Lucas didn't know whether to laugh or cry. He had received an open challenge even before training started. He followed behind Sophia, carrying bags of food ingredients.
The first day of training focused on introducing the various programs available. Participants quickly learned that the training would largely be self-directed, with no fixed schedule. If someone wished to practice with a weapon, they could head to the Sword Arena. For those interested in horse riding, the Equestrian Centre was the place to go.
Similarly, everyone is free to pursue their interests at their own pace. The academy imposes no penalties for lack of progress, and students are encouraged to learn whatever they desire. While fighting is generally prohibited, open challenges are an exception. These challenges serve various purposes: honing skills, measuring progress, or settling disputes. Participants agree on the rules and stakes before the match, with an academy instructor overseeing the bout as a referee, ensuring the agreed-upon rules are followed.
Lucas spent the next week training intensively with Sophia, focusing primarily on hand-to-hand combat and occasionally practising with swords. After testing various weapons in the Sword Arena's armoury, he settled on a longsword, finding it more suited to his style than lances, daggers, or other options. Although the sword was heavier than he anticipated, Lucas was determined not to give up. By the end of the week, he could manage only a few swings before it slipped from his grasp—a significant improvement from his initial struggle to lift it at all.
This was a surprise for most, as many had started trying these swords from day one, but Lucas's improvement was most significant. The day of Ross's challenge came; words of it had spread among the freshmen and seniors alike. Seniors deemed it a kids' fight, but first-years were excited. One of the stadiums was booked for this challenge.
In the evening, people gathered in the arena to watch the first challenge of this year. Lucas stood on one end, and Ross stood on the other. Visually, Lucas was smaller and leaner than Ross. Sophia was standing with Lucas and Ross had a few of his group members with him. They had already agreed on the rules for this challenge. They will have physical combat without any weapons, and whoever is pushed out of the arena, loses consciousness, or accepts defeat fight will lose the challenge. The instructor had given them a few minutes to get prepared.
"So, are you ready?" Sophia asked Lucas.
"What do you think!" Lucas chided. Lucas was nervous and didn't like how Sophia had pulled him into her conflict. But their friendship has grown over time, and that's why he had reluctantly accepted the challenge.
"I think you will win." Sophia knew how irritated Lucas was with all the attention this challenge had garnered. She didn't want to irritate him more.
"Okay, calm yourself and give your all. Remember, I don't wish to tell him my name." Sophia wished him luck and moved back into the audience.
In this one week, Sophia told Lucas about her background. She was the granddaughter of one of the council members. Her parents had died when she was young in a fight with the vampires. Her grandfather was her only relative. He had the most authority in the Hunters' council and was also the oldest member of the council. She had used her identity as a council member's family to force any instructor who knew her name to not spread it. She only did to play with Ross, who was asking about her around the academy. This irritated him more. Lucas had found it amusing. He had no sympathy for bullies.
Lucas could see Lucas was raging across the arena. The instructor announced both of their names and announced the rules they had agreed on. Lucas and Ross entered the arena and stood a few steps apart. After announcing the rules, he whistled, marking the start of the challenge.
At the sound of the whistle, Ross charged at Lucas like a raging bull, his footsteps echoing throughout the arena. He swung a powerful fist at Lucas's head, but Lucas anticipated the attack and ducked just in time, feeling the rush of air as Ross's punch narrowly missed.
Unfazed by the miss, Ross quickly followed up with a fierce knee aimed at Lucas's ribs. Lucas twisted his body, blocking the strike with his elbow and countering with a quick punch to Ross's exposed side. The hit jolted Ross, but he barely reacted, his face twisting in anger as he launched another attack—a strong right hook.
Lucas leaned back, the punch brushing against his cheek, and used the momentum to pivot, delivering a sharp kick to Ross's knee. Ross grunted as his leg buckled slightly, but he quickly regained his balance and retaliated with a brutal elbow aimed at Lucas's head.
Lucas raised his arm just in time to block the elbow, but the force of the blow sent him stumbling backwards. Ross seized the opportunity, unleashing a relentless series of heavy punches and kicks, each one designed to overpower Lucas. He was like an unstoppable force—brutal yet strategic, each strike aimed at wearing Lucas down.
However, Lucas had trained with Sophia, who was stronger, faster, and more precise. He knew how to deal with overwhelming force. Staying light on his feet, he dodged Ross's attacks with careful precision. When Ross threw a fierce uppercut, Lucas sidestepped and countered with a quick punch to Ross's ribs, repeatedly targeting the same area with satisfying impact. Upon the repeated harassment by Lucas, Ross started getting more angry and fierce.
