Story of Ray

There was this young man, who turned sixteen this year. His first year at higher education is going to start today. he has worked out just to enter this school of his choice. He could have gotten in through staff recommendation, considering his father works in the school, but that would be 'cheating' in his eyes. so he worked up on his own and got in. congrats to him or whatever.

Let me get you introduced to him properly. His name is Ray Lightfoot, son of Norman and Maria Lightfoot. Oh, he also has a younger sister, her name's Rita. anyway, he is going to start his Highschool today, and here is how the day starts. Also, I am leaving the narration to ray from now on, I am getting tired.

"Ray, get down." it was mom, "You have to get to school early today, don't be late."

I got ready and left after eating. My jumpsuit allowed me to fly, which I prefer not to, as it is scary. I did practice, but I didn't want to enter class bruised on the first day.

We were shuffled every year, so I've rarely had any classmates I knew. The third year had fewer students, so it was even more possible that I would not know my classmates.

I was sort of excited and nervous, which helped my fly better. I arrived at the pickup point, open ground in the middle of the valley. Most of it was empty, but I spotted people arriving, so I sat down. When we arrived at the school, I had a hard time finding the homeroom class. By the time I got there, it was already crowded. I found my seat and saw a guy already sitting there.

"Hey. I am Ray. Can I sit here?" I called out to him.

"Tom." he said, "I know this is your seat."

We both started talking, a few things here and there. He also learned to use the jumpsuit recently; it felt good to talk to him.

"Excuse me, can I sit here?"

We both raised our heads and saw a girl, standing beside our desk. We adjusted and made space for her to sit. She looked like she was keeping her distance, but we were still too close because bench size was limited. Tom elbowed me to talk to her.

"Hello. Um- my name is Ray. What's yours?" {Was this awkward?} Tom's face told me so.

"Rose." she said and turned away. {I messed up. I want to cry.}

The front door opened and a teacher entered. He was young, which wasn't very common. As we begin magic studies in third year, most teachers are older ones.

"Welcome class. Please take your seats, which are arranged in accordance to your entrance exam results. Thank you." he waited for us to settle down before starting again. "My name is Robert, I am twenty five, and I know it is impressive. My major is in magical circles and seals. I prefer to stay in my lab on the second floor, so I'd like you to go there when it is my class. Now-" he took roll call, and then gave us our books and essential items. Then he explained the school rules during the next few minutes.

"Now, your indoor uniform will be in your changing rooms down the hall. Hurry up and change before coming into the lab." he said and left.

{There were a lot of things happening in a few short minutes.}

We got to the changing rooms as soon as he left. This year, our uniform was white and red, with black insides and shoes and golden highlights.

The day went by, with us studying and having fun. Tom and I became close friends, and Rose is with us. I figured she doesn't talk very much.

We had trials for sports, almost all of the class participated, so I have to wait till next week for recruitment into teams.

***

It has been a week since I started school. Today we are getting our physical test results. I hope I did well. I rushed to class, Rose was already there.

"Good morning." I greeted her.

"morning." she whispered, "you're here early."

"Am I? I guess I got excited for the results. What about you?"

"I get here at this time daily." she said plainly. {Why are you always so cold?}

I took out my books and did a final check. The first bell was not ringing, it was strange.

"Everyone change into your sport's uniform and assemble on the east side of the building outside." Robert announced. He did announcements like this regularly.

We arrived at the grounds, Tom also got there soon. After everyone arrived, we were given the sheets with our results. My results were-

[Stamina- A]

[Total Mana-S]

[Mana Output- B]

[Strength-B]

[Speed-A]

[Team Effort- C]

It was a decent result, at least in my opinion. {When the hell did they test my team effort?} I looked over Tom's shoulder, and his results were similar. Then I peeked on Rose's sheet. Her score was an 'S' in every category except Mana Output, which was 'D'. {Since when did she work in teams?}

"Now you will be recruited into different sport teams." announced the head of the sports department.

***

"MOM!" I shouted as I ran into my home, "Mom, where are you?"

"You arrived early. What happened?" She came out of the kitchen with food.

"I got recruited for Air-Battle, as a Runner." I told her, "What do you think?"

"That's great. I'll hear details later, first get changed." She set the food on the table, "Rita should be coming any moment too."

When I got down, Rita had already changed. We ate and talked about our day. Rita had a sports competition coming up and wanted to train. Mom agreed to train her, and told me that dad will train me when he gets home.

I had a good nap after studying, and cleaned up my room. I heard dad and came downstairs, he was in his casuals and talking on his phone. He saw me and walked out in the garden, which means it is time for my training.

"You aren't improving." dad said as he punched me in the gut. "Don't be predictable." Kick. "Use all your limbs." Elbow. "Shake people off." and finally slammed my head into his. {That really hurts.}

He used to be in the national Air-Battle team for two years, and he also was a Runner. After his graduation, he became a medic for our school. And now he was throwing me around our lawn, and I haven't even touched him of my own accord, for a full two hours.

"Dinner's ready." Mom and Rita came outside; they both were also training for some time. "Time's up."

"Damnit!" I sat up, my body was hurting like hell. "Why can't I hit you?"

"You are predictable, easy to dodge, you waste a lot of movement, your balance is bad, you-"

"Stop it." Mom cut dad in between. "He is better than you were at his age."

"I am?"

"He is?" Rita joined me.

"He isn't."

"Yes you are. Don't listen to your dad. Hurry up and clean before I serve dinner." Mom finished the argument and we followed her in.

I finished my assignments and got into my bed. My body was still sore from being kicked around, I needed good rest. My Air-Battle training will start tomorrow, so I fell asleep as soon as I sank into bed.