Author's Note: Hiya readers,

sorry for the delayed chapter but Study stuff came in the way and I never found the time to write. Heck, I expect to still be busy over the next few weeks so I’m adopting a bi-weekly release schedule from now on.

Enjoy!

****************************

“Ragnar, fuse with me, NOW!”

Ragnar really didn’t have a choice anymore, his opponent had gathered such an overwhelming amount of energy that it would be impossible to withstand his attacks for two minutes.

Ragnar’s bracelet lit up and changed into a floating orb of bright green. Ragnar grabbed it and pushed it into his stomach the same way his opponent had done earlier.

He immediately felt the effects. Power started coursing through his veins, energy poured through every ounce of his body. He could feel the strange yet incredible strength the Djinn was providing him wash through his very being. It was a sensation slightly short of euphoria.

Ragnar, we’re up!

As exhilarating as this power was, he still had to face his opponent. He grabbed his claymore with both his hands and poured energy into his Soul. The hilt’s green gem started to illuminate and the air around him grew frigid.

“Wise decision, but it’s too late! You will be mine!”

Arwin took the initiative. He raised his cudgel above his head and jumped at Ragnar. A trail of fire followed him as he approached his opponent through the air.

Ragnar didn’t stand still through, he took a few steps to the side and stuck his sword into the ground, pouring more energy into his Soul. The ice of his blade spread all over the floor and the entire area was covered in ice in a mere instant. A common technique, but it usually required a lot of time to prepare.

Arwin, knowing that he’d slip if he tried to land on the ice, threw his weapon to the ground, smashing up the ice formation.

*BAM*

Ice shard flew in every direction, scraping both Arwin and Ragnar as they shielded themselves from the blast.

Arwin landed in the middle of the newly formed crater and the sea of flame quickly surrounded him again. The blazing heat of the fire quickly turned the surrounding ice to water again, rendering Ragnar’s earlier efforts futile.

“Did you really think that’d work?” said Arwin’s distorted voice as he picked up his cudgel again.

“Well, it was worth a try.” Ragnar pulled his sword out of the ground again and faced the yellow eyed fiend. Even though they were more than 10 meters apart, he could still feel the heat of the flames.

“It sounds like your mortal is still in control! Are you not taking me seriously?”

Arwin initiated his next attack as he said that. He rushed towards Ragnar at an alarming speed, his weapon held to the side. As he reached within Ragnar’s range, he swung the weapon with all his might.

*clachank*

The weapon was blocked by Ragnar’s blade but the blow didn’t send Ragnar flying this time. Instead, Ragnar used this moment to lift his knee and kicked Arwin right in the stomach. The blow, laced with the strength of Ragnar’s own Djinn, caught the enemy off guard and sent him flying backwards. Ragnar set out immediately to follow up on the blow as his opponent was defenseless.

That wasn’t the case though, Arwin’s sea of flames were not there just for show. As his body flew through the air the boy muttered a few incomprehensible words and the fire started to take a life of its own. The mass of bright red embers coagulated into a big blue ball of fire and shot out towards the approaching Ragnar.

Ragnar broke off his pursuit and prepared to avoid the incoming projectile. He threw himself out of the way, making a quick roll to return to his feet as quickly as possible. He looked at Arwin and saw that he’d risen to his feet again as well.

Duck!

Without thought, Ragnar did as the Djinn said and he could feel a burning heat sear over his head. He looked up and saw that the blue ball of fire was already arching back towards him.

The fiend noticed Ragnar’s surprise and a sly smile appeared on his face. Not the smirky kind either, the totally evil kind.

But he wasn’t going to let such an easy opportunity pass by. Using Ragnar’s confusion to his advantage, he decided to throw his cudgel at the boy. The weapon flew at an amazing speed, whizzing through the air.

Even though Ragnar was still entirely focused on fireball, his body moved with amazingly fluid grace. Before Ragnar could even realize what had happened, his body had already swatted away the incoming projectile with his claymore.

“What the hell?” exclaimed Ragnar in surprise. What had just happened?

Don’t mind it for now, focus on your enemy. However eerie he found that moment just now, he still had an opponent to face. He could ask his Djinn about it later.

Ragnar took his claymore in both hands and faced the yellow-eyed fiend. His opponent was weaponless, so it gave him the opportunity he needed. He then saw the fireball whizzing at him again and prepared to dodge again.

But as the ball was approaching it started to shrink. The blue flames were slowly dying out and the entire spell vanished into thin air before it could reach Ragnar.

Ragnar looked at his opponent and saw that Arwin’s eyes had returned to normal. The boy slowly fell to the ground and it was visible that he was entirely drained of energy.

