Combat Practice

In the afternoon class, they went outside to the playground and there stood Sir Ernstine in the center of the big circle he drew.

He called the attention of his students and let them gather around the circle, making an announcement afterward. He was holding a wooden sword that he thrust to the ground and stood firmly.

"Everyone will have a sparring match for this afternoon against me. Everyone will train one by one with unarmed combat and basic sword combat.

"All must learn at least basic combat to strengthen the body and mind. By enhancing the body, you will have longer stamina and last longer in the battle. Now let's start! Who's gonna go first?" He said with an intimidating voice.

The students were silent and they were somewhat unconfident with their talent to land a hit to their teacher, how much more to defeat him.

"Okay if no one's gonna volunteer then I'm the one who's gonna choose. Lumiel Cryhearth, step forward!"

"Huh, me sir?" Lumiel pointed out himself and was dumbfounded. He was nervous about confronting an ex-captain but he has confidence in his abilities. The problem was, that he lacked actual battle experience because he didn't spar with his father for a long time, only training in seclusion.

Lumiel stepped forward and he was teased again by those three nobles.

"His affinity is for weaklings! He will be a thrash supporter until he dies," one of them said.

Lumiel was annoyed at what they said but his confidence didn't waver. Thus he was looking forward to the fight. Sir Einstein lifted the sword and threw it to Lumiel.

He draws his practice sword and then makes his fighting stance. Lumiel took the sword and then took his stance. This time, he will know how far his training will get him.

"Go, Lumiel! Show him what you've trained for!" Patrick shouted as he cheered on Rain.

"Lumiel, I'm rooting for you!" Stella added.

"Hey Holy support guy, don't forget to heal your face after you're beaten up. Hahahahahaha!" The three nobles booed at him.

Lumiel has one chance to prove that he was strong despite being a support, he wants to prove it to the ones who were looking down on him. But he thought that he did not need to win and stand out that much. He will only act mediocre.

"Okay, the first and only rule is to show me with all you've got and not to step out of the line. That's all for the instructions, now come at me!" Sir Ernstine instructed.

He watched Sir Ernstine with a murderous look and attacked. Lumiel sprinted to Sir Ernstine and then paused halfway to make a vertical slash. Their blades clashed with a bang as Sir Ernstine blocked it and made his sword slide instantly.

'Such a force from a kid! If I didn't Parry it at the last moment, my knees will bend because of the force,' Sir Ernstine said in his mind, feeling the excitement in ages.

After Sir Ernstine parried it, Lumiel turned and kicked him with a roundhouse kick. Sir Ernstine was thrown away for several steps. Lumiel then closed the distance and punched him in the stomach, but this time it did not affect him.

"Are you underestimating me?" His teacher said.

"No sir, it's just you're not attacking me," Lumiel said.

Sir Ernstine smiled while the audience was shocked at the moment.

"They're like on equal grounds!" Someone shouted.

Lumiel stepped back and he held his sword horizontally near his face.

He runs again a bit faster than before and slashes. But this time around, sir Ernstine evaded. Sir Ernstine slashed him from his back but he repelled it in the last moments. He slides it with a combination of a reverse sweep.

Sir Ernstine stumbled because of the force he applied in his last attack and it backlashed, making his momentum irreversible.

His body smashed the ground and Lumiel made an axe kick, he saw the incoming attack thus Sir Maldous dodged, making Lumiel's kick land on the ground.

He rolled and he stood up nimbly. Lumiel let out an uppercut but he received it with his hands gripping it with the whole force. Lumiel rotated upwards and kicked

Ernstine's chest to release him from his grip, making the two of them gain distance from each other. Lumiel executed a slanted slash but Sir Ernstine ducked and evaded, making a counter.

Sir Ernstine successfully landed a hit on Lumiel's stomach and Lumiel was knocked outside the line.

"You're out, loser!" said the one who was behind his back.

After Lumiel turned, one of the nobles called Peter, standing beside him was Alan who was also a cocky noble, and behind him was John.

