Eve

All work and no play make Jack a dull boy and all play and no work makes Jack a mere toy. Then, all work and little play should make him a normal person I think. Why am I saying this?

It was near the mock exams. For some, it was a time to shine, some to improve, some to gain acknowledge. Also, the academy added more point to the exam in that it would carry at least 30 percent of the promotion exams. Those weeks of preparation were tough. We had the help of an instructor who polished our fighting skills.He was a strict man who took no for laziness. He later told us his name after a while. Alhaadi which was his name left an impression on us. Gladys also helped me and I improved my fighting skills. I tried teasing her to give some pointers but she didn't budge.

The seniors also kept a tight lip but those who could break them a little said that this mock is indeed a special one. How? We had no clue.

Well, we just had to train. I improved my gunning skills as well and I could now use a gun and a sword simultaneously in a fight. Many called me a maniac but I just shrugged it off. My group was no different. We trained together and spared together. We learned how to use our wits and insight in battle and it was stressful but fun. I was able to see our ranking in battle.

Kwami has a good fighting style and also a good strength as well but he just need to add a little more speed to be perfect. Anyways, he could defeat me in a normal fight. If I added more power, I'd win but in the end I will draw attention to myself. Kofi on the other hand has great defense ability. He's like a tortoise. If only he had a great offensive ability, he would be a good opponent to fight. Well, I haven't broken the tortoise back yet so I'm still working on that. I don't want to use more power than usual. My body won't take it. Aluna is a battle maniac. If she's damn serious and fight like she mean it she could rival Kwami. I fought her and I had to use my all...no a trick to beat her. She's good. If she keep on improving her skills, she'd make a fine warrior. Annika, she's a bit shy and makes a lot of mistakes but her attack power is deadly. I was hit by one of her light rays and I felt an aura somewhat. I don't know what that means but she just have to work on being serious. She was easy to defeat though.

I on the other hand need to improve my hand to hand combat in case of me losing my sword in battle. Also, I have to reach the level of a master sharpshooter and that's not easy. Lastly, I need a sword skill. Due to my lack of mana, I have no choice but to improve my swordsmanship to the next level. I found out that Aluna, Kofi said Kwami are weapon users while only Annika is a mage. I wonder what I will have if I awaken.

The theory section was handled by me and it was a bit stressful as I had to explain and explain and explain a lot. But in the long run, it did help me understand some subjects better.

Today was the eve and the morning was just as usual. We didn't have class as we were given that day to make up our last minute preparations. Meeting up with Kofi and Kwami, we headed into the direction of our usual training ground which was not the usual hall but a secluded place not far from the girls's dorm. Not many people know about the place and there we can practice in peace far from to get eyes of every one

"This is the last day huh", I said in anticipation as I took a sword and paint gun from my watch storage..

"Yep it's", Kofi replied with his sword in his right hand. " I'm getting nervous a little".

"You aren't the only one", Annika sighed taking a nearby seat."I just hope nothing bad happens".

"We will be fine",Aluna chuckled waving her spear.

"Yeah", Kwami added. "We have practiced and polished our skills. No doubt we are going to be fine. Also,It's important to have positive emotions too. That ends it alright? Besides, what are we going to do today?

"We could .."

"Wait",Aluna said making a stop sign with her hand. "I want to have a duel with Femi".

"What?", I was taken aback for a bit.

"Yeah", She continued with her spear drawn at me. "You cheated the last time".

"I didn't cheat", I said trying to justify myself. It's called having a trick in battle.

"I want to see how you'd fare in a fair fight"

"She's right", Annika said in support.

"Huh you too", I replied making a betrayed face. "Talk about girl's power. You guys know I'm not as strong as you and I don't even have mana. Won't it be cheating?"

"It's not", Aluna said in defense. "You were able to defeat Annika even after getting hit with her skill. To me, you are quite as strong as a F- rank awaken. Now,what are you going to do or are you scared you will lose?"

Humph, I wouldn't lose. Fine, a fair battle you say, don't cry if you lose".

"I'd say the same as well".

"Kwami", I called knowing he's a good referee. "You are our referee"

"No problem", Kwami said moving forward. Aluna and I had stood opposite to each other waiting for Kwami. She had her spear still drawn to me while my hand was on my sword.

Well, I thought. It's a good way to end our brief training. Besides we had to return these weapons back to Mr Alhaadi.

"Now start"

She moved coming closer to me in an instant with her spear in a parallel manner . I evade the attack and created a distance between her.

She's serious, my thoughts were ringing. Her eyes shows it and if she's that serious, she's as strong as Kwami. Creating a distance won't help as well as spears are more suitable for long range battle.

