Now we are caught up. Today; a Saturday, I had to wake up early, wear my watch and start my exercise routine. The watch given to me by the huntress had a modified version than my former watch. It had the exercise feature in which it could measure my heart rate and also record the count of my exercise. The storage space of the watch also increased by a cubic as my former watch had about a half a meter storage space.
I started with a squat. Continuing from 1 till 200,I didn't stop to rest. After completing that,I moved to sit- ups. My body was showing signs of exhaustion but I shook it off. I completed my sit-ups and got ready for the next exercise which was push-ups. I started from one and lasted till ten. Yeah, I couldn't carry myself any longer. I had to take a break for 5 minutes before continuing. I completed my pushups with difficulty. It wasn't easy at all. Next was the 10 km run. By this time,it was 4 am and pretty much dark but the academy had provided street lights so that the road would be visible to those moving on it. I started running and I ran for a kilometer before stopping. I lied down flat on the ground breathing deeply. It was hard. Is this what I'm going to do every day?, I asked myself.
It took two hours to complete this task. By then, some students and instructors were outside. Some even passed me twice and it was embarrassing. After finishing the exercise, I sat down on the ground gasping for air.
"First time?", I heard someone say to me. It was a guy in a jump suit.
"Don't worry, it get easier by the day. Just keep doing your part".
He left me almost immediately and went his way.
He's kind hearted,I thought.
I stayed in that position for a while before heading to my dorm; my usual dorm. I had a quick shower and took a brief nap. Waking up after,I started completing my assignment given by my professors. Some were easy, some weren't. I completed them and read to cover up for the week. After reading,I took a small box from my wardrobe. I had ask kofi the day before to give me one. I opened it and saw the ring there perfectly safe. I found them in my trousers after the meeting with us five. I was puzzled at first before remember what Mr Stone told me.
It's still safe. I wonder why he gave me this. Could this be a space ring?
I placed it back into the box and placed it in my watch storage.
I sat down back to think about what he said. His story was a sad one after been trapped from more than two century. The year I'm in presently is the year 350NA*. if I calculate the years, that's about 300 years and counting. I was back in thought and it took a while
I stood up after deliberating before leaving the dorm. I headed out to the cafeteria for breakfast and I met the guys there.They had eaten and were waiting for me I guess.
"Did you knock my door before leaving for the cafeteria?, I asked Kofi who had stood up to greet me.
"I did but you didn't answer. Figured out you were busy. You weren't answering your messages either"
"Oh crap", I said checking my watch. "I placed all notification on silent mode".
"I guessed you were trying to avoid distractions so I left".
"Good morning guys", I greeted the rest. We talked for a while before I had my breakfast.
"So what are your plans today",I asked the group after eating
"Normally",Kwami replied with his hand on his chin. "We should all have other extracurricular activities like pharmaceutical manufacture and science,blacksmithing,music and the likes but we haven't chosen any yet so.."
"We should all train together", Aluna interrupted making a sound with her hand
"That's a good idea"
"Uhmm I have to be somewhere by 2pm",I said looking at my watch. The huntress had sent a text to me stating that I should be early to her training practice.
"Where?", Kofi asked tilting his head.
"I have a commitment somewhere with a certain person",I replied smiling. Kofi was the only person I relate with. Excluding the other three, I don't talk to anyone.
Kofi nodded his head. I guess he was happy that I'm improving my social life a little
"Then what are we waiting for",Aluna said standing up . "Every minutes counts. Our mock is a few weeks away".
"About that",I replied wanting to clarify my thoughts. "What's the precentage of theory in our school grade?"
"It covers 30 percent of our grade", Annika answered.
She kept quiet up till now. I think she's shy if you ask me.
"Practical cover 60 percent and 10 is up to the professors to distribute".
"Oh I see. Thanks".
"You are planning to be top rank in theory?" Kofi asked concerned.
"There's nothing bad being top rank right?"
"You are literally inviting the wrath of the A class", Aluna replied sighting. "Don't say I didn't warn you".
"Thanks for the warning", I smiled.
