The Villain Of Arise

xxii: sparring

There was one thing Jaehyung had kept a secret. It was his newly found pure shadow powers. In classes, Jaehyung tried his best to only use hallucination powers. It wasn't that much hard work, anyway. Using his powers now felt normal, like it was a part of him.

However, the fact that his power inside of him changed was something he had to take caution of. For whatever reason, Mina had not reported anything nor spoke to him about his elemental power.

Jaehyung knew that if he revealed it, that type of information would be broadcasted to his father. Not to mention, if he showed his potential in classes at the program, word would definitely get out by the witnesses.

He couldn't trust anyone with this. The only person who knew about his powers was Jeongsuk. Although he once commented to Jaehyung about why he was only using a hallucination branch, he soon stopped asking once Jaehyung told him there was a reason behind it.

Right now wasn't the time for that. For now, Jaehyung could already see the effects of the program on the students — even the teachers. He could at least acknowledge that everyone was working hard. Exhaustion normally was seen on his classmates' faces and even the teachers, who prepared well for the lecture or class plans.

Jeongsuk especially seemed to be unable to stay awake in class. He always seemed to study or train, every day, nonstop.

He walked to elemental mastery classes. Professor Klaus was already there, although he looked to be sleeping peacefully. It hadn't been long for Professor Klaus to earn himself a reputation. He was always sleeping, before and then immediately after class.

They all entered in the training grounds. "We're ten minutes early in class," Damon informed them, still lovingly petting Talon as the bird let out a caw.

"Ten minutes? Let us warm-up then," Mari spoke excitedly.

"An extra ten minutes of warming up isn't exactly the way to start up before a class," Mark said, raising an eyebrow.

"How about we spar together?" Leo asked.

"Perfect. That is slightly better."

"You know we're also going to do elemental mastery sparring later in class, right?" said Damon.

"A little bit more of experience shouldn't hurt," Leo said, his voice light. "Not to mention, our numbers are even. Let's split up then. Jeongsuk, you are with me."

Jeongsuk looked startled, taking a step back. "Me?"

"I didn't say your name for nothing, did I?" Leo said, amused. "You were the first person I sparred with in this program and same goes with you. Though, it has only been somewhat more than a week since the program has started, I want to see the results of your hard work. I'm not entirely unfair that I ignore your potential fully."

"Th-thanks?"

"Have more confidence in yourself, Seo Jeongsuk," said Leo.

"Strange," Mark said, staring at Leo. "I've never seen him so benevolent."

"You call that benevolent?" Mari asked, tilting her head. "Indeed, I find you people certainly strange."

"You almost sound like you haven't been around people that much," Jeongsuk joked, seeming to have calmed down after talking with Leo.

"I haven't," Mari said, surprising everyone. From the corner of his peripheral vision, Jaehyung could see Professor Klaus stir. "I've been secluded away and sheltered for a large majority of my life."

"No wonder your mannerisms are as poor as your personality," Jaehyung murmured. Mari turned towards him and rolled her eyes.

"But that isn't a prospect that's exciting," Mari mocked him, repeating the words he said, before they entered in the training grounds. "People usually think it's quite interesting, having a life like mine."

"Not when your telling half of a lie, it isn't."

Mari quickly became silenced. Another dark look entered in her eyes before quickly fading away, like it was never there. She turned around, Jaehyung could see that her fists were clenched. "I'm sparring with Jaehyung," she announced.

Damon looked at her, "Jaehyung certainly is a hard opponent to best against."

"Oh believe me, I know. I've watched him in class."

"That's certainly quite stalkerish," Mark said.

Mari simply smiled, "Not when I'm observing the class, it isn't."

Jaehyung turned away, "It's a valid option," he said. "Fine. Do your best Miss Valentina."

Mark turned to Damon, smiling, "I guess it's you against me, my friend. Let there be no hard feelings, regardless of the outcome."

"Well it's only seven minutes of sparring now," Damon said, checking his watch. "It's best to hurry up. I'm assuming the professor is due to wake up soon."

They all stared at the professor.

"Not to mention there'll be students coming in early. I expect most of them heading our way right now."

"You're correct, Damon," said Leo. "Shall we start?"

They all walked to different sides of the training grounds. Mari looked at Jaehyung, smiling despite herself. "You should stop hiding so much of yourself," she said. They had walked to the very far corner of the training grounds.

Jaehyung simply looked at her, his face devoid of emotion, "It does not concern you."

Mari didn't say anything. She swung at him and a blast of fire speared past him. Shadow was not a defensive type of elemental power and Jaehyung could do nothing as he felt the heat of the fire absorbing in his clothes.

The thing about clothing in this Arise world was that it was designed to withstand most pressures of elemental powers. Jaehyung simply felt a little sting as the fire hit him.

He leaned away, raising his hand towards Mari as he used his hallucination powers to make Mari lose vision. She stumbled, before quickly getting to her senses as she turned and tried to kick him. He leaned away slightly. Elemental mastery classes were a bore. All he had to do was use his hallucination powers and his opponent failed to go against him.

In Arise, it didn't matter how strong a power was. As long as the welder had experience and a specific type of elemental power, there was nothing else but victory for them.

"Oh..." he murmured. "How interesting."

Mari's whole body turned toward him as if she could see him. She probably could. His hallucination control on her hadn't been intended to be strong. The two began exchanging blows with Mari consistently throwing fire or hitting him.

From a distance, it looked like Mari was easily besting him. However, with the way Jaehyung was dodging her blows without any thought, sometimes doing something that would make her falter in her steps, it was easy to see that Jaehyung was clearly manipulating the fight, like he was here to study the ways of her fighting techniques.

Technically he was and Jaehyung could see it as clear as day that she really wasn't trying her best. Neither was he. At one point, he kicked her to the ground and stared down at her, "Shall we stop?" He asked. "It appears the other students have arrived. They're currently staring at us as of this moment."

He held out a hand. Mari looked at it for a moment before grabbing it with great hesitatation. "I think you can do better than that." She crossed her arms, staring at the students watching.

"Same goes to you too," Jaehyung looked sideways. Professor Klaus was finally awake, looking drowsy as he stared around the class in confusion.

Professor Klaus would have earnt many complaints from the students by now even with his status as a famous person. However, despite his shortcomings with his laziness, he was indeed an amazing teacher. Jaehyung thought he was the best teacher he'd ever had.

Professor Klaus glanced at his watch.
"Ah, it's class time," he muttered. "Welcome students."

The students bowed, paying respects to him. The start of class has just begun.