Teachers Nightmare

Grim was dragging me by the collar, and I didn't want to go to class. But Grim replied firmly, "I don't care. You want to be stronger than Father, right?"

Leon remembered their encounter with their father, and determination surged within him. He got up off the ground and started walking with newfound purpose. Grim noticed the change in his demeanor and thought, "Well, that got his attention."

As Leon entered the classroom, he was abruptly smacked on the head with wind magic and a book. The wind enhanced the book's impact, and Leon couldn't help but yelp in pain. "Ow, ow, ow, ow," he muttered.

"Why would you do that, you old hag?" Leon grumbled, rubbing his head.

"What did you say to me, you little brat?" the teacher snapped, her fury evident.

Leon retorted, "I said stop that, you—" Before he could finish, there was a loud thump that echoed throughout the continent.

"Ouch, you dummy!" Leon continued his insults. "You want another one, you brat?"

The teacher finally gave up, instructing him to go to his seat. Leon responded defiantly, "You can't call me that. It's two of us, me and Grim, dummy. Just call me by my first name."

The teacher glanced at Grim and asked, "How are you, Mr. Kuriguri?"

"I'm okay, ma'am," Grim responded. "If your brother gives you any trouble, I'll handle him."

Leon shot daggers at Grim, but Grim simply turned his back, whistled, and waved his hand back and forth, ignoring Leon.

"Now, since everyone's here, my name is Ms. Mei," the teacher announced. "Do not call me by my last name, or you will be disciplined. I take it as disrespect. Understand, Leon?"

Leon, not one to back down, replied defiantly, "I know you by 'hag'."

The students had to restrain their furious teacher. She continued, "Now, class, we will talk about the student tournament. You will be in teams of two."

Leon and Grim fist-bumped in excitement.

The teacher explained, "It will be random. Whoever you fall into the cave with will be your partner."

"No!" Leon and Grim both looked dejected.

She went on, "This tournament will determine who is the most strategic. If you win, you'll have the chance to fight against teenagers from the Knights and Wizard Academy."

With everything on the line, the question remained: would Leon and Grim be able to win together, or were they fated to be rivals?