Spots to Grenguard

The Tournament of Honours ended with Draco in first place, Chou in second place, and Ryan in third place.

With a cadet coming first place in the tournament, Sgt Ringeck, the cadet's combat instructor, appealed to the higher ups to give cadets who participated in the Tournament of honours be given a shot at Grenguard.

Lin was lying in bed in his dorm room, his eyes closed.

He was contemplating the trading in his credits for a spot to Grenguard.

"What are the chances I would make it in?" Lin thought.

"Are you kidding? You know you will make it in. Who would dare stand against you," the voice in his head replied.

Zen was evidently his number one fan always cheering him on. A living consciousness that is now part of his being.

"Think about it for a moment Lin, don't you think you are the new god the prophecy talks about?" Zen cheering Lin on.

The door to the dorm room cracked open violently, causing Lin to open up his eyes.

"Hey, Lin, can I get your help?," Draco said with a cold voice as he barged into their dorm.

"Hmmm... That depends on what it is and if you would say please," Lin said, trying to nudge Draco off with sarcasm.

Draco starred blankly at Lin.

"Before I ask the favour, would you like to come to Grenguard with me?," Draco asked, scratching his head.

Lin was astonished.

"No way!" He screamed, "I was literally thinking about the same thing."

"The trip is only for rangers. There is no way you were granted access," Feng said, the shock still written on his face.

"Well, I came in first place, so, I can go with them to Grenguard but that would only work if I can get to talk with Sergeant Malcolm, I am sure you don't mind trading in your credits," Draco said as if he knew the plan he just came up with is fail-proof.

"Well, I will start with getting my stuff together while you think it through. If you don't have your mind made up by the time I am done, I will have to leave without you," Draco added as he advanced towards the wardrobe.

Feng sat up on his bed, looking at his both roommates go about how to leave for Grenguard and not involving him.

"Thanks, Draco, for inviting me," Feng scoffed.

"That is exactly why I didn't ask you to help. You do not have the spine," Draco mocked Feng.

Feng gasped in disbelief.

"Come on, man, you don't have to hurt my feeling to send across your message," Feng said, a tint of sadness in his tone.

"Well, time is up Lin, that airlifter is not leaving to Grenguard without me," Draco said with all resort, as he zipped up his backpack.

[Airlifter, a military cargo aircraft]

As Draco began walking to the door to leave, Lin began clapping, causing Draco to pause in his path.

"Bravo Draco! You just won my heart, I am coming with you. Just give me some time to pack up, too. Whatever you are about to pull off, I am definitely interested. To be honest, that was exactly what I was thinking about before you barged in."

Lin walked up to Feng and put a hand on his shoulder, "Grow some balls, my friend."

"Well said, Lin," Draco said as they both burst into laughter.

"You sure you want to do this?" Feng hoping he can convince Lin out of the hasty decision.

As Lin was about leaving with Draco, he gave Feng a good handshake, "tell May, that I will be back for her. I am off to go meet my future."

****

"Boys, it's time for a showdown," Sergeant Malcolm shouted as he approached the rangers who were training with the hell operation simulation in the company of Draco and Lin.

It was the rangers' last day of the session in the academy. They would spend the rest of the session training at Grenguard and get the clearance to join the Seal squad and pilot mechabots.

The seal squad were the saviours and supreme protectors of mankind as mankind trained, rebuilding from the ruins of war.

"You know cadets do not advance to Grenguard, but the rules have to bend since a cadet won the tournament," Sergeant Malcolm's voice was loud and clear.

Ryan walked out from the back of the crowd to meet the sergeant.

"I am not following Serge," he said, saluting Sergeant Malcolm.

"You rangers failed to keep the title amongst yourself. Now that a cadet took first place in the tournament, the rules have to bend. Now, who will forfeit their spot for the title holder?"

Draco walked behind Sergeant Malcolm, his head held high, "I would rather take two spots, for I am my friend."

An arrogant smile playing out on Draco's lips.

"Alright boys, this is how it goes. To keep your spot, you will have to defend it. So, who goes first? " Sergeant Malcolm finished as he found a chair to sit on while the rangers sorted themselves out.

The rangers began whispering, trying to vote for who would represent them. Some even suggested choosing using the rock, paper, and scissors game.

While the rangers were debating, Lin called to Ryan.

"Captain, can I take your spot?,"a clear resolve written across his face.

A grudge that has been looming between you.

Ryan's words replaying in Lin's thought, "Come find me when you are strong enough..."

"I would not mind crushing you," Ryan replied as he walked to the front of his mates.

"Last I remember, you were laying on my feet choking on your own blood. You were an embarrassment at the tournament, and now you challenge me?"

Ryan scoffed, and the other ranger began laughing, mocking Lin.

"Zen, status!"

Lin waited for Zen's feedback as he rolled up his sleeves.

"Oh! I have been waiting for you to say this!"

Zen's voice echoes in Lin's head with excitement.

[ Initializing Status]

[HP: 200/200]

[Speed: 30]

[Strength: 18]

[Stamina: 20]

[Skills level: 5]

[Level up x: 1.5]

[Exp: 60/200]

"Nah! As the captain of the cadets, it's only right I take on the Ranger's captain, don't you agree?," Draco said, pulling Lin aside.

The other rangers stood in awe as Draco walked towards their captain, his courage beyond what anyone of them as seen.

First, he challenged their training by coming by standing over the bodies of the Rangers that lost to him during the tournament.

"That's right, duck! It's only right I be the one to put you in your place," Ryan said, standing up to the challenge.

"That's what I am talking about," Draco said as he approached Ryan.

"Lin, I guess our grudge match will have to come later," Ryan scoffed, "bring it on, big boy."

Ryan and Draco assumed a combat stance as the other student stood around them to watch the outcome of the duel.