The sound of rustling bags grew louder as class was about to end. Students were packing their belongings, preparing for their next training course. Zephyr however, like usual remained in his seat as he watched both Nia and Christina begin to similarly clean up their work area.
"We'll be leaving first then," Nia said, standing up from her seat.
He nodded at her.
"See you guys later."
Regretfully, he still needed to remain in the lecture hall for supplementary classes. As the last of the students filed out of the room, the instructor called out to him.
"Mr. Vael. I would like to speak to you for a moment."
Zephyr frowned internally.
'Did he want to speak to me about my current grades? I did miss a couple weeks of class after all.'
"I'll be right there sir."
He walked up to the front of the classroom where Instructor Irrad stood behind his podium.
Zephyr braced himself, expecting a long reprimand about his poor academic performance and missed classes. But the instructor's next words took him by complete surprise.
"The dean has given you special permission to attend pilot training. From today onwards, you are not required to stay for supplementary lessons."
He blinked in disbelief. "Wait… what?"
Instructor Irrad gave him a small, approving smile.
"I watched your last duel. Although your academic capabilities don't quite match your practical skills, it seems like everyone here has misjudged you. You'll be joining the rest of your peers in pilot training starting today."
It took Zephyr a moment to process what he'd just heard. Weeks of struggling, of feeling out of place, and now he was finally being given the chance to do what he truly came here for. The weight of his earlier worries, the stress of lagging behind his classmates, suddenly felt a little lighter, as if a burden had been lifted off his shoulders.
"I appreciate this opportunity sir. I will do my best to catch up in the other areas I may be lacking in as well."
Instructor Irrad gave him a curt nod.
"Good. You're dismissed."
***
Zephyr practically skipped through the hallways, a grin plastered on his face as he ignored the strange looks from passing students and instructors. For once, he didn't care what anyone thought. He was finally going to be joining everyone else in pilot training, and that was all that mattered.
Humming a tune under his breath, he glanced at the time on his comm. He was still well within time to make it to the pilot training hall. Fortunately, Instructor Irrad hadn't kept him long.
As he made his way out of the lecture building, he saw the backs of both Nia and Christina heading towards the pilot training hall he had visited much too early in the morning.
To think he was going back so soon.
"Nia, Christina!" He called out behind them.
Both girls turned around at the sound of his voice. The blonde girl looked genuinely surprised, while Nia's expression softened slightly.
"I thought you had supplementary classes, Zephyr! How come you're out here already?" Christina asked, walking towards him with curious, quick steps.
"Wait…" Christina's eyes widened as a look of realization crossed her face.
"Did you sneak out?"
"Hell no!" Zephyr blurted out, his excitement turning into mock indignation.
He stuck out his chest slightly, pretending to boast.
"I have been given special permission from the old ha–I mean dean to attend pilot training with everyone!"
Christina narrowed her eyes skeptically.
"Really now?"
"What, you don't believe me?"
"I believe you," Nia suddenly interrupted. "After all, I'm the one you beat."
Although her tone didn't change, it was obvious what she was getting at.
Zephyr squinted.
"Why does it somehow sound like you're bragging?"
Nia's lips curled into the smallest hint of a smile.
"Because I am."
'Figures.'
He slung his bag over his shoulder as he began to walk beside them, matching their pace.
"Is there anything I need to know before I join you guys?"
Christina placed a hand on her chin mulling for a couple seconds before she replied:
"Since it is the first day of the week, we do a full physical assessment. You'll see when you get there."
Zephyr looked down at himself. Although he hasn't exercised in a while, he was quite confident in his physical abilities. After years of training and working with his father back at the workshop, Zephyr's body should be around the top percentile of kids his age.
The trio continued to chat until they entered the training hall.
Zephyr, not sure where to go continued to follow the two girls before Christina finally gave him a strange look.
"Um, we're heading to the girls' locker room now. The boys' locker room is in the other direction," she pointed in the opposite direction.
He felt his ears grow hot as he coughed dryly.
"I knew that. Yeah! I'll meet up with you guys after."
'Curses! Why didn't they tell me sooner?!'
Feeling slightly embarrassed, Zephyr turned around, making his way to the male locker room. As soon as he entered, the other students had a look of surprise on their faces.
Although it seemed like they were curious, they didn't say anything. Zephyr spotted the rows of lockers, each labeled with a name, and made his way to the very end. There, he noticed a familiar face—the tall kid who had caused trouble for him on his first day.
'I still can't recall his name.'
The lockers only had last names displayed. As Zephyr was about to greet him, suddenly he spoke first.
"I still haven't forgotten that kick you gave me."
'Kick?'
Oh right, that did happen didn't it?
Zephyr shrugged off the memory as he opened his locker using his virtual key, pulling out the simple white gym attire provided by the academy.
"Do you want an apology or something?" he asked in an uninterested tone.
The tall student slammed his locker shut with a loud bang, glaring at Zephyr with a mix of anger and indignation.
"After today's physicals, meet me on the mats."
"...I don't want to," Zephyr replied flatly, barely looking up as he continued to change.
"You…!"
Zephyr could've sworn he saw steam practically shooting out of the boy's ears.
"Yensen, relax."
A calm voice cut interjected.
'That's right! Yensen was his name.'
An athletic student with brown hair trimmed short stepped forward, placing a steadying hand on Yensen's shoulder. Zephyr recognized him immediately—Dominic Folin, one of the strongest pilots in their year.
"I don't believe we have spoken to one another before, Zephyr. I'm glad you are able to join us today," Dominic said politely.
Dominic turned to Zephyr, his expression composed and friendly, yet there was an unmistakable sharpness in his eyes, a sign of someone used to leading.
His tone was courteous, almost disarmingly so, as he extended a hand in greeting.
Zephyr glanced at the offered hand, momentarily taken aback by the formality, before reaching out to shake it. He also couldn't help but notice how quickly Yensen shut up as soon as Dominic came over.
"Likewise."
Dominic smiled for a moment before letting go of his hand.
"If you would like, I can show you around the training hall. This is your first time here, right?"
'Actually, I just visited earlier this morning with Nia.'
Although it was the truth, Zephyr kept his mouth shut. He didn't want to cause any more misunderstandings if anything. It seemed like a lot of the guys were quite displeased earlier in the lecture hall when Nia sat next to him. Plus it seemed like Dominic was genuinely offering out of goodwill.
So instead Zephyr swallowed and said:
"I would really appreciate that."
"Great!"
Dominic slung his arm around Yensen's shoulder while guiding him and the rest of the male students out of the locker room. Just before he exited the door, Dominic glanced over his shoulder before pointing up.
"We'll start with the track upstairs. After you finish changing, meet everyone up there."
***
The entire class crowded around two instructors Zephyr had never met before.
The male instructor had dark brown hair with a white academy jacket and joggers. He wore sunglasses as well as a whistle slung around his neck. If Zephyr had to describe his build, it would definitely resemble a bodybuilder.
The female instructor on the other hand was much more slender, with ginger hair cut short into a bob. She wore a similar outfit minus the sunglasses, showing off her stern amber eyes.
The bodybuilder instructor stepped forward.
"As you know, at the beginning of every week we hold physical assessments to gauge everyone's progress. Although breaking your own personal records week after week isn't required."
He paused before continuing.
"It is encouraged. Those who break their personal best are automatically given full marks."
The instructor's eyes swept through the crowd of students before landing on Zephyr.
"Also, those who have not done a physical yet, will be exempt from this. Do not worry about exceeding your classmates and simply do your best."
Zephyr closed his eyes with a wistful smile.
'Do my best…huh?'
He always did.