Ding! Ding! Ding! Ding!711Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Ha9xaIklt
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.711Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfUaBorSlD9
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?"711Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvWwLhQKgIq
I nodded. "Yeah, you?"711Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyFqfLTisd6
"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."711Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkyiY4slaMk
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.711Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJhKqDsU4RS
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.711Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9mILIF3jCS
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.711Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtYQeEulgTg
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?"711Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEZtXt8whsN
I shrugged. "I've lost track of time, to be honest."711Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ31KPYogkXe
"Oh, okay. So what is it like in the human realm?"711Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡojc7YoE8nB
"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."711Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5DzbX7jRWc
"What's a coffeehouse?" Cassie raised one of her eyebrows, gulping down her cup of water. 711Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgaVDX6BQfG
"It's where we drink coffee and eat pastries, you know, like this cafeteria, except more cozy."711Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZIxN3C077l
"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?"711Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmxaZgjU0mI
"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. "711Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVC5jslBrIQ
"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. 711Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCUDDW8b3DT
"Out of the way, meat bag," he mocked, whiffing his hands around his nose. "You don't belong here."711Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpsysmiag1S
Cassie chuckled as she stepped forward, crossing her arms. "Aren't you the only one here from Arendia, Nat?"711Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXFYiNhit0o
Nat's face turned red as he walked away from us, his head hanging low. Cassie and I laughed together. 711Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ5VWgqG6W0
"Okay, that was hilarious," I grinned. "I have to be honest."711Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUzm5FAhIJX
"Well thanks, Bugsy," she said when we heard the bell ringing four times. 711Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwsDH9Mksm0
Cassie sighed. "We should head to the training room before the sergeant gets mad."711Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaYHGSbm6Kc
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.711Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYQOM51tqow
"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."711Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Ihx0CDAl8
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?"711Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvfEXmMBXxl
"Yes, sir," I answered, stepping forward from the straight line. "Would you care to turn around and introduce yourself to the others, please?"711Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyPnjOEb5dJ
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."711Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhNqjkbQEMT
Nat burst into laughter, causing the sergeant to give him a death glare. "What's so funny, Nat?" he snapped. "Speak up, cadet!"711Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb3tgogvw2S
"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."711Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbDNR6ImrOP
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?"711Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGH1QcQ51TH
"Be strong and brave on the battlefield?" stuttered Nat, his hands trembling. "You're wrong," he pointed out. 711Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLDR0Uz6n61
"Be respectful of others regardless of race, religion, gender, and sexuality. Clearly, you need more lessons on the Codes, cadet!"711Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK8xyAnEV64
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."711Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjl5zR9JMWt
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.711Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIhAR356Tgs
"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."711Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡduUWubSciZ
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?"711Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDjPRGuE1ZQ
I shook my head. "No, sir. This is my first time."711Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrfAOC7M7xb
"Well, you're about to find out more about sword-fighting," he chuckled. "Now get ready."711Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡasyL1OPyig
I raised one of my eyebrows. "With all due respect, Sarge, shouldn't you be teaching me first?"711Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUCUgbwMLgY
"You're right, Bugsy, but I want to test your capabilities. Now, are you ready, cadet?"711Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6jZzbKKpDH
"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. 711Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHVFtPhuBZO
"Rule number one," he gave his hand. "Be responsive when your enemy attacks you."711Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkZZaNehczK
I sighed and grabbed his hand, only to be flipped over. "Rule number two, never let your guard down."711Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡazxlGBHZ3u
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."711Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXPerQnOYqc
"Yes, sir," I acknowledged, rubbing my head. "I understand."711Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXJLboEArew
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."711Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi9X82dAeyv
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.711Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCY8Zo77SSH
"I win," I let out a huge smirk, lifting my head up. 711Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWaoofyP4xm
Sergeant A'tynn chuckled. "No, I win, Bugsy."711Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt5TRdoEnwR
I glanced at the sword A'tynn pointed at my chest, making me groaned in frustration. "Dammit, I almost had you."711Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4MBC5fHs7z
"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."711Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMUgDD6bowL
"Yes, Sarge," I bobbed my head, dusting my tunic. 711Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxJ5OpuX1S5
"You know, Bugsy, you ain't so bad after all," praised the sergeant. "You adapt rather easily for a beginner."711Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk9Sk0FE41f
"Thank you, Sarge," I saluted, as we shook hands with each other. 711Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1y0qadqkhF
"Come back later for more lessons. You have a lot to learn. Understood, cadet?"711Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLXzptOqo5U
"Sir yes, sir," I obeyed, stiffening my body. 711Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsT1jk9ww4o
"At ease, cadet."711Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMtfEnb5Fac
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