—Go!
Arlen took off towards Kevin who kept his 3 bottles of water with him, but he knew that in the face of Arlen's skill it wouldn't be a huge advantage.
'And besides it's no fun if we win with tricks right Arlen?'
Kevin launched himself also towards Arlen who smiled. When they were both far enough away they both threw a punch at each other's faces with their right arms, and both punches impacted.
—Agh, boys' hormones make me nervous.
Olivia's comment made Laia laugh, but Caleb's mouth hung open.
—They're crazy, if they're going to do that they should at least fight back.
Of course Arlen and Kevin's first move had drawn a sly smile from those watching.
—I like those guys.
—Ah shut up, Krist. I don't want to catch your stupidity.
Ivonne couldn't believe her eyes and ears as the fight went on.
Arlen and Kevin smiled at each other and took a couple of steps back.
—That's all you got Kevin? —Arlen said as he massaged his jaw. —I thought you were stronger.
—Hahahaha. You surprised me with your strength, but I haven't given it my all either Arlen. ready?
—Come on.
And they both lunged forward.
—Sometimes I hate testosterone....
But Olivia's comment didn't reach the ears of the two fighting.
Kevin threw a punch just like the previous one, but with more force, however, this time Arlen used his telekinesis to stop the punch and throw one back at Kevin in the pit of his stomach. But Kevin even though he took the punch used his ability to throw water forcefully forward.
They were both throwing and receiving punches trying to make the other one give up. They used all their strength and everything they could with their skills, but it was Kevin who had more control over the fight.
—The stamina they have is amazing —said Caleb to Olivia and Laia.
Caleb said to Olivia and Laia, who agreed with the comment.
"If you used your new ability you'd have a chance."
'And give him a burn?'
"Then you can cure him..."
'Leave it, regardless of the reward, I'm having fun.'
Edgar fell silent and felt himself flooded with the joy Arlen was feeling. He could only admit that Arlen was having a good time.
A while later they were both exhausted and sweating profusely, but pride kept them from giving up.
—Give up now Arlen. You can't beat me.
—I can tell you're exhausted Kevin. You should stop fighting.
—I surrender. The fight is over. It's a draw between the two of us. We have to get on with the class, you heavyweights.
And all the students laughed after Professor Hanks stepped into the middle of the fight to end it. Kevin and Arlen were surprised, but when they both looked at each other, they smiled and high-fived.
—Congratulations to both of you, a good pure pride bout, but what things could you have done better? —Hanks ran a look through his students and stopped on one girl. —Fiora.
—If I had been wanted to win from the beginning, in Kevin's case I would have started by using my skill. But I don't think either of us wanted to win, so nothing, it's all good.
—Not a bad clarification... Excuse me, I welcome the director of the combat department Krist.
—Well, sorry to interrupt your class, professor.
—No worries, but why are you here?
—I enjoyed the last battle and I came to congratulate the students. —Krist turned to Arlen and Kevin, to his surprise the big principal gave a thumbs up in his direction. —Good job, guys. I liked your fight.
Everyone was silent. Arlen wasn't quite sure if he should be happy to receive such a congratulations, but Kevin's eyes were sparkling with joy.
—Thank you very much!
Arlen couldn't help but smile at Kevin's reaction.
—Well, I'll be on my way. —But as he went to turn around, the principal turned back to the students. —I don't know if Hanks has told you yet, but next week will be the event where the first and second years will join, train hard for then and take advantage of it to learn.
Everyone was surprised by the news as the head of the combat department left for good, some were not bothered, others were happy, and a few thought it was terrible news.
One who was shocked by the news was the White heir. His family had always had a very strong rivalry with the Kings as to which was the strongest, a rivalry that he is constantly dragged into because of the family name he has.
—Come on! There's still a week to go, so calm down and let's get on with the class. —Hanks clapped his hands to get the students' attention. —How about for the next bout we have Fiora fighting against, —Hanks motioned to look through the crowd until he stood over Laia— Laia.
Both girls took a step forward.
—Courage Laia. —Olivia smiled at a trembling Laia. —Trust you.
Laia smiled, they had only been sharing a room for a week, but they had become very close and those words reassured her.
—Well, tell us your names and position.
—Laia West, post 47.
—Fiora Bërg. Post 7.
—Oh, it looks like we have an interesting battle.
Hanks spoke for all the students. No one thought both girls were of such a high level.
—She had to be ranked 7 —Kevin complained—, but then again, maybe she can win it.
—She's ahead of you in the rankings, so this fight should give you a taste of how she fights —said Olivia to Kevin—. Who knows, you might have to give up on moving up the rankings if you can't even beat the 300th place.
—Ouch, your words are sharper than any claw.
Olivia went to answer him, but Hanks gave way to the start of the fight. Both girls looked at each other minimally as Laia took a step back to dodge some sort of tree that came out of the ground.
—What is that?
—A root? A tree? A branch?
—Laia is at a disadvantage —Caleb muttered to Arlen and Kevin's murmurs—. She's not going to be able to use her ability so freely.
Laia looked at the log in front of her.
'Creating these logs is her ability. Maybe she can create more to trap me with. I must get closer to her.'
With that thought Laia lunged forward rounding the log, but she noticed how in front of her another log was going to grow, it was going so fast she couldn't slow down and she hit the log face first.
When she went to get up she had Fiora in front of her and Hanks gave her the victory.
—Fiora Bërg won.
Many applauded, but Olivia ran over to worry about her friend.
—Are you okay?
—It seems like I only know how to make a fool of myself.
—Don't worry, you didn't know anything about her, she caught you by surprise, that's all, you'll see how you'll win next time.
—Ha, thank you, Olivia.
Laia forced herself to smile and leaned on Olivia to get up when Fiora approached them.
—Are you all right?
—Yes, yes, good fight.
—What family are you from? —Olivia asked curiously.
—Ergaster.
That shocked Olivia. She had heard that the Ergaster family was cruel, and that cruelty was as contagious as any disease. It surprised her that being from that family she would come to ask about the rival.
—Well, I'll see you in class, Fiora.
—Yes.
The two girls joined the boys.
—Everything okay? —Kevin asked.
—Yes.
—Good fight, Laia.
Caleb said with the intention of cheering her up, but Laia bit her lip and shook her head.
—Don't lie, I did a terrible job, I fell right into her trap.
Everyone tried to cheer her up except Caleb who was silently watching the scene.
—Don't worry, Laia. —Caleb said definitively. —You know what not to do, now just think about what things you would change to improve. You have a week and you can challenge her again.
They all nodded and agreed with Caleb. The five of them were a good group.
Meanwhile, in the woods, Krist arrived with the sophomores and gathered the nearly 300 students and teachers.
—In a week's time, we'll have the freshman and sophomore assembly. It will be similar to last year. And let's be clear, we don't want any trouble.
But, even though Krist said that, some of them were already planning what to do with the freshmen.