Ten Laps Late
By the time the afternoon sun leaned lazily westward, the boys of Ironroot Group 1A were scrambling to change into their PE uniforms. They'd just eaten at the dining hall — bellies full, minds drifting toward rest.
But the academy schedule was never that lenient. The dorm had been quiet for barely two minutes — until someone yelled:
[ Rio ]
"Guys!"
"It's already two-forty!"
And the chaos returned.
The standard Heavenreach Academy PE uniform was simple: a sleeveless tunic with short breeches, both charcoal gray, lined with thread representing guild color. For Ironroot, that meant a forest-green trim running down the sides. A light vest was optional, but few kids remembered to wear it properly.
[ Kaiden ]
"Where's my other sock?"
[ Nerim (panic) ]
"Do we have to bring shoes?!"
[ Rio ]
"Of course, we need shoes!"
"It's called physical education!"
They spilled out of the dormitory in a wave of uneven footsteps and flapping laces, Ironroot green flying in patches behind them. Across the field, the Ironroot girls were already halfway there.
With a disappointed look, Peggy muttered from afar.
[ Peggy ]
"Three minutes late..."
"And counting."
[ Irna (gently) ]
"Should we tell the coach?"
[ Peggy ]
"She already knows."
◈◈◈
The training field at Heavenreach Academy was expansive, large enough to accommodate all the classes simultaneously. It was divided by shaded hedgerows and glowing markers that shifted color based on the class schedule.
The boys trained on the left side. Girls on the right. Instructor posts were positioned at the midpoint of each section like sentries. And one of those sentries was staring directly at the three Ironroot boys.
Coach Trillian.
A tall, broad-shouldered woman in a slate sleeveless uniform — tight enough that her chest could barely breathe. Her arms were crossed, her jaw set like carved stone. The whistle around her neck had probably never been used softly.
"FWEEEEEEEETTT!!!"
Coach Trillian had once served under Ironroot directly. Rumor was she still answered to someone higher up in the Guild chain — someone with a keen eye on first-years like them. But right now, she was the coach for the Class of '51.
[ Coach Trillian ]
"Ironroot boys!"
Her voice cut across the field like a blade.
[ Coach Trillian ]
"You are late!"
The group froze mid-jog.
[ Nerim ]
"We ran the whole way..."
[ Coach Trillian ]
"You jogged... the whole way."
"Now you run."
"Ten laps."
"That's one for each minute your chaos delayed my start."
[ Kaiden ]
"But we were only..."
[ Coach Trillian ]
"Should I make it fifteen?"
[ Rio (saluting) ]
"Ten it is!"
Groans erupted as the boys trudged to the line, casting envious glances at the other guilds already doing stretches or warm-ups under calm supervision.
From the side field, a few Skyward and Dawnbreaker students watched with open amusement.
[ Vonn (mocking) ]
"Hey, Ironroot!"
"Want me to time you?"
[ Rell ]
"Or maybe a wheelbarrow?"
[ Peggy ]
"They did it to themselves."
Peggy folded her arms, unimpressed.
The whistle blew. The boys started running.
[ Coach Trillian ]
"Count your laps aloud!"
"And if I catch any of you skipping numbers..."
"You'll be running until sunset."
Kaiden sighed between breaths as he jogged, the warm earth pounding beneath his feet.
[ * Kaiden (internally) * ]
"This... is going to be a long year."
◈◈◈
After the boys finished their laps, the Ironroot boys joined their classmates. They collapsed onto the grass like felled saplings, chests heaving and faces red from effort. Ten laps under the afternoon sun was no joke — not after rice and stew.
Coach Trillian checked her timepiece, unimpressed.
[ Coach Trillian ]
"You're lucky I'm feeling merciful today."
"Now up!"
"No lying down unless you're dead."
"And if you're dead, I better see spirits floating."
Groaning, the boys staggered upright just as the rest of the class finished stretching. Trillian clapped her hands once.
Loud, sharp, final.
[ Coach Trillian ]
"Alright..."
"Enough warmup."
"Today, we play 'Galah Panjang'.'"
