Sparring with Master Xavier

Alan smiled warmly and bowed respectfully to the girl. " Senior, may I ask for a change of opponent if you don't take offense to my request please?" Not only the girl infront of him but everyone including all the students and the examiners also were surprised by his request.

The girl shrugged her shoulder and gestured towards the other 5, who were sitting outside the platform.

Pheonix shook his head and directly looked at the examiner and bowed. "Master Xavier, please don't mistake my request as insolence. But, can we exchange a few blows please."

The entire Arena fell into dead silence. Xavier who listened to the boy's request smiled, stood up and took a step forward appearing inside the ring, next to the girl.

All the new students gasped at the the ability displayed by the Master. The girl, looked at Pheonix as if he was having some nut loose in his head, shook her head and got down from the stage.

"Kid, did you see how many steps I took to reach you?"

"Yes Master Xavier, you took 24 steps and it took slightly over 2 seconds to reach me."

"Impressive!!! 10 moves. If you are still standing after that, no matter whatever is your results in the written test, I will make sure, you are going to S Class group." Xavier announced loudly with a wry smile.

A loud gasp was heard, even the seniors were shocked by Master Xavier's words.

"How much?" The blong girl asked the black haired girl.

"2 move, max. The boy doesn't know who is standing infront of him."

"You are wrong Tina, I think the boy is more that what he let us believe. He might even withstand more than 5 moves." The blong girl said.

" If that happens, I will give you my favorite hairpin Diana" If not get ready to give me your favorite earrings." Tania smiled wickedly.

"Done...." both girl said together and shook their hands.

"Ready or not here I come kid."

Master Xavier moved so fast that he practically disappeared from everyone's eyes and suddenly reappeared infront of Pheonix and threw a punch at his face. Pheonix dodged it effortlessly.

Smiling broadly, Xavier started to move. Throwing punches and kicks with such speed that his hands and feets became blurred. People can only see Phoenix move his hands and sometimes his legs to defend himself. After 20 seconds, he stopped, slightly breathing raggedly and a drop of sweat ran down the back of his head. But Pheonix stood their as if nothing had happened.

He nodded at Pheonix appreciatively, who bowed deeply with respect. "Thank you for honoring my request Master Xavier. "

"The Pleasure is all mine son. The pleasure was truely mine."

The seniors and Prof. Halls were staring at Pheonix dumbfounded.

"Prof. Halls. I want this kid to be in the S Class group."

"That would not be a problem Master Xavier. He had already secured a perfect score in the written test."

After a few seconds of profound silence, the arena erupted with cheers. Even the seniors joined in. The only one who was not cheering was the bulky boy, who unfortunately was still unconscious in a corner of the arena, alone. Even his lacky's had abandoned him after he got knocked down by their seniors.

Everyone congratulated Phoenix once he came down. In return, he politely smiled and thanked everyone.

"Dian, what exactly happened.!!!?" Tina asked in total shock.

"No clue Tina, not even a single one."

"Master Xavier, was the boy able to withstand 12 strikes from you?" Tania asked after running to Xavier who was walking out of the arena.

"12? I threw 68 punches, he not only blocked and dodged my punches, but diverted it effortlessly. He could have easily injured me but he didn't. I never expected to meet such an exceptional boy who is still in his 15. " Xavier shook his head, sighing and walked away.

Both Tania and Diana exchanged looks, stayed silent for a few seconds and walked back to their quarters.

The list of the classes were announced that evening before the dinner.

There were 7 students who were selected for Class S. 18 names were announced in Class A list and 35 names were in Class B list. When the professor explained about their living arrangements, everyone were shocked. Both Boys and girls will be assigned a shared accommodation. When asked about the weired arrangement, the answer they got although was logical many were still unable to digest their living arrangements.

"When it comes to battle, fight or taking a job, you will face off opposite genders many a times during your lifetime. Imagin you, a girl, unable to fight freely with a man out of shyness or embarrassment when your cloths were torn and your skin was revealed.

Would you cover your body with one hand and fend with the other hand and try to stay alive. Or can you let go of the issue even though your body was exposed and continue attacking? That's why in this academy, we encourage a co-living setup.

But do remember, you are not permitted to force yourself upon another. If you were found doing so, you will face the most severe punishment in this academy." Prof. Hall looked around sternly.

"After dinner, you can collect your belongings from the administrative block along with the details about your living quarters and move in. You will have 4 days time before the start of the classes. Familiarize yourself with the layout of the academy and with your new room mates."

The dinner was a happy affair, everyone was having the dinner together with their new group members. Pheonix however was acknowledged by everyone due to the skills he had showed that noon, the perfect score he got in their theory exams and most importantly due to the way he made the bulky boy look like a buffon infront of everyone.

To honor their requests, he first took a plate and finished it with Class B group, which ironically also had the bulky boy due to his abysmal performance in the combat round. But he was not in a posi6yo mock Phoenix as his face was still swollen and he was still feeling a slight dizziness.

Phoenix then refilled his plate and had lunch with Class A. When he filled his plate for the third time, everyone felt shocked. How could someone eat so much food!!? This question ran in everyone's mind.

Unable to contain his anger, pain and the shame he felt that day and wanting to regain some semblance of respect, the bulky boy finally spoke. " Ha ha ha..... begger boy, you truely are something. You know, you can have food free for next three years here. No need to stuff the food worth of 3 years today itself."

The boy was expecting people to burst out laughing but to his disappointment and surprise, no one laughed. Not even the ones who initiated were standing behind him.

Pheonix smiled and took his place amongst the Class S group and nodded his head at the six others there.

Brother, What have I done to you that you always look for an opportunity to target me ? I know I had told you once not to lear at the other female students and pass on bad comments. If you feel I was wrong then I am truely sorry my brother. Next time I will follow our senior's example and will sing a lullaby to you." Phoenix bowed deeply to the bulky boy with a nasty smile.

The crowd who had heard Alan's words, bust into laughter and few ladies even started to clap. The boy sat back, red faced and unable to bear the shame.