Zjjan Master 69 Sp04 03 16, The Proving Ground

Almost near to sunset, at the towering gate of JK Academy, Jaino, Krispen, and Ritzel walk to the crowd of students; from children, to teens, and adults. Some of the the teen and adult students remark "bye ma'am", "adios", and "good bye ma'am" to Ritzel.

Jaino finds a group students where a female is crying and the others comfort her. His heart throbs. Suddenly he remembers what Criselia had done while he was selecting the two options of their agreement. He seems guilty.

Ritzel speaks to one of the guards who interrogates them about the swords each carried by Jaino and Krispen, and they have their entrance to the campus. She speaks to Jaino, "Father, the guard can't recognized you."

Receiving a gross feelings, Jaino replies, "Ritz, it sounds weird. Stop it."

Krispen finds it funny.

She elbows Jaino, "Eh! Why! You said I can call you anything?"

"Allow me to adjust." He smiles hesitantly.

In the marbled pathway along with other students they walk. Groups of students are in benches chatting. Some students are alone, probably for pa.s.sing time or in waiting for someone. And outside the pathway is students practicing swordplay, others doing battle, and others in groups playing sports. Every student, who glimpses at them, finds Jaino and Krispen suspicious.

To where they are heading is a wide tall convex building. On each of its side, to the left is the three-storey-horizontal-long building. And on its right is a giant circular building, a covered arena.

A group of teen and adult students goes near while Jaino, Krispen, and Ritzel are heading to the Arena. One of them, an adult female speaks, "h.e.l.lo ma'am cutie Ritzel? Where are you going?"

Recognizing the voice, Ritzel replies, "Oh, hi Mai. Please don't call me ma'am outside, it's weird!"

Another student speaks, "Where are you going ma'am"

Followed by another student. "Are you alright ma'am?"

"Ma'am is really cute I wanna tease her."

While getting annoyed, Ritzel maintains her composure. In the meantime Jaino tries not to laugh. Then Krispen whispers to Jaino, "Boss, she's actually a student teacher?"

A male student speaks, "Stop it guys, stop it. Ma'am seems busy. Forgive us about that ma'am. But ma'am—" His words annoy Ritzel more. "—which of them is your boyfriend?"

Ritzel uppercuts the male student. "Moron! This is my father. He's your real instructor!"

In both hands covering his own mouth, the male student groans, "That's hurt..."

After the surprise, the students greet Jaino, and Jaino accommodates them.

Krispen again whispers to Jaino, "Boss, I envy you. How many women you had belly knocked? You're working double times."

"Shut up, Krispen. That's nonsense."

In a dean while going out to the door, attired of formal long sleeve and slacks, a tomboyish lady is invited by a male instructor to watch the ongoing event in the stadium. Her name is Judith Maila. She speaks, "What kind of proving, is it fun? If it isn't an interesting fight I'll pa.s.s."

As they walk the hallway, the male instructor replies, "I a.s.sure you, you'll enjoy this. The examinee is quite an outstanding. Although he's just a norim, he is a prodigy in terms of Sword Basic. And if he'll pa.s.s this exam, his reputation will step up. The chairman has selected the most adequate examiners in the campus, the best of the best. Isn't this what you like?"

"If he struggles, that would be boooring. If he pa.s.ses, poor instructors they'll eat embarra.s.sment."

"Judith, that is not a problem. If the examinee pa.s.s he'll be our pride." The male instructor laughs. "It's propaganda. That could be a huge benefit."

"Then how about if the examinee fail in preliminary, I'll take on the proving exam instead."

"You're still attending your job interview yet. Employment here is making you eligible for partic.i.p.ation. And the examinee is selected based on physical and intellectual potential."

"What the h.e.l.l... Take me there..."

"My pleasure."

Meanwhile in the president office of JK Academy, an old man, currently JK academy president Susion Wyn commands the four examiners to head on the Arena. After their exit, he follows. He thinks, This proving ground could be blooded. Killing is fine huh? My retirement could be so soon and I hope I can escape imprisonment. Good luck on us Jaino.

There inside the wide arena, bored students are in waiting for the proving ground to begin and finish. Some instructors are chatting in the spectators' area. Before entering the plain field, Ritzel speaks to Jaino, "Father,"

"Ritzel, please."

"He he he. Take care, the students and me shall be sitting on the bench."

