The next day, Mikhail met Claude in the training grounds. Hikaru, Ivan, and Luka were present as well to watch the match. No one else was around.
ăHmm⊠While the Zahards is a prestigious family in Kirihal, theyâre not exactly well-known for their sword skills.ăMikhail said, scratching the back of his neck. Even when facing Claude, he didnât think the student was strong.
ăYouâre right, Professor. But Iâve gotten stronger with Hikaruâs guidance.ă
ăReally now?ă
Mikhail shot a curious glance at Hikaru.
ăI believe thereâs no need for introductions. Letâs get this started right away. There are no rules in particular, so fight however you want. But if someoneâs life is in danger, me or Ivan might intervene.ă
ăOh? Ivan, if you want to stop me in the middle of a fight, you better put your life on the line.ă
ăY-Yes, Sir!ă
Ivan stood at attention. It almost seemed like heâd be saluting too.
The professor has a point. Ivan canât stop him unless he gave it his all. I have this, though.
Hikaru was fiddling with a stone in his hand. If something happened, he just had to throw it. As long as they dropped their weapons, the worst case scenario could be avoided.
But man, why does every single match have to be so dangerous?
Mikhail and Claude stood ten meters apart, facing each other. The professor had a great sword, while Claude wielded a one-handed sword. Of course, both were practice weapons.
ăHmmâŠa one-handed sword, eh?ă
ăThank you for your time, Sir.ă
Claude bowed and readied his sword. Mikhail still didnât seem convinced. Luka was beside Hikaru, grasping her own hands tightly.
ăReady. Fighâă
ăWhatâs this? Why, if it isnât Professor Mikhail. What are you doing here?ă
Right before they could begin, someone arrived â the short spear instructor, Kilnenko Ludancia, with two professors accompanying him.
ăWhat does it look like? Itâs a practice match.ăMikhail answered angrily, annoyed after being interrupted right before the fight started.
ăI see. A practice match. Iâm afraid I canât approve this. Please call it off right away.ă
ăWhat? Are you serious? Instructors and students are free to hold practice matches.ă
ăClaude Zahard Kirihal is my student.ă
ăReally?ă
Claude nodded silently.
ăI was wondering what youâve been doing since you havenât attended my classes recently. So you were studying the one-handed sword, eh? Forget that useless weapon and return to my classes.ă
ăIâm sorry, Professor. Iâmâă
ăYou want to drop out of my class?ăKilnenkoâs eyes narrowed.ăHow dare you insult me, boy!ă
Claude gave a start.
ăYou should be grateful I even allowed a filthy Kirihal student like you in my class. Did you think you can just drop out like that?ă
ăI planned to submit a formal notice of withdrawal.ă
ăLeave the academy at once.ă
ăSirâŠ?ă
ăIf you leave the academy right now, then I wonât say anymore. But if you withdraw from my class and still wish to stay hereâŠă
The other two professors lined up beside him. One was a long spear user while the other one used a bow. Both were probably from Ludancia as well.
ăSurely you didnât think you could get away scot-free after bringing me disgrace.ăKilnenko said.
Claude gritted his teeth in frustration. Kilnenko glanced at Luka who watched nervously.
ăPrincess Luka.ă
ăY-Yes?ă
ăPlease come over here. A nasty rumor might start spreading if you stay around people from Kirihal and Jarazack.ă
ăIâŠă
Claude and Luka were at a loss about what to do.
ăHahahaha!ăBut Hikaru just laughed.ăMan, youâre one funny dude!ă
ăYou⊠I believe your name is Hikaru.ăKilnenko said.
ăYou were eavesdropping on my conversation with Professor Mikhail yesterday, werenât you? I was wondering what you were going to do, but you actually came here just to quibble! What a riot!ă
ăAnd you have a rotten attitude! I guess weâll just have to fix that!ă
ăAh, that sounds like a great idea.ă
Hikaru turned to Mikhail.
ăProfessor. Thereâs no special authorization needed for a practice match between a student and instructor, correct?ă
ăYes. But if the professor in-charge of the student objects, then there will be no fight.ă
ăHow about this, then? Me, Claude, and Ivan will fight Professor Kilnenko and his pals. Itâll be a knockout format, and if we win then we proceed with our original plan of you training Claude. If we lose, weâll leave the academy.ă
ăWhat?!ăClaude was shocked.
ăHey, donât just drag me into this without asking me!ăWhile Ivan complained, he was actually grinning.
ăYou dogs⊠You think youâre hot shit?!ăVeins popped on Kilnenkoâs forehead.ăFine! We accept those terms! Iâll run you pests out of this academy!ă
And so instead of a match between Mikhail and Claude, it turned into a mock battle between Hikaru, Claude, and Ivan versus the Professors from Ludancia.
ăWe can win, right, Hikaru?ăIvan asked before the fight.
ăWhyâd you have to do that without asking us first?ăClaude was mad.
ăRelax.ăHikaru said, trying to calm him down.ăYou were planning to win against Professor Mikhail anyway. You canât lose against Kilnenko when heâs weaker.ă
ăB-But anything can happen in a fight.ă
ăOh, I get it now.ăIvan nodded to himself. Since hanging out with Ivan, Hikaru noticed that he wasnât just a musclehead either. He was smart as well.
ăWhat do you mean âyou get it nowâ?! Hikaru wasnât even thinking clearly when he challenged them!ă
ăNo. Listen, Claude. You only get one shot at the boss. If you lose, itâs over.ă
ăThatâsâŠă
ăHikaru is trying to let you experience such critical moments. Am I right, Hikaru?ă
ăYup. Thereâs another reason of course. Itâs best if he learned to fight against other weapons as well, not only great swords.ă
ăâŠâŠâŠă
Claude glanced at Ivan, and then Hikaru.
ăSo this is all for me.ă
ăNo, itâs not, you idiot. So donât take it all upon yourself. Itâs for the student alliance. As an alliance, we gotta help each other out.ă
ăThanks, man.ă
They fist-bumped. Things were going well so far.
To be honest, I really just want to legally beat the crap out of Kilnenko, Hikaru thought. But I guess I canât tell them that.
Claude would go first, then Ivan, and Hikaru last.
ăOh, so youâre the first victim. I thought you would use your friends to wear me down first, then fight last.ă
ăâŠâŠâŠă
Kilnenko was the first fighter on the opponentâs side. Already the main event first, huh? Hikaru thought.
Claude looks calm.
Even when provoked, the young man was composed. A good mindset. Luka, standing beside the referee Mikhail, was actually the one fidgeting nervously.
ăThank you for everything, Professor.ăClaude said.
ăSo you think you won already, huh? Youâre as obnoxious as they get.ă
Sparks seemed to fly about as they glared at each other.