"So, here's what I suggest." Peter clasped his hands together, his grin as wide as a cat who'd just caught a mouse. "Since there are nine of us, and three of us are determined to get the game first, why not make it a proper challenge? We split into three groups of three. Each group works to recover the game on they're own,or rather with our groups only. First one to pay for it wins. No stealing it outright, of course—this is a battle of strategy, not robbery." He paused, his tone turning mock-serious. "For instance, let's say I recover the game first but haven't paid yet, and Ann here manages to snatch it and buy it before me. That will be fair game."
Peter's eyes scanned the group like a teacher waiting for a response to a rhetorical question. "Questions, my dear pears?"
The room fell silent. A few exchanged glances, but most seemed to be processing his words. Mario, who had been leaning against the wall, stood straight and crossed his arms.
"You know what, you son of a bitch?" Mario said, pointing a finger. "I'm in."
Ann smirked, brushing a stray strand of hair behind her ear. "It'll be fun watching you two cry," she said coolly, already picturing their defeat.
George threw his hands in the air. "Wait, wait, wait! You think this is a better idea than just—oh, I don't know—doing what I suggested? A simple, straightforward plan?"
Peter's grin widened as he wagged a finger. "On paper, maybe. But this is way more fun. Besides," he added with a dramatic flourish, "it'll give us all a chance to work on our Animis. See we're doing something responsible by also practicing. Isn't it better this way giogio.
George's jaw worked furiously, he sighted and ignored him.
"Good." Peter clapped his hands. "Now, since we're officially doing this, let's form our teams. Mario, Ann, and I will each lead one group,for obvious reasons.Naturally, I call dibs on Emily and Angelo."
"You're doomed," Angelo muttered, shaking his head, but there was a faint trace of amusement in his voice.
"Unfortunately I agree with your stupid cous." Said Emily. "But your mom will be mad if I let you unsupervised."
"Appreciate it...maybe." peter said while caughing.
"Geo and Eva, you're with me," Ann declared, shooting Peter a competitive glare. Who in his part rolls his eyes, unimpressed.
"Perfect," Mario said, slapping George on the back so hard he nearly stumbled. "I'm taking this grump. And Lucilia." He turned to the latter. "You good with that?"
Lucilia shrugged. "Fine by me. Although I don't really care so don't except much. However peter, you mentioned how we will have a chance to practice our Animis, how so?"
George raised a hand in protest. "Hold on—"
"Great, that's settled. And thanks for asking Lucy," Peter interrupted cheerfully. "Now, let's get to the good part: how Animis factors in. After all, this isn't just about winning; it's about using what we've learned." He gestured broadly, like a professor addressing a lecture hall. "Ok it isn't but suppose it is *cough**cough*"
"Did you just." Mario was about to comment how Peter literally said "cough cough". But he stopped.
"What is it?"
"N-Nothing."
"Ok so Animis is our power, sure, but it's also a reflection of our soul, our willpower, our potential. It shapes us as much as we shape it. And, as you all know, society depends on it—for work, for study, for, uh, drug-dealing—"
"EHHH?" Emily interrupted, raising an eyebrow.
"Fun fact!" Peter said brightly. "Did you know that drug cartels have started using Animis to make their products stronger, purer, more addictive? Of course, it's also made things more dangerous for them. Cops with Animis? Bad news for smugglers. Anyway, I digress."
"That has nothing to do with the challenge," George said, pinching the bridge of his nose.
"YEP.. you're really a cerial killer in the making." Emily said while shaking her head.
"True. But it's fascinating, isn't it?" Peter turned to Emily and handed her a small pocket mirror. "Here, take a good look at yourself. Maybe you'll start jugding yourself before others."
Emily didn't hesitate. She smashed the mirror over Peter's head, sending him sprawling to the ground. "Oops," she said sweetly, twirling a lock of hair. "Accident."
Mario, without skipping a beat kicks Emily on the face and she flies to a tree nearby breaking her spine.
"Can we get back on track?" Ann asked, rubbing her temples. "Eva, can you heal them?"
Eva nodded, kneeling beside Peter's unconscious form first. "Sure. As long as they won't try to kill eachother."
Mario crossed his arms, watching as Eva's Gamdogja ability enveloped Peter and Emily in a soft glow. "There's your answer, Lucilia. This challenge gives us a reason to practice in real scenarios. You never know when you'll need to heal someone—or stop someone from killing you over a mirror." peter laughed.
"Fair enough," Lucilia said, while going up to Emily to heal her. In case your wondering how Lucilia is able to heal people. You see,in case your wondering I'm the narrator and I'm the one talking,yeah. So the Animis is separated in 6 different types of Animis , oddly enough all od the groups are able to use Animis(they're not masters but still),which we won't explain now because you'll learn as we go along. Animis was discovered...well we don't know when it was discovered, HOWEVER, we found out about it about 70 years ago. Back then not many were able to use it ,very few people were aware of it and all that. Again I'm ranting too much about things that will be discovered slowly slowly. What you need to know however,is that what Lucilia is using Gamdogja,which is mostly used from doctors,so basically healers...tha-that's how she is able to help other people. "And M.M. don't throw her to a tree again,it won't kill her it's just a pain in my but to help her,so don't."
"Noted," Mario said leaving a sight.
Peter groaned as he stirred, blinking groggily. "I think I'm better."
"You got what you deserved," George said dryly.
Peter sat up, rubbing his head. "Great. That means we're off to a perfect start."
The group collectively sighed.
"Alright," Peter said, jumping to his feet with renewed enthusiasm. "Let's meet back here Friday afternoon. Until then, no spying on each other. Play fair. And may the best team win!"
As the bell rang, signaling the end of their break, the students began to disperse. But the tension lingered, crackling in the air like an unspoken challenge.
"Make your cheeks ready for this Friday." Said Geo while rubbing his hands.
Emily smirks. "The one who talks the most falls the hardest."
"Gentlemen, and ladies," Peter says calmly, ignoring her jab, "you can deal with that on Friday."
A tense silence lingers before the group starts to disperse.