“Professor Karlos' classes are very demanding. I believe he is not called a master spellblade for nothing. Surely his peculiar method of teaching is justified by the heights his prowess has attained. I have come to understand the pedagogic value of bone-breaking during his lessons. Still, I would not recommend it to everybody. Professor Karlos tends not to approve of the presence of weak-minded students in his training grounds, and his disapproval manifests itself through pedagogic bone-breaking. Like I said, his lessons are very demanding.

-Anonymous scribble found in the infirmary”

* * *

Jeremiah

Jeremiah awoke to the gentle sound of someone ruthlessly banging against his door. Jumping out of the bed with half closed eyes, he tried to make himself as presentable as he could in the generous thirty seconds he knew he had before the person banging on his door started to unhinge it with magic.

As he grumpily opened the door, he glared at the smiling handsome young man responsible for his wake.

“Why, if it isn't Darius. Who has taken it upon himself to wake me up just in time for... nothing, because it's my only day off in the week.”

“Bah ! Don't act like that, Jeremiah. Can I come in ?”

“It's not as if you'd listen to me, were I to say no because I wanted to go back to sleep. What time is it anyway ?” he asked as he motioned for him to enter.

Both were students living in the Academy's dormitory. As Darius sat on the only chair of the room, Jeremiah noticed the bandage on the finger of his left hand.

“It's not dawn yet.”

“What ?!” Jeremiah rushed to the window and opened the curtains. He groaned as he saw that it was still dark outside. “Ugh... What the hell, Darius ? I'm definitely kicking you out and going back to bed. Why are you even here ?”

“Now, now. Haven't you heard ?”

“Heard what ? What could I possibly have not heard at this hour, I wonder ?”

“Ah, of course, I forgot. I just had morning practise so you wouldn't know since you weren't there.”

“Morning practise you say. During night. That bald guy really works his students to the bone, eh ?” Smirking, Jeremiah pointed at Darius' broken finger. He was proud of his pun.“Courtesy of professor Karlos ?”

His friend shrugged and gave a wry smile as an answer.

“So, what did you caught wind of that required you barging in my room when I specifically told you I wished to sleep in today ?”

“You know that new guy, the young assistant of Anton Vardt, I think ? Turns out he's much more than he lets out.”

“What, Azcheron ? I think I have a friend who has classes with Vardt but I don't know much about him. Just that he's about the same age as us ?”

“That's the guy. Well, those are only rumours and you know how things easily get out of control here, but...”

“... But ?”

“People say that Roharl personally took him as his disciple !”

“Hmm. Eh ? Roharl ? The Roharl ?”

“The one and only. Apparently they had a duel and then even though Azcheron lost, the Dragon Slayer kept complimenting him and saying how he had natural talent for magic and fighting.”

Jeremiah didn't know what to say. The Dragon Slayer wasn't the kind type of teacher. Actually, the only professor harsher than Roharl was that evil bastard Karlos. Roharl didn't beat up his students but he was known to give them a mouthful for every little detail. Psychological beating was his specialty. For him to compliment someone, it must have been one damn of a fight.

“I almost believed you for a moment. These are only rumours, right ? No way Roharl would act so out of character.”

“I don't know. But don't you want to find out ? I think Vardt gives a engineering lesson in the morning so we might be able to catch his assistant before or after ? That's why I'm here, I guess.”

“Yeah, except the engineering class is in like four or five hours ! Now get the hell out of my room.”

Darius complied, while insisting. “Meet me in front of the lecture hall when the class ends, alright ?”

“Sure, fine, whatever. As long as I can finish my night,” Jeremiah said as his friend finally left.

He slammed to door and buried himself under the fur covers of his bed.

* * *

When Jeremiah arrived before the classroom to meet with his friend, he pursed his lips as he noticed they weren't the only ones waiting. Darius was accompanied with two people Jeremiah only knew from afar.

“Ah, you're here, good.” The handsome youth waved to him as he walk toward his group.

Darius' friends were also nobles whose names Jeremiah never bothered to remember. For convenience's sake, he called them Snobby and Fuzzy. He didn't particularly like them and they probably felt the same with him. To only thing they had in common was Darius' friendship, as strange as it was.

In any case, the merry band was complete, and professor Vardt's lesson would end soon. The band had rivals also waiting for the class to finish, and the three or four groups were eyeing each other as if a brawl was about to start.

When the engineering students finally exited the room in a torrent of bodies, one waiting group was washed away by the human tidal wave. It was almost noon after all, and everyone was getting hungry, hence the rushing out of the classroom.

