I couldn't get over the tingly feeling inside me throughout the lesson. I didn't know why I was this excited, but I was. As the bell rang, two male students came to our seats.

"So, you volunteered, huh?" one of them smirked, making me tense.

"Well, not a very logical thing to do." the other chimed in.

"Stop it, you guys!" a voice called from behind me. I turned to see a girl with orange curly hair tied in a ponytail, glasses perched on her tiny nose, and green eyes that reminded me of the forest. "Don't listen to them. I'm Freya, and these two clowns are Rhys and Silas."

"Hey, don't tell her our names yet!" one of them protested.

"Which one is which?" I asked.

"The one on the left is Rhys, the other one Silas," this time black-haired boy answered. I took another look at them. Both boys were well-built, though not to the extent that suggested they worked out regularly. Rhys had short, straight chestnut hair and dark brown eyes, while Silas sported blonde curly hair and green eyes sprinkled with freckles.

"By the way," I turned my gaze to the black-haired boy. "What is your name?"

"Dude, you didn't tell your name to your desk-mate?" Rhys asked.

"I didn't think it was necessary," the black-haired guy shrugged, then looked at me. "I'm Nolan."

"Oh, your name was also on the list!" I exclaimed. He nodded.

"Well, it is thanks to someone," he said, nodding toward the back.

"Oh, come on. It is a good chance for us to rank up. Think of it as a favor from your cousin," Silas added.

Cousin, I wonder what that means? I pondered.

"Okay, the only missing one in the gang is Naomi," Freya noted, looking towards Naomi, who, as usual, was engrossed in her book.

"Naomi, you are missing from the conversation!" I called out. She looked up with surprise, her cheeks flushing red.

"Well, that's one way to call someone," Freya muttered as Rhys and Silas chuckled.

"It is not how you call a person! Do you have no common sense?" Nolan scolded.

"Umm," I said as I took my backpack and searched for it. "I don't think I have it; what does it look like anyway?"

Silas and Rhys burst into louder laughter as Freya tried to suppress her giggles. I looked at them, confused, trying to understand what was so funny. My question about 'no common sense' was genuine.

"You are a hopeless case," Nolan sighed.

"That's enough, you guys," Freya intervened as Naomi joined us.

"We need to find a strategy to beat our opponents."

I nodded in agreement. Alaric always emphasized the importance of strategizing against enemies. Freya's point made perfect sense.

"So, what should we do?" I asked.

"We might have an advantage, but we have to prepare properly," Nolan said.

"All the other ranks think that we're weak because they don't let us practice as much as other classes."

"Really?" I asked, shocked. This contradicted what Alaric had told me just yesterday.

"Why are you confused so much? Did you never go to the school?" Nolan probed.

"Well, yes," I said, slightly confused. Nolan seemed just as puzzled.

"Well, that explains some things. Anyway, we can turn this to our advantage, at least for the first round. But we need to prepare thoroughly."

"And how are we supposed to do that?" Rhys questioned as he crossed his arms. "Like you said, the school doesn't treat us like the other ranked ones since we are aka failures."

The group fell silent for a while, lost in thought. With the sudden idea that occurred to me, I looked at my teammates with excitement.

"How about we work out early morning?" I suggested. I was already used to it, training early in the morning. This could help them, too!

"Maybe, but where?" Rhys asked again.

"There's a forest ahead of us. We can train there," I explained.

"The forest doesn't have any equipment for us to train," Nolan remarked sarcastically.

"What about school grounds?" Freya proposed. "My brother once mentioned that they let them use the grounds when they trained for the flag race."

"Many ranks would probably adopt that tactic," Naomi spoke up for the first time, her voice low and shaky. When everyone looked at her, her body trembled slightly.

"I mean, it is only logical. Especially for ranks D and C. They would use it early in the morning or after school. And let's not forget that it's not only the 9th graders; all grades that enter the flag race might follow this same scenario."

"You might be right," Freya agreed with Naomi. "In the end, nobody sees us as a threat since we are rank E. B believes that A is their opponent. The same is true for D and C."

"Let's return to our main problem," Nolan interjected. "Where do we train?"

"In this case, what Bambi said might work," Silas said.

"Bambi?" Freya queried.

"Yes, Bumble instead of Bambi since she got that fresh-out-of-the-woods vibe, and you're stepping into the big leagues now!" Silas explained as he plucked a leaf from my head. I frowned at his comment.

