Ding! Ding! Ding! Ding!780Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPSACOeI6En
I jumped from my bed and groaned, rubbing my eyes. Grabbing my ribbon beside me, I tied it up into a bun and stretched my arms and legs. I put on my gray robes over my black, sleeveless top, wore my trousers, and slipped on my combat boots.780Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqy27dWvNkS
My bunkmate, Cassie just woke up from her sleep, got dressed, and looked at me. With tan skin and silky black hair, she had a small mole on the side of her lip, along with a red burn mark beside her left eye, indicating that she got that scar recently. "Morning, Bugsy," she yawned, wearing her red hairband. "Did you sleep well last night?"780Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUOqaVJR09a
I nodded. "Yeah, you?"780Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhV3zEWe5So
"I slept well," she glanced at me with her gray eyes, walking out of our quarters. "Now come on, we don't want to make Sergeant A'tynn mad."780Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXhi3xfoMPW
I gave a nod and rushed out of our quarters, catching up with Cassie. The hallway was bright and crowded, filled with shinies like me passing by, getting themselves ready for training. Some were brushing their teeth with their wooden toothbrush, others were passing the breeze with each other.780Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ05kRb1XqUz
Stepping into the mess hall, I find myself sniffing at the freshly-baked bread and hot, garlic soup, making my mouth water and my stomach grumble. I grabbed my tray and showed it to the cook, who served my meal to me. "Thank you," I bowed, as I headed to where Cassie and her friends were sitting, with stares of curiosity and hostility.780Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxbOdyc5CV3
Some fair folks covered their nose as they walked past me, while others scoffed at me, whispering with each other. I sighed as I ignored them and dipped my bread inside the garlic soup, munching it. Oh wow, my eyes widened. This taste exactly likes how Mom and Aunt Inara used to make back home.780Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1IXohWU0GG
The soup was salty, yet a little tangy at the same time, with the aromatic scent filling my nose. I stared at my food and gobbled it up as quickly as I could, emptying my tray in one go. "Someone's hungry," teased Cassie, nudging my shoulder. "How long has it been since you last ate some real food?"780Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFoXZQpNxlc
I shrugged. "I've lost track of time, to be honest."780Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiQQCDFn51g
"Oh, okay. So what is it like in the human realm?"780Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVtzjYJbjxY
"It's alright," I replied, resting my arms. "I mostly helped my aunt and my stepmom to run the coffeehouse and hang around with friends."780Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkmymBjCAxd
"What's a coffeehouse?" Cassie raised one of her eyebrows, gulping down her cup of water. 780Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1BywZPSrWm
"It's where we drink coffee and eat pastries, you know, like this cafeteria, except more cozy."780Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjaF55hG7Xb
"I've never had coffee before," she said, as we both stood up from our seat and placed our tray into the basin. "What does it taste like anyways?"780Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi9RTkihDz3
"Coffee tastes bitter," I answered. "But once you add some sugar and milk, it'll taste good, depending on how much you put inside, though. For me, I would put only a teaspoon of sugar. I don't like sweet stuff anyways. "780Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsBuLgjrBDN
"That sounds nice," she smiled sweetly as we both headed out from the mess hall, only to bumped into a blue-haired boy with golden eyes and fair skin, painted with freckles. 780Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWaj6JnTFhr
"Out of the way, meat bag," he mocked, whiffing his hands around his nose. "You don't belong here."780Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWrXo8wdVsr
Cassie chuckled as she stepped forward, crossing her arms. "Aren't you the only one here from Arendia, Nat?"780Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMJBnpmJSjs
Nat's face turned red as he walked away from us, his head hanging low. Cassie and I laughed together. 780Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr0pSp4KcJa
"Okay, that was hilarious," I grinned. "I have to be honest."780Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ08OVIlDgMy
"Well thanks, Bugsy," she said when we heard the bell ringing four times. 780Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqhBJCQZo72
Cassie sighed. "We should head to the training room before the sergeant gets mad."780Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmlgDEV9MBW
I nodded and rushed to the training room, lining up in a straight line. As we placed our hands behind our back and straightened our posture, Sergeant A'tynn entered the training room. With tanned skin and black, curly hair, Sergeant A'tynn has a huge scar on his cheek and wears an eye patch over his left eye. His eyes darted towards us as he paced back and forth, making my palms clammy.780Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4IrZfmsgmO
"Attention!" he barked his orders towards us, making us stand still like a statue. "As you are all aware, we have a new recruit under the orders of Her Majesty's."780Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsLUwWw5aGp
The sergeant's icy blue eyes peered towards me, making me swallow hard. "Cadet," he spoke, in a gruff voice. "Would you please step forward?"780Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJBImlqiujl
"Yes, sir," I answered, stepping forward from the straight line. "Would you care to turn around and introduce yourself to the others, please?"780Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9I6CvELKuJ
