Their decision to train in the afternoon was probably the right one. At least for Carl and Thomas. Carl wouldn't be the only student. While Thomas would not be the only teacher. They joined in a large group.
Yes, it was an enormous group because it turned out that their classmates also joined. That was about half of the class.
They made a forward slash after turning. Some looked a little unsteady because they had not regained their balance.
"Strengthen your steps. Whatever happens, you must stay on your feet." Thomas said upfront. It was addressed explicitly to Louis, who was standing closest to him. However, it could apply to others.
Carl smiled at that. It was the first time he saw him as a teacher, and his image differed from when Thomas was with him.
"Anything's funny, Carl?" Miku asked after catching the amusement on his face.
"I'll tell you later," he answered, choosing not to tell it immediately. He didn't want to interrupt their practice.
"How about us having a duel? I'm tired of teaching you like this," she complained.
"What's the matter with you? You get bored easily since the class."
"I don't move my body much. That's why I'm bored."
"But the teacher has not allowed duels using weapons." Carl reminded her. Their last duel, as well as training, was using weapons, even though Raphael hadn't allowed it since they hadn't mastered how to use their sword correctly. "What if they report us?"
She let out a heavy sigh. "It's no fun just wielding a wooden sword."
"You have to be patient. Remember, your partner is not as great as you."
"I know. But, I also want to teach you how to use it in a fight. Not just keep repeating this."
Carl just found out. Apparently, Miku loved to teach while doing it. That was actually right for the aspiring fighter. His body was forced to remember lessons while doing a duel.
"We can't break the rules, Miku. And this is a school area." Moreover, for something dangerous. Although he believed Miku wouldn't hurt him, it would look different in the eyes of others. "We can practice tonight," he suggested.
Again, Miku exhaled heavily. "Okay."
"I can see your enthusiasm!" Suddenly, someone joined in. That was Julian. "Where's your sword?" he asked after seeing the students only holding wooden swords.
"We're not allowed to use it yet, prof."
Julian nodded in understanding. "So you haven't mastered it yet," he concluded.
"How do we master it when it's rarely used?"
He nodded again. "That's right. Then why not use it?"
The student who asked was surprised to see his reaction. "Really, prof? We can use it?"
"Yes. Vega and I will be watching over you."
A second later, Vega appeared beside him.
"You can draw your sword now," he ordered.
Their expression turned enthusiastic. The students immediately took out their swords and prepared to continue their training.
"It will be different from before. You won't only focus on movement but also control the magic in your weapon." Vega explained.
Students nodded. And they didn't need a count to start training.
Julian turned to his companion. "I'm counting on you to protect them." Even if humans had magic-flowing tools, no one could defeat the owner.
Next, the practice continued as a class, with Julian and Vega going around watching and directing their movements.
"There you are," Julian exclaimed once he found Carl. "Can you do something for me?" he asked after getting his attention.
Carl frowned. It reminded him of the previous request. "Buy you a burger?" he guessed. The situation was almost the same. The difference was, this time, Julian and Vega were supervising their practice, not the class.
Julian shook his head as he chuckled. "No. No. It's not that." It was funny that the impression of him was a burger. "But I might not have any reward for this."
"What's that?"
"You guys are partners, right? Can you do a duel with Darren and Irvin? I really want to see that." Apparently, it was about another request the day before.
"But, Professor." Carl showed his objections. "I'm an amateur. I can't possibly win."
"Don't you remember what I said? There's no winning or losing. Cooperation is more important."
Carl sighed. Both rejecting and accepting were difficult.
"You heard it, Darren? What do you think?" he asked Darren, standing by Carl. Darren must have overheard the conversation. "What about the duel with Carl and Miku?"
Darren glanced at Carl, then back at Julian. "I'm fine with that. I think Irvin is the same way."
Julian smiled widely. "So, what's your decision?"
Carl grunted. He had no other choice. "Don't laugh at me when I fall."
And Julian actually laughed at that. "I won't, Carl. It's a learning process, so nothing to laugh about."
Carl then turned his gaze to Miku. "Come on, Miku."
Miku didn't answer, but she followed him and aligned her steps with him. "Are you sure? Professor Julian would understand that you still won't do it." She asked one last time.
Actually, he had no problem having a sudden duel. After all, it wasn't a match or a matter of life and death. It was merely for practice. However, doing it this early and in front of his classmates was different. Their abilities were different, and he was at the bottom.
"It's okay, Miku. I'll try my best." It was a consolation for him. The decision had been made, and he was the man on his words.
Miku smiled at the change. "Then, we'll show everyone that we are the best partners." She grinned.
He showed a smile. His mood improved after speaking to Miku.
The four walked to the other side to get a large area to duel. Meanwhile, the students began to turn their attention to the sudden duel.
"Is the swordsman village really that great?" Carl whispered to Miku. He asked because Irvin had said he was from the 'mostly swordsman' village.
"I heard so. They practice swordsmanship since childhood."
Carl thought. If it was since childhood, Irvin had already done it for hundreds of years. That shrunk him even more.
"Don't worry, Carl. This is practice and a great opportunity for you to improve," Irvin said soothingly.
Yes, Carl knew it. But facing a real swordsman and another one was great enough were enough to describe how different their abilities were. Moreover, they would use magic weapons. Was their luck on the same level on this matter?
"He's right, Carl. You'll have a great experience from this."
"Yeah, that's right. It's gonna be a different duel from the previous practice."
"I'll protect you."