CHAPTER 6: Apprentice
The sun begins to set behind the arena, and thousands of spectators walk out through the gates. Still inside, however, three new apprentices meet their mentors. Delle cries tears of joy as she wraps her arms around Kurt's legs. "WAH!! THANK YOU SIR!! I'LL DO MY VERY BEST TO MAKE YOU PROUD!!" The sound of metal shifting causes the orange haired man to flinch. "GAH!! WATCH THE LEG!!" Beside them, Bron gives Ellia a fistbump and says, "Congrats!" The fairy girl floats and spins with her fist raised. "Yes!"
Lastly, Komo hesitantly accepts Percy's handshake. "That was just the entry exam. Training starts tomorrow. We'll see what you're really capable of then." Unlike the others, the shield maiden never shows even a hint of joy. All she can think about is the boy who gave up his chance for her.
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Outside the arena's back entrance, dusk was at its end. Gren sat next to a dumpster with his head in his knees, crying. I had it! Everything I've always dreamed of was right there! Why did I do that!? A louder cry slips out of his mouth, and is heard by a nearby figure. "Hey." Gren looks up with tear stains on his face to find Komo standing there in casual clothes and a worn backpack. "Komo? What are you-" "I'm not taking the apprenticeship."
Gren wipes his eyes and stands up in disbelief. "You...You can't do that. It's yours. Percy chose you." "I said I'm NOT taking it!" A moment of silence between the two is filled by the wind blowing through their hair. A few seconds later, Komo rubs her right arm and says, "I don't deserve it. You jumped in front of me when you could've won it yourself...so I'm telling Percy to take you as his apprentice instead." "Komo I-" No words could accurately describe how Gren felt. He couldn't accept Komo giving her victory to him, and she couldn't live with the sacrifice he made for her.
"So what I'm hearing is, none of you want to be my apprentice." Gren and Komo turn to the sound of Percy's voice as he steps closer. The swordsman carries his katana on his back, but now wears a green, button-up shirt and slim jeans. The feeling of being starstruck to Gren turns to shame. "No sir. Komo wants it." "Shut up!" the angry girl shouts, "I told you it was yours! Now take it!" Komo then pushes Gren towards Percy, but he resists. "No! It's...not...mine!" Seeing the shoving match getting out of control, Percy sticks his hands between the teens' heads and forces them apart. "Hey! Calm down. I was trying to find you kids to tell you..."
Both teens look down. Gren in sadness, Komo in anger. Now neither of them would get the prize. "...I'm taking both of you as apprentices." As if their minds were connected, the two simultaneously look at each other, then up at their new mentor. "WHAT!?" "I pulled some strings, twisted some arms, and got the governor to agree to let me take on two apprentices. I hope that solves your argument."
Overwhelming joy takes over Gren, who wraps his arms around Percy's waist. "THANK YOU!! I CAN'T BELIEVE THIS IS HAPPENING!!" The excited boy then tries to hug Komo, but she shoves him to the ground. "Oh boy," says Percy with a bit of exhaustion, "Make sure you pack all your bags for tomorrow morning. I'll come pick you up around eight." Gren jumps twice his height from the concrete and runs off to tell his family. "WOOHOO!!" his fading voice shouts. Komo tugs on her backpack straps and gives a half smile. "I'm already packed." She then walks away, leaving Percy to return to his serious expression. Peaking around the corner, Victor watches it all take place, furious. Gren!...
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