“ I-I give….” He said in his own voice again.

Ragnar lowered his weapon. He approached the boy and offered him a hand.

“T-thanks…” He took the hand and Ragnar yanked him up. Ragnar supported his shoulder and started to walk back with him. As he did so he noticed the area around them.

“Geez, we really wrecked this place….” Rubble was lying everywhere and the buildings around them had collapsed entirely. Scorch marks decorated the area and rubble was littered everywhere. “Do you think they’ll be mad at us?”

“N-no idea, but I-I think most of these buildings aren’t used anyways.”

“That’s true, I guess….” Ragnar hadn’t really thought about it, but why did the school own so many buildings in the first place? They both walked in silence for a while when Ragnar asked:

“Why do you let the Djinn control your entire body? You don’t trust your own skill?”

“I-I grew up on a farm, I have no training in combat at all.”

“Then why would you apply to this place in the first place? I know school is mandatory but there are so many other schools out there that could suit you.”

“Nobles wouldn’t understand what it’s like out there…,” said the boy. “I guess I’ll have to find another way to fulfill my destiny now….”

“Your destiny?”

“Oh yeah, apparently I’m the Chosen One and I have to save the world from certain doom.”

“You also got that story? I guess all Djinn’s come with some kind of quest. What doom did he show you?”

Arwin was somewhat surprised. “Wait, you’re also a Chosen One? My Djinn assured me I was the only one.”

“Nah, I’ve seen a few of us around but apparently we’re all tasked with a different doom. Mine is to prevent the rewinding of time, apparently people are using the Earth’s energy to restore lost cities or something.”

“Really? That sounds cool! My quest was so much vaguer than that, all the guy showed me was a forest that stood still in time.”

“That sound pretty awesome if you ask me. How are you supposed to stop it?”

“I really don’t know, the only clue I have is the blue moon that was hanging in the sky. It was strange because I couldn’t see the yellow or red moon anywhere.”

“Haha, I got the same problem. All I got is some blue orbs appearing out of nowhere.”

The two boys discussed their quests at length as they walked back. Neither of them had any information that either could use, other than the fact that Arwin’s Djinn could leave control to him but had decided not to. At some point Ragnar’s fusion ended and the bracelet appeared back on his wrist. Ragnar was relieved that he wouldn’t end up as exhausted as Arwin did.

When they arrived at the dormitory they had to part ways.

“Stay in touch, okay?” shouted Ragnar as Arwin walked away.

“Sure! We should share any information we can find, okay?”

“Okay! See ya around!”

And then Ragnar went to his own bunk. He really wanted to share the fight with everyone, especially Amalia, but he knew that he couldn’t. His Djinn had specifically told him not to tell anyone about the existence of Djinns, so he had to keep quiet about it.

Well, that sucks, I just had the best fight of my life and I can’t share it…

****************************

That evening

Two figures were creeping through the night, each holding their own respective containers. Any onlooker would have noted their suspicious behavior as they were trying really hard to blend with the shadows, to remain unseen to the common eye. This is, off course, because their jars contained ‘unorthodox’ materials.

“Hey Ariel,” whispered one to the other. “Do you have any idea what the Night Courses are actually about?”

Ariel turned around and looked at the jar in the boy’s hands. “Ha, don’t you think it’s a bit late to have regrets? You probably know as much as I do about it.”

Ymil sighed. “I guess… I was more interested in what you thought about the courses itself. I mean, the acceptance tests were all quite grim. Look at us, 11 years old and already murderers.”

“Meh, it was bound to happen sooner or later. I think it was a proper way to determine whether we got the qualities needed to become spies. Look at Rena, do you really think she’d have lasted very long in these classes?”

When Ariel said that Ymil thought of the naïve little girl that whipped her opponents into submission. She was too straight forward to be an accomplished spy, she would have any opponent head on. She was also too kind-hearted, considering she didn’t actually finish off her opponent.

“That is true…”

“See it this way, because she was unable to kill of that Kyle she will remain an innocent little flower. Shouldn’t you rejoice at that?”

“Why would I…. Oh I see what you mean. Sorry to break your illusion but I don’t see her that way.”

“You don’t? The way she always jumps to your defense whenever people doubt you, the way she looks at you when you say something smart…” Ariel was thoroughly enjoying this, teasing someone about matters of the heart was one of his favorite pass-times.

“Shh, I think we’re here.” Ymil had no intention of indulging his probing. They stood in front of a large abandoned building, shining brightly in the moonlight of the two moons. Half of it was in ruin and scorch marks could be seen here and there, there were even a few craters in the ground. It looked as though a demon had run rampant. They opened the door and entered into the dark room.

