"But father!"
"No buts Michelle. You have to do this." Jonathan's smile did not fade away as he continued, "I may not acknowledge Mera, but I can not ignore her skills when it comes to recruiting people. Something must be special about this kid for her to choose him and I want to know what."
"..."
Michelle gritted her teeth but that was all she could do. Just like her, her father could be stubborn sometimes as well. After all, they were two peas in a pod. Still, her father's instructions did not help her from getting angrier.
She came here hoping her father would put the director in place, instead she was being given an impossible task to accomplish. After all, why would someone whom she tried to screw over entertain her request? Also, it wasn't like that she could force that brat to do as she pleased.
"He didn't look anything special to me-"
"Then you are saying the director went against you for a nobody?" Jonathan gave Michelle an understanding look before carrying on, "You know how ridiculous it is, right? Why would the director risk angering royalty for someone insignificant?"
Michelle nodded. It finally made sense to her. She had been so angry at the director, she forgot to address the obvious. Just who was the kid for whom even the director was willing to risk her position by going against them.
"As you wish, father." She bowed once again before turning around to leave, before being promptly stopped by Jonathan.
"Stay for lunch. You can leave for the academy afterwards."
"I'll pass on that offer, father. If I have to bring that kid here, I need to start working for it immediately. After all, the mess I made isn't something that can be cleaned up so easily."
***
Back at the academy...
"I know you all must be wondering why the second-years are here today?" Amaira mumbled in her weak state, "As you can see, I'm not in the greatest state. Thus I asked your seniors to help you out with your combat session today."
The first-years exchanged looks amongst themselves. The second-years were known to be a rowdy bunch. Some of them had even been suspended for causing violence on the campus. There were rumours about some of them coming from families having relations with vampires who taught them forbidden magic.
Thus even the thought of training with them had the first-years a bit worried. But since Amaira had already made the decision, there was nothing they could have done to protest against her idea. Doing so would only paint a target on their back and to be honest, none of them had the guts to do so.
None of them but a few. Especially, someone who already had a huge target painted on his back. Ashton could sense some hostility coming from the second years, and although he knew it wasn't possible, he couldn't help but think whether Amaira orchestrated all this so the second years could get their hands on him.
'Man, these people sure have the most fragile egos I have ever seen.' Ashton sighed.
Why couldn't they just leave him alone? He beat a second year, so what? It wasn't like he was the one seeking trouble in the first place. Obviously, if someone would attack him, he would have to respond in kind. In his eyes, fighting was nothing more than a form of transaction.
But these people always made a bigger issue out of something that was insignificant. Still, he was happy, happy that for once he would get to fight some people who knew what they were doing. Unlike the first-years who can only throw punches randomly while heavily depending on the abilities they had.
"Since your first dungeon trip will be in a few months, I think this would be a golden opportunity for you inexperienced brat to learn a thing or two from a bit more experienced brats." Amaira kept blabbering on and on, "Now that the goal of this joint session has been cleared, we'll now divide both the freshers and seniors into groups of three."
"Since in a dungeon, the participants have to work as a team, thus fighting as a team would help you to recognise what you need to work on. Whether it is teamwork, battle tactics or self-improvement. Any questions?"
While everyone shook their heads, Ashton's hand shot up in the air.
"Yes?"
"Could you please make the rules of engagement clear this time around? I would hate if something like the last time happened again." Ashton iterated with a sincere look on his face.
At least that's how it appeared to everyone else. But Ashton's intentions were something else entirely. He was warning the professor, that if anything like the last time was to happen, he would not hold back. It didn't matter if he was going against seniors.
"Don't worry, Mr Bismark. This time there is only one rule. You have to knock your opponents out cold. You are free to use your abilities, but you can not do any permanent damage to your opponents and this goes for everyone."
She continued, "If you end up breaking this rule, then I'll make sure this day would be your last in the academy. Even if I have to put my job on the line. Is that clear? Good. Now form your teams."
As Amaira said that, Ashton realised he was in trouble. Everyone in his year hated him... he would not be able to form a team! He was hoping Amaira would make teams on her own, but boy was he wrong to think so.
However, he wasn't as lonely as he thought he was. The following moment, Anna appeared in front of him, followed by another girl. The girl was a bit on the shorter side about 5'2", had curly brown hair just like her skin along with blue eyes. As for her demeanour, she appeared to be quite shy, judging by the way she was constantly fidgeting.
"Wanna form a team with us?" Anna asked with her usual emotionless face, "We need one more member."
"Why not? I'll be in your care then." Ashton replied with a short but curt nod, "Let's win this thing!"