12: Placement

Laura woke up around seven a.m. She went to check her phone and saw a text from Kai. You and Dan should find Sam and Volta, then find Cathy later today. New mission just dropped. It's for tomorrow. About the Overhaul ring.

 She put the phone down and sighed, "another mission already, huh?" She got up and started taking her clothes off. She headed to the bathroom and went to shower. A warm shower. "I wonder what Sam and Volta are like," she wondered aloud as the warm water showered her face.

 "They seem close already. Kai's really good at pairing people up, huh?" She mentioned as she got shampoo and scrubbed her scalp. She then grabbed soap and cleaned her body. As she rinsed everything off, what Dan had said last night popped into her head.

I mean, I'd die for you, she got all flustered. Her face turned red. She clasped her face, "why did he say that?"

 Quickly finishing her shower, she got dressed with new sets of clothes. Same design, just a new pair. She went over to her desk. Above the desk was her sword, hanging at a sword rack. She grabbed her sword and tied it around her waist. She walked away from the desk to the middle of her room. She pulled out her sword and saw herself in the reflection of the blade. It was new, to her. Her sword from before got chipped too badly and would soon break. So, she got a new one. She had spent the entirety of yesterday's afternoon—she woke up way earlier than Dan did—cleaning her blade and polishing it.

 In her reflection, she realized she wasn't wearing Dan's headband. She sheathed her sword and went to her dirty clothes and searched her pant pockets. She found it. She went to the bathroom mirror and wore it.

 Laura then finally headed out of her room and went to the lounge and would wait for Dan there. Volta and Sam were sleeping, so she had to sit at different empty couch. She untied her sword and placed it on the floor. I'd text Dan, but I don't have his number yet. I'll ask for it later.

 Appeared right beside her, no motion whatsoever. She jumped at the sudden appearance of Heath. "Woah!" she let out a scare.

 "Ohayou gozaimashita," he greeted with a devious grin.

 "O- Ohayou…"

Ohayou/Ohayou gozaimashita = Good morning

 "How did your first mission go?" Heath asked.

 "U- Um… Fine," she threw her face away.

 "I heard you got kidnapped," he started leaning to her and whisper. 

 "Oh, y- yeah, I guess."

 "What did they want?" Heath laughs as he asked.

 "N- Nothing."

 He looks at her and his eyes got cold and dead serious. He made a creepy grin at her, "a ring, right?"

 Laura's startled at his comment and him invading her space. She slides away to the end of the couch. "So, I'm right?" He asked with a malicious grin on across his face.

 Laura didn't reply.

 "So, I'm right," he leaned his head back to the rest and laughs. "Looking for all three Dayton rings. Overhaul ring, Star ring, and Gravity ring. Do you know what those are for?"

 "H- How do you know?" Laura was confused.

 Heath didn't reply. He looked up at the ceiling and started thinking. "Repeat of history, right?"

 Laura became more and more confused. "How do you know this?" She slightly raised her voice. Kai haven't made the knowledge of Shujin public to the sorcerer families or the students yet.

 "His strikes drive through you. His presence is not detectable. His mask feels otherworldly. Has an arsenal of uncanny spells?"

 "Do you know him?" She presumed.

 "I never got his name, do you know it?"

 "Tell me, how do you know him?"

 "After you answer me."

 Laura contemplated for a second, she didn't want to fold, but had to. "His name's Shujin."

 "Shujin…" Heath muttered under his breath. "Odd…" He said as he stood up and waved in the air. Creating letters from his flames, it spelled sorry. He started walking away.

 Laura got up, grabbed her sword and unsheathed it. She walks up behind Heath and rested the blade on his shoulder. "Answer me," she said in a coldly threatening voice.

 "You don't wanna do that," Heath's voice dropped and he glanced backward.

 She channeled mana through her blade, rested on his shoulder, he felt the electrifying mana that came from it. "If you know what's going to happen, why not warn everyone?"

 He turned around, and started walking forward, letting the blade graze him gently. "What would happen if I didn't at all, Laura?"

 "You don't care if more people die?"

 "Don't act like you care," he made a smile of disgust. "I know what happened with you and your brother."

 She hesitated for a moment, how does he know? He can't be bluffing. Her eyes filled with her past conflicts, something Heath saw immediately.

 "Trust me, you don't care as much as I do," he remarked with a low voice.

 "Then, why not warn everyone else then?"

