Welcome To The School

6

"That. Was. So. COOL!" Hayden yelled. Eijeh nodded.
"But Professor Syzak is pretty weird, if you ask me. What with her mood swings and all that."
"Don't let her hear you saying that..." Hayden warned.
"I'll try not to. Next is Training, right? The physical side of things."
"Mhm. Oh and it's they/them now. Just so you know." They gave a thumbs up.
"I'll make a note of it. Now hurry up!"

For Training, they had to change into dark trousers and a deep blue t-shirt, along with a jacket with a different colour for some people than others. Eijeh's was green, whereas Hayden's was grey. The two of them ran out to an arena, with pearl-white sand and wire netting. It was huge, and Eijeh felt his mouth drop open in astonishment. "It's beautiful, isn't it?" A soft voice said to his left. He spun, but he didn't see anything. He glanced to his other side, double-checking Hayden was there. They were.
"Who said that?!" He got at least 7 and a half strange looks from that, but he didn't care.
"I did."
"Uh, I can't see anyone?"
"Oh, shoot! Sometimes I forget, y'know?"
"Not really?"
The voice sighed. "Just— Let me— Focus."
"Um, okay?"
"Please shut up for a minute?"
Eijeh did as the voice asked. Two green eyes materialised, followed by dark hair in a messy bun and pale skin. Their jacket was a pale pink.
"Hi." The person said breathlessly. "My name is Zia. Uh, she/her."
"Hi. I'm—"
She cut him off. "Eijeh Ignis, I know. You're so amazing."
"I am?"
"Yeah! I've been wanting to talk to you since I first saw you. You're the most amazing person ever. And I really like your hair! It's really cute!" He smiled.
"Thanks, I love yours too." She went red and started muttering really fast under her breath.
Hayden nudged him. "Hey, I think Instructor Roux is here." They glared at Zia, for what reason, Eijeh had no idea.

"Alright you lot. We'll start with sparring matches. No one of the same colour jacket as you. This is because they signify your type of ability. You may challenge anyone. Understood?" They all nodded silently. "Oh, and one more thing. Don't die. My life is easier without having to fill out all the paperwork. You may begin."
Instantly everyone started shouting about who they wanted to challenge. Zia opened her mouth. "I challenge Eij—"
"I challenge Zia in the pink jacket!" Hayden yelled. "You gonna back out, or you gonna accept?"
"I'm gonna kick your butt, that's what. I accept!"
Eijeh shook his head, mystified. Why were they already determined to hate each other?

"I challenge the kid in the green jacket. With the heterochromatic eyes." The voice rang out over the arena, sure and clear, and Eijeh saw a rather menacing figure make their way towards him.
"Me?"
"Who else?" They rolled their eyes. "Now come on." They began to move away from Eijeh, presumably looking for a space. Eijeh ran after them, looking for their red jacket and silver hair in the crowd.

"Don't cry when I beat you, please. That would mean you're weak. I hate it when people are weak."
Eijeh nodded, summoning the flames to his hands. He had no plan of losing to them, whoever they were. The warmth was comforting. Across from him, the one with silver hair simply closed their eyes and concentrated. Somewhat uncertainly, Eijeh swing his fist. Eyes still closed, they dodged easily. He swung again. Again they dodged. And laughed. Ugh. They were insufferable. He tried everything he could think of, but they always seemed to know what he was about to do. Eventually, he stopped, thinking to evade their attacks somehow instead.
"Naïve. You'll tire eventually. And I'll knock you out with a blow to the head." They said calmly.
"Bit ambitious, isn't it?" He panted.
"Not if I know it will happen."
He had no response. He began to run and dodge, but just as his opponent had predicted, he soon began to tire. They calmly stepped in once he was completely exhausted and raised their fist.

Everything went black.