Caspian : Grow Up !

This morning, under a fine but persistent rain, I run through the campus. My backpack bounces on my shoulders with every stride, my clothes quickly soaking through.

I cast worried glances at my watch, fearing I might be late for class. Raindrops trickle down my face, but I keep running, determined to reach Building Three before the bell rings. The campus, usually quiet at this hour, is oddly bustling with hurried activity.

After climbing what feels like a hundred steps, I finally reach my classroom hallway. The windows are all fogged up from the rain outside. A few other students are rushing around with their colorful umbrellas, creating a mini rainbow parade.

That's when I see unfamiliar faces in my building. Besides Rhys, Nissa, and me, there are rarely any others here apart from the teachers.

A girl with a red headband and long brown hair is chatting with two blond dudes with piercing blue eyes. One has a red tattoo at the back of his neck, while the other wears a large dark green puffer jacket over his uniform, covered in black graffiti-a coat clearly unsuitable for the season.

As I approach, I notice one of the boys is taping posters to the walls.

"Oh, a blue finally!" the girl points at me. Her friends turn around, and I stride towards them.

"Need any help?" I ask.

"You're the new guy? The championship starts October 1st. You better at least show up in the stands this year?" one of the guys says.

"Who are you all?" I reply.

"I'm Maxen, this is my brother Valen, and she's-"

"Elowen Bass, nice to meet you," she interrupts, extending her hand. I shake it reflexively as she smiles warmly.

"I'll be attending some of your personal development classes to boost my skills in general, although there won't be much work for me," she continues.

"Trust me, there won't be much work for anyone!"

Maxen finishes hanging his last poster and admires it with satisfaction. It lists the names of two opponents, Zander and someone named Ruin.

"My father's sponsoring the tournament this year again . There'll be high-end food stands; we don't kill students with fast food and rat poison,"

"That's why those stands stay untouched. Who wants to chow down on caviar while watching people beat the crap out of each other?" Maxen retorts, eyeing her.

"Of course, it'd be too much to ask your last few brain cells to understand what 'rat poison' means, Braconis,"

"I don't think I can make it. Are we not banned from the sports complex during the tournament?" I ask after looking at the flyer.

"Who still follows the rules? Get Rularen to come, it'll do him as much good as oxygen," Maxen replies.

Maxen walks away, but Valen steps in front of me.

"Can you get Rularen to come?"

"Listen, I don't mean to be rude, but don't you think these nicknames are a bit childish? Rularen, Zularen... We're not in elementary school, for goodness' sake, grow up !" I respond.

Valen looks surprised as I pass by him and head towards my class. Elowen follows me determinedly without looking back.

"What's going on? Is he bothering you?" Maxen asks, sidling up to his brother again.

"I... I think I just made a friend."