AN:
Okay, so this probably isn't the most exciting chapter but it'll get better as the story continues, I promise! (at least I hope you think so hehe)

Don't hesitate to review!
xx

Chapter 2

He was startled out of his thoughts by a friend of his, 041. He dragged Will out of bed and told him breakfast was about to begin. They only had 10 minutes to eat before a exhausting day began, so they hurried to the canteen.

The canteen was an enormous hall with 10 large, round tables where 6 chairs stood by. A larger, square table of about 15 meters with 15 chairs stood at the back of the canteen on a platform of about a meter high so that the people who sat there could oversee the canteen and could see everyone who entered.
The teachers and the Head sat at that table.
All the students had to sit at one of the round tables. Every meal was brought by a student who had failed the tests, but could cook well. They don't get training in anything except cooking, so they could be of service in one way. If you failed the test and couldn't cook, you were eliminated.

Will and 041 sat at the first table in the far left corner. Soon after there came 2 boys running towards them with food and something to drink. Their morning meal consisted of a glass of water, two slices of bread with cheese and you got some lettuce with eggs, meat and a sweet sauce.

The Head only provided them with things that he considered healthy. He didn't want anyone to gain weight, 'It will compromise your mission' he often said.

The breakfast was uneventful and soon over with. After he finished his meal, he went back to the room he shared with 041 and put his training clothes on. It wasn't anything special, but it was comfortable to train in. His color was black. That meant he was on the highest training level he could get. You weren't allowed to graduate before your 15th birthday, but he thought they would make an exception for him. He already was the best and he didn't think they would make him wait another 7 years.

He walked into the Great Hall and started his warming-up. He stretched his muscles and went jogging for the first 30 minutes. He loved training. He actually had a free hour after breakfast, but he always decided to go for a long jog and train with some weapons before his actual training began.
He breathed in the air and felt his lungs burn and his muscles protesting, but he decided to make just one more round. 'Test your limits and extent it' Was the wise advise from The Bear.

After his round, he slowly walked towards the weapons rack and grabbed some throwing knives. He picked his targets and he threw them very precisely.
Of course they all hit were he was aiming on.
He felt satisfied, but also bored. He didn't understood. He loved to train! Maybe that was why; he trained every day, all day long. There was nothing more that he could learn.

The Bear watched him for a while, and he also didn't miss the frustration on his face after he threw his knives. It surprised him a little bit, why would he be frustrated? The boy did some push-ups after he put away his knives. He leaned against the wall. The boy reminded him of himself; totally committed to the training.
And as he had seen before; everything he did was virtually flawless.

He approached him and the moment the boy saw him, he stood up and jumped in position. He gave him the signal that meant he was allowed to rest.

''You're doing good, 053.'' Will bowed his head as a thanks and looked at him again.

''It appears as if the training bores you, is that right?'' Immediately Will began to protest, but The Bear signaled him to be quiet.

''I don't mean that as a reprimand, 053. Just tell me what you're thinking.'' Will felt somewhat nervous, should he tell the truth? He was an honest boy by nature, but he also didn't want to offend anyone.

''It's not that I don't find it interesting, sir. It's just that... I don't think that there is much more that I can be taught. I love to train, but I just want something completely different than knives and fighting, sir.'' He looked a bit unsure to his master, perhaps he had been a little too quick to express his doubts and feelings. But, to his great relief, The Bear smiled and patted him on the back.

''Exactly what I was thinking, 053. Follow me.''

Not long after that they arrived at the stables. The Bear turned to him and told him what he had to do.

''Brush Moonshine and saddle her. I know how much you care about her and that's why I'm giving you an hour to take care of her. Make sure you're ready in an hour, because if you're late, we're not even going.'' With that he walked away. Will's heart was racing from excitement. He rushed to the feeding room and fetched a bucket of oats and grain for his beloved horse. As soon as he was at her stable he emptied the bucket in her feeding trough and ran back to get his box with brushes.

Affectionately he patted Moonshine. She was a beautiful horse and her color was very rare. She had a dark brown color with bright white mane and tail. She had 4 white legs and on her head she had a white moon, that's how she got her name; Moonshine. He chuckled at the originality of that name. He brushed her a lot, almost every day. She didn't like it when she was dirty. Princess would've been a better name, because she acted like a spoiled one sometimes. But honestly, he didn't like it when she was dirty either. He wanted to make sure that everything remained white.

After he brushed her for at least 40 minutes, he stroked her shiny coat and ran his hands through her silky mane. Moonshine whinnied softly and laid her head on his shoulder. She was a big horse. It was a miracle he was even able to mount her without help, because he wasn't that big.

He took his bridle, saddle and saddle-cloth out of the backroom and saddled her. He took her by her reins and led her out of her stall and mounted her once they were outside.

They were waiting for a while now and he felt Moonshine getting impatient. He patted her reassuringly. ''Calm down girl, we're almost leaving.''

The Bear was coming towards them on his even larger, pitch-black stallion, Brave. He looked at him and asked him, causing his heart to beat faster than he thought would be possible.

''Are you ready to learn something new?''