Finally Anton Vardt and his assistant stepped out. They were discussing something about an ear-shaped artefact – Jeremiah was probably the only one to understand from the context, because he was studying runes and artefacts – and did not seem to pay attention to the three groups glaring at them. Or, could it be that they were deliberately ignoring that ?

They started to walk away and it did not look like they were going to stop and ask what the student wanted anytime soon.

Darius decided to follow them, Jeremiah and the others hurrying behind him. Another group did the same, while the third probably deemed the venture not worthy. It would soon be noon, after all. People were getting hungry.

After some time only Darius' group was left. The rival band had been lost around some corner, probably succumbing to the hunger. It would soon be noon, after all.

I'm really getting hungry. Damn you Darius, I hope this is worth my time.

Anton Vardt and Azcheron finally separated in front of a small garden, the old professor walking away while the assistant stood in the outside, seemingly waiting for something.

Darius approached him and was about to speak when Azcheron addressed him without even turning back.

“You are extremely persistent. Why are you following me ? Aren't you hungry ? It's almost noon, after all.”

Don't say it ! My hunger increases each time I think about it.

“Forgive my rudeness, assistant-professor. I am Darius Farril.” Azcheron raised an eyebrow hearing his name. “Would you mind if I asked you something ?”

“I can probably guess what this is about. I don't mind, ask away.”

“Is it true you became Roharl's disciple yesterday ?”

Azcheron tried to repress a surprised laugh.

“Heh, is this what they say now ?” He sighed. “It's not true.”

“But you did have a duel with him ?”

“It was merely a spar, and I lost. Will that be all ? I would like to have lunch, assisting Anton makes me very hungry to the point of it not being funny anymore.”

“A mere spar, you say...” Darius had a complicated expression. He looked like he was about to say something else when they were interrupted.

“Did you finally make new friends ?”

It was a tall red haired woman, in a knight's attire. She was smirking and despite her question, she clearly had an idea about what was actually happening.

“Thank the gods you're here. I was thinking you'd never arrive. Come, let us have lunch or I will have to murder and eat someone.”

“If I may request something of you, Azcheron !”

Everyone turned to Darius. Jeremiah was confused. He though the whole venture was all about asking Azcheron about the rumours, but Darius seemed extremely insistent. Even with his cheerful demeanour, which, Jeremiah knew, was hiding a very clever mind, he was acting in a strange manner.

He carried on. “I would like to have a duel, or a spar with you. Whichever you prefer, and whatever rules you choose, I'm fine with it.”

Eh ? What's up with this, suddenly ?

Snobby and Fuzzy seemed equally puzzled. This morning's excitement and curiosity seemed to be gone, there was now in Darius' voice and expression only determination and something else Jeremiah couldn't exactly describe. This was undoubtedly different from his usual personality.

“No,” Azcheron replied, looking at the handsome noble straight in the eyes. “I wish to have lunch. And I do not feel like sparring today. I am in a rather unforgiving mood. Something to do with being harassed with questions since I woke up. How the hell do rumours here spread so quickly in less than a day, I cannot fathom. What I know, is that if we fight, you might end up getting hurt or even dying. And I certainly don't want to deal with the consequences of what will probably be seen as me assaulting and killing an important noble's son.”

Jeremiah couldn't blame him. The Academy was a political arena and surely Azcheron had already gathered much attention, from both well and ill intentioned high-placed people. The smallest issue could be blown up to awfully dangerous proportions.

But Darius did not look like he would give up anytime soon, and as he insisted, the red haired woman interjected.

“I can spar with you if you want. I'll be a better match for you anyway. Isn't it fine like that ?”

“Oi, Erin. You will really end up killing him, I know you. You even look like you'll do it on purpose.”

“Well at least I have better chances at getting away with it. And I certainly don't mind bringing trouble to those bastards now that they know I'm here. It's my job anyway, right ? To deal with the nobles that come for your head,” she said playfully, though Jeremiah felt creeped out as he couldn't really say if she was joking or not.

Darius stared at the girl and seemed to have realized something. “Err, forgive me, but you seem familiar. May I ask for your full name ?”

“Erin Verald. Don't worry about holding back because of that name. There's no need for that.”

Eh ?! What is a Verald doing here ? Now this is getting either interesting or troublesome for all of us.

Darius looked like he exited his insisting trance and spoke with a more smiling tone. His usual charisma was back.

