Charlotte: *She watched Kai and Sage duel. The boy of green swinging his blade with grace and might. The boy of red swiftly dodging and landing punches everywhere he saw a chance.* “True might, is what one’s heart makes of it. You could have all the strength in the world, but it wouldn’t matter if your heart isn’t in the right place.”

Jasper: *She turned to face her taller classmate.* “W- what do you mean by that?”

Charlotte: “This battle, and battles yet to come, will only be determined by one of two factors. One’s strength, and one’s will. Whoever surpasses in both will be the true victor. In this case, it’s most likely to be-”

Zane: “This is killing my ears…” *He groaned.*

Alex: “Hey hey!” *The white haired boy quickly cut in.* “Don’t spoil the fun!”

Jasper: *She then turned to her, less taller, classmate. “These guys are freakishly tall! Are they basketball players or something? What do their parents feed them!?!?”* “Fun? I- I’m not sure any of this can be considered… fun…”

Alex: “Course it can! The mystery of who’ll come out on top, and how he’ll manage to do it is the fun part! Sure, maybe the process of figuring it out isn’t for everybody. But in the world of heroes, being able to keep up the crowd’s morale while keeping them safe is no easy feat! That is why putting on such a flashy display is important!” 

~Charlotte and Jasper both seemed to wonder how this conversation turned to putting on a “flashy display”.~

~Sage managed to strike Kai in the arm with the flat of the Great Sword. However, the scarlet haired boy wouldn’t give up. He managed to lift his arm to block it more efficiently. Sage pushed him around, Kai sliding around the ring in return.~

Kai: *He grunted as he slid in a circular motion, corresponding to the ring itself. He glanced at the timer. A minute and some change left. He launched himself into the air with All-Star, causing Sage to spin violently before collapsing onto a knee. He’d then use another burst of air to launch himself towards him.* 

Sage: “Gotcha!” *A glint passed through his eye as he brought the blade up and over, slamming his opponent into the earth. Now Kai was the one on his knee. He then stood and lifted the blade above his head, before bringing it down onto Kai.* 

~Kai barely reacted in time, stopping the blade with his arm. Luckily for him, it was the flat side of the blade. Still hurt like hell though. He winced as Sage forced him lower onto both knees.~

Kai: “Nggh!” *Despite trying to push-back, he was being overwhelmed by the seconds. “Something, anything. What can I do to quickly get me out of this?” Within that moment, Tyson’s words came to mind.” ‘Try using your power for something other than just attacking! If you want to become better, start there!’. He took a deep breath and began focusing on reinforcing his body. This wasn’t like when he changed the airflow to help him with the push-ups. This was an entirely new skill. One he never even considered. “That’s it! This entire time I’ve been using All-Star as a means of attack. I never even took the time to consider that it could be used differently!”*

Tyson: *He leaned closer in anticipation and excitement.* “He’s got it!”

Mikate: “Really? I don’t see anything different…” *He squinted his eyes, trying to see something.* 

Kyoge: *He smirked.* “It’s clear as day, he’s applying his power in a new way. Something to give him more options. More-”

Amy: “Pretty sure we got the point.” *She said with annoyance.* 

Kyoge: “Oh… just making sure…” *Internally, he was disappointed.* 

Kai: *He focused more on the feeling, refining it to the best of his ability. “Since I just made this technique on the spot, there isn’t much to it. In fact, it’s sloppy work. But for now… it’ll do!” He glared ahead, focused on repelling the blade holding him down.*

~Kai pulled air closer onto his skin. He eventually created a small space between the flat of the blade and his skin. This air wasn’t just a thin barrier either. It was similar to armor. One that could stop a bullet if it was far enough. Sage couldn’t see this due to the sword’s size however. Before he knew it, Kai released a burst of air from close to his body. This flung the sword up and out of his hands. The rest seemed to happen in slow motion. Kai getting out of crouching position to release a mighty punch to Sage’s jaw.~

Sage: *He couldn’t react in time. His body was still reeling from the sudden shock of being flung back. One eye slowly closed as he grunted. “You’ve finally got it. I hope this helped you in more ways than one. More importantly, I’m just glad I got to help you. I know we aren’t personally friends, but is it too much to ask to root you on?”*

~Kai delivered a charged punch to Sage’s jaw. This was enough to knock him out cold and send the emerald haired boy onto the ground. Within the next few seconds, the buzzer rang. Kai had officially defeated Sage.~

