The sun had barely risen when Caspian woke up on Saturday. He didn't do his normal routine, which would have involved shadow sparring until he was covered in sweat, and instead stuck with stretches and basic warm up exercises. The preliminaries were today, and while he was confident that he would win, there was no point in going into a fight exhausted.

After taking a shower and getting dressed, Caspian met up with Christo and Elincia, who were amiably chatting when he arrived.

That boy...

While he didn't say anything because he didn't wish to upset his friend, it bothered him that Christo was so friendly with Elincia. Since he was a noble, Christo must have had some hidden agenda for her. All nobles had their own agendas. Caspian would be damned if he let some grubby noble use Elincia for their own purposes.

"Oh, there he is!" A grinning Christo waved him over. "Hey! What took you so long?"

Deep breaths, Caspian. He hasn't done anything yet. You can't do anything to him without having evidence. Be patient. He'll reveal his true intentions eventually, and once he does...

Once he did, Caspian would make sure he regret trying to use his friend.

Calming himself, Caspian walked up to the pair. He returned Elincia's smile as she grabbed his hand, and then directed a frown at Christo. "I was taking a shower, same as I do every morning. You're the one who's off schedule. You never wake up this early."

"Hahahaha, true!" Christo laughed as he rubbed the back of his head. "I woke up this morning with the jitters and couldn't go back to sleep. I guess I have a case of post battle anxiety or something."

"Whatever." Caspian dismissed Christo's words. "Do you remember where we were supposed to meet?"

"It was the main hall," Elincia supplied.

"Right. Off we go, then."

The main hall was dubbed such because it was situated by the entrance. As Caspian entered, he looked at the massive hallway, which easily spanned several dozen meters in width and even more in length. The stone gray tiles were complemented by marble columns that rose to the ceiling—a vaulted ceiling decorated by many ribs. Several buttresses jutted from the walls, and between the gaps they created, statues of sorceresses past and present sat proudly on display.

There were already a lot of people gathered. Counting them off in his head, Caspian realized that there were 54 people milling about.

Arcadia's Knight Academy had, at most, 150 students. Of those 150 students, only about 24 of them were in the advanced class, the seniors who'd been there for four years or more, and the ones who were allowed to participate in the Sorceress's Knight Tournament.

These people must be here to watch the preliminaries, he thought to himself. Though I can't imagine the preliminaries happening here.

He observed the other students, picking out several that he recognized. Julius stood beside his two gorillas, boasting about something or other. On the opposite side of the room, leaning against a column, was the student that Caspian knew by name but had never spoken with.

He wore a large fedora and a crimson shoulder cape. The rest of his uniform was standard, as was the plain-looking sword sheathed at his side. Caspian could not see his face, which was covered by the fedora, but he could almost feel the other boy's eyes on him.

Darin Shivals Merikh...

The currently top ranked student in the academy. No one knew anything about him, as he never spoke to anyone. In class, he was quiet. On the dueling matt, he was fierce. Caspian had heard numerous tales of the other teen's prowess with a blade, but he'd never seen it for himself.

Out of all the people here, he's the only one that I don't know if I can outright defeat.

Caspian was still confident in his chances for victory, but Darin presented an unknown variable. If only he knew a little more about the man's skills, then perhaps he wouldn't feel so uncomfortable, but alas, he knew nothing. That alone made him the most dangerous threat.

A pair of large double doors on the other side of the entrance hall swung open and several instructors, along with the headmaster and Erica Angelo, entered the room. As always, Derek trailed behind the sorceress like a dutiful dog. Tiffania, the half-elf child who Erica had taken a liking to, was sitting on Erica's shoulders while Collafloore and Cassidy walked several paces behind the woman.

"Man, Erica's looking gorgeous as always," Christo commented. Caspian couldn't disagree, even if he didn't say anything. "And that girl, hum, I don't know how to say it, but somehow, her presence gives Erica this maternal air that really makes her beauty pop out."

Caspian wished Christo would shut up—even if he did agree. Glancing at Elincia, he noticed that his friend was wearing a somewhat disheartened expression, and it took him a second to understand why.

"You're every bit as beautiful as Erica is," he whispered in her ear. When she looked at him in shock, he smirked. "That's what you're worried about, right? I bet you're thinking something stupid like, 'Lady Erica is so beautiful. I don't know how I can compete with her,' aren't you?"

"W-well, it's hard not to feel that way," Elincia murmured, her cheeks gaining color. "Lady Erica is so confident and pretty. Compared to her, I'm—"

"Every bit as beautiful," Caspian interrupted. "Personally, I think you're way prettier than Erica. Sure, she's got sex appeal, but anyone can wear a skimpy outfit. Your beauty comes from more than just your looks."

