your opponent out of the circle or incapacitate them.

There are two classes of combat: regular battles and emperor-class battles. Both follow the same rules, with two key changes for the emperor class. First, the circle will start to close in on the combatants 90 seconds after the battle begins, and this process won't stop until there is a winner. Second, if any part of a combatant leaves the circle—no matter how minimal, including clothes, weapons, or even hair—they lose. After a combatant is incapacitated, the circle will disappear. However, if a combatant is removed from the circle, they will face an energy backlash that can wound or kill them.

The school's designated room has little to no energy, thus removing the possibility of death or serious injury. Penelope and Gugu step into the room and head to their respective corners.

“I accept your challenge of a Metaphysical battle,” Penelope declares.

“Glad to hear it, but I want to make it the emperor’s class,” Gugu suggests.

“Fine with me,” Penelope replies, unbothered by the change in class.

After their verbal agreement, a circle appears around them both.

“It’s over, Penelope. I have already won!” Gugu yells, placing her hands together to enclose Penelope in a ball of lava. However, Penelope snaps her fingers, creating a cold breeze that cools the lava and hardens it. Gugu, anticipating this, uses the hardened lava to form two hands, which grasp Penelope's hair. As Penelope reaches for the hands, balls of lava engulf both her hands, while lava begins to pour over her face. But this is the least of her worries; her hair is about to leave the circle.

“Sovereignty,” Penelope thought, and everything within her circle stops moving. “You managed to bring it out of me, Human. As your reward…” The lava encasing Penelope is blown away, and she locks eyes with Gugu. Placing her index finger on her thumb to create a six, Gugu finds herself surrounded by the number. Still shocked by the sudden turn of events, Penelope declares, “Curse technique: UNHOLY.”

Gugu's circle disappears, and she is suddenly crucified, levitating in the air. As the cross is reversed, the curse simulates the sensation of being burnt alive.

An unconscious Gugu was instantly transported to the school infirmary, and the lesson was abandoned.

Gugu woke up in the school infirmary an hour later. As she sat up, she saw Penelope looking out the window. “What happened?” Gugu asked, still confused.

“I won the fight 189-0. Perfect record maintained,” Penelope replied, a hint of pride in her voice.

“Oh! Damnit! All this work and nothing to show for it. It’s just...” Gugu held back her tears. “Well, at least I tried my best. Penelope, what’s wrong?”

Penelope walked over and hugged Gugu. “I’m sorry. For a moment, I lost myself and took my frustration out on you.”

Gugu whispered in Penelope’s ear, “I don’t need your sympathy. I was the one who wanted the challenge. The least you could do is acknowledge my effort for stepping up and facing the unstoppable force.”

“I’m sorry,” Penelope said again.

“I’ve never heard you say sorry so much. I never knew you were part English,” Gugu replied, a hint of sarcasm creeping in.

“Sorry, I meant to say that for the first time in years, I was challenged and needed to answer some questions. But I did answer those challenging questions,” Penelope breathed easily, and Gugu’s jokes seemed to lighten the mood.

“That’s better. Now, if you could stop hugging me, I’m starting to smell like you,” Gugu teased.

Penelope released her and sat beside her. “Why wouldn’t you want to smell like a goddess?”

“Oh! You’ve got jokes! But I just remembered that curse you used. What was that?” Gugu asked.

“Unholy. It simulates the painting where Lucifer is thrown by God into a sea of fire. The curse itself is mental rather than physical, so those caught in it may feel as if they’re being burned for eternity, but it only lasts a few seconds,” Penelope explained.

“Okay, but I have to ask: what’s going on between you and Bella?” Gugu pressed.

“Nothing,” Penelope replied too quickly.

“Come on, Penelope! You put me in a hospital; the least you can do is tell me the story between the two of you,” Gugu insisted.

“Okay, Bella and I are in a relationship,” Penelope finally admitted.

Gugu was shocked. “What?”

“Yeah, we’ve been a couple for 16 months now,” Penelope explained.

“But?” Gugu asked.

“Everything is good, I think. We are in a good place,” Penelope replied, though uncertainty crept into her voice.

Gugu noticed the mismatch between Penelope’s words and her tone. “You don’t seem confident about that.”

