The training ground was buzzing with tension. Few students from both A and B classes had gathered, but all eyes were locked on Theodore. Among them, the B-class students glared daggers at him, still holding a grudge for the humiliation he inflicted during the hunting test.
Elisa, standing casually beside Theodore, couldn't hide her amusement. "Oh my, look at how everyone's staring at you, my prince. Like predators circling a helpless rabbit. Seems like the pain you caused them last time hasn't healed yet," she teased with a smirk.
Theodore shot her an annoyed glance. "Let them come if they have the guts. My hands are always ready to make a new example." He smiled coldly before continuing, "But this time, it's not just hands I'll break. Maybe I'll collect some heads for decoration."
Hearing his words, the B-class students flinched, their glares faltering as they nervously averted their eyes. Just as the tension seemed to die down, a loud voice cut through the crowd.
"Don't be cowards!" the voice yelled, its owner stepping forward confidently.
Theodore raised an eyebrow, glancing at the figure approaching him. It was a boy, strikingly beautiful with flowing blue hair that framed his delicate face and dark blue eyes. His long eyelashes gave him an almost ethereal appearance, making him look more like a girl than a boy.
The B-class students immediately rallied behind him.
"Yes, leader! Avenge us!"
"Show that weakling his place!"
"Break his arms!"
"Quiet!" the boy barked, silencing the crowd instantly. "I can't believe you're all trembling in fear over this weakling! A prince who was nothing more than Caden's plaything until recently."
Elisa let out a chuckle, clearly enjoying the drama. "Oh dear, my prince. Seems like the B-class has brought out their secret weapon. How will you handle this one?"
Theodore smirked. "Who's the kid?"
Elisa grinned, sensing Theodore's interest. "Kid? You're one to talk, prince. You're both ten. But that's Noah Morris, the eldest son of the Duke of the East. He's the golden boy of swordsmanship in our grade—awakened aura at five and already at the fourth star."
"Impressive," Theodore muttered. (A natural talent, unlike me. I've had to rely on the shadow book for everything. Still, I'm curious how far he can go.)
Elisa leaned closer, teasing, "What's this? Interested in him already?"
Theodore shrugged nonchalantly. "He's pretty. Looks like a girl."
The entire training ground fell silent. Everyone had heard him.
"Did… did he just call our leader pretty?" one B-class student whispered, dumbfounded.
Noah's face turned crimson, not from embarrassment but from sheer rage. "You dare?!" he pointed his wooden sword at Theodore.
Elisa burst out laughing. "Oh, this is gold! Did you really just call him pretty?!"
Noah stormed over to the weapons rack, grabbed another wooden sword, and hurled it toward Theodore with incredible speed. The air around it rippled as it cut through. Theodore, unfazed, effortlessly caught it mid-air, creating a small gust of wind that ruffled the leaves nearby. Elisa ducked behind him for cover.
Theodore inspected the wooden sword with mild interest before meeting Noah's furious gaze. "Is this how you say hello, Morris?"
Noah gritted his teeth, aura beginning to swirl faintly around him. "I challenge you, Prince Theodore! I'll teach you a lesson and reclaim the dignity of the B-class!"
The B-class students cheered wildly behind him.
"Yes, leader!"
"Show him who's boss!"
"Break his pride!"
Theodore smirked, spinning the wooden sword in his hand. "Alright, then. Let's see what you've got."
The two boys squared off, the air between them thick with anticipation. Noah was the first to move, charging with a burst of speed and aiming a powerful downward slash. Theodore blocked it easily, their swords clashing and sending a small shockwave across the ground.
Noah grinned. "Not bad, prince, but let's see how long you can keep up."
Theodore's smile widened. "Oh, I'm just getting started."
He moved, his speed increasing dramatically as he unleashed a flurry of attacks from different angles—slashes at Noah's shoulders, legs, and arms. Noah blocked them all, though each successive hit pushed him further back.
"Impressive defense," Theodore admitted. "But can you keep up with this?"
He pushed his speed even further, his movements becoming a blur. Noah's defenses began to falter, and small red marks appeared on his exposed skin where Theodore's strikes grazed him.
"Damn it," Noah muttered, his aura flaring as he dug his heels into the ground. Despite the pain, a smile spread across his face. "This… is fun!"
Theodore raised an eyebrow. "Fun? Tell me, Morris—are you a masochist?"
"Maybe."
"How tragic for your parents to find out their eldest son enjoys pain. A masochistic prodigy."
Noah faltered for just a second, the embarrassment breaking his focus. That was all Theodore needed.
He stopped mid-attack, stepping past Noah as though the duel was over. "You're not bad, Morris, but this match is done."
Noah was confused. "What are you talking about? I'm still—"
Suddenly, ten invisible slashes landed on Noah's body at once, sending a wave of pain coursing through him. Though there were no physical injuries, the pain was enough to make him collapse to the ground.
"What… was that?" Noah gasped, clutching his chest.
Theodore smirked. "A little technique I picked up from someone much more annoying than you."
Noah smiled weakly before fainting.
The B-class students erupted in panic. "He defeated the leader!"
"You monster!"
"Attack him together! He's exhausted!"
Theodore sighed as the remaining sixteen students charged at him with wooden swords. "You guys never learn, do you?"
He stood still, his aura surging as he released his sword intent. The air around him seemed to freeze as the world narrowed to a single point—his sword.
With one smooth movement, he unleashed the same technique he used on Noah.
The B-class students froze mid-charge, their wooden swords dropping as they clutched their heads in pain before collapsing one by one.
Elisa clapped slowly, her laughter ringing out. "Bravo, my prince. You've really outdone yourself. I didn't think you'd knock them all out without even moving an inch."
Theodore sighed, resting his sword on his shoulder. "They should've known better."
Suddenly, a booming voice interrupted. "What happened here?!"
Theodore turned to see Caden storming onto the training ground with a male instructor in tow. Both looked stunned at the scene before them—Noah unconscious, the B-class students groaning on the ground, and Theodore standing amidst the chaos, completely unbothered.
Caden's glare hardened as he marched forward. "You better have a good explanation for this."
Theodore sighed deeply. (This is going to be annoying.)