Avery nodded firmly, arms crossed. "Sir, please—don't let this happen again."
Xander gave a lazy two-finger salute in response, then turned to leave.
Alex, Ben, Gwen, and Athina dragged themselves back to their seats, watching as Xander disappeared out of the school gates like a man escaping a war zone.
Alex slumped into his chair, chewing air with the hunger of a dying lion.
Boredom gnawed at his brain, but his stomach had plans of its own—growling like a summoned beast.
He glanced sideways, eyes narrowing. "Ben," he whispered. "Did you bring any snacks?"
Ben didn't even look up. "Nope. Aunt Amber sent us lunch boxes. Three of them.".
Alex rummaged through Ben's bag.
"Damn, I'm starving! Dad and I got buried in work—ugh, I feel like a corpse with homework."
He pulled out a lunch box. "Ben! What's this?!"
Ben glanced over, nonchalant. "Oh, that? Aunt Amber sent lunch. Three boxes. One for each of us."
Alex's eyes lit up. "Bless her soul."
Without hesitation, he snapped open the lid, slipped on a pair of disposable gloves like a surgeon prepping for battle, and dug in.
The rich aroma of fried rice and crispy chicken burst into the air like a spice bomb. The scent drifted across the room, violating every hungry soul's peace treaty.
Gwen and Athina sat paralyzed—traumatized.
"Alex!" Gwen hissed, eyes wide with panic. "She'll kick us out if we eat in class! Can't you wait till lunch?!"
Alex chewed fast. "Can't. Starving. Plus, can't take elixirs on an empty stomach. You want me to faint and add more drama?"
Gwen sighed and discreetly cast a scent-dampening spell around their bench, hoping to contain the culinary catastrophe.
But Miss Avery's senses were sharper than most military radars. She turned mid-lecture, narrowing her eyes like a hawk spotting prey.
"Mr. Alex. Is there a problem?"
Alex froze for a heartbeat, then slowly lowered his hands. "No, ma'am. Just… getting comfortable."
She squinted but nodded, returning to the board.
Ben took that as a green light and started munching alongside Alex, eating with a fork like it was a formal banquet.
Gwen and Athina glared daggers. Athina leaned in, whisper-shouting, "Alex, stop being childish! If we get caught—"
"Relax," Alex said between bites, "we're already in trouble. Might as well eat while we wait."
Soon enough, Box One was obliterated.
Without shame, Alex pulled out Gwen's lunch box.
"Round two," he grinned.
"Don't you dare—" Gwen began, but it was too late.
Alex and Ben devoured it like hyenas on vacation. After the last bite, Alex leaned back in his chair, wiped his mouth like a king post-feast…
Then—
"Ooowep!"
A thunderous burp echoed across the silent classroom.
Every head turned. Every eye stared.
Dead. Silence.
Ben, Gwen, and Athina simultaneously slammed their heads onto their desks in utter embarrassment.
Alex wiped the gravy from his mouth. Avery raised an eyebrow and asked, "Care to explain, Alex?"
Gwen chuckled. "Sorry, madam! Medicine effects… gastac!"
Alex stood and gave a sheepish bow. "Sorry for the disturbance." He quickly sat back down.
Avery nodded. "All eyes on the board." Everyone turned their attention forward.
Gwen and Athina shot sharp glares at Ben and Alex, who responded with awkward smiles.
"Heh... heehee…"
Gwen promptly punched Ben on the head. Ben winced and looked over at Alex, then Alex pulled out the injector and pressed it against his chest. Students nearby stared as Alex administered the medicine.
The elixir glowed with a radiant golden hue, infused with advanced tech. It slowly seeped into his chest. He pulled the injector away just before Avery turned back around. Alex gave a small nod, appearing fine—for now. But moments later, both he and Ben were slumped on the bench, drowsy.
Avery continued her lecture, ignoring them. When class ended, Gwen and Athina wasted no time in smacking both boys upside the head. They scolded them until they were too tired to keep going.
The group headed to the canteen. Alex sat with them and began recounting what he'd done and planned over the last three days. Gwen, Athina, and Ben listened closely. Gwen, ever the caretaker, started feeding Alex by hand. Everyone in the canteen turned to watch. Gwen ignored the stares and continued eating with the group.
After they finished, they headed to the combat training hall. They settled near the edge of the room as Athina and Gwen filled Alex in on everything he'd missed. Alex nodded, then said with resolve, "Don't worry, guys. I'll rejoin the training. I'll catch up—I promise."
But the mood shifted. Ben, Athina, and Gwen went quiet.
"Alex, listen to me," Gwen said gently. "Your condition's weaker than ours. You need different training."
Alex nodded. A shadow passed across his face—a flicker of depression—but he shook it off and smirked. "Nah. I'm not joining that hell."
Ben slung an arm around Alex and laughed. "Damn lucky bastard. You're escaping while we suffer!"
Their laughter echoed through the hall. As other students entered and training commenced under their instructor, Alex and his squad stayed seated, relaxing.
Alex looked around. "Why's our instructor late?"
Ben shrugged. "They changed instructors yesterday. No idea why."
Suddenly, Alex slumped against Gwen's shoulder, wincing after taking the injection.
"Ben… you sure he's okay?" Gwen asked.
Ben looked concerned. "It hurts more than we thought. That's why he always crashes after taking it."