The more Caspian spoke, the redder Elincia's face became. She hunched her shoulders as he finished talking, reminding Caspian of a turtle trying to hide in its shell. Despite how embarrassed she was, he could tell that Elincia was pleased by the shy smile on her face.

"She's still a lot more confident than me, though..."

"That... that is true. However, Erica has a lot more real world experience than you do. She's lived for over five-hundred years, after all. It's only natural that she would be so confident."

"I—yes, you're right."

"Hm? What's with that look?"

"It's nothing." Elincia's expression was sardonic, but also nostalgic, like someone who had remembered something amusing. "I was just thinking about how you used to do this back when we were kids. Whenever I felt down, you always knew exactly what to say to make me feel better."

Caspian felt heat travel to his cheeks. He coughed into his hand, trying to hide the redness of his face. "W-well, of course I do. You and I are... we're best friends, you know?"

"Yeah... friends..."

There was something odd about the way Elincia said "friends," but Caspian wasn't given time to ponder it further, as the headmaster coughed into his hand and spoke. "I'm glad to see that all of you know how to be punctual, including those who don't actually need to be punctual."

Caspian snorted at the subtle jab directed at the students who didn't need to be present. Many of those students became colored with embarrassment, their cheeks glowing like fire spirit crystals, though none of them left.

"Soon, the preliminaries to determine who will be allowed to enter the Sorceress's Knight Tournament will begin, but before that, I need to explain how these preliminaries will work."

A hushed silence fell over the crowd. Even Caspian listened intently as the old man spoke.

"Since there are twenty-four students entering, we have decided that the preliminaries will consist of four free for all battles between six students. What this means is that, of the twenty-four who've entered, only four of you will earn a chance to enter the tournament."

Several students began to protest. They shouted about how that wasn't fair. Julius was the most vocal. The headmaster didn't pay them any mind. He merely glanced at Erica, who chanted something under her breath.

A loud bang! like thunder striking a mountain echoed across the chamber. Dissenters were silenced. Caspian and Elincia held a hand to their ears, which were more sensitive than human ears. The stern expression on Headmaster Strattelo's face kept everyone from renewing their attempts to argue.

"It was decided to do things this way because I have neither the time nor the inclination to hold a drawn out preliminary match. A free for all battle is the perfect way to determine who is best suited for the tournament—no, it will determine who the best candidates to become a Sorceress's Knight are."

Hushed whispers broke out. Caspian and Elincia removed their hands and glared at the headmaster, who didn't even look their way. Erica seemed to notice their gaze, however, and she winked at them both.

"A Sorceress's Knight is more than just someone who is talented on a sparring mat. They are warriors who can take on and defeat dozens of enemies at a time. There will be times in your careers as a Sorceress's Knights where you will be forced into conflict with multiple enemies. In those situations, it will be your job to defend your sorceress until she summons a spirit. Chants to summon the powers of a spirit are difficult, and many of the more powerful Spiritual Evocation spells require time—time which you will have to provide. If this displeases you, then the door is right there."

Nobody moved. Caspian would have assumed they were frozen, but a few shuffled in place. Headmaster Strattelo eyed them all, as if trying to determine which ones would leave first, and then he snorted like he was unsure whether to feel respect or pity for them. Likely, he didn't believe many of these students understood what they were getting into.

"Now then, all of those who have signed up for the tournament, line up."

Elincia let go of Caspian's hand, and he walked with Christo to the front, lining up with the 23 other students who wished to participate in the Sorceress's Knight Tournament.

The old headmaster nodded. "You twenty-four are going to draw lots from this box." He gestured to a large box with a small hole in the top, which was being carried by Soren, the headmaster's butler and aid. "The lots are numbered one through four, and the number that you draw will determine which arena you'll be fighting in. When I call your name, come up and grab a lot. Anthony de Alezio."

Caspian sighed as he waited for his turn to be called up. It was going to be a long wait.

"Chriso Sienne el Ancor."

"He heh," Christo grinned as he walked up. "Here's to hoping I don't draw the same number as Caspian. It would totally suck if we fought during the prelims and not the actual tournament, right?" Caspian ignored him. Christo reached into the box and pulled out a slip, which he showed to the others. "Heh, number two. I can live with that."

"Julius Frances el Gorrosalaine."

Caspian froze as he heard Julius's full name. Gorrosalaine. He knew that name, but...

It can't be. He shook his head. It must be a different family.

"Four."

"Darin Shivals Merikh."

Darin walked up to Soren, his crimson cape swaying and his fedora bouncing. Caspian thought it was an unusual fashion choice, but he would admit to not knowing much about fashion.

