CHAPTER 40: Philia of Group One

[George's POV]

True to Professor A's word, there have been penalties for our poor performance in the last fights. The amount of food we get has decreased, they've removed quite a bit of our training equipment and even Warden seems not to care about us that much anymore.

At least that's what I take away from her blankness when she addresses us. She doesn't try to irritate us or give us 'rewards' anymore, but I'm not really sure if that's a good thing or not. But there's actually one good thing to take away from all this.

I have improved!! I moved up one spot in the strength rankings and am now third weakest! This is very thrilling news for me and I have to say I am surprised at how fast I'm improving.

I might not even have to use the turtle tactic anymore. That's right, whoever's watching me, just know I won't be entertaining you anymore!

Ha ha, joke's over, time to get back to reality. Whenever I have thoughts like that, I remember the pain of Erina's punch. It really serves as a good downer. I really don't want don't get my hopes up, cause if I do, I'll probably be crushed later.

But hopefully, I'll be paired with someone weak and survive this. Although I doubt they'll be kind enough to do that.

Anyway, it doesn't really matter. I'll do my thing until it's time for me to go. Am I talking about death or the fight club? I don't really know.

But I will do my thing. Like right now when Professor A is telling me to fight Alistair. Do I want to do it? Absolutely not. But, orders are orders.

I walked over to where Professor A stood on the ground (they had removed the mat) and gazed coolly at Alistair. He didn't look like he put me in his eyes but I think that's a good thing.

I would say Alistair is safely in the upper class of the group when it comes to combat power, so I would be grateful if he would just end this quickly.

"Begin."

These days Professor has been really strict and doesn't allow any backtalk, so we really aren't allowed to delay or cause any mischief.

I walked around Alistair slowly. I didn't want to have to be hurt for no reason. He didn't do anything but to watch me as I walked. I don't really know how this is going to end, but maybe I can minimize my damages.

In the end, I had to make the first move as he hadn't made any move to attack to me. I bounced around on my feet and took a few light shots at him. He evaded all of them and struck back with his fist.

Because I get beaten a lot, I've learned to sense the attacks when they get close to me. Due to this, I was able to see the punch from Alistair coming, but I'm not close to good enough to dodge it.

It hit me squarely in the face but still, it wasn't that bad. He doesn't have as much power as Carter or Erina, so I was able to tough it out.

I stumbled back a couple of steps, and he used that moment of imbalance to do his get behind me and initiate his chokehold.

I'm pretty sure I don't need to say this, but the match ended shortly after that. At least I was able to attempt to hit him.

-------------------------

The convention for tonight (or is it day? I really don't know what time it is) was boring, but the groups are opening up more to each other. A lot of them will probably be buddy-buddy by the end of the next one.

At least I wasn't approached this time and I was able to nap. But there was this strange gaze on me the whole time. I'm not sure who it was, but it can't be a good sign.

I'm currently in the waiting room and I really hope I get paired with someone who won't cause me as much pain as Erina.

It looks like it's time for me to go. I hope someone out there's wishing me luck.

I walked down the tunnel with a smile on my face. It seems I'm getting scared now that my death is getting closer. It was easy to say that I don't care when it wasn't close, but now it's really hitting me.

I'm going to die soon. My life will be snuffed out, just like that. Do I really want my life to matter that little?

What am I even thinking? It's not like me to have deep thoughts. They give me a headache. It's best for me to not think about it until the last moments of my life, when I'll have plenty of time to reflect on it.

I came out to meet a green-haired girl with long hair walking around the ring. At first I didn't feel anything, but when she put her eyes on me, it was like there was now a pressure on me similar to Professor A's, but much, much weaker.

For a bit I couldn't move, until she moved her gaze away from me. I then shakily moved into the ring. The announcer then introduced us.

"The fight between George of Group 39 and Philia of Group 1 will now begin!"

Group 1? I've never seen anyone from Group 1 on the ranking.

I don't really understand what's with that freaky pressure of hers, but I don't want to fight her. It's like an instinct resonating deep in my bones. I can't fight her.

She looked at me again, and I froze.

"Judging from the way you look scared shitless, I guess you haven't started training your Hani. It's expected, since you're in Group 39."

She moved closer to me, then looked like she remembered something.

"What am I even saying, you probably don't even know the significance of the groups, do you?"

Significance? I don't understand.

She sat down in front of me and gestured for me to do the same.

"Since I've got nothing better to do, let me enlighten you."

[Here's the Top Ten in the rankings for the bloc:

1.Pablo

2.Cassandra

3.Antonio

4.Simeone

5.Jacqueline

6.Iron

7.Xander

8.Sofia

9.Dominique

10.Ramesh

]

[Hey guys! If you leave a review, send me a comment with your name and I'll name a character after you!!]