Advanced Self-defense class is not going over too well. I swear, all of the girls are in mini-skirts and flip-flops, and some of the guys are wearing suits. Seriously, we’re here to learn to fight, not host a stupid ball! On top of that, they didn’t even bring a change of clothes, or a bag even. I guess they couldn’t find an athletic bag cute enough to match their outfits. The curriculum did say that we will eventually learn to fight while wearing high heels and stuff, but that’s in a couple of years. This year would be a lot of hand-to-hand self-defense and maybe some weapons training if the class moves fast enough. At this rate, I highly doubt we’ll be making it through the basic self-defense curriculum.

It is most unfortunate that I have to be the only girl fighting. Slowly making my way through all the guys, I can’t help but think: These guys are as weak as puppies. Danielle fights better than them and she failed self-dense. What are they doing in Advanced Self-Defense? Was there a lack of people that signed up? Doubt it. Guys are just getting weak these days.

I ignored the glares of the whores as I grabbed my bag and headed towards the locker room for a quick shower and a change of clothes. It’s sad walking past a long row of tired, out-of-breath guys draped over the bench and laying on the floor. I swear to God I was taking it easy on them. Guys can be so dramatic these days.

“Leah,” before I could reach the safety of the locker room, my teacher stopped me. I can’t say I like him too much. Except for the sharp ear that suggested he was a full-blooded elf, he looked like a human drill sergeant from one of my history books, complete with the bulging muscles and a blond buzz cut. He is also the one in charge of this pathetic excuse of a Physical Contact Class. “Wait up for a moment. I’d like to see you in my office. Could you come with me for a moment?”

Sigh. It was never a good thing if a teacher wanted you in their office. And if the male professor-female student combination comes into play, the rumors could be crippling. There was a female troll-dwarf that committed suicide last year because of that. I could see the girls already starting up the gossip mill. “Sure.”

“Good.” Great. Does Professor Zlarkeon have to be the touchy-feely type that has to drape an arm over your shoulder? I know he’s not trying to pull anything, since I’m picking up that vibe from him, but the motion is just so… suggestive. “Here you go. Please, have a seat.”
            “You wanted to talk about something?” He closed the door. At least I can positively say that I could win if he really was trying to pull something.

“Yes,” he sat in his chair on the other side of the desk. Good. I almost thought he’d be an awkward creeper and sit on the edge of the desk. “Today we have seen that you are obviously a good fighter. Those boys are no wimps. I will assure you of that.”

“Thank you.” I really want to comment that the guy were obviously wimps, but I’m not about to contradict this teacher on a minor point.

“I can see that you don’t agree with me.” He’s playing with me. He doesn’t seem to have the lust vibe, but he’s definitely enjoying himself. His grey eyes are unreadable. “I’m a vibe reader like you.”

Okay. I was not expecting that. Mr. Tough Guy, with the muscles and the combat boots, is a vibe reader. “Oh. I-I didn’t know that.”

“Yes. I read the profile of every one of my students. You’re a particularly interesting one. I’m surprised your status hasn’t been upgraded. You’ve been discontent since you’ve walked into this class. You’re not being challenged.”

“Excuse me?”

“You’re not being challenged?”

“No. The part before that – ‘I’m surprised your status hasn’t been upgraded’. What do you mean by that?”

“You wouldn’t have heard of it. We rarely have students that get upgraded. It’s like a special program for students like you, that aren’t challenged by things that are advanced and difficult under normal circumstances. You’ve been working with a few Physical Contact coaches already and you like those sessions. They say you have a lot of potential. Then there’s the case of the technology field. You’re teachers have commented that there have been a few times that you hacked into their database to search for celebrity photos. Did you really do that?”

I could feel my face starting to turn red. I don’t mind my friends teasing me about my celebrity crushes, but having a professor talk to you about something like this is just awkward. I could barely find my voice, “Yeah.”

A bug under a microscope would be more comfortable than me. At least the bug would be dead and wouldn’t feel the eyes boring into them. “I would like to submit an upgrade application to the higher-ups for you. You would pass their examinations with flying colors. The only thing in the way is whether or not you would like to upgrade. You will be moved to a new dormitory especially for Special Upgrade students. Some of your classes will change too, but not yet. You’ll have to put up with your current classes until the application goes through and you’ve passed all the examinations.”

“That’s fine,” I guess my expression was too eager when he mentioned class changes. I dearly hope that the Physical Contact Classes will change, because there are seriously too many wimps around here. “I’ll have to think about it.”

“Good. This is not something you want to make a rash decision about. Just tell me whenever you feel ready.”

What would Danielle do without me? She’d fail her language classes and go out partying every night. She’d probably start going out with all the scumbag guys that keep hitting on her. I really want to get the hell out of classes, but shouldn’t I think about our friendship too? She’s too fragile.