Boom leads Jamal out of the room and to the elevator, leaving the rest of them to get scolded by their trainers.
"So, did you really finish all of them?" Boom asked him as the elevator opened and they walked in. "Because with what I've seen that's hard to believe."
"I mean, Hops was basically done for and so was Brat. The girls weren't really able to fight me or do much, so there's that," he told him. "I don't know if I really deserved it though."
"Of course you do! You took on four of them that have been trained by some of the best in the entire world. Now, they might have underestimated you, so don't count yourself lucky. You still have a lot to prove." Boom laughed while saying. "Now let's get you cleaned up. It gets real starting in the morning. You'll be pushed."
The elevator returned them to the first floor and they walked down through the less busy hallway. It was already night-time. How much time had passed? It only felt like a few minutes, but Jamal couldn't do anything about it. They walked a good bit under Boom stopped in front of the door. He dug into his pockets and grabbed a small key and handed it to him.
"This is going to be your room while training. There are only three rules that must be in place. We call them the Major Three. First, if there is a lockdown or an emergency happening in the building, you must stay in your room and wait unless you must truly get out. Second, keep your room in good condition or you'll pay for it later, we don't want any hazards or problems that can happen later. And the third rule is that you need to be back here by 12:00 A.M and unless others, wake up at 7:00 A.M as well on your own. Failure to do so will be handled accordingly. Breakfast is mostly at 8 and then training usually starts at 9. Other than that if you have any other questions, let me know and I'll see what I can do about it. Everything you'll need to know will be told tomorrow. I'll see you there then."
Jamal opened the door to his room where he would be staying for who knows how long. When he looked inside, he was quite impressed. There was a small bathroom for him to clean himself and a nice large bed for two people to sleep in. He had a balcony to watch the view and nature from and get some fresh air.
He checked the closet next to him to see clothes already in place for him to choose from. Ok, I'm definitely going to get some rest for the night though first and come up with a plan in the process. He changed into a tank top and some comfortable shorts and got under the covers. He hasn't slept this good in a while. He never even told Boom about his home and being neglected. But no matter, this is going to be the reward I'll get, as he set the alarm clock provided and settled in and dozed off.
He was dreaming about the day when his alarm clock woke him up. He opened his eye and turned the clock off. He chose one of the outfits that had in the closet and put it on as it fits him perfectly. Interesting, he thought. He opened the door only to realize that he didn't know where to eat. Nervously, he looked around until he saw Ula walking out of the building. Maybe if he followed her, then he'll find somewhere to eat. He waited a few more seconds before pacing himself next to her.
"Hey, are you going to grab some breakfast, because I don't rea-" he asked her.
"Don't talk to me, I'm not your friend." She said, increasing her pace a bit more.
"Okay look, if this is about yesterday I had to prove myself in order to train with you guys. I didn't have a choice. Plus, you scratched me up pretty bad so don't act like you were innocent."
"They would have let you in no matter what. It's just a bluff."
"Wait for real? I thought since I would be training with the best then I got to show that I'm worthy." he interrogated a bit. Why would it be a bluff, they couldn't let just anyone train, right?
"Think about it, they wouldn't let any random person in with them. Trust me, they know you're the one when they find you. We're here anyway, so you don't have to talk to me anymore." she murmured quietly.
What was up with her? What was there to be shy for, he had no idea, but they were in front of a breakfast joint named John's Refreshments. Seriously, what was with these names, he pondered as they walked in. The restaurant wasn't as packed as he felt it would be as Ula walked to sit in a corner. He followed her and sat across from her, and she didn't bother for him to move. A waiter came up to them and handed them both a menu to look at.
"So, what's usually good to eat here?" Jamal asked her.
"I'll take the smoked bacon and waffles with hot tea," she told the waiter.
Is she really not going to talk to me? I just arrived, and I'm already getting hated on. This has to be because of the fight yesterday.
"Yeah, you know what," he said looking back to the menu. "I'll take the Special Omelet and French Toast with water."
The waiter wrote down their orders and walked back towards the counter, for their food to be made.
Once the waiter left, Jamal blurted out, "Look, I know we started off wrong, but I'm sorry, okay. I don't even know why I have to apologize to you or anyone. I proved I'm worthy enough to be here so what else is needed? What do you guys want from me?"
But he noticed she wasn't even listening to him, but staring outside the window instead. He followed her gaze, only to be looking at the sun starting to rise from the sky. It actually looked kind of nice, he couldn't lie.
"Wow, the view actually looks nice from here." he managed to say.
"That's why I sit here. Because I can get the best view from anywhere in the restaurant right here," she told him calmly.
They stared outside for a few more minutes until someone cleared their throat behind them. When they turned around, it was the waiter with their food, ready for their consumption. They didn't say a word as they ate. Jamal was impressed with the meal and the quality of it.
"This food is good, but how are we gonna pay?" he asked finally, already quite full.
