The fight began with Elias charging at Rou, his stance solid and disciplined, a testament to his skill as a knight-in-training. Rou watched him approach, mildly impressed by Elias's determination and strength. His strikes were swift, controlled, and each one packed a decent punch—but nothing Rou couldn't handle.
Rou dodged effortlessly, sidestepping each of Elias's moves with a calm smile, almost as if he were humoring him.
Rou:
[Not bad, Elias. (I can see why you're great with the sworn in the game)… although, isn't this the same boy who runs screaming if a kitten crosses his path?]
Rou's words had their intended effect—Elias's face flushed with anger, his swings becoming more desperate as he tried to land a hit on Rou. But Rou only dodged faster, still wearing that infuriating grin.
Elias:
[How do you know that!?]
Rou:
[Come on, is that all you've got? I've had tougher fights with my own shadow.]
Elias's frustration was evident, but he gritted his teeth and charged again, giving it his all. Rou acknowledged his effort; Elias truly had the makings of a knight. But Rou already knew Elias's moves through and through. With a quick, decisive move, Rou sidestepped Elias's charge and then landed a blow to his abdomen, just enough to bring him down without making him unconscious.
Rou:
[Maybe next time, don't let yourself get distracted so easily. And keep an eye out for cats, just in case.]
The watching students gasped and murmured, a mix of guilt, disgust and shock. Elias, still on the ground, struggled to regain his composure, his face red with a blend of exhaustion, immense pain and indignation, while Rou chuckled, thoroughly amused by the outcome.
Rou's laughter echoed across the training grounds, his amusement undeniable as he watched Elias struggle to his feet. Oblivious to the disgusted stares from the crowd around him, Rou reveled in his own victory, clearly finding Elias's attempt amusing.
From a little ways off, Elise sighed, resting a hand on her forehead as she watched Rou's antics with a mix of resignation and exasperation.
Elise:
[Sigh... Leave him alone for five minutes, and he's already stirring up another commotion…]
Standing beside her, Amelia kept her gaze fixed on Rou, her eyes wide with admiration as she took in the fight's outcome.
Amelia:
[Wow… Rou really is strong, isn't he?]
Elise glanced at her, catching Amelia's awed expression. She raised an eyebrow, a slight smirk tugging at the corner of her mouth as she returned her gaze to Rou, who was still chuckling at the defeated Elias.
Elise:
[Yes… and entirely too pleased with himself, as usual.]
Rou's triumphant sinister laugh quickly transformed into a sheepish, "I'm sorry" as he once again found himself standing in front of Virel at the faculty office, explaining the situation. His hands were clasped in front of him as he tried his best to look remorseful, though the slight grin threatening at the corners of his mouth made his sincerity questionable.
Rou:
[Uhm… at least this time, it wasn't the crown prince.]
Virel's eyebrow twitched, clearly not impressed with his reasoning. Rou's attempt to soften the blow with a weak smile didn't seem to be working, and he shifted uncomfortably under the stern glare directed at him.
Virel:
[He's just eleven. Eleven. Eleven years old, just a kid] he muttered under his breath.
Rou, catching the teacher's internal struggle, kept his mouth shut for once, his poker face barely concealing his relief.
Virel finally let out a long sigh, not a single word came out of his mouth and waves his hand dismissively. Rou walked out of the faculty office, his earlier frustration fading as he felt the cool air against his face. His smirk returned, thinking he'd managed to escape Virel's wrath once again.
As he stepped into the classroom, his mind still replaying his encounter with Elias. He moved to his desk, grabbed his notebook, and noticed a folded piece of paper flutter to the ground.
Curious, he bent down to pick it up, unfolding it as he straightened. The paper was crisp and neatly written, the handwriting precise and elegant. As he read the message, a familiar sense of recognition crept over him:
Fountain courtyard. Now. Don't keep me waiting.
There was no signature, but Rou didn't need one. The overly formal tone, the perfectly balanced grammar—it practically shouted, "It's me, Elise." A small smile tugged at his lips.
Rou:
[Guess I better not keep her waiting, or she'll probably track me down,] he muttered, tucking the note into his pocket and heading toward the courtyard.
There, under the shade of an old oak tree, Elise waited, her arms crossed and her expression as sharp as ever. Her silver hair caught the sunlight, and though her posture was composed, the tightness in her jaw hinted at deeper frustration.
Elise:
[...You're late.]
Rou:
[Sorry... What do you need me for?]
Elise's gaze narrowed, her usual calm slipping for a brief moment to reveal genuine concern.
Elise:
[...There's something I need your help with.]
Rou arched an eyebrow. This wasn't like her. Elise Vandorea, the epitome of strength and independence, admitting she needed him? It felt… off.
Rou:
[...]
Elise:
[....There's a village under Vandorea territory, far from here. The branch family has been exploiting it—taking everything from the people and leaving them with nothing. It's… revolting.]
Rou:
(A village?...)
[And this is your problem because?]
Elise's fists tightened at her sides, her voice trembling slightly.
Elise:
[They're using my family's name to justify it. If I step in, it'll cause a rift with the branch family. But if I don't… those people will continue to suffer.]
Rou crossed his arms, trying to hide the flicker of concern he felt.
Rou:
[Okay, that's bad, sure. But why me? Aren't there… I don't know, actual knights or officials for this sort of thing?]
Elise shot him a sharp glare, her patience visibly wearing thin.
Elise:
[I don't trust anyone else. They'd just report it back to the Vandorea branch and cover it up. I need someone who can act without hesitation.]
Her tone softened slightly, and she looked directly into Rou's eyes.
Elise:
[And… I thought maybe you'd help me.]
Rou blinked, surprised by the earnestness in her voice. This was different from the Elise he'd seen in the game—this was someone willing to defy her family for what she believed was right.
Rou scratched the back of his neck, hesitating.
Rou:
[Sounds like a lot of drama, Elise...]
Elise's piercing glare cut through his sarcasm.
Elise:
[I'm serious, Rou. If you're not going to help me, just say so.]
The weight of her determination hung in the air. Rou sighed, knowing deep down he couldn't walk away from this.
Rou:
[Relax, Elise... I'll help.]
Elise's expression softened, a flicker of relief passing over her face before her usual confident mask returned.
Elise:
[Good. Meet me tonight near the academy gates. We'll discuss the plan there.]
Rou nodded, already running through possible outcomes in his head.
Rou:
(This day just keeps getting more interesting)