"That's your gym bell. You'd better change into your gym clothes," Estron reminded him.
Mel nodded and reached for the doorknob. "And, Professor Estron, I hope I can help you with your class tomorrow." With that, he walked out of the room, leaving Estron in a moment of reflective silence.
A few minutes later, Mel walked down the corridor in his gym shorts and shirt and his gym bag in hand. As he approached the gym, he peeked through the door and saw his classmates stretching and chatting. When he entered, the room immediately buzzed with whispers and giggles. "Are they happy I embarrassed the teacher? I'm confused," he thought.
His eyes landed on Jake Knight, who was sitting at the top of the bleachers, scribbling in a notebook. Despite the laughter and chatter around him, Jake seemed absorbed in his work.
Mel climbed the bleachers and sat beside Jake, who jumped slightly. "I didn't even hear you coming," Jake said, a bit nervously, as he quickly tried to cover the notebook.
"What's that?" Mel asked. Jake fumbled to put the notebook away, forcing a smile. "Just homework, nothing special!"
Before Jake could react, Mel had already taken the notebook and was flipping through the pages. "This is—"
Jake's hands fidgeted nervously. "He's going to show everyone. That's just what popular kids do. It's like a law of school." He lowered his head in shame.
"—Amazing!" Mel finished, marveling at the drawings of a knight laid out like a comic book. "I've never seen anything like this, well there were drawings in the Bastille but they were usually written in blood by the psycho ones." He made a finger gesture to his head as he mentioned the crazies of the bastille. Jake picked his head up and his eyes widened in surprise. "You like it?" He was looking for any signs of bullying but he literally couldn't find any in Mel's face.
"So, Jacob the Knight is you?" Mel asked, his tone curious. Jake rubbed his knees nervously. "W-well, yeah. It's how I picture myself if I had magic and tech. Jacob's got a sword that ignites in different colored flames with electricity. But I guess I'm just dreaming a little too big."
Mel shook his head and handed the notebook back to Jake. "You'd probably be super strong. But why didn't you give Jacob your scar?" he asked.
Jake shrugged, instinctively covering his right eye. "It's not something I'm proud of," he mumbled.
Suddenly, a red ball came hurtling toward Jake's face, but Mel's hand shot out, catching it just inches before impact. The force of the catch sent a sharp gust of wind past Jake, who blinked in surprise, staring at the ball clutched in Mel's hand. The room fell silent for a moment as the students around them watched in awe.
Mel noticed three boys approaching the bleachers, each wearing crowns on their heads with an air of entitlement. The one in the middle, who carried himself with arrogance, spoke first. "Hey, Melanthius. What are you doing hanging out with the white cards? A black card like you should be with the red cards," he said, his tone dripping with condescension.
Jake averted his eyes, staring at the ground to avoid the boy's gaze. "That's Sethanarius Crorid," Jake whispered to Mel. "He's a red card and the prince of the Crorid Dynasty. He got in here by recommendation."
Mel stood up, his eyes narrowing as he looked down at Sethanarius. "Did you throw this ball?" he asked, holding it up. "It could've really hurt Jake." His voice was calm, but there was a sharp edge to it, a subtle warning that didn't go unnoticed by the boys.
"We're just kids having fun, like you did when you totally beat up Professor Estron," Sethanarius said with a smirk, and the other two boys burst into laughter.
Mel's hand tightened around the ball, his knuckles turning white. "I didn't beat him up…" he thought, frustration bubbling beneath the surface. After a moment, he loosened his grip and let out a controlled breath. "Yeah, just kids having fun," he muttered, his voice flat.
Without even looking at the hoop on the far end of the court, Mel casually tossed the ball. It arced perfectly through the air and dropped cleanly through the net, the satisfying swish echoing through the gym. "Touchdown," Mel mumbled, clearly out of his depth with sports terminology.
He sat back down as laughter erupted around the gym, most of it directed at Sethanarius. The prince's face darkened, his fists clenching as he stormed over to the bleachers. "You think you're real funny, don't you?" he snarled, eyes locked on Mel.
Before Sethanarius could get any closer, the gym doors burst open, and the coach strode in, his whistle piercing the air. The tension evaporated as everyone snapped to attention. "Alright, listen up! I'm calling roll, so get on the line and zip it!" the coach barked, his voice echoing through the gym.
