Rising Tensions and Hidden Talents

It was morning, and Ajal lay on his bed, his mind replaying the events of yesterday. A beep from his phone jolted him back to reality – a summons from the student council. He sighed, a mixture of frustration and worry swirling within him. Getting up, he dressed in his uniform and headed towards the imposing structure labeled 'Student Council' in a holographic sign.

Inside, a reception area with plush seats greeted him. Yaw, his face contorted in anger, was already seated. Their eyes met briefly, but Ajal ignored him, choosing a seat opposite.

After a tense wait, a student approached. "The president would like you both to follow me," they said. The student led them to a door, which opened to reveal a glamorous room. Ahead sat a brown-haired girl, Rose Vansick. Her ice-like eyes held an aura of authority despite her youthful appearance. Flanking her were two students: a tall, dark-haired male with glasses, Eric, and a girl with long, dark hair, Hiruzu, whose fiery gaze landed on Ajal and Yaw with hostility.

Rose spoke in a voice that was surprisingly meek yet held a commanding undertone, "I'm Rose Vansick, Student Council President and final year student. On my left is Eric, a council member, and on my right, Hiruzu, who you've already met."

She continued, her gaze shifting between Ajal and Yaw. "I'm sure you both know why you're here. Ajal Dragovich... Yaw Asante." Her voice held a hint of surprise as she mentioned their full names. "To think you're his younger brother," she said, turning to Yaw. "You're quite different from your older siblings, I've heard."

Yaw remained silent, clenching his jaw at the implied comparison.

Rose noticed his reaction and continued, "If you plan on catching up to them, Yaw, you have a long way to go."

Ajal remained stoic, thinking to himself, "She throws barbs like a child throwing pebbles." It was well-known that Yaw harbored an inferiority complex towards his accomplished older brothers, constantly measured against them.

As if on cue, Yaw, fueled by Rose's words, unleashed a surge of energy, causing a hostile ripple through the room.

 Rose calmly locking her eyes with Yaw's.

Suddenly, something unexpected happened. Yaw faltered, his flames sputtering and dying before they could fully ignite. In a blink, Eric, who had been standing behind Rose, materialized behind Yaw with a dagger at his throat.

"Don't even think about it," Eric said in a low voice, pressing the blade closer.

Yaw stood there in disbelief. He couldn't activate his power, couldn't react to Eric's swift movement.

Hiruzu, her fury barely contained, spat, "How dare you try to attack the President? Do you think your family name protects you here?"

"Enough," Rose interjected, her voice firm. Eric, with a hint of hesitation, lowered the dagger and retreated back to his position.

Yaw, still seething, stood there fuming. Ajal, however, remained unfazed. He'd already recognized Eric from the rankings – Eric Denzel, ranked 12th with teleportation abilities. He also recognized Hiruzu – ranked 18th with a barrier creation ability. But Rose, the president ranked 5th, was the most intriguing.

"Rose Vansick," Ajal thought to himself. "Though from a common background and a member of the support class, she climbed the ranks on her own merit. Her ability domain allows her to suppress and amplify Dimexion - dimensional energy, the source of power for abilities. That explains why Yaw couldn't use his flames."

Rose cleared her throat, drawing their attention back to her.

"Yaw," she began, a hint of sternness in her voice, "I'll let this slide, but next time, I won't be so forgiving."

Yaw glared at her, but remained silent.

"Now, back to the reason you were called here," Rose continued, her gaze fixed on Yaw. "You both disregarded school rules and engaged in an unauthorized battle, destroying school property. We've investigated the situation."

"Though both parties fought," Rose added, her eyes shifting to Ajal, "Yaw was responsible for initiating the attack. Ajal, while you have justification to avoid consequences, you also chose to retaliate when you could have retreated and avoided confrontation."

Her words were sharp, clearly designed to probe Ajal's calm demeanor. He remained impassive, revealing none of his thoughts.

"Normally, such behavior would warrant suspension or expulsion, depending on the severity of the incident. However, in your case, you'll be given a warning and a minor punishment since you're freshmen and it was your first day at the academy."

Hiruzu tried to interject, "But President—" only to be silenced by Rose's gesture. Though hesitant, she respected the president's decision and backed down.

"So, your punishment will be to first compensate for the damages caused and to clean out the abandoned building on the northwest side of the academy. It's due for renovation into a training ground, and since we were about to hire cleaners for the big job, fortunately, we found some willing volunteers," Rose said with a sly smile.

