Scene 1
Javi POV
"Yeah, that's them. They called it a welcoming ceremony before attacking us."
I glanced at the dudes standing outside a bar, wearing white uniforms with sky-blue accessories highlighting the uniform.
"Good. Then we'll start the school wars early. Xavier, if you get beat up again, I'll beat you for embarrassing me."
I listened to Ron as the rest of the second years pulled out pipes and wooden planks.
"Remember, boys, no broken bones or fatal injuries. If we use astral energy, all the teachers in the district will come hunting us down."
Ron gave us the nod as everyone rushed toward the bar.
All ten of us double-teamed one person each.
"Remember me? You said, 'Go call our upperclassmen!' Now let's go for round two!"
The only one who got thrashed earlier was the loudest of us three, as my target spotted me and tried to turn and run.
I only got a pipe thrown at his leg as he tried to escape. The second year backing me up was on point with his last-minute throw.
He nodded to me before swapping targets to help triple-team Xavier's target, the biggest of the group from Horizon Academy, as Ron stood back watching.
"Wait, we didn't know they were with the Hounds—"
One of them tried to talk their way out, only to get his lights turned off by Ron's fist.
"Does it matter which faction they're running with at Odin's Academy? We'd come hunt you guys down for touching even the Studies Department. Make sure you let the rest of your groups know."
Ron spoke to the remaining ones still fighting as I had already finished my guy.
With him needing another person to pin me down, this time he was taught the lesson that individual strength only compounds with similar or higher-level teammates.
"Come on. Let's get back to the club for a drink. You three earned it. Now you just need to get an emblem to be let into our section with Thomas."
I felt a pat on my shoulder as Ron nudged us out of the street and into the alleys.
The second years were already gone like smoke.
Scene 2
Javi POV
"Who told your giant ass to be such a lightweight? I swear you owe me and Xavier!"
I dragged Gabe into his dorm before leaving. Then I grabbed a slightly less drunk Xavier and tossed his arm over my neck.
"Come on, it's your turn. If you weren't lighter, I would've tossed you in there with Gabe."
I grumbled to myself as we stumbled our way down the hallway.
I used my astral energy to keep my mind as clear as possible, keeping my focus as if I were in a battle just to survive the second years' relentless encouragement.
I only ended up slightly better off than my two partners in crime.
"Javi, man, I've neve—never hadddd so mucchh funn. It's like havinnng brothe—"
He slurred his words before eventually turning them into a mumble as we turned the last corner.
He mumbled the entire time to himself, practically sleepwalking as I helped him to his room. His head hung as if he were already in dreamland.
I let his words ring through my head nonetheless as memories of a dead life came up.
Using his dorm as an escape from the memories, I focused on getting his key before tossing him inside with it.
"Be safe, Jav—"
I closed his door as he gave me a good night.
My mind relapsed into those memories, and I lost the edge I had held all night.