Shtute shows up to class half-naked, only wearing boxers. His muscular but bruised body was completely exposed to his male and female peers. It wasn't impressive but it showed that he was a warrior just like the rest of them.
They were all bunched up, standing, in five rows of ten people ready for training instruction from their teacher. He is a retired middle-aged knight who enjoys spending his time guiding the youth.
The whole classroom laughed at Shtute like the usual. It was quite a common site to see him walking in half-naked every few weeks or so, so they've gotten used to it. The only one who did not enjoy this was the teacher.
"Shtute, do you need to borrow some clothes?"
"I'm fine."
The old man sighs.
Shtute casually walks into the third row and stood inbetween an androgynous boy and an average-looking girl. They both wore the school uniforms as per tradition. Their tops and shorts are common heavy brown leather that every beginner adventurer wore into battle.
"They sure got you good this time, huh." The girl spoke casually.
"Tsk... just the usual." Shtute held in his pettiness for now.
He misunderstood her kindness for a mocking. Even though they have been friends for a whole year, he never bothered paying attention to her kindness except for when she offered him food.
Their teacher raised his voice and began to explain their training for the morning.
"Each of you will pick a weapon of your choice and a partner to spar with. I hope to see what you all will do with the new weapons we brought in."
'Ahahaha... Ahahaha!!!'
Instantly, Shtute picks the girl in front of him.
"I pick you, Arine!"
Arine Heidius Apeen is your average girl with black hair and tan skin. She doesn't have massive breasts or a curvy body. However, she is still a knight, and a knight must be dutiful. Shtute will regret his decision...
"Um... okay."
"Hurry up chump!"
'Ch-chump?! What a jerk! I can't believe I'm still friends with this guy!'
They both walked towards the wooden shack installed with new weapons along with a group of students.
The new installations were whips, rapiers, greatswords, hooks, and spears. The rest were unnecessary tools: like a paddle or a pole.
Shtute picks up the wooden greatsword, confident that he could wield it. Unexpectedly, he almost tripped while trying to lift the greatsword.
On the other side of the shack, Arine grabs a wooden paddle leaning against the corner.
"You're not going to pick a real weapon?"
"Well... you're already beaten up enough as it is."
'Is she mocking me again?!'
"Whatever... let's go."
They arrive in an open field where the others were already in action and stood a few feet away from each other.
Arine held her paddle like a spear, ready to thrust and slash.
Shtute didn't bother getting into any stances since this was his first time weilding a greatsword, or maybe it was just too heavy...
He charges in recklessly without thinking. What more is needed to win other than absolute strength?
"I gotcha now!" He leaps into the air and makes a vertical strike downwards at Arine.
She dodges easily with a side-step and swung her paddle backwards with two arms.
'Shit... maybe I should have used a short sword like the usual...'
Arine lunges her wooden paddle forward as soon as Shtute landed.
*Pap*
"AAAAHHH!" Shtute falls onto his knees and held his buttcheeks with both of his hands, rolling on the ground. If he weren't wearing his boxers, all of his classmates would've seen how red his buns were.
"Maybe you'll win next time." She crouches down, gazing at his disdainful face with pity.
"I definitely will..." He clenches his teeth.
'Paddles really hurt...'
Arine sits down and relaxes besides Shtute, criss-crossed.
"Let's watch Kellin fight. Maybe you'll learn a thing or two."
"Alright..." He rested like a snail with his palms covering his butt.
Observing from the distance, he watches his androgynous friend battle a significantly taller opponent with a punk-like face.
They both held battered wooden swords.
The cute boy's full name is Kellin Everest Tuntsten. He's not the greatest of fighters but still managed to join the knights' rankings. Him and Shtute are both in the lowest category of knights: the pebbles. This category ranges in chronological order from the pebbles, rocks, boulders, mountains, and then meteors.
Pebbles are incapable of anything important, therefore the weakest. Rocks are much more sturdy but they still get kicked around. Boulders are large and can retaliate against any sort of disturbance. Mountains contains all kinds of pebbles, rocks, and boulders, therefore becoming a master. Meteors, however, are the special singular units that can blow up a mountain; they are the pinnacle of power among knights.
Kellin lunges forward with a thrust using his dull wooden sword, making the first strike. He was swift and didn't make any unnecessary movements.
"Krgh!" The tall man barely manages to deflect the thrust to the side. However, that left his abdomen vulnerable.
Kellin twirls around to strike again like a tornado. He successfully hits the side of the tall man's stomach.
"Oph!" Air escaped his body as he grobes his stomach for any sign of bruises.
Just when Kellin was about to make his third strike, the tall man backed away with a jump.
"I-I surrender..." He raises his hands.
"Thanks for the great spar." Kellin bowed and the tall man reciprocated.
"See that, Shtute. You need to be fast. Brute strength isn't everything."
"Yeah, yeah..." He tries to shrug off her advice.
Kellin runs over to them. A joyous smile was plastered onto his child-like face.
"Did you guys see that? I've finally won! My efforts were rewarded!" He jumps in joy.
"We did! You were amazing!" Arine claps her hand in celebration of her energetic friend's success.
"Shtute are you proud of me too?" He pokes Shtute's head with his index finger.
"Yeah... I am." He fakes a smile.
'He finally broke his limits... while I'm still a pitiful loser... Fuck!'
"Now you don't have to take the beatings for me anymore! I'll challenge all of those who dares to bully you!" He smiles at the sky with one of his hands balled into an ambitious fist.
"N-no! Don't do that! You aren't ready!"
"We're brother in arms! It's okay for us to suffer together!" Kellin spoke with confidence.
'I'd feel bad if his pretty face got ruined because of me...'
"Let's wait until you get stronger, okay?"
"Ugh... fine. I'll work harder." He frowns.
In the middle of the field, their teacher raises his voice, "Trainning session is over! I'm satisfied with the results!"
Shtute got off his snailing position and walks out of the entrance along with his two friends. They looked so happy accompanying each other. Sadly, it'll be short-lived.