“Hehe... I don't know about this whole thing. I take your scars for proof that you're experienced, at least.” Both Azcheron and the Verald girl seemed surprised to hear reasonable words from Darius. “I would like to suggest something else if you are to be my opponent then.”

“Go on.”

“A spar with wooden swords. No magic, swordsmanship only. You would be giving me guidance, basically.”

“Ooh ?”

“What are you saying, Darius !”

“Have you no pride ?!”

Snobby and Fuzzy seemed discontent with Darius' request.

A spellblade thing, perhaps ? Something to do with pride and magic, that I can guess.

“I know what you're both thinking, but I think it's stupid to aim to become a spellblade when we don't even have that much experience with swordsmanship alone.” Darius then turned to the young lady. “So, what do you say, Erin Verald ?”

“I perfectly agree. Shall we go to the training grounds then ?”

As everyone started to walk toward the practise area, Jeremiah noticed the aura of doom coming from Azcheron. He must have been really hungry and displeased with this turn of event.

* * *

“So fill me in briefly, what have you been learning until now ?” Erin asked while picking up a wooden sword and walking in the muddy training ground.

Darius answered half-hesitantly. “Err, before coming here, duel etiquette and stances. Our teacher is currently making us do strength and stamina training.”

“Right, of course. So I guess I'll give you a few important lessons. Better learn those now than in the middle of a real fight.”

“Please.” The noble bowed, and Erin knitted her brows.

“Being hit to the head or torso makes for a loss. Ready when you are.”

“Yes. Azcheron, would you mind giving the signal ?” he asked the assistant-professor while taking a one-handed fencing stance. He did not look too hindered by his broken finger, seeing as his sword hand was unharmed.

Azcheron didn't seem to enjoy at all being treated as a referee when he should have been eating his lunch. “Let's make this quick. Start.”

As the signal was given, Erin threw her sword, aiming at Darius. He managed to block the spinning sword with his own weapon, only for his face to encounter Erin's fist. She had rushed toward her opponent as soon as her sword left her hand.

Darius fell on the muddy ground, a look of surprise on his face.

“Lesson one. Fighting with swords isn't only about swinging swords.”

Jeremiah could see the puzzled expression on Snobby and Fuzzy's faces. He didn't care enough for swords and spellblades and honour to find anything wrong with what Erin did or said. It sounded legit to him, even.

“Right, my loss. Once again, please,” he calmly said while touching his bruised jaw.

“Hm.”

They took their positions again. Azcheron gave the signal.

This time Darius prepared himself for an unexpected assault, but Erin just stood there. As he carefully approached, the female knight planted the tip of her sword in the ground, and suddenly raised it, throwing muddy snow and sand to Darius' face. It went into his eyes, and as he rubbed them and try to protect himself blindly, Erin struck him.

“Damn.”

“Lesson two. Forget about swordsmanship and etiquette. Use everything you can, from environment to psychological warfare, to win.”

“What !”

“That's dishonourable !”

Erin glared at Snobby and Fuzzy. “Right. Next, we'll have the third and final lesson, about honour. Take your stance.”

Darius complied, more careful than ever this time. Azcheron's frustrated frown was gone, he now wore an amused grin. He gave yet again the signal.

Erin started to walk around the small training arena, Darius mimicking her, keeping a relatively safe distance. She stopped at some point and stood still, like the previous time.

Darius, obviously not caring about winning and judging more important to see what was Erin's last lesson about, rushed forward to attack.

As he did, Erin stepped back, grabbed Snobby by the arm and used him as a shield.

“He.. Hey !”

Darius stopped and, confused, dropped his guard. Erin pushed the gesticulating and complaining Snobby toward Darius, and while he was busy catching his friend, she closed in on them and struck her opponent.

“That was the last lesson. Forget about honour, it'll get you or your friends killed.”

“What the hell was that all about ?” Snobby menacingly inquired.

“Knight my ass ! How did you even manage to graduate knight school with your petty tricks ?” Fuzzy added.

Why are you getting angry !? What she said makes sense. But even Darius looks like he didn't expect that. What are they teaching you in spellblade courses !

“Say whatever you want. You're aiming to become spellblades, right ? Do you believe bandits and beasts will wait for you to bow and state your name, title and whatnot, or nicely let you cast a spell ? They won't let you pick up your weapon if you lose it. They'll use trees and dirt and people to hinder you. And you'll have to do the same because when you're fighting against twenty guys at the same time you'll need all the help you can get. Or you can keep your honour and die with it. Actually, most of the time you should run if you can.”

“Are you talking from experience ?” Darius questioned.