But in an instant, Alex's eyes snapped open. He stood tall—on his own. Darkness enveloped the room, shrouding everything. Even the instructors couldn't see.
Alex drew his sword without hesitation, golden flames erupting along the blade. He didn't blink.
"Everyone, defensive positions! Don't let your guard down!"
They drew their weapons. Gwen conjured a barrier around them. Alex's grip tightened on the flaming sword.
"Why are you back?" he growled into the void. "Did you forget our deal?"
The flames around his blade blazed brighter. Then a voice echoed from the shadows:
"Sorry, kid. But I've taken a new deal."
The darkness faded. A man walked forward, dressed in simple casual clothes. Alex pointed his blade without hesitation. Every student turned to watch the confrontation.
The man smiled casually. "Hey kid, how're you doing?"
Alex didn't lower his guard. He didn't even blink.
Miss Avery burst into the hall and gasped. "Alex! What are you doing?"
Without looking away, Alex said coldly, "What's this man doing here?"
"Stop it, Alex! How can you disrespect your instructor?" she shouted.
"Ahey, ahey, ahey…?" Alex, Ben, Gwen, and Athina exchanged confused looks.
Avery frowned. "Wait… do you know this man?"
In unison, the three replied, "Nope!"
Alex lowered his blade and extinguished the flame. He slid the sword back into his infinite pocket.
"Yes," he said calmly. "He was one of the elite hunters during the Awakening Ceremony. He's the one responsible for my broken hand."
Everything clicked into place. Ben, Gwen, and Athina looked at the man with new understanding.
The old man chuckled. "Wow, you kids have come a long way."
Avery smiled. "Whatever the case, I'm leaving them under your command, sir."
Alex nodded. "Guys, let's relax."
The tension lifted.
The man grinned. "Still a beast, huh? Commanding the squad with just instinct and a sword in hand. Impressive."
Alex laughed. "Wait… you like me or something? Did you come here just to train me?"
The old man laughed again. "Not quite, fool. Your sister requested it. She told me everything about your condition. So, I won't be going easy on you."
A voice rang out. "What, Alex? Ignoring my advice again?"
It was Mandora—Alex's doctor.
Alex's eyes lit up. "Hey, Sister Dora!"
She scowled. "Sister Dora? Is that what you call me now, you idiot?"
Alex chuckled. "Come on! I just thought 'Mandora' was too serious. I wanted to give you a cute nickname."
She shook her head, but smiled. "How are you holding up?"
"Doing fine."
She stepped forward, pulled up his shirt, and carefully cut away the bandages from his chest. The room fell silent, everyone watching.
Alex flushed red. "Uh… Sis? Can we not do this in front of everyone?"
"Don't interrupt," she said sternly. "I've already spoken to the faculty. If the elixir causes pain, you'll just have to bear it or sleep it off, understood?"
Alex winced but nodded. "Got it."
Then his nose twitched. "Wait… is that food in your bag? I smell something amazing."
Mandora laughed. "You brat. Still shameless."
His goofy grin wiped away her worry.
She smiled, handing Alex a small sweet.
"Here. I made this for you."
Then she injected a serum into the torn muscles of his injured hand. Alex took a bite, eyes lighting up.
"Delicious, Sister Dora! Bring more next time, okay?"
She chuckled. "Don't strain that arm too much. And absolutely no sword in that hand, got it?"
Alex nodded. "Yeah yeah. See you around."
She glanced at the wall clock, panicked. "Time to go—lab stuff! Bye, kid!" And just like that, she vanished down the hall.
The old man stepped forward, his presence heavy as lead.
He smirked. "Alright, brats. I'm your new instructor. Name's Roy Marksmen. I don't teach like the others. Follow me."
Ben, Gwen, and Athina exchanged wary glances before following him to the garden.
On the field, Roy stopped suddenly and barked:
"Alex, you sit this one out. Stay under that tree and watch."
Alex leaned back against the trunk, crossing his arms. His eyes locked on his teammates.
"What'll you do if your captain isn't around to save you?" Roy said, his voice sharp. "You think you can survive out there?"
Silence.
"Then prove it. Attack me. All of you. Full power."
The trio lunged—Ben's blade, Gwen's spells, Athina's rapier—all unleashed in a barrage. But Roy danced between them, hands in his pockets, dodging with ease.
"He's playing with them," Alex muttered. "He hasn't even awakened his power."
Suddenly—BAM! Roy appeared in front of Ben and sent him flying into the wall with a single crushing kick.
"Sir! They'll get hurt! Please—stop!" Alex shouted.
Roy snapped his glare toward him.
"Stop being a scarecrow! I hate interruptions."
He vanished again, reappearing in front of Athina. She swung—rapier throttling at him—but he dodged every move like smoke. Then a clean back-kick knocked her to the ground.
Gwen attacked next. Full force.
Roy crushed her barrier with a swipe, then blurred and sent her crashing.
Standing among the broken team, Roy's voice turned dark:
"You call this strength? Pathetic."
He stepped forward, voice booming:
"From this moment on—I am your doom.
My job is to drag you through hell.
Your job is to survive it.
You'll bleed, break, and beg—but you'll rise.
You answer me with one thing only:
'SIR, YES SIR!'
No exceptions. No complaints. Understood?"