Heading out of the grey stone building intended for the housing of clubs, Tre looked around at the campus which had been mostly empty before, now brimming with young students walking to their next class, as every hour calls for a new period of the new, which each day having a total of 5 periods.
Some people looked at Tre's clothing with disgust, some with shock, and other's with contempt.
'It's just a uniform, these kids are brought up to idolise such useless things.'
Eirini walked up beside him, noticing the people staring holes through him, and now her.
"What exactly are you doing? You seriously should just get into proper uniform, they supply them for free if you're a student who doesn't have one. Also, what did you mean before about showing me how you fight so well? Are we going to the training hall? And why is it time-sensitive?"
The answer to this was simple. Tre didn't want to be known as a skilled swordsman amongst these children. That would obviously invite unwanted challengers, and considering Tre is just a normal human without ki, disregarding his combat skill and intuition, it would be reckless to be known as someone strong.
So he decided he should show his true colours, but also do something just as reckless. He was going to challenge a noble, one on one, in public.
"I'll show you, just keep walking. A noble will eventually show up to challenge me after what I did."
As if rehearsed, a young man stepped in front of the two, blocking their path, their face smug but with a hint of irritation. They sported dirty blond hair tied back forming a ponytail behind their head. They wore the same white suit which served as the school's uniform as everyone else did, with the same logo of purple flowers.
"You. Who are you to be strolling around like that? Do you have no shame?"
Not wanting to waste any time, Tre decided to rush this little drama. Making it up as he went, he shouted at the young man in an unconvincing tone;
"Ah, but you see, these clothes were given by my family. You have insulted my family. I challenge you to a duel. A duel of honor, with our family names on the line. What say you, scoundrel!"
The young man looked a bit perturbed at this turn of events, but couldn't back down now that Tre had gotten everyone's attention and brought their family honor into this.
Not that Tre cared about honor to begin with.
"V-very well! When will this duel take place!"
Tre smirked at the young man, slowly raising his left hand, facing the back of it towards the boy with his fingers facing the sky, and his right hand still in his pocket.
"Right now. Unless your family and their honor mean nothing to you."
The young man was slightly hesitant, as he only started this to get a look at the boy who he had heard beat Guac, the most skilled ki user within the school. Looking at this boy, he looked rather unimpressive.
That was just what a novice saw though.
Every move Tre had made was calculated and precise; to the way he walked, to his stance he was now taking. Unknown to this young man.. he was facing a true master.
"Fine. Let us begin! Under the school's sanctioned dueling rules, under the pretense that both parties agree, there should be no problem."
***
Facing this eager person in front of him insisting for this battle of honor, Valhan slightly sweat at the young man's composure.
'He's still just standing there..'
Valhan didn't agree to this recklessly, of course. Almost everyone has heard by now; Guac, one of the most talented ki users, was bested. And by someone with no skill in ki, no less. This person, who was supposedly said they were a student, yet had no regard for the school's uniform which celebrates the dignity of this school and it's students.
'This person.. is no ordinary student. Since they haven't changed into the uniform, the professors must have a reason to not confront them about it. Is it out of respect.. or fear? They surely aren't of noble lineage, since even a baby has some sort of ki control. I mustn't underestimate them.. since just because I can't sense their ki, doesn't mean they lack control over it altogether.'
As if responding to the young man's thoughts, Tre announced the beginning of the duel, instantly striking an unusual pose. His left hand remained pointed upwards, but his palm faced the sky. His right hand still remained in his pocket.
Tre closed one eye, before riciting;
"Maximum ki technique: sword of light"
Under the pressure Tre was exuding, the young man paled, taking a step back.
'H-he can control ki afterall?! And what was that!? A maximum technique?? That's a level that rivals even the strongest knights of the country! How can he control his ki to such a degree!? I can't even feel the buildup of the ki..!'
Eirini's eyes widened at this move Tre was now preparing.
'A maximum technique!? Is this what Tre wanted to show me? He said he couldn't control his ki, yet he pulls out this? What am I even supposed to take away from this?!'
The crowd that gathered around the two young men engaging in this duel collectively stepped back, fear clearly displayed on their faces. They have never witnessed a maximum technique, and now.. here in this school, a student that was supposed to be on their level was now performing such a feat.
Leaning forward, Tre stepped towards the young man, who was now taking slight steps back in fear, his hands raised on level to his chin, trembling ever so slightly.
Tre tilted his body so that his right arm was now toward the young man.
"Maximum technique: cast."
At the sound of this, Tre's hand, which was firmly planted in his pocket, shot forward at the young man facing Tre. Golden specks of ki flew through the air, hitting the young man in the eyes, completely blinding him for a moment. The ki scattered in all directions upon leaving Tre's grasp, with some specks falling near the crowd.
The young man screamed as unbelievable pain filled his eyes, not ready for a maximum technique labelled as 'sword of light' to be such a move, easily slipping through his tight guard.
Eirini kneeled down toward some of the ki specs, and was surprisingly able to touch some of the ki.
Looking at it closely, it wasn't golden, but more of a brownish colour. It had a slightly rough texture, and the ki marked her hands as she touched it. Miniscule stones were within the ki.
'What strange ki.. it's almost as if someone had grabbed a handful of.. dirt..and..'
This thought froze her for a moment, as she finally realised.
The ki building up in his pocket, not being able to sense any ki, and a sudden maximum technique.. this was no technique, nor ki.
'Did he seriously just throw a handful of dirt at his opponent's eyes in a sacred duel!?'