Sunday Training

It was Sunday. There was no doubt about it.

But why was Aray at school? This should have been his day off, a day for lazing around at home or sleeping all day. Instead, he's about to undergo various training sessions and health check-ups at school.

He couldn't stand it. It was torturing his very soul.

[Yesterday]

The classroom was bustling with excitement because tomorrow was Sunday. School hours weren't over yet, but all the students were already planning what to do the next day with their friends.

"Hey, since it's a holiday tomorrow, how about we go shopping and then hit the karaoke?" a girl asked her friend beside her.

"Let's play football tomorrow!" Now the boys were planning to play football together.

They were all so enthusiastic.

Aray wondered why they didn't just spend time with their families, or maybe relax at home like he did.

But all their plans were shattered when Mr. Roy suddenly entered the class, placed his hands on the desk, and said, "Listen up, everyone! Tomorrow there will be special training and health check-ups. So... Everyone must come in tomorrow!" With this information, he shocked all the students.

Even Aray, who had his head on the desk, was startled and immediately sat up straight.

"Heh..." The entire class protested in unison.

"Isn't tomorrow Sunday, sir?" One of the boys who had been planning to play futsal asked irritably.

"Yes, it is. So what?" Mr. Roy replied with an even more shocking answer.

"It's supposed to be a holiday, right?" asked a girl who seemed popular among the class.

"That's right. This is an order from the principal. So what can we do..." He shrugged.

Their shoulders slumped.

The peace of Aray's days had been snatched away. Now his precious day off was also being taken.

"Hah..." Aray sighed then put his head back on the desk. Back to sleep.

But the other students still couldn't accept it and caused unnecessary commotion. It was so noisy

Mr. Roy had already left the class. Now Aray could only wait to see what would happen tomorrow.

...

And that's how it happened.

Now, as he approached the school gates, Aray couldn't help but feel a sense of injustice. This was supposed to be his day for lazing around at home, for sleeping until the sun was high in the sky. Instead, he was here, in his black and white sports uniform, preparing for a day of pointless exertion.

The school grounds were eerily quiet as Aray made his way towards the indoor sports arena. The usual weekend silence was punctuated only by the sound of his own footsteps and the occasional chirp of an early bird. As he walked, he wiped a bead of sweat from his brow, muttering under his breath, "Walking sucks..."

As Aray turned a corner in the corridor leading to the arena, he suddenly found himself face to face with a familiar figure. Devdan stood there, his white hair a stark contrast to the shadowed hallway. Beside him was another student Aray didn't recognize, both of them looking far too relaxed for a forced Sunday session.

"Well, if it isn't Aray Kenzie," Devdan said, his voice carrying a hint of amusement. "What a... coincidence to meet you here."

Aray felt a prickle of unease. The memory of their first encounter, the clash of their magical auras that had shaken the very air around them, was still fresh in his mind. Even now, he could sense the latent power emanating from Devdan, like heat from a banked fire.

"Devdan," Aray acknowledged curtly, his eyes flicking briefly to Devdan's companion.

Noticing Aray's glance, Devdan's smile widened. "Ah, where are my manners? This is Avara," he said, gesturing to his companion. "Avara, meet Aray Kenzie, the... interesting student I told you about."

Avara nodded silently in greeting. Aray returned the gesture with a slight tilt of his head, his guard still up.

"I see you're heading to the training session," Devdan continued, his tone casual but his eyes sharp. "Quite the unexpected turn of events for a Sunday, isn't it?"

"Maybe," Aray replied, not wanting to engage more than necessary.

Devdan chuckled, a sound that seemed to carry more meaning than mere amusement. "You know, Aray, I've been thinking about our... encounter the other day. Your power is quite impressive."

Aray tensed slightly, remembering the intensity of their magical clash. He remained silent, waiting for Devdan to get to the point.

"It made me wonder," Devdan continued, his voice lowering slightly, "have you reconsidered my offer? The student council could use someone of your... caliber."

Aray's eyes narrowed. "Still, pass," he said firmly, his tone leaving no room for argument.

