Baju ball was a simple sport, quite popular in the nation of Aisenhower. It’s like dodgeball but the ball is forever in motion and aim isn’t necessarily a requirement since the ball is automatically set to track it’s target. The players in the game were given two pieces of equipment, a vest implemented with a tracker, and a baton used to repel the direction of the ball. Lizen and the other kids in the castle of Aisenhower have played the game from time to time so they were quite fond of it. 

“So whose playing?” A student chimes in.

Kata answers to the call volunteering himself, it would only be right for the prince to save his class from impending punishment; yet, unsuspectingly Rylan Toler shouts to the skies in all of accordance, “I wish to challenge the False Royal!”

“Oh come on man.” Lizen cries.

Kata, seemingly annoyed by the request, yanks Rylan by his collar and begins shouting in his ear, “You bastard, didn’t you just hear me, I’ll be fighting for my class not him!”

“B-but my prince I can beat him and it will be in your honor–”

Kata cuts him off, “Several things is wrong with that statement,” He tosses Rylan to the ground, “For starters you stand no match for Lizen, no matter what the challenge is. Second, if you could beat him why would I want you to, the losing class will be punished dumbass.”

Rylan’s head sinks into the grass. He chokes on his next words clenching the hilt of his blade as Kata, who is evidently annoyed, flails his cape in a strut toward Lizen, “Fine, so be it, have your fun Lizen, dont you dare lose to that weakling.” He sits on the opposite end of the bench across from Mr. Wilkers. 

Lizen’s smug nature manifests in full effect as he strikes a pose in his vest. “Been a while since I’ve played so I might be a bit rusty, not that it would matter right, Pissy-pants?”

Rylan instantly scorns at the nickname, Mr. Wilkers tosses the ball at the center of the field. By this point other classes are watching as the match gets ready to kick off. The ball just rests for a moment rocking itself back and forth before parts of it glows red. Lizen’s blue light flashes purple, an indicator you are its target. Lizen slaps it with his baton and Rylan does the same. The game starts slow as the two timelessly repel the ball to the other. It came as a shock to him that Rylan could keep up. 

Neither of them break a sweat until Lizen slaps the ball into the glass dome. Rylan, who mistimes his swing, uses the back of his baton to slap the ball away, saving not only himself but his class. A sigh of relief fell upon them during the anxious moment however it wasn't the end. 

Lizen was one to always put on a display, he was a practical showboater and in this moment he wanted everyone to see what he could do. Especially Jayne, Lizen catches glimpses of her polite stature hoping to catch her peeking over toward him. He becomes more sporadic as a means to impress her with his unconventional style growing ever so slightly in unique fashion. To the surprise of many, he begins dodging the ball rather than striking it, he flips, spins, and rolls out of harm's way refusing to defend himself. Rylan’s guard stiffens as he hasn’t the slightest clue as to when Lizen will strike, the fear most evident in his trembling hands and glossy eyes.

Lizen continues to zip around the ball before a shock ran through his leg, like thousands of little pins stuck themselves into his thigh. The leg becomes completely immobile, he twists his body into the air and slaps the ball with what little time he had left. The game was fun for sure, he enjoyed the back and forth between them, however his plan to increase the velocity of the ball just long enough to take Rylan out in one go would be impossible now. It would’ve made for a dramatic and exciting display, something that would’ve impressed those watching but, Rylan reacts properly, deflecting the ball back at him.

The ball flew back at an ever increasing tempo and when attempting to raise his arm, it remains by his side– limp. What the hell is happening–

the ball crashes into the side of Lizen’s face sending him into the glass dome. The ball spins on his head for a moment before its red light fades. Lizen lays still, unsure as to how to respond. He sat up slowly, panning his eyes over his hands, his vest, the baton beside him, even the ball that slowly rolls away. Kara was the first to approach him. Her sympathetic eyes watches as he just lay there. She places a soft hand on his shoulder, “It’s all right Lizen, come on get up.”