“I know. It’s just... why does the magic of the first couple of months vanish?” Penelope lay back and sighed. “Side note: this bed is so comfy.”

Gugu responded in a sardonic tone, “I’m glad my pain has brought you this new discovery.”

“I didn’t mean it like that,” Penelope replied.

“I know. Do you want my two cents?” Gugu offered.

Penelope sighed. “I guess.”

“Relationships are easy if both parties are fully committed,” Gugu said.

“Okay.” Penelope shook her head at the plain advice.

“What I’m trying to say, in a roundabout way, is to look beneath the insecurities,” Gugu clarified.

“What insecurities?” Penelope asked.

“The fact that you haven’t gone public with your relationship bothers you. As you said, you’re a goddess, but she might not like the idea of going public with you, which leads to your doubts about how she feels,” Gugu explained.

“I don’t have doubts about how Bella feels about me,” Penelope defended.

Gugu took a moment to compose herself. “Your actions say otherwise. Just talk to her and find out what’s beneath her insecurities. This will also help you figure out your own feelings.”

“Okay, thanks for the advice,” Penelope admitted.

“Anytime. How long have I been out?” Gugu asked.

“An hour,” Penelope replied.

“What’s the time?” Gugu asked.

Penelope checked her wristwatch. “Half-past two.”

Gugu sighed with relief. “Thirty minutes till the meeting.”

“You still want to go?” Penelope asked.

“Of course! The president of ARMS, Sheila, is here, and she’s attending our mandatory meeting on the day the news broke about ARMS replacing the police,” Gugu explained.

“The doctors cleared you, but they called your parents. They’ll be here in the next hour or so. Pretty brought your school uniform and bag,” Penelope informed her.

“Is she outside?” Gugu asked.

“She was the first in the infirmary, but she left to change back into her uniform when she heard you were okay. Your hubby Will is also outside,” Penelope added.

“And why did they let you in here?” Gugu asked.

Penelope shrugged. “Because I’m the head prefect.”

“Even though you put me here?” Gugu asked, raising an eyebrow.

“That doesn’t change the absolute truth of me being the head prefect,” Penelope replied.

“Okay, give me some space to change,” Gugu said.

“Okay.” Penelope got up from the bed and left the room.

Gugu smashed her fist on the bed. “Lost again, all that effort for what? Just to look like a fool in front of her. I hope Bella hurts you as much as you’ve hurt me.” After her outburst, Gugu took a deep breath, composed herself, and changed from her training clothes back into her school uniform. Pretty and Will entered the room, and Pretty embraced her.

“You had us worried for a moment,” Pretty said.

“Yeah, I just thought I could win, but I guess it wasn’t meant to be,” Gugu explained.

“Are you okay?” Will asked.

“Yes, now that two of my favorite people in the world are here,” Gugu replied.

“What about Liz?” Pretty asked.

Gugu shrugged. “Number three. And Pretty, where’s my sheet?”

“You don’t need to worry about that.” Gugu stared at Pretty until she relented and took out the sheet from the combat training.

“It means nothing,” Pretty insisted.

Gugu nodded. “Read it to me.”

“Okay. If the room wasn’t designed to minimize the raw energy, you would have been killed.” Pretty explained.

“Okay, what about Penelope?” Gugu asked.

Pretty looked at Will before responding, “She maintains her perfect record of not sustaining any damage.”

“Okay, let’s go to the hall. We have a meeting to attend,” Gugu responded, grabbing her bag.

“Are you okay?” Will asked again.

“Yeah, I’m perfect. Come on,” Gugu said as she left the room, with Pretty and Will following her to the hall where the rest of the class was. After a couple of minutes, the meeting started.

Mr. Xulu stood on the podium. “Gugu, glad to see you up and about. This meeting is about your future as the A class. You have been prepared over the last six years for the academy and beyond. Now, an opportunity has presented itself to all in this class who want to be ARMS agents. Our special guests here will talk more about this opportunity.” Mr. Xulu stepped away from the podium, and Derrek, one of the ARMS agents, walked to the front.