~Later that afternoon…~

Kai: *He sat outside the Med-Bay, waiting for somebody.* “Hope I didn’t hit him too hard…” *His mind flashed to just before he delivered the finishing blow. “At the end of the fight, it didn’t really seem like he had ill intent. Rather, he just wanted to give it his all to help me unlock my potential. Subconsciously, I pulled the punch. I hope he’ll accept my apology. I even went and bought brownies from Al-la-carte…” He gripped the bag of brownies sitting in his lap.* “This couldn’t be any longer…”

~The Med-Bay doors slid open and out came a familiar Emerald colored hair boy with matching eyes. He spotted Kai and waved.~

Sage: “Yo! Hope you weren’t waiting for me this entire time.” *He grinned.* 

Kai: *He stood and rubbed the back of his head.* “Nah, just came to give you these. Charlotte said you needed compensation… not sure what she meant by that…” *Part lie, part truth.* 

Sage: *He took the bag and looked inside.* “Well, tell her I said- Oooh~ Brownies~”

Kai: *He chuckled and pivoted.* “I’ll make sure to tell her! Hey… I have a question…”

Sage: *He looked up with a raised eyebrow.* 

Kai: “Back there… you were acting right? I don’t think you got upset that I figured you out so fast… or that you really had it out for me.”

Sage: *He groaned.* “I really thought I sold it… yeah it was an act… all just to-” *He was cut off.*

Kai: “Help me overcome my power-blockage. Thanks.” *He held out his fist to his classmate* “I mean it.”

Sage: *He finished the gesture with a fist bump, slightly smiling.* “Don’t mention it. Just let me know if you need help with anything else alright?”

Kai: *He smiled as he pivoted and left the Med-Bay, leaving a thumbs up before he did so.*

Sage: “I can see why they wanted to help him now…”

~Back in A-9 Classroom~

~A few of the boys were sitting about, going on about the final match. They weren’t even concerned about their own anymore.~

Alex: “Talk about flashy! That last part in Kai v Sage was probably the best part!” *He imitated the dramatic way Kai socked Sage in the jaw.* “Aww man, that just gets me riled up!”

Mikate: *He nodded in agreement.* “No doubt. That was a match to remember! I mean, Sage was cool too. Don’t get me wrong. He really had Kai on the ropes with Wind-Cutter!”

Kyoge: “The part that really had me hooked was when Sage stopped holding back on his attacks. It really forced Kai to fight with all the might he could muster.” *He crossed his arms and closed his eyes.* “Had it not been for that last second discovery, Kai definitely would’ve lost. In terms of pure skill, Sage has him beat.” *Internally, Kyoge was dealing with his own battle… “HOW COME NOBODY IS GETTING ALL RILED UP ABOUT MY REMATCH!?!” 

Akuna: “I personally enjoyed Kyoge’s fight against Gale. It was satisfying to see him overcome an opponent he recently lost to.” *He nodded as he spoke.*

Kyoge: *He turned away and performed a silent fistpump.* “Yesss!”

Mikate: *He looked over to Amy, who was chatting it up with Nova* “What do you think Ames? Any opin-” *He was cut off as a shoe met his face. He cradled his nose with one hand and pointed towards Amy with the other.* “WHAT WAS THAT FOR!?!!”

Amy: *She shrugged.* “Probably a muscle spasm. Don’t call me Ames again and maybe I won’t have another one.”

Kyoge & Alex: *Shivers ran down their spines. “Scary,..” They thought.*

Kai: *He walked into the classroom, cracking his neck. The class grew quiet for a moment. But just a moment. As he got closer to his seat, the chatter resumed. When he got to his seat, he saw a note card from an anonymous person left on his desk. It read “Strength is the heart and the heart is Strength.” He looked up from the note and looked around in confusion. “Cryptic messages? Really?”*

Huggins: *She clapped her hands together.* “All right, take your seats please. It’s time for afternoon announcements.” 

~The students shuffled around and made their ways towards their seats. Sage walked in last and upon seeing the situation, sat at his desk as well.~

Huggins: “As you all know, Starview high takes each grade level on its own unique field trip every year. The location was set, and permission slips were passed out. And last week, we finished collecting said slips. So, to all of you who forgot, we will be visiting the capital of New America.” *The room grew dark and a screen popped up, showing various images.* “Pack your bags, We’re headed to Proxima City! Known very well for its historical landmarks and its nightlife!”

