The sparing ring was a reinforced circular platform with a radius of about 10m. Standing on the platform I looked towards my opponent a brawny youth tanned skin brown eyes with a savage look on his face.
"Rayar Davis rank 113 I'll be in your care." I gave him a polite smile before taking my battle stance.
"Bray Wilson rank 120 I'll try to hold back." he spoke smugly before taking out his morning star and taking his battle stance.
The atmosphere grew tense as all students stopped talking focusing all their attention on the stage.
Seeing that both of us were done with our preparations Mr. Hawk nodded his head indicating the start of the dual.
After getting the signal I stood on my spot carefully observing Bray's movement as all my muscles tensed up, ready to react anytime. Seeing me rooted on the spot Bray smirked before charging towards me with a full overhead swing of his morning star.
I couldn't help but shake my head seeing such a predictable move which was full of openings, before positioning my twin swords in a cross pattern. Bray's morning star descended with tremendous momentum striking right at the center of my crossed twin swords; kicking the ground with my feet I rotated my whole body in midair using the momentum of Bray's attack, causing his morning star to spin out of his hands easily disarming him before crashing on the floor.
"Rayar Davis wins!" Mr. Hawk announced in an expression tone before glancing towards me.
All the students were dumbfounded trying to digest what happened from what they could see in order to dodge Bray's attack I tried to jump backwards, but due to my twin swords interweaving with his weapon I ended up spinning midway causing his weapon to spin out of his grip as I sprawled on the floor.
Amongst all students only Bray's expression looked really funny it was mix of confusion, bewilderment, anger and disbelief. Looking at his expression I tried my best to hold back my laughter before getting up off the floor and dusting my clothes.
"That was a good match." I smiled at Bray.
His face turned bright red, which I don't know was caused due to anger or humiliation as he turned around and left standing at the very back amongst the group of students.
Sighing sightly I followed after him and got off the platform. The sparring continued as rest of the challengers were called on the platform by Mr. Hawk.
While it looked like I was watching their dual my attention was back to my dual with Bray, even though it looked like I 'luckily' won but my arms were still shaking from the impact. Even though I had many other ways to win against him easily like tripping him or breaking his momentum I didn't want my combat proficiency to be known before fighting Drake.
The sparring session continued and soon it was time for me to step back on the ring but this time my opponent was Drake.
Exchanging pleasantries we both took our battle stance, this time my opponent could give me a lot of trouble because unlike Bray who was more focused on raw power Drake's specialty was his high agility which I have observed in his previous battle.
After Mr. Hawk's signal we both observed each other for a while before Drake suddenly disappeared from his position leaving behind after images circling around me like a predator waiting to kill its cornered prey.
I have to admit his speed was really amazing and I could barely dodge his occasional dagger strikes even after focusing all my attention towards my surroundings.
"Never thought you could keep up with my speed let's see how you are gonna take this..." he said as his speed increased yet again causing sonic bursts from time to time.
"Right hand" I heard his voice from behind me and before I even had time to react I felt a piercing pain from my right shoulder. All my senses were on high alert all this time yet I failed to detect the timing of his attack.
"Left leg" the same thing happened again and my left thigh was slashed fresh blood oozing out of my wounds.
"Give up or it'll be your left hand this time~" his playful voice sounded from my side.
Seeing the gravity of the situation I fasten my grip on my left sword's hilt while activating my stigma,
"Not giving up then next is your left shoulder" his voice resounded from the front
"I'll make you regret toying with me" I mumbled looking at the world frame by frame after activating my stigma; I saw him turning around skillfully from the front before rushing behind me and using his speed to charge at my left side. Even though I could hardly detect him before his current speed was no different from moving in slow motion which when compared to other students who currently seemed frozen in time was quite astounding.
Seeing him approach me I casually slammed the hilt of my left sword against his solar plexus before my stigma deactivated, what followed was a cracking sound as Drake's body was thrown backwards and he immediately lost his consciousness.
While the recoil of the force fractured my wrist holding the sword and due to mana deficiency my vision blurred and a terrible headache assaulted me before I lost my conscious.
********
When I opened my eyes I saw a familiar white ceiling clutching my head I groaned in pain before slowly siting up,
"Tell me honestly Ray, you really take this place for your home right." showing a dangerous smile Lily slow approached me, standing in front of me she continued
"After not seeing you here for a day I actually thought you have finally decided to stay put. To think that you'll be here on the very first day of your classes and you even brought your friend along for fun." she smiled at me brightly which instantly caused me to shiver.
How could I not know that the number of years her torture caused many tight tipped fiends and spirits to cave in is more than my total years of existence.
"Actually Dr. Lily he is not my friend and it was all just an accident during our sparring session." I replied to her acting calm while wiping the cold sweat from my forehead I just hope I can get out of here alive. She won't harm a student just for disturbing her right...