Love and Red Coloured Ties

Chapter song:  If We Being Rëal - Yeat

Julius has no choice but to accept the test. He would be doing a basic spar against one of their more novice players to start off with and would build up gradually depending on how he fared. 

Julius wasn't at all happy about this situation as he stood in the dojo the school had, wearing a dobok he had borrowed from In-su and his red body protector. Silas snatched the helmet out of In-su's hands, shooting him a bright smile before approaching the boy who looked like a sheet of paper. 

"Relax Loriana, you look like you've seen a ghost." He teased as he helped him put on his protective helmet. 

Julius sighed. He couldn't believe the nerve of him. "I'm only in this situation because of you." He yelled. He could already feel an ulcer forming at his side from the stress of royally messing up in front of everyone, but especially in front of Agares who was standing at the side, his face devoid of any emotion, looking like an imposing statue. 

Even standing there in his casual clothes, he looked majestic. It was starting to piss him off how unresponsive he was being in spite of the situation. 

Silas caught the boy glancing at Agares nervously and he couldn't help but laugh. "Stop focusing your attention on the leader, he's the last person you have to worry about right now." He said. 

Julius turned to look at the person he would be sparring against. He was a first year student who had managed to join the team earlier on, and he looked impressive standing on the side as he geared himself up. 

Silas was right. Now was not the time to worry about Agares and what he thought of him. He needed to focus up and clear his mind of any useless thoughts. His strange feelings for Agares could wait until after all of this. Even if Julius had been practicing for years now, this would be the first time he'd be sparring someone with so much at stake right now. Though he was nervous, he felt strangely invigorated at the thought of having an outlet to unleash all these pent up emotions he had been feeling over the past month. 

"Um, do I really have to spar against him?" The first year asked In-su as he put on his helmet. 

"Yes you do. Give it everything you got, don't hold back." In-su assured him. 

The first year looked a little skeptical and wasn't sure why he needed to spar with this third year but since his captain had asked him to do this, he couldn't exactly refuse. 

The two faced each other and listened intently to In-su's instructions. 

"We'll be keeping things short so you guys will spar for one minute. Go nuts." Is all In-su said before stepping back. 

The boys who came to spectate all looked at him with a 'that's all?!' expression. 

"What? It's more efficient this way." He argued. 

In-su pressed the buzzer, and the timer started. Julius closed his eyes and took a deep breath before opening his eyes. Suddenly, the air around him changed. The nervous look that was once in his eyes, and the shy and reserved aura around him was no longer there. It was replaced with a sharp and calculating energy that surprised everyone that was spectating. 

Agares' expressionless face changed for just a fraction of a second before returning back to normal. He looked at Julius intently, his eyes never leaving his person. 

The first to strike was the first year who executed a fast front kick. It was quick and precise and the one's watching on the side could tell that the strike would land, giving the boy the first point, but to their surprise, Julius eluded the kick and threw one of his own with just as much speed, if not more. The sidekick hit the boy in his midsection, almost kicking the air out of lungs. He stumbled back, completely dumbfounded. 

The first year hadn't been expecting much from this match when he was told he was going to spar against an outside player, much less from Julius who didn't look all that intimidating when he first arrived. From what In-su had told him, Julius was basically a beginner and he surmised having an easy win over the older boy. 

The guys who were watching on the sidelines let out gasps, and cheers not at all expecting that much power from Julius. The match continued with the first year throwing some jabs and kicks, but each one was either dodged or blocked by Julius while his strikes on the other hand landed. 

By the time the timer went off, Julius had scored five points while the first year got zero. 

"Um, what the hell just happened?" Artemus exclaimed as he watched the two boys bow to each other after the match. 

Silas was just as taken back by the display Julius had just showed them. He didn't know what to expect from Julius at all. Who would've thought the shy Julius could be such a beast. 

In-su looked at Agares, his eyes wide. He wasn't sure whether or not he should proceed. Agares locked eyes with him, and silently told him to move on. In-su nodded his head and had the next player come in. 

Eden Sinclair was a talented second year who was known for his quick hits. He was a proud boy who lived for taekwondo and took his training seriously. It was his dream to rank number one and become the captain of the team when he became a third year. He was surprised when he was told by his captain that he would spar against someone who wasn't even on the team. 

As he set his eyes on Julius, Eden couldn't hide the disdain in his eyes as he watched the boy who didn't look to be on his level at all and yet had the opportunity to be amongst the best at East Laurence. 

Eden, like the majority of his peers, lived in the other houses that were affiliated with House Ares. He was disappointed to find out that he wasn't eligible to live in the main house during his second year but didn't let it discourage him as he sought to prove himself so he could rightfully belong. Looking at Julius who wasn't even in the athletics department living in the main house rubbed him the wrong way.

As he looked at Julius, he only had one thing in mind: to crush him.