BATTLE AND MORE INFORMATION

"Ha", a sound escaped from my mouth as I stretched myself. Today was the day I'm to fight Ibe. Yeah I'm sure you though I would train all night and prepare and so on . Well sorry to disappoint,I didn't. I just went back to my poor dorm room and had a nice rest. I enjoyed my sleep. I rushed to the bathroom to wash myself as it was early morning. After cleaning myself, I wore my uniform which was slightly better than my real one in the former world. I didn't have slim-fitted trousers so I was nicknamed ' the baggie king'. Well it was often said my trouser could contain two human. Anyways I left the dorm and headed to the cafeteria. I met some students like me but they kept their eye away even when I greeted them. I guess I'm like a fly that they can squash anytime. Well, that didn't stop me from enjoying my meal. I finished my food. It was a light one; bread, eggs and tea. Good combo. Then I checked my time and saw I still had any hour before class

No Assembly? I thought.

It was normal and compulsory for every primary and secondary school to assemble every morning in my formal world. There they say their prayer(as we cherish religion) and announcement would be passed across to the students before the school work start officially.

I guess it doesn't happen here.

Still I headed to my class. I have a good memory so it didn't take much time to get there. I opened the door and was shocked to see no one in class.

Nobody? I wondered still looking around as I entered. 30 minutes more till class starts and no one is here. Is there a secret meeting somewhere? Or Assembly? I didn't hear any bells. I should ask Kofi.

I switched my watch on and clicked friend list. Clicking Kofi's name,I sent a message on what had taken place the last few minutes. A message came back

<Assembly? Na they are all training or resting. Didn't you train? You know you have a big match today. Anyways I will be cheering for you even if you lose>

Oh I see,I realized. I'm a novel on a different world. Of course they will be training. I'm an idiot. Well I have to wait then. I should get more sleep.

I look around and saw the chair that got me into trouble. I tried to sense the mana around it but I couldn't feel anything. Discouraged,I went to the back seats and sat, placing my head on the desk. The next thing I remember is a lady waking me up.

"Huh", I woke up with sleepy eyes. "Who are..."

Then it clicked. Everybody was looking at me, the board had some words on it and obviously the lady besides me is a professor. Am I in trouble?

"I know history is boring but sleeping is not allowed in my class."

"I understand ma", I said this unconsciously. In my former world, it is expected to give people above you respect. We students do have a lot of respect for our teachers and professor.

"Huh?"

Was she surprised,I thought as I could see her brows crease.

She resumed her teaching almost immediately. Plainly,she was teaching about the rank structure. I got to know everyone awoken at F- rank and potential enabled one to level up. SS class were the highest class known which Africa had only one. She then talked about stats and their uses. Also ranks had their advantages. A peak rank E is partially immune to the attacks of F rank. Also he or she is stronger and faster as they progress. With training,they will be more adept with their skill at that rank and will be able to dominate others Lower than them

I was so happy when I heard this. Peak SSS rank. Legendary isn't it. Fear me guys haha.

My smile came to a stop. No it's locked. I wouldn't be able to use it. It's a good thing. At least I will remain low-key.

"Excuse me ma?", I raised my hand. "What does rank N mean? You said we awaken at F- rank. Then why do I have null. Is it due to the fact that I can't use mana?"

"Ha", she began. "Since few people had been known not to have mana as it's rare, that's the normal bases of non awakened. N rank means Normal Rank for human . Though it look like all hope had been lost, there arose a way in which they could awakened. They could use the awakening potion. It's rare,yes butt with this, they could have a chance to awaken."

The bell stopped the flow of my assimilation as everyone stood up and left the class. The professor sighted as she was used to it. She looked at last person in class who was deep in thought. She came up to me and said.

"I know you feel down for not awakening and yes,with the potions you could have a chance but it's a one in a million. Those potions are too rare. Just don't get into trouble finding one. Who knows, you could awaken at the last minute. Think about this."

She left. Now that I notice she looks kinda cute. It's the hair that.... Focus I can't be thinking about that. Awakening potions huh? Even if it's rare, I have the Treasure map to hunt it down. I don't just know how to use it. My stats are so bad. Wait,I don't even have Stamina,Charm and even luck. Ha I have entered one trouser*.

"Femi",I heard someone call my name. I look to the front and saw a tall guy with a round face and a black hair which I recognized as Kofi and a short girl beside him. Well even if she's short, I'm still shorter. She had a cute face and brown hair. I have only seen her once and not with Kofi

"You were here?",Kofi asked me

"Yeah, the professor had something to say."

"Oh I see. Then are you ready for the big match?"

"Now?"

"Yeah it's combat class so.."

"Oh I understand"

I really need to know the schedule of my class for each day,I thought

We left the classroom and headed to the training center. On the way, I got to know the other girl's name. Annika.

She's a light mage and a healer. Apparently she moved from the south region to the mid region. Never know why. We arrived at training center and went to the dueling hall for first years. Quite a number of people had arrived and were seated, waiting for me.

"We aren't that much in our class", I said to Kofi

"The people here are from other classes", Annika replied me with her face down obviously she's shy." Few from the C class. Much from the combact minor class and a few low tier guides."

