"Nic, How deep is the pond behind the house?"
"It's around 6 feet after a few steps and around 10 feet in the middle, Kate."
"After reaching the house, we will swim for a while Nic. You can stay at the reading room or go out for a stroll if you have other work. No peaking around." Kate had a playful smile making Samantha blush.
"No problem I will be meditating at the reading room. Once you both come back we can go for dinner."
Phoenix went to the reading hall after changing his cloths and started meditating while the girls went for the swimming. They came back dressed after almost an hour and a half and found Phoenix still in the lotus position, meditating. After exchanging a look, Kate went to Phoenix and called his name softly. After letting out a deep breath, Phoenix opened his eyes and smiled.
"Sorry for distributing you Nic. If you are done, shall we go for dinner?" Kate asked softly in hesitation.
"It's alright Kate, lets go. I was about to get up when you called me."
"Nic, how can you go into such deep meditative state in such a short time?" Samantha asked curiously.
"It's just practice I believe. I just take a few deep breath and my mind calms down after that."
"Can we do the meditation together everyday befor going to sleep?" Samantha asked tentatively.
"Why not. Let's start from today itself. Now let us go to the dining hall."
At the dining hall they met with other students in their year from Inner and Outer groups and Phoenix, after exchanging greatings with them, came to the table where the two girls were sitting. He also observed that this time around people were sitting in a small groups of 2 to 4 compared to the large group he saw initially.
After a happy meal, Phoenix and the girls walked back to their quarters. After reading for an hour, they started to meditate in their backyard on the bank of the small pond. This time, the girls also felt a peaceful state for a few seconds before things started to seep into their thoughts.
After an hour of peaceful meditation, Phoenix took his leave. As usual, he got into the pool and started to float on top of the water and within a few seconds was sound asleep.
Both girls watched this from their respective balcony and sighed shaking their head in disbelief.
After carrying out the morning exercises, Phoenix meditated with other two before getting ready and leaving to the classes.
After their morning combat class, they were instructed by Master Xavier to attend Prof. Hall's class after the lunch.
The class went on for two hours during which Phoenix realised that he was definately lagging behind in most of the theory classes and decided to put more efforts. He also observed that his roommates were excellent in the subject of economics and trading.
Again like the previous day, all seven friends got together for tea. After discussing the day's topic and few other combat related topics, they all started towards their living quarters.
After reaching home, Phoenix requested Samantha and Kate to guide him for the theory classes. Both of them happily agreed to his request.
Days passed by and all seven of the Elite group students improved at a visible speed. Not only they were having combat but theory classes every alternative days.
Phoenix started to improve a lot in his theory classes thanks to the support from Kate and Samantha. He also accompanied Master Xavier and other S class adventurers whenever there were any high level beast sightings near to the Academy town.
Phoenix even had his old friend visit him in his dreams and had his discussions about other worldly and crazy thing that the old man had came across. Off late, Phoenix also asked questions about the other kingdom's in this world and the lifestyle of its people. To his surprise the old man/ creature in his dreams did not disappoint him.
In the blink of an eye 10 months flew by and it was time for the annual compitition.
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"Headmaster, It would be better if Phoenix did not participate in the annul compitition. There is not even a single student, even the final year students who could come even close to his level. Even I can hardly match him for a minute and if the fight drags ON, I would loose. Badly. He is in real sence a monster in human form." Xavier looked dejected while expressing his opinion. Everyone agreed to his view.
Meanwhile in a Tavern outside the academy town, four hooded figure were sitting in a dark corner having their aile and speaking in a hushed tone. " I want this begger to be killed and fed to the wild beasts."
"No problem." A man opposite to his took the portrait of the man to be killed from the other person.
"It's tricky to corner him alone and he is strong to the boot ."
" That won't be an issue. Once we take a job, we will finish it even if it takes us a decade. Furthermore from this portrait, I can see this is just a boy of 15 or 16."
"Good, very good. This is the advance payment. Bring his head to me and I will give the remaining amount." A big sack was handedover to the man who took the potrait.
"Ha ha ha... Logan, you known that we do the killing for the fun of it and done it many times for your family. Gold is just the cherry on the top. But I am thinking this is a overkill for us to take this job to assassinate a boy your age."
"No, you are wrong, he is very powerful, even the S-Class adventurers treat him as their equals. Even the headmaster treats his well. Alsa, he got on the wrong side of me. Instead of being my servent, he made me suffer and humiliated me infront of everyone. I want him to die a painfull death." The murderous intent in Logan's eyes were clear and the three assassins looked at each other and nodded their heads.
" Ok Logan, we will do this for the sake of your father. If this turns out to be an easy pray then forget our association from then on. Even when you become the head of your family. We, The Terrible Trio will not be associated with you."
All though, Logan felt uneasy, he knew that Phoenix will not be a sitting duck. " Don't worry Kal, You will be thrilled to be facing this begger boy. He is very powerful."
After having their aile, the assassins known as The Terrible Trio left the Tavern and Logan grinning maliciously, started to walk back towards the Academy. "This time, you are going to die horribly, you begger."