Part 16

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***

Firmly gripping the halberd's shaft, Guan Yu squinted his eyes, focusing on his opponent. Taking a step back, the boy missed Wen Chou's first lunge in front of him. Not wanting to attack his classmate's open side, he took another step to the side, breaking the distance. Taking advantage of the advantage in weapon length, Yu charged at his opponent, moving out of the line of each counter-strike.

This advantage was maintained until Chou was able to close in, engaging the orphan in a clinch. He would use his free hand to land punches to the body and head, then swiftly retreat backwards. Each boy had the upper hand at his own distance.

Lowering his sword, Chou exhaled tiredly and walked his gaze across the sand. Many footprints surrounded them on all sides, so it was necessary to tidy everything up if they wanted to continue to use the hall illegally.

-Let's start cleaning up slowly-.

Agreeing with his classmate's words, Yu stacked his halberd on the floor. Analysing the past battles, he came to a disappointing conclusion.

-We'll never get anywhere at this rate. We need to find a mentor to point out our mistakes and correct our movements.

-I agree,' Wen Chou quietly muttered and walked away towards a small back room where special rakes were stored.

Seeing his classmate's back, Yu hummed to himself. Every day, his mate was becoming calmer and calmer. The arrogant notes were gone from his voice, and when they came to the hall, he could be mistaken for a normal person. Frequent interactions with Uncle Padu in front of an outsider revealed his true character.

Pompous and fond of nattering, Wen Chou in reality was quiet and taciturn. During the entire fight, he could only say a few words, and all jokes disappeared as if at the wave of a hand. This kind of change in mood was disconcerting, but the orphan never dared to ask a question. Why pry into someone's soul, if Chou wants to tell him, he will tell him himself - these were the words he used to reassure himself every time.

Another half an hour was spent making the room look pristine. The smooth lines in the sand evoked a pleasant sense of harmony, each time the rake was swept, Yu liked to watch their chaotic marks disappear, leaving symmetrical patterns.

Returning to the warehouse to the charming Pad, they walked most of the way in silence. Already at the very door, Chou froze in front of the entrance with his arm outstretched. The boy's tense back and slumped shoulders spoke of some inner struggle. The two stood in silence for a few seconds before a classmate spoke up ahead of Guan Yu's questions.

-We can ask Uncle...

-What?

Turning around, Wen Chou put a condescendingly tired grimace on his face. Rolling his eyes and exhaling through his mouth so that he made a funny sound with his lips, the boy rested his back against the wall of the warehouse.

-To train us, dummy. Despite his size, Uncle Padou is a good warrior and mage.

-О!

Yuu tilted his head back and looked up at the clouds, but he held back his laughter as he imagined his mate's relative galloping across the field, scattering flames in all directions. At the same time, in the child's fantasy, the warehouse owner was actively devouring something from his pockets.

-Don't give me that look on your face. Don't underestimate him. If he agrees, you'll figure it out for yourself.

Slipping off the wall, Chou confidently headed for the door. Yanking the handle sharply and flying inside, the boy stomped angrily, alerting Pada of his arrival. Leaping out from behind a shelving unit littered with various junk, the boy's uncle headed towards them with a kind smile. In his hands was a tray with a tea set, which he placed on the shelves as he walked. It didn't escape Yui's eyes that Padou was doing so with squinted eyes, never taking his gaze off the guests.

The conversation with Padou and the request for help went much easier than the Ping apprentice had expected. He had thought that the man had a lot to do, or that he would refuse such events for other reasons, but the fat uncle easily agreed to everything. At the same time, he offered to bring weapons to the hall himself, so that the boys wouldn't be caught with things forbidden for their age.

After agreeing on a new class in a week, the two classmates headed back to the barracks. Walking side by side, they were like two opposites. The happy-go-lucky Guan Yu was flashing a smile that looked like it could reflect sunlight, while Wen Chou was pouting his lips, making faces and muttering nonsense to himself.

A few weeks later, another day at school did not herald any new developments until the morning assembly announced that all classes were cancelled. Excited to hear the news, the children could hardly keep themselves from active joy and questions. Standing in formation, they looked at the sighing headmaster with burning eyes. Huang Zhong fixed his funny hat and stood in front of the even rows of students.

