It was the first day of classes for Spike and his friends. Spike had decided to go to Energy Blades 101 first. After what happened in the labyrinth, Spike didn't want to go anywhere near a mecha for a while. The teacher looked at him and as he stroked his long gray beard, he thought to himself, "This one seems different than the others. He might be the first student to pass my class without any broken bones."
Spike walked up to the teacher and said, "Excuse me, I'm here to apply for this class."
The teacher snapped out of his trance as Spike came up to him and told him he was here to apply for this class. He asked him, “My name is Sensei Akamine. Do you think you have what it takes to wield an energy blade? It is a dangerous task. A master must know how to wield his weapon for good, and never for evil. Look me in the eye and tell me you want to join this class.”
Spike looked Akamine in the eye and said, “I want to join this class, sir.”
Akamine smiled and said, “Spike, I’ve been training students in the way of the energy blade for 30 years. I’ve never seen someone with the potential I see in you.”
Spike smiled and said "Thank-"
Before he could finish, Akamine stroked his long gray beard and said, "However... I sense a power sleeping deep inside you. A power that if not controlled properly, could end up being your doom. I will teach you more than the correct way to use an energy blade. I will teach you to control the power hidden deep inside you."
Spike looked down and said, "It's true, what you're saying. I nearly hurt my friends during my initiation into MystRaven... Whenever I get into a mecha, I just lose control, like something in my body just kicks in and takes control of me." As he looked back up at the teacher he said, "You really think you can help me control whatever it is that's inside me?"
Akamine nodded and said, "I do. I said it once and I'll say it again. I have never seen a student with the amount of potential I see in you. Your hidden power may be what gives you that potential, but you need to learn to control it. Now, go get changed into your uniform."
Spike smiled and said, "Yes sir!" and ran off into the changing rooms. He dressed himself in a white Gi, and tied a white belt around his waist. He thought to himself, "What could he have meant by a power sleeping deep inside me?" he looked in the mirror at the marking he had on his chest, almost right over his heart. It had been there since birth. His father told him it was a symbol of strength, and his father even had the same marking. He said to himself, "This marking... is it more than just a symbol of strength?" He went back out to the class, which was just about to start.
Sensei Akamine told his students, "The first rule of the way of the sword is 'do no harm.' Unless you mean to do harm, then do lots of harm!"
Spike could have sworn that was a line from an old TV show, but said nothing about it. As Akamine told them to grab an energy sword, Spike picked out a purple sword, the same color of his scales. He noticed there were an odd-numbered amount of students, so somebody wouldn't be sparring today.
Akamine started pairing the students up with their sparring partners and said, "Finally, Spike. I will be training you personally."
Spike bowed respectfully and said, "Thank you sensei. I'll give it my best."
As Spike drew his energy sword, Akamine took his out. Akamine readied his sword and lunged forward.
Spike felt something inside of him, but it wasn't like when he was in a mecha. It felt more like an instinct, and as Akamine lunged at him, he blocked with his own sword. Akamine said, "Good, you're a natural."
Spike smiled and told him, "I guess, but this just feels like an instinct."
Akamine nodded and said, "Everyone has a warrior instinct deep inside them, it's just a matter of awakening it."
As the two clashed swords, Spike felt as though he should use his body as a weapon. He used his tail to catch Akamine off guard and grab his leg before tripping him. As his sensei tripped, he stood over him and pointed his sword at him.
Akamine smiled and said, "Good, using anything you can to gain an advantage." he stood up and said, "You've done very well. You truly caught me off guard. It's been a long time since somebody's made me yield. I'm promoting you to a yellow belt." before handing him a yellow belt. "Class is almost over. If you have problems in any classes where you have to get in a mecha, show the teacher this note." He handed him a note that excused him from participating in Mecha Combat, and only to do simulations, where neither of the mechas were real.
Spike smiled and said, "Thank you sensei." before going back into the changing room and putting his MystRaven uniform back on.
As Spike arrived for his second class, the teacher said, "Ah, Mister Drake. You're late."
Spike tilted his head and asked, "I am?"
The teacher said, "Yes, you are exactly 0.02168 seconds late."
Spike thought to himself, "Is she serious?"
The teacher told him, "I am very serious!" almost as if she read his mind. "Now, take your seat."
Spike ignored the fact that she knew what he was thinking and sat down. He thought to himself, "At least she's not making me wear a stupid hat..."
Once again, as if she was reading his mind, she said, "As punishment for being late, you must wear this hat." before putting a dunce cap on him.
Spike stayed silent for a minute, and said to himself, "I'll show her, I'll pass this class with flying colors!"
