Versus (Parts I and II)

Chapter 11- Spectator

The academy buzzed with excitement from the student body. Everyone wondered the same thing: who would be the new student joining their school? Who would be the lucky candidate among so many hopefuls? People were close to killing for such a cosmic opportunity.

In the Student Coach residence hall, Harrison Smith left his suite, going to the teleporter to the first floor. He headed out of the building with his nine fellow coaches. Other Versus Wing students rushed towards the same destination. Those around them would sometimes stop or slow down to gaze at them, whispers echoing through the outdoor courtyard.

Harrison smiled at a bevy of girls looking his way, winking at them. They squealed in response. Admittedly, he loved the attention, especially with his reputation.

"What do you think about the fights?" Elisa asked.

Catherine shrugged. "I don't know. Most likely, it'll be boring as binary code. Not expecting much. They're a load of amateurs and Houdge is just the 150."

"I wouldn't underestimate Lílitha. She's feistier than she looks," Harrison advised. "She almost bit Bark's arm off, remember?"

"Almost," Reilly interjected. "He still won the fight."

"He didn't win, Coach pulled the lass off 'im," Catherine laughed. "Otherwise, he'd've been a one-arm. Serves him right for slagging 'er."

"Let's hope she doesn't bite anyone else," Delaine chuckled. "She has to fight 3,000 people all in one day. She'll be frustrated after a while."

They entered the Arena and went to the passages leading to the seats. As Student Coaches, they had access to special seats with the best view of the fight; a capsule that moved around the arena circle to see the battle at the best angle. It even had a screen that would zoom in on the fighters when it got exciting. Next to them were the school faculty, and below were the Favorites' capsules.

Harrison slipped into the seat numbered '10', which had his name beneath. It always swelled him with pride whenever he came here. Even though his rightful position should've been Reilly's first seed, he was contented with at least being a Student Coach.

Of course, with his tenth seed came a lot of pressure; expectations, speculations, and most of all, controversies. Being the first Earthian to be a Student Coach since Lisa White, people were still skeptical of his abilities— to the point that his call sign was 'Cheater'.

He'd done extremely well considering it was his first year in the competition, but it was hardly cheating. He didn't even make the top three places. People also ignored the fact that he had been studying a non-Versus Fighting career for a year before that, at an early age.

Even though the other nine didn't show it, he knew they thought the same of him. The experienced Student Coaches always hazed the new ones playfully, but he took the brunt of the force. It didn't help that he was the only full human among them.

Harrison knew for a fact that most half-humans didn't take pride in their Earthian side. They were always fiercely patriotic towards their non-Earthian half. Almost as if they were embarrassed.

Or, not almost. They were embarrassed.

He always tried not to let it bother him. He'd ignore the whispers in the halls, the gossip bouncing between the students. He'd smile among the glares and smirks thrown his way. He'd appreciate those that granted him the barest amount of respect.

He looked down at the Favorites' capsules floating below them. These varied between sizes, accommodating all the members of each Guild. Students taking apprenticeship under the Student Coaches.