[Third Person POV]
"Huff!Huff!"
Ryujin was taking in deep breaths. The sweat on his body was falling down like a waterfall.
Lily on the other hand was perfectly fine. Not even a single sweat.
" You win. That was quite a spectacular display of control and technique. We will stop for now and begin training from tomorrow.
Any objections?"
"No."
Ryujin replied. Arlo passed him a bottle of water.
"Thanks sensei."
"As Lily said your technique and control over mana is impressive. Even your knife skills are good but it is as if you know how to use a knife but your movement with it is not that good. Plus your magic spells are quite weak."
Arlo started rambling about the positive and negatives of the fight. As he was speaking Ryujin thought of a question.
"Since both of you are training me, how will you schedule my training?"
Neither Lily nor Arlo spoke for a while. These guys didn't have a time scheduled for the training.
"Lets train after 5 pm for two hours everyday. Today Lily trained you,tomorrow will be my turn."
Arlo looked at Lily as he said that. Lily didn't deny so that was their training schedule.
Ryujin noticed that both of them had a lot of things to say to each other but are big cowards when it comes to facing their feelings.
'Why do people have ego towards someone whom they love? What will both of these do without me. I should probably do something otherwise they will only confess to each other on their death beds. I will be the ultimate wingman.'
[Please don't get carried away now just cause you found your love]
The system was quick to stop Ryujin from fantisizing other's love.
"Well-Well. If it isn't the Champions and the Astrik's dragon."
Ryujin heard a voice from the back. He turned around and saw a relatively short guy with caramel coloured hair and eyes. His belly fat was protruding out and the buttons on his shirt was barely hanging on. He came near Ryujin as he rolled up his mustache.
"You are quite tall in person."
The person said to Ryujin.
"Its not that I am tall. You are just short."
Ryujin said in the most polite tone.
"Pfttt"
Lily almost laughed but Arlo immediately blocked her mouth with his hand. Arlo realized what he had down and quickly removed his hand.
Ryujin noticed both of their ears becoming slightly red.
'These two adults are acting like teenagers in love.'
[That is true. You and Ciel were and still are the same.]
'Shut up system. Since when did you changed your way of talking?'
System ignored Ryujin this time.
"Haha! The young man has quite the humour."
Then he reached out his hand for a handshake. Ryujin politely extended his arm as well.
"I am Genda Balcom . A professor at the third year department. It is an honour to meet the infamous Ryujin."
'Hmm..Balcom.This is really getting interesting now.'
Ryujin was stopping himself from smiling when he heard Genda's family name.
"No! It is my honour to meet the noble Genda
Balcom . Your work on the infamous theory 'The 128 mana vessel' has always blown my mind.'
Genda patted Ryujin's elbow as he was too short to reach the shoulders.
"A strong and humble hero is hard to
come across in this world. I am
glad we have you and I can't wait to teach you in the future."
Ryujin just nodded in agreement.
Genda then turned around and walked towards Lily.
" Professor Lily, it is quite an illicit behaviour to hug a student younger than you so intimately. This can put a huge dent on our reputation as teachers."
Lily didn't say anything. She didn't even look at Genda clearly.
"No matter how much you show me your attitude, you cannot stop what is written in your destiny. What is supposed to happen will happen and I don't think you have the power to refuse your father's order. I hope you accept that fact."
Ryujin was surprised by Genda's chnage in attitude and is way in talking.
' Does he have something to do with Lily?'
As he said that Genda walked away while smirking at Lily. Lily clenched her fist and made an sour expression.
" I gotta go now."
Lily dashed off from the arena. Ryujin had no clue on what had just happened but he could guess somethings. Genda was going to be part of Lily's future against her will but she was against it. In addition to that Lily couldn't refute Genda's harsh words for some reason.
Ryujin galnced at Arlo and saw that even he had a sour expression. Ryujin walked towards Arlo.
"I will also get going now sensei. I will be in your care from now on."
"Ok. The training will only be easy until you are fully healed after that expect yourself to get harsh trainings so you can be stronger. We must become strong for what is about to come in the future."
'This guys starts his lecture everytime, he says something but I don't agree with him.'
"Senei, why do I need to be strong for the future?"
Arlo didn't know why Ryujin was asking such obvious question.
"You need to be strong to face the hardships that will come to you in the future."
"No. I don't want that. I don't want to be strong just for what is about to come. I want to be powerful to protect what I have at the moment."
Ryujin said that as he looked at the exit from where Lily left. Ryujin too walked away from the arena. Arlo kept looking at the exit.
"Protect my present,huh. You physical appearance has definetly changed but your words still manage to move me as they did in the past."
******
Lily went to her room after training Ryujin. All of her thoughts were a mess after what Genda said.
"That pig. He thinks he controls me. Nobody orders me. I am the fucking witch of the Blood Garden."
The room shook a bit when she let out her furstation. She couldn't talk back to Genda beacuse of her father. She knew she could never go against her father. She obeyed him not because she feared her but because she loved and respected him with his whole heart.
'I don't know what to do dad. I really don't.'
Lily was deep in her thoughts when she felt her watch vibrate. She looked at who was calling and saw
[Dad]
Her dad was calling her and she immediately picked up the call. A holographic screen then popped up from the watch.
On the other side of the screen was a man that looked similar to Lily. He had striking back hair and red eyes, except the color of his eyes had gone dull. The muscle and fat on his face was reduced so much that he looked like a skeleton with skin on it.
"Dad."
Lily called out her father in an excited tone.
"It is quite rare for you to give me an video call but still I am glad I can see you. Are you even eating properly? You look like stick and bones dad. Do you want me to return and make you your favourite dish?"
Her fathet didn't speak. His eyes were cold and had no emotion in them.
"I heard from Genda that you are trying to refuse his offer."
He said in a dry and raspy voice. He just didn't acknowledge any of the things Lily said. She felt sad when her dad did that.
" Are you defying me now, my daughter?"
"No,Dad I-I just wasn't in the mood."
Her father's expression didn't change even a bit. The eyes showed no love towards his daughter. His tone was enough to cut Lily's heart into pieces.
" Lily,just because you were not in the mood, does not mean that you try to sabotage my plans. I have worked a lot to get this deal Lily. This is all for you. Fate cannot be overwritteen and this is your fate."
Tears started to form in Lily's eyes. She was happy when her father called her but it takes a moment to turn your joy into absolute misery.
"But dad. I just want to get engaged with Genda. Please dad."
" If you want that, I will cancel the engagement but I didn't think this day would come when you would defy your father's word."
That last sentence was like a nail in her heart. She had never disobeyed her father. She looked at the screen and saw the disappointment on her father's face. That was worse than her worst nightmares.
"I will get engaged with Genda father. Just don't get disappointed in me."
She wailed and wiped her tears.
" That should have always been you decision from the start."
Her father cut of the call. Lily tried to hide her mufflle by crying into her pillow. She was one of the champions but now she felt the weakest. No matter how strong a human is, their love towards someone always makes them fall to their knees.