Blood spurted out from Jace's lips as the hologram's fist smashed against his stomach. Across the room he could feel Skye's gaze of disapproval. Jace sighed as he brushed his arm against his wet lips, refocusing on his blue opponent. Skye wasn't the one fighting for life here.
The Hologram struck as Jace fought the urge to spin. He twisted lightly, allowing the hit to connect with his left shoulder but slide off harmlessly. At the same time, Jace's concealed right hook rose to meet the Hologram's chin–if it had one.
The Hologram backed away as Jace cursed silently, his eyes trained onto the blue mass of codes. What could be worse than fighting a flexible opponent. Maybe doing that with his movement restrained and the inability to even defend.
The hologram struck as Jace's foot shifted to the side before sliding to a stop–no dodging. Jace allowed his blue opponent to get close enough before planting a squared fist at his enemy's face.
Exploding into thin blue sparks the hologram vanished. Jace grunted. Grinding his teeth, Jace headed over to the closest of the washed out walls, grabbed his bag and slung it over his shoulder. Skye's voice rang a second later. "Class's over,"
Students filed out, muttering about broken bones and injuries and how their precious little feelings were somehow hurt by being slammed against the floor too many times. Jace attempted to slip into the crowd, stopping at the figure directly in front of him.
"You've grown," Skye started as she looked down on Jace, a sharp sardonic smile playing on her lips. "I didn't have to use the 'device' today."
Jace tightened his fist, feeling the slight tingle reverberate through his fingers. He unclenched it, took a deep breath, and attempted to pass by Skye's left. Skye blocked him. "It's only been days yet you've already grown used to this. I knew you were a prodigy, just never knew to this extent."
"Gee thanks," Jace mocked, offering a curt smile as he tried to pass by Skye's right.
Blocking once more, Skye pressed on "Most students still talk about their feelings. You're one of the few who's already mastered the basics. I'm even writing a reference letter for you. If you keep up this pace, you could very well be the Leader of a Squadron by the time you're done. Maybe even a Platoon."
Jace laughed. He struggled to hold it in, to keep it in check yet he couldn't help but laugh. Jace chuckled as he walked out the room, passing by his 'wonderful' Instructor. Skye did nothing, simply watching the young student go.
Strolling out of his last class and into the weapons class, Jace strutted in amidst the sound of clanking, banging and screams. A student who had his top two buttons unbuckled, held up a giant axe, muttering slurs as he smashed it against a shield. Another student wore a gauntlet alongside wielding a short knife. A scrunchie was connected to the knife, more of a disservice to her than to her opponent.
Sidestepping a few, muttering the occasional 'sorry' to fallen students and giving a stare to some who tried to spar, Jace found the Instructor at his desk.
"Hey," Jace called out as the young man looked up from the files sitting in his lap. Putting the documents away, the Instructor stood. He withdrew his two edged sword strapped to his back as he asked casually "How was your last class?"
"Don't pretend you care," Jace shot back, dropping his bag and forming a stance. The Instructor nodded, swinging his sword so fast until it stopped, mere centimetres from Jace's neck.
"You're distracted."
Jace ignored the weapon inches from his throat. He settled back into the first stance, forming his hand to a fist. The Instructor nodded as he dropped his weapon, allowing the golden sword to clatter to the ground.
Jace moved first, striking as Drax dodged and the two settled into their rhythm. The student struck every chance he could get, his attacks quick and efficient. The Instructor was always a second too fast, weaving attacks and only striking when needed. Which wasn't very often.
The hour clicked by as the bell rang just as Drax's finger poked Jace's forehead for the eighth time that day "Win again."
Jace sighed as he looked around, noticing the sparse number of people. He picked his bag, dusting it from the ground as The Instructor questioned once more. "How was your class?"
"You don't care about my class,"
The Instructor nodded as he strapped his weapon back to its place "What if I say I do?"
"Then you would be lying."
The Instructor nodded once more as Jace hesitated before speaking. "You don't have to pretend to care or feel bad. It's fine."
"And what if I really care?"
Jace chuckled as he pinched the bridge of his nose as he spoke, his voice rising higher with each word "You care yet Skye's class continues. You care yet Billy, a clearly insane idiot, goes around beating people to the point of death and nothing. That's your care."
The Instructor remained silent yet that just seemed to stoke the flames even more. Anger and pain rose as Jace screamed. "You're just like the Military. Care only for your benefit. Do only what you consider good. I mean you two suit each other. Maybe that's why you're already there."
The Instructor did nothing, simply looking at Jace with that expressionless face and clear eyes. And in those eyes, Jace saw pity and that infuriated him. Storming out, Jace made sure to slam the door as loud as possible.
Clenching his fis, Jace stormed into the courtyard. He felt cold. Jace could feel his fingers relaxed as the thought came in. Maybe he was wrong. Maybe he just needed a little time.
Yet pain struck and with that pain clarity. Jace glanced at the entrance of the Central Hall where a body lay. And scribbled on the door on that body were the words 'Fascist'. And Jace felt disgusted.
At Bill who tarnished the very concept of rebellion. At Bill's odious character. But mostly to all the people who did nothing. The students, the second-years, himself. Who cared that Bill had a backer? Someone had to stop him.
A sharp pain assaulted Jace's mind as clarity returned. Him. It would have to be him. Jace was the one who had to punish Bill for his revolting actions.
Jace pondered for a second as he sighed frustratedly. He was tired. With the assignment on the War of Liberation still active, Jace intended to check the library for sources.
Walking in and scanning his ID, Jace arrived at the maze. Since Jace's focus was a lot more expansive, searching the books would do practically nothing. Jace sighed as he caught sight of someone, a young student with sun–darkened skin. It only took a second for Jace to place her as his benefactor from the last library's visit.
The thought of saying 'hello' came but a quick beep revealed to be a message from Silas shut that down. Sighing, Jace focused on finding as many books containing the war as possible.
Two hours later, Jace stumbled out of the pale white building feeling like a zombie. The only good news seemed to be that he had now done close to 8 pages of that assignment, 12 more to go.
Jace sighed as his cyberlink beeped. Opening it, Jace noticed the sender instantly–Elena. The reason hit him like a truck–He hadn't met her today.
Following the flowered path, Jace found her once more outside the she. She gazed intently at the olden infirmary, her hand gripping a bandage.
"Hey," Elena whirled, a wrinkle staining her smiling face. She brightened up as she saw Jace, her voice calm yet tired
"Hey,"
"You okay?" Jace questioned as Elena tried to smile before failing. Instead she simply began unwrapping Jace's bandage as she responded
"Yeah, just thinking bout someone?"
Bill. Jace's mind flashed as the name appeared in an instant. Jace struggled to control his thoughts. He was tired. He was exhausted. He was …
"I'm just worried. This person's… dangerous"
It was Bill. How long had it been. Jace had ignored him, let him scalpers round for days, weeks. Now, he was dangerous. Dangerous enough that even Elena was worried.
Jace could see it. Bill laughing, ruling over the Academy as the Instructors could do nothing except turn their face away. Bill hurting everyone. The girl from the library, Jax, Silas…Elena. Scribbling whatever he wanted as he tied her to the giant statue.
"Are you okay?" Elena questioned, noticing Jace's surprising silence.
"I'm fine," Jace assured as he noticed how Elena didn't bother healing, how she simply changed the bandages. She was worried.
And Jace would be too knowing Bill's actions. Jace forced a smile as he watched Elena walk away, her brows scrunched.
Bill needed to go. No matter what.
Someone needed to stop him.