student council president office-
"Excuse me sir, here are the papers you've requested."
"Eric, no surname of commoner descent. Raised in the neutral woods of Edinburgh, granted scholarship for excelled swordsmanship. Personality , hes non-confrontational to a fault except when Ms.Aida is involved. He'd experienced combat in numerous occasion. 3 years ago he eradicated the Crows on his own, severed the leaders heads warning those that would come after them."
"What do you think Sir."
"Thered something i been meanig to ask. "
"Whats on your mind?"
"Its his combat ranking."
"Ah , about that."
-class-
"We're to commence combat ranking battles for class 1-A. Everyone get to your positions and may the best win."
Said the gym teacher
The assigned opponents sheet's out my partner seemed to have changed
Its Killian Charlemont for the first round.
While i won't be using my skills to my full extent , I'm still looking forward to this match I'm sorry Master looks like I'd take an extra mile with this opponent after all.
Everyones off to their own side of the field , each student facing off their respective opponent.
"You manipulated the matchups." I address Killian
"You found out eh." He laughs
"Well , i'm curious about you myself so consider our bout mutual."
" Eric here!." Ms Sarah throws a Wooden sword my way and a pouch "and the thing you asked me!."
My secret weapon's right inside that pouch. It was worth asking her the favor. Killian's in for a surprise, i won't go down easily.
"Begin!."
"I won't hold back." Killian removes his dual pistols from their holsters
"Give it your best shot." I reply with confidence
The guns charged with Killian's elemental force shoots blasts of thunder.
I deflect two of these shots , and leap through the air avoiding the third.
"Suspended in the air, bad choice." Killian smirks as he shoots another blast of energy
"This was calculated." I reach for my pouch taking out an enchantment stone.
By crushing the stone with my palm i now had the temporary ability to enchant my sword with the wind element.
"Take this!."
I swing my sword producing a powerful gale of wind negating the attack.
"Magic stones, you're really something Eric , i get why they speak highly of you. Looks like i need to pick it up a notch."
He blasts a charged shot.
By swinging my sword i deflect it with a powerful strike.
"I'm not done yet."
Back on land i throw five earth element stone to the ground
"Earth shield!."
Producing five earth boulders perfect for hiding
Thunder is fast, i'm not ashamed to admit defeat when my stamina's on the line.
"I'll blast your hiding spots. I'll turn this game of hide and seek, into find and destroy."
He fires 20 consecutive blasts
I move from boulder to boulder avoiding and deflecting as many strikes possible
It didn't take long for my defenses to crumble against the sheer volume of destructive spells. But now i got the intervals down to the T.
"Hah, there's no hiding now." With a confident smirk Killian fires off another round
There's no plan running in my mind just sheer instincts and trust of intuition
Hes charging for consecutive shots
I run straight at him , without a care in the world and with my body on the line.
"Haaaa!."
I deflect the incoming attack , side step another , deflect and side step. Finding myself within striking distance , i look at the dumbfounded Killian
"Lets end it here."
I strike his abdomen knocking the air out of his lungs
"Winner Eric!."
Some of the classmates have entirely forgot their match focusing solely on mine.
Winners of round 1 include myself, Joshua, Gil, Mistress Aida, Mistie and Alice among a few
"Onto round 2!"
12 remain each determined to be the last one standing.
My opponent this time, is a noble girl from a influential family though lesser in nobility ranks she carries herself with poise befitting of her status.
"Mr.Eric its an honor to face you."
"Apologies madam, i cannot face you."
I raise my hand following the announcement of round 2 to declare whats considered a shocker to the majority of the class.
"I forfeit the tournament."
Rankings are up for the battle tournament
1- Prince Joshua Von Edinburgh
2-Gil de Caderroa
3-Aida Von Lumere
And my name is right before dead last, my master's wishes took precedence over my pride as a warrior. The students in turn took their chances as word came of my forfeit students have become bolder in their approach. If master were here he'd order their head decapitated for disrespecting our philosophy.
"I can't believe you forfeit a match against a 3rd rate noble. The strongest swordsman in the Kingdom of Edinburgh."
"Life goes on in the academy either way."
"Eric are you listening?, they will surely act out now that you gave them leeway. You must put them in their place."
"Mistress isn't it your duty to teach unruly nobles some etiquette."
"Flattery will get you nowhere Eric, not when I'm fumingly mad. "
"Hmm?."
"Eric?."
I suddenly stop and look at all the wanted posters
"The academy is sparing no expense to catch Killian." Said Aida
"Can't believe he's my roommate."
"Absolutely avoid that good for nothing lout "
"Mistress I don't think it's possible."
''Because?."
"Hes eavesdropping on us right now."
"Shoot."
Trees rustle as a voice mumbles his frustration.
"I know you're there Killian."
"Haha, you got me."
