On to the the next phase of the Practical lesson was CQC—the last part of the test.
Before the matches began, we were obliged to first change clothes.
Well, school uniforms were not meant for combat after all, so it only makes sense. Although, it came up with magic resistant spell, they're not proper clothes for training. Thus, each of us that're present was given Gi; a uniform that's usually used when training martial arts.
It was pure white and untainted. It smelled new too. Good. I'm not that picky when it comes to clothes, but imagine wearing some smelly training apparel —I uh... yep, I'll absolutely hate that.
I always heard people back in Japan say that the pure white clothing signifies the pure hearts of the trainee and their will to train. It's a fine sentiment and I truly appreciate that. It was one of the most logical things Jin had said as well, after all. If ever he had said anything logical aside from that...
Actually, wearing Gi reminds me of my time while living with Reina and the Yamadas. We used to wear this uniform every day to train at one of their dojos.
I glanced at Reina and eventually, our eyes met. Though faintly, is that a smile?
I guess we both feel the same?
With everyone wearing Gi, the whole training hall was filled with nothing but white training uniforms and it was actually a wonderful sight. Miss Tokugawa (fantastic!) and Sofy also changed their clothes.
Whoa~ miss Tokugawa really tiered on another level, huh. Just look at those abundant mountains! They're spilling out—ouch!
I held my forehead. And when I look back to the source of the attack, Sofy was glaring daggers at me...
Sorry my little sister—those mountainous region were just too formidable to refuse.
Well, at least every boys agreed with me.
"With all the preparation done, we will now begin the official matches of the final test. I, Yamada Reina, will be your referee this time and miss Tokugawa will be the observing judge. Keep the rules in mind."
Reina stood between of me and Roderick. Then, obliging us to pay respect, we bowed to each other. Reina then put her hand between us and with a swift movement, she brought it down as if she was cutting the air.
"Begin!"
Roderick took his position by jumping back once. I actually thought that he's the type to rush his opponents by suddenly launching an attack on them. I'm surprised. Well, he made the right decision though, not just in this fight but as general rule of thumb; if you dived in onto an enemy that you don't know anything about or you had no prior information on them, then you're just asking for a knock out.
Roderick made his stance. He's a boxing type fighter, huh. That's quite obvious. With his fists closed, one was put to cover his face and another at his chest level. Orthodox. Attack and defense. Actually a good stance. But somehow, there's something on this stance that bothers me. Well, for now let's try responding for whatever to come.
I'm letting him take the first move so I'll go with self defense. I made a Jeet Kune Do stance. I relaxed my body and waited for him to come.
Then, when he was sure that I won't be initiating, Roderick stepped forward and launched a left jab followed by his right straight.
I dodged. He has a good speed and strength in it, too. But I fought with Jin during my time with the Yamadas as training, so Roderick seemed not too intimidating.
If I correctly guessed, the following two moves would be another left jab and finally a right hook. But it did not happen. Roderick raised his right knee for a kick as I was dodging his right straight.
A roundhouse? No, a feint.
Roderick cancelled his kick as if he was hopping then put his right foot swiftly to the ground and threw a backside kick. It was fast and rapid and there's no wasted movements.
Not bad. This guy's not just all talk. And his fighting style —it's a mixed martial art huh? Is it Bartitsu inspired?
But despite his good movements, I was able to block his kick by crossing my arms in front of my chest where the kick was directed.
"Not bad, trash. You blocked that, eh?"
"I've faced worse. So, you ain't that intimidating, Oi-boy."
"Is that so?!"
With a vein visible on his temple, Roderick attacked again. Wait, he changed his style again? Now he was using Jiu Jitsu. He was hunching and dived for a knock down, it was Brazilian instead of a Japanese style Jiu Jitsu!
He dived in for a tackle. Wait, Judo? Just how many styles is this guy gonna use in this match?
But, kiddo, you're underestimating my core strength. Who do you think I am?
He's my space but he was not able to make me bulge. Yet knowing this did not make him disheartened and went straight for another attack. This time he grabbed my colar for a throw.
You never learn, huh?
His hand on my colar and his back against my chest—he was seriously going for a throw. Honestly, by doing this—he's really going to be vulnerable. In this position I can freely grab his neck. Yep, let's go for a hold, then. A chokehold.
"Eh?"
As I was aiming for exactly that, I felt something odd from my foothold. There was a faint light emitting over the mat where which my feet were planted.
Magic?! But it was not coming from Roderick. It was not that bright, and it won't be noticed that easily—but for me this was a bad situation. Really bad!
There was a magic circle under the mat. A magic that makes the ground slippery. How can I tell? 'Cause right now I'm slipping because of it!
"Ugh!"
Ahh, it hurts. My back landed flat over the mattress as I was thrown with great strength. Damn, I let my guard down. Knowing that Reina was acting as the referee, I thought it would be safe even if I act this carefree.
I learned yet another important lesson.
