Twice a week, Physical Education brought together all the students in the year but, when they were gathered on the playing field in their tattered, house-coloured sashes, some shivering from the autumn cold and the others doing pre-emptive warm-up exercises, it was obvious their numbers had dwindled.

“Emerald House is looking a little under-represented,” said Sage Khandro – Astrid and the other Godhand girls, including Amanda, were part of Emerald Second and hadn’t been seen since the incident.  “Though I doubt it will make any difference,” he finished, chortling.

Of the remaining four members, three were the top athletes in the year: Korrigan Wedekind, Horatio Stark and Sports Captain Hermia Adelheid. Horatio and Hermia were stretching every limb and muscle it their limits, Korrigan, on the other hand, was busy gossiping with her best friend and final member of her class: the purple-haired, emerald-eyed Ceres Mendoza.

Every lesson began with warm-up exercises, followed by a jog around the pitch. For man of advancing years – the old Sage had lived beyond the average human lifespan of fifty – Khandro had no problems keeping pace with his more limber students. Not that some of them were putting much effort into it – by the time Phantasia finished, in the middle of the pack, Joel and Dante were still on the other side of the pitch, jogging for a few paces them stopping to walk a while. Khandro used the opportunity to explain the rest of the lesson.

“Last week was hockey, so this week we’ll be having a football tournament, as I’m sure Lysander will be happy to know,”

Lysander gripped his fist on a victory pump, while Hermia could be heard mumbling displeasure while she stretched her calves at the back of the group. Khandro chuckled, a warm smile spread across his monkey-like face.

“But be prepared for your next lesson tomorrow. We’ll be continuing to practise Wuxia, but Mr Payne has asked me to increase your training output!” He chuckled again, this time at the audible groan. “Now Godhand has relinquished its grip on our throats, don’t expect us teachers to be going easy on you!”

Once Joel, Dante and the rest of the stragglers had finished their ‘warm-up’, the team selection process began. Straws were drawn and the captains were decided: Hermia, Theseus, Korrigan and Deneb.

“I’ll have Lysander,” said Hermia. No surprise there, since Lysander was the sporting star of Sapphire Second and the year’s best footballer. Theseus followed by picking out Horatio, who looked disappointed not to have been picked by Hermia.

“Oh, this just isn’t fair!” said Korrigan, “You’re all such wonderful people and I’d hate to choose! Can’t we just play as one big team? Then we wouldn’t have to—“ Hermia elbowed the tall girl in the side. Korrigan blushed and hid behind her blonde hair for a moment, as she always did after realising she’d been talking too much. She emerged after a moment’s contemplation, eyes closed, and thrust her finger in a random direction. “You!” she called, to much sniggering. Blake mumbled lazy curses under his breath and shuffled towards his new captain, his long, greasy hair flapping about in front of his eyes like oversized curtains.

“Doyle,” said Deneb. He swaggered over with a smug grin on his face and went to shake hands with his new captain, but Deneb’s eyes were flickering back and forth across the crowd. Phantasia didn’t know her very well, but she was famed for her sharp mind and was no doubt analysing the situation and her potential choices.

As expected, the next round saw Hermia and Theseus pick out the next best students, Angelo and Lyra. Korrigan chose at random again, landing herself with Andromeda. Deneb chose Lance and was now flanked on either side by hormonal blond boys vying to see who could get the best view down her t-shirt.

Ceres and Elone were next, while Korrigan jabbed her finger at John. Deneb grumbled Chris’s name. Shelley and Katrina joined Hermia, Vincent and Joel found themselves with Theseus and Korrigan picked Tennyson and Dante. Deneb once again put sporting ability over personal preference and chose Byron, and in the next round Phoenie. Kaori and Phantasia were the only students remaining.

Chapter 27
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