The stare continues until a voice calls out to them. “Alex and …new boy, what are you guys doing there?”

It was their P.E. coach calling out to them. “Come on line up quickly.”

Alex quickly got up and ran off to stand in line. ‘Whew… he really gave me shivers.’

‘Who is that kid?’ Miracle asked.

‘Him? He’s Blake, the new admission. Why do you ask?’

‘He’s a mage.’

‘A mage? Like he has magic powers?’

‘Correct.’

Alex took a good look at Blake who stood in another line slightly apart from him. “Doesn’t look like one.” He scoffed.

‘You don’t look like someone who can wield my powers but you do don’t you?’

‘Yeah, yeah, I get it. But how did you know?’

‘I sensed his mana. People here on earth all have dormant mana whereas those who have accessed their mana and are able to use it at will are called mages. Their mana levels usually tend to be higher than such dormant types. That kid is deliberately trying to suppress his mana level. Though he is skilled but nowhere near enough for me to not sense him.’ Miracle explained.

‘Then if he can control his mana then…’

‘You’re thinking correct. He could become another danger like the summoner.’

After a bit of warm up exercises the coach formed several groups of five. Alex wanted to curse his luck out loud as he was put in the same group as Blake.  

“Alright now listen up everybody, we’ll be playing a game of lock and key today. You all know the rules but I’ll explain them again so that no can cry later on!” The coach announced in his loud voice. Coach Robin was tall having a height of 5’10. He had a light brown coloured moustache matching the colour of his hair. His clothes complied of black and white, sweat pants and t shirt.

“So, one person is supposed to tag everyone and scream “Lock”. Once tagged, you cannot move, unless someone else tags you screaming “Key”. But make sure you shout “Lock” & “Key”. We’ll have a 15-minute game. If anyone is locked a total of 3 times or if everyone gets locked within the time, then the person who is “it” wins and if not the rest win. Okay those were the rules now as for the person who’ll be “it” is…”

He then went on to choose a random person from each group. Blake was selected in Alex’s group. ‘Shit… I think this is bad. I need to make an excuse to get out of here. Stomachache might do—

‘No, you’re playing the game!’ Miracle’s voice sounded.

‘What? Why? Didn’t you said he could be dangerous! I don’t want to get killed again.’

‘Do you think he’ll kill you now?’

‘Well… no, he would have done that before if that was the case.’

‘That’s right. He can’t do anything to you in public. This is a great opportunity to test out the waters kid. See what we are dealing with. Try to wield my mana now, after handling that large amount back then, I am sure you can handle a decent amount for your current condition. The better you’re able to circulate the mana in your body the stronger your physical capabilities can be. Try your best and force him to show his strength, that way I can judge at which stage his mana control his.’

‘Easy for you to—

Alex got interrupted in the middle as he heard the high pitch sound of the whistle blown by Robin. “Oi, Alex run, that handsome jerk is coming our way!” Grey who was also in Alex’s group shouted as he began to run away. Blake immediately made his way towards Alex and the others.

He moved swiftly on his feet and within 5 minutes locked three persons. It was impressive considering the large ground and how other group members were also running around.

Somewhere amidst this chaotic ground was Grey, leaning against a tree with his hand resting on it as he talked to a girl.

“So, Emily, what are you doing after algebra today? Even if you’re doing anything, want to meet me in the cafeteria later in the evening? We can disc- ow!” He was nearly knocked over from a slap across the back of his head. He heard the word “lock” and turned to look around only to find that he had run off quite far into the distance.

“Woah, is that the new boy Blake? I was hoping I could’ve talked to him. Tch, too bad…” Emily grumbled as she kicked some dirt away.

“That damn Blake! Messing with me everywhere! Ignore him Emily, as I was saying—

“Sorry I’ve got plans.” With that she walked away leaving him alone as Grey couldn’t move. He wanted to but he felt a stare from the coach which made his feet glued to the ground.

‘Now all that’s left is him…’ Blake thought to himself as he quickly found Alex trying to hide from him. Alex saw that everyone had been locked except for him. He didn’t even get a chance to key them as Blake locked them pretty close to each other. There was another reason why he let him lock others. He had to go head-to-head with him so that Miracle could analyze him. There were still 8 minutes left on the clock. The real game was beginning now.