"I will ask you once more. What can you do?"
The dreaded question had returned. Immediately after bringing their lunch, Rapunzel introduced the topic once again. Riley understood why: their squad was already lagging behind and after finding out her long-awaited subordinate was not useful in battle, she was trying to figure out how to cut their losses.
With no combat or strategic capabilities, Riley had almost self-volunteered to become a trash member, but then she recalled the bit of medical work she knew from both Hilda and Earth. It wasn't much, but it was something.
"I know my way around illnesses," she said.
Rapunzel raised her brow with an incredulous expression. "You are aware of doctors, right?"
"I will be on site."
"The school dispatches doctors to follow us. Though they won't be there for the after-battle, so will you given your lack of combat prowess"
Riley was stumped. Rapunzel was being rational and what she had said had crossed her mind but she wanted to fight more. That drug that Hilda created spurred her motivation. It could completely heal grave injuries in a matter of seconds. If she could learn how to make it, her worth would be proven. She was sure the current medical world of the planet was not that advanced as there was no such thing back home considering the place was a copycat.
But she couldn't tell them that, it was difficult to instill trust in something that seemed so unbelievable so she went quiet.
Rapunzel noticed her silence and sighed.
"You will be our porter until you have learned basic combative skills. Whenever we go out, be sure to ensure your safety."
Disappointed, Riley nodded. It was foolish of her to expect her to accept that bizarre idea.
"Don't fret, Flynn and I will help you train."
"That is, they will do it tomorrow. Now, we have to get ready for our combat class," said Rapunzel as she stood up and returned her tray to be washed.
"Yeah." The others soon followed.
Done, they walked to the changing rooms with Riley trailing after, as she glanced around like a newborn chick.
"What are we even doing today?" Flynn yawned.
"Sparring."
"Sparring?" Riley's eyes widened in disbelief.
**********
Garbed in a white tank top, military-style pants, and lace-up boots, she briskly strolled and joined the line behind the instructor.
Another line was in front of the toned-skinned instructor, and oddly enough, she spotted Cypher mixed in the crowd.
'Why is he here?' Cypher soon made eye contact with her but unlike herself, his eyes revealed no surprise.
She pursed her lips and decided not to think much about it.
Flynn cheekily joined the line last and was awarded a death-sentencing glare by the instructor.
"Attention!" Immediate silence impregnated the air—not even their breathing could be heard.
"As per today's agenda, we will spar. Honors Class VS A-Class. The losing class will be awarded dinner duty for the following two weeks."
Most people would assume dinner duty as a light punishment but for these cadets, it was hell. Never mind the obsolete chefs and their stiff way of thinking or the harassment from other cadets if the meal isn't well done, the worst thing is the time spent away from training or missions which could easily lead to someone flunking.
The instructor called each person per seat number to duel against their counterparts from the other class. Riley was number 31–the last person in her class which meant she would be the last one to spar.
The sparring was hand-to-hand combat and first up, was Michael with his counterpart a short girl from the other class. On the instructor's whistle, they began with both of them moving so fast she could barely keep up. The girl used her height as an advantage as she stuck below-the-belt attacks which shifted his entire equilibrium. Michael gritted his teeth, steadied himself and delivered a skull-crushing kick to her backside which knocked her to the wall.
The instructor announced his win and called up the next two. Time passed, Flynn fought and won, and so did Rapunzel. Up next was Xaden, his opponent was Cypher.
The pairing made her choke on her saliva. In her mind, cute Cypher was a rabbit being sent to a wolf. Since she met him, she knew instinctively he wasn't her Main Character but a darkness that couldn't be described.
"I almost feel sorry for him. To be paired with a monster like that." Someone commented behind her.
"It will teach those rugrats true power," sneered someone else.
Xaden charged forward with a punch, striking it in his face. Cypher recoiled and after regaining his bearings, charged forward, giving out weak punches like candy. Xaden easily dodged them and grabbed Cypher's arm before it could strike his face. As if it took no effort at all, he twisted Cypher's arm and lightly threw him over his shoulder, making him land with a thud.
The outcome was expected —Xaden had won. The instructor signalled some people to carry Cypher to the infirmary.
The lesson continued and after a few rounds, the two classes were in a tie. It was up to Riley to give the win to the Honours Class.
She stepped out and so did her counterpart—a lanky cadet dressed similarly to herself.
"So it's him! " Someone whispered behind her.
"Yes, John Meadows."Another hushed whisper.
"I heard his squad has already collected enough points to graduate."
"He is on par with us, Honours students. I wonder if that Extra will be able to defeat him..."
Riley ignored the comments around her and glanced at her opponent and he too looked at her but quickly averted his eyes.
"You may start." Immediately, she dashed forward, fist drawn and struck.
"Huh?" To her surprise, she had only hit the air and immediately turned around, only to be met with a punch in the face. The hit made her collapse to the floor groaning.
"Ugh…" She winced in pain. The pain momentarily distracted her and she belatedly realized the shadow hovering over her. John swung his leg and delivered a bone-shattering kick to the gut.
"Aah!" She howled in pain as she clutched her stomach, face in the ground with tears brimming her eyelids. Despite her pitiful appearance, John showed no sign of stopping his relentless attacks—he delivered kick after kick. Soon, she was a bloody mess, barely able to stay conscious. Everywhere hurt and John didn't seem done yet to make matters worse the instructor didn't stop him, instead, he glanced at them nonchalantly.
Flynn cast a glance at the instructor with a frown. He didn't understand why he wasn't calling it off: it was clear Riley had lost the matchup.
Her other classmates, however:
"Such a weakling…"
"How the hell was she admitted into our class?"
"I thought maybe she had something despite being an Extra but…"
"I heard she doesn't even have a certificate..."
A girl, with long white hair that cascaded down her back, approached Rapunzel who was looking at Riley's matchup expressionless.
"Is that your subordinate?"
"Yes." She answered curtly.
Used to her nature, the girl wasn't swayed and spoke up again, "Won't she disrupt your plans?"
"She won't. I will make certain of it."