Brand new days

Sunlight came through the windows and softly impacted everything inside the room. The rooster's crow coming from the neighbour's house marked the beginning of a new day.

Jack rubbed his eyes as he slowly woke up. Between yawns and stretches, he rolled on the bed, fighting against the comfiness of the blankets and pillows. In the end, but maybe lamenting the fact, he won the battle.

While his daily routine came and went as usual, there was something different this time: It was his first day in the Central Dojo as a Junior Engineer. His nervousness showed as he put a little too much toothpaste on his brush and barely combed his hair (Not like he could do a lot considering the waves that composed his black mane, but still...)

He went downstairs, following the aroma of eggs and coffee on the stove. Jack sat on his usual chair at the table, waiting eagerly for his breakfast.

"Morning, son." Mary's sweet voice echoed in the empty kitchen.

"Morning, Mom," Jack replied. "Dad left already?"

"Yes. You know how things are recently at work. He has to wake up a bit earlier and work extra hours."

"I see..."

Mary took the food she had just prepared to the table in fine porcelain plates. She kissed her son's forehead and left the dining room, she had to prepare some stuff before going to work.

Jack enjoyed his meal in solitude, with a certain melancholy in his heart, but that sadness suddenly was overcome by anticipation for the new chapter of his life. He finished his breakfast, took the now empty porcelain dishes to the kitchen, and washed them.

"Bye, Mom! See you in the afternoon!" Jack closed the door behind him as he left his house.

As he walked through the streets of Golden Hill City, he felt the cold wind blowing around, taking some fallen leaves from the ground. Some alpha-powered bikes and cars went through the roads, making a buzzing sound as they passed. A few minutes later on his walk, the familiar look of the neighbourhood with small houses was quickly replaced by the breathtaking scenery of bio-metals and crystal from the 100-story buildings. The streets felt like a melting pot of cultures, with different-looking people walking each at their own different, chaotic pace.

20 minutes after Jack had departed from his home, he walked passed an alleyway, where he accidentally eavesdropped on a peculiar scene...

"P-please! I'll do whatever you want, just don't stab me!" A small girl cried as she begged for her life.

"Money, jewels, your alpha-phone! Gimme whatever you have on you that have some value!" A low-life thug exclaimed as he pushed the flat side of a knife against the lilac-haired lady.

Jack didn't hesitate as he walked stealthily and, with precision, hit the thief with the hilt of his sword. Getting his attention momentarily.

The thief cried in pain as he rubbed his head. He turned quickly and met his gaze with Jack's. "Wanna have some problems, kiddo? Are you defending your girlfriend?"

He launched against the swordsman, but in a swift move, Jack once again used the hilt to beat the thug, this time on the chest, leaving him out of air.

"Y-you son of a b-" Before the criminal could even finish his sentence, the girl that was being robbed used her purse to hit him in his temple, making the thief lose balance and fall to the ground, getting knocked out immediately.

Jack put away his sword and rushed to the girl. "Are you fine?" He asked.

"Yes. Thank you so much, Mister. I don't know what I would have done hadn't you come." The refined lady replied.

"Anytime." Jack smiled, meeting his gaze with hers.

Jack accompanied the girl to the exit of the alleyway, getting her out of any possible danger that could come from her staying in the dark street.

"Well, I gotta go. I have classes soon, so-"

"Are you an Engineer, sir?" The girl interjected before Jack could excuse himself and leave the scene.

"Yeah." He replied. "Why do you ask?"

"Your sword. That's a giveaway."

"Oh, right, right, yeah, haha... But I'm only a Junior Engineer." Jack closed his eyes and smiled.

"Don't sell yourself short. The way you hit the criminal showed battle experience, quick wit, and strength. I just noticed that, if I may say, you look a bit younger to be a soldier or a police officer. So you being an Engineer is the most logical option."

"You're really perceptive, lady. I'm glad to be of service."

"May I know the name of my savior?" She asked in a kind and soft tone.

"Jack. I'm Jack Kennedy."

"Well, Jack Kennedy, Thanks for saving my life. My name is Deidre Ossian."

"Ossian, huh? Like Scott Ossian, the politician?"

The girl's cheeks turned slightly red and her eyes opened wide at the mention of that name, but she quickly recomposed her calm, smiling expression.

"You'd be right. He's my father, after all."

"Wow, it's an honor." Jack bowed after Deidre's words. She let out a soft laughter and gestured for him to straighten up.

"Haha, don't act like that. It's not like we're different just because I'm the daughter of an electoral candidate."

"Okay, if you say so~"

Deidre and Jack locked glances on each other, smiling for a moment.

"It was nice to make your acquaintance, Jack Kennedy. I hope we can see each other again."

"My pleasure too, Deidre."

They parted ways after waving at each other. Jack started strolling a bit faster as he was already slightly late for classes.

At the gate of the Central Dojo, the blue swordsman watched in the distance as a familiar face waved  at him, waiting patiently.

"Sorry for being late, Will!" Jack said as he tried to catch some air.

"No probs. But next time you should wake up earlier. Right?"

"Ha, ha, how funny." Jack quipped sarcastically.

The two friends walked through the academy's fields. Green gardens and colorful flowers adorned the place majestically, making the Dojo look more like a palace than a military academy.

As they entered the main building, Jack's eyes couldn't stop looking around. Every time the year began the decorations of the school changed, which satisfied his desire for novelty. But suddenly, his wandering glances came to a stop as he noticed a face he hadn't seen before.

Orange hair tied in a ponytail. Green eyes and freckles adorned the delicate and feminine attributes of her pale face. Who was her?

Will noticed the way his friend was entranced by the beauty of the woman in front of them. He smirked and teased Jack. "Oh, it seems you have your eyes on a girl, you damn little Casanova?"

"Wh-what? Of course not. Shut up, Will." Jack frowned. "Come on, let's go to to the entrance ceremony now."

"Haha, alright, alright." Will chuckled and followed him. But after a second or two of silence, he continued speaking. "By the way, I think her name is Lucy Smith or something like that. She's from Doggerland, apparently."

"I didn't ask."

"I know, but you probably wanted to know, right?"

Jack sighed as they both entered the room.

Both friends sat down on the tatamis of the floor, the classroom was filled with students from all three years of Junior education. In front of the students, all senseis were standing up. Ready to enact the entrance ceremony. Jack tried to remember their faces, stopping for a moment and smiling as he took a glance at his dear sensei Martha, standing between all the other master Engineers.

One of them took a step and started speaking, his voice immediately shutting down the noise caused by the students' chatter.

"Ladies and gentlemen. I'd like to give you all a warm greeting to this new year in the Central Dojo of Golden Hill City. An especially warm welcome to all new first-year Junior Engineers as well as to all our returning second and third-years."

The ceremony went on for about an hour. All the teachers and directives, as well as last year's Student Council President Riley Scott, introduced themselves.

Some minutes later, the different classes went to their respective classroom to meet their leading sensei. Jack's happiness showed off as he got the news that Martha would be his mentor this year.

She presented herself to the class. After her presentation was over. It was time for the students to greet each other.