University of Console Heroics: Chapter 1

The first day of the semester is the best and worst day to be on the University of Console Studies campus. If it’s your first day it’s awesome because everywhere you look there is something amazing to see. From Combat Studies majors sparing in the quad, to Targeting and Terrain Management students using the campus layout for parkour style relay races.

The first day of the semester was a nightmare for returning students, no parking within blocks of the campus. Every class was over full and professors were in sour moods. The first day of the semester was an out of control circus for under and upperclassmen alike. Which is why Thompson had gotten up three hours before his first class, and walked the half mile from his apartment to campus. He had purchased his course materials the week before and had every intention of sitting under the elder tree in the quad and finishing chapter three of “Coins, Rings, Rupees, and Banana’s: How to turn your OCD into a strength.” He had switched over to Adventure Studies at the end of his third year, infuriating his father, who’s anger had only slightly begun to wain by the end of the summer.

Thompson realized he had lost focus and had no clue what the point of the last page he read. He sighed heavily and closed his book. He took a look around the quad and saw Oscar sparing with a Combat Studies student he did not recognize.

Oscar was by all definitions a hulking brute and had enough physical charisma to pretty much guarantee himself a never ending string of high level mid boss roles once he graduated. But that was then, now he was being dismantled by this unknown student, it was clear that his opponent had gotten under his skin. Oscar tried one last desperation attack which was high and slow, his opponent swept low and took Oscar off his feet. The crowd parted as Oscar fell back, landing with his full weight on an unsuspecting freshman. They both hit the ground hard.

“I won, pay up.” Oscar’s opponent stood over him.

Oscar got to his feet. “Outside interference. The fight’s not over.” He took a step forward.

His opponent smiled. “You just don’t want to admit you lost!” He traveled the inner circle of the crowd, grandstanding. He stopped and face Oscar again. “You can pay me tomorrow.” He spat, then exited the circle, some of the crowd followed him, the rest dispersed.

The freshman he had landed on was back on his feet “Sorry about that.” The freshman apologized.

Oscar spun on the kid. “D’ju say something punk?”

The kid nodded. “I said I was sorry, but now that we have a moment, you wouldn’t happen to know where the R.Y.U building is would you?” He asked.

Oscar’s blood pressure shot through the roof. He came nose to nose with the kid. “You a freshman?”

The kid nodded and Oscar exploded. He grabbed the straps of the kid’s bag and lifted him in the air with both hands. “I HATE FRESHMAN!” Oscar bellowed.

The kid tried without success to pry Oscars huge hands off his bag straps, he hung almost a foot in the air, completely at the mercy of this human brick wall.His free hand reared back ready to destroy the freshman’s face. 

Thompson tapped Rodgers’s elbow. “That’s enough Rodgers, I think he’s learned his lesson.

Rodgers glared at Thompson. “Enough? I haven’t even started yet!” he leveled his rage fueled gaze back on the flinching freshman.

Thompson put his hands in his coat pocket. “I know, I know, but I’m gonna have to be his second once you do start and neither of us want that.” He shrugged his shoulders looking up at Rodgers who did a double take glance back at Thompson.

“Y, you would seriously fight me, for, him?” Rodgers looked back at the freshman who was starting to realize he was living much longer than he had expected to.

Thompson came and stood next to him “Want to find out?” He asked with finality.

Rodgers took one last look at the new kid and then dropped him to the ground. “Best make sure your baby sitter is always around, punk.” Rodgers spat before he stomped off.

The new kid blessed himself and double checked that everything in and on his body was where it was supposed to be. “Oh my god thank you! You just saved my life!” he gleefully shouted.

Thompson shook his head. “Just a few broken bones most likely. You better watch yourself around here. Combat Studies majors tend to anger easy.” He nodded in the direction of Rodgers in the distance.

The new kid nodded. “I’ll keep that in mind.” He flinched all of a sudden as he remembered that Thompson was more than likely the very threat he had mentioned.

Thompson held up his book. “Adventure Studies.” He confirmed. The new kid relaxed again, as he checked the title of the book.

The new kid nodded and then perked up. “You wouldn’t happen to know where the R.Y.U building is?”

Thompson nodded. “Yeah this building here is the Jarvis hall of 2D studies and on the far side of that is the R.Y.U building.

The new kid nodded. “Cool! Thanks.’

“Don’t worry about it…so what are you taking?” Thompson asked.

The new kid checked his class list. “Intro to energy with Roberts.” He read.

Thompson raised an eyebrow. “Cynthia Roberts?”

The new kid double checked his class list. “I guess so, why?”

Thomson smiled. “She’s an old friend. Tell her I said hi.”

The new kid nodded. “And who exactly are you?” He asked

“Dean Thompson.” He replied.

“Johnathan Foster, nice to meet you.” They fist bumped.

“Hey if you’re not busy after your class you should come back by the union and have lunch with me and my friends.” Thomson offered

Foster nodded. “That’d be cool, thanks.” Foster waved as he headed toward his class.

Thompson nodded and then looked at his book. “I should have left the damn school, brilliant move genius.” He kicked at the brick walk way in frustration.