I wanted to ask more but Kofi nudge me to go forward. I entered the ring and went to the place where weapons were stored. It was displayed on the wall so I could find it easily. You must be wondering why, well the academy bans first year from using any weapons until after the first mock. Though they could train with weapons, they are not allowed to carry one around the school. But what of protection,you would ask me again. The only except was a registered light dagger. It's said that if you could the dagger with mana,it would shine so bright thereby the name "light dagger'. It was to alert any professor or instructor about your predicament. So it was survival of the fittest for us in first years. Most first years hide behind the strong and acts as their dogs. I don't blame them. When you are weak you are weak. Anyways, I entered and saw a lot of weapons ranging from sword,staff,spear,rapier,saber,guns,and so on. I was undecided. I love spears alright but it's too long. I don't like it. I just love the sound. Staff, that's for mages. I guess I would go with a sword. But one metal caught my eye. Guns. I picked up a sword and a gun,a semi- automatic pistol. After sorting out the weapons, I changed into training clothes before headed to the inner ring where I saw Ibe waiting for me.

"You sure took your time"

"Well I like to make an entrance",I replied placing my sword forward.

The instructor came forward. The guy had packed muscles. Scary. I could see a deep scar on his face. Surely be had a lot of battles

"Are both party ready?",I heard him say. His voice is deep. As expected of a veteran.

"Yes"

"Yes"

"Then I declare that this duel has both your consent"

"Begin"

It would be a fool of me to attack first. I don't know if he's a mage or a swordsman. So I waited.

"We don't have all day"

"Move your ass"

I could hear all sort of murmur

"Won't you move",I heard Ibe say. "I'm waiting for you to make your first strike. It would be fair since..."

I don't have mana,I completely the sentence. Is he nice or just faking it I thought within my self. I did move. I wish I didn't because as I moved few meters towards him, my sword fell out of my hand.

Huh

Silence descended on the whole room then laughter

Everyone was laughing.

It's expected,I told myself. This is the first time I'm carrying a sword. I picked the sword back and turn towards Ibe.

"Since you wasted your chance,then I will start",Ibe said as he made some signs in the air. Then I saw a circle.

Shit ,a mage. No wonder he kept some distance,I cursed. Moving the sword to my left hand,I ran towards him again. He's almost through casting his magic. I guess I understand why he's D class with me. His casting speed is slow. The moment he was through,I was almost in front of him. With my right hand,I took the gun placed at the back of my trouser,cocked and shot.

Fireball

Bam

...

This... My hand. The recoil ..., I whine in pain. Apparently the recoil was too much to handle as my hand went numb. I didn't practice any weapons training on my former world even basic hand to hand combat. I looked at my shirt, it was blacken by the side. It seems the recoil protected me somehow as I avoided the fireball as I was thrown off by the recoil. The bullet from my gun sadly didn't met my target but it did graze his side.

Ibe was stunned. Not only him but everyone as it was known that people choose one weapon as their primary enlightenment. Not two

"It doesn't matter, he's still weak",the instructor said after coming of the shock

Ibe moved backwards and started casting his magic again. This time a little bit faster. Maybe it's because I ended up surprising him

"Fireball", he shouted

I saw five fireball moving towards me. Ha he takes me seriously now. I picked my gun and sword and began shooting with my right hand again. I tried to avoid the fire but I didn't have that speed yet. I was thrown away. The bullets from my gun didn't graze him like before. He had enhanced his body with mana so he moved faster than usual, dodging all my bullets. I flew backwards and landed on the ring close to the end.

Arg,I stood slowly. My gun was with me but my sword was a bit far from me. I heard the earth rumble and felt all my cells crying within me . I jumped sideways and suddenly spike came from the earth

"Earth spike"

Is this guy trying to kill me,I thought as. I moved forward again. Closing the distance to my sword. I know I can't win but I should at least put up a good fight. How I dodged the spike,I didn't know I guess it's was instinct maybe ,danger sense?. I reached my sword and roll over avoided the earth spike. I pulled the trigger again, moving towards him. By this time half of the ring were covered with spike.

Bam Bam Bam

I reached a meter with his range and moved my sword to his side . But instead of the sword reaching him, both the sword and I flew away again. I felt heat. I forgot about the fire. I landed on the floor on pain and stood up back.

"Give up. You can't beat me with that speed"

Tch, making it obviously. My clothes had darkened more. Then it clicked light dagger. I just have one more shot. Let's do this

I moved forward again , dodging all the earth spike. I had gotten used and the shot more bullets at him. Almost within his range,I calculated the angles and threw the dagger horizontally letting it met a spike and another one before heading to the side of his face. Since I don't have mana,my light dagger was specially made and needed two seconds to lit.

"Now",I grinned

A bright light engulfed the ring and blinded him making him close his eyes. He moved back blindly. That gave me enough time to reach him. Using the gun,I shot directly to his shoulders before trying to place my sword in his neck. I thought I had the upper hand. But again I flew backwards, this time out of the ring rolling to the outer rings. I felt pain in my chest. The upper portion of my shirt was lost and one could see my bare skin.

