Ding! Ding! Ding! Ding!575Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLRDbeUGpRn
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.575Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsq3PVDKyGs
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?"575Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Scqyqfpw9
I nodded. "Yeah, you?"575Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEo5Qfck2Tr
"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."575Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyI8ZmuXUiY
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.575Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWaFIKD9ext
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.575Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQDFHFi05yr
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.575Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyKQ4DIQR5Y
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?"575Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkSzdOOsb2l
I shrugged. "I've lost track of time, to be honest."575Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAvIZxzoUQY
"Oh, okay. So what is it like in the human realm?"575Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwktkHybBw0
"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."575Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQBo1eu7CHR
"What's a coffeehouse?" Cassie raised one of her eyebrows, gulping down her cup of water. 575Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ1002zLgB1
"It's where we drink coffee and eat pastries, you know, like this cafeteria, except more cozy."575Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWA6wjuQsTM
"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?"575Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLfzaWJfM6F
"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. "575Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT4n7u1NY4m
"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. 575Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLViReEHJDp
"Out of the way, meat bag," he mocked, whiffing his hands around his nose. "You don't belong here."575Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaoDvjW6V64
Cassie chuckled as she stepped forward, crossing her arms. "Aren't you the only one here from Arendia, Nat?"575Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡStfna8imCO
Nat's face turned red as he walked away from us, his head hanging low. Cassie and I laughed together. 575Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUwePRJXrbo
"Okay, that was hilarious," I grinned. "I have to be honest."575Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDk0BfbL3Pe
"Well thanks, Bugsy," she said when we heard the bell ringing four times. 575Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWu4F38Duyr
Cassie sighed. "We should head to the training room before the sergeant gets mad."575Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEvr8cz4m6q
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.575Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLpSVWLq7tm
"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."575Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDoIn6ihv1e
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?"575Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnQM5EHpb24
"Yes, sir," I answered, stepping forward from the straight line. "Would you care to turn around and introduce yourself to the others, please?"575Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiW11dLH7ld
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."575Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSGNlux2neQ
Nat burst into laughter, causing the sergeant to give him a death glare. "What's so funny, Nat?" he snapped. "Speak up, cadet!"575Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLfBabwII1J
"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."575Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJvJDTCD7hP
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?"575Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡANb9QV2N8z
"Be strong and brave on the battlefield?" stuttered Nat, his hands trembling. "You're wrong," he pointed out. 575Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk63MRbFyqw
"Be respectful of others regardless of race, religion, gender, and sexuality. Clearly, you need more lessons on the Codes, cadet!"575Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY5gw2E9ROX
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."575Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ13gl9ZhuWJ
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.575Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4XMURZeBh7
"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."575Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwt0lkV7MB9
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?"575Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGtB7NQevDQ
I shook my head. "No, sir. This is my first time."575Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRgxKNO0rss
"Well, you're about to find out more about sword-fighting," he chuckled. "Now get ready."575Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMPxn2BcxnX
I raised one of my eyebrows. "With all due respect, Sarge, shouldn't you be teaching me first?"575Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWOVpzr5FWf
"You're right, Bugsy, but I want to test your capabilities. Now, are you ready, cadet?"575Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSy8WFnZrt3
"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. 575Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4OTWNpNnRy
"Rule number one," he gave his hand. "Be responsive when your enemy attacks you."575Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS2Ph818xfV
I sighed and grabbed his hand, only to be flipped over. "Rule number two, never let your guard down."575Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5oDhxAA9R3
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."575Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr93zmEIbQc
"Yes, sir," I acknowledged, rubbing my head. "I understand."575Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQk9YxrVkt7
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."575Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHXMTRprHzC
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.575Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKjTf6GQ9Gr
"I win," I let out a huge smirk, lifting my head up. 575Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKPXzx4AXzD
Sergeant A'tynn chuckled. "No, I win, Bugsy."575Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKYf8VVOrWb
I glanced at the sword A'tynn pointed at my chest, making me groaned in frustration. "Dammit, I almost had you."575Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4ba38xOCBr
"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."575Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4F3KUleFWg
"Yes, Sarge," I bobbed my head, dusting my tunic. 575Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf3i9vvHgSj
"You know, Bugsy, you ain't so bad after all," praised the sergeant. "You adapt rather easily for a beginner."575Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLz1aY30Xhp
"Thank you, Sarge," I saluted, as we shook hands with each other. 575Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAYBTIC74nu
"Come back later for more lessons. You have a lot to learn. Understood, cadet?"575Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhJgMwtqTdQ
"Sir yes, sir," I obeyed, stiffening my body. 575Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU1EhDRtue2
"At ease, cadet."575Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwUE7QnbHFl
