Chapter 3: A Special Kind of Offer

Jump:

"Come on," I scream, running as fast as I can. I sprint down the sidewalk, jump over the street, and skid against the sidewalk as I turn around the corner. I only stop when I realize I'm alone. "Uh? Where are you guys?"

I run back to see Hothead and Shocker slowly following me. Shocker doesn't look so bad but Hothead looks like he's about to faint.

"Come on," I scream again, running back and grabbing Hothead's arm. "Move faster. We're already 20 minutes late to class. Come on!"

Hothead pushes me away and bends over.

"Give me a second," he pants, "Give me a second to catch my breath."

"Now?"

"I used a lot of fire during the fight with borebacks. Okay. Fire uses a lot of oxygen."

I roll my eyes and shake my head.

"Come on," I say, dragging Hothead through the busy city street. I drag and drag him all the way until we reach the front of the local fighter academy. Once there, I let go and peek around the corner, through the gate.

"Okay," I whisper, looking back at Hothead and Shocker. "There's a chance. There's a small chance we can sneak in without the Headmaster noticing us."

Shocker shakes his hand in front of us, grabbing our attention.

"What," I ask.

Shocker then shakes his head and points past us.

"Oh no," I think, turning around to see the Headmaster standing in front of us.

"My office," he says, "Now."

Hothead:

"We are in so much trouble," Jump yells, rubbing her hands through her hair. "Oh my god! Oh my god! We are in so much trouble! I can't believe we were so late!"

As Jump rants nervously while Shocker just sits there, I look around the detention room. It's a small room with only a table and a light hovering above it. Normally, there would be two chairs, one for the student in trouble and for the Headmaster. However, this time, since there are three of us, there are four chairs.

"What's going to happen," Jump says, slamming her forehead into her hand. "What's going to happen to me? To you? And you, Shocker?

"Calm down," I say, patting Jump on her back.

She turns toward me and slaps my hand away.

"How can you be so calm," she says. "You heard Headmaster Strictcon. This is the last time! The last time! We're going to be expelled. My parents are going to kill me. Worst, they're going to make it so I never see you or Shocker again. This is horrible."

"It's not that bad," I say. "I mean, you heard that fighter that saved us. We could've been in a worse situation."

Jump shakes her head.

"I think he was referring to the fight against the aracharles," Jump says. "You know, the one that almost ate us. Not this. Honestly, I'd rather be fighting that than be here!"

About to say something, the door slams open and Headmaster Strictcon enters. A stern and tall man with a permanent frown on his face, Headmaster Strictcon crosses his arms the second he sees the three of us.

"You three again," he says. He grumbles as he pulls out a small white and silver cylinder from his back pocket. Pushing a button, his holo-display comes on and a see-through green screen shoots out from the cylinder.

"Sulien Bokamoso," he starts, pulling up my files. "Corentin Keanu. Eimear Avita."

"Actually," I say while raising my hand. "We prefer to go by-"

"Silent," Headmaster Strictcon yells, shutting me up. With a swipe of his fingers, he shows us our files as they hover in mid-air. "Do you have any idea how many times the three of you have been late to the academy this year?"

I raise my hand.

"Uhh, do you actually want us to answer or not?"

The Headmaster doesn't answer me. Instead, he just stares at me with his signature frown. A few minutes later, he looks down and swipes his finger. Our files disappear back into his holo-display.

"I told you the last time what would happen if you three were late again," the Headmaster says, "I told you that I would have no other choice but to expel you. Well, now it's out of my hand."

"What," Jump and I say. The three of us then look at each other.

"Sir," Jump says, "What do you mean it's out of your hands?"

"I mean since you left the city and entered the Wild without a proper permit or even a trained fighter," the Headmaster says, "The three of you are in trouble with the city."

I can't be sure but I think my mouth is open. I only assume this because Jump's mouth slowly opens as well.

"The City of Norwood is pressing charges against the three of you for unlawfully leaving and recklessly endangerment," Headmaster says, "When you left the city's wall, you put the whole city and everyone inside in danger. The authority will be here shortly to asset the situation. Needless to say, the three of you are expelled from Norwood's Fighter Academy. I have already told your parents."

"Oh no," Jump says, lowering her head. "Oh no. Oh no! I can't believe it."