"What is Bambi exactly? And I like my name, and I don't plan to change it; thank you very much!" I said breathlessly and frustrated, not happy with this given name as a surge of unease washed over me. Bumble—that was the name Alaric gave me. Each syllable was carefully chosen and rich with meanings only he and I could understand. The thought of replacing it with another, especially one as foreign as 'Bambi,' sparked a defensive anger within me.

"Dude," Rhys jumped to the conversation as he chuckled. "She thought you were changing her name!"

"Well, isn't he?" I countered, feeling annoyed.

"It's just a nickname," Freya clarified with a smile. "Has no one ever given you a nickname before?"

"A nickname?" I asked, confused.

Nolan rolled his eyes while chuckling. "Okay, let me explain. A nickname isn't like changing your actual name. It's just a fun or short way we call someone to show familiarity or because it's easier to say or make them get closer. Sometimes, it's just a tease based on something you did or because of your personality. It's like a friend thing, you know?"

I paused, processing his words. The name 'Bambi' was a nickname, not a replacement, but an addition, maybe. "Oh," was all I could manage as I was still processing it. After a few seconds later, I nodded. "Not a replacement, but an addition. I get it now!" I said joyfully. "So everyone has a nickname?"

"Not all of us yet, But I plan to give everyone one," Silas declared with an amused tone. "For instance, I call Rhys 'Sparky' sometimes because he used to have this crazy hair in the morning that looked like he got electrocuted."

"Dude! Don't tell them that! You will ruin my charisma!" Rhys protested playfully.

"Well, you didn't have much to begin with," Freya teased. Rhys just smiled at her.

"You're only saying this because you fell in love with me."

"That was when I was seven years old; grow up already," Freya said with a tone that was mixed up with amusement and annoyance.

"Then why did you join the team? I am sure it was to be lovey-dovey with me," Rhys smirked, teasing her further. Freya sighed as she shook her head, turning her gaze back to me.

"In the end, it's not something serious, Bumble. It's just us being friendly and having a bit of fun. We are a group now, and I'm sure Silas will give you more terrible nicknames if you don't accept that one."

This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

"Hell yeah!" Silas said enthusiastically. "Nevertheless, I think Bambi suits you because you suggested the forest so innocently, like the deer character who's all curious and new to the world."

Great, new words to learn again. What is a deer anyway, and what is its connection with the name 'Bambi'? I questioned myself.

As the bell rang, signaling the end of the break, everyone let out a collective sigh of resignation.

"Let's continue this talk at the next break," Rhys proposed, his tone suggesting a mix of frustration and determination as they shuffled back to their seats. Naomi moved silently to her seat. For some reason, she seemed unhappy. I wondered, wasn't it a good thing that people finally talked to us? Why was she looking so sad?

As an overweight woman entered the classroom, everyone fell silent.

"Okay, everyone, let's start, shall we?" she said in a monotone voice as the projector switched from math to history.

"Today, we are going to continue from the second wave. As we discussed before, the voidspawns populated our Earth in three waves. The second wave was also when humanity realized that they were at a disadvantage in the war and prepared new tactics to fight them, such as technological enhancement. It started on September 1st, 1939," she continued. Feeling tired from the monotonous lecture, I gazed outside. The weather was beautiful. Birds were flying freely in the sky, and the trees swayed gently in the soft wind. I sighed with the sudden nostalgia I felt. It had only been about five days, but I had already missed my home in the forest.

During the next break, we attempted to reconsider our plan. Everyone agreed to work in a location that had not been known by many, but we had not yet determined where that would be. When the lunch break arrived, every student in the classroom hurriedly got up and ran, just like they did yesterday. Before Freya joined the others, she tapped my shoulder.

"Quick, or the line will be too long!"

"I'm coming!" I said in a hurry, but before I ran, my gaze shifted to Naomi. Like yesterday, she was sitting, continuing to read her book.

"Naomi?" I approached her. She looked up at me with sad and tired eyes.

"You go ahead," Naomi said with a bitter smile, sparking a protective instinct in me.

"If you are worried about Marcus and his friend, I believe you being there might be more dangerous. Alaric told me always to follow the pack," I advised. Naomi only smiled.

"I didn't even want to join the race, you know?" she revealed suddenly. I tilted my head, remembering how shocked she was when she heard her name.

"Now that I remember, you looked sad and shocked at the announcement," I remarked.

Naomi nodded.

"I believe Marcus wanted to get revenge for yesterday. He knew I don't like fighting, so he registered me to the event."

