"Don't get cocky!"
The sudden shout cut through the air like a knife, causing both Adrian and Ren to stop mid-swing and turn in the direction of the voice. Other students followed suit, their attention drawn to the commotion.
There, at the far end of the training hall, two figures were engaged in a heated exchange. One wielded a spear with a ferocity that bordered on rage, his attacks swift and relentless. The other, armed with a sword, though moved with grace and precision, but barely dodging and parrying each strike.
It was Emeric and Aurelius, two students known for their competitive spirits and fierce determination. Their clash was intense and seemed intense, one pushing the other, while the latter fighting back, both seemingly displaying their raw talent and determination.
Adrian and Ren exchanged a glance before turning their attention back to the sparring pair.
Adrian glanced at the instructor, seeing what he would do. Instructor Darius stood in his place as if he had no intention to stop the two. However, his eyes were cold as he gazed at the two troublemakers.
'Yep, he is definitely angry.' Adrian thought as he noticed instructor Darius's expression. 'Though he may seem calm and indifferent on the outside, he doesn't like it when someone disrupts the training environment, his class, not to mention going against his words.'
Ren then spoke, his eyes narrowing slightly as he watched Emeric and Aurelius exchange blows. "They're going too far," he muttered under his breath. "This isn't just friendly sparring anymore."
"..." Adrian didn't comment on that. However, he knew things were gonna end soon.
As he expected, Emeric started to overpower Aurelius while Aurelius showed signs of tiredness and openings. His movements became slower, his defenses faltering under the relentless assault of Emeric's spear.
"But why are they fighting like this?" Ren muttered again.
"Didn't you already guess?" Adrian replied. "And... Come on, let's continue with our sparring. It will end soon."
"..." Ren glanced at him and then the two troublemakers. "Right. Let's continue."
As Adrian and Ren resumed their sparring, they kept one eye on the ongoing conflict between Emeric and Aurelius. The intensity of the duel continued to escalate, each exchange of blows more ferocious than the last.
"Clang!" Finally, with a loud sound of two weapons clashing, one of them was sent flying into the air.
"Haha, I won!"
"Enough." Before Emeric could celebrate his victory, a cold voice echoed through the hall.
Swoosh!
Suddenly, a tremendous amount of pressure landed on both Emeric and Aurelius and they found themselves falling onto the floor.
"Urgh!"
"Argh!"
"..." Instructor Darius stepped forward, his presence commanding attention as he approached the fallen students. His expression was stern, a silent reprimand for their reckless behavior.
"You two have crossed the line," he stated, his voice cutting through the tension in the air. "Sparring is meant to hone your skills, not to indulge in petty rivalries."
Emeric and Aurelius remained silent, chastened by the instructor's words. Well, they couldn't even talk since they were still under pressure.
"Grr..." Emeric gritted his teeth in frustration and anger.
"..." Aurelius who sensed the situation calmed down and just focused on protecting himself from the pressure.
Instructor Darius surveyed the pair with a steely gaze, his disappointment evident. "You both will report to my office immediately after class. We will discuss your conduct further."
With that, he released the pressure, allowing Emeric and Aurelius to pick themselves up from the ground. They exchanged a tense glance before nodding in acknowledgment of the instructor's command.
"Yes, instructor."
"Now, go and stand in different corners while standing on one foot and both of your hands above, holding a weapon." Instructor ordered.
"Ergh... But..." Emeric wanted to retort, however, after one glance from the instructor, he shut up and went to the opposite corner from Aurelius.
Students giggled and some laughed as they watched the show.
"What are you doing? Continue." Until they heard the instructor's cold voice. They hurriedly went back to their sparring.
An hour later. Another long class has ended.
"Remember to practice with your partner or another person till the next lesson." Instructor Darius said as he ended the class. "Now, disperse."
Adrian and Ren nodded at each other and then Ren headed toward the changing room while Adrian told him he would change later. Thankfully, Ren didn't ask anything, respecting his privacy.
Moreover, there was one more reason he wanted to stay.
While other students made their way toward the changing rooms, Adrian's eyes focused on the two troublemakers, and a small smile etched across his face.
The two troublemakers, Emeric and Aurelius also put their hands and legs down and slowly followed behind the others.
However, they did not take three steps, the same pressure from before landing on them.
The sudden pressure caught both Emeric and Aurelius off guard, their bodies hitting the ground with a resounding thud. Gasps echoed through the training hall as the other students turned to see what had happened.
Instructor Darius stood with a stern expression, his gaze fixed on the two troublemakers with a mixture of disappointment and indifference. "I said different corners, standing on one foot," he reminded them, his voice carrying a cold edge. "Don't make me repeat myself again."
The pressure lasted for another ten seconds and then disappeared.
Knowing it was best not to anger the instructor, Aurelius and Emeric returned to their corners and positions.
'Hehe, this is why many readers liked the novel.' Adrian, who was watching from the sidelines laughed internally. 'Author didn't favor the MC nor make the MC miraculously get away from difficult or uncomfortable situations.'
'And, it's really funny to see them like this.. Hehe.'