Narrated by John
I wasn't expecting our school to deliberately bar the Class C students from entering the tournament. It was so unfair. And I was sure that Mr. Benji was connected to these events, that's why he already knew what was going on.
We walked back to the Green House, and didn't talk or say anything on the way. We reached the house, and all of us sat on the couch and a couple of chairs.
We looked towards Mr. Benji, and he could tell that we were pretty anxious to know what all of this was about.
He leaned on the dining table,"So, where do I start from?"
Alex said,"From where it all began."
Mr. Benji smiled slightly, and nodded. He took a deep breath, and started,"This institution.... It's a dream come true for so many aspiring Benders, such as you guys. This place nurtures your abilities to Bend and fight. It makes legends out of those, who have the potential. At least, that's what you've heard about it, right?"
We nodded.
He continued,"The institution may seem nice. It may have a friendly atmosphere, the teachers may appear to be friendly, but, as the saying goes, all that glitters, is not gold. The same applies here. As good as the place may seem, however, behind this outward appearance, lies a system. A system, which should have brought the school down, but somehow, it still stands."
I asked,"What system?"
His expression turned slightly serious,"A system of discrimination."
"Discrimination?"
He nodded,"Heavy discrimination. It all began twenty years back. At that time, we didn't really have this kind of discrimination, but there were still flaws. Students were, and still are, given their classes by their current abilities, and not their potential. Of course, they can get promoted, but it still didn't work for the lower class ones with good potential, as the teachers paid a good amount of attention to Class A only. Class B got a decent amount of attention, but Class C always suffered because of this, as many with great potential didn't get the nurturing they deserved, and could not bring their potential out.
"As days passed, the students of Class A began to consider the themselves superior to Classes B and C. Many of them didn't think like that, but the students with that mindset moulded and shaped the minds of the other students too. As a result, the discrimination began, and Class C was treated harshly by the students of Class A."
"What about Class B?" I asked.
"Well, most of them submitted to Class A, and the few others were bullied along with Class C."
"That's......." I couldn't think of anything to say. I was shocked by their harshness.
"I know," he sighed.
"What about the teachers? Did they take action against that?"
"Well, the teachers didn't think much about it. The students brought a lot of complaints, but the teachers just ignored them, thinking that the C-Classers were just fussing around."
I shook my head,"If the teachers were so ignorant....."
"There were also some teachers who actually encouraged this discrimination. Your chairman, Claysher, was one of them."
"He was?"
"Yes. But there were also a few, very few, who were against this, and saw the potential in Class C. However, they could do nothing about this, because they were outnumbered.
"But one of them decided that this must end. And he knew just the way how to. The Bender Fair was coming up, and if anyone from Class C managed to win, it would totally change the perspective from which Class C was viewed. So he trained his students, and pushed them to their limits. He'd trained them so well, that when the tournament came, his students were strong enough to contend even with the best of Class A!
"It was time for the tournament. With great difficulty, two of his students managed to qualify for the tournament. Both of them reached the semifinals, and both of them were strong enough to take down their opponents with ease. If both made it to the finals, then, regardless of who won, Class C would definitely win.
"The Class A students, however, would definitely not be able to bear the humiliation of being defeated by Class C, so they used special drugs on their opponents, and trebled their abilities.
"Both students fought bravely, but one of them was severely injured, and lost. The other somehow overcame the odds, and manged to make it to the finals. He was up against another Class A student.
"It was a gruelling fight. Both sides had to win. Class A had to protect their reputation, whereas Class C had to prove themselves to the world. After a long hour of intense duelling, it was over.
"The winner had finally emerged! It was for the first and only time, in Bender Fair history, that a student from Class C, picked up the trophy, and raised it up in the air. It was a milestone for Class C, and the teacher was too happy to think of what was going to happen next."
"So, Class C had finally won?" Alex asked.
"Yes, but no."
"What do you mean?"
"Well, after being humiliated at the tournament, Class A's hate for Class C increased dramatically. The student who won the tournament, got promoted to Class A, but the students wouldn't accept him, and began tormenting him mentally. Unfortunately, his teacher met with an accident, and was no more in this world. So, there was no one, who could support him. After a few months, the student could not take it, and was forced to leave the institution.
"He left? But he was strong enough to take on them!" Alex said.
Mr. Benji shook his head,"He would be outnumbered, and also, he never liked fighting.
"The years passed, and many of the students of Class A became teachers for the same school. They still hadn't forgotten their humiliation, and began encouraging the discrimination against Class C. And they're still teaching here. That's why Class C suffers to this day."
He looked very serious. I asked,"But how are you related to this?"
He said,"You see, the student, who won the Bender Fair," he looked at me, straight into the eye,"was me."
"Hold up.." Alex said,"So, it was you, who was..."
Mr. Benji nodded.
"Explains the frowns at school. But... why didn't you protest against it?"
He shrugged,"I don't know. Maybe I was tired of this constant bullying, and, just wanted to run away, and have a peaceful life."
"But did you?"
He laughed,"As a matter of fact, I didn't. I joined the army, and worked together with John's father. Not a peaceful life in the army. I served there until last year's, when John's dad decided to retire. I then explored the world, and became a millionaire. And now, I'm training you all."
"Why did you come back?" Anne asked.
"Because, I'd finally found the courage and confidence inside me to face them, I guess," he said,"I've seen immense potential in each of you. This tournament, it's as important for me, as it is for you all. You may have to win, but I need to win. I've come back, to show the others that Oliver Benji is better than anyone in Class A."
He sighed,"I don't think I should have told this. Still, I just want to say, that the teachers will do anything to prevent you guys from winning."
"But," Alex grinned,"We'll win this, and show them who's boss!"
I smiled,"Thank you, Mr. Benji, for motivating me even more! I'll push myself to the absolute limits if I have to!"
Anne nodded and smiled,"Me too!"
Gordon said,"These people are bullies. I like 'em, but there's only one bully in town, and that's me."
Benji smiled,"I'm sure you all will do good. Now, let's get some rest while we can, we need to make preparations for our journey to Mira tomorrow!"