Group Training

A couple minutes passed and the four students had left the school premises. Even though, nobody had spoken about it, everyone had known where they were going. There was only one place where they could go.

—Kashlin Training Halls.

It was a renowned for students who wanted to engage in training in groups since it was by far one of the best methods for growth. After all, many of the best heroes often worked in groups. Including the #17 and #18 heroes who were an unstoppable duo that even the Thirds leaders struggled taking on.

"We've arrived."

A massive building bloomed in front of Archehon's eyes, surrounded by the spring trees, cherry blossoms to be precise. They entered by the glass door and there were already a couple of other groups. Some faces, recognizable.

"Hm?", the boy glanced over to the third year male with the unique red hair. It was Linda's step-brother, which was easy to dictate as it was a commonly known fact that at least forty percent of the third years left the academy for work experience at this time. Thus, making it easier to spot a third year and recognize them.

But with Archehon looking towards him, he naturally returned a glance. Rather, he saw the blue-eyed teen standing in his group. His eyes wandered to Linda which frustrated him even more.

Archehon slightly nudged Linda and whispered to her ear while leaning over in his usual attitude. "What's that red hair guy's name?"

"Oh, him? He's my step brother, Rins. Have you met him before?", Linda asked, this time with a little deviation from her usual pompous look.

"Yes, I think I have."

'So, his name is, Rinse, as in a dishwasher?', Archehon joked in his thoughts and snickered, while maintaining eye contact with Rins, so that only he could see his face.

'This bastard.. is he laughing at me? Why, is it because he's with Linda? Shit! I can't just challenge him to a one-on-one match when I'm two years older than him. What should I do..'

But then a thought appeared into his head and his eyes glistered.

'Oh, what am I thinking and panicking so much? I got the perfect pawn for this situation.', he turned to look at a green-haired boy, at the same age and year as Archehon.

"Hey, Petyr?", he acted kindly, unlike his previous showcases.

Petyr looked up at the third year, Rins, along with another two-second years and another third year. His demeanor wasn't cold but still looked serious, not too indifferently to Drifa.

"Yes?"

"I see that there are a couple of other fellow classmates from your year who are standing right there.", he pointed to Archehon's group. "Why don't you duel with them, seeing as how you have your Preliminary Hero Mission coming up soon?"

Petyr glanced at the group for a second, and looked at Xavier particularly well.

'He did well in the practical exam, didn't he? He was probably the only one in my batch that I saw doing well. So, it would be efficient if I were to gain experience through fighting him, in order to grow faster.'

He returned his head towards Rins and nodded.

Rins immediately after, began walking to the three first years and one second year. Once he arrived, his demeanor remained still.

"Hey, Linda. Do you mind if one of our own fights with someone from your group?", he smiled brightly, which honestly felt irritating to look at when knowing his true self.

"Hm, sure. I don't really care what goes on here anyways.", her tone also settled down.

"Great! Then, how about Petyr duels him?", he pointed the finger at Archehon.

Archehon smiled for a split second before replying.

"Sure."

However, he rested his elbow on Linda's shoulder whilst doing so and instead of her resisting, she looked away.

'This bastard.. he still hasn't learned his lesson.', his eyes twitched but decided to let go of the anger.

"Then, it's settled. Let's go book ourselves a hall."

After a few minutes of asking for a hall, and the duration of walking, everyone arrived.

The hall was massive and free. No academy student needed to pay as the halls were all outsourced by the academy's partners. It definitely fitted the nature of a school that upheld equality.

"Whoa..", Atif stared at the size. It was just as big as a regular middle-school physical education gym hall,

And this was only one of them. There were at least twenty other halls available at the same time.

"Okay then, Petyr.", Rins grabbed his shoulder and whispered into his ear. "I'll grant you a free Mana room that I have exclusivity to if you break one of his bones."

Petyr glared at Rins, as he coldly spoke. "Is that it?"

