It's the end of the day, and all the Year Six students are gathered together due to an assembly being called at the last minute.
Since nobody is standing at the front yet, anxiety spreads throughout the hall. Murmurs and chatter continue to grow among the students as many assume it might be about the drug situation again.
However, it isn't their Head of Year, Mister Alfred, who steps onto the pulpit this time.
Nor is it Gaedric.
Instead, the very person who appears instantly silences the entire hall.
"Good afternoon, Year Six."
A composed yet deeply authoritative voice echoes through the assembly hall.
Headmaster Reuben.
Immediately, students glance at each other without speaking, all silently asking the same questions.
What's Headmaster Reuben doing here?!
Are we in trouble?!
We definitely are!
Shit… I'm actually scared!
Whoever got caught with drugs again is seriously finished!
Meanwhile, from the stage, Reuben can clearly see how nervous the students are. Nearly every single child looks drenched in sweat.
This is why I told her she'd be better off delivering this announcement instead, Reuben thinks to himself, referring to his deputy, Simeon.
However, a few students catch his attention.
First—Gage.
It's painfully obvious the boy is terrified, yet he stubbornly wipes away his sweat and forces himself to maintain eye contact with the Headmaster.
Hoh… he's a little brave one, isn't he?
It's honestly quite cute that he wants me to notice he's holding eye contact.
Then Reuben's eyes shift toward Kurtiz.
Instantly, a scornful expression flashes across Reuben's face.
The effect is immediate.
The entire Year Six turns pale as if they've seen a ghost.
Gage immediately loses his nerve and looks away. "Damn it… why'd he have to make that face for?" he mutters quietly.
Reuben quickly relaxes his expression again, subtly calming the year group. Why did I even make that face? That was more reflex than intention, Reuben thinks, surprised at himself. It started when I looked at that boy…
His gaze drifts back toward Kurtiz.
Kurtiz is staring firmly at the ground, shoulders tense, not daring to look up.
He looks terrified.
But Reuben narrows his eyes slightly.
That student is pretending.He isn't scared.So why put on the act? I don't sense any fear coming from him.Who is he?I remember the faces—and sometimes even the names—of every student that comes through this dojo. Especially faces…I don't ever recall seeing that student before.Hmm… maybe old age is finally catching up to me?
Reuben's eyes then fall on Ami, which causes the Headmaster to grin slightly, showing a bit of teeth. The reaction immediately confuses some of the Year Six students, while others raise their eyebrows.
Ami just stands there gleefully smiling, his eyes sparkling with energy.
He's sooo cool! So super freaking cool! He's the Headmaster of the whole dojo! I've seen him a couple times before, but wow! He's sooo cool! Does that mean he's the strongest?! Wow! He's sooo cool!
That boy, Ami, doesn't have a speck of fear inside him. Maybe it's his child-like innocence… which is healthy for a kid his age, Reuben thinks.
A lot of children these days lose that innocence because they try too hard to grow into adults too quickly… and because of that, they develop fears they shouldn't even have at their age.
And lastly…
Reuben purposely leaves one student for last.
That student has been waiting for him to look his way.
No fear.
No pretending.
The moment their eyes meet, it almost feels like they're about to fight.
Gaedric's son… Gadeon Zebulun.
He's sizing me up, eh? That cheeky boy…
He's different from the rest of these students. It isn't innocence, nor is he forcing himself, nor pretending… it almost feels natural to him. Like an animal sensing another presence entering its territory and instinctively trying to assert dominance.
He's the complete opposite of Gaedric…
"Thank you for your patience and for gathering here today."
The Headmaster finally speaks again, causing every student to straighten up anxiously.
"No need to be scared… this has nothing to do with any negative report, that I can assure you."
The entire year group collectively sighs in relief.
However, we did conduct our own investigation and gather information… but that isn't for us to tell you.
"The purpose of this assembly is to discuss the upcoming Flexstival, which will be taking place soon to determine which students will represent the Aqua Tribe in the Super Giant Battle Royale."
The previous fear completely washes away.
Now the hall is filled with excitement, determination, seriousness, and anticipation.
"But as your form tutors should've already explained… unfortunately, not all of you can participate in the Flexstival."
The students instantly tense up again.
"However… this time, we want to do things differently. Rather than relying solely on teachers' opinions and selections like previous years, we want to give you the opportunity to fight for it. To show off your skills and truly earn your place."
Reuben pauses.
"And this doesn't only apply to those who can use Chi-Lungs."
Every student wearing a mask immediately freezes in shock.
Many of them had already assumed this assembly had nothing to do with them.
One masked boy nervously raises his hand.
The courage impresses Reuben.
"I remember your face, but not your name. Tell me what it is, boy."
"Asahel."
"That's a nice name. What is it you want to say, Asahel?"
"Do we… the ones who can't breathe in the space of Thalassar… can we really participate in the Battle Royale?"
"Asahel," Reuben says reassuringly, "we live in an unfair world… aren't you tired of being told no from the very beginning?"
Asahel—and many of the other masked students—deeply take in those words.
"Your fellow students from previous years who walked through these dojo grounds were never given the same privilege as those who could use Chi-Lungs to represent their tribe. They were hidden away… and at times, never even allowed to try."
Reuben's voice deepens.
"But I'm the Headmaster. I make the rules."
"If anyone dares tell you that you can't participate, I personally invite you to my office so you can tell me who said it. I will deal with that person myself!"
The masked students stare at him in disbelief.
"However, Asahel, I won't favour you—or anyone else who can't use Chi-Lungs. I don't know how you'll do it, but you must prove that you're capable enough to fight in the Battle Royale!"
"YES SIR!" Asahel shouts from the depths of his lungs, fired up after hearing such encouraging words directly from the Headmaster.
"So before the Flexstival against the Deep Current Dojo… each of you will first compete against one another."
Murmurs begin spreading again.
"How? Through your form groups."
Each student immediately begins glancing at their classmates.
"Each form group will battle against the others, competing in many different areas—speed, strength, intellect, strategy, survival, and more. Teachers will observe, examine, and score all of you."
"So from now on… your form group is your team."
"And whichever form group gains the most points will earn the right to enter the Flexstival, represent our dojo… and potentially move on to the Battle Royale itself if they succeed. Your form tutors will explain the rules and the different games in more detail…"
Reuben pauses dramatically.
"We call this event before the BIG Flexstival…"
A grin stretches across his face.
"THE FLEX-LYMPICS!"
The entire hall erupts.
"WHAAAT?!"
"THAT SOUNDS SO COOL!"
"FLEX-LYMPICS?!"
"WE'RE ACTUALLY COMPETING?!"
"And it begins…"
Reuben raises his hand slightly.
"…at the start of next week."