"Three."

One by one the students went up and grabbed a number, while those who were not participating crowded around them. Then, it was his turn.

"Caspian Ignis del Sol."

The walk to the drawing box was the longest thirty seconds of his life. Of course, the discontent whispers that followed him may have been the cause of this feeling.

"So, that's him? The peasant boy?"

"That's right. Just look at the smug bastard, walking up there like he owns the place."

"Someone should teach him a lesson."

"They should show him where his place really is."

"You mean toiling around in the dirt with the rest of the plebs?"

"I mean lying dead in a ditch."

"Heh, yeah. Peasants who like him who think they can become our equals should just die."

Caspian wanted to clench his hands into fists, he wanted to grit his teeth, he wanted to scream. He did none of those things. Keeping his head high and his breathing even, Caspian walked straight up to Soren as if he hadn't heard a thing.

"Sol, hurry up and draw a slip," Soren said, a nasty smile on his face. "I'd rather not be in your presence any longer than necessary."

Caspian twitched.

Then he smiled.

It was a very unpleasant smile.

"Believe me, the feeling is mutual. I dislike remaining in the presence of pompous assholes who think they're special because they pamper old men."

Soren's ears turned red. Caspian ignored him and stuck his hand into the box, feeling the slightly rough texture of manufactured paper. There was only one slip left.

"Number one."

Showing the slip to those present, he then pocketed it after his number was accounted for and walked back in line.

"Now that you all have your numbers drawn, I want you to follow these instructors." Headmaster Stratello gestured to the men standing beside him. "Those who have drawn a one are to follow Instructor Murdock. Those who drew a two will follow Instructor Jannison. Threes will follow Professor Colbert, and fours will follow Hodgins."

The groups split up based on their number.

"Good luck," Christo said as Caspian left.

"I don't need luck," Caspian murmured before replying with a, "don't lose."

"Heh, you're still so harsh."

Caspian exited through a door with the other five, following Instructor Murdock through gray stone halls with a vaulted ceiling. He could feel the glares of his fellow students like a plague on his back. He didn't even need to listen to their conversation to know what they were planning. This fight wasn't going to be a six-way free for all. It was going to be five-on-one.

That's fine with me, he thought, they can all come at me if they want. It won't make a difference.

Caspian felt his heart harden, as if it was becoming encased in adamantine. This was how it had always been, and this was how it always would be. Until the day he graduated, until he became Elincia's Knight, he would always stand alone.

As he walked ahead of the others, Caspian felt eyes that did not radiate the intent to harm on him. Discreetly looking around, he spotted the person in question, Elincia, who looked like she was trying to stealthily dart between columns and buttresses. He smiled.

She's coming to support me.

Looking back ahead, Caspian felt his determination to win soar as they entered what was to be their arena. It was one of the courtyards, larger than the one that he used but smaller than the main courtyard in the center of the academy. Situated right next to one of the five pentagon points that made up the wall isolating the academy from Axium, this courtyard was shaped like a rhombus.

"All right, everyone," Instructor Murdock said. "I want all of you to stand exactly five meters away from each other."

He pointed at the places where he wanted them to be. Caspian silently moved to his designated spot, knowing that it wouldn't matter where he fought. As he did, he spotted Elincia peeking at him from behind a column. He smiled at her and discreetly stuck out his pinky. She saw this and returned his gesture, holding out her hand and sticking out her pinky.

"Listen up, all of you!" Instructor Murdock barked. "I want this to be a clean match! If you try to cheat, then I'll have you disqualified!"

Hmph. I guess he has to stick to protocols, but really, he should be a little more honest with himself. It's not like he doesn't know what's going to happen. Knowing him, he's probably hoping these five beat me.

The thought of fighting five-on-one was getting Caspian's blood pumping. He remembered the last time he'd been forced into an uneven fight. It had been on the train. That time, he'd only been fighting two-on-one, though that had also consisted of multiple two-on-one battles. He'd nearly lost several times during that sequence of constant combat.

I've improved since then...

Caspian's lips peeled back as the other students eyed him.

I won't be beaten. Not by them.

Their leering gazes stalled when he cast his eyes upon them. He wondered what they saw as they stared into his eyes. Were they frightened? Were they confident? Did they think they could win if they all teamed up on him?

Let them think whatever they want.

"Is everybody ready?" Instructor Murdock asked, holding up his hand. "Get set, and... fight!"

These five are mine.

The moment the words left the instructor's mouth, the other five students launched themselves at Caspian. Blades were drawn from sheaths. Daggers were pulled out from behind backs. Shields were gripped fiercely in hands clad in steel. Caspian let them come. He did not race toward them, refusing to act in haste.