Everyone, including Mel and Jake, quickly lined up on the black line, their chatter instantly silenced.
"Jake Knight! White card!" the coach called out.
"Present!" Jake responded.
"Tomas Stone! White card!"
"Here!" Tomas replied.
"Sasha Frost! Red card!"
"Beautifully present!" Sasha sang out, flashing a confident smile.
"Piper Willows! Yellow card!"
"Here, I guess," Piper muttered, barely audible.
"Leo Hunter! Yellow card!"
"Yes, sir!" Leo answered, standing a bit taller.
"Sethanarius Crorid! Red card!" the coach shouted, and Sethanarius bowed slightly, "Here, coach!"
The coach continued down the line, calling out the names of nine more students.
"And finally, the class's black card, Melanthius Shadowbane!" the coach called out, his voice booming.
Mel, lost in thought, snapped back to reality. "Uh, present!" he stammered, raising his hand slightly as he realized everyone was watching him.
The coach sighed, checked off Mel's name on the clipboard, and set it aside. "Alright, class, today we're playing a little game I like to call 'Catch the Black Card,'" he announced, a smirk playing on his lips as he eyed Mel.
A few moments later, Mel stood alone at the far end of the gym, his arms tied behind his back. He shifted slightly, adjusting to the restraints, and called out, "Coach, sir, I don't quite understand how this is a game?"
The coach chuckled darkly. "Well, to level the playing field a bit, I figured it'd be fun to let the other students feel what it's like to take down a black card. And let's be honest, it's going to be entertaining."
Mel nodded, rolling his shoulders to loosen up. "Thank you, sir! I appreciate that you have such high expectations for me!" he said, bowing as best he could.
"Yeah, sure," the coach muttered, his smirk widening as he pressed a 10-minute timer. "Here's the deal, class! Anyone who can land a hit on the black card gets no homework for the rest of the semester. And as for you, Shadowbane, if anyone hits you, those ropes stay on for the entire semester. But if you manage to dodge every attack, you get a free 'A' in gym, and everyone else runs laps every time they step into this gym. Now, let's see what you're made of! Start!"
The gym erupted in excitement as the students prepared to take their shot at Mel, who remained calm and focused, ready for whatever was coming his way.
Suddenly, the entire class surged toward Mel, their collective cries filling the air. Mel could hear the thundering of footsteps as they closed in. Leo Hunter, the first to reach him, aimed a kick at Mel's side. Mel barely managed to dodge, his reflexes saving him as he tumbled to the ground. With a quick twist, Mel knocked Leo off his feet and sprang back up, scanning the sea of determined faces closing in on him. "This is intense! These students are relentless. I wonder if Elowen and Dorian face challenges like this," Mel pondered to himself.
Meanwhile, Elowen stood with an air of regal poise, her arms behind her back. The remnants of her classmates, nursing various bruises, lay scattered behind her. "I'm afraid I must be stern with all of you. As a future queen, it's my duty to enforce discipline," she announced, her voice a harmonious blend of authority and grace.
Elsewhere in the gym, Dorian sat atop a heap of his classmates, breathing heavily with his arms bound behind him. He surveyed the scene with a satisfied smile. "Looks like I won this round," he muttered, catching his breath.
Back on Mel's side, he sprinted desperately from the crowd of pursuing students. He leapt up the wall and onto the ceiling, thinking he had momentarily evaded them. But suddenly, the yellow and red cards clicked their shoes together, transforming them into powerful boosters. They zipped up the wall, hot on his heels. Mel's eyes widened as he sprinted across the ceiling, barely staying ahead.
Sethanarius, pushing others aside with determined force, barreled toward Mel. "You're mine, Melanthius!" he roared, engaging in a frenzied assault of punches and kicks. Mel deftly dodged and countered with his legs, the ceiling adding a disorienting twist to the fight. "Fighting upside down is really messing with you, isn't it?" Mel taunted, noticing Sethanarius's growing discomfort.
Sethanarius's face turned a sickly green, and he suddenly lost control, vomiting. The spew fell in a grotesque arc, landing splat on the coach's face. The coach's horrified yell echoed through the gym as he furiously wiped his face with a towel. "Sethanarius, you're getting detention for that!" he roared.
Mel seized the moment, targeting Sethanarius's booster shoes. He stepped on them with precision, causing Sethanarius to lose his grip and plummet from the ceiling. Sethanarius's scream pierced the air as everyone below gasped in shock. "Sethanarius!" Sasha cried out in alarm.
