My name is Niko. I’m 17 years old, 5’9”, with a slim build, green eyes, tanned skin, and dark spikey brown hair. I’m currently in the orphanage, with little to no memory of my parents. They died when I was around 2 years old under mysterious circumstances. I was raised in a government-run orphanage, which was more of an intensive boot camp than a place of love and nurture. The level of care and respect that we received was in relation to how well we ranked in comparison to the other children. The top 3 ranked orphans would get personally tailored full-course meals and a private room with its own bathroom. The top 10 would get a choice between 3 different restaurant-style meals, a private room, and a bathroom shared with 4 other orphans. All other orphans would get bland tasting nutrient-rich rations 3 times a day. They would bunk with 4 orphans each having their own cot in a room that could barely fit 2.

We would get assessed in three different fields of study, combat ability through sparring, intellect through written assessments, and physical capabilities through obstacle courses. I ranked the lowest in combat prowess and the obstacle courses. Despite this, I was able to remain as the 10th-ranked orphan just from my performance in the written assessments. Due to my photographic memory, I was able to accel when it came to intellect. This made me the target of all types of bullying until I met my best friend, Taylor. Taylor was the number-one ranked orphan in both the physical and combat prowess assessments while ranking 2nd in intellect. Taylor had blond hair and blue eyes, 6’1”, and was more physically fit than men in their prime, even though he was only 17 years old. Ever since becoming my best friend Taylor made sure that no one touched me again.

I was stretching in the gym getting ready for the final combat assessment. Then I heard laughter from across the gym as 3 orphans came in. Jonny, Fredrick, and Anita. Anita had dark skin, long crimped black hair, deep dark brown eyes, and a smile that would make my heart flutter. I never talked to her too much, but she stood up for me whenever Jonny would come after me, and she never went out of her way to talk trash about me. This made me harbor a crush on her for the longest time. “Look at this Anita, as smart as he is he can’t just seem to learn that he would never be anything other than the weak bitch that he is,” Jonny said as he approached me. “Jonny just leave him alone,” Anita replied. Jonny responded, “And why should I do that, this little punk gets on my nerves every time I see him.” Approaching me kneeling beside me to be at eye level he continued, “You do realize that no matter how smart you are, you’ll amount to no more than the crap I scrape off my boot. Right.” Raising my head to stare deep into Jonny’s gaze I replied “Jonny I love these heart-to-hearts, I really do, but I keep telling you not to get so close because I mean damn, your breath slaps me every time you come within 5 feet of my face. You didn’t happen to scrape that crap off your boot with your tongue, …. Did you? Damn, yes you definitely did” I exclaimed as I mocked coughing up a lung. Anita couldn’t help but let a giggle slip out. Turning his head towards Anita Jonny turned beet red, filled with rage turning back to me stating, “You must be smelling your own breath, Maggot.” “Wow, you really came up with that on your own Jonny. I’m impressed, I really am. I can see how you were able to recently go from rank 80 to 79 in intellect. You should be proud” Niko stated with a snug smile on his face.

Jonny pulled me up by my shirt with one hand, outstretching the other getting ready to strike. “Jonny unless you want to have you’re ranking match with me I suggest you put him down,” Taylor said as he entered the gym. “All right enough you two let’s save it for the assessment,” the instructor said as he approached. Jonny released me whispering, “Just pray that you don’t have to go up against me” storming off to the other side of the room. “Niko no matter how many times you’ve gotten beat down you still refuse to back down,” Taylor said as he sat beside me. “Well, I refuse to let myself feel helpless again, I won’t take his or anyone else’s bull shit anymore,” I replied. “And I’m sure Anita being there had absolutely nothing to do with your massive display of courage?” Taylor teased. “Well, I do love it when she smiles” “NIIKKOO!” the instructor shouted. “Y…Yes sir.” “Niko since you seem confident enough to talk while I’m going over the lineup, I guess you have enough courage to go next against Jonny?” “Instructor you know he can’t…” “Shut it, Taylor. This is my assessment, and I won’t tolerate this level of disrespect in my gym. Niko, since you can’t keep your mouth shut you can go against Jonny. Jonny come give him hell.” “Yes Sir” Jonny proclaimed as he excitedly entered the sparring circle.

