The place Professor Alfred took us to turned out to be the same place that Callen and I had our spar. It was noticeably busier than before, with several enclosures in use. As our group approached, I felt a lot of eyes begin to focus on us. More specifically, Professor Alfred.
Among them, I felt a sharp gaze that was all too familiar.
"What are you doing here, Master Alfred?"
I was immediately reminded of Galliard's words, that Sera and I were fated to cross paths. It was a little too ridiculous to be a coincidence, but I can't think of any other explanation. This is the second time I've run into her here. Also, "Master Alfred"? What's their relationship?
"Oh? Now this is interesting," spoke Professor Alfred. "I didn't expect my most beloved disciple to be here.
His voice, dripping with sarcasm, caused Sera to scowl.
"Don't call me that. Answer the question."
"Seriously, maybe I should've taught you manners instead of swordsmanship. I'm heartbroken, you know?" He let out an exaggerated sigh. "I'm here to oversee a duel regarding a... minor dispute between two students."
She rolled her eyes. "Knowing you, you're just doing it to cause trouble..." Her voice trailed off as her eyes met mine.
"Don't say that," he laughed. "Really, this outcome is much better than Mr. Gray over here being held at the tip of a blade while unarmed and outnumbered."
She narrowed her eyes at me. "Do you like sticking your nose in danger?"
"It wasn't even my fault!" I immediately protested.
Professor Alfred glanced at the both of us. "Do you two know each... oh, so he's the one you mentioned?"
Sera nodded.
He smiled. "Really now? This match might be more interesting than I expected." He turned to Galen and his group. "Sorry to keep you waiting. Looks like we'll have an additional spectator with us."
"The revered adept of Viole Justiciary, Sera Adelmann, is it?" Galen extended a hand to her, with a surprisingly amiable expression on his face, one quite unlike the condescending and malicious glare he showed me.
"Yeah," she said, ignoring his gesture. He didn't seem all that offended, though. Maybe the Idriskans of today were docile towards those worthy of their respect. I'll have to look into that later, though I doubt he'll treat me the same way even if I beat him.
"Are you two familiar with the sparring rooms?"
"Of course," Galen responded snobbishly, while I nodded.
"Then, let's get on with it."
The professor led us into the enclosure, sealing the barrier shut behind us as we came in. "Since Ilyin is unarmed, I'll have to ask you to refrain from using a real sword, Mr. ash'Mursa. You'll be using a practice blade."
Galen scoffed. "The sword is not my expertise, but I don't need a real one to handle an izaan that doesn't know its place."
"Careful, Mr. ash'Mursa. Nineheart doesn't take well to Idriskan ideologies. Please keep them to yourself as much as possible, or at the very least prove yourself through strength. And on that matter, underestimating your opponent is the greatest sin of all."
The Idriskan nodded, but he didn't seem like he was listening at all. He caught the practice device that the professor tossed him and quickly tested it out.
The professor also gave me one. I assume he already knew that I used a sword based on whatever conversation he had with Sera.
"To your places," he spoke.
We positioned ourselves on opposite sides of the enclosure, with the professor leaning up against the barrier.
I eyed my opponent, trying my best to analyze what little information I could glean from his form. All I can tell from his stance is that he's using foreign swordsmanship. If I want to know more, I'll have to get in close and activate 'Hela's Authority'. However, after my one-sided defeat against Callen, I've learned not to underestimate my opponent no matter what weaknesses they show. It's one thing when it's monsters I know about, but it's another thing when I'm up against another person.
Unfortunately, that loss made me realize how weak I am. Even if I didn't acknowledge it, I ended up thinking I had a significant advantage over others because of 'Synchronization'. In the end, I'm still just a former college student who's slightly better at learning than others.
But that doesn't mean I plan on losing, especially not to this jackass.
I tugged the trigger on the practice device, causing a mana blade to shoot out from the top.
"I will now state the rules of the duel. You are not allowed to inflict lethal damage or use any attack that would cause long-term damage to the opponent—this is true for both weapon arts and arcana. The fight will end when one side can no longer fight, one side surrenders, or when the aforemention rule is violated. Is that clear?"
We both nodded, but of course, Galen had to say something as well.
"To make things fair for you, I won't use my izuna. The sword is merely a tool for my self-defense, but even my meager mastery of it is no doubt superior to yours."
"Is that so? Then, I'll let you have a redo after you whine about being handicapped."
He glared at me in anger. Before he could retort, Professor Alfred cut him off.
"Save the energy for the fight, guys. Don't disappoint the crowd."
Galen shut up, but I could hear everything he wanted to say from his expression alone.
The professor clapped his hands, signaling the start of the match. "Now... begin."
I quickly crossed the gap, using my speed to take the first swing. Our mana blades clashed, and I could get a slight grasp of how strong he was. I'm not sure if he's minimizing his power, but there wasn't much resistance in his defense.
I swung again, keeping up the offensive. He awkwardly deflected it, leaving multiple openings for me to strike. Just as I was about to take advantage of them, a sense of unease took over me, and I ended up pulling away to make distance.
This guy... he's trying to lure me in on purpose?
A very snake-like tactic. I expected nothing less from him. I heard too many alarm bells going on in my head when I was about to take the opportunity to strike.
I eyed him carefully, watching for his next move. He looked a bit unsettled, probably part of his act to make me let my guard down. Then, he swung his blade at me in a wide, predictable arc. With little effort, I parried it to the side and immediately followed up with an attack of my own.
However, I panicked, and my sword missed. I was afraid that he was trying to bait my counter to follow up with his own, but... he did nothing. At least, not at first. He started to press the offensive against me, but each and every strike seemed slow yet careless.
Am I being overly paranoid?
My mind was warning me about him, but my instincts were telling me to push forward, to end this match in one fell swoop. And the more I tapped into them, the more I could predict his movements, and the more I could see what gaps I can exploit.
It feels oddly familiar. In a moment, I went through my recent memories, trying to recall this familiar sensation.
The trial against Isana's clone, the haginn incident, and the fight with Callen.
There was something about this familiar instinct that only seemed to kick in whenever I got into an intense fight. Is it from 'Synchronization'?
I was so lost in thought that I failed to block one of Galen's strikes, resulting in a blow to my shoulder. The blunt edge sent a sharp pain through my upper body, but it was nowhere near enough to hinder me.
I'm still weak, that's for sure. In my short time at Nineheart, I've personally met three peers who far surpass my skills: Callen, Galliard, and Sera. No doubt that there are other Lionhearts who are equally as impressive. Because of Callen, I became too wary that everyone else is also strong.
Maybe this guy is hiding something. Maybe he isn't. Either way, it's ridiculous that I'm trying to utilize a skill that's not even in my repertoire. As if I can actually tell if he's trying to lure me in!
I gave up on thinking and tapped into my instincts. I let the familiar sensation of wielding a blade against another person spread throughout my body, correcting my posture and easing my movements. The world began to slow as Galen's blade came towards me.
In one motion, Galen was forced to his knees as he cried out in pain.