Titan Academy Chapter 13

Chapter 13: The Training (2)

The dagger hit the shield loudly with the tip first, before it fell on the floor with a clutter. The shield also fell on the floor and I saw Ethan’s face. His expression still didn’t change. He was still smiling and clapping in the middle as if nothing happened. What kind of people are they?

He just passed by the equipment scattered before him. “Sharp senses, I never knew it can do a lot of things.”

I didn’t answer. I still can’t believe what he did earlier. Just a second difference at what he did and I would have pierced his face. He has the power of matter levitation. But he took it to a whole new level.

I remember I had a classmate in the town that is very similar to Ethan’s ability. At first, I thought it’s a useless ability. He can move things or can order things to come to him. But to what Ethan did, it made me realize that’s it’s really different if you master your ability. It’s really different if you studied at Titan. It’s too fast, too precise, and perfect timing. No wonder he is in the line of defense.

He whistled as he watched the dummies around. He took a dagger that was pierced in one of the dummies and made it float in the air until it reached the ceiling. Then it quickly fell downwards to the floor.

“I watched you earlier,” he said as the dagger was about to pierce the floor. “Gin underestimated you.”

I scoffed. “Right.”

“You don’t sound so happy,” he commented while his hands in his pockets, watching me.

“Do I have to?” I asked in a matter of fact tone. “Can’t you see it’s beginner’s luck?”

I turned away from him and started removing the daggers from each dummy. Why are they making such a big fuss about it? If they are just a second late in coming, I’ll hear their sympathy, not their praises.

Few minutes passed and he didn’t say anything anymore. In the corner of my eyes, I saw him sitting on the floor in the corner and leaning his head on the wall. He closed his eyes. It looks like he’s thinking about something. I wonder what it is?

“What can you say about the group, Shia?”

I stopped arranging the weapons because of what he asked. Why is he suddenly asking question after he became quiet?

“A bunch of fucked up people,” my short answer. Is my opinion important? The only important thing is for me to stay and be with them until the competition ends.

He suddenly laughed and opened his eyes. “I was expecting that this will be your answer.”

My grip suddenly tightened on one of the knives. Is there something funny as to what I’ve said? Isn’t it the truth? The attitude of each member is far from each other. There’s always a mess as long as we are together. Ethan stands from sitting on the floor.

“They are here,” he commented and looked at the door with his hands still in his pockets.

I know, I said silently. I felt their footsteps since earlier. They are heading down the stairs towards the training room. They are talking. There are Cain, Gin and Victoria and Luna that looks like she just joined them, there’s also Teacher Apollo.

“Yo! So, you’re already here!” Cain greeted enthusiastically upon seeing us.

He is the type of person that you will first hear his voice before you see him. Of all the people who entered the training room, my attention immediately went to Gin. His aura is still the same. Serious and you still can’t find any expression on his face except his eyes. His eyes are so penetrating to the point that if you won’t avoid your gaze you will feel like being sucked in and will fade suddenly. I looked at the side of his face. There’s still a visible band-aid in the place where the dagger hit him.

Teacher Apollo removed his cigarette from his lips and cleared his throat when everyone entered the training room. The atmosphere suddenly became serious. Until now I’m still not used seeing them like this.

“Our day started badly,” I was expecting him to look at me as he said that. But he just straightly looks at the group.

“We don’t have time for games like what happened earlier,” he completely dropped his cigarette and stepped on it.

“You know what the two people above can do.”

It’s not a question. It’s a statement on its own. Cain laughs softly but he also instantly became serious.

“They can remove you in the game. So, unless you won’t straighten yourselves, then go ahead!” He really speaks like a drunk. Is he even sober?

“We are all wasting our time here.”

Cain frowned this time.

“This is a TEAM game,” Teacher Apollo continued. “Always remember that. If you can’t discipline yourself here. It’s better if you back out. No one will return alive.”

What kind of pep talk is this? He is supposed to be motivating us. This man is really weird. He went to a corner where the chair that he sat on was earlier. He took another cigarette from his pocket and lit it.

“You can start.”

I almost didn’t hear his last words because of the cigarette. The group gradually left their positions and went on their own. Is that it? Is it done? I heard Cain asking Victoria about what type of training it is today.

“Duel,” was Victoria’s short answer. Cain smile as though he heard good news.

Luna came to me. “Ready?” She asked smiling.

My brow knits. How can I be ready if I don’t know what to do next? There’s no orientation?

“Let me see your hand.” She suddenly pulled my hand and looked at my wrist. Out of nowhere, a black ink is placed there. A name of a person is written in cursive letters.

“That person is the one you will fight for the training.” I wonder and held my wrist as if it’s a tattoo implanted there. I tried to erase it but I wasn’t able to. It wasn’t here earlier.

“What about you?” I quickly asked Luna.

She shook her head lightly and laughed. “Healers don’t do duels. My training will start if one of you is injured.”

“But teacher Apollo said we all have to—”

“Of course, I still do training,” she seems amused that I have no idea what’s happening.

“We undergo different types of training depending on what they choose for the week. We have duel training, basic and advanced training, physical training, strategy and tactic and so on. But I don’t do duels because I’m needed after this type of training. This is riskier compared to others.”

I suddenly looked at my hands. So, this is the real deal.

“I’m sure you’ll be okay.” Luna offered. “We are not killing each other. Well, mostly we need to stop before it reaches up to that point.”

Wow. Thanks for the motivation, Luna. I stared at the tattooed name on my pale wrist…

Victoria.

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