Jake let out a heavy sigh. He watched with severe disinterest as the fire elemental instructor babbled on the same things he learned from the MBP. It was the same lecture on their roles. It was the same talk on techniques that they could use to increase firepower. It was the same nonsense drilled into him every single day for eighty whole years. For sure didn’t want to listen a day longer just because those weaker than him never learnt the same stuff as him.

Why did I even come to this squadron? He regretted his decision. Should have stayed in squadron L.

‘You ok?’ Brim asked, his arms crossed as he stood behind everyone.

‘We already know all this stuff. Why do I need to sit through it again?’ Jake scowled.

‘You share the same role as them.’

‘But I’m not the same rank as everyone else,’ Jake scoffed a bit too loud for Brim’s liking.

A few of the mages turned round and the instructor paused for a second. Brim waved them to continue before placing a firm grip on Jake’s shoulder, leading him away from the crowd.

‘I said same role, not same rank,’ he began scolding. ‘I’ve taken you under my wing again to train you but remember I’m training you both physically and mentally and, to be honest, you’re failing the mental side of things.’

‘But-’

‘No buts. I know how you feel but just because you are better than them doesn’t mean you’re above them. You lost that privilege ages ago. I hope you understand why.’

‘Yes,’ Jake’s voice muffled down. ‘Though can I be dismissed for now? I don’t feel like going through this again.’

‘Jake, you…’ Brim stopped and gritted his teeth. ‘Fine. I’ll tell them it’s illness. I expect you to join tomorrow and work harder to make up for today.’

‘Yeah. I will,’ he let out an exasperated sigh.

Brim stopped. He turned back and grabbed hold of Jake’s shoulders, stared at him right in the eyes and questioned, ‘What is wrong with you? Is it because of something I said?’

‘No,’ Jake quivered, almost collapsing under the pressure his senior exuded.

‘Is it because you lost a match the other day?’

‘No.’

‘Is it because you’re actually ill?’

‘No.’

‘Is it because of this stupid superiority complex you have?’

‘N- I don’t have a complex.’

‘I’m sure you don’t,’ Brim shook his head. ‘Then is it because of Gin for whatever reason?’

‘For once, no. Not this time.’

‘Alright,’ Brim closed his eyes and went into deep thought. As each second passed, his grip grew in intensity until he spoke once more. ‘I’ll let you wallow in whatever you’re drowning in for the time being. In the meantime, you still need to record your running speeds, right? GO. DO. THAT.’

‘Ok, I got it,’ Jake grimaced before mumbling, ‘No need to be angry with me.’

Brim gave a simple shake of the head before leaving Jake (who went ahead towards the running course). He had no rush. He didn’t want to go through the training again so why should he try his best for the sake of the lower-ranked? But since Brim wanted him to…I suppose I have to, he let out a sigh.

With each step, he kicked a bit of the dirt sand, taking his time until he reached the edge of a massive lake. The waters extended far to the East until they joined up at a delta that connected it to the ocean; a beautiful sight that he might not have seen back in squadron L (maybe).

As he stared off into the distance, he noticed a figure approaching. Upon closer inspection, he realized it was Syndra cruising round the bend before coming to a stop right on the edge. She checked in with one of squadron O’s mages, nodded a few times then put on the biggest smile he had ever seen from her.

‘She’s smiling? Wow. How long ago was it since I saw that?’ Jake’s thoughts turned to words. All his troubles seemed to melt away by this rare event. He raised a hand but she met him back with a frown and turned away. ‘Oh, come on now. Really?’

Despite all that, Syndra looked around her, grimaced a little, then walked towards him. ‘I normally wouldn’t say anything to the likes of you, but I’ve got some time now and feel especially tolerable today.’

‘Oh, I feel so honoured.’ Jake scowled back, annoyed by her attitude. ‘Let me bow down since I’m not worthy to be in your presence most of the time.’

‘I haven’t seen you this brave and condescending towards me since we were in squadron L.’

‘Haven’t seen you this happy since squadron L either. What got your mood up so high?’

‘Hmph,’ Syndra frowned and crossed her arms. ‘Unlike some people, I’m working hard to improve myself and actually see the fruits of my labour. But I’m sure you wouldn’t know what that’s like since you never seem to try at anything. Maybe that’s why you lost to me.’

‘Why you-’ Jake stopped himself and calmed down. He didn’t call her over just to argue. ‘Hey, remember when we were first applying to squadron L?’

Her frown grew even further in size. ‘Where are you taking this conversation?’