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“Don’t worry I’ve memorized all of his attack patterns. I mean he’s only rank 5 in combat.” I said gulping, betraying my poor attempt at feigning confidence. “Yeah... ONLY rank 5” I entered the combat ring. All right Niko you got this I’ve only lost... all of my fights, and I only embarrassed him in front of the class. I'm sure he’ll go easy on me… right? I unconvincingly thought to myself. “All right you two” the instructor continued motioning us together. “You both know the rules. No lethal blows, and once someone is knocked unconscious or thrown out of the ring the fight will be over.”

After a few deep breaths, I calmed myself, and my perception changed as I entered a different state of mind. I saw and felt everything. I could see every twitch of Jonny's muscles, each flick of his eyes. I could feel the airflow around Jonny’s body mapping out every memorized attack I had seen him use. “He’s clenching his left fist positioning himself to make a left hook… wait no he’s adjusting to using his left elbow instead. I need to pivot my left foot and parry the blow with my right hand…” Black stars flashed in my eyes as Jonny’s elbow made a direct hit to my jaw. Pain exploded throughout my entire head as my jaw broke, and my brain raddled in my skull. My knees buckled as I collapsed to the floor. Just as my vision was going black, I could feel pain blossoming through my ribs. Johnny continued to kick me in my ribs, finishing me off with a stomp to my head. I could hear the instructor far in the distance yelling “I said no lethal attacks… you…l” As I finally entered sweet unconsciousness.

“Arghhh… ah” I muttered as vision returned to my eyes. Slowly I could start to make out the blurry image that soon proved to be none other than Taylor getting up from a chair and walking over to me. “P…pa…ain” “Yeah, I bet.” Taylor stated “He only broke your jaw, cracked four ribs, and gave you a nasty concussion. Don’t worry, you’ve been healed from most of your injuries. The instructor called upon a chosen who has a nature elemental as her benefactor. She’s able to wield nature and life force. "Well, what the hell, I’m still in a lot of pain,” I murmured. “Like I said” Taylor responded “She healed most of your injuries, and she said that anyone who, and I quote ‘Is dumb enough to stand there watching an elbow coming straight towards him, not even trying to move, doesn’t deserve to be completely healed.’”

Letting out a sigh Taylor continued “Let me guess, battle mode?” “Battle mode” I replied in agreement. Battle Mode was a term I came up with to describe the state of being I could enter where I can perceive the exact movements down to the smallest muscle fiber when someone is attacking me. This allows me to not only memorize a person’s attack patterns and fighting styles but would also allow me to predict exactly how someone would attack me 3 moves in advance. The only problem is that when I'm in this state, I become frozen in place incapable of moving. At first, Taylor didn’t believe me when I initially told him about it, until I started watching other matches with him. I would not only be able to accurately pick who would win the match, but I would also predict how many moves it would take to win, and the final attack that would end the match.

“Niko, I don’t understand why you still insist on using that ability. As impressive as battle mode can be if you can’t move while using it, it becomes utterly useless. Maybe if you tried fighting without it, you wouldn’t be the lowest ranked in combat.” I began to respond “Yeah but…” “I already know if you can just perfect it, you’ve been trying to perfect it since I’ve known you, it isn’t going to happen. Just give up on it already!” letting out a sigh Taylor continued “Look I’m tired Niko I’ve been here waiting for you to wake up for the past few hours, you’re fine now so I’m just going to go home and get some rest.” Before I could respond Taylor left the room.

Taylor doesn’t get it, I thought to himself. He doesn’t know what it’s like to be weak, I tried to fight the normal way and I still got my ass beat. When I discovered my battle mode, it became my hope to finally have a way to even the playing field. Once I figure out how to move in battle mode, I’ll be able to have real strength. He doesn’t know what it’s like to grasp at straws for hope. Amid my self-pity, the healer came in.

“Are you done feeling sorry for yourself” A woman in her mid-twenties, with a petite figure, green eyes, and green hair tied up into a ponytail entered the room. “Is this how you greet all your patients?” I begrudgingly stated “Yes, the ones who needlessly hurt themselves instead of just admitting that they're weak.” she curtly responded. I started to get angry and proclaimed. “I shouldn’t have to listen to this, and shouldn’t you be treating your patients with respect?” “Listen, child, respect is earned and if you don’t like it then get stronger, you only have yourself to blame for being so weak. Listen, I’m here to discharge you. You are not to do any fighting or physical activity until you are pain-free. Now I have more important things to attend to, so see yourself out.” Tired and worn-out I decided to just go home.