"Ibe won", I heard before closing my eye

"He would have won if he had mana", the instructor mumbled. "Ibe using enhancement at the last moment driving his mana to his whole body thereby dodging the bullet. In Femi eyes it would seem as if he didn't move. Then misleading Femi into thinking he had the upper hand he casted a huge fireball at the last moment which secure his victory. If Femi had mana, he might had a chance against him. I'm surprised he used three weapons in this match and lasted this long. Sadly he doesn't have the basic requirement" Mana" ."

The duel ended in cheers as students were cheering for Ibe. Femi was carried out and moved to the healer section.

..

I regain consciousness and sat up the bed. Surprisingly,I felt okay. I thought I would have broken bones and sort but I felt alright

"Young man",I heard a woman say. She wore a lab coat and had glasses on her face. "Your body is a strange one. I thought you would have some bones broken but you were alright before you came here. I won't pry but act as if you are still hurt . That would keep eyes away from you. You are released."

I left the infirmary and met Kofi and Annika waiting for me outside. They commended me trying and tried to lift up my spirit.

"At least few people know of my defeat", I said consoling myself.

If I had the SSS ranked Superior Physique. I would have won, I thought with my eyes on the ground. But ..

"It's expected",I heard Annika say in her thin voice. "D class only interest it's members and a few weak students in C class. A C class duel will be packed with D and C class with a few B class as spectators. An A class duel... You know. Everybody watches that as it's the battle of the elite."

"Wow",I exclaimed. "The battle of the strong. It would be nice seeing that."

"Femi", Annika called." Would you love to join the our team again."

Team! What team???

"I don't understand what you are saying."

"It seems like he forgot. Bayo did do a number on him",Kofi said with a chuckle. "We were all a team. The last five. Yes, they called us that as we were the last in ranking. You are 550, I'm 548. Kofi is 549. Aluna is 547 and kwami is 545. We are known as the last five in the combact Major class."

"Is there no other class we can join that suit us?", I asked annoyed.

"Don't believe the history they write in books", Annika said shaking her head. "It's just fake"

"And how did you know the real history?"

"Because I was there", she replied." I was there when the old man told us everything." Kofi kept quiet as he allowed Annika to speak. I on the other hand was surprised and confused

Old man?.

"Please explain"

"Ok",she began. "Mana as you know it came after dungeons appeared on the Earth. It was unexpected as monsters came out killing people all over the world. Africa was unfortunately the base of all monsters both sea and land . It was terrible. People died thus giving birth to the great war. When mana was discovered,hope was rekindled and we found back. It took years before everything was stable and we got back our land. Africa was also regained but not fully. In the books it's said that the North is still full of monsters. But that's wrong. We are surrounded by monsters. Other continent regained most of their lands,we on the other hand regained barely half. The hero organization didn't help us regain all as they couldn't waste manpower and still had to ensure stability in other countries. So we were left on our own. So Africa was splited in five region. South, West,East, Mid and North. I moved from the South to The Mid because of sea monsters. They claimed both my parents.....so to prevent another monster horde, everyone was expected to be combat trained regardless of their status,or rank. That's why you are here and instead of you being in combat minor classes,you were posted here because combat minor classes are full. So they had no choice but to put you here. You bonded with Kofi for some weeks before the incident happened. Because of that we formed a team. So.."

"Can I think about it?" I stopped her knowing where she's going

"Ok",she replied disappointed.

"Don't worry bro",Kofi said in support." Since you trust me,trust them. It all for our benefits and besides the mock is coming up. We need to be together at this times".

"I understand",I replied. "I will give you my answers tomorrow. I just need to think this through. I have to go".

I left them in hurry. They must have wonder why but it's because I was hunger. Yes you heard me right. That fight drain my energy. I should I said yes but knowing it would lead to another discussion. I said what I said. I hurried to the cafeteria and ate my breakfast and lunch. I was full. They didn't throw away my breakfast so I combined it. Why you might ask? I had secretly befriended one of the staff on my first day here so I could ask a request

After eating,I went to my dorm. I didn't want to train yet. As I got in , I sat on the bed replaying a that happened today.

If I can't be rank 1 combat yet then I can be rank 1 in theory.

With that,I picked my books,of course I had books in my small room and read for the day

****

(Night

Academic lake)

"You saw how I trashed him right?",Ibe boasted to his two friends. "Though he tried all he could but he couldn't beat the number one ranker of D class. I'm even confident to even take on the last ranker of C class".

"Ha ha",kwame laughed. "I was shocked with him using three weapons. Who knew he was using that to cover his weakness. Too weak. Ha ha"

"Yes you are right", a voice was heard in the shadows. "He is weak. So are you"

"Huh, who are you?" Ibe said startled. He casted an illumination spell making the surrounding brighter. Then he saw,no they all saw the figure sitting down on a rock. The figure was dressed in black covering his whole body and his face. It then stood up stretching his hand.

"Time to take out trash",the figure move and in their eyes, it was as if the wind move.

Later a cry filled with pain was heard.

* A Yoruba adage

mean in trouble