After a long sparring session, we decided to call it a day for today.

"Oh, I think you just broke my spine," Silas said playfully.

"Tell me about it. I never thought taking a beating would be this bad," Freya mumbled as she rubbed her body.

"Bumble," Rhys called, "I think you went easy on me."

"Well, I gave my everything," I lied with a shy smile, then looked at Naomi, who was still trying to catch her breath.

She was the last person I spared, but I thought she didn't try as hard as others.

"Want help?" I asked her as I extended my hand. She smiled timidly again and held my hand.

"Thanks," she mumbled and went towards her backpack.

"Okay, everyone," Rhys clapped his hand. "I think we did a good job!"

"Wow, Romeo, you seemed happy for someone whose butt has been kicked!" Silas said playfully.

"Well, everyone is in the same situation, so who are you to judge, charlatan?" Rhys responded.

"Let's try other roles tomorrow. Do you know how to use weapons, Bumble?" Nolan asked, catching me by surprise. I was drinking water, and I choked. I never thought he would ask me a question.

"You okay?" Rhys asked." Yeah, yeah, I'm good." I smiled at Silas and then looked at Nolan again.

"The weapons I know are knives, sticks, etc. But I believe the weapon you mentioned differs from what I know."

"Well, yes," Nolan said, then sighed and looked at the sun above the trees.

"Let's talk about that in the school."

"Oh, it won't be necessary," I said with a smile. "I can just ask Mai for that."

"Alright then, let's go!" Freya said. Everyone nodded, and we began packing our things, the rustle of equipment and soft thuds of backpacks grounding the moment. A wave of bitterness washed over me as I got ready. The forest, I missed to be in here. I couldn't believe I felt this sad only after a few days. The sound of birds chirping, the soft wind between the trees, and the beautiful smell of nature are what I yearn for back in town. I took a deep breath one last time.

"Is everyone ready?" Nolan asked. Everyone nodded their heads in agreement.

"Alright then, let's get out of here together, then we can split up."

"Okay," we said to Nolan and walked outside the forest. I sighed, a knot forming in my stomach. The thought of facing Alaric stirred a mix of unease and reluctance within me, emotions I wasn't ready to confront just yet.

"Are you okay?" Naomi asked. I looked at her face, feeling slightly discomfort and distrust, but not because of how she acted. I couldn't forget her face when I fell. Maybe it wasn't real, but still.

"Yeah, I'm okay," I smiled.

"So, Bambi," Silas took my attention. "Who do you think was your toughest opponent?"

"Seriously?" Nolan asked, raising an eyebrow with a hint of amusement. Silas, unfazed, leaned forward with a grin.

"Well, I've got to know!" Silas responded, his excitement palpable as he turned his gaze towards me. "So, who was it?"

"Well, the answer is very simple, actually, Alaric."

As everyone looked at me, confused, Naomi's clear and light laughter rang out. This was the first time I had seen her laugh like this, and her happiness made me smile.

"Who is Alaric?" Freya asked.

"My protector," I replied with a big smile.

"Like a parent?" Rhys asked. Before I could answer, Naomi jumped in.

"Don't even go there!" she said playfully. Silas looked at her and smiled.

"Look at our little mouse, suddenly acting so happy and energetic!" Silas said, enjoying himself. Naomi's face got redder, and she averted her gaze.

"Oh, don't be embarrassed. I am just messing with you," Silas said as he poked her with his arm.

Naomi smiled timidly and didn't say anything.

"Let her go, Silas; you embarrass her even more!" Rhys said.

"Look at our Romeo, trying to be a Prince Charming." Silas jumped on Silas and ruffled Rhys's hair.

"Cut it off! You charlatan!" Rhys said seriously, hitting him hard on the waist with his elbow while smiling.

"Ouch, dude!" Silas quickly got away and held his waist.

"That hurt like a-!"

"Alright then!" Freya interrupted with a high tone. "This is where we part our ways. See you guys at school!"

