Ninja 3006 and the retrieve of the source

Training

Ninja 9999 left Sara on her own for about 20 minutes. Sara was about to become restless when he reappeared.

"Let's start with something simple," said Ninja 9999, and produced a bag of seeds- bamboo. "We aren't the typical old-fashioned ninjas who go 'sensei' and all that, but we do follow the methods, with small modifications. Like this-" he handed ten seeds to Sara, "is one of the famous ways to train ninjas. You will have to plant these seeds in ten marked places. You have to find the marked places and remember their location while planting them. You will jump over these shoots regularly. These plants grow several centimetres a day, so finally, they will be approximately 3 to 4 meters tall. A simple but effective way to learn the high jump. Now, I will start the timer and in 5 minutes, you will bring 10 flags and zero seeds to me. Ready, set, GO!"

Sara was clueless about where the flags could be, but something red caught her eye. It was a red flag! She and took it, then quickly planted a seed. Then few yards away, she spotted another flag. She did the same. She continued this till all of them were planted and had possessed all ten flags. She sprinted back to ninja 9999. 

"Hmm, not bad. 5 minutes 29 seconds. But you will need more practice. 

The next task is also as simple. Run around the track for 5 rounds, since it is your first time."

Sara did as told. However, she vitiated halfway in the 2nd round. She was also too far from ninja 9999 to tell him. Suddenly, she saw two figures moving.

She didn't want to drop out of training on her first day. But she made herself invisible and followed the two black figures as they walked out of the academy. 

One of them was taller and older with black hair, perhaps about 14 or 15. The other was- Thomas?

She crept in closer on her tiptoes to avoid footprints from being formed. They were having a hushed conversation:-

Boy- We need a plan. Like, how do we get in and out in the first place?

Thomas- First, let's figure out how to go in. 

Boy- We can become invisible.

Thomas- Yeah, but it will only last for three minutes. And besides, we can't take any climbing tools with us since they would hover in mid-air.

Boy- Use your brain. We have jumped over 3 to 4 meters of bamboo. How hard can this be?

Thomas- What about their magical defences?

Boy- Leave that to me. Now, we must be ready for what we may face inside.

Thomas shrugged. "Probably an ambush?"

The boy's voice seemed wary and serious. "They wouldn't plan something as easy as that. Besides, the lord has great exercise over magic. He may as well use it."

"Well, can you think of anything we've missed?"

"I can't, which is what I am trying to say. Ninja 9999 has repeatedly warned us he knows tricks beyond our level."

"He will most presumably send his pawns to fight us."

"You can never be too sure."

Thomas nodded. "So what time?" he asked

The boy said, "7:30 tomorrow morning."

"Ok then. Let's make plans for tomorrow."

From this conversation, Sara could conclude it was the retrieve of the source they were talking about. Another pang of guilt punched her stomach. She felt accountable for all this happening.

But why didn't ninja 9999 choose her? Was it because of training or she may be too weak? Besides, how would standing in line like a good little insignificant ninja help? It would only cause the unnecessary fall of another comrade.

The faint sound of a shrill whistle caught her ear. She ran in full speed completing her third round and reached Ninja 9999. 

"What took you so long?" he asked, clearly annoyed.

"A distraction," said Sara. "Sorry."

Ninja 9999 stared hard and intently into her eyes like he was trying to extract information or trying to read her mind and see what she was doing. Then he turned away, sank into deep thought, then came out of his reverie. If he knew what was on her mind, he showed no sign of it.

"Now, I would like to tell and show you a few things with your badge. I am pretty sure you already know you can turn invisible. The badge also gives you super strength, but that's when you are in your uniform. You don't need to hold onto it like you do when you have to be invisible. It's just automatic, instilled in you, even momentarily as you stand listening to me. Like now, if I asked you to break this," he bought out his hands and summoned a brick, "you should be able to break it easily. Try it."

Sara grimaced. What if the strength failed her and she ended up injuring herself? She felt really reckless, trying to break a brick with bare hands. Nevertheless, she gave it a try. She lifted her hand high up and bought it down in full force, abandoning the slightest hesitation she might have had. Surprisingly, it broke like a sheet of thermocol. She felt startled but pleased. 

"Good. Now you can estimate the heights of your strength. Also, did you know you can only remain invisible for 3 minutes only?"

Sara didn't know what to say to that. "No" she lied. She had overheard the boys talking about it but didn't want to give herself away.

Another hard stare penetrated her eyes. "Fine," he said at last. "These were the two main things I wanted to teach. You are dismissed."

"But you said I will have to reach school 30 mins late."

Ninja 9999 thought for a minute, "Well, it is your first day"

"Right. er- Thank you, sir."

Ninja 9999 had a small shimmer in his eyes which said he was giving her a small smile. "You shall prove yourself well," he said, which made Sara feel uneasy.

The morning sky was already breaking over them. It was 7:30 am, and at this time tomorrow, Sara would have to make the biggest choice she has ever made.