Ross grunted in pain, but his determination only grew stronger. He grabbed Lucas by the collar, lifting him off the ground and slamming him onto the arena floor. The impact knocked the breath out of Lucas, but he remained calm. Instead, he drove his knee sharply into Ross's stomach, causing Ross to gasp and loosen his grip just enough for Lucas to escape.
Lucas rolled away and sprang to his feet with practised agility. When Ross charged again, Lucas was prepared. As Ross swung a heavy fist, Lucas ducked low and swept Ross's legs out from under him. Ross hit the ground hard, and the wind knocked out of him.
Before Ross could recover, Lucas was on him, delivering a precise elbow strike to his ribs, followed by a rapid series of punches targeting the same spot. Ross attempted to block, but Lucas's strikes were too quick and accurate. Each hit drained more of Ross's strength, his once ferocious attacks becoming increasingly sluggish.
With a final, powerful kick to the side, Lucas sent Ross sprawling across the arena. Ross tried to get up, his body battered and bruised, but his legs failed him, and he collapsed to the ground, panting heavily and unable to continue. He gritted his teeth, but little he could do in his current state. His leg had given up, and Lucas was still standing in shape. Though Lucas was also injured, none of his injuries restrained his ability to fight.
"I admit defeat," Ross said in a strained voice.
People started cheering for Lucas. Sophia came down from the audience upon hearing Ross give up. The instructor announced Lucas as the winner. Many were surprised by the outcome, but they also cheered along with the others.
For Lucas, this fight showed his improvement because Ross was stronger than Wyatt, the one who fought him during selections for entrance into the Academy. Lucas had improved very much in his fights with Sophia.
"Not bad, you saved my name." Sophia patted on Lucas's shoulder.
"Hey! Watch out where you hit." Lucas contorted in pain. He had some injuries on his back.
"Sorry, I thought you were powerful with beating him to a pulp," Sophia said mockingly.
"What with this mocking tone? Remember, this was all because of you. You have to compensate me." Lucas retorted.
"So, what compensation do you want?" Sophia asked.
"Let's eat at the cafeteria, and you are paying," Lucas said.
"Fine, I will pay. The last thing I lack is money," she replied. And they left the arena.
While leaving and on their way to the cafeteria, many people came forward to congratulate Lucas. Stories about Lucas were already famous because of his age, but most people didn't give it much thought. But now, after the fight, people have realised his truth. His young age and his strength both were beyond what most people expected. This has increased his popularity among the first-year students. This has also induced discussions among seniors about him.
From the next day, he would receive greetings and a few uncomfortable stares wherever he went. It is reasonable for people to get jealous of someone they can't touch. Lucas was not only strong but also young by a large margin. When he went for training, people would gather around him to watch. His training speed was outstanding; he had increased the number of times he could swing the sword. His speed for dodging and attacking with bare fists has also increased.
On the tenth of the month, Bloodmoon Elara had brought Ivy to celebrate Lucas's birthday. Dashiell had again gone for some exploratory task. Ivy had carved a small wood sculpture for Lucas. Though the sculpture was not very refined, it was more beautiful for Lucas than any other gift. Elara gave him a gladius made of silver. Dashiell and she bought it from a craftsman in the middle city before he had left for his task. For Lucas, this was a perfect gift; he couldn't use the longsword because of its weight, but this sword just had the perfect weight for now. Sophia, who didn't know that it was Lucas's birthday, after learning first she kicked him, and later she treated them all for lunch.
Lucas had missed Elara and Ivy dearly. One of the reasons Lucas had treated Sophia more kindly was because of the similar fate of their parents.
Elara and Ivy left the academy in the evening. While leaving, Ivy was almost on the verge of crying, but she didn't let tears follow from her eyes. The same goes for Lucas; now that he has learned how it feels to live apart, his heart wants to follow them back. But he knew why he was at the Academy. He knew that Ivy was safe with Elara. He had time to work on himself to become strong enough to protect them. After they left, Sophia accompanied him for a walk through the academy.
Upon returning to their room, they found it blocked by two seniors, one boy and the other girl. They were not holding any weapons or dressed for a fight. Lucas and Sophia knew who they were. The boy was named Arthur, and the girl was named Dervia. They were the strongest among the students in our hostel. Lucas was puzzled by their presence. He wasn't afraid because they were easygoing and very friendly. They have also instructed him and Sophia during their training.
"Are you guys free for a talk?" Arthur asked them with a polite smile.