After we all said our farewells, I let out a deep sigh. A tingle of fear crept up my spine as I thought about returning home. The way I left the home was not in my best interest, and the weight of that choice pressed heavily on my shoulders now.

"Why did I leave like that? I mean, it was obvious, but why?" I sighed again as I started to walk. Will Alaric be angry, sad, or mad? The closer I got to the house, the more these questions jumbled in my head, tightening the knot in my stomach. I never argued with Alaric before, but I left the home without saying morning to him! Was he disappointed, heartbroken? Would he leave me like them? My eyes went teary as I thought about it. The first loss was the day I lost my parents. I couldn't remember anything since I was a baby, but Alaric told me everything about how my mother and father fought to protect me against voidspawns and their death as a result. Alaric said he promised my parents that he would take care of me.

I shouldn't have reacted that way. He was the person who raised me. Now, will he hate me? Will he leave me?

When I got in front of my house, a hiccup escaped my mouth. My body was shaking with fear. I took a deep breath to calm myself and hold the door knob.

It's going to be okay!

I opened the door slowly and entered the house. Alaric was still in the living room, sitting on a couch, reading.

"Welcome back," he said, his voice colder than I'd hoped. His eyes remained fixed on his book, a barrier as tangible as a wall between us. My hiccup broke the silence, startling him into looking up. His expression shifted from indifference to shock at my tears.

"What is wro-"

Before he could continue his words, I started to cry. He quickly got up from his seat and came near me. His face showed worry and confusion.

"Hey hey hey, what is going on? Why are you crying?"

But I couldn't answer. I mumbled some words that I was not clear what were they.

Alaric sighed and made me sit on a sofa as he closed the door.

"I will be in the kitchen. Come there after you calm down," he said, gently patting my hair and leaving me in the living room. I looked at him while he walked away. I took a deep breath and tried to calm down. I held my hands together to stop their trembling. Alaric always told me that emotions were weakness. If I wanted to survive, I had to learn to control them, but it was hard. It was hard to fight against the dark thoughts and emotions that came suddenly. A few minutes later, I finally calmed down. The anger and frustration started to take over sadness slowly.

I didn't do anything wrong! He was the one who caused all of this!

I wiped the rest of my tears and went to the kitchen. Alaric was about to finish the breakfast.

"Did you take a bath?" he asked. I shook my head. "After you finish, take one. You smell," he said as he put the omelet before me. I nodded, sat down, and started to eat.

"Alright, let's talk about what happened this morning," he said as he sat with his omelet. His voice was firm but gentle. I didn't look at him like he did a moment ago.

My heart was pounding. As I clenched my fist, anger mixed with a hint of defiance. I clenched my fist and looked at Alaric. "I know what I did, Alaric. I left because I was angry," I said, not backing down.

"And you had every right to your feelings, but leaving without a word isn't how we handle things," he replied, his voice firm. "Especially when we've set plans for a reason."

I clenched my jaw, trying to hold back the frustration boiling inside me. "But you just changed everything without even asking me! You moved my training to after school, knowing it would cut my study time!"

Alaric took a deep breath, his expression softening slightly. "I moved your training because you prioritized meeting with your friends over the commitments we made together. It's not just about what you want; there are consequences to every choice."

That hit hard. I knew I had messed up, but hearing it so bluntly made the anger simmer. "So, this is my punishment? Making me train when I'm supposed to be doing homework?"

This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.

"It's not a punishment," Alaric clarified, "It's about maintaining the discipline you need to succeed. I'm trying to ensure you don't fall behind in any area—training or your studies."

My anger began to wane as I realized the impact of my actions. "I... I didn't see it that way. I just felt like you were taking control away from me."

Alaric nodded, understanding. "And I should have communicated better with you. I'll try to involve you more in these decisions. But I need you to meet me halfway. Can we agree on that?"

I sighed, the fight draining out of me. "Yes, we can. I'm sorry for overreacting and not considering the bigger picture. I'll try to handle things better," I admitted, feeling the weight of my responsibility.

