I woke up in the dorm, now busy with students in and out. The dorm was big, but not massive. It was as enough to house about 10 students.
As I sat up, saliva dripping from my mouth, my thought struggling to fit correctly in my head.
Jaden looked at me confused. We had known each other since I got on the boat, and as I was formally accepted in the team. He was shorter than me, with a trained body, and mind. He was dependable and self reliant. serious at times, but not as Shane. Playful, but not as Kainan or Oliver.
In all ways, in all cases, he was almost always, in more ways than one, the perfect balance, forever in between.
"We have a meeting. Get up, you waste" he said, as he sneered.
As a normal person who heard our regular conversations, we would come off as abusive. For a normal person. These kinds of talk among us have become so common, its abnormal to not speak that way.
"How could we have a meeting during school sessions. Dimwit" I replied.
"Maybe its because the Chancellor declared half day. Donkey"
A half day on campus was like a gift from the gods themselves. It was fun, because it usually meant "someone messed up, so the rest of you can sit back, because we're too busy dealing with his mess".
Its good, until you're the one that messed up.
I was lost in thought, thinking of what this meant for me. Then it hit me, as soon it did for Jaden.
"I messed up"
I looked up at Jaden, and he had the same look on his face. "Damn"
Without a word, we both left the dorm, making our way to our usual meeting spot—a shady nook by the courtyard that offered a good view of most of the area. This secluded location allowed us to observe the comings and goings of fellow students while providing a sense of privacy. Typically, we would hold these meetings at night, under the cover of darkness, when fewer people wandered the campus. However, today was different; it was a half day, meaning we could meet in broad daylight without raising too many suspicions. The sun filtered through the leaves above, casting dappled shadows on the ground as we settled into our familiar routine, both of us aware of the significance of this moment..
As we got there, everyone looked tired, stressed, and annoyed.
Adriana called the group together, to forma circle. I sat on the far end, near to Kyle and Kainan.
"No, no. You're to sit over here. In the middle" she expressed, as calm as ever.
I sat in the center, anxious of what was going to happen next.
"Everyone. In the midst of us the cause of most our problems. Speak against him, or forever remain by his side."
I looked at Adriana in disbelief. "Was earlier merely a facade?"
But everyone remained silent. The air was cold, the breeze calming, the birds chirping, but no one spoke.
"Now that the matter of support is out of the way, we can move to more important things. Muna, you would not know, because you stormed out of the hall. The final ruling is trial of strength. I'm sure you know what that means."
Of course I know what that meant. The Academium Archive, written by Mikal, one of the strongest intellects the world will ever see, dictates that the rule of strength be used to determine close cases.
It was a brawl, an all out match, where the victor was determined as "right".
"I know what that means" I replied, my voice undetermined.
"No, you dont. You think you're a big shot. No one can beat you huh?" Josiah said, angrily.
"If you keep up that attitude, you'll lose. Lets be honest. You're a great addition to the team, but your pride is killing you. The fact that you think you can beat a fourth year is killing me."
He got up, his stature as scary as his capability for violence. Standing over 7 feet, he looked down at me, his face with no expression of friendliness. But I didn't back down.
"So what do you suggest we do then? I dont plan on losing to that trash." I responded, strongly.
"I suggest you train. You have been running on luck this entire time, and I dont want to run with a luck dispenser."
With that, he left the vicinity.
"While he was very direct, I will say that he has a point. The tree knows the difference between rain and storm." Oliver expressed, surprisingly sounding serious.
Kyle stood up, as if to speak. However, Kainan took the chance for himself.
"Whatever that means, the fact that one of us is about to be sent to the lions den, and the rest of you are barely doing anything about it, really stunned me."
"Yo. You train sword?" he asked.
I lightly nodded my head.
"With us. Your match is the upper month, during break. Kyle and I will get you straight before then."
"H-Hold on. Give me some time to think."
"Take the offer." Venus said, emotionless.
"Why should I be trained by them when I can be trained by literal Gods? Are you sure you cant teach me a move or two?" I replied.
"One. We are NOT'gods'. Two, I teach you one thing and you'll turn into a firecracker. Since your body construction is so bad its basically cursed, you will die. Three. You wont be coming back to see me in a while, because the next time you step foot here you might be killed and there will be nothing I can do to save you."
I stayed quiet for a while, processing what Venus told me.
"What do you have to think about? All you have to do is to say yes"
"Whatever Kyle. Just getting my head straight."
We made our way, and then we were stopped.
"Wait. I noticed that you kept getting beat, so I'm offering my help too. I figured you learn how to take a punch, or two."