Lumiel didn't mind them at first but now he remembered their faces. Rain stood up and bowed to Mister Ernstine and said, "Thank you for your guidance,"

"Look the loser is being thankful to the one who thrashed him!" Peter whispered to Alan but Lumiel heard it loud and clear. Lumiel then turned around and walked outside the crowd. Patrick then finds him and he sees him outside.

"You have improved greatly in these past few years! Who thought that you could stand against him for a minute!" Patrick said to him.

"No, it's not yet passable, I still need to have the actual battle experience," Lumiel said in disagreement.

"Wow, that was great! you made him push back!" Stella said joyfully.

"Do you know those other students are amazed by your performance? So cheer up a bit!" Stella said to him.

After a second, the second student Sir Ernstine dueled was thrown out of the ring.

"See! Told you!" Stella said as she pointed out the student.

"Well let me try out next" Patrick tried and then threw it out again in a minute, but he put out a fight. He was clashing with his sword and he was able to land a hit with Sir Ernstine. They continued clashing with their swords until Sir kicked him off guard and he was thrown outside.

"He's so strong! His attacks are heavier than I thought!" Patrick said in shock.

He cleaned his shirt full of dirt and they watched it again for Stella. Stella was knocked out easily because it's not her style to use swords but she displayed great hand-to-hand combat.

She landed several hits with her hands but Sir Ernstine had strong blows, making her hurt even though she blocked them.

The show did continue but they were thrashed easily by their teacher. The nobles were disappointed too but they were happy that Lumiel, the trash holy affinity guy lost too.

For them, he was a weakling who was considered as support because Holy Affinities were supporters in the beginning and had difficulty in progressing later on.

Little did they know the true capacity of his class because not many in history became a master except one, but he was rumored to die in battle after blocking the horde at Tirad pass by his team singlehandedly.

He was called General Frank Williams, the General who was called the Hero of the new generation. He was one of the reasons why their world survived. The general with only one team but was composed with the Legendary team members.

The class ended and the top students who excelled will have a high score in this subject. Lumiel was nervous but he knew it was not him. He crossed his arms and watched the sky thinking about what he would do next in the future.

"And the one who excelled is Patrick Wallace! Let's give a clap to our hands!" Sir Maldous gave his announcement.

Lumiel was silent because he failed to prove that he was strong enough to defeat his teacher, that he was just a normal kid like the others, he thought to himself. Lumiel was glad that he at least knew now the result of his training and his hard work.

"And for the other one who pushed me to this extent, I know that you will be great someday," Sir Maldous winked at Lumiel and he said, "You've impressed me,"

Without many words, he ended his speech and dismissed the class. The sparring made them injured and Lumiel cast [Heal] to Patrick and Stella. They were amazed that Holy magic could heal light wounds and bruises, even the pain was gone now.

Now Patrick realized that his friend was like a treasure at a party and said that he has to train more in his healing capabilities so that he can heal more people.

After the class, Lumiel went home and saw Hanna and

Patrick bonding together at the canteen with Stella. Lumiel didn't show up to them and he hurriedly went home.

Lumiel realized that his path would be hard to walk to but he recovered afterwards after Patrick encouraged him. He needs to be stronger fast. He jogged towards home and practiced his casting speed.

He arrived at the home and his casting speed was now faster. His throws were now more accurate and faster and his movement was now more nimble.

After his dagger throws practice he makes a wooden dummy and then practices sneaking in the forest, making surprise attacks like striking the head with a practice dagger.

He let out his attacks coming from the burden in his heart and poured out his feelings to every strike that came from his frustration that day.

After venting his frustration to the dummy, he went home and saw that his Uncle Mark and Isabella were talking.

"Mom let me help prepare dinner!" Lumiel said to his mom.

"Okay, son but change your sweaty shirt first," Lumiel went upstairs and changed his clothes and helped his mom prepare chicken adobo and he cooked rice after slicing the chicken.

His mom cooked it and they ate together. After the meal, Lumiel washed the dishes and took a toothbrush before going to bed.

After several days, his stat growth skill gave him several stat points. He immediately planned the next skills he would make. He continued for an entire night and he fell asleep afterwards without even knowing it.