"Thank you, Bumble. That's all I ask," Alaric said with a small smile. "Now, let's finish our breakfast, and then you can prepare for school."

I nodded, and we continued our meal in silence. After I finished my omelet, I got up and went to the bathroom to wash myself, as Alaric suggested. After I put on my clothes and dried my hair with a towel, I went to Alaric's side. He was tying up his hair. When he saw me, he smiled.

"Let's dry your hair," he said as he went to the bathroom.

"But I dried it with a towel," I responded as I followed him. He was taking out a strange black device, he said.

"That doesn't mean your hair is dry. Now come here, let me dry your hair," Alaric said as he plugged that in, causing a loud voice to start. It disturbed me so much that I wanted to cover my ears.

"What is that?" I shouted for him to hear me.

"It is a hair dryer. Don't worry. It is completely safe. It only gives strong air to your hair!"

"Is it normal that it makes so much noise?" I asked this time while frowning. He nodded.

"It is. Now come on, we are going to get late!" Alaric replied, his voice stiffened again. I sighed and nodded.

"Turn your back," he instructed. I did as he told me and felt warm air blowing on my hair. In fact, it was so warm that it felt like my skin was burning.

"It's too hot!" I said, raising my voice. He replied in the same way.

"It is normal!"

With my hands raised, I wanted to push that thing away, but I couldn't because Alaric was controlling it.

"I don't like it!"

"You will get used to it!"

When he finished, I quickly got away from it. It felt like it burned my scalp.

"Are you sure it didn't burn me?"

"I didn't smell any burned meat, so it is fine," he responded as he put the device in its place. I left the bathroom and returned to my room to brush my hair.

"When you get ready, come down!" Alaric called me as he went downstairs.

"Okay!" I responded. About two minutes later, I was ready. I took my bag and went downstairs. Alaric was waiting for me next to the door.

"Did you take your glasses and headphones?" He asked.

"Yes, they are inside the bag."

"Good, let's go then," he said and started to drive the car.

"We couldn't talk about it, but how was the training?" Alaric asked this time.

"It was just as you said. They were weak; I can't say it would be the same for other ranks, though."

"It might be," Alaric shrugged. "It is forbidden to teach children before age fourteen."

"Why?" I asked with shock. It seemed stupid to me. "There are dozens of voidspawns outside. Shouldn't all learn how to fight?"

"You didn't ask this question when you first came here," Alaric said as he smirked.

"I thought everyone learned how to fight. Then you told me yesterday that it wasn't the case, and now, I learned that it is forbidden. You always told me that even a little child must know how to fight."

"Yes, and I am still behind on it. But many people don't think the same way. You would be surprised how many safe areas follow this rule."

"But why?" I asked again.

"They believed that no matter the situation, all children must live their childhood. It is stupid to me in my eyes. I wonder if they could still say that if their barrier shut down."

I frowned at what he said.

"Thinking about it is awful." I criticize him.

"This was what they thought on the First Loss, too, but look what happened. Many were slaughtered. Even in First Decent and three other waves. Humanity believed they were harmless, but they started to attack within the waves."

He sighed and tried to calm himself.

"We just never learn. We never learn from our past mistakes, and this still happens. We let our emotions get the better of us." As Alaric stopped, he looked at me. His eyes were serious.

"Promise me, Bumble. Do not let your emotions get the better of you, and never forget the past. Okay?

I nodded slowly. I couldn't understand the reason for his sudden reactions, but I didn't ask about it either.

"Say that you promise."

"I promise," I mumbled as the cars behind us honked their horns.

"Good," he replied and continued to drive. Alaric was always sensitive about the First Loss. It might be because he lost his friends, but he never accepted or realized his sensitiveness about this. Sometimes, he didn't show, but other times, like this one, he became like this, making me promise things.

After we arrived at school, we said our farewells. I got out of the car quickly and walked to the school. As always, the front yard was silent, but there was a lot of noise coming from inside the school.

