Hongbin truly underestimated how large the school was. The directory made it seem like as though everything was sectioned off in different slices of a pie chart with the main quad in the center circle; however the reality of the walking distance was daunting when compared to the directory map. Still, it allowed for Hongbin to enjoy the scenery of Oceanside.

It honestly looked like any other extravagant Ivy League school that was sought after by any academic student with things looking so peaceful and simply school-like. However, the faculty that was walking throughout the various halls gave off a cold chilling aura that reminded Hongbin that this was a military academy of sorts and must still be treated that way. Perhaps the school-life assimilation was put into place so that the students didn't forget their humanity and reminded them of what they were fighting for. Whatever it was, Hongbin was already feeling the school spirit.

He passed by a couple of students who were roaming the halls, some staring at him for whatever reason. Hongbin merely responded with the usual polite and friendly smile of his that allowed his signature dimples to jut out endearingly. People here seemed nice so far. It was then that he noticed a bunch of students gossiping wildly over something. 

"Didja hear!? Leo-sunbaenim is sparring with Ravi-sunbaenim in the Crucible!" One of the boys spazzed as the other rose his hands in the air and let out an excited yelp. "No way! You're ting me! We have to go watch now!" Hongbin blinked as he watched the two of them run off in the direction that he was already planning on heading to. The Training Area; though it seems that there was a nickname in place that Hongbin wasn't aware of. Leo and Ravi, those codenames sounded familiar, but Hongbin didn't know why they did. He shrugged it off and decided to continue walking to the 'Crucible'. Before Hongbin knew it however, curiosity gathered within him and soon, he found himself running as well to see what all the commotion was about.

----

Hongbin ran through the hallway where the Training Area was designated and pushed past the doors that automatically slid open when a person would come near. Upon entry, Hongbin was in what seemed to be some sort of spectating area that seemed to act as a lobby between the entrance of the Crucible to the rest of the training area. His brown hues opened widely at how many people there were crowding over the place. There were about eleven people total. He heard the vacant sounds of combat and clashing of weapons among the awe of the crowd. 

The rest of the Crucible was separate training arenas that had holographic technology to create any form of environment that they wished to train it; be it a misty forest, a foggy mountain terrain, in the heat of a volcano or just a simple arena. There seemed to be multiple arena's however the one in particular was housed in what was labeled as simply "Arena 1". Currently, it seemed that whoever it was that was sparring was fighting in what seemed to be a meadow that went on endlessly.

Hongbin grew a little aggressive since he couldn't see the whole action and pushed through some of the boys to see what was up. Turns out everybody was staring through a large window looking into the training area. It looked almost like a monitor of some sort displaying a show or some broadcast due to it's digital nature and the fact that the view would change dynamically as though a sports camera was following each movement. Hongbin couldn't tell if it was a video game with intense graphics, an exaggerated action movie or if it was real. Whatever it was, the fight was extremely heated. 

The one that everyone was cheering Ravi for was a little more striking in appearance. He was tall, slightly tanned, blue haired that seemed to be on fire with how messy it was with sweat due to the combat. He was dressed in the school uniform, consisting of a black blazer with a white shirt underneath, dress pants and matching shoes, topped off with a tie. At first Hongbin thought that he was unarmed but then he noticed his gloves, which were adorned with spiked brass knuckles that would undoubtedly pack quite the punch.

He seemed to be growing exhausted and weary but at the same time determined. Ravi began to slip his hands down the buttons of his blazer, ing it as he tossed it aside, revealing the white collared shirt underneath that was sweaty, showing some of his muscles underneath. He roared deeply, his voice gruff and challenging as the boys next to Hongbin cheered for him like groupies. Still Hongbin couldn't help but to admire how well sculpted his muscles were, so much so that they were very visible underneath the shirt. 

Then there was the second student, the one who was facing off against Ravi. Leo they called him. He was a lot more composed and pale in appearance. His jet black hair was short and styled in a nice spike while his uniform was completely neat and looked almost untouched. At this glance he seemed to be around the same height as Ravi but Hongbin couldn't tell since he was holding up a stance to which Hongbin recognized as Taekwondo. Armed with a bo-staff to boot. 

"You're going down hyung!" Ravi shouted out towards Leo as he rushed forward with his fists. 

Leo merely stared Ravi down as he came running at him in a mad rush. Hongbin watched as Leo expertly spun his staff in a way that deflected all of the punches that Ravi threw at him and then eventually catching him off guard, swinging the staff at him with great force. However, Ravi quickly countered and parried the blow with his fists. They collided in a clang and the crowd literally went wild. Hongbin couldn't help but to find the enthusiasm among the students also contagious as he watched in awe. Hongbin could only imagine what things would look like once they started to use magic, if they were even going to resort to using their magic. 

