As Shiro entered the grounds, he was welcomed by the sight of everyone getting ready by stretching, running or jumping around, but also a lot of gossiping about the "strongest in the class" being mysteriously knocked out and in the infirmary.
'That spread like wildfire...'
Eventually, Tadaki-sensei walked into the grounds as well, and everyone went silent in anticipation.
"As a lot of you are asking, yes, Arano is currently unconscious due to a fight earlier. However, we don't currently know who caused this and would therefore appreciate you not asking."
As he said this, he sneaked a glance over at Shiro.
"But anyways, let's start with today's lesson. I assume everyone is here..."
However, Azumi was no-where to be seen. Only Tadashi-sensei and Shiro noticed this, and they both came to a mutual understanding that she was probably in a bad condition. Sensei realized that she was probably the one who was getting bullied. However, he carried on none-the-less.
"I would like the three battle classes, Attack, Defense and 50/50 to separate into groups, with the highest rank being at the front and the smallest at the back."
Everyone did as told and Shiro went to the back of the attack group.
"Now, we will have a small tournament. Yes, I am aware of the fact that you all just came back but this helps me see who trained over the holidays, and who didn't. You will be required to pair up with someone from a different group who is one level above or below you, and we will have individual, 5 minute tournaments, keeping in mind that everyone else will be watching you, to judge, ridicule or praise you... You are not allowed to use you magic class abilities,-
(*author's note - these are the abilities from earlier; field defense, healer and familiar user *)
-only your wits, prowess and strength. Any disregarding the rules will be taken action against be me, even accidental. Let's start then, shall we?"
Everyone started to form pairs with someone else, and a lot of people came to Shiro as well, however not because they wanted to befriend him or anything, but rather because they though he was an easy target. Shiro quickly saw through this act but said nothing and motioned towards the least stupid looking one. He walked towards him and stood next to him.
"The first match will be Emil-kun versus Rolo-kun. Emil's insignia is of the attack class whereas Rolo's is 50/50 attack and defense. Get ready… the match begins in 3… 2… 1… GO!"
Tadaki-sensei instantly summoned a control barrier to minimize injuries (by controlling movements within the barrier of people with low magic levels compared to him) and stepped back. Emil pulled her insignia from her pocket and, as it transformed into a sword, lunged at Rolo. He dodged while awakening his insignia as well, two daggers; good for defense and speed but equally good for slicing the opponent. Emil then sidestepped and shoved her longsword towards his head but he successfully blocked with his two blades, pushing the sword upwards and instantly driving his two blades towards her stomach with her sword no-where near him, stopping a millimeter away, as people around them started to clap as the battle faster than it had begun. Shiro witnessed this and took a mental note to remember Rolo.
The next match was more long-winded. It was between the class clown – Nanami Hoshi and a high level rank 2: Seshiro Kimiro, both of whom were attack class fighters.
Seshiro made the first move by attacking with his 'sword', which was more just a really sharp stick (like a fencing sword but even thinner). His sword required a lot of skill and compromised all defense for great attack but an amazing level of agility to make up for it. He thrusted the sword straight for her chest but she sidestepped and drew her katana-shaped insignia.
"Eager to rip my shirt off, are you?" she teased, however Seshiro kept his composure.
The next attack was from Hoshi. She feinted towards his ankle but then instantly planted her foot into the ground and spun around, kicking him in the head.
"As Sir Stronoff once said… Only a foolish knight uses just his sword", she recited with a solemn face.
Seshiro jumped back a bit to regain his composure but was quickly stopped by his opponent's sharp katana. It was right above head, stopped only by the hilt of his sword.
"I, Hoshi VI Britannia, command you to lose already, goddammit'!"
"OK, WILL YOU STOP WITH THE DEAD ANIME REFERENCES?!" he screamed, as he had finally lost his cool. People were holding back laughter in the audience, and even Tadaki-sensei had a smile on his face. However, Hoshi finished him off during his temper tantrum by thrusting the katana straight at his forehead, stopping yet again a millimeter away from the target. She had won.
As everyone clapped, Tadaki-sensei started the next round by announcing, "Okay, next up is Shiro-kun versus Kaito-kun. Get ready boys."
Many mocking gazes pierced through Shiro as he walked to the center of the field, but his opponent had a look of curiosity. It seemed that he decided not to 'judge a book by it's cover'.
"3… 2… 1… GO!" shouted Sensei once again. Kaito stared at his opponent and wondered how he would be able to beat him, without assuming a predetermined win. He summoned his insignia – a floating power cannon and a knife – and prepared for Shiro's attack. Shiro's insignia was taken out too, however it looked majestic; a silver white sword with a blue flame in the middle, held by a gauntlet resembling a dragon's claw, which went up to his elbow. The sword surprised some of the students as well, but their look of contempt stayed anyways. An attack class versus a 50/50, this would surmount to be an interesting battle indeed…
Shiro lunged at Kaito with his sword in front and, after being instantly blocked, dug his foot into Kaito's leg and struck his shoulder blade with his elbow, effectively pushing him forward and stunned him for a few seconds, followed by evading the shots from the cannon. But he didn't keep attacking. He stood there, waiting for Kaito to recover.
All the students thought that Shiro's first attack was a fluke and that he standing was simply him catching his breath while waiting, but Kaito didn't foolishly assume the same. He turned around and saw the look of indifference towards him, and carried on. He shot with his cannon to Shiro's left and threw his knife on the right, but Shiro jumped back, to his right and blocked the knife with his sword catching it and throwing it back. Kaito was astonished by the rapid movement and slowly picked up his knife, but decided to make a quick move and instantly pounced at Shiro but realized that his attack would be countered easily due to Shiro's sword already being at stomach level. But he failed to do so. He missed the knife by a second and was deemed the loser, right as Tadaki-sensei forcefully stopped Kaito with magic from the barrier.
Everyone jeered and laughed at Shiro, claiming that 'he deserved no rank after all', but Kaito wasn't dense.
Shiro had lost on purpose.