Duel

Jakron has a hard time controlling his happiness. The part of him that was inherited by Tyrion dreamed of this day his whole life. Regardless of reality, he staked and believed that everything would change if he could just enter the Kasper Academy.

As Jakron exits the building, he sees another small pavilion with a coordinator. From what Jakron can determine by the other examinees' actions, there are a few more detailed test to check aptitude, but because of his overwhelming win over his opponent, he has taken a shortcut.

Another student gives him a large armlet that has a display. This sleek black covered armlet functions as a map, communication device, and a few other interesting features, but Jakron doesn't have the time to look over it now. After the student fits the device on his arm, he sets it up to lead Jakron to the dorm and gives him his uniform. After that, Jakron is free to go to his dorm and settle in. Tomorrow will be the orientation to the academy for all of the new students.

Heading to his dorm, Jakron decides to lay down in his bed to try and take a nap. While he isn't exhausted physically, it has been trying period mentally. Arriving at his dorm, Jakron can see a group of identical dorm buildings nearby. Each building has an inner open courtyard and with all the dorm rooms facing the courtyard. These three-story buildings have ten rooms on each side, meaning each building has a total of 120 dorm rooms. Looking at the map on his armlet, there is a matching set for the girls of the academy.

Walking into his dorm, Jakron navigates to his room on the first floor. Using his armlet as a key, he is able to unlock his door and enter. Upon entering, Jakron can see a shared common area, a bathroom, and four rooms beside each other. All the doors are open, so Jakron picks one of the end rooms and settles in.

Inside each room are a bed, dresser, desk, and chair. Looking around Jakron realizes that he doesn't actually have anything with him. Laying in the bed, Jakron plays with his armlet to determine what kind of functions and information he can find. After a few minutes of searching, Jakron is able to locate some information about the school.

Core classes are broken up into theoretical and practical knowledge about martial arts, knowledge about the world, and battle strategy with individual sparring and team events.

Optional classes cover the myriad of different body refining, movement, attack, defending, and special techniques that are available in the technique library.

There are numerous different training rooms that focus on helping develop techniques such as the traditional fire, earth, wind, wood, metal, and water. There are also more powerful and less utilized rooms such as space & time.

The different techniques from the library and the different training rooms all require contribution points to either read or utilize. The more powerful the room then the more points are required. Also, a discount is determined by your class rank. These ranking are determined by a monthly tournament that is limited to your class in the first year. After the first year, the rankings transition into a free for all with all of the older classes participating and divided by age. Those below 20 in age make up one group and those over 20 another. These rankings require participation, but another bracket that makes up everyone is optional. The last ranking determines the overall strongest students at the academy and depending on the person's ranking will provide an additional discount.

There is also a Mission Hall that gives students the ability to gain more contribution points. In addition to this are the rewards for reaching certain milestones in your training. From breaking into new realms, excelling in your studies, or mastering techniques.

Also, a treasure hall is available where weapons, defensive & unique treasures, and pills can be bought with contribution points. They will also buy specific unique and rare items, paying the students in contribution points.

The contribution system feels to Jakron like it is designed to promote the talented and strong, while also helping the academy grow by encouraging the completion of missions and selling of precious and unique items to the academy.

As Jakron is continuing to read, he hears the door to the dorm room open and as a few people enter the room talking and laughing as they celebrate their entrance into the academy.

"Hale, Derek, let's put down our stuff and go to the Blooming Rose Restaurant to celebrate." says a boisterous voice full of mirth.

"Blooming Rose? Where is that?" ask a quieter and steadier voice.

"I hear it is located on the campus and they serve the best meats and vegetables. While it doesn't cost contribution points, I've heard that it is tremendously expensive. Even the cheapest meal is going to cost a few gold coins," another voice responses.

Deciding to introduce himself, Jakron gets up and exits his room, "Hello, I'm Jakron Tyger."

"Ahhh," an average height young man with short cropped black hair and large bulging muscles responses, "I was wondering who else would be in our room. How did you get here before us?"

"Yeah, I didn't see you at the aptitude test or when we were broken up into groups? Are you from an aristocrat family...no they don't usually go through the same test as everyone else. So how did you get here first?" A smaller stature and skinny young man asked.

