The Elite Game

Chapter 3. Can You Play?

"Alright, so first off is…"

Something's off. 

I'm not sure if the others noticed what it is yet but I could smell a fish cooking. 

For the past three days after the announcement, it was fair enough to say we lived an abnormally normal life. 

Having breakfast, going to class.

Having lunch, going to class.

Having dinner and then bed time.

The schedule went on over and over again. 

Our questions were shunned with a plain response of…

'wait till the weekend,'

Which wouldn't be a problem except–

We've been in a room without windows for days, and it was hard to tell night from day, not forgetting that there wasn't a clock in any room.

The only time we were let out was during classes, just like now, that's how we monitor our time.

"Master Zane, your partner will be Master Ande."

Dammit, that's one bad idea.

It just had to be that guy.

I wore my fencing headgear, and swung my sabre to the left and right to massage my joints. 

Zane guy was emitting a competitive aura even with the headgear on, he's always been a lover of competition and like I said I could never beat him in a combat, but this was no combat but a battle of wits.

Ugh!

Talk about trouble! 

This guy just wants to kill me. 

I stole a glance at the instructor. 

The middle aged man was observing our stance and posture with his eyes and taking down notes. 

I'm certain our eyes meet despite me wearing a headgear, his face giving me goosebumps.

No. 

Now's not the time, let's stay low for now. 

I don't know what it is that's going on, but only a fool would not observe that we're being watched. 

Let's see.

There are three, six, eight CCTVs in the room.

Yeah this class isn't as simple as they sounded, I knew it was too good to be true.

Pretty sure everyone's figured that out though, speaking of which, I hope they also noticed how strange these classes were. 

It was target practice yesterday and today it's fencing. 

I don't know what's going on but this is beyond strange. 

"Ready…!

And begin."

The instructor commanded.

Zane's stance was slow, he was on guard, wary and very preying, not to mention his stance had a lot to say.

I know he’s trouble but the least this guy can do is try not to give off so much murderous vibe.

If looks could kill, I'd be dead by now.

I charged towards him like a mad man, holding the sabre with my two hands, only for the buzzer to buzz at Zane end, the match ended with one swing of his sabre. 

"Incompetent."

That haggered old man mutters before calling out for the next group.

****

Boing!

Boing!

My roommate went on bouncing his ball at the wall repeatedly. 

The weird classes had ended, with extra classes for people like me, who were too stupid that we were slow. 

"What do you think?"

I asked my roommate. 

"About?

The guinea pig treatment?"

As expected this guy knew too well what was going on. 

"I think it's only a matter of time left until they finally tell us what it is that they're planning."

He groans, sitting up straight. Man he's he's talk. "I guess you're right.” He extend his hand, “I'm Ethan by the way, Division 4.”

Hearing he was raised by medical practitioners was enough to reduce my morale. 

I'm a bit ashamed to reveal my Division but I guess there was no gain in lying.

“Ande– Division 9,” I murmur in a low voice. 

He pauses, staring at me with amusement, “so it's true, they did admit students from Division 9, was that guy from earlier in the same Division with you?”

“Yeah!”

“Ha, well good to know.”

C– rac—kel!!

"Hello students."

Right about time. 

But they aren't even greeting us good morning because they want to confuse us.

"Please head on to the main hall."

Like prisoners, the doors unlocked and we proceeded, joining the test of us at the main hall.

Wait–

It's not the dining hall this time!

Something's different. 

"Greetings students.

Did you have a good rest?"

The headmaster asked with a smirk I itched to get rid of.

"..."

"Well I did,” he laughs. 

'Course he did.'

Oh it seems he brought a lady as a guest, could she be one of our teachers?

"Today, being Sunday, marks the beginning of a new week. Now for those of you who have been curious about what is going to happen today, allow me to brief you."

He said.

"As chosen Elite students, you all will participate in games to help boost your mobility, stamina and mindset. 

The game is going to he held weekly, just one game a week, some might come up in two weeks.

Take note, depending on how fast you finish your weekly game the longer it stays.

It might linger through the week.

However, at the beginning of the week, the losers of the weekly game will be—

Em–

Disqualified.

As for the daily games, every game differs from the other, the more you qualify for the next round, the more intense it becomes.

The winners will be rewarded and as always the losers will also be disqualified.

Now, Mrs Bakers will explain to you the rules of the weekly game."

The crowd had already begun to murmur.

Regardless of what anyone says, there's no way that'll make me believe these games are normal. 

"The weekly games will be chosen by us, but since it's your first game then we'll happily give everyone a free trial, after that you can pick the main game by yourself."

She pointed towards her left and suddenly the lights at a corner went on. 

There's a giant game wheel attached to the wall.

"Here is a list of games on the game wheel, you spin the wheel and the game it stops at will be the chosen game.

Now, allow me to announce that today's game will be Hide and seek."

Sorry–

Did she say—

"Hide and seek?!"

The entire class echoed.