10 Trials

TEN

On the morning of trials, Jungkook woke up with knots in his stomach. But instead of looking at Marco's sleeping face, he was looking at Storm. The room was too bright and for a moment he wondered if he was dreaming.

„You awake?" She asked. He nodded. „Good. Get up. Breakfast is ready."

As he sat up, he noticed Rose and Ray were there too, looking at their juniors, waiting for them to wake up. When Jungkook was done dressing up, Marco stirred and jumped from the bed as he saw Rose. Followed by his surprised scream, Tobias was up too.

„Breakfast is ready." Rose said. „Let's move it."

Storm stood by the door. „Come on, junior. No need to wait for them."

Instead of taking Jungkook to the dining room, Storm headed upstairs. He hesitated for a moment, but she pulled him along.

„It's a tradition." She explained. „On the day of the trials, you are mine to torture as I see fit."

„Torture?"

Storm laughed. „I'm supposed to give you final pointers, tell you what to do, share some wise words. When Fausta took me in and I had my breakfast with her before my first fight, she spoke for three hours. It was torture. Later, I realized it was tradition of our clan. We are here." She opened doors that lead to large room. Besides small bed, closet table and two chairs, room was empty. It made it look even bigger.

„Is this your room?" Jungkook asked, looking around.

„It is. Not what you expected?"

„No. I thought you'd have more... things."

„I prefer to keep the money in the bank, under false name. Rose and Ray spend it like water and their rooms are glamorous."

„I like yours better." Jungkook sat down. „So? Any advice?"

Storm shook her head. „I don't have any. I told you that night on the roof. It's a performance."

„Your partner if death. She is capricious. Clash of swords is your song. Arena is your stage. Applause is your reward." Jungkook recited. „I memorized it well."

„You did." Storm took his hand. „Be careful out there. Don't show off. If you freeze, just follow your body. It knows what to do."

Jungkook returned the squeeze. „I know. You taught me well."

Storm pulled her hand free. She walked to the jacket on the bed and pulled out a small box. „I had something made when I won my first fight. I have worn it ever since." She gave him the box. „And since you are my first student, I had one made for you too."

Jungkook opened the box. On a velvet cushion was golden medallion with three stars. „Thank you, noona. It's beautiful."

„For luck." She said.

~

Storm told herself not to be nervous, but she was. As she took her place on the stands, her knees actually trembled. She sat down quickly.

Most mentors were still talking to their students, giving last minute advice.

„If they hadn't learn until now, then they won't." she murmured to herself.

Rose sat beside her. „So? What did the junior say? Is he ready?"

„I didn't ask him that." Storm admitted.

„What did you ask him?" Rose lowered her voice. „Maxima and Sabinus covered it well, but I know they got the two of you together. Do you have anything to share?"

„No. We talked about my fight. And yours. And Ray's."

„That's disappointing."

„Haven't you learn that already Rose? Storm is always disappointing." Mairin was on the stands with two bodyguards.

Storm smirked. „Really Mairin? Only two? You sure they are enough to protect you?"

„I am a lady." Mairin said. „You are a slave."

„Just saying," Storm turned her attention to the arena, „You stepped on many toes. Not just mine."

„You-"

„If you would all settle, we will begin now." Lanista in blue coat called out, looking at some students and mentors still talking. „This year, there will be three challenges. „First is a race. Second is climbing. Third is polygon that is just being assembled."

Storm smiled. Junior shouldn't have any problems with trials. Many were looking at Blue coat in rage. They prepared their students for a fight, not running and climbing.

„Shit." Ray took a seat behind Storm. „All we did yesterday was practice combat."

„We did as well." Rose whispered. „I hope they still do good."

„I know my junior will." Storm smiled as she looked at Jungkook, who was hiding his smile. „We were running every day."

„I hate you right now, you know." Rose said.

Blue coat arranged them into groups of five. Jungkook was in fifth group with Tobias. Xander clan was thankfully in first group, but they had the best time. That is, they had it until Jungkook's group took their turn. As soon as the whistle sounded, Jungkook shoot forward. He reached the finish by the time others barely passed half.

„Who is that kid?" Storm heard one lanista ask. She smiled. They haven't see anything yet.

They were in same groups for climbing as well. This time, Jungkook's group was weary of him and Xander clan was eyeing him. Storm could see others saying something to Jungkook, but he just kept his gaze forward. When his group had its turn, he was the fastest again.

„You did tell him not to show off, right?" Rose asked.

„He is not showing off." Storm said to her. „Others are moving too slow."

„He is showing off." Ray jumped in.

„You are forgetting, Ray, that he trained with me. I didn't slow down so he can keep up. He had to do everything at my speed."

„Well, hell." Rose said. „Our juniors are looking bad cause we were considerate."

„The irony." Ray added.

„Calm down, there is still polygon." Storm said. „We never practiced for that."

„Yeah, but you practiced thousand different moves that will come in handy." Ray said.

When they moved outside, and first trainee took the polygon, Storm knew Ray was right. Jungkook was fifth to take the polygon and he did exceptionally good. The Blue coat even praised him. „Your mentor did the job well. Who is he?"

„It's a she, not a he." Jungkook said in clear voice, so others hear as well. „My mentor is Isa Storm."

„That is practically cheating." One boy for Xander clan said. On the stands, rest of Xander clan was protesting as well. Other lanistae joined in as well.

Blue coat managed to calm everyone down eventually. „Association said every registered fighter that has been on the scene for longer than five years needs to take a role of a mentor and that includes Miss Storm. If you didn't want her to train someone, well, take it as your failure. Her junior did well and he will be given points accordingly. Kid, you can sit over there. You have to wait for others from your clan to finish before you can go."

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