Looks like Naomi was right, I thought. A lot of students really came here to train. I sat somewhere and took a minute to relax. I took deep breaths, trying to feel the nature, but the smell was vivid. Students came and went as they did that. Some looked at me, trying to understand what I was doing; some didn't.

"I wonder how the flag race will be," I mumbled. We hadn't even had the chance to use the training ground today. They were all excited about me.

"I wanted to see the arena at least."

"Oh, look who is here!"

My eyes opened wide, and I looked at the source of the sound. It was Silas.

"Hey there, Bambi!"

"Hey, Silas," I smiled. "You are early."

"You too. What are you doing sitting here alone?" He asked.

"I was just relaxing."

He sat next to me and smiled brightly. "You were a bit sad when you came to us. Is everything alright?" he asked with a concerned voice.

"Yeah, everything is okay now. I had a quarrel with Alaric, but we are okay now."

"Your guardian, right? Say, is he like a father or-?" He pursed his lips, seeming unable to find the proper words.

"I don't know. Alaric always told me that he was my guardian ever since my mom and dad died in First Loss. I also don't know how a father acts so-"

"Your parents died on First Loss?" He interrupted me with his question. He sounded shocked at this knowledge.

"Yes. Alaric told me it hadn't been that much since I was born. He saved me from voidspawns."

"I'm sorry to hear that," he said, sounding really sad. I smiled gently.

"It's okay. It was years ago. I don't even remember them. I've been with Alaric for as long as I can remember. Say, how is a father?" I asked, curious.

"Well, it's like having someone who's always got your back. Someone who's there to catch you if you fall but also lets you climb the trees too high to see you figure it out on your own. He'd probably give you a harder time than Alaric and tease you more, but at the end of the day, he's the solid ground. I am not just a teacher but a cheerleader, too. Makes all the scrapes and scares a bit easier to take on."

The way he explained it made my heart flutter. He sounds kind and gentle.

"I wonder, how would my parents be," I said. Silas smiled.

"I'm sure they'd have been wonderful."

Silas's words lingered in the air, a gentle reminder of what might have been. I found comfort in his description, and I felt less alone for a moment. As the voice inside the campus grew, my attention shifted there. I wondered what they were doing and how they were preparing. My curiosity grew, and I wanted to explore this busy, buzzing environment more. I turned back to Silas with a smile.

"What do you say about checking other students out to see how they're training," I said, my voice a mix of hope and hesitation.

Silas hesitated, his expression clouding for a moment. "I'm not sure that's a good idea, Bambi," he started, his voice low. "We, class E, are not liked by many. It would be better not to take any unwanted attention."

I could sense his discomfort. It would actually be a great opportunity for us to learn about our competitors. But Silas's discomfort stopped me from asking.

Maybe I should go alone.

I smiled at this idea.

"Okay, then I am going alone!"

"No!" Silas suddenly yelled, which surprised me. "I mean, it is not wise to go there alone, Bambi. Listen to me, please. It is a bad idea."

"But we can learn about our rivals early this way! Wouldn't it be better?"

Silas sighed, thought for a moment, then gave up.

"Okay, let's do it. Just make sure not to take any attention." His voice was firm, yet there was a kindness that reassured me. I smiled with joy.

"Thanks, Silas!" I said as I grabbed his hand and started to run towards the noise.

As we approached the more populated training area, the atmosphere shifted. The noise of laughter and shouting filled the air, a stark contrast to the quiet spot we had left behind. Silas's happy nature faded a bit, replaced by cautious alertness. We moved to a place that made it difficult for people to see us, so we started to watch them. They were using multiple gadgets in the training area. Some trained with each other, some against dummies.

"Who do you think our competitors are?" I whispered, trying to keep the mood light.

"I know who they are," Silas responded tersely, his voice lower than usual. Then, suddenly, I felt Silas's body tense up significantly.

