As the first class of the day ended, Ray and the other rankers walked together toward the academy's massive training hall. Ray naturally took the lead, with the rankers trailing behind him, a silent acknowledgment of his dominance. Zinni was absent, still recuperating from her internal injuries, while Lewis, ever the arrogant loner, chose to walk alone.
The group bantered along the way. Lily, always eager for excitement, broke the silence.
"I heard this year we're getting top-tier instructors, those who usually train fourth and fifth years. I can't wait for combat classes!" as she looked at Ray like a hungry tigress.
Henry, smirked and quipped,
"You mean to get beaten up by him?"
He nodded toward Ray, his tone teasing.
Lily didn't take it lightly. Without hesitation, she kicked him hard in the side, her strength enough to send most people to the infirmary. Henry staggered but recovered quickly, laughing despite the pain.
Arriving at the training hall, the group paused. The vast arena was empty except for them. They exchanged curious glances, wondering where their instructor might be. Suddenly, a deafening crash echoed through the hall as dust and debris scattered from the center. When the dust settled, a tall, imposing man stood there, exuding a powerful aura. The students fell silent, recognizing the infamous figure before them.
Peter Borris, a legendary weapon master, greeted them with a wide grin. Despite not reaching the rank of Saint, Peter's unparalleled mastery over every weapon imaginable and his unique trait, Power Surge, which allows him to fight evenly with those above him, made him a fearsome combatant. Moreover, his reputation as a mentor was unmatched; nearly every one of his disciples had ascended to the ranks of Saints.
"Nice to see some fresh faces!" he exclaimed, his voice filled with energy.
"I'm Peter Borris, your combat instructor. Whether you're a mage or a weapon user, you'll find my class useful, mages should always be ready for physical confrontations. Don't worry, your magic training will be handled separately by Miss Myra."
Peter's grin widened as he continued,
"Let's start with introductions. And what better way to introduce yourselves than with a little sparring? Each of you will face me, one-on-one. No energy usage, just raw, physical attacks. Show me your skills!"
The Sparring Began, The students lined up, and one by one, they stepped onto the sparring platform. Out of the 50 students in Class S, only 15 were mages, leaving the rest to demonstrate their weapon prowess. Most of them struggled to make an impression. Peter observed their techniques, offering short critiques but rarely showing interest.
Finally, it was the turn of the top rankers.
Xavier Livia, approached with a confident stride, wielding a new sword, as recommended by Ray after their previous encounter. He swung a clean, powerful downward slash. Peter blocked it with ease, though the impact made him nod in approval.
"You've changed your weapon, as far as I read you used to wield something like a rapier," Peter remarked.
"Good choice. Stick with this, your movements are sharper already." Xavier returned to his place, smiling faintly toward Ray.
Lewis Krios, stepped forward, his spear poised for a thrust. Peter sidestepped the attack effortlessly, deflecting the spear with a twist of his wrist before snatching it from Lewis's hands.
"Your grip is too rigid, and your movements lack fluidity," Peter commented bluntly. Embarrassed but silent, Lewis retreated.
It was now Lily's turn, she held a training sword and launched a swift side slash. Peter caught the blade with his bare hands, but Lily surprised him by leaping into the air and aiming a kick at his neck. Peter dodged gracefully, yet Lily adapted mid-air, dropping her sword momentarily to snatch it back in a reversed grip. She slashed at Peter's legs, landing a hit that barely budged him but drew a satisfied smile from the instructor.
"Excellent use of agility and presence of mind, Lily," Peter praised.
"But your strength needs improvement. Even though you are already strong enough regarding physical limits, You've got more potential, don't stop pushing."
When Clea's turn came, Peter chuckled,
"Oh, little Clea. Let's see how much you've grown."
Clea bowed respectfully before darting forward with a dagger in each hand. She weaved around Peter in a flurry of deceptive movements, aiming for openings that didn't exist. Her feints culminated in an unexpected attack: one dagger served as a distraction while the other struck his eyes. Peter caught the blade mere inches from his face, laughing heartily.
"Bold and cunning! You're improving, but you still have a lot to learn," he said, sending Clea back with a rare nod of approval.
Jack took his stance after Clea, drew a weapon that immediately intrigued Peter, a rare naginata. His movements were precise and fluid, showcasing techniques that were both unique and masterful. For the first time, Peter seemed genuinely excited.
"You're using techniques I haven't seen in years," he remarked.
"Impressive work. Keep honing your craft."
At last, it was Ray's turn. He stepped onto the platform without a weapon, raising his fists instead.
Peter arched an eyebrow.
"No sword? You prefer brawling?"
Ray nodded confidently.
"I like fighting with my fists more."
Peter's grin widened. As a fellow brawl enthusiast, he couldn't resist the challenge.
"Good, good! Let's see what you've got."
Lily and Katherine exchanged skeptical glances, muttering, "Idiot," and "Reckless Ray," simultaneously. But Ray's calm demeanor never wavered.
As the match began, the hall seemed to hold its breath.