HOHB - competitions make me nervous...

Chapter #11

<Monday. The unanimous day that every human despises. There are multiple reasons, why any rational human would loathe, Monday.>

<For instance, it could be after a lengthy and exhilarating weekend, spent with friends or family, where you goof-off and share uncontrollable laughter, which could only be described as memorable.>

<Until you ultimately find yourself, waking up at 6 AM, fatigued, and feeling decayed as your alarm-clock continuously blasts 'Nickelback', from a distance. Leaving you to hastily prepare yourself for the unfavorable forthcoming events.>

<Be that as it may, I still repeatably find myself waking up contemplating my unfortunate circumstances as I reluctantly tread out my door.>

<As today, on an accursed Monday morning, the only thought that continuously reminisces is the fuckery of a nuclear bomb that Kain launched on to me that…>

<Instructor Yates, is the motherfuckin 'Slayer of West Point!' I don't know what's more bizarre out of this whole ordeal. The fact that Instructor Yates is a war-hero that singularly saved the 'Hoku' empire, or the fact that everyone is oblivious to the fact that he is one.>

<Whatever the matter is, I don't think I'll get to give it much forethought, as today is the day of the competition that Instructor Yates announced a couple of days ago. And with that in mind, the burden weighing on my shoulders isn't getting any less strenuous, with the fact that a certain individual is continuously breathing down my neck…>

"Damien. Yo Damien. Yo, earth to Damien." Art annoyingly hisses into Damien's ear.

"Art. I say this with all my love, but sincerely fuck off."

"...Oh. I get it now. You're nervous about today's competition." Art vibrantly teases.

"Huh? Wow, that's a big jump. How did you get to that conclusion?"

Art inspects Damien's abnormal posture and voices. "Well for starters, you're slumped on your desk, and your face is planted straight on the table. Not to mention, ever since you sluggishly walked into class, you looked super pale, kinda like you got jumped-scared by a ghost."

<Surprisingly, she got that last part somehow right…>

*WUNH-WUNH!*

Kain abruptly mimics a false buzzer, as he approaches the pair. "Mistress, your retorted response, couldn't be farther from the truth." Kain directs a finger towards Art.

"Huh, Mistress? Who the hell are you?" Art responds disorientingly.

"Me? People refer to me as Kain Godwin, but that false title doesn't suit me. As the most memorable title I retain, is the title of Damien Whitecastle's, one and only true best-friend." Kain confidently responds.

"You are Damien's, one and only best-friend? Damien, what does that make us? We are friends, aren't we? Because I vividly remember that we became friends way before you met this asshole?" Art spurts testily.

"Indeed, I am. True friends are like diamonds--bright, beautiful, valuable, and always in style, as a friend may well be reckoned as the masterpiece of one's essence."

"Your testimony of the bond you two share may be lengthier, but me and Damien's friendship is stronger. As we will be competing together in today's competition, as brothers in arms." Kain brightly proclaims.

"You? Are his partner for this competition? That's shocking in itself, considering how much of a loner he is. Besides that, I for sure thought that my sweet Damien would choose me to be his partner, over some random nobody. I'm rather disappointed in you, Damien. " Art responds with a hint of envy.

"Wait a minute. Why am I the center of attention? It's not like I had a choice on who I would choose, this is all Instructor Yates doi-"

"Heloo, my tutees! It seems I'm already today's hot topic for today's discussion. In addition, it seems that all of you are quite anxious to start today's competition." Instructor Yates glances towards Damian's vicinity.

"I already know how easy you all get sidetracked, if I were to prolong any longer. So I shall inform you all of today's competition, as well as the rules and regulations of how it will be conducted."

"To begin with, today's competition will be an easy one. As I previously informed you all a couple of days ago, you will pair with a classmate and partake in a competition."

"But what I neglected to inform you all, is that if you do not meet all the requirements of today's selected conditions, all possibilities of being selected towards the Ofofell Tournament will be voided." Instructor Yates remarks in a grave tone.

"Huh, voided out of the Ofofell Tournament? Why didn't he tell us this beforehand?" A cluster of students concurrently react.

"Regardless, let me introduce the rules for today's endeavor, as the competition will be held at a snail's pace. Each pair of competitors will step up towards the center of the classroom, and will simultaneously perform the required stun that I taught you all prior."

"Additionally, if I catch a slight hint of forgery in your stuns, that isn't in the broad category of "aura yex." You will be tossed out of this classroom, without a second thought."

"Considering that, I will now go into depth, on what you will all be doing when the appropriate time to perform is presented. When your time arrives you will see a midmost build of an artificial automatic machine in your sight."

"This machine will thoroughly and accurately estimate the impact of your attack when struck. To earn a passing grade, you will need to get a minimal collision damage of five-hundred."

