The sun had just started crawling out of the east, illuminating its light, calling an end to the night.
The wretched shadows already began to flicker, crawling back to their holes. And its rays permeated the four skyscrapers.
Their size in width was much larger than their height. With 50 floors and resembling designs, the four stared at each other in a stalemate from some distance.
These were the housing places for the commoners, two for girls and two for boys.
And currently, the youth were pushing aside their curtains, allowing the chilly dawn breeze to come through the window and slap them awake.
And joined with the rest, Nein was currently refreshing his ears to the sweet warbling of the birds. The wind didn't feel as cold to him with his muscles, so he rested his hands on the window and savored the delightful moment.
The area surrounding the four buildings was full of greenery and small wildlife. There was a single road where all the buildings connected, paved with brick tiles, it had a refreshing feel.
Slowly, his attention shifted from the peaceful scenes and on to more pressing matters he had put aside last night, "Team 2 has a beef with me." A cunning glint appeared in his eyes, "Either me or somebody from our team."
"I forgave him last day. But forgiving something and forgetting something are two parallel things." A mocking smile crept onto his face. A crazed carnivorous glint flashed in his eyes, "I feel it innate in me, in my nature." His canines grounded together, "I feel awful when somebody tricks me! so awful!"
A heavy sigh let loose from his mouth, "Let's wash up. I can't believe I will have to wake up this earlier every morning. Do they have to start grinding us right from when we start?" Just as he was about to open the door, a knock resounded from outside.
"Nein, wake up. We will get late." A girlish voice worriedly exclaimed from outside.
Just as Nein was about to respond, another brash and loud voice rebuked the guy, "You think he's gonna wake up with that sorry voice of yours? Step aside, Imma show you the ropes."
Hearing the heavy pattering noise nearly noisily, he flung the door open and greeted, "Good morn-"
A sudden yelp shut him up, and his eyes caught a big foot advancing right at his face, making him duck down abruptly.
The figure flew past him from up above before crashing into the floor.
Nein, stupefied, sat frozen in his place with his head tucked beneath his hands, "The shit happened?"
He could hear groans from his behind and suppressed sniggers from the front.
"Shit, shit!" As Nein slowly lifted his head like a scared kitty, he could hear heavy punches landing on the floor with profanities.
The sniggers slowly turned into a fit of coughing, beckoning him to snap out of his horror.
"Is this your everyday morning?" Nein glanced at the boy leaning against the door while clutching his chest.
Seeing his sallow expression, he asked, "H-Hey! Is he fine, Boris?" His head turned back at the feisty boy getting up on his feet with heavy furrows on his forehead, "Y-Yep! He just has that kinda... physique!"
Standing tall and straight at his 5.5 feet height, he winced planting his right foot. He had trimmed black hair, barely quarter the size of a finger, and wide, brown piercing eyes.
With his drab broad lips, he grumbled, "I tell him to do some exercises with me to build up some resistance but he never listens."
Nein's lips twitched, noticing Boris patting his muscles in his undergarments. "Anyways, whatcha think? Not bad, right?" Flashing a broad grin, Boris proceeded to make some professional poses.
He threw Nein a competitive glare, "Don't think you're the only one with muscles here."
Nein shook his head and shifted his eyes to Fuyon, "You alright?" He proceeded to support him by his shoulder.
Fuyon was right about Boris's height too, so he barely reached Nein's chest. When their skin made contact, Nein couldn't help but shiver, 'Cold!'
As he touched him, his coughing stopped and with heavy breaths, he collapsed into Nein's body.
"I-I'm fine. Thanks!" Fuyon gently peered into his jet-black eyes.
Nein's heart stirred. Fuyon had slender features, a chiseled nose, and a round face. Above his pale silver puppy eyes, which made anyone that looked into them shiver from the cold, his eyelids seemed ornate. Almost like a membrane of ice coated them.
"You are fine right?" Nein emphasized his words in worry.
"Yea! Thank you!" He pushed himself away, "I have this cold bout time-to-time; some heat does me well as always though, so nothing to worry." Fuyon winked.
"So girlish!" Nein mumbled under his eyes.
"Huh!? You said something?" Fuyon tilted his head, and with a black band, tied his shoulder-length metallic silver hair into a pointy topknot.
"Tch! If you just changed your hairstyle into a cuter one, there be no difference." Nein clicked his tongue in dissatisfaction.
"Hey! I do have ears you know?" Fuyon furrowed his brows before glancing at his watch, "We're getting late. Go freshen up while I prepare breakfast."
"You don't need help?" Nein asked, surprised.
"It's no big deal," Boris slapped Nein's back heavily, astonishing himself at the stiffness of his body, "He does this willingly and every day."
Nein looked at Fuyon for confirmation.
"Hmm!" Fuyon nodded, "I enjoy the fire."
"Yea," Nein nodded, biting his tongue and remembering last night when he walked in on the two having dinner. Fuyon had been wearing a sweater and muffler despite the AC being shut.
Apparently, Boris liked to sweat while Fuyon hated the cold. The two seemed to fit well despite the contrast.
"Now, don't let this muscle-head slow you down. You don't wanna get late." Fuyon pulled a tongue at Boris before running off, making the other grumble in annoyance.
Nein chuckled and headed to the bathroom.
***
Sometime later, Nein, Boris, and Fuyon, all dressed in their uniform, joined the many others on their walk to the training field. The two looked like kids next to Nein.
Nein flashed Fuyon an intractable look. He looked chubby due to the sweater underneath his shirt before shaking off his thoughts, 'I shouldn't pry.'
"Hey, you guys have been here for two months, right?" Nein recalled his chat with Rua. He learned the army kids had all shared rooms with older students.
These students had gotten in through an examination, two months ago, to be exact. He advised him two things, he should take advantage of the older kids' experience and also that these kids weren't only smart but... powerful!
'Those who paced the tests... must already have awakened their Crafts.' Nein grinned, he wanted to see them using it- that mystical power Qeff showed him. 'And... I wonder if I can use it too.' He glanced at his palms.
"Yep!" Boris nodded, "Though, I am pretty upset the army let a bunch of other kids in. And we, the testers, aren't even grunts yet. I bet over 99% of the kids from your batch haven't awakened their crafts. Talk about a waste of privileges."
Nein's eyes glinted hearing his last words. Just as he was about to ask about it, Fuyon elbowed Boris in the gut and retorted, "He didn't ask that so you could berate the new kids."
He turned his head toward Nein, "You want to know about the schedule right?"
Nein nodded helplessly, "I'm glad I have you."
"Huh? What about me!" Boris glared daggers at Nein.
Nein scoffed and looked back at Fuyon, "Please, do tell!"
Fuyon let loose a heavy sigh, "First," His eyes flashed despair, "We will begin with the Carnal Marathon."