‘Nowhere really. We were discharged from the MBP around the same time, right? We just happened to meet when applying to the same squadron. Back then you were more cheerful and hopeful. Or at least you appeared that way on the first day. You’ve definitely changed but it’s nice seeing you a bit like your old self.’

Her frown grew the most it could ever do.

‘What?’ Jake raised an eyebrow. ‘I saw you smiling and it just reminded me of the good days. Just because we lost Granite doesn’t mean we can just do a one-eighty on our old selves.’

‘Tsk,’ she tutted back. ‘You lost nothing. That’s why you’re the same incompetent fool you are today.’

‘Hey, that’s unc–’

‘Also, might I remind you, if it weren’t for you, they wouldn’t have reached us either so if anyone should have changed that day, it’s you,’ Syndra almost hissed at him. ‘I’ll just do my next lap.’

At that, she jogged back to the start point of the track without a word of goodbye or see-you-later. Jake on the other hand kicked at the dirt below him. What’s wrong with everyone? Why is everyone against me all of a sudden? he cursed his recent encounters.

He racked his brain for a particular reason. Could it be Granite’s death? No, if anything, it made the remaining trio closer. Transferring to squadron W? No, that can’t be it since everyone seemed friendly enough during the meeting for battalion leaders. Then what?

Jake stared at the lake once more, searching for an answer. He saw several other people make their rounds but they didn’t inspire him to find the source of his troubles. Where and when did it all go so wrong?

‘Oh. I know now,’ he let out yet another sigh. For what he saw was the manush with unnecessary facial hair completing his lap, like a slug travelling over seawater. Of course, Gin caused it! Because of him, the other two started changing. Gin had the whole squadron round his finger, surely. Why else would a manush be kept alive let alone running a battalion? ‘Yeah, that’s it…’

‘Everything ok there?’

Jake looked up to find the man himself glaring at him. How did he manage to close the distance on him like that? More manush trickery, surely? Whatever the reason, Jake hated it. He seethed at the teeth. Why didn’t he get away sooner?

‘If you don’t want to talk, then you just need to tell me,’ Gin’s eyes narrowed.

‘Is this how you do it?’ Jake answered back.

‘Do what?’

‘Start a casual conversation just because you feel like it then get them under your palm just like that,’ Jake gave a flick of his fingers.

‘Heh,’ Gin’s expression turned into a smirk. He breathed a heavy breath then continued, ‘I have no idea what you’re talking about.’

And now you “heh” like nothing happened, Jake squeezed the bridge of his nose. ‘You do know how I feel about you, right?’

The manush’s smirk disappeared in an instant. ‘For the record, I don’t like you either.’

‘Then why are you being so chummy with me?!’ Jake outstretched his arm in desperation. He didn’t know why he acted that way but he did. Maybe it was pure frustration. It could also be –

The train of thought got destroyed when Gin, all of a sudden, collapsed to the floor with his chest puffed up high. He breathed heavy and sweated too much. Not surprising since he is a manush, after all.

‘Wow. I’m exhausted,’ Gin had to take a breath between each word.

‘You’re really going to dodge my question like that?’ Jake forced himself not to lash out. But he wasn’t going to sit down and be on the guy’s level either.

Gin didn’t answer straight away. He turned his head to the sunset that was about to happen. Another beautiful sight, for sure, though it didn’t help improve Jake’s opinion of the man.

‘Well…’ Gin struggled to get up into a sitting position. ‘If I were to be honest…I’d rather be allied with an honest hater than a deceitful friend. Fortunately, I believe you’re one of the former.’

‘Oh.’

‘Look, you can avoid me all you like or never talk a single word to me but at least I won’t be seeing you stabbing me behind my back,’ Gin shrugged.

For the first time that day, Jake felt speechless both in mind and body. He didn’t know what to think nor what to say. Sure, he could put that down to the manush’s trickery as easy as you would like, however, he didn’t quite want to. Those words struck him like a fireball out of nowhere.

‘You’re talking about Rob, aren’t you?’ Jake took his time to sit down and face Gin.

‘I’m probably talking about in general but, yeah, I suppose he’s one of those types of people I despise,’ Gin returned a meek smile. ‘Although you are watching me a lot. Too much for my comfort not going to lie.’

‘Ah. Yeah. About that,’ Jake looked down as he mumbled, ‘You know, I, uh, overheard your conversation the other day with Brim.’

‘Pfft,’ the manush burst into laughter. ‘So that’s why you lost to Syndra!’

‘Not you too,’ Jake’s mumble turned into a grumble.

‘Sorry, I didn’t mean to mock you. You’ve sort of apologised for it before, so I already knew. It’s more that I’m surprised Syndra managed to do anything at her current ability, so it makes sense if you were merely distracted because of hearing my past. No harm done.’