 "Minna wa mada yowainda."

Minna wa mada yowainda = Everyone's still weak

 "Is that reason to not do it?" She questioned.

 "You'll all find out soon enough yourself."

 Heath then disappeared from in front of her. Her blade still held up. She felt irritated and sheathed her sword.

He knows that much but he's not saying anything. What a jerk!

She went back to sit down on the couch and waited for Dan again. 

 "Can I trust him?" She asked. 

 "Trust who?" Asked Dan who approached her from behind. 

 "Morning," she greeted.

 "Morning. Tokorode, dare?"

 "Nande monai. Asa gohan tabemasenka?"

Tokorode, dare = by the way, who?

Nande monai = Nothing

Asa gohan tabemasenka = Wanna eat breakfast?

 "Sure, let's go."

 The two walked to the cafeteria to eat. Dan felt a tension between them. He knew it wasn't the lovey-dovey kind. He figured it was who she was referring to earlier. Wait, was she talking about me?

 I doubt that, Jon replied, shaking his head.

 Laura wore an angry look on her face, she grips the handle of her sword tightly. As if she was ready to pull it out and slay whomever she faces.

 "Is something wrong, Laura?" Dan asked in a playful voice.

 "No," she replied, obviously lying.

 "Can't talk about it?"

 "Can't."

 "Okay then," he smiled. 

 "You're popular with girls, aren't you?" Out of the blue, she mentions.

 "I didn't have anyone other than Sam."

 "Souka…" She nods. Then she began to wonder and wanted to explore Dan, in the psychological sense, of course. "Why did you become friends with him in the first place?"

Souka = I see

 Jon was intrigued by the conversation and held an open ear. Dan tries to recall his first meeting of Sam. Then what happened later on. "A fluke, I think."

 "How so?"

 "I didn't think much of it then, but I think I like when people stay."

 "Stay?"

 "When I beat up his bullies, in the eyes of anyone, I'd be the one marked as bad person. Not because I defended the victim, I did it because I wanted a fight."

 "Then, Sam could've misunderstood it."

 "He didn't. I explained it to him."

 He explained it? When? I didn't miss a second in his memories.

 "I was happy that he stayed with me, despite everything. I was happy that he chose me over everyone he made friends with."

 "Sounds like you have a crush," Laura teased.

 "Actually gross. I don't swing that way," Dan didn't like that Laura assumed that of him.

 "Well, after you tucked him into bed and everything…"

 "Okay, drop it," Dan nervously laughed. "It's not like that..."

 She giggled at his embarrassment. But was distracted by the loud voice of Heath knowing so much about what happened the other day. Heath admitted to knowing Shujin, or at least had a previous encounter together before.

 She contemplates whether she should be suspicious or pursue Heath for any answers. Her thinking was loud and her face was painted with inner thought conflict. Dan easily picked up on her facial expressions. 

 She already said she can't talk about it, Jon reminded.

 Oh, I know. Just thinking what it is she can't talk about.

 The two reached the cafeteria where they ate their breakfast. A rice bowl—though it was served in a bento tray—with curry beef and yam. The two ate in silence. Dan couldn't think of anything to say. Well, he does have a lot to say, but it would all just be senseless teasing. So, Dan decides to strike up a conversation about something relevant to their occupation.

 "Do we have any missions for today?" Dan asked.

 "If you want to take an easy one, sure," she said.

 "Why an easy one?"

 "Well… I don't want to risk meeting Shujin again."

 "You know I'll protect you."

 "Neither of us are strong enough for him."

 "Urk…" Dan realized he got his ass beat by Shujin. Dan was incredibly irritated that he found an opponent that he couldn't stand against. By a mountain of a distance too.

 Laura noticed the frustration on Dan's face as he gripped his chopsticks tightly, "are you mad at that?"

 "What? No, I'm fine," he said in a sigh, repressing his aggression. He placed his chopsticks on his empty tray and head to the tray return cart. He placed his tray gently and walked back to his table. He grabbed the cup of water in front of him and drank it. Drained it down to its last drop. He now feels bloated from the large water intake. He had to hide that fact.

 Dan threw his face away as he couldn't look at Laura staring intently at him. He felt awkward, but contemplated whether it would be worse to confront her about it or let her be. 

 Silence then filled the air as Laura stared at him with intrigue and suspicion inside her head running rampant.

