Chapter 5

 Awakening

Two months have passed since I entered the Academy. During this time, my friends and I died eight times. Killed us, as always, Amedeo. I also went to the Goddess of Wisdom... or, I'm beginning to suspect, stupidity. Indeed, after my negative answer to the question “did I notice anything strange behind me,” she simply sent me back to the hostel. I went up to her for almost two hours ... I won’t forgive! I will pick up the right moment and take revenge! .. Well, okay, I digress. Everyone on my team was able to awaken their magic except for me. This is sad. I don't understand why my magic doesn't awaken. What am I doing wrong? After all, the catalyst for magic is the fear of death ... maybe I'm not afraid of it? It makes me feel like I'm dragging my comrades back. Amedeo did not order the use of power outside the training ground, even if they could acquire it. If the whole team could wake up, then she rested until the end of training with the God of death and the beginning of training with David. Because of me... my comrades are being killed and killed... but those who have awakened the power can train at the first training ground. Where exactly Eve and I were. She called me to practice.

The range is noisy. Everyone trains their magic, which sometimes made me jealous.

- Let's start? Eva asked me.

“Yes, of course, you will train me with your bloody whip, sadist.

- What? How can you say that, you fool,” Eve laughed.

This sweet creature, when it just awakened its magic, its power, launched something like a blood bomb at me on the training ground. I almost glued the fins after that. I already have enough of Amedeo.

- OK OK. It was a joke. Let's go to train, - I patted my friend on the shoulder.

At the training ground, I noticed that Eva had secret admirers who come to see the girl every time. They stare at her and are clearly breathing unevenly. It's a little scary.

- Got it. What am I, a pop star? She looked at them irritably.

- I would be glad! I chuckled.

- What is there to be happy about? They follow me everywhere I go!

Okay, I take back my words. This is strange…

~~~

After training, Eva and I went to our rooms, we had to sleep. It is difficult to adapt to the regime, but we try. It is impossible to get used to only one thing - to awakening ones. Every morning they blow their horn like crazy.

Opening the door of my room, I saw Aran training with his fire elemental. He created fire in his palm and tried to change its shape. The fire went out abruptly as soon as the guy saw me.

— Oh, Alester! How did you train with Eva? Aran asked.

“Okay…” There was a sudden deathly silence.

I sat down on my bed. He hung his head, watching as my neighbor again tried to figure out his strength ...

“Aran…” I clenched my fist, “I’m sorry to drag you down, if I could…

“Stop it,” Aran cut me off immediately, “we are friends, you are our leader, I will be with you to the end and I believe that you will wake up soon.” We still have a month. And the rest never considered you a burden, it was you who inspired and led us two months ago, only because of you we were able to wake up. So don't say that.

I was genuinely surprised by these words. 'Cause deep down, I'm afraid... I'm afraid they'll leave me. After his words, even it became somehow embarrassing.

“Thanks…” I whispered with a smile.

“Do you know what I wanted to tell you, Alester? You’ll never believe it,” Aran squinted slyly.

- Speak.

- Ivan somehow smuggled the wine and invited two girls to his room.

I jumped out of bed and couldn't believe what was being said.

- What? What?! Vanya is a puffball? Modest? I do not believe! You're lying!

“I was stunned myself,” Aran shrugged.

“We have to protect our friend from female charms, don't you think? After all, if it is opened with alcohol, then our friend will go crazy.

“I agree with you, Father Tsar,” Aran nodded.

We quickly and secretly ran out of our room, the main thing was not to get caught by Amedeo's subordinates. Looking out at the landing, they saw one. Stands by the window, but falls asleep on the go. Let's get around easily.

Slipping like the wind, we were on the floor above. Caretakers again. No problem. In the morning they are mad, and at night they are sleepy flies. So, we passed the first, the second, that's it, we see the finish line.

Moving quietly, on tiptoes, we approached Vanya's door. They just wanted to knock, when they heard:

- Christina, Masha, here are two bottles of wine, as you asked, now please give me your number twenty.

What, why is he asking for their number? Aran, seeing my face, shrugged. But with our ears pressed against the door, we learned the answer.

— Ha-ha-ha! neighed the two beasts.

- Well, why do you need this number? one of the girls asked.

I, like Aran, also wonder why?!

“I need it for a friend: our number one, and because of this, we are always the first to go to fight. If we had number twenty, Alester could watch how Amedeo fights, his tactics and strength, and not wallow in the infirmary and collect rumors ...

“So you’re doing this for the God Slayer?” How nice,” said the first girl.

“Maybe we can do it differently?” the second suggested.

- Differently? Vanya asked. - And what do you want?

- Jump from the fifth floor, if you don't die, then so be it - we'll give it back.

The girls laughed like hyenas. I, clenching my fist, was angry to the limit. Such anger seized me that I longed to kill these fools. Looking back at Aran, he saw how the wall near Vanya's door began to melt - the neighbor was also furious.

“Alright… I’ll jump off!” So be it!

I stomped and kicked the door round. He didn't even care about the caretakers. Aran followed me into the room. There were two girls in the room. Their faces were rat-like, which seemed to reflect their nature. From our eyes, they understood: they will not do well if they do not get out of here.

The young ladies quickly realized, and ran out like bullets. But I still grabbed one by the hand and said:

- Give Vanya back the wine!

Without further ado, the girl handed over the bottles and immediately disappeared with her friend. Vanya stood bewildered. He glanced from corner to corner.

Aran quietly closed the door. Before that, he looked out to see if we had attracted any attention. It was surprisingly quiet.

Are you completely stupid? Do you want to die? I barked at Vanya.

"Alastair…" the plump sighed heavily. - You ruined everything, if I jumped off, I would immediately turn into a bird, because the condition was to jump off and survive.

Whoa, unexpected! It seems that Vanya is a fast learner… two months ago he was a shy guy… he has changed, only for good or for bad – that is the question.

“Ha-ha-ha,” Aran began to laugh with might and main. Let's have some wine! Let's forget about it and have a good evening. When will you have time to rest like this?

The offer was approved in seconds. The table was set quickly. Or rather, what happened. Bread and sausage are our entire diet. It went with a bang... We just wanted to drink a little, but it turned out as always: we sucked two bottles to the bottom and went to buzz on two of David's subordinates. The third floor of the hostel just could not sleep. One frame named Aran got so drunk that he began to sort things out with them. And when my neighbor did not like something in the statements of these two, he launched a fireball at them. They barely managed to dodge. Vanya tried to stop him, but I didn’t care, and I just stood there and had fun with might and main. The evening was good, but its outcome was not pleased ...