"Of course not.", he scoffed as he bent over. "These are lower-carnivore grade mana rooms, even the one that you receive from the Practice Hero Mission isn't anywhere near as good as it. It's environment is perfect for your spirits."

"Then, it's a deal."

Petyr walked off to the left side of the massive hall while Archehon stood opposite, on the right. The distance was at least 40m, and they weren't even standing up against the walls.

"Then, let the fight begin in..."

The other students, in total seven, spectating observed as Rins began announcing.

"3..2...1..."

Begin!

Swoosh!—

Archehon immediately tossed his body in perfect stance across the hall towards Petyr at an alarming pace.

'How is he so fast?', Petyr flinched as he was in the air.

"Wind Cluster.. Storm!"

SWOOOSHH!!!— 

Raging tornados using the spirits energy blasted towards him. The flurry of attacks were enough to suck a huge tree into pieces.

"I have to admit.. I definitely did underestimate you previously..", Archehon grinned.

The giant whirlwinds were very close to his body,

"But. You made a mistake underestimating me.", he cackled a little.

The so-called genius' eyes widened a little.

Crrvvvve!— 

The wind was simply carved like air by the spear.

And Archehon aimed his spear at his body until,

"Huh?"

Petyrs eyes widened even more at the sight of what he saw.

"Ahh! Oh no, it seems that I missed. How disappointing!"

The spears tip was inches away from his waist and Archehon fell to the ground.

"..."

Since the spectators visions were all blocked from the massive tornados, they couldn't see what was happened until Archehon sat on the floor and trembled.

He slowly stood up.

"I surrender.."

He began walking off with legs like noodles.

"The winner is.. Petyr!"

Archehon walked to his group and the three greeted him.

"How could you possibly lose? The match just begun."

"Yeah, Xavier's right. How is that possible?", Atif asked, surprised as well.

"Yeah, well my stamina's just like that. I barely passed the practical exam, you see."

"Barely passed?", Xavier raised his eyebrows but then turned away, remembering his attitude was similar to during the entrance exam. 'Is this another one of his tricks? I still do not understand why he's doing this.', he sighed.

"Okay, then. I guess we'll all leave, you four can all do your group training together.", Rins smiled and was about to leave until,

"Hold on.", Petyr spoke, leading everyone to halt.

"What is it?", Rins replied.

"I want to duel with him.", he pointed at Xavier.

"Okay, then you do that."

'Well, seeing how he clearly failed to do it, it must mean that the shitty time stealer down there is much stronger than expected. There's no point of staying here any longer.'

"I have some studying to do so you all can continue.", Rins said before leaving, with the three other seniors.

Once Rins had left the hall and begun walking with the others, he walked ahead to where his back was facing the rest. Nobody could see his expression but he was biting his nails. 'Genius all for nothing. He couldn't even break even a finger, or.. could Archehon be stronger than I anticipated and predicted my intentions?'

He thought deeply until his feet reached the outside of the buildings. 'Even so, it seems that relying on Petyr is not the right move.'

But as he was immersed in his thoughts, he felt a hand at the top of his back once before he turned around. Archehon was smirking at him while emitting the same bold aura.

'This cunning shit. He must've knew my intention from the very start.'

"What are you thinking so hard of?'

Rins replied to the break in silence with his surprisingly controlled words, where no negativity could be traced. "Nothing. Are you not going to watch the fight?"

Archehon shook his head with a frown. "Oh, definitely not. Why should I when it won't happen anyways..?"

"W-what?", Rins replied slightly startled.

"You heard me. Xavier will decline the fi- oh speak of the devil. There he is."

As Rins turned around, he was even more surprised to see Linda along with the other two walking in front. Her expression was not great as there was a scowl which reached his eyes directly.

"Linda-", he was about to step forward but she answered with turning her back to him with Xavier and Atif following.

"Well, that looks like my que to leave. See you, 'big brother'..", he smiled as he said the last phrase, obviously irritating him.

'Archehon.. he's not someone to be left as he is...', he was engrossed in his ideas.