 "What do you know about Heath Hart?" She asked him, her eyes still locked onto his.

 "Oh, what's this?" Dan playfully smirked. "Are you interested in him?"

 "N- No, I'm not," she blushed. "I'm just… Um… Asking."

 "Other than a relentless fighter. I think he's quite an interesting guy."

 "How is he interesting?" She asked in a matter-of-fact tone.

 "I can't say much, I don't know him," he shrugs. "But, it was weird that he just chose to pick a fight with me. Though, I was glad he did," Dan couldn't help but feel appreciation. 

 "Why did you think he fought you?"

 Dan thought about it for second until he came to conclude, "I dunno…" He shrugged. "Though he said things that were kind of interesting, like mana is tailored to the soul."

 "What does that mean?" She wonders. Her mind trying to put together the puzzle.

 "I don't know for sure. But, he said it had something to do with how I have been living my life."

 "That's interesting, if you know what souls are."

 "Do you know?"

 "No. It's still a speculative subject."

 Heheh… Jon laughed in the corner of Dan's mind. Dan was thoroughly annoyed.

 "Actually, let's meet up with Sam and Volta," she suggested.

 "Why?"

 "Kai gave us a Joint Mission, I remembered."

 "Joint Mission…" It was self-explanatory, a conjoined mission between two teams or more. "Where?"

 "I don't know yet. Cathy Mcarthy will be handing out the mission."

 "Cathy…? Who's that?"

 "Another... Teacher, I suppose."

 "Hai, hai. Ikimashou."

 "Un," she nods.

Hai = Okay

Ikimashou = Let's go

 The two got up to find Cathy Mcarthy, she was waiting outside their dormitory. Just sitting on the entrance steps. Leaning to the side of her arm, tapping her fingers patiently. Her eyes were looking up, seem to be lost in thought. She hadn't even notice Dan and Laura were there. At least that's what Dan thinks.

"Cathy," Laura calls.

She turned her eyes to her without moving a muscle. "Hey, Laura." 

She glances at Dan, "hey, D-"

She then pouts her lips while raising eyebrows with interest. Cathy had an arm over Dan's shoulders, "nice to finally meet you, Dan."

"S- Same here," Dan said, his voice a little startled. He tried to compose himself. Despite not blinking, Cathy moved without him even seeing. Dan glanced at Cathy, seeing her expressionless face. Dan suddenly felt uncomfortable, wanting to get away from her. 

Drop to your shadow, Jon suggested.

Drop...?

Just 'swoosh', Jon decided to explain it to Dan in the most unclear way possible.

Gotcha. For some reason, Dan understood what Jon meant.

Dan takes a short breath, imbuing his shadow with mana, and suddenly began sinking to his shadow. In a second, he was completely sunken then a small circle of a shadow moved around and behind her. Cathy chuckles. She turned around to see Dan submerging from his shadow.

"San-nichi, darou?" Cathy smirks at him.

"San-nichi tte nani?" He asked.

San-nichi, darou? = 3 days, right?

San-nichi tte nani? = 3 days what?

"Being a sorcerer," Cathy reiterated. 

"Oh," he realized. "Yes, it has been three days."

"Impressive spell you did there."

"Thanks, just learnt it a second ago."

"Nee, maji?"

"Maji."

Maji = Really?

Did he actually? Wondered Laura. She began thinking of his growth as a sorcerer, thinking how immense it could be.

Came out of the dormitory doors was Volta in a sleeveless crop length light grey hoodie, revealing her well built abs, tying her hair up to a long ponytail, and long baggy cargo pants. The three raised their eyebrows as they saw her, feeling a little flabbergasted.

"Damn," Dan was the only one to vocalize it.

"Oh, you guys..." Volta notices.

"Perfect, you're on time," Cathy said as she walked up to her, placing her hand over her shoulders.

"Time for...?"

"A mission. Obligatory."

"Right, okay," she made little objections to the decision.

"Where's Sam?" Dan wondered.

"I dunno. Maybe in his room," Volta shrugged.

"I should go ask him," Dan about to take a step forward. Before Dan could rash and gotten Sam, Laura placed her hand on Dan's shoulder. "I'll get him. Just stay here."

"Eh? What's up?"

"I left something inside my room, I'll ask Sam on the way."

"Okay, then."

Laura walks inside the dormitory, after walking in she took her phone out and called Kai. While dialing, it took one ring before Kai picked up. "Moshi-moshi?" 

