~Chapter 7~
When Jirro awoke his friends and Temp had surrounded him, and Nout was gripping an emptied bottle, previously holding a potion. He forced the potion down an unconscious Jirro's throat.
"Are you alright?" Nout asked his friend.
Jirro shook himself to consciousness, "Yeah. I'm okay. What happened?"
"You were playing with forces you don't understand," A stern woman's voice said. A grey haired woman with buzzed hair looked down on him. Her body was toned and muscular, and she wore the same white robes that the rest of Fighting Academy wore. The other Fighting Academy students stood behind her. Hita stood nearest to her, clutching he leg like a child.
"You should've never tried to use such an ability without proper training. To dispel a Focus Barrier you need to relax yourself." The woman lectured.
"Who are you?" Jirro said, forcing himself to stand.
"I am Dama, the Headmistress of this academy," The woman answered coldly, "Despite your brazen behavior, I'm impressed by the lot of you."
Jirro heard quite a bit about her. She was among the Four, individuals considered the strongest of Ralosians, Mecarne, Phantine, and Densius. Dama was often called the strongest of all Ralosians.
Dama spoke, "Come along. I'm sure you are hungry."
Dama and the other fighting Academy students escorted them through to their dining hall. Temp silently pouted that they didn't win. If they had Aero would've paid him for it.
Jirro looked up to Dama, "I'm guessing Hita learned all those Focus abilities from you."
Dama nodded, "Yes. She has great potential, and I made sure to teach her to respect Focus." She turned over her hand and the pink glowing gem which was meant to be their prize floated just above her palm. " Now tell me. Why did you want this trinket?"
Aero spoke up, "It's for a friend. She had a gem like that one but it was stolen. I was thinking that might be able to take its place."
"I see," Dama closed her hand around the gem, "Unfortunately you were unable to beat my students. We'll wait for someone who can."
"Can we try again tomorrow?" Aero asked.
Mada smirked, "No. We're offering people only one chance to take our challenge. You're free to train with my students further however."
Temp stepped forward angrily, "If Jirro wasn't messing around he would've beat that little girl!"
Dama narrowed her eyes at the greedy Mecarne, "I have heard another gem like this one exists nearby, amidst the Weld Mountains."
Aero's interest was piqued, "To the south?"
"Yes. I'm certain ones as strong as you should be able to find it." Dama said.
Temp smiled, throwing his arms around Aero and Jirro, "You boys are lucky to have me around then! The Weld Mountains are a hot place. People have been known to get lost and die from overheating, without a guide who is familiar with the area. I'd be happy to escort you safely... for a fee."
Jirro clicked his tongue, "You're just looking for easy money."
Dama spoke, "It would be safer to have an escort."
Temp grinned, and Aero shrugged his shoulders, "Fine. I'll pay you more if you help us find that gem."
The Fighting Academy students and the children were all served at the dining hall and sat together. There was a kitchen where the students could order meals from, with many long wooden tables set around the room for them to eat. Cooks in the kitchen prepared meals for all of the students of the Academy each day.
Jirro noticed most of the students here were Ralosian. It would explain why their fighters struggled so much against Temp, Ruben and Nout.
Tyro chatted with Nout, commending him or his abilities and saying that he was humbled during their bout. Khab questioned Ruben on what tactics should be used against Densius warriors. Aero and Corri reminisced with Kika. Fitsu and Sunno bitterly applauded Temp for defeating the both of them.
Meanwhile, Jirro chatted with Dama and Hita. Well, he spoke with Dama, and Hita silently sat with them.
"Dama, how did you learn about Focus?"
"My sister and I read about the ability when we were young and learned to harness it. We learned of many fools before us who had underestimated its power and perished, and the two of us were adamant about avoiding that mistake." Dama explained, "What about you? I have not met many who use the ability that aren't a part of my academy."
"An old woman named Modi and her student Emil taught us."
Both Dama and Hita's expressions froze up. As well as many of the nearby students, "That would explain it."
"You know them?"
"Modi is my older sister. And Emil is Hita's older brother."
From across the dining tables Corri shouted, "Emil is her brother!?"
Jirro chuckled slightly, recalling that Corri had a crush on Emil when she met him.
When Jirro looked at Hita he started to see the resemblance. Same hair and eye color. Similar light skin. "From what I gathered, the two of them were expelled from your academy."
Dama looked away, clearly wounded by the memory. "Yes. Emil stole from us while living here, and Modi said she helped. I had to expel them."
Aero slid between the tables next to Jirro and asked Dama, "Who's stronger? You or Modi?"
"I have always been stronger than my sister." Dama said, proceeding to sip her tea.
Aero grinned, "I wonder if Dama is almost as strong as our dads?"
"What would make you say that?" Jirro asked.
"Well your dad beat Modi up and apparently she can too."
Dama nearly choked on her drink, "Your father defeated Modi!?"
"Yup."
"Who are they?"
"Lucar and Razan." Aero said nonchallantly. From Dama's expression, it was clear that those names were unfamiliar to her.
Jirro shifted his eyes to the ever silent Hita. She hadn't spoken once since their match, "Hey Hita. Are you going to enter the next tournament at Challenger's Lake?"
Hita looked up slowly, "Yes."
Jirro smiled, "Good. I want another chance to fight you!"
Hita gave a hesitant smile, blushing slightly. "I'd like that."
The children and Temp, gathered together to plan their next move. Aero was insistent that they travel to the Weld Mountains to find the gem, promising that they could head home afterwards.
Dama set her silverware down, "If you or your friends are available, I would happily take you as my students."
Everyone thought for a moment. The gesture was nice, but after being away from their families for so long, each of them wanted to go home as soon as they found that gem.
"We all have things we need to return to. But we'll keep you in mind." Jirro explained.
Dama simply nodded. After their meal they bid farewell to the students of the Fighting Academy and head southward, the fiery Weld Mountains visible in the distance. 359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRh1zvXCtHh
