The Guardians of Light

The Combat Class

After staying for a while in the room, I got bored. Also, I needed caffeine to stay awake.

So I decided to spend the night in the Gyro.

I came out and locked the door. I saw a beautiful girl who was checking in the cabinet beside me.

I wanted to say hi, but I was still a newbie in initiating a conversation.

She might have noticed my struggle, so she started the conversation.

' Hey. I am Mariana. '

' Ryan Bloom. So we are neighbours then. '

' Not for long, I guess. From what I heard, these are temporary arrangements. '

' I am going to grab a cup of coffee. Would you like to join me? '

' I'd love to. But I'm exhausted I need to lie down for a while. '

' No problem. Take a rest. The beds are relaxing. '

' See you soon, neighbour. '

I went to the Gyro alone. I grabbed a coffee and sat on a table. I looked at hundreds of people, all strangers with different stories.

I spent hours and hours just looking at the people. It gave me great joy, which people could tell by the look on my face. 

' Is that the look of ecstasy or are you drunk? '  said Evelyn.

I got a bit surprised because she said we would not be seeing each other anymore.

' Hey. Come sit down. What are you doing here? '

' I know it is difficult to go through this alone. It might overwhelm you. I thought a friendly face would be comforting for you. '

' I am really that glad you came and the time table that you gave is empty. '

' Well, there is no fixed time table for anyone. It's very flexible. See, it's glowing. Why don't you check it out? '

I looked at my pocket, and something inside was glowing. I was surprised. When I took it out, it was the timetable. A time and a place, were mentioned on it along with the directions which weren't there before.

' It's an electronic paper, Ryan. It's flexible. All the newcomers would use this, but as you get promoted, the device gets better. '

' It is remarkable, Evelyn. What is it called? '

' It is called ST, which is short for a smart table. '

' Well, according to it, I have to be at someplace in 10 minutes. '

' I guess you should start right now. You don't want to be late on the very first day, right. '

' If the reason behind we wouldn't see each other is because you are in the upper position, tell me how to reach there quickly. You are my first friend. I do not want to lose you. '

Evelyn smiled.

I walked as per the directions on the timetable. When I reached there, many people were holding the ST's just like me.  

There were around 50 people. I assumed they were also newcomers like me.

I waited in line. The line was stationary. I had a feeling that it is going to take a while.  

I was the last person standing in the line. Ahead of me was a lady who looked like she was in her mid 20's.

I wanted to confirm with her whether this is the line I was supposed to be waiting in or was I mistaken.

She didn't appear to be much of a talker, so I didn't ask her anything.

Finally, the line started to move. I took some solace in the moving line. When we went inside, there were five doors.

They sent 10 people inside every door. So I went into the 5th door.

After we went inside, they made us stand next to each other.

Three gentlemen sat ahead of us. One of them stood up and said, ' Look at the blackboard, and when we say start, do all the exercises mentioned in that. 3..2...1.. start. '

As soon as he said to start, we began to perform whatever that is on the board. It included push-ups, jumping jacks, and several others.

Everyone completed the first set. I was surprised because there were three females, and they also completed the first set.

Everyone was panting in a minimal amount possible because no one wanted to look weak. 

We heard 'start' again. Everyone started to repeat the same set again. It was hard to perform this time because I don't have a habit of working out usually, and I was a little spent on the first set.

People started to drop out in between. But I decided that no matter how hard, I just had to complete it.

Finally, I managed to complete the set for the second time. Out of all, five people have dropped out of the race. Out of the remaining five, there was a female present. She looked like an Asian; however, I was not sure. 

I got mostly spent by this time, but she stood firm. I was amazed at her stamina.

'Again.' they said.

' Again? ' One of the five people asked.

' If you have any problem, stand aside, ' they replied.

I thought to stand aside, but I remembered Evelyn saying that I had to perform well in order to have a field job. I took a deep sigh and started again.

In the end, only three people left. Myself, the Asian girl and a guy. The other two looked fine, but I was panting so hard.

 The rest of the people got sent to another room. Each one of us was approached by one of the three gentlemen.

