Inside the classroom.
"The school tournament is finally here." The woman started.
Silence.
"Although I know that most of you were already somehow familiar with the tournament, let me explain some background. The tournament was devised by the institution 800 hundred years ago and has become part of the curriculum since then. It has become the trademark of this institution and has what led to us becoming the top school on this continent for the last 500 years. And those who have secured the top rankings have become excellent specialists on their field."
"Our founders were a firm believer of the saying, 'Heroes are raised by adversaries.' And so, they created the tournament to train and expose every last bit of potential hidden in you. The purpose of the tournament is for you all students to improve in the face of other students. Some may call the method vicious but it has worked wonders in the system. You will be facing against fellow students of the same year and the winner will be crowned the title of Hero. And will have the chance to be instructed by the Chancellor himself. so you better do good. "
She then handed a piece of paper to all students. "This will be the schedule of events for the following 3 months. In two weeks time is the preliminary rounds. Any questions?"
Everybody just shook their heads.
"No? Okay, I'll now be explaining the mechanics. The tournament will be divided into 2 main parts. As I've said earlier, the preliminaries and the combat. The Preliminary round is where you are tested for qualifications to participate in the next round. If you pass, you're in. not, try again next year. The next round is the combat. It is also divided into 2 parts. Group and individual. After the preliminary tests, you will be assigned to a group of 4 based on your results during the preliminary. This is to test your cooperation. A group will go against an opposing group, in obviously a group battle, with the winner advancing to the next round. In single combat, each member of the group will draw lots to determine their opponent. It will be divided into 16 rounds where the winner of each round will advance to the next round until the winner is determined."
After her explanation she proceeded to walk out of the classroom, but before she could exit she said. "Better tell Ye Han to not embarrass me, his homeroom adviser or else, I'll wring his neck. Every single one of you is required to participate. For more detailed information regarding the tournament, I have handouts ready to be given. The class president should visit me in my office to get handouts. He will distribute them all to you. Goodbye."
***
Infirmary.
"Are you really okay?" Alice asked the teen who is currently washing his bloody head.
"No problem, although I bleed a lot I also heal a lot. See, the wound's closing."
But Alice did not bother to take a look in fear that she might vomit her breakfast. "Should your wound be stitched closed? It was bleeding much earlier. Or at least apply something on it?"
"Nah, as I said earlier I heal a lot. This kind of wound isn't new to me. It would eventually close in a couple of minutes." By now his original white hair is coming back.
"Okay, if you say so." She still sounded unsure.
After washing his hair, returning it to the pristine white it was, she was shocked again to find him digging inside some of the shelves.
"What are you doing?!" She said finding every bit of his action illegal in any kind of sense.
Ye Han just glanced at her with his blank look, then turned back around to continue his digging. "I'm trying to find some food." He sounded as if he was doing something normal.
"Why are you even trying to find food here?! And why here?!"
Her statement held him on his search. "I'm hungry?" He looked at her like he was looking at some kind of a weird animal. His look somehow offended Alice. "Huh?!"
"I'm hungry, that's why I need food. The nurse would sometimes leave some biscuits somewhere in here and that's what I'm trying to find."
"But-"
"Don't worry she doesn't mind. I'm also a regular here and I would sometimes act as her assistant. Being her assistant also has its perks so don't mind me, just treat me as the assistant nurse. And he is trying to find food."
Alice just plopped back to her seat, her opinion of Ye Han falling by the passing seconds.
"So unlucky. It seems she forgot to leave something. Guess I'll drink water to fill my stomach." He then began to put everything back to its place again. This act brought back up her opinion of Ye Han.
"Don't worry about food, I'll treat you. Since you're the one guiding me, it would be the least I could do." 'He doesn't seem to be a shabby guy.' She thought.
But her thoughts were interrupted by someone clasping her hands. She found Ye Han, his eyes sparkling, looking at her intensely. She wanted to punch him away because of the sudden contact but she felt no ill intent coming from him. She just stood there awkwardly.
2 minutes have passed but Ye Han has not yet let go of her hands and his gaze still lingering on her. This time, she wanted to get away. It's starting to feel very awkward for her. "You're so kind." That's what he all said before letting go of her hands.
"Follow me." He signaled her.
She immediately followed suit. 'What a weird guy. But again, he's not that bad, I think. What am I thinking?'
***
Somewhere unknown.
"Are the preparations complete?" A gruff voice of a man was heard.
"I'm almost there." Replied by someone with a muffled voice.
Inside a dimly lit room, 2 hooded individuals could be seen talking.
"I don't want any delays, you know that right?" The voice belonged to the former individual and it sounded somehow impatient.
The other guy only clicked his tongue in annoyance. "No worries, the product will be ready soon and you will have your little revenge." He assured him.
This seemed to offend the other as an evil aura flare throughout the room. "Don't test me, boy."
"I apologize. Well if you please, I'm doing the final calibrations." He said half-heartedly
With a huff, the man stormed out of the room.
The muffled voice of the other man let out a sigh. "Still impatient as ever. Tch, he better pay me right."
Outside the room, along with the corridors. The man lifted his hood to reveal a scarred face. Clenching his fist he said, "I will soon have my revenge. You wait for me." As he said that, the light lining the corridor flickered ominously, only for it to be stable again as he walked away.