Chapter 26: Ready... Set... Fight!

"Good morning new meat!"*shit-eating grin* (Coach George)

"to the upperclassman, I am a professor. But you haven't earned that right yet. So to you, my name is Coach George and by the end of the year you are going to curse me, my mother for birthing me, and god for allowing me to exist. I am going to work every last one of you down to the bone. I am going to break you down until you have no concept of what you can or can't do because I want to end this year with each and every one of you doing things you never thought possible. You will all hate me for the rest of your life. But if you are very skilled and very lucky you will live long enough to come back and thank me one day. You will thank me for making you strong enough to survive. (Coach George)

Well, he thinks highly of his workout plan. I guess we will have to see if he can walk the walk and not just talk the talk.

"first off yes, eyes up to my face gentlemen. Secondly, I'm going to be training you as well. Though unlike my Muscle brain counterpart I will be training your mind not your body. You will use your powers in new ways you never would have imagined before. And you will do it because the only options I will give you is to find a way or suffer bodily harm. You should know that Coach George and I are the harshest instructors here because we have to be. This is where you are torn down and built correctly with the foundation that will allow you to succeed in the years to follow. If we do not think you can survive, we will fail you. So work hard and learn fast or you will wash out and be no better than a powered." (Coach Persephone)

Everyone around me winced visibly at that last comment. No one wanted to be compared to a powered. Even normal humans would much prefer to stay powerless than be a Powered. Never knowing when your power might just go off potentially harming you or the people around you. It is quite a miserable existence if you ask me. Though it seems that comment did kick the students around me into gear. The fear of washing out and being no better than a Powered seems to be one powerful motivational tool.

"Alright so before we pair off does anyone have any questions?"( Dean Blane)

"..." (everyone)

"Fantastic. Then I want the girls to go to Coach Persephone and the boys to go to Coach George."(Dean Blane)

"Isn't that sexist?"(One of those)

*sigh* (I hate people like this.)(David)

"And what is your name miss?" (Blane)

"Julia"

"let me guess Julia. you're a women's study major right?"

"um, Yes"

*sigh* "There is always one. We go over this every year so ill tell you the same thing, Julia. The idea of this test is to get an idea of how you fight against an opponent when you are at relatively equal footing. Both you and your opponent will have an ability. So the only other difference is your physique. sadly boys are usually stronger than girls. This means that we must pair you with people who have similar body types. If it makes you feel better this is only the case for freshman year. After the coaches here are done with you, you will all fight against each other to see who is the strongest in the years to come. But for now, we will split it by sex, like really would you like to get into a brawl with this man here? I doubt the outcome would be very good" *Points at me*

*sigh* "Really Dean Blane? was that necessary?" (David)

"No, I guess I wouldn't. I suppose that makes sense."

*chuckle* "It wasn't. But I thought you were an excellent example. Now then, please report to your designated coach and get ready for a good old fashioned tussle." (Dean Blane)

30 minutes later I'm standing in a rather impressive combat cell. The room is 21m(70ft) by 21m(70ft). the walls, ceiling, and floor are made out of reinforced concrete. I'm guessing they could take a rather strong hit and stay intact. Most people would not be able to break them. I would definitely have to put some effort into it but I'm pretty sure I could break the walls. There are windows along one wall with plastic windows 5 inches thick serving as a way for people to see what was going on inside. The only entrance was a triple-locked metal door that automatically locked once I entered.

What was really impressive was the number of such rooms. right now everyone in the freshman class was standing in one of these rooms, across from someone who they would soon be fighting. The only other person who was close by was a student staring down on us through the glass. The student was wearing a white outfit representing that she is part of the senior class. She was here to make sure no one dies accidentally. No one can bring back the dead, well, at least no one at Lander. There might just be someone out there who can bring back the dead. Who knows? The student across from me and myself were both wearing black. it seems the classes were differentiated by color, with the freshman wearing black, the sophomores and juniors wearing grey, and finally, the few seniors wearing white.

"Please introduce yourselves" (senior student)

"Nice to meet ya' the names David. I hope you can put up a good fight"

"Allen wells and I as well hope you don't lose too quickly. I need to impress the professors after all."

"Ready...Set...Fight!"

sitting there waiting for Allen to make the first move I watch as he seems to gather some kind of energy into his hands. looking up at me and seeing that I'm not making a run at him or preparing some move of my own he laughs and says.

"it seems you are really cocky huh? well, it is too late to regret your inaction now because... ART IS AN EXPLOSION!"

"..."(David and senior student)

As I watch him throw the energy in his hand at me like a pitcher throwing a baseball I predict where it is going to go and step to the side. As I watch the ball fly past me at a much faster speed than I expected it connects with the wall and explodes. looking at the mark it leaves on the wall I determine that the explosions are strong but not enough to damage me and probably not enough to knock me off my feet if I increase my gravity. glancing back at Allen I can't help but ask.

"So your power is throwing explosions? that's pretty cool! but do you know what's not cool? QUOTING NARUTO! WHY THE FUCK DID YOU QUOTE NARUTO?!?!"(David)

*blush* "I.. uh... kind of got caught up in the moment and always wanted to say that. But it doesn't matter! Let's see you dodge these!"

Allen then starts to charge up explosions in both hands at a much faster pace and starts lobbing explosion after explosion at me. not bothering to dodge I just stand there. Allen thinking that I was dumbstruck by his power watches as the explosions hit me and he loses sight of me.

*haha*" It seems you weren't a match for me. Hey, senior you better bring some medical staff down here and make sure he isn't dead! my explosions can be very powerful!"

"..."(senior)

"that kind of tickled. it was getting a really good message." (David)

"ho... HOW ARE YOU STILL STANDING? at the very least you should be injured!"(Allen)

"I'm going to be a strongman! If I can't even take that hit I don't deserve to even say the name strongman! As a strongman, we hit and get hit. Now I think I will hit this time!"

walking toward Allan as he continues to throw explosions at me and seemingly exhausts his supply of energy, I take the hits like they are basketballs hitting off me. I can feel the explosions against my skin, but at this point in my training, this minor hit won't be enough to affect me. Honestly, the explosions are only on the level of a large firework or small grenade. It would be enough to seriously injure someone who doesn't have the durability of myself. But against me, it's useless.

"your power is rather strong for someone who has yet to go through any proper training. I bet with proper training you would make a fine addition to any supers team. Unfortunately, you are against me and won't have the opportunity to further your rank on the combat ranking chart. Don't fret though, its only the start of the year. I'm sure your luck will be better at the end of the year."(David)

*panting*"..."(Allen)

Arriving in front of Allen he is sweating and heaving for breath. It seems he exhausted his supply of whatever energy allows him to throw explosions. shrugging I simply flick him in the temple and watch as he drops like a sack of potatoes. looking up to the senior who seems rather impressed I simply say,

"Next"