"That's all. You have a month to complete this task," she added. Ajal could tell it wasn't going to be easy, given the one-month timeframe. "You can leave," Rose stated, and Ajal and Yaw exited, with Yaw still seething about the whole ordeal.

As they left, Rose sat there with Eric and Hiruzu. "You can speak now, Hiruzu," she said, and as Hiruzu spoke, the anger in her voice was palpable. "President, you know they got off lightly. They should be expelled or suspended. Any other student would have been. I thought our goal was to ensure equality among all students, to prevent those from powerful backgrounds from abusing their power," Hiruzu argued.

"I know, Hiruzu, but this situation is far too complicated. The vice principal had to get involved," Rose replied.

"What? The principal who never gets involved in student affairs?" Hiruzu responded, shocked.

"Yes," Rose confirmed. "He summoned me to his office yesterday regarding this issue." As Rose recalled standing before Vice Principal Hendell, she remembered his words: "Rose, you've worked hard as student president, making my job easier. I know you have a strong sense of justice and strive for equality, but in this world, someone has to rule over others; that's just how it functions. I received a report of what happened this evening. Under normal circumstances, they would be expelled or suspended, but this is not a normal situation. Suspending or expelling them could be considered a stain on the two families involved, and you know the Dragovich and the Asante families are powerful. I don't want those higher-ups getting involved," he had said with displeasure.

"But, sir, they just can't get away with this," Rose had protested.

"Yes, Rose, for now, they'll compensate for all damages, and you can give them any light punishment of your choice," Hendell had said to Rose.

"Yes, Sir," Rose had replied in an unhappy tone.

"It saddens me you'll be leaving this year," Hendell had said.

"Thank you, sir," Rose had responded to his compliment as she left his office.

"So that's what happened yesterday when I saw the Vice Principal," Rose said.

"Damn brats of those families," Hiruzu said with anger and displeasure.

"What do you think, Eric?" Rose asked.

"I think the Vice Principal is right; it's too complicated. This is the best course of action," Eric replied.

"What do you think of Ajal " Rose asked, soon Eric's face grew serious. "He was able to follow my movements; he knew I was going to teleport and was able to precisely pinpoint where I was going to appear." "How?" Hiruzu said in a shocked tone.

"He's an interesting kid," Rose said. "May I ask why?" Eric said.

"Whenever a person is in my domain, I can sense their level and amount of dimension energy they have, but I couldn't sense his. That only happens when the opponent is way stronger and good at concealing their energy."

"Do you mean he's stronger than you?" Eric asked in surprise.

"No, I can't tell. Something was different. Even with stronger opponents, there's this tiny hue of energy they give off, making it impossible to truly conceal their energy. But for Ajal, I couldn't sense anything at all, like how dead bodies give off nothing. But he was definitely alive," Hiruzu said.

"That's why I'm not sure, and there are too many rumors surrounding him and his sudden appearance in the Dragovich family. Let's forget this issue and never speak of this ever again. We don't want to get involved with the affairs of the families," Rose said seriously.

"Yes, President," they both responded to Rose.

In the classroom, students sat gossiping and whispering to themselves. "Did you hear there was a battle last night between Ajal and Yaw? Apparently, they caused such a huge commotion that the student council got involved," one student said.

"Really?" another asked.

"Yeah, you're right. I don't see them in class today. Do you think they got suspended?"

"I doubt it," one of the students responded. "No one in their right mind would suspend a member of the Dragovich and Asante families."

"I guess you're right," another student agreed.

Suddenly, the classroom door opened and Yaw entered, prompting silence from everyone. He looked around with disgust and headed towards his seat. Following him was Ajal, who also headed to his seat beside the window. As he sat down, he began staring outside, thinking to himself, "To think she'll notice."

Suddenly, someone slid their chair beside him. "Is it true?" Regan asked excitedly. Ajal, ignoring him, continued to stare out the window. 

Regan persisted, "I heard you fought Yaw. Who won?"

Ajal sighed and instead of answering who won, he said, "We ended up getting punished for a month to clean an abandoned building."

Regan burst into laughter. "To think the great Dragovich has been reduced to a cleaner," he said, laughing his brains out.

Professor Jenkins entered the classroom, his booming voice silencing the usual chatter. Regan scrambled back to his seat.

