Chapter 4.5

Fifteen minutes later, the entire class had changed and were ready for the Practical Combat class. The skin-tight white armor had small hexagonal weavings while optical fibers circuits streaked over the armor, like veins. Each suit had a green glow flowing through the circuits, the green light indicating that it was operational and that all systems were active. As the group talked among each other, Alina dragged Michelle and Asami to the back.

"We need a plan," she told them, her eyes stern. "Knowing him, he'll tell us to jump at him together, but that won't work."

"So what's the plan?" a voice whispered to her from behind, as Michelle's eyes widened and Asami tried tapping Alina's shoulder to warn her.

"I strike first, Michelle hangs back and defends Asa-" Realizing something, Alina turned around and saw Jason, his cocky smile directed at her. Before she could respond, Jason started calling out to everyone.

"Okay, class is starting people! First off: a little reminder. What you're wearing right now is an old prototype armor that was used during the later periods of WW3. It enhances your strength while letting you take a bullet, or two, without getting hurt.

"Unfortunately, since it's an under-armor [3], most of you will feel … exposed. But here's a tip, ladies. Just remember which guy is looking at you and give him an 'accidental' kick if you don't like him. It'll hurt like hell, but you won't leave any lasting damage. As for couples? Well, aren't you proud to show off to your lovers?" Jason lectured before ending in a tease. Alina however, did not smile.

Shit, She thought. He intentionally made us come to the front!

"So, let's get this party started. How about a game of tag? I'm it and if I catch you, you're out for five minutes or so. After that, I'll come for you again." Jason cracked his knuckles as he spoke.

"Uh, sir? Don't you need to wear an .. an armor?" A shy and timid girl asked, hesitant to use the word 'under-armor'.

"Oh sweetie, I promise to wear one if any of you can survive today's class without being caught," Jason chuckled as he rolled his sleeves up. "Ready, set, go!"

As Jason charged forwards, Alina pushed Asami to the front before bolting backwards.

"Every girl for herself!" she shouted as she ran.

Asami barely had time to comprehend what happened before she found the world spinning: Jason had grabbed her and tossed her into a wall, knocking her out.

Michelle grabbed her gun and aimed at Jason but he appeared right before her and easily disarmed her, taking the gun for himself. He then turned the gun at the students behind her. As he fired, each shot breezed past Michelle's hair and ended up hitting a student on the head, the only part that was unprotected. Then he turned to Michelle, winking as he cocked the gun to her head.

"Oh pisse," she muttered before getting hit by a rubber bullet. Jason threw the gun aside and started to look for Alina among the survivors, a smile on his face.

"There you are, my little rabbit," he whispered when he located her. Immediately he started running after her, bulldozing anyone in the way as Alina tried weaving through the crowd. Jason eventually caught up to her but only grabbed her, a scowl on his face.

"That was 48 seconds, a lot slower than your normal record. And this time you had shields all around you, disappointing." Jason then lifted a shrieking Alina up with both hands and flung her at a group of nearby students, who all collapsed like bowling pins. Eventually, he caught everyone in the class and knocked them out ... with extreme prejudice.

"Alright. Now that, that was fun, eh?" said Jason with a refreshing look on his face while moans and groans surrounded him. "But there's still about… oh, I don't know… 2 hours and 36 minutes. Why don't we start again in, eh, 5?"

Three hours later, every student slowly crawled back to their perspective locker rooms, causing several seniors to look on in shock…

[1] Holo-lenses: It's a contact lens that permanently binds to the user.

[2] I feel like I should explain this better. While there will be a flashback showing how they met, it wouldn't cover how Silvia felt about him. Basically, she had a crush on him, despite Jason being younger, but he didn't reciprocate her feelings and soon started going out with Mary. This hurt Silvia, who was able to see that Mary did not truly like Jason, and she tried convincing him to let her go. Soon after, however, Jason disappeared in the ill-fated mission to Budapest, leaving her heartbroken. Now, in the present, Silvia is telling Jason that she sees him as a close friend rather than a love interest and deep in her heart, she hopes for him to open his heart again.

[3] Under-armor: The reason why they're called under-armor is that they usually have flexible armor platings over it as the primary armor, providing its wearer with more protection. You know, like Batman's Arkham Knight suit.