Dale walked slowly to the General and stopped just short of the platform.

General Todd glared at Dale as he blatantly looked down at him... literally and figuratively.

He kicked himself off the wooden platform, shattering it and sending splinters flying.

The distance between him and Dale was covered in less than a few seconds. The latter barely managed to lean back just as the General’s fist swung over his head.

Dale spent a few seconds staring at the fist that was a few centimeters above his head.

He wanted to tell the man, asking him what was wrong with him... but he knew better than that. If anything, it would put him in trouble.

However, his eyes could very much say the same thing without it being held against him.

Dale sent a glare at the General and he snarled, dropping his fist.

The former managed to twist himself, avoiding the slam. He quickly flipped, putting space between them.

General Todd slowly adjusted himself and stood properly. He stared at Dale with impassivity. "You’re one of the two chosen by the only capable people in this year to pick a weapon early."

Dale raised an eyebrow. ’Is he referring to Sarah, Trevor, and Gary?!’

The General charged in again and threw out his large fist. This time, Dale threw out his palm as well.

Both of them collided with a loud slap and Dale immediately regretted his decision. His arm shook and his bones trembled from the tremendous impact.

He was lucky enough not to have broken anything.

"There must be a reason why they chose you. Either you’re Awakened or you possess a certain edge."

Dale always knew that external attention would kill him.. but a part of him had hoped that it was senseless paranoia. Turns out it wasn’t.

’What is his obsession?! It could well have been friendship.’

He planted his left heel firmly into the ground and drove his right foot to the General’s head.

General Todd causally lifted his arm and caught his foot but that was well within his expectations.

The moment the war veteran gripped his limb, Dale lifted his other foot in a kick and the same repeated.

’Both arms are occupied.’

Dale smiled mentally and sat up such that his face level matched the General’s.

He drove his elbow into the latter’s face. Over and over again. Granted, it felt like he was slamming his elbow into a brick wall but it was better than nothing.

General Todd tightened his grip on Dale’s legs and tossed him aside.

The latter spun mid-air but barely managed to land on his feet. His weeks of sparring with Austin have paid off.

This time, he charged himself. 𝐟𝗿𝐞𝚎𝚠𝐞𝚋𝕟𝐨𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝕔𝕠𝚖

He used his momentum to throw a fist and the General mirrored his attack.

Their fists collided and a world of pain opened its doors to Dale.

Upon contact, his bones creaked, groaning under the impossible force of the General’s blow.

Alas, his bone gave out, breaking in multiple places.

Dale swallowed his scream and gripped General Todd’s arm. Without hesitation, he used [Energy Pulse].

The wave of energy tried and failed to pass even the skin of the man yet he tried again and again until his vision tilted slightly.

Dale staggered a little. He had exhausted his energy using [Energy Pulse] all to no effect.

General Todd pulled back his arm and stared at the other’s poor figure. He didn’t look good; drenched in sweat and pale.

"You’ve done well enough. You are dismissed." He instructed and turned around.

Dale sucked his teeth and dragged his feet to the clinic. He needed to treat his broken arm.

General Todd watched him leave from the corner of his eye and his focus turned back to his own arm.

His scarred hand seemed fine except for the occasional involuntary twitch. "Isn’t that where the recruit kept pumping his energy?"

***

Dale dragged himself to the clinic, wincing each time his arm made too much of a movement.

’I am no match for him. I was worried about the Awakened trio rather than the real monsters in this place.’

He had always prided himself on his ability to keep his cool but it was frightening, especially considering that the General hadn’t used his ability.

Dale sighed and opened the clinic door. He entered and sat in front of Doctor Edmond. The latter was staring at his broken arm in utter confusion.

Dale would’ve loved to say who was responsible for it but it would most likely backfire so he just let the medical professional lament on safety.

’I would have pulled myself away from those three but it is definitely too late.’ In fact, rather than helping take off the extra eyes on him, it would cement it.

The best course of action was to resume as normal. Though that would be hard with a broken arm, hopefully his doctor’s visit would help.

’Even if it’s just a glorified scan.’

Doctor Edmond placed his hand on the broken arm and a wave of warmth spread through it.

Beads of sweat built on Dale’s head as he tried to ignore the pain passing through his arm.

Soon, the pain faded and his arm finally stopped hurting completely. It was healed.

Gone were the days when miraculous abilities would shock him but this was a pleasant surprise.

Dale smiled at the Doctor. "So you can heal other people? Wow." The Doctor twirled his comically large moustache in pride.

"Well, yes. Do you think I would have been hired if I were just a glorified, expensive scanner?"

Dale bit back a cough. It felt like he was being called out for his earlier comment.

Doctor Edmond frowned, "Please answer."

Dale forced a smile, "Oh look, it’s late. I need to get to bed." The Doctor started complaining about how it was still quite early in the morning but he was already out of the clinic.

He walked to his room just in time to see Austin ready to leave for a class — one that they hadn’t had before. Weapons Training.

The redhead was wearing his gauntlets. "Hey there you are. For a while I was worried."

Dale raised an eyebrow, "Just for a while?"

Austin laughed as though that was the funniest thing he had ever heard. "Come on, let’s go to class."

He shook his head, "I can’t. Not for a while, at least. I’m tired."

Austin shrugged. "No problem. I’ll cover for you if the need comes up, just rest well."