With a swift breath, Mel drew in a deep inhale, his mouth filling with dark energy. He exhaled, releasing a swirling white cloud that expanded beneath Sethanarius, creating a cushion for his fall. The mist enveloped Sethanarius, gently softening his descent and preventing any serious injury.
Mel let out a sigh of relief, observing the cloud beneath him. "It's just like the rainbow I made earlier," he mused. He conjured another cloud and leaped onto it, descending gracefully to Sethanarius. "Are you alright?" he asked, extending a hand.
Sethanarius looked up at him, eyes wide with disbelief and confusion.
From behind, Jake, who had been watching the chaos from the sidelines, took advantage of the moment. He discreetly pulled Mel's leg, causing him to lose his balance. Mel tumbled off the cloud, landing softly on the gym floor with a surprised grunt. Jake took the opportunity to give Mel a gentle but firm tap on the chest.
The coach blew his whistle and clapped enthusiastically. "Jake Knight landed a hit on the black card!" he announced, his voice echoing through the gym. The class buzzed with confusion and murmured among themselves.
"Is that really fair?"
"Mel must have let him get that hit."
"No way that pig actually managed to hit Mel, especially being a white card."
Laughter and whispers filled the room as the students exchanged incredulous looks and comments.
Mel scanned the room, his fists clenched in frustration as he prepared to defend Jake. Before he could act, Sethanarius leaped off the cloud and cast a fierce glare over the students. "What did you just say? Repeat it," he demanded, his voice dripping with menace. The students fell silent, their eyes averting from his intimidating presence.
Seth then turned to Jake and bowed his head respectfully. Jake's eyebrows lifted in surprise, and a smile slowly spread across his face. He nodded in acknowledgment, his gratitude evident.
A few moments later, the bell rang and the students changed out of their gym clothing and headed to lunch. Mel and Jake walked to the dining commons. "Sorry for the sneak attack earlier, I kinda thought that if I did something cool like take you down, then I'd get liked in the class, but that was a mistake to think so." He scratched his head nervously. Mel shook his head. "The rule was if you win you get an A, and you did. I'm just lucky that the coach didn't make me do the rope thing since I saved Seth." Mel sighed reassuringly and Jake put his finger to his chin. "By the way, I've been wondering about that, are your powers only based on the sky stuff?" he turned to look up and Mel. "Well, you probably saw outside when I created that rainbow," He pulled out his small book and showed it to Jake and opened it, showing blank pages. Jake reached for it but Mel pulled back. "Don't, in the Bastille nobody was able to lift it, and when I fought Draven, he said it felt like it weighed 1 trillion tons."
Jake tilted his head in confusion. "So, why do you keep it? The pages are blank." As he said this, Mel closed the book and pocketed it. "I know, but when I open it, I can see a bunch of things, like spells and hexes. I never used my powers so I use soft stuff."
They walked into the dining commons, and Mel's eyes widened in astonishment. The space was immense, with high, vaulted ceilings that seemed to stretch on forever. Long, polished wooden tables filled the room, each surrounded by plush chairs upholstered in rich, deep colors. The walls were adorned with intricate tapestries depicting scenes of historical battles and mythical creatures, adding a touch of grandeur.
Soft, golden light from elegant chandeliers illuminated the room, but it was the blend of old-world charm and cutting-edge technology that truly caught Mel's eye. Embedded in the tables were touch-screen interfaces where students could place orders, request special dietary options, or call for service. The screens were seamlessly integrated into the wood, their presence discreet yet undeniably advanced.
At one end of the hall, a grand buffet stretched out, offering an array of delectable dishes. Above the buffet, holographic displays floated, projecting images of the day's menu items and their nutritional information. The aroma of freshly prepared meals wafted through the air—roasted meats, vibrant vegetables, and freshly baked bread. There were also several stations where students could have their meals customized, including a robotic pasta chef that twirled and mixed ingredients with precision and flair.
Hovering servers, sleek and unobtrusive, glided between the tables, delivering drinks and clearing plates. The floor was equipped with smart sensors that adjusted the room's climate to ensure optimal comfort. Students chatted animatedly, their voices mingling with the soft whir of technology in the background.