"Hey",Aluna said while being at my back suddenly. "Will you quit thinking and move.

"Huh", I said quietly while ducking to avoid her attack before moving a few steps backwards. How did she get behind me. "I was on the lookout for her. Even though I think a lot,my eyes are never off my target. Is this a new skill? Tch...." .

I blocked her attack drawing my sword for the first time in the fight. Sparks were flying out of the clash between two weapons. I slid backwards due to the attack.

Her move are becoming more refined, I shuddered with excitement. I'm going to enjoy this fight.

Mustering my energy, I sprang towards her, with my sword in an horizontal direction. She in response to my attack used her skill[Multiple Thrust] in which multiple spear attack are directed onto the target. I had to avoid those attacks while looking for an opening. I dodged some, made a flip, had to do a cartwheel roll and even made a spin. All these I did in order to get used to her attack and have the perfect moment for a counter attack. I finally found the chance. My sword, still in an horizontal direction landed in her blind spot. Sensing danger, she hasted to protect herself from my attack as she used her spear to block creating an advantage for me. Twisting my sword attack, her spear dropped from her hand which gave me the perfect chance to win the fight. Suddenly I had a danger sense and I quickly made a back flip. Alas, another spear was in my direction. Missing me, it met Aluna which turned into a shadow like figure before dispersing in the air.

"That's it", I said realizing the skill she used. She can switch with her mirage. The time she got behind me, she must have placed a mirage at my blind spot and then switch places with it. Also she can control her fake well,using them when she's in a difficult situation before switching places again. This is a troublesome skill but she can't use it all the time. I am sure it sucks up mana. My guess is that she can do it three times. She has done it two times in a row that means. She has one more chance.

Aluna moved again, rolling her spear round her body to create series of attack. The number of thrust combined with the perfect movement creates a unpredictable attacks. I have 3 percent of my strength now as I had limited it to prevent suspicion. I raised my sword vertically and responded to her attack creating a series of sparks from the clash. Seeing an opening, I used my fist to drive her backward before trying to placing my sword on her neck. Suddenly,she moved with an explosive speed blocking my attack which resulted in my hand raised leaving me full of openings. Responding as well, I removed my paint gun which was in my holster and pointed it to Aluna as her spear was a few inches near my neck.

BAM

The paint hit her body throwing her away from me

"I won",I said smiling.

"That's cheating", she replied pointing at my gun.

"It's not", I said shaking my head. "I told you that I will fight in a free and fair match and I did. You had just forgotten that I use two weapons instead of one".

"That's true", Kwami nodded in agreement. For some reason, he can use the two simultaneously.

"Tch you win this time",Aluna said lowering her spear. Next time,I will defeat you for sure".

"Yeah yeah",I replied rolling my eyes. Abruptly my sword fell from my hand and that was the first time it ever did.

"Hm"

"What just happened"

"Femi...."

"What going on?", I asked picking up my sword back not knowing why they were behaving like that.

"What happened now is a premonition that you are going to..... die", Annika said in a sad tone

"Huh",I scoffed at the others. "It's a joke right".

"It would have been if you don't know how to use a sword", Kwami explained. But your body should have recognized the weight of your sword and it shouldn't fall that way it did. Moreover, it's a myth that if it does the user is bound to die.

"I see".

"What's going on",Aluna asked with concern. You don't seem to be surprised either".

I was going to tell you guys my secret later but it seems I have to spill the beans, I said taking a sit on the grassy ground. "The secret I kept from you guys. The truth is..."

************

in a room resembling a training hall,a boy was kneeling on the ground with a sword drawn to his face by another person,a female more advanced in age.

_We can stop here today",She said sheathing her sword. She had a built stature despite being a female and a face devoid of emotion.

"I can still go on Miss Lockwood", James said as he stood up with difficulty.

"Yes you can but let's stop here today",Miss Lockwood said crossing her hand. "Are you feeling better now".

"I am", James said checking his body. " I'm also feeling energetic as well".

Even after being beaten up badly, she thought keeping her emotions in check. He still that energetic. That's impressive.

"Good, try to rest up", Miss Lockwood replied leaving the room. "We meet again tomorrow".

"You have been practicing hard", Steve said as he appeared out of the shadows.

"What can I say",James replied taking a towel to wipe his face."After mum's hard practice, She signed me up with Miss Lockwood but it has been fun all the way".

"Matilda also is in a similar situation like you, Steve said with a grin. I hear she's planning to take your throne as the knowledge queen".

"She can try", James smiled. "What about the other two?"

"Oh Enid and Mary, Steve recalled as he backed up a wall. "They are also preparing hard I hear. Those two were a bit shaken up when they heard of your kidnapping. They never leave Matilda's side. Pain in the ass don't you think?