‘I guess so.’

‘It also makes your actions more understandable if that’s the only reason then. Speaking of unexplained actions,’ Gin’s eyes lit up in sudden realisation, ‘You see that guy over there? What is he doing?’

Behind the pair, way off in the distance and outside the entrance of the Rezah, sat a large man with spikes coming out of his clothing. Upon closer inspection, he held a little box of food and stared at them both with serious intent.

‘Having dinner maybe? Don’t know honestly,’ Jake admitted. ‘Who is he anyway?’

‘My so-called supervisor, Gargarensis,’ Gin introduced. ‘I’ve known him for weeks now and I don’t think I’ve met anyone so lazy. He barely teaches, misses out on several training sessions, walks around a lot, silently judging us without doing anything himself, whenever we do anything. Plus, he took Aqmi away and I have no idea how safe that bird is!’

Sounds like your problem, not mine, Jake’s inner thoughts never made it out as words.

‘Ugh. I am not looking forward to next week when we need to have a one-on-one discussion with our supervisors. I got too much on my mind lately and talking to Gargarensis is not what I want to spend my time on,’ Gin let out a deep sigh.

‘I’m sure you do,’ Jake responded with a sarcastic tone.

‘I’m serious. It’s why I’ve taken on running lately. I’m happy to have just completed a lap at just under four minutes per kilometre for the first time,’ he beat his chest before drooping a little, ‘though Syndra somehow managed to get below three.’

With a blank face, Jake wondered whether he should laugh or mock the man. Though, in the end, he went for a more subtle jab, ‘You do realise how slow sub four is? Unless you have a bodily defect that makes you slower like water elementals filled with liquid, that speed sounds a bit pitiful.’

‘Is it now?’ the earlier pride vanished with each passing second. ‘Well, I already knew that to an extent. Even amongst other manush, I’m going slow. Below three minutes is what most of the athletic type of people in my village can do. Some even close to two minutes. It’s just that it’s fast for me. I can go for distance but time is another matter.’

‘Ahahaha!’ Jake let out a burst of evil laughter, ‘Your best of the best are quite pitiful! Even I can run faster (just about)!’

‘Oh?’ Gin raised an eyebrow, ‘And what’s the limit for you mages?’

‘Our S rank messengers don’t even need a minute for their kilometres,’ those words made both of Gin’s eyebrows rise.

‘No way!’

‘Yes way,’ a smirk grew on Jake’s face. Of course, mages were superior! How could a manush change that dynamic ever? ‘They’re made for speed and endurance unlike you.’

‘What do they look like?’ Gin showed a new face that Jake had never seen before.

Is he showing genuine curiosity? No, I’ve been talking too much already. It must be another one of his tricks. This is how he gets the others, the mage jumped to conclusions. And yet, he found the conversation fun. ‘Last time I saw one, they had a triangle-like head, were bald, veins were popping out, it was obvious they had larger lungs and heart than normal and disproportionately long legs that are narrow yet packed with muscle. Oh, and they had tails. Obviously, you manush won’t be able to replicate that.’

‘I see. I see,’ Gin wrote something in the dirt as if to help him make a mental note. ‘The MBP really does think of all sorts of ways to stretch human ability. I’m impressed.’

‘You should be,’ Jake puffed out his chest this time as the representative of his race. ‘Your technique is awful, your breathing and lung capacity are inefficient and your movements are just slow in general. Anyone can see that you won’t reach our levels even if you try then!’

‘Nope!’ the man put on an excited grin. ‘But, to be honest, I don’t care about competing. I am running for myself at this point. I need to improve if I want to help the squadron better and better. That and it helps get my mind off of things.’

For the second time that day, Jake was left speechless. He tried so hard to put Gin down and the manush didn’t even care. What in Eurasia am I doing? he felt an insane amount of guilt. No, no, no. That’s not it. Gin is trying to make me feel guilty. This is how he does it. Because he’s a weak manush, he needs to rely on deceiving others. That’s how he gets along with everyone. That’s how he cheats his way to winning fights against me and Brim. Yeah, that’s it. For sure. I can’t just let this slide. I’ll show him up instead.

‘You’ve talked way too much,’ Jake stood up and dusted off his trousers. ‘Unlike some people, I got to put up a decent time on the track.’

‘Heh. After claiming you can run fast, I have to see it in action,’ Gin taunted as he stood up too.

‘Go ahead. Maybe you can learn a thing or two,’ Jake scoffed as the pair headed towards the starting point.