From A To Z

Mr. Ryuji led the group out of the classroom and to the back of the premises, where they saw other groups arriving at the same time. Ryuji began to instruct his team.

"Ok, the building far to our left is the girls changing room. The one to the right is the boys. Your gym uniforms are in your lockers already, they have the same number as your dorm room. Go get changed and meet up back here."

The group slowly does as instructed, still a bit confused as to the suddenness of the situation. Adrian, Jonathan, and Delwyn head right whereas Ida and Emily go left. The boys make it to the changing room and begin to find their lockers. Adrian found 221 and began changing. To his immediate left was Delwyn.

I suppose I can try getting closer with my teammates. 

"Oh Delwyn, you're in 2-22, that's pretty cool, we're right next to each other."

"Oh yea, I guess we are."

He seems to be a bit of an awkward person. He was pretty fidgety in class. He just looks perpetually nervous as if there's always something to be concerned about.

"So would you happen to know what we're doing out here. I saw my dad a bit further away, oh yea I didn't tell you, Mr. Okabe is my dad. I'm pretty sure he wanted this to be a surprise so he kept the info from me. He gets excited like that, especially when it comes to me."

"Ah I guess that's another thing we have in common, we're right next to each other and both our parents work here." Delwyn said in a bit of a more outgoing tone.

A slight smirk came across Adrian's face

"Come to think of it, Johnathan, you're siblings go to this school too right? Do any of them teach? Were they out here?"

"No."

Almost falling to his knees due to the change in the weight of the room's atmosphere, Adrian collected himself after that heavy response and pondered what he'd say next.

Ok I guess he doesn't feel like talking, maybe that or he's just a man of few words, after all "no" is a valid response to my entire question. I've been answered on all fronts yet I feel incomplete somehow. I'll just err on the side of caution and assume he doesn't want to talk.

In the middle of his mental gymnastics, Delwyn began speaking.

"Oh yea, to answer your question, it's the AZ Academy's annual freshman sporting day. They're determining the ability of the new students compared to each other. It's an all day thing. They test raw strength with an arm wrestling contest, flexibility with stretching, reflexes with dodging rubber bullets, sprint speed with a 100m dash, maneuverability with an obstacle course, and practical combat ability with sparring matches.

"Seriously? Akihito just told me we'd get to mingle with other students, though to be honest I don't mind very much, this seems interesting, I'm curious as to how I measure up against everyone."

"Once the event is over the results will be posted in the central area of the cafeteria, the gym, and out here."

"I see."

Looking around, Adrian sees many different body types, some are leaner and others are bulkier, a few have quite a gut. There are different heights, weights, and builds across the board, though one thing is a commonality among all of them, they all look strong. It's easy to tell why they're in a militaristic school such as this one.

"Yo Okabe!"

A shiver runs down Adrian's spine, not out of fear, out of unpleasantness. An unfamiliar voice suddenly called out to him out of nowhere, all too similar to how that weirdo he met on the roof struck up a conversation. Adrian could only pray in his head as the initiator approached.

Please don't be another Martyrize, Please don't be another Martyrize, Please don't be another Martyrize, Please don't be another Martyrize.

The unfamiliar voice, or more accurately the man who owns it, places his hand on Adrian's shoulder. 

"You look like an interesting guy, I'm looking forward to seeing what you're made of, see you out there."

Adrian looked to his right as the man walked past. Brown messy hair and brown eyes, muscular build, about 5'9, and white skin. He continued walking out of the building. Adrian could do nothing but think about how strange that interaction was.

"That was weird."

"Adrian, do you know that guy?"

Is that who I think it is? The strong silent type himself behind me? The guy who could only muster a one word, two letter response?

Adrian said to himself in his head, knowing he'd probably get sent across the room if a single one of those words left his lips.

"No I don't. Do you? Who is he?"

"No, I don't know him either, that's what concerns me. He reminds me of my eldest brother, something about the way he carries himself, his demeanour, and this unshakable feeling when he's around, it's all weirdly similar. If he is anything like my brother you're gonna wanna stay away from him. He'd be strong and ruthless."

Huh, quite an honest and personal sentiment, definitely not what I expected. I didn't know he could string that many words together if he's not told to. Wait no, I'm concerned about the wrong thing. First Martyrize now this guy? What's with all these weirdos at this school? I'll heed his advice since he so kindly went out of his way to give us a lengthy sentence.

"Ah, that sounds like trouble. Thanks for the advice."

"Mhm"

Ok, back to this I suppose.

Once he finished getting dressed, Adrian left as well. Upon walking outside, students were helping set up the events. There were stations for arm wrestling, obstacle courses, arenas for combat, and chalk on the ground that seems to establish the area of the 100m dash, stretching area and shooting range.

After Adrian was finished getting ready, his teammates shortly followed suit and joined him to meet with Ryuji.

The gym uniforms were simple white t-shirts and red shorts, both with the school's logo.

Once everyone was gathered, Ryuji began speaking.