“Looks like we’re the first ones to arrive,” said Ymil as he eyed the rubble. “Why would the Academy have a place like this?”

Ariel, however chipper he was before, had gone completely silent. “Ymil, I think you should shut up for a moment.”

They both fell silent and darkness enveloped the two boys. The doorway was the only source of light, the dim moonlight illuminating the floor in front of them. The rest of the room was a sea of darkness, an ocean of oppressive black. The night’s noises dances around them as they slowly walked further into the room. Something was amiss, but Ymil couldn’t quite put his finger on it.

But before they could realize what it was, two shadows formed on the bright floor they were treading on. They quickly turned around and saw two shady figures standing in the doorway.

“Looks like we’re not the only ones,” said one of the two figures, obviously a girl.

“Or they’re another test. Should I erase them?” said the other shade and he quickly assumed an offensive position.

“Hey now,” said Ariel, “No need to be so hasty, we’re all friends aren’t we?”

The quick-to-draw boy sneered. “As if we can make friend with the likes of you, Southerner.” He wasn’t going to let his guard down around an Anthropofagos.

“Relax, Cain. We’ll be spending a lot of time with these two. You’d better play nice.”

“But but but…” said the boy but he stowed way his weapons nonetheless.

“That’s better, now how about we introduce ourselves?” The girl walked into the room.

“I’m afraid those introductions will have to wait,” said Ymil as he quietly glared around at the darkness around them. “We’re not alone.”

The girl froze mid step and looked around. It took her a moment what Ymil was getting at, there was a certain ‘presence’ in the room that could easily be overlooked.

“Well I’ll be,” said the boy called Cain and he rushed towards the girl’s side, drawing his weapons again.

“Hey you,” shouted Ariel, “no need to hide yourself from us. We’re probably here for the same reason as you.”

“I was wondering how long it’d take you guys,” said a familiar voice.

A candle lit up at the edge of the darkness, revealing the figure of the man holding it. Then another candle lit up, and then another. The three candles were each held by a person in black, their faces hidden in shadows. And in the middle of the room stood a figure they both recognized from the first meeting. It was Teacher Jack.

“I believe congratulations are in place,” said the blond man as he slowly started to clap his hands. Even though they had sensed a presence, the boys hadn’t anticipated there to be 4 of them.

“What about the others?” Ariel asked, referring to the other attendants during the first meeting.

“Oh, don’t worry,” said Jack. “You are the only ones that passed.”

Was that even possible? They remembered very clearly that there were some Nobles in the room when they entered, how did they not pass this test?

“So you’re probably wondering: ‘What about the Nobles that were here that night?’” continued Jack. “Well, as you can see, they didn’t make it. You guys are the only ones that were able to pass the entrance fights and fill their jars.” He pointed at the things the children were carrying. “How do you feel about them, anyways?”

“Terrible off course,” said the girl. The three candles revealed what she actually looked like. She bad brown hair and wore pitch black clothes. Her eyes reflected the candlelight, revealing a caring yet unforgiving nature. “Nobody our age should be forced to kill someone, even if they’re form an enemy nation.”

“I agree.” Ymil nodded. “Even if we’ll be taught how to kill in the Night Courses, this was way too extreme.”

“I agree with those two,” said Ariel.

“Ha, that’s a laugh,” said Cain. “There is no way a Fagos like you would mind killing a human.”

Ariel put his arm around the boy and said: “Watch it, you might be on the menu next.”

But Cain would have none of that. He quickly his blade to Ariel’s side, ready to wound the boy.

“I wouldn’t do that if I were you,” said the girl. “I’m sure a stick in the mud like Cain’d taste terribly bitter.”

Ymil looked at Cain and saw that the boy looked as though he never slept. His clothes were all ragged, his hair was a big brown fuzz and his eyes peered at the world with such hate that Ymil couldn’t help but wonder what had made the boy the way he was.

Ariel winked. “I’m sure I can add enough salt to make up for that.” He then released Cain and took a few steps back. Cain was staring daggers at Ariel, who returned the glare with a smile.

“Hey now, boys and girl, you’ll be working together from now on so you’d better play nice.” Teacher Jack was also smiling. Anyone that knew of Ariel’s background would have seen the irony in this. “Today we’ll be explaining to you what the Night Courses are about. Master Wux, if you’d please?”

The children looked at the three candle bearing figures but none of them reacted. Master Wux was there?

*Ahem*

Everyone turned around instantly as they heard someone scraping his throat. They were all surprised to find Master Wux standing right next to Teacher Jack. He hadn’t been there before and there was no place nearby to hide behind. How did that man conceal himself?

