I'm not in the best mood. You wouldn't be either if you're bruised and bloody, right? Let me explain.
~o~
Today we had a test in "Weapon Combat class". We simply had to inflict a critical strike on the training dummy with our weapons. Everyone did pretty well, and I took advantage of this. With this test, I could scope out the competition, because I already feel like I'm falling behind. The guy that went up before me had to be the most intimidating guy in class. He looks really angry all the time like someone didn't let him have sweets. His weapon was a mace. I think his name is Doron or something. Weird name. I couldn't help but stare at him as he walked out from his group of cronies. There were three of them. I know for a fact one was named Bolo. A smug guy with blonde hair. The other two were strangers to me. Bolo noticed me staring and approached.
"What are you staring at squirt?" He scoffed.
"Your friend there. What's his deal?" I asked.
"Doron doesn't have a 'deal', he's the best in the class."
While we talked about him, he swung his mace and dashed at the dummy. He was incredibly fast. Much faster than anyone in the class. There was a loud crash as the dummy's head flew clean off. When our teacher praised him, he didn't even smile.
"See loser?" Bolo chuckled.
"Pfft! He's nothing but a showoff. He's probably a bigger loser than anyone because he has a group of cronies like you and - oohh he's behind me, isn't he?"
I whipped around to see him staring me down. His pupils were as small as physically possible, bloodshot in anger.
"Riba Cecil! You're up!"
Saved by the teacher. Or so I thought. Doron watched closely as I readied myself. I swung my sword and ran. This was it. I pulled back, shouted, and - crashed right into the dummy. I had forgotten to swing and sprawled pitifully to the floor, my sword clanged down with me. The class erupted like a volcano with laughter. Gareth, a blue-haired girl, and Doron were the only ones who stayed silent. I had humiliated myself once again. Gareth and I went our separate ways to our next class. I walked in silence, lost in the abyss of my thoughts when I was grabbed and shoved into the wall. Doron had me pinned with one hand, his other curling into a fist.
"What're you - " I tried to speak up but was instantly socked in the gut.
Man, did it hurt. The guy really packed a punch.
"Never speak about me like that. Especially if you can't even hit a training dummy properly." He sneered.
What I did next was stupid. I pushed him off of me, swinging my fist at his head, but he sidestepped to safety. I was left off balance from the force of my own punch and was completely at his mercy. He shoved me to the floor and stared down at me with a disgusted expression like he was looking down on a dead insect. But I still refused to give up. Staggering to my feet, I attempted to use my fire technique and stuck out my hand. Nothing happened. He shook his head and cracked a hard one against my jaw. I stumbled backward and collapsed to the floor. Doron spat and walked away, leaving me bruised and bloody. I swear. From this day on, I'll train harder than everyone else until I'm strong. When that happens...
...I'm going to beat Doron to a pulp.
A PULP.