By that time, I would be ready for them. I just need to finish this mock examinations first. It's planned out. These were the thoughts going on in my head.
"We have wasted time here", Aluna banged the table making some noise which in turn led all eyes to our table. "Let's go".
We all went to the training hall and started practicing.
Annika held her staff and started casting light magic to the dummy. Kofi and Kwami also practiced with their sword,some sort of technique I guess. What caught my eye was Alana. She wielded the spear with much grace. Wait a bit, this is the first time I'm seeing a woman using a spear. Her movement and precision were damn good. If they are this good and still the weakest,how much more those at C class or worse A class. How strong would they be? I shuddered.
Since I have few hours with them, I took a sword.
"To be sure", Kwami said looking at the Longsword in my hand. "You used two weapons during your fight with Ibe. Why?"
"Oh, to cover my weakness. So I used a sword for short range and a gun for long range. Still I lost."
"It's understandable",Kwami continued. "It would be something else if you did win. Still, it's not something you see everyday".
"Maybe it's because you are not sure of your primary enlightenment", Kofi said joining the conversation.
"I think I will still stick with a gun and sword",I shrugged.
"Your choice then", Kwami said and went back to his training.
I picked a wooden sword and started my own practice. Should I call it practice? Anyways I was swinging the sword in an amateurish manner.
"That's a bad way to train with a sword", Kwami grinned. "You can ask for help you know".
Why do I think he's watching my every move, I thought. Is he trying to assess me or...
"Ha ha. Can I now?"
"Absolutely"
He came to my side and taught me how to handle a sword. He improved my stance and assisted me in my movement. He also gave me some tips and helped me in my footwork. In no time I was moving from a sword apprentice to someone familiar with the sword
"You learn fast and that's terrifying. If you had mana. You'd be a monster".
"Oh crap!",I exclaimed putting back the sword in its scabbard and placing it on the table filled with different swords. "I gotta go. I'd see you guys later".
I left them and headed to the point where the huntress picked for my training. I arrived a second earlier to the agreed time.
"Well Femi",She smiled. "looks like you made it".
What's with her smile,I thought. Scary.
"I'm so sorry", I apologized bowing down. "I got carried away while training".
"Oh you were?", She said nonchalantly. "Then I shouldn't go easy on you. We are going to have a hand to hand combat session and it's going to be fun".
For you, I cried inside me.
"First of all,She continued throwing a bracelet to me. "Take this. It's an amulet. It's used to restrict the strength of the wearer to a desired rank. When the skill is complete, I need you to use it. Just to be on the safe side".
I took the amulet and placed it in my watch storage.
"Now are you ready?"
"Yeah"
"Okay"
She disappeared almost immediately and arrived mid-air in front of me and gave a three kick combo. The first attack landed on gut,the second my chest and third my face. I was thrown backwards by that move
Ah what happened to holding back, I whined in pain
"Why didn't you block my attack?", The huntress asked wanting to know my answer
"I just couldn't"
"But you saw every move I made, she said frowning her face.
"I did. I couldn't just react"
"Hmm", she was quiet for a few seconds. "You can see my attack but your response is slow. Okay then,I know what to do. Come at me"
"Huh", I stared at her silently.
"Just do it kid"
"Ok"
I ran towards her with my full speed and arrived with my fist directed to her face
She blocked and holding my hand,she twisted it and lowered me to the ground. I was defeated sadly.
"That was an obvious move. Adjust your footwork and use your brains to attack not your fist".
This continued till I was worn out. I lost every single time
"We will continue tomorrow", she said in a carefree manner. Obviously,she didn't break any sweat.
"Ok",I replied watching her leave.
I moved myself to my dorm room and slept off. I didn't even bother eating as I was so tired.
The next day came which was a Sunday and I woke up with pains in my stomach. I literally ran to the cafeteria and eat all the food as fast as I could. Luckily I didn't choke.
"Hey", I heard a voice greeting me. I turned around and saw Kwami smiling.
Creepy,I thought
"Oh, hi Kwami"
"Fancy seeing you here. I thought you would be in church".