"Bambi, let's leave," he said in an almost inaudible whisper. I looked at him; his face was pale, eyes darting.

"Oh, okay," I said, taking a few steps back. "Is everything alright?"

"Look who's here, Freckles and— who is it?" a taunted voice came behind us. I felt Silas stiffen beside me. His usual bright demeanor vanished, replaced by a frozen mask of fear. I immediately turned to see who it was. Four boys were behind us; one was in front of the others.

"Oh, it's the outsider. The one we heard from Marcus," the boy smirked. "Freckles, did you make a girlfriend already?"

Silas didn't answer but didn't turn either. His body started to tremble.

This is not like Silas, I thought. What is going on?

"Silas?"

"Hey, didn't you hear me?" he yelled, interrupting me. His sudden raised voice took everyone's attention on us and made Silas tremble even more.

"Answer me you-!"

As he moved closer to Silas, raising his hand, a surge of protective instinct triggered within me. I shoved him with all my might, causing him to stumble and fall.

"Leave him alone, you- you weak!" I yelled this time, using a word Alaric used on me a lot to make me feel bad. Even though I knew that I might beat him up, I felt fear.

Oh no, I go against Alaric instruction!

I gulped. Alaric and I had just made up. I didn't want another conversation in which Alaric might punish me again.

As I was lost in these thoughts, I felt two hands on my shoulders. They were Silas's hands, and he was slowly taking me away. I looked at the boys again; they laughed at their friend, whom I just pushed.

"Dude, she just called you weak!" one of them said.

"And she even makes you fall," the other taunted.

"Let's leave now!" Silas said.

The boy got up quickly. Fury etched across his features, his nostrils flaring in anger.

"Oh, you are going nowhere, not anymore." He said as he started to walk towards us, his voice booming across the field.

"You think you can just push me and walk away? You don't know who you're messing with!" He yelled very loudly. I stood frozen, the harshness of his tone wrapping around me like a cold wind, forcing me to confront the reality of the conflict. I clenched my fist and took a deep breath to shook the raising fear away from me.

"No, I don't know. Does it even matter?"

"Oh," he smirked, interrupting me again. "I am going to teach you!" He walked towards us very fast as he raised his hand. My body stiffened, and I was ready to fight.

"Don't do that!" Silas said as he suddenly tried to get in front of me, but someone grabbed the boy's hand before he could do something to us.

"Enough, Darren,"

I knew that voice. It made my heart beat faster, made my cheeks redder. I felt something in my stomach, something tingly, something I couldn't understand.

Darren quickly withdrew his hand. He seemed fearful.

"We're here to train, not to tear each other down." Elijah continued with a soft tone. He had a smile on his face. Darren gulped.

"Yeah, sorry about that, Elijah. I am leaving now," he said and moved away while glancing at us furiously.

Elijah turned to us with a reassuring smile. "Are the two of you okay?" he asked, his gaze lingering on Silas, who was still visibly shaken. I couldn't say anything to him as I felt something inside me grow. I felt my hands started to got sweaty.

"Yeah," Silas said, "we are okay. Thank you."

Silas quickly grabbed my wrist and walked away from the area. I didn't say anything until we reached the classroom.

"Silas, what was going on? You-"

"Bumble," he said with a stiff voice. This was the first time he called me by my name.

"Let's not talk about this. Not right now. And please don't tell anyone about what happened."

He wasn't showing me his face, but his voice was odd as if he were about to cry. I felt my heart ache.

"I am sorry," I whispered. I felt my eyes tear up.

"I didn't think this kind of thing could happen."

"No," he said. He tried to speak with a gentle voice. "How could you even suppose to know this? You have never been to a school before, so it is not your fault."

He took a deep breath and let go of my wrist.

"I am going to the bathroom; see you at the lesson," he said, as he looked at me with a smile on his face and then left the classroom. He didn't even take his backpack.

"I'm sorry," I whispered again, tears falling. There was something heavy on my chest, something that made me breathe harder. Something that made me feel even worse.