Its A Way of Life

The next day started the same as usual, waking up later than he wanted and having to rush to his class, the only difference was this time Stavn seemed to be more hurried than usual. His silver hair still strewn about from waking up, bags under his pale blue eyes. No breakfast yet again left him feeling horrid as he entered his class. The usual day of class in his old room was you spent half the day focused on combat training and the other half left for tactics. Since being relatively new to the class, the way they did things are unusual to him, since they spend half the day doing combat and then spend the rest of the day alone studying what they want to or having meetings with higher ups. The class basically left to itself to develop their own initiative and their own creative tactics.

Stavn entered the class the door creaked open slowly before quickly closing behind closing shut, as he walked towards the center of the room all his classmates' eyes snapped to him, scanning him as he made his way to his desk at the back of the class. The sun shone through the glass panes, a ray of light landing directly onto the middle of the desk blinding his vision for the first few minutes of the class, as the class began the teacher started by warning the class about the serial killer yet again.

"To start, another warning about the ongoing serial killer in this city. Yet another body has been found bludgeoned to death, this time a street urchin, the body was found early this morning next to the canal that flows through the center of the city. I know most of you tend to stay within the schools limits but this is being read out to all classes." The teachers voice fell off, his long beard glistening against the rays of sun as a cloud slowly moved over the school blocking its light then slowly revealing it, dust particles flittered in front of his face drawing his attention.

"Today, you'll be training in archery then you are free to do what you suits you best, go to the room 3 doors down and pick up a training bow and quiver of arrows. Then meet me at the archery grounds." The teacher would open the door a cold breeze from the lobby windows flushed into the room as everyone stood and left the room in an orderly fashion. Small conversations broke out between everyone as they all made their way down the hall to the armory. Stavn walked behind the 7 other students, watching his feet more than the person before him, when they reached the equipment room everyone came to a stop. Stavn bumped into Mak, basically knocking the small guy over.

"WATCH IT STAVN!" Mak yelled at the top of his lungs, his voice cracking slightly when speaking. "Pay more attention to where you are at least, since you know… we're actually here." The class began to file into the room, Stavn looking at Mak "My bad…"

The group picked up their training bows and training arrows and marched to the archery room, they all set up at different stations, and began firing arrows at their targets on their own. Stavn may be good at hand to hand combat and swordsmanship…. But his aim with the bow is next to none, most of his arrows either falling short or completely missing the target.

"Stavn, weren't you the one saying how you were better than us!?" The group laughing hysterically at him. "Where's all that confidence went huh? All the bravado you had! This is why you missed the cut, fix your shit Stavn, because maybe nobody here is willing to help you." Everyone left the class as the bell rang, leaving their equipment for the cleaning staff to pick up and mend any damages to the weapons. The group would split for lunch this time, some heading into the city to relax, others heading to the mess hall. Stavn sat at his new table awkwardly, ripping a part of his bread roll off and dipping it into the leek soup. Ash sat opposite of him with Mak at the head of the table. An awkward silence ensued on the table, nobody knowing what to say to each other really, and all to their own accord silent people when it comes to casual conversation. Stavn slanted a look at Ash, looking to see if she had changed at all in the 3 years between their first meeting and now.

"What are you looking at Stavn?" Ash timidly from behind her hand which covered her mouth, verbally ticked off, but she had no physical reaction to anything, as per usual.

"Nothing much, was just wondering if you were different, that's all…" Stavn's voice becoming more silent as the sentence went on. "You're still somewhat good at archery right Ash?" grasping his hands together and placing them on the table in front of him.

"Somewhat good? Is that all you see in me Stavn?" Her reply sharp and venomous showing her change from her old joking manner where she would understand that he was joking, knowing that she was extremely skilled in most forms of combat.

"Well, as you know, Im particularly terrible at archery, in fact given the choice between a bone and a bow, I'd take the bone knowing I could do more with that." A slight smile appearing on his face laughing at his own failure to actually practice archery during the 3 years he had. "I was wondering if you could help me out with it sometime today… because I don't really want to be behind everyone by that amount ever."

A smile would appear on Ash's face, "So you finally submit your ego for help? Im sure I can be of some help to you, giving you basics and all…" She would rise from her seat at the table and usher Stavn toward the door. The two headed towards the training room where they left the equipment, entering the room and picking up equipment. Ash quickly demonstrating how to draw the bow properly and methods of release. "You catch that Stavn? Now it's your turn…" She would toss the bow at Stavn, having him catch it and set himself up. He began to fire arrows at the target the first one flying to high over it, the second falling short, the third hitting at the feet of the target.

"I see I have to work on you a lot don't I …." The pair would train until the bell to turn in rang, both exhausted with the training started heading back to their dorms. "Thanks…" Stavn pushed out as his body reduced to nothing but jelly, making him feel like he was walking with 12 ton weights pushing down on him.

"No problem, you somewhat improved, but you're going to need more practice if you want to become any good at it. So if you need, just ask me… okay" Her cheeks slightly blushing before becoming more stoic and intense. "Right… will do, it was good to practice with you though, but this is where we separate I guess… good night." Stavn would head towards the boy side of the dorm, hands on the back of his head. "Good night Stavn…." Ash quickly running to her room. Stavn lay down on his bed as soon as he got to his room, slowly exhaling, beginning to ponder how to be better than what he already is, and falling asleep mid thought.