"How can he do that?" I asked, but the answer came to me immediately before Naomi could say anything, yet her words proved my thoughts correct.

"His family is wealthy, so he probably used his influence. And since I am in rank E, the teacher who registered me didn't care," she explained.

"I'm sorry," I said with genuine sadness. She shook her head.

"It is okay, really."

"Can I ask you a question?" I inquired. Naomi nodded.

"Sure, what do you want to ask?"

"Why are you in hunter class?" I asked curiously.

"Family pressure," Naomi shrugged. "My uncle thought I had more talent for fighting than for technology. That's why he enrolled me as a hunter."

I didn't fully understand what family pressure was, but from her tone, I gathered it wasn't something positive. After a minute of silence, I cleared my throat, like what Alaric did for me when I was a kid.

"So, you won't join us?" I asked. Naomi looked uncertain.

"In certain danger, being part of a large group is better than being alone... Or something like that. I don't remember what Alaric said clearly," I admitted.

She smiled at me and seemed to think it over for a moment.

"Alright, let's do it", Naomi said. I felt a surge of joy from her response.

"Okay, let's go!"

I grabbed her arm and ran to the cafeteria with excitement.

"Bumble, slow down! I'm going to trip!" She exclaimed behind me, half-laughing, half-protesting, as we navigated the crowded lunch line. The line, as always, was long. When I looked at Naomi, she was out of breath.

"You really run fast," she said as she was catching her breath.

"Really, I thought I ran average."

Before Naomi could respond, Freya joined us with a tray of food.

"We are sitting at the table in front of the window. We will wait for you there," she informed us.

Both of us nodded to her, and she left with a smile.

"Come to think of it, you seemed sad about it," I said to Naomi. She frowned.

"Sitting in front of the window? Not really," she replied, misunderstanding.

"No, I meant about them talking to us. Isn't it a good thing they're talking to us?" I clarified.

Naomi looked at me and gave me a bitter smile.

"You don't get it, do you," she sighed. "They only act like that because of the game. If they want to win, which I doubt we win, we have to cooperate properly. And that is the main reason for their actions. Did you forget that they didn't talk to you yesterday? Not to mention, they never talked to me since I enrolled."

"Oh," I said, feeling a sudden pain in my chest.

"It will be like that until the end of the event. Then, they will probably stop talking to us, even ignore us like everyone did," Naomi stated coldly. I felt my eyes start to tear up. When Naomi saw my reaction, her eyes widened.

"Oh, no, no, no. Don't cry, don't cry!" she pleaded, but a hiccup escaped from my mouth.

"I am sorry, okay. It's just that this is the reality we have to accept. But, but," Naomi paused, looking around, trying to find the right words.

"Okay, but here it is. They are still friendlier than a normal teammate would have!"

"Really?" I sniffed.

"Yes, yes, of course! Now, please calm down!" Naomi said in a begging tone. I wiped my tears and managed to smile as I took a deep breath. She took a relaxing breath as well.

"I never thought you would be this sensitive," she commented.

"I am?" I asked, surprised. She nodded. Before I could say anything, it was time for us to have our meal. I looked at them with curiosity. I looked at the options with curiosity. It seemed to have 'meat' again next to pasta, an orange-looking soup, and salad. I took all of them with excitement.

"Thank you!" I said to the lady who served the food, but she only nodded back with a cold expression. As we were about to head to the table, I felt Naomi's body tense up. Her eyes locked on something with fear. When I followed her gaze, I saw Marcus, his friends, and some people I had never seen with him before. He seemed happy. I frowned and looked at Naomi.

"Let's go," I said. She nodded and went to the table Freya had shown us.

As we settled at the table by the window, the chatter around us melded into a noisy backdrop. Nolan tapped her fingers on the table, drawing everyone's attention.

"Just in time," Nolan said. "We started to think that you guys went to another table."

I looked at Naomi, but she remained silent.

"The line was long," I replied.

"Alright, let's make some strategy," Freya said in a joyful tone as we sat.

"Do we know other competitors?" Rhys inquired.

"Not yet, but a week before the event, they will call all competitors from all grades and ranks; at least, that was what my brother said," Freya shrugged.

"How old is your brother?" Naomi asked Freya.

"He is going to be 27 years old this year."

"We have almost 13 years difference!" Silas exclaimed. "There is a big chance that it might be changed since he last participated!"

"He last entered nine years ago. I doubt that it might change that much, and if we are not sure, we can always ask a senior," Freya suggested optimistically.

