Chapter 40 - Spar

"What are you doing in 2 weeks?"

Ian put his hand on his mouth and thought for a moment before shaking his head and answering.

"Nothing."

"Then you should join me!"

She said to Ian before looking at the rest of us,

"You three should join as well! If you're not busy of course."

Huh? You never said what you're doing?

"Join you in what?"

Good question Taku.

"That's a secret!"

I don't think there's anything special happening in 2 weeks? Something personal then?

"I'm sorry, but I think I'll have to pass." Taku bowed his head; it was probably because he rejected the princess's invitation.

"Don't worry about it! It's nothing important." Kathryn affirmed that Taku had nothing to apologize for.

"What about you two? Leo, Rio?"

She then turned her head to us, awaiting our answers.

Well, to be honest, I could. I don't have anything planned in the future anyway. But I think I'll probably have to reject, I'd rather relax on the weekend.

It looked like Rio was waiting for my answer as well, he was staring at me.

I opened my mouth and began to speak.

"I'll-"

"If you play the piano and sing for us, I'll even pay you."

Kathryn cut me off and smiled.

"Where do we meet up?"

Did I just sell my voice again? I should really stop doing that. But I did want to get Rio and I a weapon at least, and I couldn't really make any money right now. I also didn't want to waste any points on a cheap weapon when I could just use those to make a custom weapon when I had enough.

"At the school's entrance gate, 2 P.M."

"We'll be there."

"You're going as well, right?" I looked over to Rio and asked.

Rio nodded his head and spoke,

"Yes!"

"Well, I'll see you three there! If you change your mind, let me know, Taku."

"Okay."

Taku nodded his head.

And with that, Kathryn waved us goodbye as she left. We all waved back as well.

I began to eat my food again.

Ah... My food got a little cold.

---

After that we all finished our food and waved each other goodbye, Rio and I went to the gym instead of back to the dorms even though it was late.

He said that Rio's a genius, right? I was curious as to what he meant, so I asked Rio for one spar.

We grabbed our weapons and took our stances.

"Here I come, Leo!"

Rio jolted towards me; he definitely was fast. His smaller frame probably helped him too. But for now, I was still faster.

He readied his weapon and tried to stab at my stomach.

A rapier can't slash, can it? I thought to myself as I stepped to the side dodging his pierce.

I was in the perfect position; he was overextended and couldn't stop himself from moving forward. My sword was already in a horizontal slashing position aimed towards his chest.

I won, right? Since these were wooden weapons, we could technically hit each other with them, but I didn't really want to hit him.

Rio smiled.

Huh? That look in his eye...

I immediately took a leap back, stopping my attack and barely dodging Rio's dagger.

When did he get that?

"You dodged that?"

Um? Barely... Truth be told, I could only notice that he had a trick up his sleeve because of the swordsmanship I use. I had to practice all sorts of tricks and learn how to conceal them, although I'm not the best at it, I was probably better than someone who hasn't learned anything.

"Here I come, again!"

He jolted towards me again.

He had a very quick first step; within a second he was already close to me.

Readying his rapier, he thrusted and tried to stab my stomach once again.

Instead of looking at the blade, I stared at his eyes. The eyes were the first way to trick someone, you could tell a lot from a person's eyes.

Fake...

Instead of a wide dodge, I stepped in barely avoiding his rapier. I went in on the outside of the hand which was holding the rapier.

I slashed towards his chest again.

He barely dodged it by a hair.

To be honest, I wanted to kick there... But I didn't want to hit him... This is tough...

Rio threw his dagger at me.

Huh? I was able to dodge it just by tilting my head.

In the next moment his rapier was thrown at me as well.

I dodged it as well.

He's throwing his weapons?

Suddenly, a sword like the one I was using slashed at my stomach.

I blocked it with my sword, I'd rather have dodged but it was too close.

Huh? He's using another weapon? I guess it fits his 'Weapon Master' talent. I just realized... What is he going to look like when he's carrying all of these weapons? That seems kind've awkward?

My thoughts were cut short as he continued his attacks.

Luckily, I was faster than him, so I was able to continuously just barely stay out of his range. He definitely was better than me at using weapons but as Taku said, he needed more experience. I had a lot of chances to kick him.

Wait, did he only use a rapier against Taku? Was he going all out against me?

Another dagger flew towards my head. When did he pick that up?

Shit, I have to be aggressive.

I stepped forward and rushed him.

I slashed at his right side and thought about kicking him before stopping myself.

He's looking. I thought to myself as I looked at his eyes.

Instead of completing the slash which he was in position to block I hit his chest with the hilt of the sword.

It caught Rio off-guard, he tried to leap back but I kept on him.

I went for a wide downward slash as he was leaning back.

His rapier was suddenly pointed at my chest.

Huh? You're attacking?

I stopped my attack and stepped to the side while putting my other foot behind his leg.

He fell back, his eyes met with my sword.

I had won.