PENSIONNAT - VERSION ENGLISH - BOOK FINISH

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The heat was overwhelming us. We were at the end of June and in the middle of a test. We waited in the hallways, each in turn, to go before a jury that calculated our every move. I found this teaching method to be strict. But at the same time, it allowed us to see what was wrong with our performance.

The "A" tests (basic, such as math, French, history and geography) were next in line after the transmutation of the mind. I barely made the average in these subjects...

As an option, every other week, we also studied robotics and physics. That's why there was only one test that combined both subjects. In the end, only the transmutation of the spirit into an empty object allowed us to work on our "ghost" side.

Nevertheless, if we passed all these tests, we would be allowed to practice the Ghota courses in the second term. There were: the different mutations of the soul, GHOTA (the language), advanced robotics, astronomy (which included geography), history (that of the Ghota and not the one of the boarding school for a change....) and the Arena.

- So this is the second most interesting term! Max shouted, lounging on a bench in the gardens.

- The first one is not to be overlooked! Grayce said sternly.

- You're worse than Mr. Triloc..." grumbled Max.

It was true that Grayce was serious... especially at test time!

- It's important to the Ghotas! They're picky about their academic background! Grayce pleaded.

- And what is the arena? I was intrigued by the term.

Grayce looked down at the ground, his eyes fixed on a patch of grass that suddenly seemed more important than the world around him.

- The arena. Grayce began. It is, for the Ghota, one of the most popular sports. We have tournaments there, championships. Understand that it is not to be taken lightly... The arena is a sport that can take our lives. It is politically and commercially important. It is deadly. And yet, the greatest Ghota families all have a champion, who is destined to compete at the risk of his life, in the arena.

- But they are crazy to let us in!!! It should be banned!

- Max, it can't be banned. You see, as deadly as the arena can be, the "school" version is not. Thankfully! But this minimal version, exists to train us in the real thing.

- But why? I couldn't bear the thought of having to put my life on the line for a sport!

- Ella and her whys! Max scoffed.

- I mean, you become an athlete.....what's the point of having created the arena?

- Well, you can become a champion, but we don't call it an athlete here. Secondly, the arena has been around forever. Look at the Greeks! After that, Ghota jobs are a bit...how do you say...hectic?...Physical?

- What do you mean physical? Max asked in fear.

- I'm not a teacher! Grayce shouted. You should have read up a little!

- Read up on...what? If Max touched a book during the day, it was only so he wouldn't get detention with Mr. Triloc.

*****

The second quarter would start in a week. When we will be in July. In the meantime, we were given a short week off. We couldn't go home, but we could hang out around the school.

Max, Grayce and I would hang out in the library most of the time to find out about my possible killer. I hadn't heard from him in two months. Which made me think (without too much illusion) that it could be a bad joke.

For two days we had found nothing. On the third day, a surprise awaited us when we opened the door to the dormitories. As soon as Max had opened it, a rush of shovel and broom threw itself behind us ready to skin us, if we did not run at once to hide in our dormitory! Once the rush was over, we could hear the shrill laughter of the Rylooks. From that moment on, a war against the white and black specters began.

For a week, they attacked each other with little pranks, always trying to do as much damage as possible, as the previous hit. The coup de grace was when Farie, a black specter, started a food fight in the great hall, in the middle of the teachers and other students. We all ended up having Saturday and Sunday detention.

During this detention I had several surprises... For starters, Grayce gave us a "grafie" bracelet. It was a bracelet that connected everyone's ghosts, where over long distances, they could always sense or even know where each other was. All that was needed was a tiny net of one centimeter, to be inserted into the bracelets concerned. They were made for very close people and they were forbidden to be sold to people under 20 years old. But her father was the creator, so she gave them to us.

A five second mini ritual took place and a tiny piece of our souls went into the three bracelets. We were bound forever, as long as we wore them.

Then, Derne, in order to make my life miserable, sat next to me... While Thomas brought me (by the strength of his soul) a paper flower, staggering in the air as if a ball and chain was holding it back. It wasn't very graceful, but I felt that it was a gesture he would have liked to make "romantic".
Derne came along with a big ball of paper and threw it at the flower. In my excitement, I managed to make the paper ball fly and throw it at his chest at full speed. Derne was speechless. I was proud of it. Although he smiled at this mini attack, he left me alone for the next few days.

Then the week passed and we all said hello to the second term, which was going to be tiring.