Thick of it : reboot

It was a sweltering summer afternoon, the kind where the sun hung heavy in the sky, casting long shadows across the cobblestone streets of the small British town. The air was thick with the scent of freshly cut grass and the distant hum of bees buzzing lazily around flowerbeds. In the heart of the town, tucked away behind a row of terraced houses, was a modest boxing club. The building itself was unassuming, its red brick walls weathered by time, but inside, it was alive with the sound of leather gloves thudding against punching bags and the occasional grunt of exertion.

James stood in the center of the ring, his chest heaving as he wiped the sweat from his brow with the back of his hand. Opposite him was Levi, a wiry bloke with a perpetual scowl and a knack for making even the simplest movements look effortless. Levi was a regular at the club, and his reputation as a formidable fighter was well-earned. Arthur stood as the referee, his arms crossed as he watched the two with a critical eye. Erwin, another regular and who looked like he'd stepped out of a military recruitment poster, leaned against the ropes, observing with a calm, analytical gaze.

Arthur barked out instructions, his voice carrying the gruff authority of someone who'd spent decades in the ring. "Don't lose focus, James! When you get hit, you keep your head in the game. Pain's just a reminder you're still alive."

James grimaced, adjusting his gloves. "I still can't believe Levi's beating me this badly. It's completely one-sided!"

Levi smirked, his dark eyes glinting with amusement. "What did you think, james? You'd train for a few weeks and suddenly be able to take me down? Dream on."

Erwin chuckled . "You're on the right path, James. Look at Levi—he's actually sweating. That's progress. A few weeks ago, you couldn't even make him break a sweat."

James groaned, shaking his head. "You're both monsters, I swear. How are you this good?"

Levi shrugged, his expression deadpan. "Dunno. Just am."

Arthur let out a hearty laugh, clapping a hand on James's shoulder. "Well, it's true—they're somewhat naturally blessed when it comes to fighting. But don't let that discourage you. You've got potential, lad. Now, get ready for another round."

Erwin stepped forward, holding the bell. With a sharp ding, the next round began.

Levi moved like a shadow, his punches precise and relentless. James did his best to keep up, dodging and weaving, but Levi's speed was overwhelming. A sharp jab caught James in the ribs, and he stumbled back, wincing.

"Keep your guard up!" Arthur shouted. "You're dropping your hands!"

James gritted his teeth, forcing himself to focus. He managed to land a decent hook to Levi's side, earning a grunt of approval from Erwin. But Levi retaliated with a swift uppercut that sent James reeling.

"Not bad," Levi admitted, a hint of a smirk playing on his lips. "But you're still too slow."

The round ended with James sprawled on the mat, gasping for air. Levi offered him a hand, pulling him to his feet with surprising ease. "You'll get there," he said, his tone almost encouraging. "Maybe."

After the practice session, the group made their way to the club's locker room, the sound of their banter echoing off the tiled walls. James peeled off his gloves, his muscles aching but his spirits high. Arthur tossed him a towel, which James caught with a grateful nod.

"So," Arthur began, leaning against the lockers, "tomorrow we'll be heading into town to get your school supplies. You'll need everything sorted before term starts."

Erwin, who was meticulously folding his towel, glanced up. "How's school going, James? Settling in alright?"

James grinned, a hint of pride in his voice. "It's going great. Actually, I kicked someone's arse ."

Levi, who was in the middle of tying his shoes, snorted. "Were they strong, or were they a wuss like you?"

James shot him a glare. "It was a big guy, alright? Proper tough-looking bloke."

Arthur raised an eyebrow, his expression a mix of concern and amusement. "You didn't get into any trouble, did you?"

James shook his head. "Nah, it was all sorted. No detentions or anything. Oh, and by the way, Erwin, can I borrow your science book? I want to have a read through it."

Arthur blinked, looking genuinely puzzled. "Why on earth would you need that?"

Erwin giving Arthur a pointed look. "What do you mean, sir? He'll need books if he wants to study. Education is important."

Arthur looking sheepish. "Oh, right. I forgot about that bit."

Levi rolled his eyes. "Weird."

James chuckled, slinging his bag over his shoulder. "Anyway, let's get going. Sasha might be waiting for me."