Laid out in front of the Head instructor were piles of steel weapons with blunted tips, any prior sharpness to them removed to prevent any harm or injury from befalling an unfortunate trainee.
They were all split in equal piles, with the largest of the weapons placed to the left and smallest toward the right.
Nico's gaze swept through the weapons until he spotted a short pile of wooden spears. Alongside him, the rest of the trainees scanned the row of equipment and hurried over to grab their own weapons.
Nervous anticipation written all over their features.
Gazing at his tense students, William's smile turned broader as he rubbed his hands together like a wicked mastermind.
'This is it.' Nico thought as he turned over the spear in his hands.
A subtle tremor travelled through his hands, before the boy forcefully suppressed it.
There was no room for mistakes. He had to win.
Nico's eyes narrowed in determination, and so too did the other trainees as they went about controlling their nerves.
Recalling the breathing exercises William had showed them on the first day, a flash of inspiration took hold of the inexperienced youths.
Inhale. Exhale. Inhale.
The trainee's chests rose and fell in a rhythmic and controlled cycle. They attempted to enter a quasi-meditative state - where they were nearing the threshold of inner peace, but not there yet - to quell their anxiousness.
A blanket of peace obscured their over-active minds, sealing a large majority of their apprehension.
William who had his gaze trained on the trainees, released a subtle nod of approval. It seemed as if they weren't all good for nothings.
He cleared his throat once he saw everyone was ready and spoke in an authoritative tone, glancing at the paper in his hands.
"Listen up for your names. The first three duels will be Leon versus Lucas, Henry versus Caden and finally Patricia verus Kayara. Leon, you're with me. Henry and Caden you're with Nix, leaving you two girls with Phantom. Those who's names have been called, please make your way over here." William raised his head and gazed intently at the trainees.
He saw Patricia, a short female with brown hair propped up in a messy bun, have her nose raised haughtily in the air. A scowl dominated her features.
However, that scowl faltered after she had heard that Phantom would oversee her duel.
Her face paled, becoming as white as a sheet.
Kayara who was taller and possessed a leaner figure than Patricia remained expressionless, a hint of boredom in the depths of her eyes. The grip on her sword lax.
She shifted her head and gazed at the man with the eyepatch, before a light sigh escaped her mouth.
Silence stretched throughout the square for a moment before a rush of frenzied whispers exploded with Leon and Lucas at its centre.
The heir of the Stanburg had a dark smile on his face, his red eyes brightening significantly. His hand traced the outline of his axe fondly.
The half-blood remained without reaction apart from the subtle clenching of his jaw. Henry's eyes widened. He didn't expect Leon to have to fight Lucas right away.
That was until the fact that he would also have to duel dawned on him.
He paled.
He wasn't ready!
He had to prepare himself mentally.
The farmer clenched his fists, the grip on his weapon tightening.
'Blasted Appleseed's!'
Henry shifted his gaze, his eyes searching for Caden. His expression turned grim recalling how proficient his opponent was in the sword path.
They had sparred previously, and Henry had lost at every turn.
The raven-haired trainee shook his head.
Mulling over this wouldn't do him any good. He would try his best and take it from there.
Leon slowly and calmly made his way over to where the white-haired instructor stood from the back of the large throng. The sea of trainees parted in front of him with every step he made.
'Leon…' Nico thought worriedly after gazing at the broad shoulders of his friend.
He clenched his fists, believing that his roommate could triumph over the haughty heir.
He then shifted his gaze, Henry's trembling figure appearing in his eyes. "Henry, Leon. You got this!" Nico cupped his hands and cheered, ignoring the judgemental stares of his peers.
The green-eyed trainee paused and looked back at his companion. A bright smile materialised on his face.
Henry gave a thumbs up to Nico, his nervousness gone, instead replaced with determined conviction as he made his way over with a newfound firmness to his steps.
Leon paused as well. He glanced back and nodded, his face a mask of unparalleled seriousness if not for the subtle smirk that curled up on the side of his tanned face.
He knew what he had to do…
… and he would damn well make sure he did that.
He would show that arrogant redhead why half-bloods were not to be trifled with.
William hid a smirk at the myriad of reactions on display and ordered the trainees to get a move on.
Soon, the participants of each Duel reached their designated position.
The remaining trainees shifted to the western edge of the square, where a plethora of seats were positioned, to get a better view of the upcoming clash, excited for what they were about to witness.
William, with Nix to his left and Phantom to the right, straightened his posture and walked up to the two redheads. One bulky, the other on the slimmer side.
Lucas held his axe in a relaxed grip, stifling a yawn. His eyes gleamed at the opportunity to put the filthy half-blood in his place.
A laid-back air surrounded him filled with confidence and assuredness in his victory. There was no doubt about it.
Leon, however, had an appearance that contrasted with the haughty male. His hands gripped the sledgehammer type weapon tightly.
A drop of sweat slid down his face and dripped onto to the earth below.
Although he was fairly confident, the shunned boy still couldn't help but doubt himself. All his life people treated him like some sort of inferior creature.
It was hard for himself not to think like that too.
The half-blood shook his head, inhaling deeply and clearing his mind. He tapped into the quasi-meditative state to calm his nerves.
William leisurely stopped a few feet away from the dueling duo and gazed at the burly redhead. "Alright, Leon. I want a clean fight. Forget about anything that happened before this Duel, it is irrelevant. I want you to give it your all and show me what you've got. Understood?"
The half-blood nodded.
William turned to face Lucas, and growled, "Lucas, I am warning you. I will immediately disqualify you, if you do any of your usual antics. I don't give a damn if you're a noble. Have I made myself clear?"
The Stanburg heir remained unfazed, ignoring his instructor as he stared in Leon's direction.
Sparks formed between him and the half-blood as their gazes clashed.
The white-haired man sighed and rubbed his eyes. He raised his right arm and glanced toward the other two instructors.
All noise in the Exercise Square immediately ceased, the crackling tension in the air felt by every trainee.
The heavens rumbled as if adding further fuel to the fire.
Finding that Phantom and Nix were ready, each having one of their arms raised like his, a solemn expression appeared on William's face.
He took a deep breath before his voice boomed across the square, sending a surge of adrenaline through the duelers.
"Begin!"