The third person with them is about Jakron's height with an average build and brown shaggy hair. He doesn't ask anything but just waits for Jakron to answer the question.

"I was directed here after the sparring match," Jakron responds.

"Wow! Amazing!" the short youth responds, "I'm Hale Ford, 15, this is Jacob Smith 16," pointing to the large muscular youth, "and that is Derek Sounder, 17," pointing to the quiet youth that is my height.

Walking up Jacob claps me on the back, "I was hoping to have a strong room-mate and now I've got one. We should spar. I want to feel the strength of someone who beat up a senior student."

"Me too, me too!" Laughs Hale. "I want to know if you can hit me. The senior I faced couldn't keep up and failed to land a hit on me," laughed Hale, "He was fuming when the instructor told him to stop."

"How old are you Jakron?" as the quiet youth Derek.

"I turned 17 this year," answers Jakron.

"Alright now that we've got the pleasantries out of the way let's go to the Blooming Rose" laughs Jacob as he throws his bag that he was carrying into one of the rooms.

"That sounds good, but I can't afford it," says Derek.

"Me neither," responds Hale while hanging his head.

"I can pay for everyone," answers Jakron, "I recently had a large harvest in the desert."

Laughing Jacob claps his hands together, "Alright that's it then. Jakron is going to treat us today. It isn't every day that you get to celebrate such an important event. Let's go!"

Derek and Hale are obviously excited now as well as they quickly threw their own bags into a room and head to the door while laughing.

Following Jacob, Hale, and Derek, Jakron and his roommates start walking through the academy. The academy is immense, while each year it doesn't accept that many students, students can stay until they are 24. This creates a rather large student body, especially considering that there is only one hard rule for each entering class and that is you have to be younger than 20.

Of course, the more talented individuals will leave much sooner pursuing event higher realms and status. For most, they will finish their schooling here and either start their own business or join a society or group that gathers martial artist.

After making their way across the campus, Jakron has a better understanding of where things are. The Blooming Rose is in a magnificent building with six floors. The bottom three levels are open with many small waterways, bridges, plants, and large windows, creating a very natural and harmonious environment. The upper three levels are where the reservations and large parties gather creating a more private and secluded environment.

After entering the four roommates get a table and order a few plates and drinks, enjoying each other's company as they banter back and forth. The three open levels and numerous guest create a very lively environment that is hard not to enjoy especially with the fantastic food.

Jakron, Derek, Hale, and Jacob are all mesmerized by the quality of the food. None of them have had such great tasting and invigorating meals. As they continue to eat and talk, they people watch everyone else coming and going from the restaurant.

As Jakron is focused on some of the most delicious meat he has ever tasted, he notices his three roommates staring off at the entrance. Turning his head, Jakron can see a beautiful young woman walk in with a small group of other beautiful women. She has long shiny black hair that rolls down her back, a tall well-proportioned figure, skin that is the color of mocha and eyes as dark as night. As soon as Jakron sees her he is mesmerized. Never in Tyrion's short life or Jack's long life has he seen a woman as beautiful as this.

"She is beautiful," Jakron whispers.

"I know," answers Hale, "that soft blonde hair, blue eyes, and beautiful body outshine anyone in the academy. Sophia Earnheart is the number one belle at Kasper Academy."

"I know. It is too bad that we won't even get the chance to talk to her," sighs Jacob.

"Wait, what? I was talking about the girl with black hair," questions Jakron.

"Ella Madison? She is okay, but she has nothing on Sophia," responds Hale.

Surprised Jakron ask, "Really? You think that too?" Looking toward Derek and Jacob.

Seeing them nod in response without taking their eyes off of Sophia really surprises him. Watching Sophia and Ella proceed with their group up the stairs and leave the bottom three levels, Jakron is amazed by his roommates' response. While the Sophia girl is beautiful, for Jakron she can't hold a candle to Ella.

"What class are they in?" ask Jakron.

"They were enrolled last year and Sophia quickly became one of the school belles with her outstanding looks and talent. I hear that Drego Mital is pursuing her," answers Jacob.

"Drego Mital? I saw him today. He got in trouble for going too far in his sparring with an examinee. What is his deal?" Jakron asks while trying to sound nonchalant as he reigns in his anger and hatred for Drego.