~The students oohed and ahhed as the pictures flowed across the screen. Eventually, the room returned to normal and the screen faded. Chatter amongst the students slowly began, until finally Huggins clapped her hands once more.~

Huggins: “We leave 2 weeks from now. Make sure you take care of everything before then. This is going to be a 4-day and 4-night trip! Please Pack accordingly.”

~Upon her returning to her desk, the classroom erupted into an uproar. First, the iconic “ALL RIGHT!!” followed by various conversations ranging from Sight-seeing to luggage, clothing, and the list goes on and on. Kai was not immune to this fever either.~

Alex: *Appearing next to Kai, he placed a confident hand on the boy’s shoulder and gave a (cocky?) smile.* “Say, boy wonder, I couldn’t but notice that you were-” *He opened his eyes, realizing that even with the hand on his shoulder, Kai was so engrossed in his conversation that he didn’t even notice. This slightly angered Alex.* “Hey… I’m trying to talk to you.” *Still no response. Alex tried to squeeze his shoulder, but… “Hang on hang on hang on! His shoulder is incredibly muscular! What the hell is wrong with this guy??” He pulled his hand back and just sat on the ground, listening in on the conversation.* 

Kyoge: “Well I plan on going to visit Heaven’s Tower! It’s higher than any building ever crafted in the past!” *He shot his arm straight into the air.* “Almost 900 meters tall!” 

Mikate: *He attempted to sit in the desk seat all cool and chill like…* “Eh, it isn’t all that-” *He said, just as he fell backwards onto the ground.* “ACK-”

Amy: *She fought demons to hold back her laughter. Why, you ask? She feared Karma. Lately, she’d been experiencing a string of events that can not be fortunately called “Good”. Laughing would be sure to get her smitten for sure.* “Freaking idiot.” *The girl had more vile words in mind. But, she held her tongue in fear of being smitten with misfortune once more.* 

Kai: “I’d like to explore and maybe spot any Knights in the region.” *He smiled, kind of pumping his fists into the air.* “I know they’re kinda common and all, but I really wanna meet one!” 

Alex: *He cleared his throat.* “What is this ‘Knight’ you speak of? Do they wear flashy armor? Fancy swords? Do they ride gallantly on noble steeds?”

~The group turned to face Alex.~

Amy: “There is no way you don’t know what a Knight is…” *Was that… a look of disgust on her face???”

Kai: “Y- you’re joking. Right?” *He smiled nervously.* “It’s just a joke guys, he wasn’t serious. Don’t lunge at his throat just yet-” *Too late.*

Kyoge: *He violently shook Alex.* “tHErE iS nO FrEAkinG WaY yOu DoN’T knOW wHAt a KnIghT IS” 

Alex: “I…Don’t…understand…what…you…are…saying!!!” *He said in between shakes.* 

Amy: *She began to burst out in laughter. She then fell out of her seat just like Mikate had before. Karma.* “Ugh…”

Kai: *Pulling Kyoge off of a now dizzy Alex, he sighed.* “Alright he gets the memo.” *He turned to face Alex.* “Once you pull yourself together, allow me to elaborate.”

~After a moment or two, Alex regained his bearings. The group of children gathered close as Kai began to explain to the unknowing boy.~

Kai: “Knights. If you had to make a classification system, it’d go something like this: First Responders are the lowest of the rung, Knights are in the middle, while Heroes are at the very top. First Responders aren’t legally allowed to use their tech without special permission from their organization. Heroes are bound by public and government restrictions, and the entry course starts at high school. A Knight however, is like the happy middle point. The entry course is similar to a First Responder, but isn’t as hard as the road to becoming a hero. They are also legally allowed to use their Tech. Although, unlike a hero, they have to file paperwork after an event. They do have to follow two rules, especially since they are very common. Rule 1: Knights must be part of a “guild”, a group of Knights governed by a GuildMaster. Rule 2: Knights must constantly be in guild uniform when on duty to show verification of being a part of a guild.” *He let out a huff of confident air.* 

Alex: “Oh, that’s cool and all… but… how do you know those rules word-by-word!?!?” 

Amy: “Cause he’s a Nerd.” *She snickered and got up to go talk to her new friend Jasper.* 

Kyoge: “Tch.” *He shook his head.* “That girl is something else…” *He stared at Amy as she walked away.* 

Alex: *He stared at Kyoge.* “So unflashy…”

Kyoge: *He hit Alex upside the head with Kai’s notebook.* “Shut.”