"Headmaster Strictcon," I say, standing up, "Please. Reconsider. I know we haven't exactly been the best students, but, but--"

I look at Shocker and Jump.

"They're my friends," I tell myself, "I have to do this."

"But please, spare them! Corentin and Eimear are innocent. This is all my fault. I was the one that led them into the Wild! I will take full responsibility for everything, but please, don't expel them."

Headmaster Strictcon doesn't move a muscle. He stays crossed arms and stern eyes. It's only when the door opens that he bothers to move.

"Hello," Headmaster Strictcon says. He turns and prepares to shake hands but stops. "Wait, who are you? You're not an officer."

"I'm not," a familiar man says. It takes me less than a second to realize it was the man that saved us from aracharles. Wearing the same cloak from before, I also see the same sword and axe from before. They, along with a bow and quiver filled with arrows, are all on him. Stepping into the room, he nods his head and greets us.

"Hello," he says. He turns to Headmaster Strictcon and offers him his hand. "My name is Noah. I am Headmaster of Yellow Sun Academy."

As soon as Headmaster Strictcon hears those words, he freezes.

"Yellow Sun Academy," Headmaster Strictcon stutters. He quickly takes Headmaster Noah's hand and shakes it. "A pleasure to meet you."

"Likewise. Are these the students? The one that went into the Wild?"

"You mean the ones that have violated the rules and threatened all of Norwood," Headmaster Stricton asks. "Yes. Yes, they are."

Strangely, Headmaster Noah then starts to stare at us intensely. Feeling a bit uncomfortable, I step back.

"Uhh," Headmaster Strictcon says. Noah turns to face him. "If I may ask, what brings you to my academy?"

"That is an easy question," Headmaster Noah answers. "I am here to offer something really special."

"What is that?"

"Scholarships to my academy, Yellow Sun Academy."

It seems Headmaster Strictcon chokes on Headmaster Noah's words. He had to hit his chest a few times before he could talk again.

"Scholarships to the best fighter academy in all of the world," Headmaster Stricton says, "That's very generous of you. No, that's beyond generous. Who are the lucky students? I shall go and get them immediately."

"No need. The three lucky students are already right in front of us."

Headmaster Noah then waves toward us.

"What," Headmaster Strictioncon asks.

"Uhh," Jump says.

"Excuse me," I interrupt.

"You heard me. Out of the hundreds and hundreds of student fighters in the world, I have chosen you three to be given full scholarships to Yellow Sun Academy. Do not worry. I have already discussed the matter with your parents. All of your parents, while they too seem surprised, were very excited at the notion."

"Wait, wait, wait," Jump says, shaking her hands. "You want us? The three of us? Are you sure?"

"Yes," Headmaster Strictcon says, "These are very bad students. They are constantly late for class, have poor scores and attitudes, and are barely above novice fighters. They do not belong at Yellow Sun Academy."

"With all due respect," Headmaster Noah says, "That is my choice to make. Not yours. May I please see their files?"

Still confused, Headmaster Strictcon nods his head and pulls out his holo-display. He turns it on and with a swipe of his fingers, gives our files to Headmaster Noah. We all watch as Headmaster Noah quickly reads them over before looking back up.

"You are right," Headmaster Noah says, "Normally, with these scores, one would never have a choice to enter my academy."

Headmaster Strictcon nods his head.

"But," Headmaster Noah goes on, turning toward the three of us. "I believe this is a special circumstance."

"Special circumstance," I repeat. "What?"

He turns off his holo-display and puts it away.

"Headmaster Strictcon, I am sorry to have been eavesdropping but I overheard your talk with the three earlier. You expelled them, right? That means at the moment, they are not part of your academy."

Headmaster Strictcon once more nods his head.

"And because of their unlawful exit from the city, they are in trouble with the local authority."

"Uhh," I say, scratching the back of my head. "Yeah. About that--"

Headmaster Noah shoots out his hand like he did before and shuts me up.

"Again, do not worry. I have already talked with Norwood's authority and told them my plan. They agreed to it."

"But wait," Jump says, "What is the plan exactly?"

Headmaster Noah lets out a small laugh before smiling.

"This is the plan," Headmaster Noah states. "From this point forward, you three will go home and pack up. Afterward, you will arrive at the hover station where you will be picked up by the hover traincraft and taken to Yellow Sun Academy. There, as transfer students, you will be trained to be fighters."