Moshi-moshi? = hello?

"Kai, can you get me everything you have about Heath Hart?" 

"Heath? Why?" 

"He knows about... Me and Taylor." 

"What? How?" He replied, disbelief and shock filled his voice. 

"I don't know. Look into him, please." 

"Alright, I'll see what I can do." 

She ends the call and slips her phone back into her pocket. Her heart was pounding, feeling incredibly nervous. She took a deep breath before taking a stride forward. Her neck, met with a blazing card as sharp as a blade.

Laura knew it was Heath from his wavelength and spell. She trembled. Heath had no presence she could detect. Just like Shujin... She recalled.

"What are you doing?" Heath asked in a threatening tone. He stood beside her, his hands reached out to her neck.

"I c- could ask you the same thing," Laura said.

"I don't like people looking into me, so how about you drop your request to Kai."

"N- No way!" She stumbled, her heart pounding harder by the second.

"Do you want everyone to know then?" His voice dropped low as he threatened. 

"Sh- Shut up! You're doing the same thing to me!" She called him out.

"Is that supposed to make it fair?"

"N- No... But... I just want to know how."

"You won't get that answer out of me."

"Well... Why me? Why not Dan?"

"He's a meathead. He'll rush into any fight, fist first. He'll die, and you're his partner, aren't you?"

"So?"

"I want you to guide him."

"To what?"

"His abso-"

Heath's card suddenly dissipated, then he was pulled away and slammed to a wall. "What are you doing, Heath?" He said in a low interrogative tone.

"Sam?" He realized.

Kuso... I didn't sense him!? I got distracted...

Kuso = fuck/shit

Laura quickly pulled her sword out and pressed the tip of her blade on the base of Heath's neck. She charged her feet with electrifying mana, ready to plunge forward and stab him through his throat. Heath looks down at Laura's blade, to her feet, then to her terrified eyes. I can run from this, but I'll be out... Shit...

"Mind telling me what you're doing, Heath?" Sam asked again.

"None of your business!" He spat.

"It has something to do with Dan. I don't know what it is," Laura answered.

"Fuck you, Laura!" He spat. "Couldn't even keep your mouth shut, could you?"

"Lay off, Heath," he warned. "You're the one being the asshole here."

Heath gritted his teeth as his eyebrows narrowed, visibly getting irritated. There was no way out other than to expend his entire stock of mana. He doubts he could escape Laura without any serious injury. After all, the blade was already touching him.

"Kotae yo!" She demanded in a shaken voice.

"Teme..."

Kotae yo = Answer me!

Teme... = you fucking bastard...

Laura was filled with fear, so she acted accordingly, pressing her blade forward, a single stream of blood dripped from his neck. Like a needle piercing gently. 

There's no need to tell them anything, even if I did it'd be pointless. They're all still too weak. I can't rely on them at all. Yet...

"Fine, you want answer?" He scoffed. "You'll get one answer. Pick your answer."

"What?" Laura was a little confused by his words.

"You or Dan?"

"What the hell does that mean?"

"Do you want to know about you or Dan?"

"You're not in position to bargain, answer both!" She stated.

"You're in no position a threat to me, Laura," Heath bluffs.

Sam wanted to know the answer to "Dan" but it wasn't exactly his choice, he hopes that everything becomes clearer later. If he could befriend Heath better, he'll open up more.

He's different from yesterday. Not the accommodating person he was, I guess he didn't want to show me that side. I did kind of intervene. Sam processed.

"Fine, me," she sighed in frustration.

"Your family never had your funeral, Libra is free of crime all taken care of one group. Twelve Moons, ring a bell?"

Laura didn't want to admit it but it did ring a bell. Laura was meant to be the runner-up for the 12th candidate long ago.

"The most active person taking down every organized crime in Libra was Taylor Crescent, your older brother."

"Stop!" Laura ordered. "I'm not asking what you know, I'm asking how you know!"

Heath raised his eyebrows and smirks, "I have a friend, she has really good eyes."

"Am I supposed to buy that?" She said through gritted teeth.

"Anomaly classes are very peculiar, aren't they?" He giggles, sweat flowing down his forehead. "They have incredibly unpredictable magic."

"Who is she?" She asked.

"That I'll never tell. I've got people to protect myself."

"Now answer about Dan," Sam demanded.

"You only get one."

"She got one. I get one too."