-I repeat, all classes are cancelled. There will be a celebration in honour of the new Viceroy in the city today. He and the Honourable Tao Qian will arrive in a few hours, so you will all be sent home.

With his hands folded behind his back, he walked in front of the formation, looking into the eyes of his charges.

-You must be at the party! Dressed up and clean! Do you understand? Do not dishonour the honour of our school and make the best impression on the Viceroy and his entourage.

After picking out the main points from the long and tedious speech, most of the students stopped listening to the ranting headmaster. Huang Zhong could talk about nothing for hours, always reducing the conversation to his patron, Colonel Biao. Just now, Guan Yu heard the garrison commander's name, so he calmly sank into his thoughts. The main thing was not to fall asleep on the move and there would be no problems.

-That's right... Look how good it is. I'm telling you, all the girls are yours!

-Uncle, please stop it.

Embarrassed, Yu scratched the back of his head and gently moved his arms to keep the heavy outfit from coming apart at the seams. Accustomed to the elasticated uniform at school and spacious clothes in his normal life, it was hard for him to get used to this strange garment. The strict lines refused to bend, and the heavy fabric pulled at the floor, making his shoulders ache from the strain. The branded bandage on his forehead was left on the bedside table, and the good boots were replaced by light shoes that looked more like his uncle's night slippers. It seemed that if the boy made a single sudden movement, the whole structure would collapse.

Squeezing out a wooden smile, he jerked his thumbs out, looking at Uncle Ping.

-Agni, protect-.

With feigned disgust, the petty officer shrugged his shoulders and took a couple of steps back. His face contorted as if he had been forced to eat a couple of lemons, and his fingers were actively folded into the religious signs that Fire Monks use to ward off evil spirits.

-Eh...

Hanging his head, Yu felt a strong tension in his back. Instantly straightening up, the child decided not to risk testing the strength of the stitches. The most frustrating thing about this whole situation was that only students of the military school needed to wear such rubbish. Looking at the happy uncle, Yu wanted to strangle the man who was inspecting his festive attire while twirling around. Spacious dressing gowns of red looked more like a dressing gown or dressing gown, modest pieces of armour with distinctive insignia and a couple of symbolic decorations in the style of the Fire Country.

Compared to the boy, Petty Officer Ping looked like a rich bachelor or landowner who had come to the city for an occasion. As he moved calmly around the house, his uncle almost fluttered, while his pupil walked with jerky movements as if he had swallowed a stick.

-Uncle, didn't you have bigger outfits?

Puffing through clenched teeth, the boy breathed heavily through nostrils swollen with hatred of the garment. He was desperately short of air, so he saved his energy for everything else.

-You won't believe this, but I got it a size bigger. I thought it would give you more room. I'm afraid to imagine how the other kids feel.

A cry of despair went through Yu's mind. After thanking Agni and Elder Ping, he walked forward, stubbornly walking towards the stupid festival.

The crowd that had gathered in the streets of the city was impressive. Just about every resident of the city was here today, many soldiers and construction workers. Dressed in festive clothes, people content with their lives were enjoying a rare day of rest, for it wasn't just the schoolchildren who had a heavy schedule. Everyone living in Liping had months of work ahead of them, so this kind of event gave people a short break to start their work with renewed vigour.

Here and there, Guan Yu noticed other students from the school. It seemed like all the students were dressed in costumes made of wood. Dabbling with straight limbs, they resembled the toys that some craftsmen traded. The children of civilians and those who didn't want to join the army were running around, mocking the unfortunate students who couldn't even respond, knowing full well that running around in this miracle outfit would leave only rags on their bodies.

-Hello, Yu.

Frightened by the unfamiliar voice, the orphan nearly broke out into a panicked scream. Unable to move freely, his body attempted to react to the fear in another way, but the boy managed to hold back the urge. Turning around on the spot like a rogue doll, he caught a gruesome sight. Wen Chou was stuffed into a uniform that threatened to tear from any movement. The straps stretched to the limit and the tight fabric around his arms and legs made the garment look like an object of torture. With a ghastly smile like a master thug, Chou stood in front of his classmate with his lips slightly puckered. He breathed through his mouth quickly and frequently, trying not to move his chest as he sighed.

-Hello, Chou. You look gorgeous...

-Fuck you. You're no better.