The atmosphere was a perfect blend of casual comfort and refined elegance, where the latest advancements in technology enhanced the traditional dining experience, creating a welcoming and efficient space where students could unwind and enjoy their meals.
Mel spotted Dorian and Elowen sitting at the prominent black card table, accompanied by Amara, Cassius, Astroman, Laurel, Embrys, Kali, Jasper, Kai, and Draven. The table, set apart by its sleek, black finish, seemed to glow subtly, signifying its importance. Elowen caught sight of Mel and waved him over with a warm smile.
Turning to Jake, Mel said, "It looks like the seating is color-coded, but I can ask if you'd like to join us." Jake, however, shook his head with a grin. "It's fine, I actually prefer sitting alone."
Mel gave Jake a friendly pat on the back and watched as he made his way to a nearby table. With a nod of understanding, Mel headed towards the black card table, where Elowen and the others greeted him with nods and waves. As he approached, Mel felt the blend of excitement and formality in the air, a subtle reminder of the different world he was navigating.
Mel took a seat at the black card table and greeted everyone with a friendly wave. "Hey guys, how was class?"
Dorian, Elowen, and the other black cards—excluding Draven—leaned in, their eyes wide with curiosity. "You really beat up a teacher?!" they exclaimed in unison.
Startled by their reaction, Mel leaned back and shook his head. "No, no! That's not what happened!"
Elowen grabbed his hand, her eyes alight with excitement. "Then what happened?!" she pressed eagerly.
Mel hesitated, swallowing nervously. He thought of Professor Estron and how he didn't want to get him into trouble. With a sigh, he finally said, "I didn't beat him up. He was trying to help me, but I accidentally… uh, smashed him through a window."
He lied, forcing himself to keep a straight face.
Mel tapped the screen to select his food, but nothing happened. Frustrated, he tapped again, harder this time. When the screen still didn't respond, he jabbed his finger into it—only for his finger to punch right through, shattering the tablet. "My bad!" Mel jolted in surprise, while the other black cards collectively sighed, facepalming at the mishap.
As the tablet quickly regenerated itself, Amara slid it away from him with a roll of her eyes, crossing her legs. "What do you want to eat?" she asked, swiping the screen effortlessly.
Mel leaned in close, peering at the screen over Amara's shoulder. "Hm, not too different from what I got in the Bastille, but back there, it was only because people were scared of me," he mused, glancing at her. Amara leaned back slightly, giving him some space. "What would you get?" he asked.
With a sigh, she gently pushed his face away and tapped a few selections on the screen. The table surface slid down, then smoothly rose back up, presenting a meal of meat, orange juice, and a few cookies.
Mel started eating, savoring each bite, while Draven turned to Dorian and Elowen. "How were your first two classes?" he asked, casually picking his teeth with one of his claws. Elowen crossed her legs, leaning in with a confident smirk. "My first class was flawless, and as for the gym, I easily took down everyone in 'Catch the Black Card.' It wasn't even a challenge," she boasted.
Dorian scoffed, his tone dripping with annoyance. "Ha, I did it without breaking a sweat, but whatever. Mel probably crushed everyone in a split second," he said, rolling his eyes.
Mel looked up, his cheek smeared with sauce and his mouth full. "Nope, I lost," he mumbled.
Dorian's eyes widened in surprise before slamming the table with a smug grin. "HA! I knew I was better than you!" he exclaimed, his voice echoing through the cafeteria, drawing everyone's attention.
"Isn't that the black card who cried like a baby when Mel saved him from falling off the cliff?" someone jeered, setting off a wave of laughter in the cafeteria. Dorian's face reddened as he lowered his head in shame. Mel placed a comforting hand on his shoulder, trying to ease his embarrassment.
Astroman took a bite of his steak, casually using his zero gravity magic to float his drink to his lips for a sip. "So, freshmen, ready for the last class of the day?" he asked, a sly grin forming as the upperclassmen Black Cards started snickering.
Elowen raised an eyebrow, setting down her fork. "I thought there were only four periods in a day."
"That's true… for the non-Black Cards," Kai chimed in, barely containing his laughter. "We've got one more class, and trust me, it's the best one in the entire school!"
A few moments later, the twelve Black Cards found themselves at a pristine beach within the kingdom. "Beach time!" the upperclassmen shouted, already in their swim trunks as they sprinted toward the sparkling water, their excitement infectious.