Ravi seemed to howl at how futile it was to fight Leo head on and Hongbin thought so himself from an analytical standpoint. Ravi seemed to have a fighting style that centered around brute strength combined with brawling street fighting techniques. While raw strength is good and admirable it will always be matched with someone who has a more technique and form such as Leo who combined his blatant martial arts with a basic martial arts weapon. 

The brute jumped back a few and seemed to have decided to change his tactics, as Hongbin predicted. "Let's see how you like this! Fulmen Arma!" Ravi shouted as he shouted out a battle cry. The crowd shouted once more in amusement as electricity encircled Ravi and focused into his gloves, conducting into them. 

So, Ravi was an augmenter, and with the lightning elemental, intriguing to say the least. Perhaps this was the advantage that Ravi needed. 

Leo fans jeered at how cheap Ravi was being to be the first one to tap into their magic while Ravi fans were cheering for their idol. Hongbin couldn't help but to chuckle at the comraderie and the rivalry that was generated in a matter of seconds. 

Ravi rushed in this time, and once again collided with Leo's weapon, this time however he sent the electricity from his fists into Leo's staff, conducting it to electrocute Leo. It was at that moment that Leo shouted in pain. Hongbin was caught off guard by how high pitched his voice sounded; it was almost gentle, greatly contrasting with his somewhat intimidating appearance. Leo added extra force to his staff to push Ravi off of him as he dropped it to the ground, grabbing at his hands as he looked up angrily at his opponent. 

"Let's see what you can do..." Hongbin muttered to himself as Leo picked up his staff once more, spinning it with newfound strength. 

"Ventus... duo." Leo uttered as he spun his staff and slammed it to the ground as the wind picked up in the simulation so much so that the wind was hitting Ravi so hard as though the wind was throwing gusting blades of wind at him, tearing into his white shirt and slicing into his exposed flesh, grazing him. Ravi cried out deeply as he fell backwards and onto the ground.

Leo was obviously a caster, a refreshing sight for Hongbin and unfortunately for Ravi, the scissor to his paper in this case as with magic like Leo's, there was no way that Ravi could get close enough to land a clean blow even with his electric powered brass knuckles. Still though, Hongbin had to admire Ravi's spunk and perseverance as the blue haired meathead brought himself back to his feet just barely. 

Unfortunately for him, Leo showed no mercy. "Ventus Tribum." Leo uttered the spell so swiftly and effortlessly as students around him shouted in surprise, and they had a right to. Tribum was a level three spell and if used without control could prove to be very deadly and fatal. 

With the spell being cast, Leo slammed his bo staff onto the ground as a moderately sized tornado began to form around Ravi, him in as it began to cut Ravi up with unrelenting blades of wind before Leo finally called it off before the spell could do any extreme damage. He spun his staff once more victoriously as he held it close to him, turning around as Ravi fell onto his knees, completely incapacitated. The hologram ended as the endless meadow reverted back to the generic arena that it once was. "Ravi!" One of the fans cried out in genuine terror and fright. 

Hongbin didn't know whether he should be impressed or horrified with the results of that battle. However the door opened suddenly into the spectating area and Leo waltzed out without saying a word. Four of the eleven that were initially there shoved their way past Leo and into the Arena probably to help Ravi out while the others stood by to give their congratulatory remarks to the victor. Leo however didn't seem to care about any of them. Hongbin couldn't help but to find himself standing there, staring vacantly at the guy who literally just mercilessly ended the battle without a single thought. However it seemed as though Leo noticed that Hongbin was staring as he made direct eye contact with him.

Hongbin suddenly started to panic as the guy neared closer to him, pushing away his adoring fans as he looked at Hongbin, eyes never breaking contact. It was at that moment that Hongbin noticed that Leo was indeed slightly taller than him by a bit. "What are you staring at?" Leo asked, sounding aggressive despite his gentle pitched voice.

"Why didn't you just do that sooner? Were you waiting for him to tire himself out or did you just like playing with him?" Hongbin blurted. He realized that he did so and covered his mouth immediately, forgetting how scary this guy really was. 

"Who do you think you are noob!?" One of the other boys jeered as Leo glared back at him, immediately shutting him up as he turned back to Hongbin, locking eyes once more as he gave him this peculiar stare. 

"Interesting." Leo uttered reticently. He backed up from Hongbin, finally giving him some space and left through the exit and to the hallway. Geeze, that guy was scary, hopefully I don't run into him again, or at the very least, get that close to him again. Hongbin almost thought aloud as the other Leo fans left the premises as well since their mascot was long gone. Hongbin for some reason felt obligated to go check on that Ravi guy, he seemed to be very badly wrecked and could use some help. 

He made his way through the slidey door into Arena 1 and watched as the four fans were gathered around Ravi, supporting him. Hongbin noticed that one of them was placing their hands over Ravi as a blue light shimmered. "Here, just take it easy man." The boy soothed as Ravi smiled up at him. Hongbin neared closer as the other boys looked up at Hongbin suspiciously since he was a new face. 

