The following morning Gideon awoke from bed, it had been so comfortable. He couldn’t remember ever sleeping so well. His mind was groggy, but the rest of his body awoke quickly. Nature calls, I really have to pee. He regretfully got out from under the covers and sat on the bed’s edge. He slipped his new soft leather shoes on and stood to leave. He really needed to make it back to the city. Even if it meant spending void energy, he needed to do some shopping. The uniforms that were provided were so uncomfortable.
He walked through the common room, lazily waving to Riley and Hank as he went by. Hank was playing with the deck of cards again, showing Riley some sleight of hand trick. Before he entered the bathhouse he heard the two boys begin laughing. I wonder what that’s about, he wondered? He rubbed his face, still not quite awake. The bathhouse was empty, and very quiet. He could still hear Riley and Hank laughing and talking quietly. He took care of his business and washed his hands. He splashed water on his face and returned to the common room.
Riley and Hank were now joined by Primrose. There were several plates of food set on the small table that the chairs circled around. The moment she saw him, Primrose burst into laughter. “What is so funny? You two were having a good laugh earlier as well. I don’t see anything funny,” Gideon said as he looked around the hall. He noticed there was food on the table. Hadn’t it been empty before? “Prim did you get us breakfast?”
“What the bloody hell happened to you?” Riley asked. “I swear you must have grown six inches taller. You likely gained as many inches in width as well. You became a grown man over night.” Riley said, putting emphasis on grown.
“Maybe in more ways than one.” Gideon heard Primrose mutter under her breath. She looked at him. “I couldn’t sleep and got up early. So yes I went and got breakfast for everyone, but I didn’t bring enough food for the appetite you probably worked up.” Primrose seemed upset and irritable.
Hank eyed the girl. “Was your bed not comfortable? What was that about, who’s got you all worked up today? Or did you run into someone in the dining hall?” Hank looked on with a curious expression.
“Nothing like that Hank. Just an inside joke. We can’t all be a morning person.” She said.
“Inside joke with who? I’m pretty sure none of us got the joke.” Hank shook his head. “Anyway, I’m with Riley on this one. What the hell happened to you Gideon?”
Gideon took a moment to look down at himself. His arms were thicker and had more definition. His shirt fit very tight. His pants left little to the imagination, the fabric taught over his muscles. No wonder the uniform felt so uncomfortable this morning. I bet it’s those points I put in strength and constitution. “I tiered up my alpha and spent the stat points I earned. I didn’t realize this was going to happen.” He said gesturing to his body.
The smell of bacon reminded him of the food Primrose had brought. “Prim, this is for all of us right? You guys going to eat any of that? I’m really hungry.” Prim huffed a little at this statement, but then nodded to him. Gideon sat down in a chair to help himself to breakfast. A loud tearing could be heard around the room. There was a brief moment of silence for his poor pants, then their death throws sent everyone into hysterical laughter. At first Gideon sat in silence, embarrassed. Then the moment caught up to him. He was sitting with friends and laughing about trivial things that were in fact funny. Gideon joined in on the laughter. That is how their mentor party found them.
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Their mentors entered the room, Phoenix and Maximus trailed behind them. Silas began as soon as he saw he had their attention. “Good morning everyone. I’m glad everyone is in good spirits. I see you’ve had breakfast. These two got up early and were down at the dining hall reviewing potential strategies and tactics. When grouped with people, it is a good idea to develop synergies with your abilities. Hank, you will have some catching up to do I’m afraid. Get on your teams schedule if you hope to succeed. You should eat meals together at the very least. The hope is that it helps build camaraderie and continuity.” He stopped and stared. “ Gideon, did you do something different with your hair.” Laughter erupted around the table again. Silas looked perplexed, “What did I say?”
Gideon sighed. I better just get this over with and show them so they understand, he thought. Gideon stood and stepped away from the table, He wasn’t quite eye to eye with Maximus, but he was obviously catching up. “I tiered up and raised some physical stats. I think I need a new set of uniforms. These don’t seem to fit anymore.”
Ellison let out a whistle from behind him. “I’ll say, I can see most of your bare ass,” she said. She looked to Gage, “Now I think I see why you’ve been flirting with the boy, but he’s all man now. You go girl.” She gave Gage a wink and laughed. Gage turned bright red and the room got noticeably quiet, the silence was uncomfortable. The others around the room seemed to get a little embarrassed for the girl as well. The look on Primrose’s face told Gideon there was something they needed talk about. Had he misread their situation?
After they found Gideon new uniforms, everyone put their training gear on. They made their way downstairs to the main entrance. Silas assumed his position out front and lead the group down the stairs and out of the academy. “We’ll be going to the arena. We have a portion of it booked for your training today, but there will be other teams training as well. Safety and respect for others is paramount while at the arena. So we must be diligent in our efforts to avoid getting in each other’s way. Conflicts are unavoidable, but fights outside of sanctioned duels are unacceptable. So keep your heads out there and do what we came here to do. Understood?” The first year students all nodded and followed the mentor group out. They walked along the snaking stairs down to the arena. “The northeast sector of the arena is ours today. We’re going to be holding a series of tests so we know where we stand, so do your best.”
Gideon could feel the pull of the bond now that he knew what to look for. As they walked down to the arena, his instincts would make him shift his position, protecting Gage’s blindside or naturally drifting close to her through a magnetism. He saw her subtle body language. She feels it too. She is watching my blindside for attackers, her hand reaches out to me whenever I get close. He tried to watch her from the corner of his eye, then more direct when he felt she wasn’t looking, trying to see who she really was. He felt drawn to her physically, but he also had a great desire to get to know her better as well.
His thoughts drifted as they walked. Who is this woman that has my complete attention? Gage is beautiful, sweet, and kind. If the bond is permanent, I am in good hands. I hope I am good enough, that I don’t let her down. He thought more about the strange situation he found himself in. It could have been worse. He looked back over his shoulder and saw Primrose looking at him. She smiled and gave him a little wave. Or it could have been something different.