Chapter 7 Combat Class

Ivy hesitated for a moment, not sure if she should open the door.

The knock continued so she had no choice but to open the door.

Slowly, she walked toward it and turned the handle.

Sophie stood there with a tired smile and a small blanket wrapped around her shoulders.

"Hey... sorry it's so late," she said. "I just wanted to check on you. How was the tour today? I didn't see you there."

Ivy blinked in surprise, then stepped aside. "Um, it was okay. Weird. But okay. I didn't see you either. Want to come in?"

"Thank you," Sophie said, letting out a breath as she stepped inside. "This school gives me weird vibes. But... I figured we'll be safer if we stick together."

Ivy looked up at her in surprise. "You want us to be friends?"

Sophie grinned. "Of course. You seem cool. And besides, I think it'll be tough to survive alone here."

"Cool?" Ivy was shocked. "I don't think that word and me go hand in hand."

"I find you cool, and you're nice too. Since you're the first person I talked with, I want us to be very good friends," Sophie said.

Ivy's face lit up with relief. She had been sure it would be hard to make friends. Everyone seemed distant or too focused on themselves. She didn't know how to start a conversation with any of them, so she had decided she might as well be a loner. Thankfully, Sophie came along.

"Thanks," Ivy said softly. "I'd like that."

The two talked a little while before Sophie yawned and said goodnight. Ivy watched her leave and smiled to herself. Maybe this place wouldn't be so bad after all.

The next morning, Ivy and Sophie walked to the cafeteria together. The hallways were full of life. Students moved quickly in groups, talking and laughing like they had known each other for years.

"Eat light," Sophie warned. "Combat class is next."

"Combat? Already?" Ivy frowned.

Sophie nodded. "It starts today. We need to head to the training grounds after this."

"How did you know we have combat class?" Ivy asked.

"There's a timetable pasted on the notice board. To" Sophie replied, sipping her juice. "I saw it on the way back last night."

Ivy barely touched her food after that. Her stomach tightened at the thought of fighting. She didn't know the first thing about combat. Would she be expected to punch someone? What if she messed up? What if she got hurt? She looked at Sophie who was still eating. She seemed so calm.

After breakfast, they followed a small group of students heading out to the training grounds. Ivy felt the ground change under her feet as stone gave way to sand and soil. A large open space waited ahead. It was surrounded by tall walls and scattered training equipment targets, dummies, weapons, and mats. They were directed to a private place where they were given black combat outfits to change into. When they had finished changing, they went back to the open area.

Whispers floated around the group.

"Is he really coming today?"

"I heard he crushed someone last year with just a flick."

"They say he's got a hundred rings, one for every fight he's won." someone exaggerated.

"No, just five. One for each finger."

Ivy leaned closer to Sophie. "Who are they talking about?"

"Dorian Vale," Sophie answered quietly. "One of the Top Five. He's... intense."

Before Ivy could ask more, the crowd kept quiet. Someone was walking toward them.

He was tall and lean, wearing a black combat vest over a long-sleeved shirt. His spiky black hair stood out like sharp blades, and he wore one ring on each finger. They were shiny, silver, and shaped differently. One had a dragon head, another looked like fire, the third was plain but dark as night, the fourth one looked like a claw, and the last one was covered in thorns.

His gaze was cold, focused. As he stood in front of them, the murmurs stopped.

"I'm Dorian Vale," he said. His voice was calm but firm. "For today, I'll be observing. Your real instructor will take over after the initiation trial."

He walked slowly along the line of students, his eyes moving across each one like he was reading their souls. His gaze paused on Ivy for a second. Her heart jumped. But then it moved on.

"Combat here is not a game," Dorian said. "You either survive... or you fail. And there is no place for failure here."

Some students shifted nervously. Ivy could feel her palms getting sweaty. The more she stayed here, the more she realized that this school wasn't an actual school. Which school taught combat in all seriousness.

"I want to see your reflexes," he continued. His gaze landed on Ivy again, who stiffened, then it moved to Sophie. "Starting with you." His hand pointed toward Sophie.

Sophie blinked. "Me?"

"Yes. Step forward."

Sophie glanced at Ivy once, then stepped out.

"Try to stay on your feet," Dorian said.

Before she could react, he moved. A quick sweep of his leg sent her falling backward. She hit the ground with a thud.

Ivy gasped.

Sophie stood up, she tried to steady herself, but Dorian didn't wait for her. He came at her again, this time his hand shot out. Sophie tried to block but ended up falling to the side.

Over and over, he tested her. From kicking to pushing to pushing and each time, Sophie barely managed to stand up.

"Enough," he said after sometime. "That's what weakness looks like."

Sophie panted on the ground, her hair was messy and she groaned in pain.

Dorian turned to the rest. "After the initiation trial, weakness will not be allowed. If you can't fight, you don't belong here."

He let that sink in before continuing.

"Now, the point system."

Everyone listened closely.

"You'll need points to eat, to access books, medicine, or anything else. This is not a charity. If you want to survive, you must earn."

A few people looked at each other in confusion.

"There's a mission office on the second floor of the west building. You take on tasks, complete them, and earn points. Simple."

With that, he walked away, his black boots kicking up dust behind him.

Ivy rushed to Sophie, who was trying to stand.

"Are you okay?" she asked, worried.

Sophie groaned but smiled weakly. "It's fine. Just pain here and there. Thankfully, I didn't bleed"

They walked slowly back to the dorms, Sophie was leaning a bit on Ivy's shoulder.

"I don't get it," Ivy said. "Why did he target you?"

"No idea," Sophie muttered. "Maybe I looked easy to pick on."

Meanwhile, back at the Obsidian Wing, Dorian entered a large room where they waited for him "Well?" Caspian asked.

Dorian shook his head. "I don't see anything special. Are you sure that girl, Sophie Whitmore is the Phoenix Star?"

Caspian frowned. "Yes. She was marked. I saw it with my own eyes."

Selene leaned back in her chair. "Then let's wait. It's not like we don't have enough time."

That night, Ivy and Sophie sat in their room, both exhausted.

"I really thought this school would be like... normal," Ivy said quietly. "Like books and notes and maybe some weird rules, but not this."

Sophie gave her a long look. "You live under a rock or something?"

Ivy blinked.

"Everyone knows Bloodmoon Academy isn't a normal school," Sophie said. "It's famous for its combat training and weird rules. It trains people to be warriors, not scholars."

Warriors?! Ivy was shocked. Why the hell would she want to be a warrior? Why was she given a scholarship here in the first place?

Was she the only one who didn't know what this school was all about? She now understood why no one else had been surprised on the first day, even when the headmistress talked about blood. They already knew.

Maybe it was because she had spent her whole life in the orphanage, that's why she didn't know the inside news of this academy. She was sure Mrs. Harrington and Mr. Doyle knew about the school. Again, she stabbed them over and over in her mind.

Sophie turned toward her. "If you survive the initiation trial... then you'll really understand what this school is all about."

Ivy looked at her, confused. "If I survive'? What do you mean by that?"