"Why have you been following me?."
"Well, at first I came here to grab you then I realized you were with Aida here(hello). I've somehow lost my chance to show myself."
"You're here to grab Eric, is it for your nefarious schemes." Aida interjects
"No , it's a completely serious matter Aida."
"Spit it out, what do you need Eric for." Said Aida
"Well it isn't me who needs Eric persay not after my defeat if it were up to me I'd avoid you to save myself from the embrassing memory of defeat, alas i'm just a messanger for these lots. Damned Rusty caught me at an inconvenient time."
"Rusty?." Aida asks
"That would be the student council president Russel Van Fredriche."
"Ofcourse its that Rusty *sigh* ." Aida lets out a sigh "what does he want from my retainer."
"You're asking the wrong person Ms . And i haven't bothered asking him." Kilian replied irritated
"Should we go Mistress."
"Hmm, lets see what Russel has to say."
"Lead the way." I gesture to Killian
"Off we go then."
"What do you mean you've cut our funds!."
"I believe you heard me clearly, you haven't provided fhe necessary audits pertaining your activities and the use of funds. Therefore we the student council decided to cut your funds entirely until further notice."
"You come to our club, insult our members, call us bums and now you're slashing our funds. I don't care if you're some hotshot student council president , i'm beating manners into you."
The enraged student unsheathes his sword striking the unsuspecting student council president
Or
That is what everyone thought
It was only an instant with unbelievable speed and finesse the student council president deflects the incoming attack while simultaneously breaking the opponents sword and cutting his clothes.
"You will pay dearly for your transgression , consider your club defunct." Says the student council president as he calmly sheathes his katana.
"A swordsman after my own heart." I didn't mean it to slip but i'm in awe. Master I think i found him , the one.
Russel Van Fredriche the academy's number 1 swordsman also a love interest to the protagonist Alice.
I stare into his visage cool grey hair, icy blue eyes and skin as pale as the moon.
As he turns around , our eyes meet.
"He eyes me with curiousity."
I do the same
He smirks uncharacteristically
I return a smirk of my own before going in for a greeting
"Eric, Just Eric. Master Russel Van Fredriche I assume?."
"I know who you are , just like how i've researched you it appears that you've researched me." He smiles as he takes my hand and shakes it.
"What is this fighting aura coming out of those two?."
"I never seen Eric this excited..." Aida ponders
This is the first time, the thought of beating someone other than my master occurred in my mind.
Master I've found the one
The one I so badly want to beat
I hope you forgive me
But I wish to fight him with everything you bestowed me.
-student council office-
"Take a seat any if you like , the conference room is empty."
"Don't mind if I do." Says Killian losing all sense of formality
"Your hospitality is appreciative Sir Russel."said Aida ever the graceful lady
"Thank you Sir, but it won't do to have the servant sit in the presence of his mistress."
Aida looks up to me smiling bashfully.
"idiot." She mutters to herself
"Do as you like, our discussion will be brief after all."
"Why've you called Eric here Rusty?."
The one to ask the question on our mind was Killian
"Yes I'd very much like to know what do you want from my retainer."
"Well, I brought Eric here for one simple request, consider it a favor if you must."
"And what is your request?."
"Eric, I want you to become an enforcer."
"An enforcer?." Asks Aida
"Enforcers are the strong arm division of our student council, they are a disciplinary force of sort."
"Hahaha, a good one. Making Eric an enforcer i hope you're jesting."
"And you wish me , a commoner to join your ranks."
"I look for the capable, your status nor your birth circumstances matter the slightest to me."
"You think so highly of me, i'll take the compliments nonetheless I have to refuse."
"And the reason being your unwavering loyalty "
"You've researched my retainer haven't you Russel."
"Well ofcourse, I make sure I know everything about my childhood friends lives."
"You were friends?" I ask
"Ofcourse Killian, I , Gil, Aida, Misty, Joshua and Misty were inseparable as children. Did you know there was a time when Gil got along with Aida haha."
"I-Is this real?."
"Russel!, refrain from speaking nonsense."
"My bad , I have but one other thing to add, Aida will you become a student council member"
"You're giving me a position?, is this a meticulous act to get to Eric? Or .."
"I value your talents Aida, I think you'd make a good enforcer."
"She's not bad with magic." Killian adds "but why do I feel like there's something more to this Enforcers don't usually have vacancies."
"You're right... however I'm not sharing the details until I get an admission that is." He looks at Aida and me
"Mistress what do you think?." I ask Aida
"We should join." Says Aida
"You're not being roped in by him , are you?." I ask to make sure
"No , I'm doing this because a certain someone ... *she whispers* is fiddling with his sword hilt."
"You mean?."
"We'll join."
"Excellent!."
She looks at me with a smile as she signs the admission papers
And just like that we joined the student council.
To be continued