Jaino sighs. I guess. Losing is not an option. I don't know what they're thinking. This is so sudden. And how would they know I've returned. They are probably related to my a.s.sailant. I never thought my struggles are not ended. He begins stretching. "Krispen."

"Boss?"

"From here onward, this is my fight. You are forbidden for creating disturbance. You don't need to lend a hand."

"But boss..."

"If you gain contact with Taila, both of you focus in investigation. I can handle myself, understood?"

"Boss..."

"You just trust me. I'm not fighting alone. I'll show you what I can do. It's time for me to awaken."

Krispen smiles. "You always exceed to our expectation boss." You don't know; but Taila is doing her best on investigation. But, my job is my job.

Later on: as the chairman steps in near the middle, in some distance Jaino has stood. "It's been years that I haven't seen your face. How were your days?" has asked by the chairman.

Jaino replies, "You know I'm currently in dangerous situation. I dislike involving anyone around. So let's make haste."

"Easy, easy. Haven't you greeted by your reliever?"

"That reminds me. What's her statistic? She's outstanding right?"

"She is a more worthy and revealing a lot of potentials. However, there's something she can't wield. The rest are more than sufficient."

"So, how do we proceed?"

"You're hasty. Very well." The chairman breathes air. Then he exhales. "Since from the very beginning of our campus stood, our mentors held high to the few selected partic.i.p.ants of the proving ground. Blessed those pa.s.sers received countable rights and rewards. Among the rewards, the pa.s.sers held esteem by the campus. Their dignities became our dignities, in fact the role model."

"Public display again..."

"It's yours of what you gain, and be proud. It gives you privileges. But forgive me if yours would be different. Quit being a general, or take this exam for your worth—"

"That I cannot allow!" has yelled by Krispen going near to Jaino. "Who are you to decide? Not even the prince accepted his resignation."

"Krispen, shut up."

"But boss..."

"I want to test something and this is the best way. So allow me to do so, you hear?" He faces back at the chairman. "Now chairman, let's continue."

"We won't hold back then. To be fair with other pa.s.sers, we will not reduce the difficulty. It means death is your failure."

"I'm fine," has replied by Jaino while Krispen is more worried.

"Now your examiners are the four previous pa.s.sers of the proving ground including me."

Four people step inside the Arena. Attired of uniform formal blouse and skirt, the red-eyes and strictness beauty smiles a bit at Jaino,

who thinks, Dorresa, what kind of joke is this.

Attired of black sleeveless and jean pants, a bald muscular fat man wielding a naked broadsword on his shoulder greets, "Yow, long time no see. I have been waiting to wreck you down with your promises. Just don't expect I'll offer a bit of mercy." He grins. And finally he asks, "Not even a reply?"

Carrying a sheathed sword on his waistline, one among those people who have stood beside the chairman is a tall man in formal uniform and slacks. Then lastly an old man wearing a janitor attire is carrying a long handle broomstick.

The tomboyish Judith and the male instructor reach the upper watchers area. The male instructor speaks, "Oh, it will begin soon." They walk near to the front seats for they can hear much of the conversation. Some students greet them and bestow them two seats.

"Why is Jaino there?" has asked by Judith.

The male instructor smiles. "Fantastic, your acquaintance? He is the chosen examinee."

"I never expect his an instructor here. I want to fight him."

Back to the stage, Jaino speaks, "You know, it really doesn't matter if I fail or pa.s.s. As long as I can live to what I like."

The chairman replies, "To have mastered all the essentials of sword basic that other of our kinds cannot, you must pa.s.s and prove yourself. This world don't need a defect prodigy like you."

What nasty words came from a chairman of this campus, has thought by Krispen.

Jaino gasps. "I'm speechless. So if I'm a sorse, I'm just nothing but a tool of dispelling. If I'm a crewl, anyone can treat me as only livestock farmer. So being just a norim can't live life to what we like and live only as a foot soldier? This campus is still living on the old influence. Chairman, you're old. Quite a pride and dignity you have there to make me call you stubborn."

Gritting her teeth, Judith thinks, That's what to be Jaino. So then, I'll take my revenge on you Jaino. Your words themselves are my motivation. I can't forgive you for destroying my family. My hatred boils me to kill you into pieces.

The chairman replies, "Say what you want, Jaino. But, before we proceed, you can have words with the examiners."

Some truths are revealed or hidden

Circ.u.mstances, Situation

hold the rights and judge what should do.