Benchwarmers

Six guys from Heaven Dune High had suddenly surrounded Emily and red Sunn and it was clear that they hadn't come for a simple talk. However, Emily had instantly noticed that something was different about this attack compared to the last one. These guys were nowhere near as bulky and as it turned out, they were far worse in a fight.

'They don't seem to belong to the Aerion football club. Were they just regular students at Heaven Dune High? Did I mess them up so badly that they're now scared of me? No, otherwise they wouldn't have attacked me a second time and only sent out these guys.' Emily wondered as she looked at the students rolling about in pain on the ground.

After the fight, Emily had realised something, how much she had improved. Sunn's training had paid off, and her improvement in stats although minimal really showed during this fight, she was practically untouchable to anyone who had never fought before.

"Hey, what was that all about? Why the hell did you get in my way, only to punch those guys out yourself? Were your three too easy?" Red Sunn complained. "Look I know you've been improving and you might want to show off, but there was no need to do that. If this was a game, then what you would have just done was similar to kill stealing…"

"My bad, I was just trying to look out for you. I was worried that if you exert yourself it would be bad for your injury. I mean we have that tag team match coming up soon, can't allow my partner to get anymore hurt on my watch, right?" Emily apologised with a smile rubbing the back of her head.

'If only you knew.' Emily thought to herself, as she had gotten in Red Sunn's way exactly to 'kill steal' his opponents. Her system only rewarded her Exp for those she herself knocked out. As this was a rare opportunity, she had to make the most of it, even if it meant that Red Sunn might feel patronised.

[Congratulations, you have now reached: Level 6]

[2 stat point has been granted]

[12960/12960 Exp]

[Strength 8]

[Dexterity 6]

[Endurance 12]

[Current list of skills]

[Blood vision] ( LVl 4 )

[Rage] 

[Legacy Skill ](shadow element)

[Shadow claw](LVl 2)

[ Shadow Bind] (LVl 1)

[New main quest received]

[Objective: reach Level 10]

[Reward: ?????]

She needed to figure out where exactly she would be putting this stat point. Now that she knew for a fact that each of her three base stats could be increased through training and fighting, she decided to place the point into Energy or Health.

'I guess Energy is more versatile. 10 more Health won't really help me, but this way I can use it for Rage or Shadow Bind. Being able to replenish my Health seems better than having a bigger pool and who knows how many more skills I will get in the future. 

[Your Energy has now increased to a maximum of 120]

"Hey, who ordered you to attack us?! Spill it!" Red Sunn yelled at one of the students as he grabbed him by the collar. The injured guy was still barely conscious, unable to reply.

"Let's just leave them be. I don't think they're going to say anything and if we stay here we might attract the wrong kind of attention." Emily suggested as she was in a good mood after feeling herself grow a little bit stronger.

"You don't understand, They wouldn't attack us without a reason. " Red Sunn kept shaking the guy, but not getting any answer, he took to another. Still no reaction. He gave Emily an annoyed look, to which the high schooler just shrugged.

******

Heaven Dune High had clubs just like every other school. There were a couple of students who had entered the Aerion football club and had changed everything in the school. Although it was Sunday, they had a 'special training' to get ready for tomorrow's match against Elysium Nexus Academy.

Out on the field there were two boys who stood in front of everyone rather than a teacher. They were tall, and had a small frame with both hands in their pockets. One had long black hair that was tied up in a ponytail and by his side was another teenager who looked almost identical to him. The only difference was that this one had short black hair.

The long haired one gave his team instructions like a coach would until some students came running to the field. It was obvious that none of them were part of the Aerion football club.

"Sren, Leng we dealt with those guys just as you asked, only Group 4 and 7 had problems." One of the students reported.

"That's good enough." Sren, the short-haired brother replied with a yawn. "Since the rest of the groups completed this task it will be an easy win for us. Tomorrow's going to be a cake walk, as usual."

******

Emily's expulsion was finally over and she had prepared the apology letter for Omak and his family. Coincidentally, it was also the day of their big match. 

At lunch, the Aerion football team was given permission to skip the whole afternoon lessons to go through some plans for this evening's match. The whole school was also invited to watch, mostly due to Mrs Ava promising Headmistress Young results.

When the Aerion football club went out on the field there was something quite noticeable straight away. Emily could smell it as soon as she arrived.

'I've smelt this before…'

It was only when she saw the conditions of the others that she realised that everyone was injured in some way.

Mrs. Ava was pacing backwards and forwards biting her fingernails.

"How could this happen? You're telling me that they've actually gone so far as to attack all of you?!"

Some students had gotten lucky, running away and making a break for it while their friends had taken a beating, others seemed to have been let off easily. They had still been injured but not to the point that they required medical attention. Still, it would take them a week or so to heal naturally.

"Hey, do you think what happened to us, happened to all of them as well?" Red Sunn asked.

Mrs. Ava, then let out a big sigh shaking her head.

"Goddamnit, letting you out on the field will do nothing but add insult to injury. There's just one choice left. Benchwarmers, I'll need you all to fill in the positions of the regulars! Get ready everyone because we will be playing tonight!"

Willy was pointing at himself, because it took him a moment to process what this meant.

"I'm going to get killed." Willy gulped.

"Don't worry." Emily placed her hand on his shoulder. "I'll protect you."