No harm in accepting a small challenge to get in the mood to compete on stage.  A drill like this was just what she needed.  As good as she was, even she lost the occasional challenge.  Losing the wrong one would be costly.  A fast paced target drill would get her into the grove quickly.

Walking with the elder student, she weaved through the bystanders towards the firing range.  It was a bit of a walk to the far side of the training center.  She went past the gloating Naoh and the now defeated and shamed opponent.  That familiar victory stance that Naoh used seemed just as obnoxious now as it did six years ago; her jeweled basket hilt swords flashed in the light as she pumped her fists.

In this arena, Naoh viewed opponents as Academy Point holders.  Her wit and skill took as many points as she could, often more than she needed.  Her opponent walked down the stairs from the platform completely distraught.  Tearing off his helmet in frustration, it was apparent he had no hope of escaping The Red.  Though nearly a grown man, he walked quickly towards the exit holding back tears.  Whatever hopes and dreams he had when he was accepted to the school were all but completely out of reach.

After the Final Exam, he had two choices.  He could return home in shame or to take a lowly job as a pitiful guard.  He could pass.  However, the final exam was specifically designed for the older and lingering students to fail.  He would have to train like mad in all the correct areas; areas that are personalized towards the weaknesses for each student.

“Poor guy,” said the elder student as they passed him.  “Better him than us I guess.”  It seemed as though she had come to the same conclusion as Metcalf about his situation.

“I guess,” Metcalf hesitated to say.

Koh, in has white and red armor, was at the wall near his sister’s platform.  They usually worked as a team.  Sometimes Metcalf worked with them.  It seemed they had their usual “king of the hill” type of match going.  The winning team stayed while the challengers waited in line for the next fight.

However, this session was over.  After seeing how Naoh mercilessly and utterly beat her opponent in every way, no one wanted to be next.  One by one they left the queue to look for other challenges.  Koh was trying so hard to hold back a laugh.  He cared less about the other students than his sister.  They were scandalous but at least they looked out for each other.

“I’m Isabeau,” the elder student spoke again.

Metcalf shook herself from the scene and looked at the elder student again, “Metcalf.”

The ice broken, they made small talk as they meandered around the challenge platforms.  The short yellow skinned beauty, Isabeau Bo, was from the Field Quarter.  She was a long time student at the academy but found that her training was a bit stagnant.  Master Lu, head of the Field Quarter, thought it best that she train with students that had something to lose.

Though she had no chance to fall into the Red Zone, Isabeau found that this training was well worth the time.  Each drill had rules, but those rules could be stretched where details were lacking.  Desperate students exploited every advantage they could find.  This forced her to do the same and made the competition quite invigorating.  With any luck, this training would prepare her for the life of a Protector.  Their opponents played with no rules.

Hearing her story, Metcalf thought in awe.  This is how training is supposed to work.  This was the training she hoped to receive when she was safely out of the Red Zone.

They continued to chat.  The conversation was exciting enough that they reached the shooting range before Metcalf expected.

#1 – Lost and Found #3 – Lost and Found #5