I make my way else where to eat my food, away from the cafeteria. As I’m walking out, I receive numerous glares and angry looks from people who I assume what listening to the very passionate chastisement that I just received. To be fair, though, it wasn’t very hard to hear, as she was practically screaming towards the end there.

  Really I’m still confused about the whole thing, as I still have no clue why she yelled at me, Do the people here hate rich people or something? And do I really come off as some sort of rich scion? It must be a common occurrence to see people coming in and trying to join based off the achievements of their parents.

  ‘Man I wish. If my parents were half as useful as that girl said they were, I would be living easy right about now.’ I think to myself.

  Deciding it wise to lay low for a bit, I walk back to my room to eat. Enjoying the silence of the humble place that I assume has some sort of soundproofing, I eat a relatively peaceful meal all things considered.

  The meal itself is some sort of lunch meat in between two slices of a purple-ish bread. Don’t ask me what anything I’m eating is called because I have no clue. For all I know, I could be some strange and disgusting looking alien creature, though it tastes just like turkey.

  After eating, I’m suddenly hit with the realization that I have no clue what to do with my day. I hadn’t really thought this far ahead yet, and with the test being tomorrow, it’s a bit of an awkward time to try and fall into new habits.

  ‘Maybe I’ll go check out the gym, get used to all the new and weird equipment they have there.’ I think to myself.

  So, with my mind made up, I begin to make my way to the gym. As I walk down the halls, though, I begin to notice the looks of disdain and disgust radiating off anyone who walks by me. From janitors to wealthy-looking businessmen, all of them clearly hold some level of dislike towards me.

  ‘Man what the hell is up with people? What did I do? Is this really all because of that incident that occurred earlier this morning? How did people already find out about that?’ I ask myself as I continue my tread through the jungle of disgruntles looks.

  ‘Did I really commit that much of a social suicide by trying to talk to those people? I mean really what the hell was her problem anyway? No way people take anything those people say or do to heart… right?’

  Finally, I make it to the gym. Entering, I find a surprising number of people inside considering the fact that this place almost has zero active combatants, well, besides the three people I attempted to talk to before. I guess people here are well-focused on their physical health.

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  Looking at all the people on the machines and equipment make it clear to me just how short-sighted I was being when I called a lot of the equipment ‘weird’. Almost every single machine, exercise room, or piece of equipment is able to be used by as many races as possible.

  For example, I even see a blob type person using a type of squat machine, but instead of a bar or anything similar like I’m used to, there is just a flat surface that he can use to push up. Right next to him, on the same type of machine, is a bar version for humanoids.

  I walk throughout the gym, just getting a feel for the layout out of all the equipment and trying to piece together what I may include in my training. Really though, I’m just heading towards the part of the gym that interested me the most when I saw it.

  Finally I reach the seemingly endless rows of ‘gaming pods’ as the assistant called them during my tour. The thought of fighting someone full force with no risk of death or injury is one that I just couldn’t ignore.

  Unfortunately, it’s also one that it seems a lot of people can’t either, as there seems to be a small line for the pods, as they are seemingly full right now. I can’t really say I’m surprised, as it’s what I assume to be peak gym times right about now, with everyone trying to exercise before work.

  ‘I’ll have to come at better times in the future, so I don’t have to wait in line.’ I think to myself.

  So, with nothing better to do today, I resign myself to waiting in line. As I do, I’m bombarded with more looks of disgust and disdain. I try my best to ignore it, but it’s really hard with the sheer number of looks I’m getting.

  ‘Ugh, this better not be a trend that continues into my time as a full-time prospect. If it does, I might just have to leave, benefits be damned.’

  Eventually someone comes up to me while waiting. A younger guy, about as tall as me at around six foot, dark brown skin that, upon closer inspection, is made up of small scales, and straight purple hair that is parted in the middle of his head, hanging gracefully to the sides.

  “Are you Rowan?” He asks me confidently.

  “Uh yeah?” I answer confusedly.

  He smirks and replies,

  “So you’re the asshole who disrespected the entire branch by trying to worm your way into prospect status by paying for an application and attempting to peruse your way into the prospect inner circle!” He says loudly and dramatically.

  “Uh… what?” I say, my face completely baffled at this point, unable to comprehend the string of words this man just spoke.

  “Don’t play dumb! I know you may not have face much adversity in your silver spooned life, but I’ll have you know that I, rank 2 talent Regalius Concord, do not appreciate your kind in this great organization! Some of us, like myself, actually had to pass the trial test to get a spot in this upcoming test!” He says, emphasizing his talent ranking and the words ‘pass the trial test’.

  I once again stare baffled at what I’m listening to and seeing.

  ‘Am I being… called out? What is this? He’s trying to gain some clout or something off me right? But how does verbally assaulting me do that? Unless…”

  “Nothing to say? Are you to good to talk to me? Well in that case, this disrespect will not be tolerated! I challenge you to a duel in the virtual arena!” He says loudly.

  ‘Yup, there it is. Goddamnit it man, couldn’t you just me relax for a day? This was the one day where I had nothing to do except relax and enjoy training.’

  I sigh and answer,

  “Alright man, let’s go and get this over with.”