"Like they would talk to us," Nolan muttered.

"Okay, let's calm down," Rhys jumped to the conversation. "Let's say that Freya is right; we will learn about our competitors at that time. That means we will have one week to plan our strategy. In this case, we have to prepare for the fight as best as we can. So, let's return to the main problem. Where should we train."

Everyone was silent, considering the options. I took a big bite from the meat as I looked at them. Since I only knew the forest and already suggested it, I couldn't say anything.

"I guess Bumble's suggestion was the only solution we can go if anyone doesn't have any sports salon, that is," Freya joked, trying to lighten the mood.

Nolan rolled his eyes, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "Great, shadowboxing with trees."

Freya perked up. "Actually, my brother might help. He's got some old training gear we could use."

Everyone nodded to Freya.

"Well, better than trees," Silas said as he poked Nolan.

Rhys pondered the suggestion. "We could train after school, couldn't we? That might be more efficient."

"But wouldn't we be too exhausted after a whole day? Plus, there's homework," I pointed out, my voice tinged with worry.

"You have a point," Silas conceded, scratching his head. "Mornings might actually be better to keep our energy levels up."

Rhys surveyed the group. "All in favor of dawn patrol?"

The group murmured their agreement, though some more reluctantly than others.

As Naomi and I finished our lunch, we left the cafeteria. She still seemed distant, her eyes often flicking around the area as if expecting someone. Outside, we found a quiet spot in the backyard.

"Naomi, you've been quiet. What's on your mind?" I asked, my tone full of concern.

"I just don't feel good about most things," she admitted.

"If it's about us trying to win, then don't worry, we probably won't win," Nolan said with a cold voice.

"Hey, don't lower our little mouse's motivation!" Silas said. Naomi, Freya, and I frowned at the same time.

"Mouse?" Naomi said with a frustrated voice. It was the first time I'd seen her display an emotion other than sadness.

"Yep, mouse, since you are quiet and unobtrusive. And let's not forget you are probably the shortest," Silas explained with a big smile on his face.

"A cute nickname for Bumble and an ugly mouse for me," Naomi mumbled, clearly annoyed.

"Oh, don't be jealous. It fits you well!" Silas teased. Naomi took a deep breath, obviously trying to remain calm.

"Jealous? I am not jealous!" Naomi retorted. Freya jumped into the conversation, attempting to steer it back on track.

"Let's focus. We said that we were going to meet in the forest, but the forest is big. Where should we meet up?"

"How about the school gate?" I suggested, hoping it might be a central point.

Everyone shook their heads.

"School gate is too far away from the forest, Bambi. Besides, we might give the other rankers a chance to bully us. Let's meet someone's house."

"How about Freya's, since she has the equipment?" Rhys suggested. Before Freya could say anything, Silas jumped.

"Lovebug's house? Why not?" Silas said. Freya's cheeks flushed red, and her eyebrows rose in surprise.

"What do you mean 'lovebug'?" she demanded.

"Oh, come on, lovebug, we all know what I meant," Silas teased in a flirty tone as he signed to Rhys with his head. As Rhys cracked a laugh, Freya kicked Silas's knee.

"I dare you to say 'lovebug' one more time!" she threatened.

"Ouch, come on! You need me in the game, lovebug!" Silas retorted, not taking her seriously.

"I am going to show you the 'lovebug'!" Freya declared angrily. Just as she was about to lunge at him, Nolan grabbed her, holding her back.

"Easy, easy," he said as he tried to calm Freya down. In the meantime, Rhys and Silas continued to laugh, and Freya screamed at them. Some students turned to look in our direction.

"Let me go, Nolan! Let me have him!" Freya shouted, struggling against Nolan's grip.

Naomi leaned closer to me and whispered, "On second thought, I think I like the nickname mouse. At least it is not embarrassing."

That moment made me wonder if Freya felt the same thing about Rhys as I did against Elijah. But why was she showing her affection in a different way than I am? How could she hide it so perfectly? I could ask her about that, and maybe she could teach me how to hide them properly.

When I was about to ask, I stopped because of how scary and angry she looked. Her nostrils flared, her face turned bright red, and she was clearly not in the mood for a calm discussion. Silas was apologizing to her while he was still laughing. Rhys and Nolan were trying to calm her down.

I decided to wait until she calmed down to ask. Human emotions can be scary but also incredibly fascinating. Realizing this only made me more eager to understand them better.