“Yes,” she replied flatly.

“Heh. Professor Karlos would probably like you. I guess now I get why he keeps beating us while yelling that we're useless slobs only good to serve as cannon fodder...”

Azcheron stepped forward, and rose an eyebrow quizzically. “Aren't you guys supposed to learn those things in your lessons ? Even without being told that, is it not common sense ?”

Jeremiah couldn't agree more. Even he, who came to the Academy to study magical runes and archeology, knew that there was no honour in a death-match. Not that he had ever saw or been in one.

“Can't blame them. It's because of the Empire's ways that the nobility is so deeply rooted in misconceptions about everything. Most nobles that become knights or spellblades actually never come close to a real battle during their entire life. They do 'honourable duels' occasionally, at most.”

Darius concurred. “Well, that, and the fact that we, spellblade students, place far too much value and pride in being magic users ? That is why I asked a spar. Karlos won't even teach us these things, I guess he's the 'figure it out yourself' kind of guy, haha...”

“Bah ! If it's just fighting dirty, anyone can do that !” Fuzzy boasted arrogantly.

“And in a real fight there are some people who can use magic, and some who can't.” Snobby looked at Erin with mocking eyes. “Say, since you're as accustomed to the real world as you think you are, lady Verald, you wouldn't deem it unfair to fight me, a magic user, for example.”

Erin stared coldly at Snobby.

“You're right, that's how it goes. Does that mean you want to have a bout ? You're allowed to use magic if you want. Your friend can join too.”

Hm ? Can she really not use magic ?

“What... What are you getting excited for ! Fine, I... We'll show you.” Snobby glanced at Fuzzy, as if looking for his approval.

“Ah ? Err... I'll pass ?” he said with an awkward voice. Snobby made an annoyed face but seem to accept his decision.

“Since this is going to be a lesson about pride and humility, I won't hold back.” Erin looked at Darius to see if he was going to express some concerns.

“It's okay, we students of Karlos are used to bruises and broken bones.” He did have a tinge of worry in his voice, but it was clearly directed toward his friend.

Snobby didn't seem to be that much of an idiot as he prepared seriously for the spar. Stretching, checking both the arena and his weapon.

“I'll wait for the fight to start before enchanting my sword,” he said confidently, as it was supposed to be an 'enactment' of a real-life situation. Then why did he do all these preparations before, no one bothered to ask.

Erin sighted and nodded. Both looked at Azcheron, who gave the signal.

Immediately, Erin rushed forward while Snobby muttered something that made his wooden sword coated in a thin layer of mana.

He barely had the time to guard against a heavy overhead slash from Erin. There was a loud crack, and it took most people half a second to realize that Erin's sword had just broke against the now hard-as-steel enchanted wood.

However in that small window of time, Erin had apparently already understood what had occurred and was able to follow up. Using the momentum of her downward slash, she crouched low, supported her weight with one hand on the ground and kicked at Snobby in a strange spinning upward motion.

The kick hit Snobby's hand, pushing away his sword and making him lose his balance. Erin, still holding tightly the remaining half of her weapon, got up and promptly stabbed his defenceless arm with it.

The broken wooden sword was buried deep under the shoulder, and having probably crushed the bone inside, had left the arm bloody and dangling. How brutal could her strikes get ? Snobby, feeling the sudden surge of pain, fell on his knees, whimpering and not daring to touch his wound.

“See ? Sometimes magic and enchantments won't help you if you have nothing to back it up behind.”

“Wh-... How ? I barely had the time to figure out what happened !” Darius exclaimed, bewildered.

“Did you think I had never fought any spellblades ? I expected my sword to snap against the mana coating beforehand, so I devised several plans. I could have stabbed his leg or foot just after my weapon broke, or crushed his knee or groin instead of kicking his hand. Unless you've got amazing instincts and inhuman reflexes to act on it, you should always think up possibilities and prepare for them. It'll never be enough, but it helps.”

While Fuzzy attended to the injured Snobby, Darius pondered what he had just watched. He looked relieved and glad that Erin didn't deem necessary to teach him that way. Karlos' pedagogic method must have been hard enough like that. No need to have another lesson of the same kind.

After exchanging a few words, Erin and Azcheron said their goodbyes to Darius and left. They didn't pay mind to Jeremiah, seeing as he had not said a word from the beginning and they probably decided he was a loner unrelated to Darius. If they even noticed him.

Jeremiah suddenly remembered his hunger. It was past noon, after all.

He would eat, and then... Yes, go back to sleep. This whole mess had tired him.