~~~

Mornings are not good. Because of yesterday's skirmish, we were reprimanded. Our trio of drunken faces were forced to clean the third corps, which is intended for battles between candidates and front line soldiers. Here they found out who is stronger. In a word, the likeness of the Colosseum in a simplified form. Our task is to clean the arena. It's good that it's not a tribune.

I stood in the center of the arena and took deep breaths to keep from throwing up. There were already buckets and mops near me. The walls of the arena are covered in gore, so you have to work hard.

So our scumbag came up, judging by his appearance, he was very ill in the morning, well, very much. All blue, it smells good.

Aran, how are you? I asked with a grin, remembering last night.

“Alester, my friend, I am dying, could you wash my…” he held out his rag to me.

“No,” he held out his hand in protest. “If you hadn’t set off your fireball, we wouldn’t be here. So, as they say, with a drunken demand doubly.

“Good,” Aran squatted down. - Damn, Vanya was lucky, he was sent to the infirmary to help.

- You're right. Amedeo is having fun today in earnest. Killing everyone again...

***

After cleaning the third building, Aran and I went to the room. I needed to sleep, because the night was stormy and short. I even had dreams where Amedeo lies defeated under my feet. Aran said that I laughed when I slept. I'm already delusional...

Swinging after a fruitful sleep, I went down to the first training ground. It was empty, because today is the day when Amedeo has fun with those who have not awakened. There are few like me, there are more viewers. That's why it's so empty here. But a surprise awaited me - I met a girl in a snow-white mask.

It seems that this is Ekaterina Brown, the leader of the sixth detachment, if my memory serves me right. Interesting to watch her...

The girl in the mask worked with a long sword. Having covered the weapon with fire, she began to practice swordsmanship. Her movements were smooth, beautiful and like a dance. This sight was mesmerizing.

Wow, how hot it became at the training ground, already horror! I wouldn't want to quarrel with her.

“Will you be watching me for a long time?” the maiden stopped her dance.

“Sorry if I interrupted your training, Ekaterina. Just… moving beautifully…

I immediately hit myself on the forehead with my palm ... you move beautifully. What the hell am I talking about! I would also say "you breathe beautifully." The first impression is clearly spoiled. We don't talk to anyone anyway. All units are mostly for themselves.

“You are Alester, leader of the first team.

Yes, he is the one.

"Do you want to practice with me?" - Ekaterina suggested, raising a fiery sword at me.

Remembering how she wielded a sword, he immediately said:

“I'm sorry, but I'll probably refuse.

“Your will, I’m usually here at night, if you want, come.”

Through the mask, dark brown eyes were visible, in them I saw a fierce fire of hatred for everything in this world. What, I wonder, could happen to her? You are not born with this attitude...

The girl returned to training, and I, a little shy, decided to return to the room. After all, if you compare her level and mine ... this is heaven and earth.

***

The next day, Aran and I were again sent to clean the third building. I was already sick of this long wall that never ended. And we are three and three. The blood had eaten into the walls, and our nerves were on edge. I sometimes looked with hatred at Aran for his fireball. Even cursed.

- Missed a spot!

A woman's voice made us stop. When I turned around, I couldn't believe my eyes. A girl in a mask sat on the podium. Now I have my own stalker?

"Why aren't you in the infirmary?" I looked at her in surprise.

- It's very simple: I won the fight with Amedeo. More precisely, he allowed us to win, and the last of our team woke up.

Aran and I stood like idols, not believing her words. Then my friend grabbed my neck, made a hold, and whispered in my ear.

Is that the cheeky girl? Aran asked with a smile.

- Yes Yes!

~~~

Aran released me, lifted the rag up, twirled it and made a bow.

— Milady! he shouted. “I’m looking for a wife, you’re just right…”

"No," she shut up my friend with a grin. — Wash, guys, carefully.

Catherine waved her hand, got up and left, as if she had never been there. But here Aran was inspired, his eyes burned. He had a dream... well, a dream. He wants to find a wife. He proposes to every beautiful or mysterious girl to marry him. But so far, only failures.