“Greetings, students,” said the grizzly old man. “My name is Wux Paliogar, as all of you know. I will be your instructor for the coming years. Porters, close the doors.” He motioned the candleholders to close the door that was still open.

“You are hereby enrolled in the Academy’s Night Courses. None of you should know what it is about so I will now confirm that what you have probably already surmised. The Night Courses are secret classes that train you to be a spy and assassin.” He inhaled deeply. “I have a question for you children: ‘What makes one strong?’”

As Master Wux stopped talking an oppressive silence fell onto the room. Apparently he was expecting an answer.

“Deceit?” The girl answered first.

“Subterfuge…” said Cain.

“Knowledge,” added Ymil.

“I agree with the deceit,” said Ariel, carefully eying the seemingly normal girl.

Master Wux nodded. “Good answers, but I have to agree with Idagni: Knowledge is Power. Know thine enemy, know thyself. Know when to forfeit, know when to push. Know.”

The man was spouting some weird nonsense, but they all listened nonetheless. They all understood that if Master Wux said anything, they’d better listen.

“This course will teach you how to gain knowledge in all forms and shapes. You will be training your eyes, your touch, your taste, your ears and every other sense. You will become unstoppable information machines that will be able to figure out how fast a bee is flying from a mile away.

But that is not all, you will learn how to process this information. You will have to be able to make decisions in split seconds. Do you think you are ready for this?”

Silence fell back onto the room.

“I asked: DO YOU THINK YOU ARE READY FOR THIS?”

“YESSIR!” They all screamed in unison. It didn’t matter how composed a person is, Master Wux’s voice contained so much energy just now that anyone would have been startled.

“Alright,” Wux turned around and motioned Teacher Jack to move forward. The latter took the containers every child was carrying and placed them on the ground. He then produced four jars of green liquid from his pockets and handed them to every child.

“Then you will start with a training of taste,” continued Master Wux. “For the next 4 hours you will be holding the contents of this jar in your mouth. If you fail you will be doing pushups. Is that understood?”

“Yessir!” they all shouted, anxiously looking at the jars in their hands. The liquid inside did not look appetizing at all.

“Then you may begin. Teacher Jack will be supervising you.” And with those words he disappeared into nothingness.

The children each opened their jars and were met with the horrid stench. The putrid air made everyone’s stomach flip upside down. Imagine what it must taste like.

“Come on, kids,” said Jack, “we don’t have all day. Go!”

Ymil looked at Ariel, who shrugged in response.

“Here goes nothing,” said Ymil and he poured the foul smelling liquid into the mouth. The others, encouraged by his action, followed suit.

*Blergh*

The girl immediately threw up the contents of her stomach. Ymil didn’t blame her, this thing was horrible. It was a good thing he was used to Mia’s cooking, or else he’d have regurgitated everything right away. Not that it mattered much, the substance became much fouler and disgusting the longer it was in the mouth.

“Aaah, Evelyne Kanonikos, it would seem that you’ll be doing pushups the rest of the night.”

“But…” The girl, apparently called Evelyne, wanted to protest but she wasn’t feeling well enough to.

“No buts, you’ll get to try the liquid thing again in half an hour. For now, it’s push-ups. Or do you want me to get my Soul out?”

Upon hearing that last threat she did as she was told. Apparently Jack had used it to intimidate every class before, not just theirs. But why would….

*Blergh*

Cain and Ymil both threw up at almost the same time. They managed to last an entire 30 seconds but that foul substance was turning more disgusting by the second.

“It looks like Cain and Ymil will be joining you. How about it, guys, are you ready for some push-ups?”

Ymil looked at Cain but he just grunted. He got into push-up position and started to do push-ups. Ymil knew he had no choice and so he began as well.

*Blergh*

“And that’s number 4, come on down, Ariel, we’ve been waiting for you.”

Ymil looked up and saw that Ariel was looking somewhat green, which was impressive considering his skin color.

But he too went down on all 4 and started to do pushups without complaints. I think everyone came to the same conclusion in the end, pushups were much nicer than having that liquid in your mouth.

“No worries,” said Teacher Jack, “in half an hour you’ll all try again. Until then I expect you to do at least 100 pushups each.”

The pushups were easy, they all had trained hard enough to be able to do that much. The problem lied with the liquid. Every time they had to keep that stuff in their mouths they would lose almost half of their strength. It was just that nauseating. Sure, they recovered after a while, but it didn’t help that they knew they had to ingest it again later.

It was this very first training that they would all remember as the worst night of their lives.