As Diluc and Luna continued their sparring, the clashing of weapons rang out through the training hall. Diluc could feel the pressure of Luna's attacks, her sword movements swift and unpredictable. Despite her holding back, her skill was evident. Diluc struggled to find any openings, as Luna's blade danced through the air, mixing feints with precise strikes.
He tried to maintain his distance, relying on his spear to create space between them. His plan was to strike when he saw an opening, but Luna's unpredictable movements kept him on edge. Her reflexes were far superior to anyone he'd faced so far. Her swordsmanship carried a fluidity and grace that forced Diluc to stay on the defensive.
Each time he attempted an attack, Luna effortlessly dodged or parried. She wasn't fighting to overpower him, but her technique alone was enough to outclass him. Despite the disparity, Diluc didn't feel discouraged. Instead, he felt a burning determination to grow stronger. Luna wasn't humiliating him by holding back—she was giving him something to aspire to.
Just as Diluc was beginning to adapt to Luna's rhythm, a loud clash interrupted their match. The sound of metal on metal echoed from the third sparring arena, followed by a deep, authoritative voice.
It was Instructor Leon, standing between Peter and Euphemia, his blade raised to block Euphemia's attack. Euphemia, the cold and reserved girl with blonde hair, had been using Sword Aura—a technique that coated her blade in pure black ki, turning it into a deadly weapon capable of cutting through most defenses.
Leon's eyes glinted as he held back Euphemia's sword with ease. "There's no need to use your full power on someone weaker," he said, his tone sharp. "This is a sparring session, not a battlefield. Defeat your opponent with skill, not raw strength."
Euphemia remained silent, her face expressionless. She didn't even acknowledge Leon's words. Her sword remained coated in the dark aura, the intensity of her power still present.
Leon sighed, his voice turning colder. "Sparring is about learning. If you want to win, use your head, not your aura. There's no need to crush someone just because you can." His gaze hardened as he lowered his sword. "Next time, defeat them with technique, or you'll run into real trouble." His words were only meant for Euphemia, as a hint of his deeper, hidden persona leaked through.
Without waiting for a response, Leon stepped back and handed Euphemia a Restrictor Band. "One hundred laps around the academy grounds, no mana, no ki. Let's see if you can manage without your strength."
Euphemia didn't flinch. She took the band, fastening it around her wrist without a word, and began her punishment. As she moved toward the exit, her expression remained as cold and distant as ever. The other students watched in stunned silence, unsure how to react.
Diluc immediately moved toward Peter, concern on his face. "Peter, are you alright?" he asked, eyeing Euphemia's retreating figure. The force of her power had been evident, and the last thing Diluc wanted was for his friend to be hurt.
Peter waved him off with a weak smile, though he still looked shaken. "I'm fine, just wasn't expecting her to go all out like that. But no harm done."
Diluc's gaze hardened as he looked back toward where Euphemia had been. That girl...she didn't hold back at all. Who does that in a simple sparring session? His thoughts began to turn negative, his first impression of Euphemia now tainted by what he saw as reckless behavior. Someone that powerful, using such overwhelming force against someone not at her level—it rubbed him the wrong way. He clenched his fists, feeling a rising frustration toward her.
Before he could voice any more of his thoughts, Luna approached. She offered Peter a small, apologetic smile, trying to ease the tension. "I'm really sorry about Euphemia," she began softly. "She doesn't mean any harm, but... well, she's just not the type to hold back. I don't think she meant to overwhelm you like that."
Peter gave a short laugh, rubbing the back of his neck. "It's alright. I guess I just wasn't prepared."
Diluc stayed quiet, his eyes narrowing slightly as he processed what Luna said. He didn't understand how someone could spar like that without any consideration for their opponent. Still, seeing Peter brush it off helped him calm down slightly, though his opinion of Euphemia was far from positive.
Luna quickly changed the subject, sensing Diluc's discomfort. "You know, Euphemia doesn't usually spar with others. She tends to train alone or with very few people. I think she just doesn't know how to tone it down."
Diluc raised an eyebrow but said nothing, his thoughts still on the intense display of strength he had witnessed. Not know how to tone it down? He thought back to their own match, realizing that there were people in the academy who didn't view training the same way he did. For some, it was all or nothing. But for others like him, it was about learning and growing. His growing resolve to improve sparked again.
As the group watched Euphemia disappear from sight, Luna quickly added, "She won't apologize, but I'll do it on her behalf. I know her from some gatherings, and she's always been... distant." She sighed softly. "She's got her reasons, I'm sure."
Peter smiled, waving it off again. "Really, Luna, it's fine. But thanks for saying something."
Diluc still felt unsettled by the entire encounter, but he nodded in agreement with Peter. It was clear to him now that there were many strong and unpredictable individuals at the academy, and he had to be prepared for whatever might come his way.
With that, the students returned to their sparring, though the atmosphere in the training hall had shifted. The sparring matches continued, but the memory of Euphemia's overwhelming power and Leon's sharp rebuke lingered in everyone's minds.
As Diluc and Luna resumed their sparring, he couldn't shake the feeling of how small he seemed compared to someone like Euphemia. But instead of feeling intimidated, it only fueled his determination to keep pushing himself. He wasn't going to be left behind.
By the end of the class, the students were exhausted from the sparring and lessons. As they filed out of the training hall, Diluc glanced back at the now-empty arena where Euphemia had stood. Her cold demeanor intrigued him. There was something more to her than just raw power and an unfeeling exterior. He just didn't know what it was yet.
As they made their way toward the mess hall for lunch, Diluc, Peter, and Luna found themselves talking more casually, the earlier tension forgotten. Despite the intense training, the bonds between them had grown stronger.