"Welcome to Vex Academy, I am Mr. Saito your Deputy Head Teacher and I'm sure you are all aware this is one of the top three educational institutions in all of Stoeicheiodis. To be here is a privilege that many of you may not be aware of, whether it's scientific enlightenment, business, intellectual interest or honing your skills in battle this is most likely the best place to do so. With the magazines you've been handed you'll find out just how vast your opportunities and options are, from our very own school where you'll be starting to our very own Vex University and as for specialization, provided you perform well enough in your preferred fields throughout your time here, direct entry may be provided.
For example, those with an interest in scientific advancements and new discoveries, you will be granted a chance to work with the best minds and in most advanced laboratories in the whole country. And for you aspiring entrepreneurs, depending on how good and well thought your business ideas are, your investments may be just as good. For those of you most interested in sharpening battle skills, there will be multiple chances of finding your place in any of the armed forces, which is what Vex Academy is most famous for after all.
Furthermore, I'd like to urge you all to give your all and I assure there will be little to no room for regret. That will be all, thank you for your time".
"Those were his first words as he addressed the whole school, or at least something like that, during that assembly morning. And I'd be lying if I said it didn't give me at least a little hope, that it is possible to change my current circumstances. My name is Astrape and I come from the country of Enosi where I live with my mother and six siblings including my cousin. My father died years ago, leaving my mother to provide for my siblings and I. It's not that I'm poor or anything, I just think that I could be able to make things better and hopefully ensure my mother doesn't need to work as a hard as she usually does".
"So yeah, there you have it Danny, that's the main reason I'm here. Who knows one day I might make a name for myself? You see I have big plans for the future Danny. To put it simply I just want to be stinking rich".
"Well, what happened to just making things better? It sounds like you want something a little bit more than better", Danny asked.
"Well, I had a change of heart".
"Typical Astrape. Anyway, so I'll see you later I heard our test results are out they've probably stuck them up by now".
"Oh yeah, I got a meeting with the student council".
"Oh, ok. See you later I guess".
It was lunch hour and the classroom buzzed with noise as students settled into lunch. Astrape leaned back for a moment and a shadow fell over his desk. Heads turned and the room shifted for a brief moment.
A few girls whispered to each other but audibly enough, "Since when did those two become buddies all of a sudden?", said one of them.
"Yeah, this is like the third time this week she's visited his desk", another added.
Meanwhile, on the other side of the room, a few boys glanced over at them, "Is there something going on between those two?", asked one of them.
"Whatever the case, man's living his wildest dreams", another added.
"Her? And Astrape? Nah, no way", another responded as they chuckled at the thought.
Selena smiled, soft and charming. She leaned slightly towards Astrape, resting her hand on his desk. "So, where is it?" she inquired. Astrape's grip tightened under his desk as he bit his lip. "Don't make me repeat myself". Astrape sighed, reaching into his pocket and pulling out folded notes, sliding them across the table without looking at her.
"This is all I have for now", Astrape muttered under his breath.
"Twenty-five stoices? The deal was thirty".
"Selena, I haven't had for like a week at this point…"
"And you think I care?", she interrupted, "Thirty stoices tomorrow. Don't make me repeat myself".
Her fingers brushed his as she took the money like it was nothing.
"Okay? See you tomorrow", she said sweetly, her tone good enough to fool anyone listening. And just like that, she took her leave. Immediately, one of his classmates walked over to him.
"Yoh Astrape, what's going on man? Why has Selena been visiting your desk lately?", he asked.
"Isn't it obvious? She's been getting my lunch money, every single day off course", Astrape responded sarcastically. "Why else?", he added.
"Ha, you're funny huh? You say it so casually like she's not royalty level rich already".
"I'm just telling you what it is man".
"Well, it's cool if you don't wanna tell me man. I'm not forcing", his classmate responded as he walked away.
Astrape stood up quietly and making his way to the notice board. A staff member called out to him as he exited the classroom, "The guidance counsellor wants to see you". He nodded his head in response. As he passed the hallway it felt longer than usual. A crowd was already gathered by the notice board, he hesitated as he passed by and then stepped closer.
His eyes scanned the list and his stomach dropped, "Tch, guess I'll have to take the extra classes this term", he exhaled sharply and turned away.
The counsellor's door was already slightly open. "Sir?", he knocked twice.
"Come in".
"Thank you", Astrape responded before entering.
"There's a call for you", the guidance counselor, handing him the phone. "It's from home", he added.
Astrape picked up the phone, "Hello?"
"Astrape. Hello baby", his mom responded.
"Oh mom, hi. How have you been? How's everyone at home?"
"We're ok dear. Listen Astrape there's something I have to tell you", she said quietly.
"What is it?".
"You might not be at Vex Academy for long. Something happened and long story short, we might be in huge debt".
"What happened?", his voice dripped with worry.
"You don't have to worry about that. I just want you to be prepared, just in case".
"But mom, I'm on a scholarship".
"I know but even with that, it's still hard to fund all your needs, especially with how far you are".
Astrape sighed.
"Oh, your cousin wants to speak with you as well".
"Hey Astrape", his cousin spoke.
"Hey jinn".
"Listen Astrape, it's not your fault no need to feel bad about it or something".
"Well, how serious is the debt in the first place? To make even quit school".
"You're not quitting school. You might just have to quit this one".
"Yeah, but…"
"Listen Astrape", Jinn interrupted, "Don't make this harder than it already is, you'll only add to the stress. Listen, mom won't tell you this but… the people who we owe, threatened prison time against us. If that happens to any one of us, according to Vex Academy guidelines you might lose your scholarship".
"That bad huh?".
"Yeah, it is. Plus, that would only make things harder".
"Yeah, I know".
"Anyway, don't worry too much about it. I'm sure we'll figure something out. Anyway, we'll talk later, okay?".
"Yeah, guess so", Astrape sighed, ending the call.
"He walked towards the door in silence, clenching his jaw on the way. He ran his hand through his hair and that's when it caught his eye. A flyer pinned against the wall in the office.
"BASH TOURNAMENT", it read.
Astrape stopped, his eyes scanned the page. Participants from multiple academies, rewards based on progression, a large-scale combat tournament. His gaze froze on one line, "Ninety-Thousand stoices per stage cleared", it read.
"Am I reading that right?", he thought, "Ninety-Thousand?", he muttered.
His chest tightened, "Sir…", he turned his head back towards the counsellor's desk, "This flyer… Is it for real?".
The man put his pen down, "It is and may seem to be too good to be true with all that money involved. But I can assure you it is. Although, I wouldn't recommend it".
"Why not?".
"It's not just any other tournament or school event. It's brutal and you'd be competing against some of the strongest students around. That is if you survive long enough to even face them".
"I already know that. Everyone in Stoicheiodis knows about the bash tournament. But what I didn't know about was the money involved. Ninety-thousand stoices per stage cleared? With that money, not only would all my problems be solved but I'm literally looking generational wealth", Astrape thought to himself. His lips curving as he grinned slightly.
He looked back at the flyer, "Money, I need the money", he thought.
"I could at least think about it sir. May I have an application?".
The counsellor studied him for a brief moment. Then reaching into his desk, pulled out a form, "Do this at your own risk. You're not part of the military program so think carefully before any decisions".
Astrape stared at the paper. This wasn't just a decision it was a risk. "I might not have a choice", he thought as he folded it neatly and left in silence.