The Hidden Princess At All-Boys Alpha Academy Chapter 26

I mean, can I fake sick and make Rafe go up against someone else? But I don’t know what the the results of that would be – would they just kick me out immediately? Or…is there any way I could subtly swap spots with another candidate so I’m fighting someone easier?

But what would that do? And who the hell would agree to that, even if it were allowed?

I’m panting and defeated in two ways at the end of the second run of the obstacle course, which just…really feels like a kick in the face. My time improves, but I’m still dead last. When we’re finished the run, we’re lined up in our ranking order and lead into a sparring gym next door, which has mats already laid out ready for our bouts. We’re spread out at even distances and each handed a long wooden staff before we’re taught a series of moves that it takes hours to perfect.

By the end of it, I have no idea what’s going on, and I’m anxious as well as exhausted.

“You may have noticed,” the Captain booms out when we’re all standing quietly, “that the wooden staff is not a particularly high-tech or effective weapon in today’s battle climate. That’s why we chose it for this test. Our understanding is that very few people are proficient in staff work anymore. Today’s examination tests not only your physical prowess, but your ability to learn an unfamiliar fighting technique quickly. Though your sparring partner will for many of you be a mismatch, the unfamiliarity of the weapons evens the playing field.”

Bullshit, I think, glancing at the front of the room where Rafe stands with his staff like an extension of his damn arm. No matter how unfamiliar the weapon, he’s still going to take me out with it.

Unless he really intends to go forward with his idiot plan to throw the bout in my favor?

I shake my head, realizing that the only acceptable plan is for me to throw it first. I nod to myself, decided. That’s the plan.

“The bouts will be paired with highest taking on the lowest – though some small variations have been made in order to ensure fair play.”

My eyebrows raise at this announcement.

Wait – wait what?

What does that mean?

“When your number is called, pair up in your designated circle,” the Captain continues, sounding a little bored as panic flares in my chest. “In Circle 1 we have #1 against #119,” the captain says, pointing towards it.

Rafe spins to look back at me, his eyes wide. My eyes snap to the candidate next to me, a small guy named Ben Ternicki, whose dark hair that falls into his face. He exhales a long breath, pushing his hair back under his cap as he looks over at me and shrugs.

“In Circle 2,” the Captain snaps, “#2 will face #120.”

The breath leaves me in a rush as I figure out, immediately, what they’re up to.

They know Rafe is related to me – my cousin, we reported it on the intake form. So they rearranged the pairings so that he can’t face me in the bout.

Which means…

My eyes fall immediately on my opponent as he moves towards our circle, taller than the staff that’s in his hand.

Jackson McClintock.

My bout is against Jackson, my second mate.

“Good luck with that,” Ben murmurs to me as he looks between Jackson and Rafe. “Honestly, we’re both fucked either way, but at least Sinclair probably won’t beat me to a pulp in the process,” he says, giving me a shrug as the Captain continues to call out names and the candidates start to move around the room.

“Oh god,” I moan, leaning into Ben’s hand a little as he pats my shoulder consolingly. “I’m so screwed.”

“Come on,” he says, heaving a little sigh. “Let’s go get the shit kicked out of ourselves.”