I nodded and cleared my throat, my hands still locked behind me. "My name is Bugsy," I introduced myself to the other cadets. "It's an honour to be inducted into the Knights of Moon by Her Majesty Queen Titania. I will do my best to serve the Kingdom of Angelis with pride and determination."780Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGEA5dqsEoc
Nat burst into laughter, causing the sergeant to give him a death glare. "What's so funny, Nat?" he snapped. "Speak up, cadet!"780Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxsQ5lbfGd6
"She's only a human girl," Nat sneered at me. "Humans are nothing but weak and brittle. She wouldn't even last for a day in battle."780Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5edBlxyy2S
I let out a soft chuckle and rolled my eyes. "Cadet Avveros," addressed Sergeant A'tynn. "What is the first code of Knights of Moon?"780Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfNtkLJaVEp
"Be strong and brave on the battlefield?" stuttered Nat, his hands trembling. "You're wrong," he pointed out. 780Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWQjVsdH2Fp
"Be respectful of others regardless of race, religion, gender, and sexuality. Clearly, you need more lessons on the Codes, cadet!"780Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd3Mjo4H1jO
Nat's lips tightened as he was ordered to get back in line, like a child being sent for a timeout. "Thank you for the introduction, Bugsy," he said, as he looked at the other cadets in line. "At ease, cadets."780Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ26KsmntBTX
The rest of the cadets loosened up their posture as they grabbed their swords and pistols from the weapon racks. Cassie stood on the training mat and spared her sword with a frizzy-haired girl, letting out a slight giggle. I walked towards the weapon rack and grabbed a thin-bladed sword, only to be stopped by the sergeant.780Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0bxNRcg7G7
"You won't be using that yet, Bugsy," he told me, handing me a Wooden Waster. "Until you're ready, you'll be using these for now."780Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIbdqjmvdoy
I nodded, understanding his words. Shame I couldn't use a sword yet. I was looking forward to using them. Then again, I might hurt myself, or worse. He led me to a training dojo and faced me in the opposite direction, twisting with his waster with one hand. "Have you use a sword before?"780Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJqFCfb16ad
I shook my head. "No, sir. This is my first time."780Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJmKSJ4EFMa
"Well, you're about to find out more about sword-fighting," he chuckled. "Now get ready."780Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDoYzha9XU9
I raised one of my eyebrows. "With all due respect, Sarge, shouldn't you be teaching me first?"780Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCwrINyewhM
"You're right, Bugsy, but I want to test your capabilities. Now, are you ready, cadet?"780Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbmRJFkIZY2
"Sir yes, sir," I nodded, as I held my waster with both hands, guarding my front body. Running towards me, his waster clashed with mine, pushing me backwards. I tried to hold my block, only to slip and fall, landing on my back. 780Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvLkjgg04Ly
"Rule number one," he gave his hand. "Be responsive when your enemy attacks you."780Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLJlGWCXMfs
I sighed and grabbed his hand, only to be flipped over. "Rule number two, never let your guard down."780Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN0qA9i3ov9
I picked up my training stick and darted towards him, only for the sergeant to grabbed my arm, making me lose my grip on my stick. "Rule number 3, don't let your emotions get the best of you."780Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPbO4M0rRcx
"Yes, sir," I acknowledged, rubbing my head. "I understand."780Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIzk2KlbJmM
He stepped his right foot forward and held the pommel of the sword just below his navel. "This is called 'The Plow Guard'," he explained. "This is one of the defense poses you'll be using against your attacker. Now you try it."780Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT6vbvIPLBw
I imitated his posture, pointing the tip of the sword at his throat. As he began to strike, I took a few steps backwards as I blocked every attack towards me. Feeling my sword slowly slipping from my grasp, I managed to kick his left knee, causing him to trip. I seized the opportunity and jabbed his chest.780Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0SLsWiZSxQ
"I win," I let out a huge smirk, lifting my head up. 780Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYOA7QHynFi
Sergeant A'tynn chuckled. "No, I win, Bugsy."780Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpia9xHrUKP
I glanced at the sword A'tynn pointed at my chest, making me groaned in frustration. "Dammit, I almost had you."780Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2i5Tm2cgY8
"And you did," he lifted himself up, putting his sword aside. "But you must always double-check before declaring a victory against your enemy; that's rule number four."780Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn9mqYpc9Sw
"Yes, Sarge," I bobbed my head, dusting my tunic. 780Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh55JwuliC3
"You know, Bugsy, you ain't so bad after all," praised the sergeant. "You adapt rather easily for a beginner."780Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmCiv2l3w09
"Thank you, Sarge," I saluted, as we shook hands with each other. 780Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Ge2KZyiws
"Come back later for more lessons. You have a lot to learn. Understood, cadet?"780Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUOeorsRzjp
"Sir yes, sir," I obeyed, stiffening my body. 780Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZNdpo4wEha
"At ease, cadet."780Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeHxqFYAqZn
