Imagine...
A world where guns, nuclear weapons, and bombs are void.
A world that determines power by Yearly Ranking Tournaments made possible by the mutated genes of the new 'superior human race'.
[Yearly Ranking Tournament: Tournament that nations all around the world partake in. This is the new substitute for war. Top five nations that come out on top are Super Powers, the rest are giving ranking numbers from 1- etc. Of the Super Powers, the 2 best are considered the Leading Powers. The way the tournament works is that 6 matches are instituted between nations. In other words 6 chosen people from each nation (if you have less than 6 then you need to have some member compete more than once until you fill in the 6 required matches) will battle 1 on 1 in a said arena with a 30 minute time limit on each match. To win each match, your opponent must be defeated. Defeated: Unconscious, forfeits, or dead. If neither occurs during this time limit, it results in a draw.]
And so the story begins…
"In this age and time, wars are no longer fought; Power is determined and distributed by Yearly Ranking Tournaments. Wars became futile when the birth of the super-humans began. Guns, bombs, and nuclear weapons were rendered useless by these super-humans." I read aloud.
"Thank you Nathan, please sit down." Miss Fay said.
I stared blankly out the window, wondering what the upperclassmen were doing. My name is Nathan and I attend The School of the Emperor's Courts. Currently, I'm fourteen, a freshman. People describe me as the unfriendly, cocky boy who sports spikey jet black hair and has a pale complexion. However, I like to think of myself as outgoing, brilliant, and handsome, just saying.
Anyways, lower classmen had to sit through classes, take exams, pass exams, and study all day everyday. Once you become an upperclassman you finally get to put all that knowledge into application. I fidgeted in my seat. Our school uniform which was basically a black and yellow, collared top with matching jackets and pants, was a little uncomfortable. Class was extremely boring when you already knew everything you were being taught. Actually, it was boring when you didn't know too. I sighed heavily, only two more years of this bef-
"Nathan, since you seem so bored, could you answer number 5 for the class?" Miss Fay asked, agitated.
I stood up and cleared my throat, glancing at the question. Too easy.
"The Emperor's Courts were founded by the Five Emperors, who were the top five fighters of our nation at the time. They consecutively won the Yearly Ranking Tournaments, labeling our Nation as a Leading Power. They have been continually succeeded by equally powerful young Emperors. Our current Emperors are Lloyd, Chen Long, Fuji, La Phing, and Huang." I answered confidently.
Seemingly satisfied with my answer, Miss Fay stopped giving me grief for the remainder of the class. I was considered a prodigy by many in this prestigious school. Though the only reason why I was able to enroll here is because of my older sister Hayley. She graduated and is in Tier 1 which is why I was scouted. I'll save you the explanation about the Tier's for a later time. Right now, I was going to be late for my next class!
Jogging quickly towards my pre-applications class I stifled a yawn. Just then, a sturdy looking boy slammed into me. He looked furious! (As if I was the one to blame) I was about to utter an apology just to be polite but…
"Hey kid, watch where you're going." The boy snickered, then lifted me up by the shirt, winding up his other arm to sock me in the face.
I was having none of that. I sharply elbowed the arm he was using to hold me up and backhanded him in the stomach. I could see the wind get knocked out of him.
"Sorry, my hand slipped." I smiled. I was undefeated in my pre-app class but I had never encountered real natural arts manipulation before. The boy regained his composure and a small flame engulfed his hand, but it wasn't burning him.
"Oh shit." I muttered. He's an upperclassman! I quickly proceeded to knock him out before he could burn me to smithereens. Mustering as much natural energy I could gather into my right hand, I punched him hard, in the same spot I had backhanded earlier. He crumpled to the floor, the flame in his hand extinguished.
I looked up just in time to see the very same man who had recruited me to this school. Speaking of "time" I was late to my pre-app class. But at the moment, that was the least of my concerns.
"Mr. Li! I can explain…I mean it's not what it looks like!" I began, but stopped when he held up his hand.
"That's enough," he said, "you just beat up an upperclassman who knew the natural arts. Do you know what this means?"
Expulsion? Detention? Suspension? A time out? The suspense was killing me. I shook my head no.
"Come with me."
He led me down the corridor towards the right wing of the school, where the lower classmen were not allowed to venture. We entered a small side room.
"Nathan, top of the class, also known as a prodigy, and little brother to Hayley." He stared at me and smiled. "What's said in this room, stays in this room."
I nodded, still not quite understanding what was happening.
"You are indeed a prodigy. But as a freshman you aren't allowed to learn any true natural arts applications. I find this a waste of talent and time."
He walked towards a desk and withdrew a piece of paper and a pen.
"You will be the exception this year. In other words, you will switch into class with the Juniors starting tomorrow. You will be in classes with vigorous training, life and death situations, and relentless battle simulations. You will undoubtedly flourish and thrive if you were to overcome these hardships. I have confidence that you will surpass even your sister. Now, if you understand all of this, sign here…it's a waiver form."
Relieved that I wasn't in trouble, and instead was being granted an opportunity of a lifetime, I signed it. Finally, I thought, something interesting is going to happen!
"Thank you for giving me this chance." I began.
"No, my dear boy. You should thank Miss Fay instead. She's the one who set this all up."
…