"Alright, class," Professor Jenkins announced, a glint in his eye, "Today, we'll be putting your skills to the test. Get changed and head to the training grounds."

Groans rippled through the class as students gathered their things. The prospect of a surprise test wasn't exactly met with enthusiasm.

Soon, they arrived at the gymnasium – a magnificent building that screamed power and wealth. High-tech devices adorned the walls, an obstacle course snaked through one corner, and a shooting range occupied another. It was a testament to Morningstar Academy's reputation.

"Gather around!" Professor Jenkins' voice echoed through the vast space. The students shuffled into a semi-circle, their faces a mix of nervousness and anticipation.

"Our first test is a simple one," Professor Jenkins said, gesturing towards a machine with a digital display. "This measures raw strength. Punch the rectangular panel with all your might."

Luke, the class clown, stepped forward, flexing his arms dramatically. He let out a yell and struck the panel. The display flashed: 200. A ripple of disappointment ran through him as he slunk back to his friends.

Student after student took their turn, the scores steadily climbing. Finally, it was Yaw's turn. The current high score was a respectable 910. With a determined look, Yaw unleashed a mighty blow. The machine groaned under the impact, and the display lit up with a staggering 2,620. Gasps filled the room. Yaw smirked, his confidence visibly boosted.

All eyes turned to Ajal. A hush fell over the crowd as he stepped forward. His movements were calm and measured as he delivered a single, focused punch. The display flickered: 3,018.

The room erupted. Everyone stared at Ajal, his expression unchanged. Yaw's confidence was soon replaced by a burning fury. Even Professor Jenkins seemed surprised, a thoughtful frown creasing his forehead.

"Regan, you're up," he announced, breaking the stunned silence.

Regan, known for his brawny physique, puffed out his chest. He stepped up to the machine, his muscles straining against his clothes. When he struck, a gust of wind swept through the gymnasium. The display revealed a score of 4,982. Absolute silence descended upon the room, broken only by Regan's bewildered gasp.

"As expected," Professor Jenkins muttered to himself, his eyes lingering on Regan. "The Carras are renowned for their physical prowess." He cleared his throat, regaining his composure. "Alright, next, we have an accuracy test. Head into the chamber on the right and grab a gun. You'll have two minutes to hit as many red targets as possible. They'll be moving, so be quick!"

Professor Jenkins pointed towards a futuristic chamber bathed in red light. Luke, ever the drama king, groaned theatrically.

The students went one by one, most leaving the chamber dejected. Luke only managed a measly 7 out of 100, his confidence shattered.

Then came a surprise. Cidny, a quiet girl with short, dark hair who usually kept to herself, emerged from the chamber with a score of 92 out of 100. A blush crept up her cheeks as everyone stared, surprised by her hidden talent.

Yaw fared better in this round, scoring a respectable 67. Ajal followed, scoring 81, leaving Yaw fuming once again. Regan, however, proved his earlier feat was purely physical, scoring a dismal 17. He approached Ajal, grumbling about the targets' speed. Ajal, ever stoic, simply replied, "I just hit them."

A hush fell over the class as Professor Jenkins gestured towards the imposing metal door. "The Gauntlet," he declared, his voice echoing in the tense silence. "The ultimate test of your agility, reflexes, and...well, let's just say your ability to think under pressure. Remember, your abilities won't save you here. They'll be dampened to a mere flicker. Good luck, and may the odds…" he trailed off with a mischievous glint in his eye, "…not be entirely in your favor."

The class comedian, Luke, puffed out his chest and swaggered towards the door. "Just another walk in the park for yours truly, Professor!" he declared, striking a heroic pose. Barely a breath passed before a spike shot out from the wall, catching him squarely on the shoulder with a resounding "PING!" His bravado dissolved into a yelp as he stumbled back, clutching his arm and hopping around on one leg like a punctured chicken. A flurry of wild swats did little to prevent another spike from finding its mark on his leg. With a pained roar that could rival a wounded walrus, Luke crumpled to the floor, his test run abruptly concluded. The class stifled their laughter, a mixture of amusement and concern etched on their faces.