“Hello. My name is Derrek, and I know that most of you don’t want to be here, but bear with me. This meeting is about your future in relation to ARMS. As you know, ARMS is replacing the police, and this change has presented all of you with an opportunity to be temporary agents. ARMS replaced the police primarily due to the skyrocketing crime rate, which has caused a ripple effect across the country. The Rand has lost much of its value, leading many companies to go under. Add the pandemic that lasted years and the looting that followed, and you have a country on its last leg. There are ten schools throughout the country that prepare pupils for the ARMS academy, and this school is ranked in the top two. We are here to offer your whole class temporary contracts until the end of the year, and the number one school has been offered the same contract. We believe that out of all the classes, these two are worth the investment,” Derrek explained.

Anni raised her hand. “Yes?” Derrek prompted.

“What if you don’t want to sign the contract?” Anni asked.

“You are not obligated to sign. This is a temporary eight-month contract that will help those aspiring to become agents. Since the whole class is enrolled in the agent course, you’ve all accumulated over 3600 hours of the 4000 hours needed to become an agent. This means that those who sign the contract will become agents before the end of the year, unlike their predecessors, who had to finish up the remaining hours in the academy,” Derrek clarified.

“What about school?” John asked.

“We will be talking to the school. There will be changes—no more assignments, just exams, and your timetable will also be altered,” Derrek replied.

“How much?” Brandon asked.

Derrek responded, “Money-wise, you will get 20 thousand.”

“Per month?” Brandon asked, surprised.

“Yes, with benefits, health insurance, and your fieldwork for ARMS can be added to your CV. If you feel that you can’t handle being an agent, you can activate a termination clause in your contract and receive a severance package. However, ARMS also has the option to terminate if we feel the work is too much for you,” Derrek answered.

Sheila stood up and walked to the front of the stage. “Look, no bullshitting. I was captain when I was 18, the youngest in history. Money-wise, you can become a millionaire if you climb the ranks, but if you’re doing this to be famous, you won’t last long. This isn’t a superhero movie. You don’t just swoop in, save the day, and then it’s over. It’s far from that glamorized picture. Our organization works hours on end to solve cases, from big corporations laundering millions to sex workers found dead, and both cases receive the same attention. So, if all you want is fame, go act in movies. We exist to help those in need. Now that introductions are over, you can all come to the front and take the contracts with you, but I must say that you have until Friday to sign.”

The class lined up to take the contracts. When it was Alba’s turn, she noticed a note inside the first page that said, “Stay. We need to talk after everyone gets their contracts.” Alba stepped back to the second row and waited for the rest of the class to finish. Afterward, Sheila approached her and sat beside her.

“Hi, my name is Sheila,” she introduced herself.

“Nice to meet you, Sheila. I’m Alba,” Alba replied, feeling a mix of excitement and apprehension about their conversation.

“Likewise. Now, straight to the point: I want you,” Sheila stated.

Alba was taken aback. “What?”

Sheila burst out laughing, realizing how that sounded. “I’m sorry, this is serious. I think you would be a terrific addition to Crime Control. The newly created department is a better fit for you than the policing department of ARMS. Crime Control handles the CSI stuff you see on TV. I’ve looked at your physics, biology, chemistry, and life science grades, and I was impressed. Your aptitude when it comes to dissecting everything was perfectly done—no organ damage. You did splendid work, and your shadow manipulation is intriguing as well. But I care more about your talents with a knife than your fighting skills, so give me a call if you’re interested.”

“I don’t have your number,” Alba replied.

“It’s written on the back of the note,” Sheila said as she got up and walked out of the hall, leaving Alba alone with her thoughts. Just then, she felt a tap on her shoulder.

“What?” she asked, turning around.

“You good?” Karabo asked.

“Always,” Alba answered.

“Alright, if you say so,” Karabo replied.

“What were you two talking about?” Beatrice asked.

“About the contract. Nothing else,” Alba explained.

“Okay,” Beatrice said.

“James is waiting in the car, but I can give you a lift if you want?” Karabo offered.

“I’ll take the bus,” Alba replied.

“In 15 minutes? And it’ll take another 15 to leave? Come on, let me take you home,” Karabo insisted.

Alba sighed. “If you insist.”