"Still not interested?" Devdan raised an eyebrow, seeming more intrigued than disappointed. "Well, the offer stands. You might find that the council has more to offer than you think."

"Is that all?" Aray asked, already turning to leave.

But Devdan's next words made him pause. "Oh, one more thing, Aray. You might want to keep your guard up today. I have a feeling something... interesting is about to happen."

Aray glanced back at Devdan, noting the cryptic smile on his face. Without responding, he continued on his way, leaving Devdan and Avara behind. As he walked away, he could feel Devdan's gaze on his back, and he couldn't shake off the feeling that the day was about to take an unexpected turn.

As Aray approached the arena entrance, a familiar voice called out to him. "Yo, Aray! Just arrived?" It was Alvarado, his classmate, who had recently taken to following Aray around despite his best efforts to discourage him.

Aray nodded curtly in response, his eyes scanning the area for his sister, Alicia. He spotted her a moment later, waving enthusiastically as she approached.

"Brother!"

The group made their way into the arena, where Mr. Roy was already calling everyone to gather. As they walked, Aray caught a glimpse of Devdan and Avara seated in the upper level of the arena, observing the proceedings below. Devdan's earlier words echoed in his mind, putting him on edge.

Suddenly, without warning, a tremendous tremor shook the entire school. The floor beneath their feet bucked and heaved, sending students stumbling. Panic erupted as Mr. Roy tried to maintain order, his voice barely audible over the increasing chaos.

"Everyone, stay calm and slowly exit the gym!"

But before anyone could reach the exit, a blinding flash lit up the arena. A massive laser beam tore through the roof, leaving a gaping hole in its wake. Through this opening, two figures descended – a man and a woman, hovering in the air as if gravity was merely a suggestion.

"Attention!" the man shouted, his voice echoing through the now-silent arena. "We are members of the neighboring country. We've been ordered to eliminate all of you!"

The revelation sent shockwaves through the assembled students. They had unwittingly entered a new battlefield, thrust into a conflict they hadn't anticipated. Many began to cry, the reality of their situation sinking in.

A blonde girl from the Unver class stepped forward, her voice steady despite the chaos. "Don't worry! We students from the Unver class will protect you all!"

The female intruder, her red hair and eyes gleaming with an unnatural light, looked to her companion. "Hey, hey! Can I slaughter them all?" Her voice was filled with a disturbing eagerness, a wide smile splitting her face.

"Of course, Veda," the man replied, his tone casual as if discussing the weather. "You can eliminate them all. Attack with all your strength. I will hold back anyone who tries to escape from this place."

Veda's laughter echoed through the arena, a chilling sound that sent shivers down Aray's spine. "Kukuku! Finally, I can kill many people today."

Beside Aray, Alicia put on a brave face. "Don't worry, brother! I'll protect you from here. Since I'm also a member of the Unver class, this is my duty, right?"

Aray felt a twinge of concern. Protect him? She could barely protect herself.

Before he could respond, Alvarado chimed in, his eyes narrowed in confusion. "Why does someone like you need protection? Aren't you very str—"

Aray quickly shut Alvarado's mouth with magic, silencing him before he could say more. Alvarado's eyes widened in surprise, clearly wondering about Aray's sudden action.

Veda stretched out her hands, her voice filled with anticipation. "Well then, let's start this mass slaughter." Small black orbs began to form at her fingertips, coalescing into a massive sphere of darkness that pulsed with malevolent energy.

The members of the Unver class took fighting stances, preparing to defend their fellow students. The very air seemed to crackle with tension as magical energy built up on both sides.

Veda's eyes gleamed with a manic light as she called out her attack.

"Plasma destroyer."

As the devastating attack hurtled towards them, Aray's mind raced. The lazy Sunday he had anticipated had transformed into something far more dangerous. The peace he so cherished had been shattered, and now, he found himself at the center of a storm he had never asked for.

At that moment, as chaos erupted around him, Aray realized that his desire for a peaceful, uneventful life had just become a distant dream. The real challenge was only beginning, and he would need to decide how much of his true power he was willing to reveal to protect those around him.