Chapter 44

The rest of the week followed a similar schedule as the first day had. Nick would spend an hour training with the other first years, led by Naomi. He struggled to not show his feelings for Naomi during that training, but she would always make his nights worth the secrecy. Then he would attend a first year specific class with others, chat with Becca a little, before heading to lunch. After eating with Keith and the others, weapons training, followed by sessions with Alana. Scatterball was after, and he was really enjoying practices, using the time to talk with Tiffany and the other first years more. That is, everyone except for Trent. That specific first year still had it out for Nick, and because of that, he was the opponent Nick was staring down during their first sparring session during weapons training.

“The rules are simple.” Jared stood between the two. Each was armed with a practice sword, drawing in their physical powers to level five. The limiter on the swords was still active, and Nick had seen too many times during the week the painful shocks that occurred if you slipped and pulled in too much. Thankfully, Alanna’s training had helped improve his concentration and control over the past week.

“You will face off against each other. Anything goes, the match stops when one of you can no longer fight.” Trent grinned at this statement, and Nick could only imagine what he thought he was going to do to Nick.

“Keith’s not here to save you Nick. I’m going to show you just how weak you are.” Trent’s eyes were wild. What had Nick done to draw so much anger from him?

“The last time we had a chance to fight, you ran like a coward and let Rasha fight the battle for you.” Trent’s face flashed with anger at Nick’s comment, and he couldn’t help but smile. The other first years were crowded around, watching eagerly, waiting for Jared to start the fight. It was almost like the proving. However, this time, Nick knew he had at least a few first years rooting for him.

“Are you both ready?” Jared waited for nods from both Trent and Nick, before he stepped out of the ring. “Then, begin!”

Trent lunged at Nick, and he pushed the incoming sword aside with his blade. The past week Jared had drilled these movements into the first years. When it came to the basics of swordsmanship, Trent and Nick were indeed on an equal level.

“That all you got?” Nick swung at Trent’s side, and the first year skillfully moved his sword to block, though the weight of the blow pushed him to the side. He caught himself and swung back at Nick, slashing upwards towards Nick’s chin. He stepped backwards, watching the sword swing harmlessly past his face, before stepping in and striking, landing a solid blow on Trent’s side.

“It’s no wonder you lost to Rasha, your blows are weak.” Trent stepped forward, his powers healing his wounds, and unleased a rapid combo of strikes at Nick. He was able to block most of the blows, but Trent did manage to drive his sword into Nick’s stomach, forcing the breath from him.

“You’re one to talk.” The blow hurt, but his power quickly healed it, giving him the energy to keep fighting. The one thing he was certain he had over Trent, was experience. He telegraphed his next move, signaling a downward slash at Trent’s collarbone. As expected, the first year raised his sword to block. However, at the last second, Nick jerked backwards, changed the direction of his sword, and lunged at Trent. His blade slide under Trent’s, and the tip of his sword struck the first year in the sternum, breaking it.

Trent gasped in pain, and was sent reeling backwards. The tip of his sword dropped to the ground, and Nick advanced on him.

“Do you give up?” Trent growled, and without warning struck at Nick, swinging his blade between Nick’s legs. A dirty shot. Nick panicked, knowing that strike would incapacitate him, and without thinking, his reflexes kicked in. A week of training with Keith allowed him to swiftly push his energy outward, and Trent’s blade met an invisible wall before connecting.

The first year stared at Nick in surprise, and in that split second, Nick smashed his blade against Trent’s face, sending him flying backwards. He hit the ground hard, and his sword flew from his grasp. Nick walked over to him, and put the blunted tip on Trent’s throat.

“The match is over!” Jared’s voice pulled Nick back to the moment, and he could hear cheering coming from Tiffany and the others. Trent’s eyes blazed with hatred. Nick turned away, a smirk on his face, but stopped. Jared’s words echoed back to him, and he turned back to Trent. He swallowed his pride, and offered the first year his hand, and a smile.

“That as a good fight. You almost had me.” Trent stared at him, confusion evident on his face, before taking Nicks hand.

“How did you stop my sword?” Trent’s voice was sincerely confused, but his eyes narrowed. “You found a way to cheat huh? Couldn’t win fairly against me?”

“And you couldn’t win without trying a cheap shot.” Nick’s anger flared, and it took him a moment to control it. “I didn’t cheat. It’s a physical skill we all have.” He almost mentioned Keith taught him, but remembered his promise. Instead, with Jared’s advice still in his mind, he decided to take a different route.

“Tell you what Trent, I’ll teach you and the others on the team how to do what I did. I figure it’ll help us out in the future.” Trent starred at him, distrust in his eyes, before nodded ever so slightly.

“Deal.” He shook Nick’s hand, and walked away. The first year still disliked him, but Nick couldn’t help but feel he had made a small step towards winning him over.