The Ranch

Team Troublemakers (1)

The arrival of a new day full of sore bodies lacking the proper rest. Tih's group meets up in the cafeteria with Instructor Henri, who's in a better condition, but not better than the monster himself, Tih.

Although the five aces have well-trained bodies, as prodigies, they've never trained these bodies for such a long duration and at such a difficulty.

Aside from Tih who didn't skip dinner, the rest of the children shovel food into their mouths at an alarming rate. There's also Basile, who's eating at a normal rate, but has been eating constantly since he first awoke. He's also changed from his usual snack-type foods to more nutritious meal-related foods.

They let their stomachs digest as they walk to the colosseums. On their way, they refresh their information. There's sixteen teams in the running, meaning there will be four rounds in total. Each game will ask for a different number of players, of which, each team will have to decide among themselves.

The idea of a purely physical challenge pops into their heads and a heated wave of eyes washes over the innocent Tih, who became a thorn in the others' tired eyes. With rosy(pale) complexion and bright(calm as usual) eyes, the children with a filter over their eyes look at the fully-rested and "energetic" Tih.

Tih, who may or may not deserve to be thrown under the bus at a later date, is neither feeling sore nor tired. If he had to describe it(if he could), he would say he feels no different from yesterday. He might also ask what being able to "feel" is like, but that's besides the point.

The team arrives at the area around the first colosseum to hear chanting.

"GLADIATORS! GLADIATORS!"

"PHOENIX! PHOENIX!"

"RI-MUS RI-MUS! GO RIMUS, KICK THEIR A-"

The crowd seems to be fired up. Although the colosseums are smaller than those outside the island, it can still fit around twenty-thousand spectators.

For this competition, they're holding everything in the one amphitheatre, meaning anyone who wants to wants has to shuffle into the audience bleachers.

The participating teams have been allocated a certain entrance on the northeast side. Tih's team, Poseidon, signs in at the door and enters a waiting area, kind of? It's more of a balcony, but it stretches out long enough to fit all one-hundred and sixty people, but barely. There isn't enough room to sit, neither were they provided seats.

Floating cameras have been placed above the marble handrail out of reach. Wondering why it's so far away, Kai soon finds his answer. One of the rowdier members of a team near them jumps up to grab the camera. He grabs air as it swerves just in time. He finds a weapon to poke and prod it, playing around until the last team arrives and the show begins.

"Welcome to the annual Team Roulette Competition. Course that's just what I like to call it since we don't have a name for it. Either way, I'm especially glad to be able to host this time's competition! This year's comp will be a good one, trust me." The announcer is at the base of the amphitheatre, in the middle of the dirt arena. Some more observant people notice that the ground level is higher than usual.

The announcer, self-named Simon D, continues," This year will be a little different. If you'll look towards the front..." he snaps his fingers and giant square holographs form a circle in front of the spectator stands, " we have the ability to show you the optimal view at any moment. Not only that, this year we have commentators." Each square splits to show multiple cameras' views. On screen, two men appear.

"Thank you for inviting me. Although I'm insufficient as a commentator, I'll do my best." The plain looking man bows.

"No need to be polite, Private Scott. Your dedication to your work at district A is well-known. A meticulous mind is just what we were looking for."

"Yo, glad to be here," the man next to Private Scott scratches his scruff and mumbles," i guess."

"...Welcome Major Jax. Glad you accepted our invitation, especially since the other dorm leaders were too busy to come." Simon D implies that Major Jax was a last resort, a substitute.

Major Jax doesn't hear the provocation as he looks across the arena," Quite a line up this year, yeah?"

Simon D accepts the forced transition. The virtual screens change images, splitting into numerous views. The audience gets a close up of the contestants," Another addition this year are reaction shots, adds a little spice. Aaaand, all this is thanks to our sponsor, Gaylord and his newest invention, the hovering camera. Clearer resolution than any movie camera, with three times less the bulkiness. It can even be set to target specifics, for example, changes in facial expression." The promotional speech continues for a while before the announcer moves on.

The small spherical cameras whizz around the teams. Tih's team is the most stiff, with many of its members not used to being watched by so many. Exceptions include Kai, Victor, Henri, and Tih who's staring straight into the camera lens with intrigue.

As one passes, Tih's hand flickers. In the background, Simon D continues," Not only that, they're so fast that if they are commanded not to let any heat signatures touch them, it would be impossible with the remote con-" The announcer pauses as he sees one of the holographic screens. In one rectangle is a very close close up of a child's face.

Tih had grabbed the metal ball and was trying to look through the dark lens. A clear view of his still blue eyes was shown. The dead fish eye took up the entire camera's view, but it didn't get blurry.

"Haha...it looks like this function hasn't been turned on yet." Simon D sweats nervously as he ushers the staff with his eyes.

The cameras turn back to the commentators for pre-game remarks and hypotheses. Away from the viewers eyes, the camera in Tih's hands gets snatched away by one of the staff and he gets reprimanded not to touch the cameras as it's "not allowed".

Well, that's something the staff just made up as none of them expected anyone to be able to take it. They can only hope that the child will listen to them as he's still a contestant and they can't do anything until the competition is over. At least, these were their thoughts until the commentators answered a question.

"Have any guesses for who will win?" Simon D asks.

"Dead fish-eyed kid." Major Jax leans back in his chair. Wait where did he get a chair from?

"Hmm, from an analytical standpoint, I believe Instructor Kane has the advantage, but if I had to pick a favorite to win, I would have to side with Jax." Private Scott answers very seriously.

The announcers eyebrows raise,"Well I do believe that is a first. Private Scott sided with Major Jax. I guess someone will breed a flying pig next?" After chuckling at his own joke, he continues," but to favor a newbie over an instructor like Instructor Kane, the newbie must be quite special?"

The audience might not know(because they haven't linked Tih to his rumors yet), but the other teams know just how much of a threat the ten year old is.

Simon D is ready to continue but he pauses to put his finger on his ear. After listening to the transmitted voice, he announces," Looks like it's time to begin."

Announcer: *brings microphone to Tih's face* How old are you?

Tih: *sticks up ten fingers, then gets confused and blinks rapidly* *pulls the announcer's free hand over and opens three fingers*

Author's Note: I feel that sometimes my writing style changes. I don't know why, but now you have to deal with it so, sorry.
PS: learned a new word today. amphitheatre, or maybe I knew it but forgot...
I wanted to look up what material a colosseum is made of, but it's just concrete and stone and stuff...how boring.