Huh,I pondered. Oh, that's right. Today's Sunday. I'd forgotten.
Even though mana was introduced in this world. Africa did keep their cultural and religious heritage. The novel said so in Hina's arc.
"I would go after I'm through with my breakfast. What about you?"
"I did pray in the mosque",He answered taking his seat opposite me. "If that's what you are asking".
After eating, I left the cafeteria and headed to the church. It was quite full and I stayed at the back. It took two hours and we finished. I left to complete my daily exercise routine. On the way back to my dorm, I met a girl,she looked familiar so I moved closer to have a better look. She wore a blue t-shirt and jeans with white sneakers. She had a long black hair and a slender figure
"Hi",I said raising my right hand, smiling.
"Huh"
I saw her face properly. Pretty eyes with pink lips and a fair black skinned body
"I'm sorry to bother you",I continued. "But you just looked familiar. Do I know you?"
She kept silent for a while
"That's a bad pickup line you know.."
Wait what,i creased my brows.
"I don't have time for your nonsense. Be grateful I'm in a good mood or you would have spent your day in the infirmary".
I moved back. Clearly she's another league
"Ok nice meeting you then"
Why am I having this feeling of familiarity, I thought.
Off I went to my dorm and changed my clothes before heading to my usual beating....no training practice.
*****
"As usual, they always deliver", James said coming out of the hall. The show had ended and everyone was headed to their various destination
"I should thank Steve or maybe I shouldn't", He mused while walking. I did win the duel fairly.
James stopped walking as he heard someone call his name. He turned around and saw a girl wearing a pink gown with the love sign inscribed on it. She had freckles on her white skinned face and blue eyes. She had a slender body and an average height
"Hey", She smiled shyly. "I'm sorry for stopping you. Uhmm... I wanted to give you this.
She gave him a letter and left almost immediately.
"Oh" James said calmly. "She left. Should I read this?
That's the third time in a row. It's hard being in the spotlight".
"I see you have captured the heart of many girls",He heard a familiar voice say. "Needless to say, you do look charming".
A girl almost reaching his height. She had dazzling face and was blessed round her white skinned body. She wore glasses and had a huge smile on her face
"They don't stop Matilda. My father receives more proposal only to turn them down. Mostly, it's because of power and politics. I prefer love".
"Sounds like Shakespeare", Matilda scoffed rolling her eyes and taking her leave. "I'm out."
"Hey",James waved his hands running after her. "Wait up. Don't walk off like that.
An eye emerged from the shadows, watching them before disappearing. Suddenly the space between the two teens distorted and wrapped around them. Soon enough,they disappeared leaving only the letter falling down to the ground.
*****
My name is Oyin Adewole*. I was born from the second son of the main family. My family was part of the top 10 most powerful and popular family in Africa. We were ranked third. We had much resources and power that even the families above us were wary of our strength. After a week,the wife of the first son gave birth to twin. Everyone was happy. This was the first time twin were born in the family so I heard. We all grew up and I awakened before 5. I was called a genius and many people respected me. I practiced with the sword from an early age and I was a proficient sword user in no time. I loved archery and was good at it well. I met the twin some months after I awakened and we became play buddies. So I had two schedule;Train hard and play with the twin. Soon enough there was a commotion in the main family. The first son didn't awaken and he was said to be useless. His twin sister awakened. I heard an awakening potion was bought and given to the boy but he still couldn't awaken. He was casted out of the family despite the plea of his mother. His mother tried her best to bring him back but to no avail. In the end, a spell was used to erase all our memories of him. I was talking a walk today when a guy came up to me
"Hi"
I guess he didn't know me. Only ten people are allowed stare at my face and that's because I can't beat them yet.
"I'm sorry to bother you but you just look familiar. Do I know you?"
I was confused. I looked at his face and there was no expression of lust or longing, just curiosity.
I warned him and left. Till now,I still don't know why I did that but my heart hasn't been the same ever since. Why? I need to investigate..
*NA-New age
* Adewole- the crown has entered the house/family.