"With this," Ula told him, taking out a wallet. "When we train with the Supernaturals, we basically get free food and privileges. It comes with 500,000 Saputs, from taxpayer money of course, but if we spend a lot of it then the trainers might get mad at us so we and the other kids agree to spend as little as possible."
He watched as she gave the waiter about 20 Saputs to him and got up. He quickly followed suit and they walked out of the restaurant and back towards the building.
"You know, you're not as bad as I thought you would be." she quietly mentioned to him.
"Oh really? Is that so? I wouldn't think so myself." Jamal said back to her. "But are we cool now though?"
"I suppose we are." She said back with a smile. "I'll see you in an hour."
He watched as she took an elevator to where ever she was going to go. One new friend, three more to go. But it was as if she changed her view of him within the hour. Speaking of the time he checked his watch to see it say 8:01 a.m. He jogged back towards his room and opened the door. He closed it behind him and opened the sliding door allowing him to access the balcony. He didn't know what to expect would happen today, but it didn't frighten him. I will be prepared, he thought, no matter the cost. He only needed to befriend the other three and then, he would be good. He checked his watch again, only for it to say 8:05. He grunted in boredom until he had an idea. He changed into clothes that looked like the ones the other kids were wearing. Now let's see if it'll let me catch on fire. Jamal concentrated on his arms-producing heat, until it felt a bit hotter in the room. It still worked perfectly and it was more controlled. He cleaned himself and smiled to himself. Perfect. He got out of his room and walked towards the elevator. When it opened, no one was inside.
Jamal walked in and pressed the button to the training room. He felt the elevator shutter before crawling deeper into the place. He stood there patiently watching him past floors to the depths beneath him. When it finally stopped, he was psyched. He watched the door open, only for no one to be there. Of course, he was here way too early. Better figure out what I can, while still possible. He walked towards the weapons of the room. There were different kinds of different sizes and variants. He grabbed a sword with a noticeable slick blade and felt almost connected to it. He then quickly came up with the idea of lighting it up. Imagine a sword on fire, that would be lit. He lit his hand up and watched the blade heat up, but it didn't catch on fire. He heard a ding behind him and looked to see Hops walking out of the elevator.
"Hey, I know-" Jamal started to say to him until Hops kicked him into the wall.
"Yo, what the heck was that for?" he said as he crouched down before watching him make a big dent right where he was.
"This is for yesterday. I know what you are trying to do." Hops spoke to him. "Your plan is to befriend everyone and get accustomed to us by pretending to be cool. But not on my watch."
Jamal lit up both of his arms in self-defense. "Look I'm not trying to hurt you, but you're wrong. I'm not here to get into fights."
"Well, if you can beat me right here and right now, then I'll leave you alone. So bring it!" Hops charged at him while yelling.
Not again, Jamal thought, just when I was getting comfortable. He let out multiple fireballs at him at a rapid speed, but Hops simply dodged them. He watched in horror as he jumped above him and ran out of the way before seeing Hops create a 5-foot crater in the room. That's when he remembered the sword he was holding, which was still hot.
He charged at him with the heated sword, despite having no experience using weapons in general, and attempted to slash at him multiple times. But each time, he simply avoided it, until he kicked it out of the way. He then got roundhouse kicked and repeatedly stomped on. Jamal's eyes were fading into darkness with each attack. He felt the blood go into one of his eyes and was beginning to irritate him.
"You weren't worthy of being here. I'll leave you here. Can't wait for them to ask what happened to you. We won't be friends or allies or whatever you think you'll receive from me." Hops laughed at him as he was walking back to the elevator.
But Jamal couldn't give up. He had gotten too far to suffer now. As he slowly got back up with closed eyes, "Wher-Where do you think you're going. I didn't give up yet."
"Don't bluff with me. You can't even get up quick enough. I'll put you to sleep for a bit right now." Hops jogged back towards him before running full speed preparing for the final blow.
But Jamal just smiled at him. He almost started laughing. With no real explanation, he felt heat all around him, from his feet to his head.
"What the heck is happening to you? Why are you sparking?" Hops stuttered in fright. "Wait, I can still finish you. I'll put you down!"
Jamal opened his eyes, one glowing orange, the other red-orange. Somehow, his entire body was sparking, attempting to be completely on fire. He simply moved his arm back and watched Hops rush at him. When he was almost in his face, Jamal yelled at him for a split second, and was completely on fire, before punching Hops into the ceiling. The sound was so loud, that it sounded like thunder had just struck in front of them.
Hops got launched into the roof and went through several layers of steel, before dropping back down in front of him. Jamal looked down at him and smiled at the believed to be unconscious boy. I wasn't done yet, and I won't be for a very long time. So whether you'll befriend me or not, is entirely up to you, he thought, as he too collapsed from exhaustion. And so the rivalry between Hops and Jamal began.