However Kata rushes to their side and his fist crashes into the glass past Lizen’s head, “You embarrassment, I even stood up for you and this is how you repay my kindness!” He flasils his cape, turning his back on Lizen, “How dare you lose under the training of Aisenhower!”

Kara’s eyes burn with an inner flame, her crescent pupils become ever so brighter as she cals to her brother, “Lay off him, so what if he lost, Lizen could smoke this guy any day of the week, he probably isn’t feeling too good.”

Kata sems taken aback, “You defend him? You shame me for speaking such a way yet you defend this…” He stumbles overhimself seeking the right words to describe the moment, “This False Royal?!”

“He’s not a failure!” Kara shouts. A great flame begins swirling around her body, Kata does the same, readying himself for a confrontation; however, the two are suffocated with glass panes as Mr. Wilkers steps forth.

“Alright class as per agreement, Class one will now face their punishment, yay am I right?”

Class one groans in defeat, crude words are thrown to Lizen with the most notorious being “False Royal”. It seems to stick. In contrast Rylan is praised for his performance and is hoisted into the sky by his classmates, with cheers being heard throughout the field. 

“Class 4 wins,” Dr Usmann declares.

Mr. Wilkers orders class one to stand in a line before relaying their punishment. “You all are punished with the task of running around the entire track 100 times.”

Gasps come from the students however, Mr. Wilkers continues, “Oh i'm not finished, when you’re done run another 100 laps. If you’re not done by the remainder of class you’ll continue to run until you do, good luck, you all begin… Now.” Lizen takes off running with a slight limp.

Dr Usmann and Mr. Wilkers allows the other class an early dismissal and rests on the bench nearby. “Hey, Ussman?”

“Hmm?”

“Why did we fail them, the boy from class 4 clearly cheated, I know you detected the magical energy from that boy in the crowd.”

“Indeed I did.”

“So…”

“I failed him because his self-assured nature tempted him to neglect his surroundings– hence the reason the magical interference even affected him. That kid's ego is a weapon utilized against him and if not tamed will force death’s hand. In the real world there is no fair and square, people will utilize whatever is at their disposal. He needs to be more attentive and less arrogant.” He looks up into Mr. Wilkers hazel eyes, “You can speak to him about that after he's done running,

“Why not you?” Mr. Wilkers asks

“I’d like to speak with that Rylan kid, teach him that his skills are his own.”

“Fine,” Wilkers yawns, “See ya later twig legs.” Willers slurs.

Dr. Usmann scoffs, quickly he marches out of sight. Mr. Wilkers’ head becomes too heavy for wear and tips over in a slump, his fatigue finally takes hold of him and after several hours he awakens to only but a few dozen people still running on the track: Lizen,  Kara, Kata, Lori, Nipsy, and Jayne were amongst them, along with the exception from class 4, Azurae. I figured they all would have just… left. Wilkers thought to himself. He looks at the star laden sky mesmorized by its beauty and picks himself up, he casually strolls to intercept the rest of the class and asks where the others had gone– to which they respond with unassured shrugging of the shoulders. It is as if they hadn't even noticed they left. 

“Hmm, you all can go, I’m bored and tired of this, how many laps did you all run?”

“186.” Says kara

“190, Haha!” Azurae shouts victoriously.

Another student chimes in, “Aww what, im only at 86.”

“Well, at least I’m at 150.”

As several students give their numbers he notices Lizen hasn’t said his own yet. The twwo lock eyes and Wilkers nudges him for an answer.

“Oh, I ran, 210, I’m just going until Kara and Azurae finish.”

Perhaps Lizen isn’t as self conceited as he and Dr. Usmann had thought. Sure the kid had a knack for flare but, who doesn’t, Then again, he could be doing this to show off once again. “Alright then, you all can go to your dorms, it’s almost 10:00 so get to it.” He watches as they are barely able to walk away, each step following a stumble. Mr. Wilkers does however block Lizen from the others, “Everyone but you, we need to talk.”