No Hard and Fast Rules

"I'm done Professor Lavelda, can I go?"

Professor Lavelda narrowed her eyes at the concoction that Timothy had just finished. It glowed blue and shimmery, she glanced at Ellynn who had also completed her own mixture of the healing potion.

The boy managed to recreate it with minimal instruction but also by observation. That was somewhat impressive.

They paid close attention then.

Still, what exactly was the rush? He had just started his first day with classes and was eager to go out? She sighed and nodded, "Alright, those who are finished with their Healing Potions can go."

Timothy was out of the door before she knew it.

A few other students were also leaving, it was a bit of a shame but she couldn't just favor one. Now where would they go? Had they been that eager for lunch?

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There were quite a few things that Timothy bothered himself with—however one person seemed to include himself in that list.

Once he had finished his healing potion, he had a thought.

What if that idiot end up injuring himself? 

He doubted that Han managed to buy himself a weapon and although it was just [ Basic Physical Combat ] class, some level of dread crept the back of his head like an annoying buzz. He was going to get wrinkles while fussing over his fellow villager. 

"I might as well also get a glimpse in what they exactly learn there." He muttered to himself as he slung his bag over his shoulder, because there were other things he had to concern himself.

Timothy actually wanted to be a capable fighter.

Who'd want to keep relying on some reckless person like Han? He swung the door to the open courtyard.

He didn't even need to focus much as he immediately pinpointed the man's location. Across the multiple combatants on the grass, his gaze immediately found his idiotic companion that really was on the grass.

About ten meters away from him.

The ground was painted red.

Their blood.

"Do you give?" Han was caught in some tangled mess as they clung to one of the other's student leg. He was acting as if his stomach wasn't gaping open, "I mean do you give up—"

Nobody else was making a move to stop this?! Timothy fumbled for his bag and immediately reached for the small bottle of healing potion. 

The distance between them.

Swords and shields clattered in front of him.

No one in their right mind would run across the sea of weapon-equipped students hitting each other in the field.

Timothy grimaced at the idea that crossed his mind as he clutched the bottle in his palm, "If Han can do it, then so can I!"

The bottle flew across the air.

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.

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Now would have been a good time to gain a New [ Class ] or something, maybe a Vampire—

[ Shared Skill: Unerring Throw Used! ]

[ Companion Within Range ]

[ 90% Effective! ]

Han blinked at the flood of notifications that filled his screen. 

Crash.

Something shattered across his head.

"Ow!"

[ Minor Grade Healing Potion Used! ]

Liquid poured down his body as he felt a refreshing wave overcome him. His head cleared for a bit and his vision sharpened as his grip strengthened over Donovan's leg, "Do you give? Or I'll break your kneecaps?!"

Could you break kneecaps?

Han dimissed the thought as he bent the man's leg a little further. At the very least he sounded more threatening! 

He still felt queasy but after some more moments of writhing and trying to get himself free, the man groaned, "Fine! I'm not in the mood to battle an opponent who uses cheap tricks anyway."

Han raised a brow keeping the lockhold on Donovan's leg as he cast a look at Professor Uriel whose attention was back on them.

"Han is the winner." The swordsman finally announced.

He grinned and let Donovan's leg down as he managed to stand. The earth was unsteady and shaky—or maybe it was him. He massaged his forehead for a brief moment, until Donovan stood up and picked up his axe. His eyes lingered on the bloodied weapon before he mustered a grin, "Good fight."

Donovan rolled his eyes but held out a hand, "I suppose, I should have won if you only passed out."

Han clasped the man's hand and managed a smile, "I guess I got lucky."

Alright his fingers were getting crushed now—let go. He tried not to wince and hide his hand as Donovan finally let him free.

"You are lucky." Donovan wasn't exactly happy. "We don't use potions unless after the combat is over."

"I didn't exactly ask to be hit by a potion."

A sneer came from somewhere. One glance showed Timothy edge around the outskirts of the battle before he sauntered to them, "Don't be an idiot next time. You should be grateful that I was here."

Han managed a grin, "Ah so it was you, huh?"

Donovan glanced at Timothy and probably sized up his companion, "I guess in a battle, friends do come in handy but if we do fight again in a duel—don't do that again. I won't let you off next time." The man swiped the blood off his axe.

"So [ Skills ] are allowed in a duel but no potions? Who made those rules?" Han scratched his head.

"Well [ Skills ] are innate ability but not potions." Sir Leon de Harrington stepped into the impromptu discussion. "But that was a nice save, Timothy. Han could have visited the [ Healer ] but that was a good response."

Timothy simply crossed his arms, "You guys could have intervened if I weren't here."

"It is a duel, interference is usually disallowed." Sir Leon de Harrington explained with a wince. "There's no hard and fast rule but it's a practice among us to rely on one's strength alone."

A redhaired woman trailed after him, she looked like some swordswoman or a paladin. She placed a hand on her hip, "I am aware that [ Skills ] should also be used sparingly in our classes. We can't use them that often so it doesn't make sense to rely on them."

Donovan scratched his cheek.

"Lady Angelika, we must utilize our [ Skills ] when we can—although Donovan could have been a little nicer for our weaponless friend."

The axe wielder sighed, "I may have gotten carried away."

It was a little hard to trust their sincerity when their hands were stained with his blood. But he would let it go. "Nah, I'm good." Han waved a hand, "Nothing like a little blood to make things exciting, right?"

"Idiot." Timothy muttered again.

"Not a little blood," Lady Angelika's face scrunched up as she motioned to him, "You're kind of soaked in it and Healing Potions don't exactly replenish that."

Han tried not to laugh sheepishly as he scratched the healed part of his stomach, "I think I'm getting hungry."

"Losing that much made you famished?" Sir Leon de Harrington raised a brow, a bemused smile on his face. "I guess lunch is in order, shall the two of you join us?"