"Are you serious?" Ragnar asked.
"I am." The guy spoke.
"You didn't answer my first question. Who exactly is this Pierce you are talking about?" Ragnar asked with a smiling which gave off an impression of mockery.
"The boy whose hand you broke that day." The boy said in an angry voice. " I am his brother Ralph Moore."
"So, I broke the little brother's hand and the elder brother shows up. Is that how elves fight nowadays?" Ragnar looked around while asking the question.
Everyone was surprised by his response. He was degrading the name of elves due to this matter, and even Ralph who was brimming with anger moments ago was surprised by this comment. They took pride in being a part of the elf race, yet another guy was making fun of their heritage because of something which they did. It was comical.
"You bastard. If you are too scared to face an opponent from the front, just say so. No need to make some vague comment, aiming at disrespecting my lineage." Ralph said.
"Who said I was afraid of direct confrontation? For you hapiness I will oblige with the fight, but who is going to precede it. What are the rules? Or is it that you and your brother will gang up on me? Or are you planning to attack me from behind while I look at you? Is your brother hiding somewhere? Did his arm even heal?" Ragnar said with a sadistic expression, which turned the situation even more volatile.
"Looks like students are eager to lay hands on each other. From the looks of it, the academy doesn't allow open sparring like this." Another voice sounded and a figure entered the room. He was a young man having average height from elf standard. He looked like a pure blood elf, but even Ragnar knew that there was a hint of mix-blood present in his veins. Even so, this guy was a handsome specimen, with a proper build of a warrior.
"I want to challenge Ragnar Avalon to a offical fight." Ralph spoke with a serious tone.
"An official spar like this needs to be approved by the principal and then an official date needs to be released to host your fight. It will take some time to set it up. I have an idea for both of you to get what your heart wants." The teacher spoke.
"What is it, Mr. Martin?" Ralph looked at him with desire and desperation in his eyes. He seriously wanted a fight with Ragnar. That was the only way their family would be able to hold its name high.
"How about competing against each other in the examination that is due in the end of this month? It is an official examination that students need to clear to graduate to the next year and continue their studies in the academy. How about having a official spar during that time?" Martin spoke.
"Great idea." Ralph looked at Ragnar with a serious expression. "What do you say? Are you prepared to have an official spar with me or is all the talk you had earlier just a ruse?"
"Very well. I will comply with your request." Ragnar said. "When is this test anyway?"
"Ten days from now." Martin said.
"Ten days." Ragnar laughed and left. He could have defeated the guy if they had fought now, and the enemy made the mistake of giving him ten days. Martin was known to be one of the advocates of talented people. People like Ragnar who are able to stay in the academy due to their family background was not something he liked. Hence this was the perfect oppurtunity in disguise to argue for his expulsion.
Ragnar left the classroom and went out of the academy as well. No one tried to stop him since he wasn't vital enough to the academy itself. He was looking around, when he found the gymnasium building in the far west corner of the premises. This was where the physical training session happened. Since he had nothing to do for the rest of the day, Ragnar decided to improve his physical strength with routine training. If he could push his bou daries he might gain endurance stat which was extremely important in battle.
When he was about to enter the gym, he heard an intense sound of objects clashing against each other. It was as if two objects were forced to clash against the other. He peeked in and found that a figure was practicing sword against what looked like a wooden doll. The figure wore a complete kendo outfit and was constantly waving his sword in a uniform pattern, on the doll. Ragnar walked around and sat in the observation area and looked at the figure. Thier body was that of a tall person who was lean and quite flexible. They were not hitting them in a single manner, but combining various forms to attack. While it may look like a random set of movements to other, it had a hidden pattern to it.
"Steel-Heart Sword Style." Ragnar said in a low voice. He recognised the pattern with which the figure was hitting the doll. It closely resembles a famous martial arts developed by one of the dojos he had the fortune to train in. It was one of the first sword style he learnt as a martial artist and reached the peak proficiency by the time he graduated. It also served as the basis for development of his own kendo style in the future.
But the way the person in front was practicing the art was a bit crude. It was super rough and wasted a lot of space and movement in useless motion. Although it had some characteristics of the art he loved so much, it was a crude derivative if it without being able to grasp it's true meaning.
Ragnar lost interest this moment and got up to find a location to do physical training when he heard a voice.
"What did you say earlier?" The voice spoke.
"What?" Ragnar turned to face the voice and it was the same figure who was practicing kendo.
"You said something while watching me practice." The figure said.
"So" Ragnar commented.
The figure was stumped for words when he heard this reply.
"I want you to repeat what you said." The figure said.
"It was nothing. It just looked like something I was familiar with. A heart of steel is required to reach the end of the path of sword. Each swing tempers that steel to become more refined, pure and strong." Ragnar said before turning to leave.
"Wait." The figure said with an urgency in their voice.
"What now?" Ragnar was irritated.
"How about you have a spar with me?" The figure said.
"Not interested." Ragnar was alredy walking away.
"I can give you anything you want in exchange of a spar." The figure said.
"As I said, no." Ragnar said.
The figure threwa sword at Ragnar, who caught it without even looking.
"This is the last warning. Drop your fucking idea and leave me alone." Ragnar said in a emotionless voice, which sent a shiver down the spine of the figure. But they managed to retain their calmness and attacked him.