Wait, did that Reina really missed that magic just now? I glanced at her—she just gave me a meaningful smile.
Tsk. She noticed and she did nothing about it…
When I look around, I can see the students murmuring but I ignored them. What I'm concerned with is Sofy's worried expression. So, I smiled to reassure her and stood back on my feet. I sweeped the dirt on my Gi.
"Point!"
Reina announced pointing on Roderick. So, she really won't care about that magic, eh? What, are you angry with me or something? Or you're just trying to get one on me?
"Learned your lesson now, trash? A lowlife like you won't stand a chance against me."
Roderick bragged, looking down his nose.
"That so? Just so you remember, I won against you on the last test. You got an amnesia?"
"Grr! You obsolete inferior ranked!"
I scanned the room and found his lackeys smiling sinisterly at each other. It was them, huh? What a bad hobby to have.
"Ah, man. You have a good fighting style. A highbrid of many types of martial art. But, I'm really disappointed."
He narrowed his sight and stared at me intently.
"What do you mean?"
"Man... That one really was slippery."
I said. Huh, here I was hoping that your not involved. But look at that malice on your face. Really—how disappointing.
"Oh, well. I'll just have to knock you off, then."
"What are you on? And what can you even do? Another point and this will be my win."
He's right. This match was a fix of three rounds. The first to reach two points will be the winner. The typical best of three.
"Well, I guess it's time to get serious." I cracked my neck in a stretch.
Reina once again put her hand in the middle of me and Roderick—and with a barely visible smile on her face, she said,
"Begin!"
Why does she look happy though?
As soon as Reina gave her signal, I rushed forward. I won't be playing defense this time. Faint magic circle appearing on the ground as I haste my steps towards Roderick.
Hey kids, this time that won't work; know some quotes that says 'same tricks won't work twice'?
I dodge about the magic circles, so I ended up zigzagging my way to my opponent who's also backing away in preparation to defend attack.
But as I reached a point where my attack would connect, I threw a low roundhouse—however it did not find its target; Roderick dodged it with a minimum movement. Not bad, Oi-boy!
However, my attack did not stop there, nor I did intent it to end. I used the momentum from my first kick and spun to throw another roundhouse kick—much higher than the first one.
Roderick's balance was thrown in a disarray and the kick grazed him on his temple. He stumbled backwards, but he did not fall. He held his ground.
"Not bad."
"…"
The ground lit up again. And so, to avoid slipping—or whatsoever would happen, I did a backflip.
My actions would seem odd to those clueless onlookers and it would seem that I was just making wasteful movements. It can't be helped. No one can blame them.
Roderick seemed to recover and his stance was more defensive than before. But somehow it looked sloppy this time. He grinned under his covers—then another magic circle appeared under my feet. Yet, before it could take its effect I dashed forward swiftly in a low angle and passed through Roderick's side. When he was in his surprised moment, I was already behind him. I sweep his foothold and rendered him off balance. Then as he was down, I took his backside while laying down on the mat and locked him in a chokehold which I failed to do earlier.
This time, I will never let this chance be a blunder.
When I look at the audiences, I can see the face of Roderick's lackeys distorting into something... Uh, undrawable? They must be really frustrated to be outwitted. I sneered at them. Taste them honey, kiddos.
Roderick was now unable to move, nor he will be able to get out of my hold. Then while being in such a position, I whispered to his ears.
"You are a good fighter, so why resort to such petty tricks?"
He gave me a surprised look from that question. I see. You really disappointed me, dude.
"Your lackey's using magic to interrupt in our match. And here I was hoping you're not involved. What a mess you are."
At first his eyes widened as if he couldn't believe what he just heard. That I held expectations from him—I actually don't. But right now it seemed convenient, so why not use it?
Then somehow, in an unexplainable expression, he tapped my arms that was locking his neck. Actually, my hold ain't that strong. I put only minimum force to it. It is so, I can see how he would react and confirm if he or he's not involved in the magic thing. After I lessened my hold more, Roderick uttered,
"I... give up."
"Winner by making the opponent forfeit!" Gleren Stasis of class 1-1!"
As sooner as he admitted defeat, Reina announced it loudly. And then, while at it, Roderick raised his hand.
"I have a confession."
Reina shifted her gaze from miss Tokugawa to Roderick.
"What is it?"
She asked curtly.
"I used magic in this match. I humbly apologize for my actions and I am willing to take all the punishments. I'm sorry."
"Wha—Sir Roderick!"
"No, that's not true, It was—"
"Silence! You are not included in this talk. So, step out of it!"
When the other accosters tried to confess, Roderick shut them down with a loud voice. Is he going to take the responsibility instead of them? Wow, he has a good sense of leadership, eh? And his goons might have did all these in loyalty of him. What a heartwarming friendship. I don't have anything like that.
But well, I can't help to find a motive behind these acts.
"Humo. I see."
