Monarch Made Millenia: Breakpoint

Chapter 4 Sticks and Stones

Early, bright, humid, and fast -- the day encapsulated all and more. All the sentinel recruits from Lady Everlar's class jogged with long strides. The strum of their feet touching the dirt path rocked their body and tore at every muscle group. Shoulders, thighs, abdominals, calves, it all was ablaze -- but that wasn't the worst of it. Even through their labor, their dying tenacity, the dense air they breathed in only insulted the children with clogged lungs. Between the lasers of sunlight, the mindless running, and a grown man yelling at them while they suffer; It was hard to be sure which was the crowning jewel of pain.

"Keep going, we're at the home stretch!" the man yelled.

The students glared at the shirtless man. He had no right to say a word to them. They had to run many laps around the whole campus. No veren manipulation, no water, no breaks -- but he was fine. Better yet, he was beaming with determination. Leading the pack with powerful strides, he accelerated. That wouldn't have been a problem at all, but he had to say something.

"Move it! Move it! This is the finish!" He screeched, already done and jogging in place.

Ezphin with his red face huffed, "Is the man trying to kill us? I've lost count...the number of laps...we've done."

"Yeah...this sucks," the equally tired Nel sputtered.

Suddenly, a short figure sped up with rhythmic breaths on every step. Zom finessed his way through the group, taking the front. Something about the boy's drive annoyed Nel. It was not as if arriving first excused him from the next exercise. From what the teacher had shown, giving extra effort could attract harder workouts. At the same time, it would require effort to stop him which she didn't have nor would use.

It didn't take long to wrap things up. Zom finished first with his class arriving soon after. Everyone was haggard or pressed against the main building. But Zom was different -- he was flat on the ground. As he slowly recovered from the laps, a shadow loomed over him. Purple gems twinkled under short white hair.

"So we meet again," Alpheme smiled, offering a hand. "Quite a chilly day, isn't it?"

Zom smiled with the boy and accepted his hand, "How are you not tired?"

"Training."

"You're full of it, what did you do?" Alpheme tilted his head, shrugged, turned, and started to walk. "You used veren, didn't you?" Zom said, finding himself a little jealous he didn't think of that. Alpheme responded with a single gesture. He held his hand out to the side, his fingers almost touching. I knew it, Zom thought, but if the teacher didn't detect it, he must be strong. From behind, a breeze blew harshly against his neck. Zom covered his neck and turned to Ezphin.

"So we getting our little date today?"

Zom glowered, aiming a finger at Nel who was behind Ezphin, "Can you put a leash on your dog?"

"He's not in my jurisdiction, unfortunately for you," the girl shrugged, "Anyway, I don't think I've introduced myself."

First Alpheme, now her, Zom couldn't help but feel a bit glad for another personal introduction.

"I'm Benillein, you can also just call me Nel. And if you ever need me, I'm keeping him out of fights."

Ezphin frowned, "I don't get into fights."

"Of course you don't, I save your dumb butt before any start."

Ezphin stared at Nel for a long moment before switching sights to Zom. The blue-eyed boy scowled. Ezphin stuck his tongue out and gestured both over to the instructor.