"He is ranked in the top ten in strength for all of the students here. I heard this will be his last year and then he is going to the capital," answers Derek.

"I hear that the only reason he didn't go last year was that he crippled an aristocrat and his application was turned down," says Hale.

"What realm is he?" Ask Jakron.

"The half-step Connate Realm," answers Derek, "I heard that only the top three students have a stronger cultivation and they are at the beginning Connate Realm, but they are also all 23 and this will be their last year at the school. Drego is only 17 and he is expected to step into the Connate Realm this year."

"Yeah, I'm jealous of his natural talent. I'm only a half-step into the Initiated Realm and we are the same age. If I'm lucky I'll be able to grow to as strong as those 3 seniors, but even that is unlikely," laments Derek.

"Don't worry we are brothers now. We will help each other grow stronger. With the four of us working together we will be unstoppable," boast Jacob as he slaps Derek on the back.

Suddenly from the table beside the four roommates, a group starts to laugh. "What a bunch of idiots. Don't even try to compare yourselves to the three strongest seniors and especially not to Drego. That is ridiculous." laughs a large student and his table of friends.

"We aren't trying to compare ourselves with anybody. We are just trying to stay positive," responds Jakron as he squints his eyes as this fat idiot.

"Oh, a tough guy," responds the massive student. Sliding his chair back as he stands up with his huge frame and tall stature. "I don't care much for new students running their mouths off. How about I help you shut yours," threatens the student as he lumbers towards Jakron.

"Look, I don't want any trouble, but I'm not afraid of it either. What do you propose we do?"

As a creepy smile begins to form on the large students face, the friends at his table start to snicker. "The school has dueling platforms set up outside. We can settle this there. What do you say?"

"Jakron don't do it. The school requires a minimum of 10 contribution points to be staked for every duel. He is just baiting you," whispers Hale in Jakron's ear.

"It's fine," whispers back Jakron. Now knowing what the large student wants Jakron develops a sarcastic smile as he quickly agrees to the duel. "Sure, I down for that."

As the two groups of students leave the Blooming Rose, most of the other students and instructors that were dining in the restaurant follow them out, ready to see the show.

Quickly Jakron and the fatty are facing off against each other on one of the large dueling arenas.

"Since you are new, this big brother will explain the rules for you. To win one party either has to give up, get knocked out, or be knocked from the arena. No weapons are allowed. Also, a minimum bet of 10 contribution points is required." says the fatty as his smile gets bigger and bigger and his eyes get smaller and smaller.

"10 contribution points. Huh, I only have a 100 points that were given to me after entering the academy" says Jakron as he thinks out loud and scratches his head.

"Don't try and back out now. You already agreed, you either have to fight or immediately give up the 10 points," laughs the fatty.

"No, you misunderstood me. I was just thinking that it would be even better to bet 100. That way I'll have a quick 200 contribution points. I'll never turn down free points. So how about it? Do you have 100 points to bet with me? Otherwise, fuck off and don't bother me or my friends," says Jakron as he mocks the fatty.

As Jakron talked the fatty's face continued to deepen in the shade of red. He has been in the academy for four years and at 22 years old and the late stage of the Initiated Realm, no newbie student has talked to him like this. "Very well newbie. I'll be happy to take your point. Since you are about to lose your future you should know that Rickard Wright was the one that did it."

After finishing talking, Rickard explodes with speed that beguiles his massive frame. Bull rushing towards Jakron, Rickard clenches his giant hammy fist and smashes it at Jakron's head like a hammer. Rickard must weigh close to 300 pounds and with his speed and mass, he could easily shatter a cement wall.

As his fist approaches Jakron's head, Jakron lazily raises one arm to block. As Jakron commits to this full frontal collision, the audience gasps at this young man's stupidity. If he had been in the academy for longer there are techniques that can drastically improve brute strength, but for a new student, it is unlikely for him to compete with someone like Rickard based on body size alone. Especially since most of the people know that Rickard is at the late stage of the Initiated Realm and a brute strength expert.

The moment that Rickard's arm collides with Jakron's the arena vibrates furiously as the lingering dust from the desert is thrown into the air, clouding most of the audience's vision.