"To finalize my directives, I wish you all the greatest of luck, as I personally wish to see none of you removed from this classroom."

"Now! Let's begin today's venture, as today's first contenders will be…Arta Price and Prish Fae." Instructor Yates conveys intensely.

Art elevates from her seat, and signals toward Damien's direction. "A-S-S-H-O-L-E."

<Geez. As nonchalant as always, even when faced with the possibility of being kicked out of the Ofofell Tournament, she shows no visible signs of being stressed. She sure is something else.>

"Arta Price, and Price Fae. As of today's first competitors, I wish you two a successful blitz, as you will only be given one attempt.

'Pax vobiscum!" Instructor Yates passionately announces. (peace be with you in Latin.)

*WHISH!*

<A rapid hiss of 'aura yex' disposes from the pair synchronously, as a flicker of gauzy-like 'yex' glosses against the duo. Even without an evident view of their foray, my eyes endlessly followed the jagged luminescent spiral, as I could only be astonished by the majestic scenery performed by 'aura yex'.">

<As I incessantly watch from afar, a lingering review dims within me. As the reality that I can unconsciously visualize their attack dawned onto me.>

<As the rules of "aura yex" forbid any farsighted viewers the ability, to be able to see the attack of 'aura yex.' As the bearer of the charge, is the only being able to see the path, of their premeditated attack. Giving the classification of 'aura yex' the nickname 'the shaded wing'.">

<However, before further appraisal could be given, a deafening impact links into the automated machine, shaking the device from pillar to post.>

"Unbelievable! Never in my wildest dreams would I envisioned, that I would witness a new all-time record from this competition. Not only that, the previous record of '1,003' was completely obliterated by a staggering '517' points, leaving the new record at a whopping '1,520,' by the powerful pair of Arta Price, and Prish Fae."

"Please return to your seats, I will have to momentarily attend to the machine, as it seems he isn't so pleased with your performance." Instructor Yates keenly proclaims.

"How the hell did you do that, Art?"

Art glances towards Damain before a wavered response follows. "Don't kid yourself, Damien, you really think I contributed a fraction to that. Prish was the one who did all the heavy lifting, I was only a supporter in it all."

"Wait. Are you jealous that my name will be plastered on the record panel, and not yours?" Art taunts thrillingly.

"What? Why are you always jumping to those idiotic conclusions? Why would I ever be jealous over anything that involves you?"

"Because you love me…" Art snarkily rejoices.

<After that fiasco, Instructor Yates would call upon countless other students, with the majority of the populace smoothly passing the examination without effort.>

<But some of the less fortunate wouldn't be as lucky as the rest, trimming the contenders to three-fourths (75%) of passable nominees. As the reality of my circumstances struck me, I was quickly called upon to perform…>

"Ok then, the final pair of candidates will be Kain Godwin, and Damien Whitecastle. We are already impeding on the lecture after us, so the two of you quickly come to the front." Instructor Yates directs with urgency.

Kain catches the troubled statue of Damien and voices. "Don't sweat it too much dude, just imagine the crowd is naked, and all your worries will vanish."

"Kain, please tell me you don't do that."

"All the time dude, it really helps me calm down my senses, especially before doing anything remotely stressful." Kain smiles with solemnity.

"Cool…I'll keep that in mind."

<I know Kain is only trying to lighten up the stressful atmosphere, but he really just adds a certain unneeded factor in it all. Nonetheless, as we both approach the stairs leading downwards, the gazes of my fellow classmates don't provide me with much confidence, as their hostile stares only discomfort me.>

<Additionally, the mix of the humid atmosphere and the blunt burn of the sun, which pierces my eyesight, only inflicts me with further annoyance .>

<Truthfully I only wish for this to be over wit->

"HELL YEAH DUDE! WE DID IT!" Kain frantically hollers.

"Why are you yelling? We didn't even start yet?"

"What are you on about? We just scored a nine-forty! (940.) And dude, when I say it was dope I mean it. It was absolutely amazing. You were so into it you didn't even answer me after I called out to you several times after we finished."

"Still a bummer that we didn't beat the girl's score, but let's not stress over spilled milk. Anyway, I'm gonna head out, Instructor Yates will be kicking us out soon, and I would rather not get on his bad side again. See ya." Kain avidly hollers as he dashes out.

"What the fuck is happening? I am so confused right now, what in the world just happened?"

"I'm pretty sure you just aced that competition." Instructor Yates voices as he perches over Damien."

"Oh, Instructor Yates! I have something to tell you, something crazy just happened."

"I know you are excited to have passed, but we really have to leave the classroom, tell me some other time. But before you do that, I think it's about time we have that long-awaited training session."

"You seem to be fully healed already, so swing by the classroom after class tomorrow, I wanna show you something." Instructor Yates vocalizes.

<WHAT IS GOING ON?!?>

*to be continued…*