"Ranger aspirants of Triven, gather around."
It was morning, and all the aspirants of the institute gathered outside to be assigned to their masters. They were also to receive their level-up bracelets and begin their journey toward fully becoming rangers of Triven.
Each sensei was assigned eighteen aspirants to train and help progress to the next level. By the end of every session, the best aspirants under each sensei would compete against one another for the ultimate prize of the year: the title of Grand Aspirant.
This honor came with a huge level boost, as the winner could skip up to two levels within a year, at most, from the eight levels they had to pass through at the institute.
Lilith silently prayed that she would be assigned a good sensei—someone she could understand and connect with. She also wished she would not be assigned to the same sensei as Nex. She truly did not want to see his face again after what happened last night.
In the Kid Rangers Institute, they had both been under the same sensei, and Nex had received all the attention during training simply because he was the Grand Sensei's son. Lilith was determined not to experience such favoritism here.
"Look at your left wrists," the sensei announced, "and you will see your bracelets already there. As you all know, your stats, improvements, and any deterioration will be recorded and displayed on the projected bars they reveal."
"Also, we shall have our master record to keep an eye on everyone and show you the way out if you feel you have overstayed your welcome." A great murmur rose among the aspirants as they listened to the sensei speaking from the pulpit.
"Silence!" he ordered, and immediately, quiet settled over the crowd. "Good," he breathed. "Now, we have sent the locations of your different senseis to your bracelets. So everyone, locate where your training class is currently held and begin immediately."
At his last words, the aspirants dispersed like little chicks searching for their lost mother hen. Lilith followed the path her bracelet led her to, deep into the trees from the night before. She was truly relieved that Lyra was fine, thanks to Andreas. She walked further until she came to a flower gate that blocked her passage.
Slowly, she opened the flower gate and was surprised by what she saw.
It was a very calm and peaceful place, full of green grass and blooming flowers. She would have called it a perfect garden, except she noticed the fighting and training equipment stored in a small open cottage not far from where she stood.
"Your name?" an aged man in his late fifties asked from behind as she admired the place.
"Lilith Amnell, sensei," Lilith replied, turning and bowing to him after overcoming her shock.
"Oh, Lilith," he said, drawing her in for a hug that caught her off guard.
"You are my final student. Obviously a latecomer," he said, pulling away and leading her toward where the rest of her brothers and sisters sat. "Never mind," he shrugged. "Being on time really isn't my thing, though. Now, take a mat over there," he pointed to the cottage, "and sit wherever you feel comfortable."
Lilith took a mat from the cottage and rejoined the class. She looked around at the faces but did not see Nex. However, Lyra was there. She hoped they would not cause any trouble—after all, there was no Nex to fight over.
She spread her mat beside another aspirant and paid close attention to what the sensei had to say.
"Now listen up, dear aspirants," he began in a caring voice. "I am Sensei Helia. Despite differences in origin and style, most martial arts consist of similar techniques and skills that form the base of the art. Some general basic moves shared by most martial arts styles are kicking, striking with the open hand, leg sweeps, parries, elbow and knee strikes, punches, and various evasion tactics."
"Most styles incorporate footwork, as well as stances that facilitate either defense, attacking, or both. Many styles also use grappling. Those arts typically include throws, takedowns, chokes, bars, submission holds, and other mat work techniques."
"All martial arts disciplines utilize a combination of meditation, study, and repetition of moves and forms. Sparring or grappling are also practiced as you ascend through instruction on your way to mastery. Boom!" He suddenly exclaimed, startling all of his trainees. They all jolted, clutching their hearts, wondering what had caused such a sudden outburst, as though he wanted their souls to leave their bodies.
"Lesson one: never let your enemy take you by surprise. Be ready for anything, all the time." …