' What is your name? ' He asked.

' Ryan Bloom. '

' Age? '

' 18. '

' You have cleared the basic fitness exam with distinction. All the best for your further training. '

' Thank you, sir. '

 While we shook our hands, he noticed my tattoo and then looked at my face. He let the other two people go while he made me wait.

After a while, he came to me and said, ' Are you interested in joining The Innovative Ones? ' He asked.

' Sure. Why not. '

He told me that I was free to leave, and my next class would be displayed on my ST.

I smiled and left.

As soon as I came out, ST started to glow. I took it out, and this time it gave me directions to go to the combat room in 10 minutes.

I sat in Gyro for 5 minutes to relax my body and then went to the combat room. As I entered, I saw hundreds of people who were learning martial arts and were doing different kinds of stuff.  

I stood at the door and watched them. One of the trainers came to me.

' You don't need any permission to come inside, kid. '

' Oh. I was just looking at everyone, and I got deviated. '

' I got your profile. It says you completed three sets. '

' Yeah, I did. '

' Were you an athlete before, or did you have a habit of working out? '

' No, neither. '

' Then, how did you? '

' I just didn't want to be left behind. '

 He took me inside and gave me a yellow coloured pill.

' What is it? '

' Once you take this, you can train for hours. It's a way to train everyone faster. '

I swallowed the pill, and the trainer showed me the place where the beginners were getting trained.

There were no age restrictions. I could spot people between ages 15 and 40. I don't know why, but it boosted some confidence in me. 

I found an empty spot and occupied it.

One of the trainers approached and stood on the dais.

' My name is Asahi, and I am your trainer. I want everyone who is present here right now to be punctual. You would daily have a combat class at this time. If anyone's late, they will have to do 100 push-ups nonstop additionally. '

After that, he started training us from the basic moves that I have learned in my school. I thought it's a waste of time, but the training escalated faster than I have imagined.

There were around 30 people there, but the master was able to see everyone. Though he was a hothead, he marvelled in the art of teaching.

He taught half his students the offensive moves and the other half the defensive movies. Later he made us face each other.

All the people seemed to be fast learners. Everyone did their moves correctly . The opponent I had to face was the same Asian girl that I saw in the fitness exam. She went on offensive while I blocked her movies.

She was surprisingly stronger than I imagined. Every one of her blow hurt me. I thought it was f*******n to hit their partners with that strength, but the master didn't stop her. So I took every one of her blows. The more it hurt, the more I focussed.

After an hour of defending, I felt her blows to be weaker than before. Either she got tired, or I got good at self-defence. The pain became a part of my body now.

Even though my body ached, I wanted to continue. It's because I never pushed myself to do something. I felt like this is my time to go to the extremities and to test my true potential.      

The training lasted for four hours, and yet I wanted to practice more.

While leaving, I went to the master.

' Master Asahi, I am fortunate to find a teacher like you. I promise I will give my best. '

He just nodded. Although, I didn't expect any more expressions from him.

When the effect of the yellow pill started to fade, I could feel the true intensity of the pain now. I wanted to collapse right where I was walking. I managed to walk to my cabinet with all the unbearable pain.

I locked my door and jumped onto the bed. I couldn't sleep with all that pain. I searched the closet for any painkillers. Gladly, I found them.

I took the pain killers, which lessened my pain reasonably. My timetable started to glow again. I didn't have enough patience to look at it.

Also, on the other side, I was fighting against sleep. Now the d**g effect enhanced the drowsiness. I could not resist the sleepiness anymore, and I slowly closed my eyes unwillingly.

                                                                                  -----*-----

I woke up on my bed on Earth. I could still feel some pains, but they were just in my head. I felt alright, physically. When I looked at the time, it was 10 PM.

I had spent almost three-quarters of a day there, and here it was just a few hours. Maybe that's why Mr. Reynold said he had been waiting for me for days.

I had to find this time difference so I can shift from here and there according to the necessity.

I made an assumption that only when I am terrified of something or asleep after being exhausted, the shift to other reality is evident.

A night of good sleep is required for me to be active. So, I slept right away without wasting any time.