"Hahah... You're funny, Sam," Heath grinned. "Hold your own in a fight first before thinking you deserve anything."

Sam's eyes widened, he hardened his fists. He wanted to just plunge forward and strangle Heath to death, yet he knew he couldn't. Perhaps in a no magic fight he would win, but he knew he couldn't beat him in an all out fight. So, he remained silent.

"Now, how about you get your blade off me?" Heath ordered.

Laura pulls her blade away from Heath and sheathed it. The moment her sword clicked back into her scabbard, Heath was gone. Leaving a faint trail of smoke and mana.

"Why was he threatening you?" Sam wondered.

"I... Uhh... Um..." Shit, my anxiety's kicking in...

Sam sighed in realization, a slight smile across his face, "you're really just shy, aren't you?"

Laura starts to sweat. "W- Well... Um..." 

"Or do you not like me?"

"Wha- What? No, it's not like that. It's just um... Difficult? I can't say exactly."

Sam smirked as he laughed, "heheh... You're perfect, aren't you?"

"Perfect...?" She blushed. "What does that mean?" 

"Let's get back to the topic at hand, why was Heath like that?"

Laura calms down and avoids eye contact with Sam. "There's things going on, bigger than anything we could imagine," Laura paced herself. "Heath knew about it, even before Dan and I encountered that sorcerer."

"So?"

"He needs Dan for something, I don't know what."

"Maybe I shouldn't have intervened..." Sam muttered to himself. "Damn..."

"No, it's okay. I appreciate you stepping in. Thank you."

"No problem," he replied, then continued, "if it's Dan we're talking about, he's an idiot that'll jump fist first into fights."

"That's what Heath said."

Sam then grabs his chin and looked up at the ceiling, his mind began processing things. To be completely honest, I'm still kinda new. I don't know enough yet. 

"You're gonna have to reach out to Heath somehow, huh?" Sam chuckles uncomfortably.

Laura raised an eyebrow, "just me?"

"Sorry, after what he said..." Sam's heart felt heavy, he almost couldn't bare to say it, yet it was the truth he knew. "I'm strong enough yet."

"Oh..." Laura then felt awkward.

"But, I'll keep an eye on Dan, something you'll do too, right?"

Laura nodded.

In a less tense situation, outside the dormitory

Dan was sitting on the steps right beside Volta who was looking down at the ground. Swirling her fingers on the grass. Dan for some reason felt like staring at her. Pouting. Resting his chin on his knees. He raised his hand to poke Volta's knees. She glanced at him with a wondering look. Dan poked again. He gauges her reaction, still the same. Then for some reason he had the impulse to just poke her several times in quick succession.

What are you doing?

"Nanda?" Volta asks.

"Nande monai."

Nanda = what?

Nande monai = nothing

Dan stopped momentarily. Once she took her eyes off him, he began poking her again. For some reason, he found it very funny. Volta raised her hand quickly and slapped him across the face, wasn't the hardest slap but it had its power to it. His cheek burned red. "Itai!" He gasped quietly.

Itai = Ow!

Well, you asked for it, Jon sighed.

Dan raised his hand and lands a gentle hammer fist to the top of her head. Volta shoves Dan from his shoulders. Pretty hard but not enough to make him fall over. He swung his fist horizontally to land a fake back hand. Volta pressed his hand down with her left and with her right, she taps his face gently. Dan catches her right wrist and lands a soft palm strike to her temple. Dan couldn't help but make a little smile from their exchange.

What the fuck are they doing? Cathy wondered. Jeez, I forget you guys are kids sometimes.

After a while exchange of blows, Volta caught both of Dan's hands. She stops to glare at him grinning. "Okay, that's enough," she said in a commanding monotone voice. Dan felt like she was a little irritated. But couldn't help himself.

"Heheh..." Dan laughs. "Wanna wrestle?" Dan could ask her to spar in a mixed-martial arts round, but he wants to try something he's not the best at. What Dan meant by wrestle wasn't exactly just wrestling, but rather groundwork as a whole.

Volta stayed quiet for a few seconds, giving it a quick consideration. She came to the conclusion, "yeah, let's do it," she nods.

Dan stood up first, and gave a light shove to Volta as she was trying to stand up, she clicked her tongue feeling a bit irritated. Dan couldn't help but laugh as he walked away. Volta quickly stands up and give Dan a shove from behind, his back arched as he fell forward a few steps. He giggled.

