Boom!

"Ranger aspirants of Triven, gather around".

It was morning and all the aspirants of the institute gathered outside to be assigned to their masters and also given their level up bracelets and start their journey to fully becoming rangers of Triven.

Each sensei was assigned to 18 aspirants to train, and help them get to the next level. And by the end of every session, the best aspirants under each sensei would compete against each other for the ultimate prize of the year; grand aspirant.

It was also accompanied with a huge level up, as the winner can skip two levels which is within one year, at most if he wishes to from the eight levels they have to pass through in the institute.

Lilith silently prayed within her that she would get a good sensei. Someone she could understand and have a connection with. And she also wished she will not be assigned to the same sensei with Nex. She really didn't want to see his face anymore, after what happened last night. Plus in the kid rangers institute, there were both assigned to the same sensei and he literally got all the attention during training because he was the grand sensei's son. She really did not want to experience such cheating here.

"Look at your left wrists and you would see your bracelets already there. And as you all know, your stats, improvements and deterioration will be recorded in those projected bars it reveals.

Also, we shall have our master record to keep an eye on everyone and show you the way out if you feel you have overstayed your welcome". A great murmur rose among them all as they listened to the sensei speak from the pulpit where he stood.

"Silence!" He ordered and immediately silence was restored to the place. "Good" he breathed. "Now we have sent to your bracelets the location of your different senseis. So everyone locate where your training class is holding at the moment and begin immediately".

At his last words, all of them dispersed like little chick, searching for their lost mother hen. Lilith followed the path her bracelet led her to, deep into the trees from last night. She was really relieved that Lyra was fine all thanks to Andreas. She walked futher till she got to a flower gateway that stopped her from going futher. She slowly opened the flower gate and was surprised with what she saw.

It was a very calm and peaceful place, full of green grass and blooming flowers. She would have called it a perfect garden, except that she noticed all the fighting and training equipments that were stored in a small open cottage not to far from where she stood.

"Your name?" An aged man in his late fifties asked her from behind as she was still admiring the place.

"Lilith Amnell, sensei" Lilith turned and bowed to him after getting over the shock.

"Oh Lilith" he drew her in for a hug which actually caught Lilith off guard.

“You are my final student. Obviously a late comer" he drew away from her, leading her to where the rest of her brothers and sisters were. "Never mind” he shrugged. "Being on time really isn't my thing though. Now take a mat over there" he pointed at the cottage "and seat where ever you feel is comfortable for you".

Lilith took a mat from the cottage and rejoined the class. She looked at all the faces there and didn't find Nex, but there was Lyra. She really wished they won't cause any trouble, afterall there was no Nex to fight over.

She spread her mat beside another aspirant and paid attention to what the sensei had to say.

"Now listen up dear aspirants, l am sensei Helia" he began in a caring voice. "Despite the differences in origin and style, most martial arts consist of similar techniques and skills that form a base for the art. Some general basic moves shared by most martial arts styles are kicking, striking with the open hand, leg sweeps, parries, elbow and knee strikes, punches, and various evasion tactics.

Most styles incorporate footwork, as well as stances that facilitate either defense, attacking, or both. Many styles also use grappling. Those arts typically also use throws, take downs, chokes and bars, submission holds and other mat work techniques.

All martial arts disciplines utilize a combination of meditation, study and repetition of moves and forms. Sparring or grappling are also practiced as you ascend through instruction on their way to mastery. Boom!" He suddenly exclaimed, getting all of his trainees shocked. They all jolted, holding their already flown hearts and wondering what would make him exclaim that way. Like he wanted their souls to leave their body.

"Lesson one, never let your enemy take you by surprise. Be ready for anything, all the time"...