Much needed reality check

When Ronan sat with Percy for dinner , his undivided attention was on the food he was eating. Having survived on the streets for a year , Ronan now understood the importance of the meal being served on his plate.

He thanked the gods and only focused on eating while eating , not paying attention to the politics that Percy was explaining to him.

Percy tried his best to tell Ronan about the various power-blocks within the academy and about the general rift between nobles and commoners , as well as how intense the house competition was inside the academy.

Ronan too observed this point , as every table he looked towards had the same colored robed kids sitting together in the mess. Rarely would people wearing a different colored robe be sitting on the same table , but even then it would be either because they were from the same year , or the same noble birth.

Percy explained " Listen to me well Ronan , we have a special position within this academy , although the academy does not distinguish between students , the students themselves do . Since we are the prince's of the country of Avalon , no matter how much the academy pushes for equality , in the eyes of the students we would always be special.

Soo never take sides in this academy little brother , never favour a faction and never discriminate . As once the Draco's start to do it , all hell will break loose? You understand? ".

Ronan slurped a noodle and smiled satisfyingly as he said " Why would i distinguish one weakling from another brother , you worry too much ".

Percy usually would let Ronan's arrogance slide , however he had a feeling that Ronan was developing a complex for weakness and weak people. Although Ronan did not distinguish people from noble birth or common birth , he had his own bias against society which was strength.

This was a huge problem that needed to be nipped in the bud . Percy realized that , hence he said " Look at that boy sitting over there at the corner Ronan , the one sitting alone and covered in bandages , what do you make of him ? ".

Ronan glanced over at that boy as he observed him for a while , the kid was covered in bandages inscripted with runes he did not have knowledge about as except for his eyes and mouth , every inch of his body was covered in the cloth.

The power level of the kid was only at level 11 , and he was of a frail frame overall. To Ronan the man did not look much , as he said " Not much , just another weakling , but boy o boy must he have suffered a nasty burn to be covered in soo many bandages eh? ".

Percy smiled at this response , as this was exactly what he was hoping for , as he said " Alright , then do you think that kid can injure you in battle? ".

Ronan looked interested now , as he seriously contemplated the question , as he said " Are you serious ? what's the catch , am i handicapped? ".

Percy shook his head and said " A fair fight , you can be you ".

Ronan laughed unconsciously " PFFT... , you can't be serious right big brother ? Him? ".

Percy looked at Ronan dead serious and replied " Yeah , him ".

Ronan knew this was no game anymore as he said " Alright , show me ".

Percy stood up from his dining area , as he walked over to the kid in the corner , as the kid looked visibly stupefied that the first prince of Avalon had came over to his table .

He looked flabbergasted by the looks of it , as he repeatedly tried to deny Percy of the proposal he was making , but in the end he had to accept it. As percy signalled Ronan to follow him to the outside.

Ronan was fired up , he had faith in his own fighting capabilities and was sure that nobody in his age-group could even come close to his combat prowess.

How could they? Ronan had underwent hell to be where he was today , with rigorous training and endless beatings. He had to be a notch above his peers after all that training , or what did he train for?

However , reality was to hit him hard in the face as in a isolated corner of the academy the bandaged kid and Percy waited for Ronan.

Percy looked around and found out that they were indeed alone , as he said " Ronan , this is my friend Zombie , he will be your opponent today "

Zombie looked visibly shaken as he said " H..hell..hello ppppprince , i will be under your care today ". , As he bowed to declare his intent for a spar.

Ronan looked coldly towards his opponent , as he did not reciprocate the bow but only took his battle stance.

Zombie looked towards Percy as if to ask , if he was sure that they should do this , as percy nodded in affirmation giving him the go signal.

Zombie then went onto unwrap the bandages covering his arms , as terribly burnt skin revealed itself from under those bandages. However Ronan also felt a sense of danger even standing 20 feet away from zombie as he could feel heat eminanting from those arms.

Percy declared " This is a first blood match , the first one to injure their opponent and draw blood will be the winner ! , Fight! ".

Ronan instantly charged in towards zombie , whose temperament changed the moment the fight began , taking an odd stance Ronan had never seen before he went on the defensive as he let Ronan strike him first.

Ronan tried to strike zombie in the face , but the latter blocked it with its arm , it was nothing much however their skins did come in contact with one another.

A searing pain shot through Ronan's arm , as he ignored it to continue with a roundhouse kick to finish zombie . However at that moment Percy loudly declared " And the winner is ZOMBIE ! ".

Ronan stopped his kick in his tracks as he glared at Percy in anger ... what did he mean by the winner is ZOMBIE?

It was then that Ronan looked towards his own arm that was burnt and bleeding as he looked shocked and horrified by this phenomenon.

When did he start bleeding , how did this even happen? All sorts of questions plaqued Ronan's mind as a chilling voice from Percy brought him back to reality.

Percy said " Too conceited brother , you are not as special as you think you are . Be more humble and LEARN TO RESPECT others , irrespective of their strengths. There is more to a man than just combat prowess. I hope you take today's LOSS positively ".

Saying so Percy turned to leave , as a shy zombie followed suit. Leaving Ronan Draco alone in a dark corner of the academy with a bleeding arm and a bruised pride.

This was a much needed reality check for the Second Prince of Avalon !