"Finally we both agreed on something", James chortled. "That reminds me, did the organization find out the creator of the ranking potion".

"I don't know", Steve said with his eyes closed. "It's classified. I hear even the big families and guilds in London are searching for the creator".

"Interesting"

Isn't it?, Steve replied. "Imagine creating a potion that can rank up to S rank or SS rank. Won't that be crazy?"

"It would", James answered with a serious mode.

"Now you understand why many people are after him or her",Steve continued not minding the change in James's mode. "It would be a world changing event if the potion is introduced into the world".

"Or it could be a disaster",James added.

"Look at us discussing about adult's stuff", Steve said smiling as he changed the subject." Let's stay in our lane for now. What are your thoughts on tomorrow's mock exam. I heard it's a special one".

"Same", James replied confirming his thoughts on the exam. " I believe the theory might be a little tricky and the practical that I have no clue".

"Maybe we might fight against each other as it has been in the past years",Steve said trying to guess what might happen tomorrow

"That's the usual and we both know it's special so it's not going to happen".

"You are right", Steve nodded. "Whatever comes my way, I'd crush it".

"Always that energetic huh".

"By the way", Steve said with confidence. "Check my new move".

"Huh"

Steve disappeared instantly leaving no traces as usual.

"He improved his assassin moves", James said smiling.

[Mana eyes]

"As I thought",James continued. Last time, I could see him but now he's moving so fast leaving quite a blur. All for the aim of making him unpredictable but I can still see him. I will take this serious even if his attack won't hurt me

"I'm ready", James shouted with a bit of excitement. "You can come anytime".

Soon Steve came towards James,side stepping so often to confuse him but James remained as he was and stood his place. Steve came near and landed a strike with his daggers which James blocked using his sword. Rolling his daggers skillfully, he exchanged series of moves with James, attacking and parrying until they were both worn out.

"You never fight seriously you know", Steve said after creating a distance.

"You can maintain your camouflage for long", James replied commending him. "Impressive but you do know I can use my art right?"

"Crap",Steve said moving out of James's eye view.

[Fire Art: fireball]

Different sizes of fireball emerged out of his hand and revolved around James. He then sent one in Steve's direction which he jumped out to avoid the fireball.

Bammmmmm

"That was dangerous",Steve sighed. "I didn't think you'd use your art. I thought we agreed on weapons only".

I know, James replied in the midst of different fireballs revolving at high speed. But sometimes life isn't fair."

"Then",Steve said cancelling his camouflage and releasing a bit of his mana. "I won't hold back either".

"That's what I expected"

That way, they both practiced till strength failed them.

*********

Two weeks before.

In a big room where the white- haired man with his ring in his fingers sat, many figures were around him in a kneeling position waiting for instructions. The still movement of air coupled with the huge amount of killing intent coming from him made those in the room drenched with sweat.

"Those damn organization",The white-haired man said while slamming his chair, creating many echo in the room. "They killed my scientists, destroyed my laboratories and laid waste to my research. How they got to know is still a mystery to me. I was close. So close to reaching my goal. If those potions were released I would have ended up controlling the world. I'm going to make them pay".

"Since they took my future, I, Lord Dawson will take theirs as well. It seems the academy in London is the best place to enact my revenge".

"Summon the elites and let's plan our attack. We are targeting the freshman and nobody is to be left alive. I will take no excuse for failure. Leave now,we meet at nightfall".

"As you wish my Lord", shouted different voices in obedience to the order.

"Now then",Lord Dawson said with an evil laughter. "Let the game begin".

............

.............

" So let's kick off from where we stopped Femi. What's are the differences between this Earth and the former Earth. We want to know"

Fine, I'll do it but you owe me. There's isn't much difference. The days of the week are the same and also the same month but the year is different. There's mana in the air which is absent in my former would. We absorb this mana in order to survive. Also, the technology of this age is advance than my former world. It's interesting to see more strange devices and gadget in use. The nations are practically the same but just a few changes in this Earth. America and Canada are here. Russian, India, England and other countries in Asia are still intact. Australia is a bit larger while countries in south America have decrease a bit. Most of them joined together to form a big nation. Africa is no different. All the countries joined together and were split into area where safety was ensured. I'm in Mid Africa presently which is a bit far from where I was in my former world. The plants and animals also evolved like humans and there are monsters also present in this world with the existence of dungeons. I'd say this Earth is a strange earth".

"Is it too your liking".

"I can't say for now"

"Ok, thank..."

"Wait, just a question. Am I going to die?"

"What!".

"You heard me. So am I?".

"Why are you asking me that question".

"Obviously you are the author so tell me."

"I'm out of here"