Narrated by Alex
I woke up at around 1 a.m., feeling dehydrated. I went to the kitchen, and drank some water. I looked out through the window, and saw John standing at the edge of the ledge. What was he doing there in the middle of the night?
I went outside, where John was absorbed in thought. I walked up to him, and said,"Is it too early for you to be here, or is it too late?"
John wasn't surprised even the smallest bit. He just said,"I'd say it's the perfect time for me to be here."
"Oh, well. But what're you up to?"
"Nothing much, actually. Just.... thinking."
"Thinking what?"
"About the 'system'."
"And what're you thinking about the system?"
"Just that, how and why did class C not protest against the unfairness imposed on them? I'm not even gonna assume they're unaware of this, because it's impossible for them to."
"What makes you think it's impossible?"
"The fact that this discrimination has been going on for more than two decades. They're sure to notice it!"
"Maybe they aren't revolting because they'd be outnumbered?"
"I don't know. But, they must do something against this!"
"Why don't we?"
He looked at me,"Huh?"
"I'm pretty sure I saw a billboard showing Chris as the best voted teacher at the institution. And you defeated his second best student. So, his other student is bound to be the best student of Class A."
"And?"
"So, if one of us four, manages to defeat the guy, it would prove, that Benji's the best teacher, right?"
"Maybe. But it would also depend on the potential of the student, and not only the teacher, so...."
"But still, the teacher is the one who helps you bring your potential out! So, if we defeat the student, Benji would become the best teacher?"
"Yeah, so?"
"Just imagine! If a person from Class C, becomes the best teacher of the school, wouldn't it make a big positive impact for Class C?"
John nodded, understanding,"I guess. But the question is, will we win?"
"We have to! We don't have any other choice!"
"Yeah. But we're moving in the dark. We never know what would hit us."
"Isn't that a situation in every tournament?"
"I know. But, this other student..." He produced a red flame on his palm,"Even if I didn't go full offense on Ethan, I was definitely defending in full power. And he had no problem in breaking through my defense, and gave me a pretty hard time."
He glanced at his shoulder, which was fine now.
"Just saying that, if Ethan could break the my defense, then this other person, must be even better than him. So, I don't know if I'll be able to hold against him."
"But we don't even know if we're gonna face him or not."
"I wouldn't keep my hopes up on that. We never know what could happen. And just in case we happen to face each other," he clenched his fist, extinguishing the flame,"I'll have to pull off one more technique."
"Which technique?"
"Well, not really a technique. Body, mind, and soul. I'll have to perfect these three as soon as I can."
"Body, mind, soul?" I asked, confused.
He nodded. Just then, my brain started to work, and it came to me, that Benji mentioned these words too.
"You don't mean....."
He nodded again.
"Are you insane? Benji himself said that it took him six years!"
"Well, I don't have enough time," he looked at his fist,"Even if It's above my capable limits, I'll have to break them, and somehow pull it off."
"Well, good luck for that! Cuz it's impossible to get so quickly!"
"You think it's impossible? Tell me, have you even tried?"
"No, but-"
"Then how do you know it's impossible? Because the others took longer? What if they never tried getting it quickly? What if it's actually possible?"
I shook my head,"John, are you absolutely sure you can do this?"
"I don't know. But I have to try. Because there's nothing else that I can do. We need to win this at any cost. And that is what will keep me going."
"You know, you ain't alone in this. Even I'm stressed, but I never thought of something this insane. But, then again, if you manage to pull this off, there's no way I'd be left behind! And that's why, I'll join you in this! If it's possible, we'll both pull it off!"
He smiled,"Wanna become insane with me?"
I smiled back,"Sure!"
We high fived, and John said,"Alright, I'll go to sleep now. Need to get some rest before going to Mira."
He went inside. I looked at the moon, which shone bright. A calming sight of the horizon compelled me to stay for some more time, and I went to sleep too.