With sad faces, the two children wanted to cry out of resentment and humiliation. The body, sore in many places, hinted that it needed rest and was not ready for such training. Unable to sit down, the two classmates stood still, looking at the satisfied faces of passers-by. Standing nearby, Chou's parents and Petty Officer Ping made light conversation, happy that the two children had become friends and were spending time together.

-I hate this, I'd rather they beat the crap out of each other in the gym.

-I agree, although now I'm so tired of this torture, I'd rather go to sleep

-That's true.

Talking about the injustice of fate, the two boys didn't notice two girls approaching them. Tiptoeing Wenling was already anticipating how she would ambush her mate, but when she got close to Yui, she couldn't help but let out a surprised sigh. Up until this point, the girl had been looking at the costumes of the other students through her fingers, trying to find a familiar face in the crowd. Now she looked around in shock, thanking her family for her origins. The children of noble families were allowed to wear their best outfits, so they were perfectly comfortable at the party.

Stepping around the boy in a circle, she ignored the greeting. Feeling the creepy fabric with her hands, the girl paid no attention to her friend's indignant exclamations and embarrassed squeaks, continuing to squeeze Guan Yu and wondering more and more.

-What are you putting on yourself? What is this horror? How could you even...

-As if I had a choice, Miss Wenling,' the boy snapped languidly, looking sadly into her eyes, causing a new feeling in his chest, 'do you know when it will be possible to leave this wonderful event?

Barely containing her laughter, she shook her head in a negative gesture. Covering the smile bursting on her face with the sleeve of her long dress, the girl took a couple of steps back, spinning on the spot.

-How do you like my outfit? Impressive?

The long hem of the light scarlet dress swept into the air. Connected to the sleeves, it gave the impression of a cloak or wings. The gold jewellery on her wrists gleamed in the glow of the torches and lanterns that hung over the heads of the townspeople. In the semi-darkness, the girl's eyes burned with cheerful golden lights, catching her gaze. Her long black hair was held back with a small barrette to keep it out of her face. Surrounding her on all sides, they created a striking contrast against her red clothing.

Feeling his friend's fierce whisper, Yu was able to shake off the obsession and make out Chou's voice.

-Wake up, Agni, damn you. Answer the question!

Before he could gather his thoughts, the boy saw his familiar approaching. A foxy smile threatened to tear his face, and her snide eyes burned through. Standing up in front of her classmates, she leaned slightly, letting the black waterfall flow down smoothly, drawing Yuu's attention once more.

-No need for words, I already know the answer.

Smiling contentedly, Wenling abruptly straightened up and dashed to the side. Chasing away the obsession, Guan Yu froze in place, not wanting to turn around, although even if he had the will, it is unlikely that he would have been able to quickly react to the girl's movement.

-What are you doing, you idiot? Have you had enough of life? Why did you mess with the Gunsun family?

After receiving a weak and ridiculous blow on the arm, the boy turned his attention to his mate.

-Who? You mean Wenling? She's not so bad for an aristo.

-Not so bad,' Yui mimicked Yui in a squeaky voice as the classmate got as close as his costume would allow, 'but her brother isn't. Do you want to be staked?

-What?

-Nothing, you stupid head. Gongsun Zan is the Iron Fist of the North! If you mess with his sister, he'll squeeze your--

-Ah, here we are!

Wenling's cheerful voice caught the attention of the two students. Trying to look innocent, the two boys began to gaze at the decorations of the city with interest, only returning their gaze to Wenling after a few seconds.

Watching these ridiculous manipulations, the girl raised an eyebrow sceptically, but did not comment in any way. Leaving all questions for later, Wenling pushed her friend forward.

Huddled and shy to look up, dressed in red robes with gold stripes, the little girl twisted her fingers into intricate shapes and shrugged her shoulders oddly.

-This is my friend, Sun Ren! -Sun Ren! Don't hurt her!

Completely ignoring Wen Chou's presence to the latter's delight, Wenling pushed her friend forward. Unlike her active classmate, the modest girl could barely mumble words. Her closed dress was tight on top and very puffy around her legs. Her brown hair reached her waist and seemed to have a life of its own.

Bowing her head, the girl, stammering and confusing her words, introduced herself.

-It's a pleasure to meet you, Wenling has told me a great deal about you.

At the last words, the quiet girl's mouth was shut with the small palm of a blushing Wenling. Smiling strainedly, she led her friend away.

-We'll be back again.