Chapter 1, end.

As the second-round match-ups began, Hebi started to lose interest in the outcome. "Let's go," she ordered, picking up her things.

"Okay."

"We're going to check out our sleeping quarters," she explained, oblivious to the fact Drache didn't ask why.

"Okay."

"Because we already saw a little of everyone's technique, and we're all bound to learn something new tomorrow anyway, so there's really no need to stick around."

"Okay."

"Fine—we'll come back for the final match, I promise!"

"Okay."

"I said so, that's why!"

Drache cocked his head at her in bewilderment.

"Come on!"

"Okay."

She stormed out in a huff, not sure what to do with her frustration. Her ears burned again, and Drache was careful to stay a little farther behind her than he would otherwise.

The first dormitory they approached was Alpha Barracks. Even being in its vicinity was inspiring, making Hebi crave to go inside just for a looksie, but the grounds were policed by sentries and redundant arrays of independent defences. Even a Base-JP wouldn't be able to break through their firewalls by herself without sounding the alarm, and a peek wasn't worth getting into trouble.

The next was Beta Barracks, about on par with the nicest hotel she'd ever stayed in. The protection was about equal to Alpha Barracks, despite the obvious but not particularly steep downgrade in luxury.

The third was Gamma Barracks, which Hebi expected to be equal to Delta, if the math worked out—there would be significantly more round-one eliminations than would fit in a single dormitory. She tried her badge at the gate to see whether they would be staying here. "ERROR: INVALID USER ID," the gate blared. "BADGE HOLDER IS STATIONED IN DELTA BARRACKS." Well, no big loss—Gamma was homey but nice, so Delta...

When they arrived, Hebi dropped her pack on the ground. The building was dilapidated, with almost no fortification against entry. Several of the windows were cracked or broken. There was some kind of smell... She followed her nose to an area around the side—

"THE SHOWERS ARE OUTSIDE–?!" she screeched, only just choking out the interrobang because she was physically choking. She grabbed Drache's hand and dragged him away from the dormitory. "Let's go."

"Okay."

"YOU are learning to fight, Drache," she barked, whirling on him when they reached a small clearing. "We are NOT losing tomorrow's battle!"

"Okay."

She stepped back ten paces. "Pull out your foil."

Before Drache could tap his emblem, Hebi threw a fireball at him, singeing his paw. "Ow!" he cried, racing away.

"GET BACK HERE!"

"NO!" he shouted, walking back anyway. "Why did you do that?"

"I told you—you're going to learn how to fight, TONIGHT, if it kills me. Draw your foil!"

He sat on the ground and traced a sword-shaped design in the dirt. She threw another fireball. "OW!" he shrieked, running off again.

"DRACHE, DON'T YOU RUN AWAY!"

He practically crawled back this time, taking the tiniest steps imaginable at a nevertheless rapid pace.

She threw another—

This time he was gone. "DRACHE!" she shrieked, so much so it hurt her throat, perhaps permanently. "If you don't come back, I'm selling your Rock Band!"

Even this threat didn't seem to work—the pup wasn't returning. Hebi collapsed on the ground in a combination of rage and despondency. How was she going to graduate with so much of her grade hanging on such a flighty little brat? This was supposed to be a relaxing retreat of study, or so she thought—

Her tears ran down her cheeks, steaming away by the time they reached her chin. Thirteen days of this felt like more than she could bear, but there wasn't any way to back out now...

She felt something prod her throat. Hebi looked up to see Drache standing above her. "That's MY Rock Band," he protested, pouting in a way that made him look even more ridiculous than usual.

"I'll take it away."

"No."

"You have to do what I say. Otherwise, you lose privileges."

"NO."

"That's how life works, Drache."

"NO!"

Hebi had less than the blink of an eye to react—Drache swung his foil around and nearly connected with the small of her back save her reflexes and anticipating his moves. She jumped to her feet and set ablaze again, catching his foil alight and superheating it. He yelped in pain and dropped it, vanishing.

"Again..." she muttered, cautiously letting down her guard. "Why can't that little—"

Hebi felt a blow from behind and toppled to her knees, Drache grabbing her in a headlock, latching tightly to her back. "My Rock Band..." he whimpered.

Hebi exhaled in relief, then laughed in spite of herself. "That's an improvement," she cheered. Maybe it would work out after all.