AT THE SAME TIME
ZAVIER
The walk to combat class felt like walking into a public execution. Except I was pretty sure I wasn't the one dying.
"Do you think they're still mad about breakfast?" Riko asked, stretching like he had not just witnessed social collapse twenty minutes ago.
"Yes." Ben said.
"Deeply." Leo added, half-asleep while walking, which should not be physically possible, but here we were.
"Good."I adjusted my sleeves.
The arena was massive, an open circular field surrounded by raised stone seating where other ranks had already gathered, some watching, some waiting, most already whispering the moment we stepped in.
"There he is."One Alpha said.
"That omega."Beta said.
"The one who-"Another one said.
"Yeah, that one."He is said.
"I love being famous."Riko grinned like a man about to make everything worse.
"You are not famous." Ben said.
"I am adjacent to fame."I said.
"You are adjacent to problems."Leo added.
"Same thing." Ben said.
At the center of the field stood the instructor. Tall, broad, the kind of presence that made people stand straighter without being told.
"You are the Omega."His gaze stopped on me.
"Yes."I said.
A pause, a long one.
"I see."He sighed.
"Oh no." Riko whispered loudly.
"This is going to be educational."Ben nodded.
"You." The instructor pointed at me. "Step forward. Combat class is not about hiding in crowds or sneaking around cafeterias." The instructor began. "It's about strength, speed, dominance."
"What about chaos?"Riko raised his hand. "Not helpful."
"I disagree."The instructor said. "Quiet."
Riko sat down, unashamed.
"You rely on tricks."The instructor looked back at me.
"Yes."I said.
"That won't save you in a real fight."He said.
"It has so far."I said.
A few laughs went through the room, but he didn't smile.
"Then let's test that."Instructor said. "Call me Logan."
He gestured.
"Paired sparring. You fight-"Logan began as he looked around and pointed at one Alpha. "You."
The same Alpha from breakfast stepped forward immediately, like fate had been waiting for this moment.
"Oh, this is perfect." Riko whispered.
"He is going to try very hard." Ben added. "To get revenge for the cafeteria incident.
The Alpha stepped into the arena like he owned it, like the ground itself had been waiting for him specifically, shoulders squared, chin slightly lifted, that kind of confidence that didn't come from skill alone but from a lifetime of never being told 'no', and when he stopped a few feet in front of me, he rolled his neck once and smirked.
"Adam." He said."My name is Adam."
Of course his name was Adam.
"I am the one you took food from."Adam said calmly.
"Ah." I said, tilting my head slightly. "So this is emotional."
A ripple of laughter spread through the stands, but Adam didn't laugh.
"Try not to break too quickly." He said. "I want this to be satisfying."
"I give him ten seconds."Riko leaned forward from the sidelines.
"Which one?" Ben asked.
"Yes." Leo muttered, half asleep.
"Begin."Logan stepped back, arms crossed.
Adam moved first, fast, not just fast Alpha kind fast. The kind of speed that assumed the fight was already over before it began. He closed the distance in a blink, fist coming straight toward my face like he had already decided where I would fall.
"Left."Aiden's voice cut in instantly.
I stepped slightly to the side, just enough for his punch to miss by inches, feeling the wind of it brush past my cheek as I pivoted, letting his momentum carry forward. He stumbled half a step, not much, but enough.
"Oh?" Someone in the stands said, surprised that I did not loose at first punch.
Adam recovered quickly, faster than most, turning sharply, irritation already flashing in his eyes.
"Stand still." He snapped.
"No." I said.
He lunged again, this time lower, aiming to grab, to overpower, to end it the way Alphas always tried to end things, with force, with certainty, with the assumption that strength alone decided outcomes.
"He is predictable."Aiden hummed.
"I know."I said.
I ducked under his arm, twisting my body, catching his wrist for half a second, not to stop him, not to fight strength with strength, but to redirect, to guide his movement just enough that he overextended again, just enough that his balance shifted in the wrong direction.
He turned sharply, trying to correct, and I stepped in. My elbow drove into his side, not hard, but precise. A grunt escaped him and the crowd went quiet for a second.
Then louder.
"Did he just-"One gasped.
"No way."A Beta covered mouth with hands in surprise.
"He hit him."An Alpha nodded. "An Alpha."
Adam's expression changed into a more focused expression.
"Alright." He said slowly. "You are not completely useless."
"High praise." I replied.
This time he didn't rush blindly, he circled me like a prey. He was learning, and that made it more interesting.
"Careful now, he is adjusting."Aiden's voice softened in a worry.
"Good." I said. "So am I."
Adam feinted left and I didn't react, instead he switched right and I moved just enough. His foot shifted and I stepped in again, fast this time, faster than before, closing distance before he could fully commit, my hand catching his arm, not to hold, not to wrestle, but to turn, to shift his center of gravity just enough and then I swept his leg and Adam hit the ground hard.
"What."He gasped."How did you?"
"OH I LOVE THIS!"Riko stood up.
"HE DID IT AGAIN."Ben pointed.
"Told you."Leo, eyes half open now, muttered.
Adam pushed himself up immediately, breathing heavier now, pride very clearly injured.
"You are not stronger than me." He said.
"I never said I was." I replied.
He charged again this time, faster and angrier. Anger made people sloppy. His punch came in and I blocked. Not fully just enough to deflect and pain shot up my arm.
"Now."Aiden's voice cut in.
I stepped inside his range again, ignoring the strength difference, ignoring the instinct to back off, my body moving on instinct and precision, my foot hooking behind his, my shoulder pressing into his center and I pushed and Adam lost balance again. This time, I didn't let him recover, I moved behind him, quick, controlled, my arm locking around his shoulder just enough to hold position and I heard Logan's voice cut through it.
"Enough."He said.
I stepped back immediately. Adam stayed still for a second longer before straightening slowly, breathing heavier, staring at me like he was trying to rewrite everything he thought he knew. The arena wasn't laughing anymore, not even a little. Logan looked at me for a long moment, then at Adam.
"You are not stronger." He said.
"I know."I nodded.
"You are not faster."Logan added.
"Not really."I said.
"But you win exchanges."Adam added.
"Yes."I tilted my head slightly.
"Why?" He asked.
"Because I had to."I shrugged slightly. "It's how things worked back home."
Silence again, different this time.
"That was cool."Riko whispered loudly.
"That was VERY cool."Ben nodded.
"Told you."Leo closed his eyes again.
Logan exhaled slowly then, for the first time he smiled.
Just slightly.
"Class." He said, turning to the others. "Observe carefully. This." He gestured toward me. "Is what happens when someone learns to fight without relying on strength, status, or expectation."
A few Alphas shifted uncomfortably.
"Omega or not." Logan continued. "This is combat awareness. Efficiency. Control."
I stood there, arms relaxed, heart still steady, Aiden quiet but pleased.
"Again." Logan said.
"Of course, sir."I smiled faintly.
I noticed the instructor smirking, and it seemed it was time to see what my other three teammates are worth.