Honestly? Cathy used her Mana Sense to feel their wavelengths. They're almost compatible... 

I heard from Kai that Dan was compatible with another kid, Cathy recalled. But it isn't two people matching wavelengths. Rather, it's him matching other people's wavelengths. One hell of a feat.

"No magic. Okay, let's start," said Dan. Reaching his hand out for a fist bump.

"Okay," she replied with a straight face as she bump his fist back.

What's going on? Why am I sparring with him? What was that exchange earlier? Training...? Why did it feel... Weird? It made my face cheeks twitch, it was uncomfortable... Volta processed as the fight began, she didn't know she was feeling flustered and a little joyous.

Dan kept a square stance as he tried to circle around Volta. Volta didn't really follow his distance, just pivoting slightly to match his face. Volta stomps forward, making Dan take a step back. Volta pressures Dan by sticking her hand on his face. He was occupied with removing her hand to regain his vision, at that point Volta launches forward while dropping her level. Trying to reach the back of Dan's knees to get a double-leg takedown. Dan immediately defended by separating his leg, one forward, one back. Dan catches Volta's neck around his left arm, catching her in a guillotine choke. 

"Maji, tsuyoi naa..." He grunts as he used a lot of his power to hold off Volta. 

Maji, tsuyoi naa = Seriously, you're strong

Volta stops going for a double-leg takedown as she realized how much air she's losing. She uses her right hand and presses Dan's left hand down to create a tiny space to lessen the pressure of Dan's hands. She then reaches over Dan's shoulder, and pivots around, sweeping his leg. Dan drops to the ground, losing his grip on Volta's neck. 

Volta goes to mount Dan, but Dan immediately sits upright. Volta puts her right hand behind Dan's back and her left hand over his shoulder. She interlocks her hands and pushes him down. He tries to wiggle his way out using his legs, pushing it off the ground, trying to get up at any cost, expending a lot of excess energy. 

Dan was breathing heavily. As Dan kicked up to stand, Volta places her right leg below his legs then interlocks her legs together, preventing him from moving his legs at all. Volta takes a deep breath and pushes her shoulder onto Dan's neck, the heavy pressure quickly prevented air from entering his throat. His face quickly turns red, he tries to break free, do anything to push her away with his hands. 

It wasn't exactly her body weight that made it heavy, he thought it was a bit pleasant. But the way she presses her entire body down onto him, and the positions of her hands and legs made his struggle for release hell.

Exiting the dormitory was Laura with a little annoyance on her face, along with Sam who was making a fake smile. The two take in the sight of Volta being on top of Dan and completely dominating him.

"What in the world...?" Sam confused.

"I dunno, they wanted to spar," Cathy chuckles.

Sam was at a loss for words, seeing Dan spar with Volta and losing for the second time was a surprise to him, though not as much because it was a ground fight. An area Dan doesn't really train as he's used to knocking people out while standing.

"You should tap, Dan. You're dying," Volta whispers to his ear, nonchalantly.

Dan couldn't make a sound, he didn't want to. He was still prideful. His hands then moved without him noticing, tapping Volta on her back. Volta immediately releases her grip and sits on top of him for a few seconds. Dan coughs up for air as he looks directly into Volta's face.

"What the hell...?" He wheezed.

"Watashi no kachi," she said with a straight face, her lips flashing a quick smile.

Watashi no kachi = my victory

"Yeah, yeah, don't rub it in my face," he was still panting.

"You seem to have trouble with groundwork."

"Not my forte, honestly. I'm more for striking."

"I think that's true," she nods, agreeing.

"Hehe..." Dan chuckles. "This was fun, let's spar again."

Fun... Is that the word for what I'm feeling? 

"Now get off me, please," Dan didn't really mind her being on top of him but he started to feel embarrassed.

"Right," she quickly stood up and lent him a hand. He grabs her hand and stands up.

"Just two days ago, you were beating each other up, now again?" Sam shook his head in disbelief.

"Hey, I wanted to spar."

"You lost."

"Bitch, it's a sparring match, who cares?" Dan didn't mind losing.

"Doesn't seem like you..." Sam whispered under his breath.

"What was that?" Dan leans his ear forward.

Sam pushed him away, "get away from me."

The four then gathered around in a single row, Cathy clapped her hands once, "now, we're all here, let's start the mission. In Idly City."