SAW 39 - Prelude to the festival(3)

After the spar between the second year of the nobles class, we just continued our activity as usual.

I had to ask instructor Alex to forgive me for forgetting the appointment that I agreed on though.

After our class is finished, we were told to gather by instructor Alex.

After everyone gathered together, he then started to talk.

"Alright everyone, the festival of the year is coming soon."

"Uwoooo!"

Noise erupted from my surrounding, seems like they're very excited.

"Quiet."

He shut everyone down by saying that, then continued.

"Some of you may already know, but for those who don't, here's what you can expect from the festival.

First, you'll be able to go out around the empire to have fun with your friend or do whatever you want as long as it's not creating trouble. There'll be guard stationed around the empire.

Second, there'll be a battle festival that'll be held inside the academy's fighting arena, and spectator from outside the academy will be allowed to come and watch the show.

Lastly, you don't have to wear your uniform until the festival is over."

On the first and second speech, no one said anything.

"YEAAAAHHHH."

But after he said that you don't need to wear uniform when the festival is going on, everyone erupted a cheers.

'How weird...'

After that, we then disperse with me going to the gym just as usual.

But this time, Kim Jaesuk is coming with me.

---

(After the physical fitness class ended, at a certain location)

"You're here..."

I just entered the room when someone greeted me.

"Did you wait for long?"

"I just arrived. How were they?"

"Not bad for a couple of kids..."

"They're not kids. They should be in their 20s."

"What!?"

I exclaimed in surprise.

"You're saying the hero candidate is over 20 years old?"

"The same goes for his friend."

"..."

I'm speechless at that, since both of them looks around 17 or 18 years old.

"Anyway... I didn't see much from the hero candidate since he didn't even used mana, but his friend is trash not worth mentioning."

"Are you sure?"

"Yep, his attack skill is sharp, but that's all there is to it. No technique, no control no shit... barely worth mentioning unlike what you told me."

"I guess I'm wrong them..."

After saying that, he held his chin for a while before continuing

"Then how about the festival?"

"Yeah, it's gonna be held just as usual. The arena match will be held in the afternoon peak."

"Then we'll execute the plan at that time. Have you prepared the bait, yet?"

Smirking, I nodded my head.

"Of course, rest assured, Argus."

I then turned around and started to walk away.

"Don't mess up, Joma."

He said that to my back, to which I only nodded.

---

At the gym, I did my daily exercise and Kim Jaesuk just followed along the whole session.

There were a lot of people as usual, and their attention were inside a protected space where a couple of girls are having a spar just as usual.

Princess Reyna and Cecilia.

They're currently sparring and it looks more interesting than the spar that happened earlier.

I then realised something, its the fact that Cecilia is wasn't in the group of the second year of the nobles class this morning.

'Does that mean she's a commoner? No way but she lives in the same room as the princess, is it because she's the caretaker? but there's also the fact that Frankwell liked her... there's no way that arrogant ikemen will took interest in a commoner...'

They then finished their spar just as we were finishing up our work out.

Just before we leave the gym, the princess called us out.

"Hey, you there!"

I guess it's because of reflex that we turned around even though we're not sure she's calling for us(?)

"Um, us?"

I asked while pointing at myself and Kim Jaesuk.

She then nodded her head.

"Yes, both of you. Would you like to have a spar with us?"

"Eh?"

Just after she said that, the surrounding broke up in uproar.

"Hey, the princess offered a spar toward a commoner..."

"No way, who are they?"

"Oi oi, he's the guy with dual S-ranked aptitudes..."

Feeling our surrounding started to whisper among themselves, I turned to look at Kim Jaesuk just at the same moment he turned to look at me.

He then nodded his head which express his agreement.

"Sure, but he'll be the one sparring against either one of you..."

I said that while pointing at Kim Jaesuk, which makes him shocked.

"Hey, you're not gonna spar as well?"

"No way man, I'm too tired today..."

After saying that, I pulled him into the spar area in the middle of the gym and pushed him inside the barrier.

"Good luck, my man."

"You..."

I then spectate from outside the barrier with Kim Jaesuk glaring at me.

"Pfft..."

I can't help but laugh at that.

"What are you laughing about?"

"Huh?"

I then heard a voice next to me, turns out it's Cecilia who suddenly appeared.

"Wai- what? When did you left the barrier?"

"When you were dragging your friend... anyway you're gonna fight me next."

"Can I refuse?"

"No..."

"Why?"

"Because you'll be joining the princess' faction, so I need to train you."

"That's not for sure though?"

"..."

She then stopped talking to me and just stare forward where the two people are currently standing against each other.

After picking up a sword each, they then started sparring without using mana.

I then asked Cecilia,

"What do you think?"

"About what?"

"Kim Jaesuk's swordsmanship..."

"It's decent."

"Only decent?"

"That's right... he's like, what... 21 years old? 22? at that age, there's better people out there..."

"I see... but what if I told you he's only been learning sword for few months at most?"

"What did you-"

She got surprised and was about to ask about it when there's a loud sounds coming from inside the barrier.

We both turned to look to see that they've started to use mana.

---

'She's strong...'

I thought inside my mind.

I've been doing my very best to push her back, but although it might seem like I'm currently doing that, she hasn't even broke a sweat yet.

I then decided to push her further by using mana.

Noticing that mana has started to pour out from my body, she then used hers as well.

"You're finally serious, huh?"

She asked.

"I've been doing my best since earlier..."

"Oh really."

After that, she started to go on the offensive instead of defending.

Her blow was so heavy that it took me all I had just to defend myself right now.

'Where did all her strength come from with that slender figure?'

She then attacked me quite hard that it pushed me back.

"Hey."

"?"

"Have you learnt any skills yet?"

"Skills?"

"I suppose not..."

Then we just continued to spar for a few minutes with me getting beaten until I finally decided to give in after she made me fall on my butt.

"Huff... you're merciless."

"That's not a good thing to say to a girls don't you think?"

"Hahaha."

After that, I asked as I was getting up.

"Which grade are you from?"

"I'm a third year."

"Are all third year this good?"

"Not really? I guess I'm quite a special case..."

"I see..."

Then I thanked her before walking outside the barrier.

---

"Hey, Jaesuk... how was it?"

I asked Kim Jaesuk who's walking toward my direction.

"She's very good... I can't even landed a proper hit."

"More like, you didn't even managed to hit her even once."

Cecilia next to me started to roast him, which he just laughed it off.

"Let's go, Alex..."

"Eh? Are we actually gonna do it?"

"Of course."

"No, I'm embarrassed to get beaten in front of so many people..."

"I won't beat you up... come."

We both then entered the barrier passing by the princess who smiled slightly upon seeing me.

"Have fun."

She said, then I thanked her.

Standing in front of each other after picking our weapon, we got ready to spar.

"Argh!"

We only clashed a few times before a groan started to come out of my mouth.

She then started beating me up.