Sparring

"Has everyone chosen their classes?" Professor Ayla's voice echoed through the classroom. Her firm gaze landed on each student, silently ensuring that no one was left behind in the task. Once she was satisfied, she stood up and with a commanding gesture, pointed towards the door. "Excellent. Now, let's move to the training grounds. It's time for you to select a partner and demonstrate your abilities."

A wave of uncertainty washed over the room, quickly replaced by an excited murmur. The training grounds were renowned for their grueling intensity and the opportunity to spar with our fellow classmates was both nerve-wracking and thrilling. Ayla led the group out, her sharp eyes trained on the path ahead. Ugh, I feel bad for whoever spars with Isadora.

Once at the training grounds, Our professor stood there, arms folded, and began to speak, in her cold voice, "I am fully aware that not all of you are capable of combat, however, it is necessary for you to know how to defend yourself from attacks. Choose a partner and have a couple of spars with them. As for the swordsman, do not use aura to attack, you may use it for defense only. I will be watching from the sidelines. You can choose one of the wooden weapons or you may fight with bare hands."

I rolled my eyes at her words, turning to see Biana, her eyelids drooping in a semi-conscious state. I lightly flicked her forehead, harder than I had intended. She blinked awake with a startled "Ouch!" Her eyebrows furrowed, annoyance etched clearly on her face. "Hey Biana, we have to spar alright, don't go off sleeping midway," I explained, my voice barely masking my own annoyance.

She groaned theatrically, dragging her feet to the center of the training grounds. I decided on hand combat, realizing that Biana wasn't much of a fighter and a weapon might do more harm than good. Haha, She's more like me than I thought.

From beneath me, she let out a dramatic sigh, a playful smirk spreading on her face. "Oh nooo! V has me pinned down and I can't do anything~ I give up! Please show mercy!" Dammit I take that back, this lazy mf didn't even resist, shit, this moron is going to make us stay after class.

Rolling my eyes at her melodramatics, I couldn't help but chuckle. With a resigned sigh, I rolled off her, my gaze drifting back to find her already pulling out her pillow. I quickly snatched it away in a playful move, causing her head to thump against the ground.

"Hey!" she whined, squinting up at me, her eyes gleaming with indignation.

Before either of us could continue our antics, Professor Ayla's stern voice echoed across the training grounds. She approached us with a raised eyebrow. "Why are you both laying down on the ground?" She asked, her tone as icy as ever.

"We'd rather sleep than do this useless exercise," Biana retorted, her voice dripping with sarcasm. A sense of resignation washed over me. Trust Biana to sass the professor.

Ayla just sighed, clearly having expected that response from her. She turned her gaze towards me. Feeling her cold stare, I reluctantly hoisted myself into a sitting position, brushing off the dirt from my clothes. I pointed at the still-sprawled Biana, "Professor, I give up. This... thing," I tried to hide my amusement, "is unwilling to do anything."

Upon hearing my surrender, Professor Ayla simply instructed, "V, walk with me." With a glance at Biana's sprawled form, I couldn't help but sigh in annoyance. As I stood up, her laughter echoed behind me. "Look who's in trouble~" she sang. With a smirk, I grabbed her pillow again, causing her to squeal indignantly.

Ayla led me away from the group, taking me to a more secluded area where a few chairs were arranged under a shady tree. When she was satisfied no one else could hear, her strict exterior faded away, replaced by a slumped figure groaning about her job. "Ugh, I swear that girl Biana is going to drive me crazy," she moaned, rolling her eyes. "I already deal with difficult students, you know. But she frustrates me down to the core."

I could only nod in agreement, knowing all too well the frustration she was talking about.

Her gaze shifted back to me, her eyes suddenly sharp. "Did my father send you? Why does he always have to bother me, trying to marry me off to some random prince? I told him already I'm not going back" she huffed.