Reina nodded in affirmation. This girl really sucks in acting. She's moving awkwardly scripted. She already knew about the magic stuffs from the very beginning, and yet look at her.
"The opponent admitted the use of magic and he was still defeated. As his opponent, what do you want us to do?"
Reina turned to me. This girl just don't want to have other things to do, so she was turning to me to deal with this mess. She's being lazy for the weirdest things.
"I don't care. But I think he needs a lesson learn. If not, he may try this again."
Reina smiled impishly.
"I see. So, what do you suggest him do as his opponent?"
"Hmm… let's see. Oh, I know. He must be in charge of cleaning all the males' toilet all around the campus. For a whole week."
Roderick as well as his lackeys went wide-eyed for a second and one of them tried to refute.
"That's not right! That's too much!"
He shouted, only to be shut down by Reina.
"Silence! Don't you know that using magic while it is not allowed is prohibited and against the rules? Do you know that the official punishment for this is expulsion and sealing of ability? Now, do you have any more complaints?"
The boy fell into silence. Well, if it were me being talked like that by Reina, I would have run away instead of just not saying anything.
"Now, now. I don't really care if he asks for a help or two in this punishment, as long as he does it."
All his goons were surprised. I guess, they got what I meant? Well, it's up to them to do it or not; help Roderick or be an ass.
Eitherway, you won't get out of this freely, all of you~.
But before that, there's something that I really want this Oi-boy do.
"Before we forget, there's something I want you to do in respect for our duel. What, don't tell me you forgot about it?"
"No! I will never disgrace the vow of a duel. It will sully my family name." he emphasized and glanced at Elisha.
Yeah, yeah. You nobles are shitty and troublesome. Get it.
"So, what should I do? Strip naked and walk around the campus?"
"You idiot! I don't want Sofy and Varvara to see that nasty body of yours! Fool, stupid!"
It angers me how easily this moron could spout such... idiotic things! Ah, Reina's staring daggers at me…
"So, what is it that you want me do?"
This idiot's rather meek this time. Or is it his pride as a noble that's talking? Or is there any hidden agenda? Sounds troublesome to me.
"You remembered Varvara—miss Gauthier, right? The girl whom you pushed down on our first day of school."
He looked at me and Varvara in turn. He nodded slightly.
"All I want you to do is apologize to her. Sincerely this time. What you did was wrong yet you didn't even apologize. Is that a way a noble should act?"
Actually, I don't know a thing about noble etiquettes, but since it sounds convenient why not use it against this fool.
"Yes. You're right. If this is the price and if doing this would avoid sullying the name of my family, then so be it."
This idiot's being sentimental all of the sudden. Wait... is he really this compliant?
He walked towards Varvara and when he reached where she was, he kneeled with one knee bended. It was like how the golem did when it was tamed by Varvara. Varvara's really surprised by his actions, though.
"Miss Gauthier, I humbly apologize for my conduct that time. I was made to realize that what I did was wrong. I will try my best to change my ways. I can tell that the way I do things now would only bring shame to my family. So, as a vow for my apology, I will strive to be a better person."
Ohh, that's a nice speech if you heard one. Varvara just nodded to him and hid behind Elisha. 'twas really cute. Then, not being satisfied. He faced Elisha.
"I also must apologize to you, Lady Elisha. I was told to build connection with you; thus, I was being forceful. But now I realized it. I can never win your heart."
He took a glimpse of me, then said,
"That guy, he is your lover, yes? I knew it was that person who've won Lady Elisha's heart. And so, I have n—bugughhh!!!!??"
Before he could even finish his sentence, two fists landed magnificently on his face, throwing him far with the brute force.
"He's not!!!"
It was Varvara and Elisha in perfect sync both faces red as a boiled crab.
Why angered much?! It was just a tease! Have more compassion for the boy!
I get Elisha's anger but why was Varvara furious as well? That thought slid away as even if I tried to ask, she would just avert her eyes skillfully.
Wow...
After that, the test progressed smoothly and ended without any more anomaly.
Well, Varvara and Elisha were banned for taking the test though, after knocking Roderick completely unconscious, that is.
***
Later that day—Voices can be heared from one of the male toilets.
"Sir Roderick. Why did you owned the offense we've done alone? If you could just let us take the blame then—"
"Fool!" Roderick said, "it was all according to my great plan. What do you think will happen if I denied the accusations? It will only look that I was escaping from the responsibility."
"Well... Yes, most likely it would be the result."
"But what do you think will occur if I acted meek and compliant?"
"Ahh!"
"Yes. They will lower their guard towards me and think of me as someone who act with honor. They will think of me as someone who had changed his ways! With this, I can finally get close to Elisha! Kakakakka!"
"What a brilliant plan, sir Roderick! As expected of the heir of Dragnet!"
"Indeed it was impressive sir!"
"Yes! Truly, sir. Well... Except we have to clean the toilets for week straight..."
"..."
"..."
"..."
"..."
The voices went silent.