The Villain's Survival Instruction Manual-Chapter 17: Spar[1]
The incident was not reported to anyone apart from Duke Severin and Count Morrigan and the new Student Council.
With the wrap up of the incident, the banquet came to an end. It was midnight now, but even then the academy was lively.
Leaving the Grand Hall was a small group consisting of Edmun, Octavia, Alister, the Ironveil father daughter and the Morrigan sons with their father.
"We’re going to the stadium for the spar, other training halls will not suffice for you a lot." Octavia declared as she took the lead.
"Father, you should’ve sent a letter that you’re out of seclusion. I could’ve welcomed you in a better way." Edmund said as he walked next to his father, Alister Hawthorne.
"Where is the fun in that? I was able to show off in front of the new hires and a promising student, showing them all what being a faculty member and student of our academy means." He replied.
Professor Hawthorne is the son of the Assassin King, checks out how he was able to tell I was spying on him back then. Cassian kept quiet and indulged in his thoughts as they walked through the academy to go to the other end where the stadium was.
It was a huge structure, almost like the Colosseum back on Earth. In the center was a slightly raised platform where the actual matches and spars happened.
"Cassian, we’re going first." Ronan said as he took off the coat and folded his cuffs.
His arms were full of scars, same for his chest from under the open button one could see. But one thing was certain, his back didn’t have any.
Just like all of the other people about to watch on the sidelines. As an ex-soldier he was excited to see just how powerful a person is who stays on the front lines most of the time compared to the soldiers back on Earth.
"Before you both start, use of magic is prohibited, only use your sword skills and if the need arises minor aura augmentation and strengthening, anything else and you’ll probably end up destroying the platform."
"Nothing a restoration spell couldn’t fix, Octavia." Alister said as he sat down alongside the rest of the onlookers.
Cassian and Ronan stood in front of each other, their swords in hands as they looked at each other, looking for the slightest muscle movements to start the attack.
Ronan already understood what Cassian was doing, and it was what he had wanted. Ronan leapt towards Cassian and swung his sword downwards.
Cassian raised his sword and blocked the heavy strike from above, his arms trembling as his feet were pushed into the ground causing a few cracks where they stood.
"A block this time, you positioned yourself so you could block it without your sword breaking or you getting cut. Impressive but still not enough." Ronan pushed down harder as he said that.
Cassian jumped back and twisted his arms as a sharp pain went through them. He couldn’t try to distribute mass on his calves and arms since the change would be easily noticed by the monsters who were looking at this sparring match.
"Brother you’ve gotten stronger, just what have you been fighting on the frontlines?" Cassian asked as he swung his sword in offense.
His brother parried the attack and counter-attacked but Cassian, despite lacking in strength and speed, was still a Morrigan, and had learnt the sword ever since he was a kid, so he blocked.
As the brothers kept blocking, the sound of metal grinding against metal became louder and louder and so did their speed.
Just how strong is he? I’m pushing myself a lot to match the speed yet he has yet to show any signs of fatigue. In this world, the humans are much more ferocious than the ones on Earth. Cassian thought and mid swing dropped his sword.
Ronan looked at that and changed the trajectory as his sword would cut through Cassian’s torso but it was a feint. Cassian grabbed the sword with his left hand and a right hook connected with Ronan’s face and the sword aimed at his neck.
Dust shot up due to the intense force behind their movements. Alister coughed and frowned seeing the dust which he had inhaled. 𝕗𝚛𝚎𝚎𝐰𝗲𝗯𝗻𝚘𝚟𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝕞
As it settled, Ronan stood unharmed. He had blocked Cassian’s punch with one hand and the sword with his other while his knee had implanted itself into Cassian’s solar plexus and he was on the ground gasping lightly for air.
"Ha-ha-ha brother, you’re as ruthless as ever." Cassian said as he was pulled up by Ronan.
"I had to do this, you thought you had a chance the moment I purposefully dropped my guard. When fighting stronger opponents do not give in to the moments when they make themselves feel vulnerable."
"Yes, your brother is right. It’s only valid an experienced hunter will know more than a newbie. But as a cadet of this academy you will be subject to harsh training so you may become strong enough to face stronger opponents without much issue." Alister declared.
Cassian and Ronan walked towards where the parents and Professor Hawthorne were.
"Cassian..." Count Morrigan said and looked at his son.
Cassian bowed his head slightly, "yes father?"
"Good job. You’ve improved a lot, though I’ve noticed you’re quite stiff when you swing your sword. A sword is meant to be light, and flexible, not rigid and stiff. By being stiff you give your opponent an advantage over you, you need to learn the family’s sword forms."
"I understand father." Cassian replied.
"I will summon you back soon, I look forward to teaching you the sword forms myself, my son."
These words were nothing much, it was just a father teaching his child something he lacked in.
But these simple words made Cassian’s heart ache, the pain was akin to someone pressing it hard.
But his mind had already gone down memory lane as he saw the silhouette of a young girl. She was around eight according to her appearance. Sarah?
She had dark brown hair, emerald green eyes and a beautiful smile on her face. But for some reason her face was blurred.
Cassian’s weirdly depressive state was broken when his brother put a hand on his shoulder.
"Come on now Cassian, it’s time to watch the Ironveil sisters spar." Ronan said and sat down besides Cassian.
***
[Chapter 17 - Spar(1)]