I froze, completely taken aback. The last thing I was expecting was to be accused of being an undercover agent. As the surprise washed over me, I managed to let out a small chuckle. "How did you know?" I asked, trying to play along, hoping that my confusion wasn't evident.

Her response was a snort. "How could I not? That spiritual pressure is off the charts. Wait, don't tell me you came here without knowing my strength? Is my stupid father still looking down on me?"

A barrage of questions exploded in my head. Spiritual pressure? I don't have that, at least not yet. Wait, don't tell me it's Ilka? Are you telling me her spiritual pressure is at full blast? Is she pissed off she's in the sword? Dammit, I should've been more careful, I forgot some people can feel her. Shit, now I have to act in front of her. Dammit, why does my life have to keep getting harder, fuck your system!

[I didn't do anything]

[stop complaining and blaming all your mistakes on me]

With my thoughts racing, I managed to keep my composure. "Well, you're wrong about one thing. I wasn't sent by your father. I'm merely on an assignment. While I'm here, I was asked to stay by your side and help you out a bit."

Her eyes widened at my words. "Really?! You're going to help me. Thank you, mother earth, maybe I'll finally have some time to sleep," she said, clasping her hands as if in prayer. I suppressed a laugh at her reaction.

"Hold on, don't get ahead of yourself," I interjected, seeing her relief. "I'll only slightly help you, like dealing with that lazy girl, I still have to deal with my issue at hand," I pointed back towards Biana, who was now trying to nap without her pillow, much to my amusement. Well, I better use this opportunity, at least now I won't be treated like a student.

Settling into one of the chairs, Ayla leaned back and cast a curious glance in my direction. "So, what kind of mission has you skulking around our academy?" she inquired, her tone casual, but her eyes sharp.

Rubbing the back of my neck, I sighed deeply, "It's such a pain. Some sort of cult is lurking around, according to my sources. They're after an artifact, and I have to deal with them unnoticed. What a hassle... I would rather be laying in bed, taking a nap," I confessed, unable to keep the frustration out of my voice. It's the truth I really want to just sleep around.

[You are just as lazy as Biana]

Her laughter rang out, echoing lightly across the secluded area. "Well, you certainly have your priorities sorted, I cant help but agree on that regard," she teased, a grin playing on her lips. It was surreal, seeing the usually stern professor in such a laid-back demeanor. Damn maybe this isn't so bad.

"You're a good actor, V," she continued after a moment, her tone laid back. "I would've fallen for it. You act extremely weak..."

Her words stung, even though they were not meant to. Dammit, why do you have to hit me where it hurts! I might not be powerful but if I really wanted to with my Baby and my sword I could beat the rest of the class!

[Look at you acting all high and mighty]

[If you put it like that, if they themselves used their resources available you wouldn't win in a fight against Isadora or Isabella]

Shut it you stupid thing, you think I don't know that. Ugh, I really shouldn't be getting mad, it's not like she's wrong, "We should head back before the other students get any unusual ideas"

I stood up from the chair, stretching slightly. The professor watched me for a moment before standing up herself, all signs of the laid-back demeanor she had displayed a moment ago completely wiped away.

"Right, let's get back," she said, a cold look in her eyes. I nodded, damn she is a true actress. With Ayla leading the way, we made our way back towards the training grounds.

I hesitated for a moment before falling on Biana. As expected, I found her sprawled out on the ground, her expression one of pure bliss as she snuggled into her pillow.

I couldn't help but groan, making my way over to her, I lifted her pillow, causing her to groan and blindly reach out for it. "How many pillows does this girl have?" I muttered, unable to hide my annoyance. This is the third one, is her dimensional bag full of pillows?

With the pillow in hand, I nudged her side with my foot. "You lazy bastard, I got yelled at because of you!"

Her eyes fluttered open at my words, a mischievous glint in them as she lazily looked up at me. She opened her mouth to reply, "Oh come on V, I'm sorry I really am, why don't you take a nap to forget about it" I don't know how long I'll last dealing with her. I better deal with Ilka right now and calm her down.