"Hongbinnie?" The boy who was healing Ravi suddenly asked as Hongbin stared blankly, and suddenly memory flashed in his head and he simply chuckled in disbelief. 

"Jaehwan-hyung?" Hongbin remembered all of a sudden as a friendly smile graced his features, forming his signature dimples on both ends of his cheeks again. "I didn't even recognize you at first, holy ." Hongbin blurted out in amusement as the other boy chuckled. 

"Who's this guy Ken?" Ravi asked in an interjection before he was quickly answered. 

"He's a friend of mine back in high school, we were from the same neighborhood!" It was true. Ken was actually a huge family friend, and it wasn't just because they shared the same surname, and no there was no relation. Their mothers very close knit so they played often as a child. Hongbin was always jealous of how Ken was so knowledgeable with magic and could cast so effortlessly. Not to mention his prowess in healing magic. Whenever Hongbin would get injured or just felt sick, Ken always knew how to make Hongbin feel good and he missed him when he graduated a year ahead of Hongbin. He was also one of the many reasons Hongbin wanted to get into the academy. 

"Why didn't you tell me you had such a pretty friend?" Ravi asked, as he somehow got back to his feet without a hitch. 

"Hey! Ravi! I haven't finished healing you yet!"  Ken whined as it seemed he took on a voice that mimicked that of an old woman. Classic Ken. He was shorter than Ravi and looked like he was still around Hongbin's own height, maybe a little shorter. He always had a boyish looking face, his lips were plump and full, and his nose was a little big but added onto his endearing overall appearance. Hongbin however always felt that he looked a foreigner, probably because of how big his eyes were. 

Ravi clicked his tongue and ruffled Ken's hair, causing the boy to whine adorably, forcing Hongbin to chortle and stifle whatever laughter that might've ensued. "I'm fine you dweeb, I don't need a babysitter." Ravi chuckled as he stretched, cracking his back while sighing peacefully. Hongbin watched observantly as Ravi started to walk up towards him, "So... I haven't seen your face before, and trust me, I would not forget a face like yours." He purred almost, with a blatant hint of flirtation. 

Hongbin simply chuckled as he placed a hand on Ravi's chest to slightly push him away, canceling out any attempts to further close the space between them. "Lee Hongbin, but just call me Hongbin." He answered as politely as he could as Ken grabbed Ravi by his ear and pulled him away. 

"Back off Ravi, I knew him first!" Ken whined again as he looked back at Hongbin, flashing a goofy smile as he literally glomped him to the ground. Tackling him into a hug. Hongbin let out a yelp as he fell backwards onto the ground, crashing ungracefully as Ken was on top of him, nuzzling his head into Hongbin's torso. "My pretty kongbean! You haven't changed a bit, you're still the same!" He exclaimed ecstatically as he hopped off of Hongbin and helped him up. He forgot how delightfully and sometimes sickeningly energetic Ken was. 

"Not fair Ken I wanted a turn." Ravi whined in his deep voice which sounded endearing in it's own way. 

"I was sad when I found out that you didn't get into the academy last year! I was so looking forward to having you as my freshie and everything. I bet the admissions totally realized the mistake she made huh?" Ken exclaimed again, completely ignoring Ravi as Hongbin couldn't but to simply laugh at how casual Ken was being. It'd been two years since he saw him but he hadn't changed much as well aside from getting a little mature looking, emphasis on a little. 

"Yeah, but I'm glad I'm here now, so that's all that matters." Hongbin added with a positive smile. 

"Well I'm glad you're here!" Ken added on as he looked as though he was bouncing in place. 

"As am I." Ravi added smoothly in his deep voice as he drew a little closer, this time Ken shoving an elbow into his gut. "Hey! I'm the injured one here!" Ravi chuckled before he started coughing. 

"Oh that's right." Ken rolled his eyes as he shrugged. "I'll catch up with you later when I can kongbeanie, let me just take this bozo to the infirmary first and I'll catch ya later? Alright?" Ken proposed as he pulled Ravi towards him. Hongbin simply nodded in response as Ken sang out a lovely goodbye upon his exit. Hongbin could swear that Ravi was sending him air kisses as he left. What a weirdo. Handsome, but a weirdo. Then again, Hongbin seemed to attract weirdos. 

Let's see... I have enough time for one more visit before lights out and final calls to dorms. Hongbin thought as he opened up his holo-phone, opening up the directory app that he downloaded from the actual directory so that it acted like a mini-map navigator, being much more convenient. The closest point of interest seemed to be the library. Hongbin heard that the Academy had one of the most extensive collection in books that rivaled even regular academic universities by far. That alone, was enough allure for Hongbin to fall for. 

He realized he was the only one left in the arena and finally found his way to the exit and made his way to the library.  

A/N: And there you have it, chapter 2! I felt bad for just introducing Hyukkie in the first chapter just barely so here's some more of the boy's introductions! Anyway, now that Hongbin's done with the training area, I wonder who he could possibly run into in the library...?