Dale limped back to his room. His sore arms gripped the handles of his mundane sabers.

’Training shouldn’t leave me this sore.’ He groaned as he stretched out his head. The last thing he needed was Austin to drag him to spar.

Much to his surprise, however, when he entered the room, he found his roommate reading a textbook.

Austin closed the book and turned to him. "What? Why are you looking at me like that?"

Dale shook his head. "Nothing. Just shocked that you’re reading. None of our classes requires you to read."

His roommate raised an eyebrow and crossed his arms. "None of YOUR classes require YOU to read. I’m actually attending another class, Interpersonal Relationships."

"Really?" He couldn’t help but ask.

Austin unfolded his arms and leaned forward slightly. "Uhh, yeah? You know? Talking, debates, arguments, conflict resolution, and the rest."

Dale smiled. "In that case, I definitely don’t need to waste my time with that class. I can win any argument irrespective of the situation."

The other tilted his head. "And how is that?"

"Simple." He replied, "Just make sure you devalue your opponent’s point."

"People seem to think that what wins an argument is being right. No, in fact, that is what makes you lose them."

Dale walked to his bunk and sat on it, still staring at his roommate.

"Think about it. If I were in a heated debate with a malevolent dictator, even if I am right, I am wrong by the nature of the value of our words. Surely no one will take my words above his."

Austin nodded as he paid close attention.

Dale’s smile widened a little. "So what then... give up? No. Make sure your opponent loses credibility. How might you do that? Well, turn the eyes on them."

His roommate cleared his throat. "I understand... I think? Can you give an example?"

Dale licked his lips, "Okay then. For example, let’s say we are in an argument. I could say something along the lines of: ’This is why I don’t like arguing with you, you never accept when you’re wrong.’ Then boom, you’ve lost."

The idea behind his philosophy was quite a snare. If the other person he was arguing with refused, saying that it wasn’t true, then that would prove his point.

And if they agreed, they’d prove his point. Quite the insidious trap indeed — one with no simple way out. So it wasn’t a matter of countering it but of springing it first.

Austin shifted in his chair. "Uhm. Okay. No offence but that is a horrible ideology to live by... disarming your opponent? Additionally, what I’m learning is the peaceful resolution. Your method is bound to cause more issues."

Dale shrugged. Austin had a point. Almost every time he had used it, the matter had escalated badly but that was beside the point. What mattered in all situations was winning.

Even righteous people get crucified because of their unwillingness to flip the tables.

"To each their own." He replied and lay on his bed.

As he tried to sleep, he could feel Austin’s gaze on him.

He forced his eyes open and stared into Austin’s brown eyes. "Yes?"

The redhead chuckled nervously. "I just wanted to ask you what that was about. You know, the vanishing and the staying behind. Also, don’t think of lying, I saw your limo when you entered."

Dale shifted, "Okay. I was pretty much summoned by someone who wanted to ask me a few questions. He wanted me to be alone so he could properly question me."

Austin raised an unimpressed eyebrow.

"That doesn’t explain the limp." He was clearly having a hard time believing him.

Dale lingered for a moment, "Really? That’s what you still have to ask? Not who summoned me or why?"

He shook his head. "Anyways, it led to me being assessed and pushed to my physical limits."

The new answer seemed to at least satisfy some of Austin’s curiosity and he went back to studying.

Dale turned to face the underside of the top bunk. ’I guess he is trying to respect my privacy to an extent.’

He wasn’t even sure why. His unexpected honesty — no matter how vague — with his response had surprised even him.

How Austin had managed to gain his trust was something he didn’t know.

’I need to stop thinking too much.’ He was sure he’d wake up looking more wrinkled than a periwinkle.

His eyes closed and he drifted off to sleep.

***

Dale was with the rest of his year in a large auditorium. People he had never seen filled the seats and at the very front was the Awakened trio.

A tall man walked out onto the platform in front of the crowd. As soon as he did, the chatter died down completely.

His cold eyes scanned the crowd slowly and with each second, his face slowly fell into deep disappointment.

"Is this the current year of recruits?!" His rhetorical question echoed through the auditorium.

The corners of his lips raised in a snarl. "Disgusting." He spat.

Dale raised an eyebrow as he watched the man. Naturally, he wouldn’t let the man’s words get to him.

Some in the crowd, however, didn’t have as firm a grip on their emotions as he did.

There was the occasional murmur and complaint from the crowd.

The man spoke. "I am General Todd and will now be overseeing your stay in the boot camp. Your days of kindergarten classes are now over! Do you understand?!"

Nobody replied and his frown impossibly deepened. "I asked, ’Do you understand?!’."

The hall resounded, "Sir. Yes, sir!"

His frown slightly eased. "Better. Now, after this, you’ll head to the weapons hall and pick a weapon that will accompany you until I say otherwise. Do you understand?"

"Sir. Yes, sir!"

General Todd nodded. "Good. You’re dismissed."

Everyone stood and walked out. Austin also stood, followed by Dale but before the latter could leave, a voice called out from the platform.

"Dale Green. Stay behind and see me."

He turned around and saw General Todd staring at him. The instruction was from him.