A ripple of excitement ran through the students. Even some of the more reserved kids perked up at the mention of the name.
[ Peggy ]
"I used to play back at home."
"Only… our version was on frozen lakes."
[ Nerim ]
"We lined pebbles from the quarries to mark the field!"
"Losers had to clean them up later... haha."
[ Kaiden ]
"Wait… is this the game where one team tries to cross the field and then return to the starting line to win?"
[ Rio (grinning) ]
"And the defenders try to tag the attackers to eliminate them."
"The very one..."
"Hehe."
[ * Kaiden (internally) * ]
"Yeah..."
"Everyone was playing 'galah panjang' back in Cardinal Peaks."
"But I never get the chance to join them."
"I had more serious matters with Pops..."
The coach gestured toward the far end of the field where the hedgerows parted to reveal a massive, marked-out arena, twice the size of any village yard Kaiden had seen.
[ Coach Trillian ]
"This… is the tournament-standard field."
"Forty paces wide. A hundred long."
"No fences."
"No favors."
A murmur of awe passed through the students. The field was larger than what they were used to.
"The rules are simple."
"Offense Team..."
"Get to the end of the field and back without being tagged by the other team to win."
"Defense Team?"
"Don't allow the other team to do exactly that by tagging them."
"Just a slight touch would be enough."
Coach Trillian paused before letting out a grin.
"You may use any magic or skills you have..."
"As long as it is not directed at your opponent's team."
"Any violation will result in immediate disqualification."
"Everyone clear?"
[ Class of '51 ]
"Yes, coach!"
Then, she stepped aside, allowing five older students to walk forward onto the pitch. They wore different colors, but their every step seemed synchronized.
[ Coach Trillian ]
"Before we start, let me introduce you to your opponent."
"The Heavenreach Academy's 'Galah Panjang' Team."
"They are the academy's alumni, and..."
"Champions of last year's Annual Academy Games."
The team spread out, lining up beside the coach.
"Meet..."
"From Skyward Arcanum, Vellin Kilmer."
"The captain."
Vellin Kilmer was more than just a captain. He was Skyward Arcanum's rising blade — cut from perfection, polished for spectacle. Majoring in air magic magnificently.
"The twins of Dawnseeker, Talya and Damien Quinn."
"Brandon 'The Wall' Sparke of Ironroot."
"And from Beastheart, and last year's MVP..."
"Kiba."
Kiba's entrance wasn't just for show. His name was gossiped about even in the halls of the Concordium — an unpredictable prodigy kept just within the rules.
The students whispered among themselves in awe of the champion team's presence.
[ Rio (whispering) ]
"Kiba's the one who managed to cross the starting line after all of his teammates were tagged, right?"
"Last year's final?"
[ Kaiden (dryly) ]
"Fantastic."
Coach Trillian paced slowly in front of them, hands behind her back.
[ Coach Trillian ]
"Each team will play one round."
"Our guests will be the Defense Team."
"Give it your best..."
"And who knows?"
"Maybe one of you can make the cut for this year's team..."
"...But. I doubt it."
[ * Kaiden (internally) * ]
"Ten laps and now this...?"
"Maybe the real game is don't die."
One by one, the first-year teams were eliminated by the former champions. Icy winds were invoked, paralyzing traps triggered, and Kiba's speed was too fast for the eye to catch a glimpse.
Nobody ever made it back to the starting line because nobody ever made it past the final line. The kid from Ironroot, Brandon, had it covered with impenetrable walls of earth.
Coach Trillian blew her whistle as the last team prepared for their turn.
[ Coach Trillian ]
"Okay, you tiny seedlings..."
"To the line!"
The three boys stood, joined by their other classmates, Peggy and Irna. Half-nervous, half-determined collection of seven-year-olds with something to prove.
Across the pitch, Vellin Kilmer lazily drew a line in the dirt with his toe. The twins cracked their knuckles. Kiba tilted his head, grinning like a wolf. Brandon lay back on the grass, eyes half-closed — waiting.
Coach Trillian raised her whistle.
Sharp breath in.
One last chance.