Ding! Ding! Ding! Ding!600Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf2S9FG0IZS
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.600Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRiSDdU4ZFk
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?"600Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmzsEQ2XieU
I nodded. "Yeah, you?"600Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI6xccdS9Eo
"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."600Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiPoNftUCYn
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.600Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHPGOkkQ2lI
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.600Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrhkEYZp1JB
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.600Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMEVRQQCMy5
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?"600Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOB4ooitzVK
I shrugged. "I've lost track of time, to be honest."600Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYAn8dUBcQO
"Oh, okay. So what is it like in the human realm?"600Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3oD9IMCygg
"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."600Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtIq3SDI5TE
"What's a coffeehouse?" Cassie raised one of her eyebrows, gulping down her cup of water. 600Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZKQeybyI19
"It's where we drink coffee and eat pastries, you know, like this cafeteria, except more cozy."600Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpuhJlcNebg
"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?"600Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGaDuB33Q0t
"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. "600Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOAbgnbCenT
"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. 600Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡprhpyxtOo7
"Out of the way, meat bag," he mocked, whiffing his hands around his nose. "You don't belong here."600Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5cFE5GfqYS
Cassie chuckled as she stepped forward, crossing her arms. "Aren't you the only one here from Arendia, Nat?"600Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVCAOSWDPgR
Nat's face turned red as he walked away from us, his head hanging low. Cassie and I laughed together. 600Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKbIpjaL6yX
"Okay, that was hilarious," I grinned. "I have to be honest."600Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgV1wSsI9EY
"Well thanks, Bugsy," she said when we heard the bell ringing four times. 600Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1lBPdbKwMT
Cassie sighed. "We should head to the training room before the sergeant gets mad."600Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMEAMX88VrO
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.600Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvr86aw9DBx
"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."600Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcPn6tjoriP
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?"600Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm4uGJj8mW6
"Yes, sir," I answered, stepping forward from the straight line. "Would you care to turn around and introduce yourself to the others, please?"600Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoKU7rljOGJ
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."600Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEGvKyoVeOi
Nat burst into laughter, causing the sergeant to give him a death glare. "What's so funny, Nat?" he snapped. "Speak up, cadet!"600Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLlClqw8llW
"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."600Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE4MsNECrh5
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?"600Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoCN8a2mjYx
"Be strong and brave on the battlefield?" stuttered Nat, his hands trembling. "You're wrong," he pointed out. 600Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ245CQOqGd2
"Be respectful of others regardless of race, religion, gender, and sexuality. Clearly, you need more lessons on the Codes, cadet!"600Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMCxQfrB78J
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."600Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrJOJvvytyE
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.600Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtnIet0ZqpC
"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."600Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTZXlApVjzJ
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?"600Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW9iXk2ZrA2
I shook my head. "No, sir. This is my first time."600Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg7ogkUjeig
"Well, you're about to find out more about sword-fighting," he chuckled. "Now get ready."600Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmzaPm5eRUJ
I raised one of my eyebrows. "With all due respect, Sarge, shouldn't you be teaching me first?"600Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOisywqI0Sp
"You're right, Bugsy, but I want to test your capabilities. Now, are you ready, cadet?"600Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJgWwVQO1pW
"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. 600Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMcn3ZwQIaL
"Rule number one," he gave his hand. "Be responsive when your enemy attacks you."600Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3LDZogJPT5
I sighed and grabbed his hand, only to be flipped over. "Rule number two, never let your guard down."600Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9HVJ9mk3WR
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."600Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWyASiHO3oY
"Yes, sir," I acknowledged, rubbing my head. "I understand."600Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7L5YyEOJr2
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."600Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb2rPjC0gcC
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.600Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLhS2OBEbEa
"I win," I let out a huge smirk, lifting my head up. 600Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdt0GGQ7qNb
Sergeant A'tynn chuckled. "No, I win, Bugsy."600Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6I50dGMfBa
I glanced at the sword A'tynn pointed at my chest, making me groaned in frustration. "Dammit, I almost had you."600Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4rj4QEtlab
"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."600Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡulkVa3VWCC
"Yes, Sarge," I bobbed my head, dusting my tunic. 600Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHPfWJyCHrB
"You know, Bugsy, you ain't so bad after all," praised the sergeant. "You adapt rather easily for a beginner."600Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtGspmZ8Ucm
"Thank you, Sarge," I saluted, as we shook hands with each other. 600Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjNY2U8h1PY
"Come back later for more lessons. You have a lot to learn. Understood, cadet?"600Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4NR0n3gq7I
"Sir yes, sir," I obeyed, stiffening my body. 600Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9LE83rYnTM
"At ease, cadet."600Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbRFxtjnHn9