Next up was Regan, a mountain of a man with muscles that threatened to burst from his uniform. He charged in, a battering ram determined to plow through the gauntlet. Though his enhanced strength was muted, his raw physical power remained a force to be reckoned with. He launched himself over the first wave of spikes with a powerful leap, the floor groaning under his explosive force. The electrified water chamber presented the first real challenge. Ignoring the sizzling water, he used his immense strength to propel himself from pillar to pillar, the metal groaning in protest under his weight. The final chamber – a seemingly random dance of moving metal plates – posed another obstacle. But Regan, with a grunt of exertion, simply grabbed onto the first plate that appeared and held on tight, enduring the jerky movements until it deposited him on the other side. He emerged from the final chamber, panting like a winded bull, but triumphant nonetheless. Professor Jenkins, however, couldn't help but notice the lack of finesse in his approach. It was brute force, not strategy, that had carried him through.

Ajal, on the other hand, entered the chamber with the quiet grace of a predator. His movements were fluid and calculated, his eyes scanning the room for any telltale signs. He watched the rhythm of the spike eruptions, memorizing their pattern with an almost preternatural focus. With a dancer's agility, he weaved between the deadly metal protrusions, his steps light and silent. The electrified water chamber was no different. His keen eyesight allowed him to identify the safe path across the water's surface – stepping on the dry patches of stone hidden just beneath the ripples. The moving metal plates required quick thinking. Ajal observed their movements for a brief moment, then launched himself across, leaping from plate to plate with the timing of a seasoned acrobat. He emerged from the final chamber, his expression as unreadable as ever, but a hint of satisfaction flickered in his eyes.

Yaw, fueled by a burning desire to outdo Ajal, stormed into the chamber. He mirrored Regan's approach, attempting to bulldoze his way through. However, his focus on speed caused him to misjudge a spike's trajectory, leaving a smoldering mark on his arm. He cursed under his breath, his anger simmering. He adopted a more cautious approach in the following chambers, relying on his agility to navigate the electrified water and the moving plates. Despite the setback, he emerged from the chamber in second place, frustration etched on his face.

James, the unassuming class president, entered the chamber with a determined glint in his eye. He possessed no extraordinary physical abilities, but what he lacked in brawn, he made up for in brains. He studied the spike patterns with the intensity of a scholar deciphering an ancient text, his movements calculated and precise. In the electrified water chamber, he spotted a faint electrical current disrupting the water's surface, indicating the safe path. He used this subtle clue to navigate the pillars with ease. The moving plates, however, posed a challenge. He watched them for a longer period than the others, his brow furrowed in concentration. Finally, a smile broke across his face as he identified a subtle pattern in their seemingly random movements. With newfound confidence, he hopped across the plates, his steps sure and steady. He exited the chamber in third place, a sense of accomplishment radiating from him.

Professor Jenkins cleared his throat, the metallic clang echoing in the tense silence. "Alright, let's see how you all fared in the Gauntlet. Remember, this score will be combined with your previous tests for a final ranking."

He pulled out a data pad and tapped the screen. "Strength Test: First place goes to Regan, proving brute force has its merits. Following closely behind is Ajal, then Yaw, Miguel, and James."

A murmur rippled through the class. Regan puffed out his chest, while Ajal remained impassive.

"Now, for the Accuracy Test," Jenkins continued. "Cidny surprised us all with her unmatched precision, claiming the top spot. Ajal follows in second, then Yaw, Emily, and James."

Cidny blushed, her dark hair hiding her face as everyone turned to her with newfound respect.

"Finally, the Gauntlet," Jenkins announced, a hint of amusement in his voice. "This test truly separated the wheat from the chaff. First place goes to Ajal, displaying remarkable agility and strategy. Yaw takes second, followed by James in a surprising third place. Regan comes in fourth, and Emily rounds out the top five."

A wave of disappointment washed over Regan. He'd expected to dominate, but James, the class president with no flashy abilities, had surpassed him. Ajal, ever stoic, received the news with a barely perceptible nod.

"Alright, that's the top five!" Jenkins said, silencing the murmurs. "The rest of you, let's just say there's room for improvement. Consider this a wake-up call. Now, for the real challenge – the Midterm Exams! You'll be placed in mixed groups with students from the other two classes. This isn't about individual glory; it's about teamwork. Group assignments will be announced shortly. Dismissed!"

The class erupted in a flurry of chatter, excitement mixed with a touch of apprehension. Who would they be paired with? Could they work together effectively? The gauntlet may be over, but the real test was yet to come.

As night fell, Ajal entered his room and fell onto his bed, the stale air of the abandoned building clinging to his clothes. Exhaustion gnawed at him, every muscle screaming in protest. He groaned, muttering to himself, "Never-ending battle... anything but this.