Chapter 1: The choosing grounds
It was my first year at the choosing grounds as I entered the gate. This is where everyone who just graduated from elementary are gathered. Each of us will stand at the middle and will have our names and our chosen academies announced. And I tell you, there were hundreds waiting in line.
There were a variety of elementary graduates ready to be chosen. I can almost see most of their fighting styles. There's this guy, big with bulging muscles so I thought his fighting style would probably be wrestling. And there's this little egyptian girl who has two daggers in her back. It was really interesting to see new people then I realized that It was already 4 hours and I could really use a snicker at that time.
Then my name got announced. "Jack Datu, step inside the circle" I hurried to the center and waited. I was hoping to get sent to HKA since thats where most of my friends got sent. "You will be sent to Golden Gate Academy" After hearing those words I gulped hard. Guess this means I'm gonna be making new friends.
My things are already set for the flight to GGA which was in Japan. I picked up my bag that didn't contain much since most of my stuff are already in the plane. As I was walking towards the airplane, I saw this blonde girl reading a book. I was stunned at her beauty. Her straight hair just waving in the air like a soft yellow blanket. Then I saw some guys, whom I assume were HKA selected since I saw HKA pins on their shirt, heading towards the girl.
"Hey sweet heart, wanna go chat for a bit?"
People that don't mind their own businesses always piss me off.
"Hey, stop ignoring us. You deaf or something?"
A guy grabbed her hand to get her attention. I was about to head there myself to defend her with my fist clenched, but something suprisingly scary happened. She grabbed the guy's hand and slammed his head to the ground.
"Ugh! What gives!?"
"Can't you see that I have no time to talk to you commoners?"
I didn't know what to do. Help or watch how things would turn out. Either way, this looks pretty crazy and funny in a way.
"WHAT DID YOU CALL US!? OH YOU'RE SO DONE FOR!"
The guy's friends with his head slammed to the ground were gonna charge at her.Then suddenly an army of guards surrounded the girl, holding up fire arms.
The girl raised her hand.
"Halt, there's no need. Thankyou Yvon"
I saw a man among the army with a white tuxedo bow. That was probably Yvon, and was probably her butler.
After seeing the guys hurry to their plane and the commotion slowly settling down, I was left with a big "What just happened". I had a feeling in my gut that this would not be the first time things like this would happen.
As I was ready to take my seat near the window, a guy ran straight for the seat I was gonna take and sat straight down.
"Whoops, sorry. Didn't know you were gonna sit here"
I was about to leave with a bitter face then he stopped me.
"I'm just kidding mate, The name's Lester"
Well I guess I could sit next to this, so what the heck.
"Jack Datu"
"Woah! You filipino huh?"
"Yeah. Is there something wrong?"
"No! Not at all. Its just I never thought I'd meet one here"
This person can certainly be a jackass sometimes. But its alright since he offered me some pringles. So we're here at the plane. Looking around, I can't seem to see any familiar faces. So I stood up and was about to take a leak.
Then I saw her again, the blonde girl from the airport earlier who took down a guy and had an army at her disposal. She looked at my eyes and I looked back. I then got reminded about how he slammed that guy's head to the ground, I broke eye contact, turned around and ran to the comfort room.
After heading out of the bathroom, the blonde girl stood infront of me. I was surprised; actually thats just an understatment, I was caught pale white. I hurried to pass her then she held my arm and pushed me back.
This was getting intense. I didn't know what to do at that moment. We just locked our eyes for about 5 seconds as if she's analyzing me. Then she said something.
"You're not supposed to be in this plane if you think studying is the only way to survive"
She then went to the girl's comfort room. I mean how did she know? How did she know that I don't have any interest in fighting? But those words hit me hard. I mean if I don't know how to fight, then what is the purpose of me being in this plane? I could have just declined. I'm not a fighter. I'm just a regular guy trying to get a regular job with a regular life. Then why didn't I decline?
I sat down next to my just-met-friend Lester, who was looking outside the airplane window telling me how small the world looks like from our point of view. I then blurted out something:
"Why is someone like me here?"
"Err, 'scuse me?"
Then I just stopped. Waved my hand telling him to never mind what I just said.
"No, please continue"
He said with a grin in his face. I was scared he was just gonna make fun of the fact that I don't fight. But well screw it.
"Well. I'm not good at fighting so I'm just wondering what am I doing here"
"I guess thats what you're gonna find out for yourself mate"
That opened my eyes abit. I remembered my mom saying before I left to the choosing grounds: "Always discover new things son. Since that is what we are here for"
I guess thats why I'm here. To know if I have potential in fighting. To know If I can do this. And most importantly, to discover something new.
As the airplane landed, my whole new life started.