When he was younger, back when the library had first become his bastion of safety, his sanctuary from the glares and hatred, he'd read a quote from a famous warrior: "Those who are skilled in combat do not become angered. Those who are skilled at winning do not become afraid. Thus the wise win before they fight, while the ignorant fight to win."

He couldn't remember who'd made this quote, but it didn't matter. They were words that he tried to live by, even if he couldn't always follow through on them. However, here, now, against these people, Caspian felt like he really could put those words into practice.

His opponents' movements weren't haphazard, and he could see that all of them were skilled by the way they moved, but that hardly mattered. He'd already figured out how this battle would go.

The first one came at him straight on, and he could sense a shift in the air currents behind him, alerting him to a sneak attack. The one in front sliced down at him with his sword. Caspian backpedaled, then swerved to the left. The clang! of metal clashing against metal rang out next to him, and Caspian turned to see that the man who'd attacked him had accidentally knocked a dagger out of another man's hand—the man who'd tried sneaking up behind him.

"What was that for?!" the dagger user shouted.

"H-hey! This isn't my fault! You should have been watching where you were going!"

They may have decided to team up to defeat me, but they don't know how to work together.

Caspian had learned something from working with Erica. Teamwork was an essential component when two or more people fought together. It didn't matter how skilled an individual was. A team was only as strong as its weakest link. That went doubly so for teams that had been formed on the spot, such as this one.

Spinning around, Caspian deflected a strike from a longsword aimed at his neck. Twisting his sword in a classic riposte, he redirected the strike to a person who was trying to flank him, forcing that student to jump backwards, lest he get hit instead.

"Hey! Watch where you're swinging that thing!"

"Watch where I'm—you watch where you're going!"

Caspian sensed movement behind him. He ducked low, feeling a swift breeze pass his head, ruffling his hair. Coming back up quickly, he reared his head backwards. The loud crack! of his cranium smacking into someone's jaw echoed across the courtyard, quickly followed by a pained yelp and the sounds of someone tumbling to the ground.

Two more people came at him. It was the dagger wielder and a man wielding a broadsword and a shield. The dagger wielder had originally been using two, but only one was being wielded now, the other having been knocked out of his hand during the first engagement.

Caspian avoided the thrust dagger by stepping to the side. He then spun around a full 360 degrees, batting away the shield that his other foe tried to ram into his back. As the man who'd attempted such a maneuver stumbled past him, he slammed the flat end of his blade into the back of their head. The student went down like a sack of bricks.

Clang! Clang-clang-clang!

Caspian backpedaled as he blocked a series of reckless swings from one of his opponent's. It was the gorilla-like companion of Julius.

"You..." Caspian murmured, "... what was your name again? Cronk?"

"It's Chronus!" the gorilla growled. Caspian sidestepped the reckless attack, and then tripped up Chronus by kicking at his legs. Chronus yelped as he tumbled into his companion... Caro? Was that his name? Caspian couldn't remember. It didn't matter much anyway.

"Sorry," Caspian apologized with an insincere smile. "You're just so far beneath my notice that your name doesn't matter to me. I guess that's why I can't remember it."

Chronus howled as he and his partner jumped to their feet and charged at him again. Knowing not to underestimate them just because they weren't intelligent, Caspian presented himself in such a way that they were forced to fight him one-on-one. Every time they tried double-teaming him, he would redirect their attacks into his other opponent's path, making ganging up on him impossible.

Sorry, jerks, but teamwork is harder than it looks.

Caro swung at him with a jagged-edged blade. As Caspian leaned his head back, the acidic scent of poison was carried to his nose.

I see. They mean to cripple me with poison.

Bringing up his sword, Caspian smacked Caro-whatever-his-name-was in the wrist with the flat of his blade. The short sword fell to the ground. Caspian kicked it away before spinning around and raising his blade. His arm was jarred when he blocked the incoming two-handed strike with only a single hand, but he angled his sword so that the other weapon slid off of it. Reacting quickly, he stepped into Chronus's guard and whacked his enemy in the temple. Chronus crumpled to the ground in a heap.

"Chronus! You bastard!"

Twisting around, Caspian avoided being tackled. Before Caro could turn to face him, Caspian grabbed him by the back of his shirt. Gurgled choking noises emerged from the boy. He ignored them and, acting fast, kicked his enemy in the back of the neck. Caro went down, falling face first to the ground. He didn't get back up.

Caspian saw two people coming in at him from either side. He didn't see the last person. Logic dictated that they would be behind him.

Ducking just as the two flanking him swung, Caspian tucked himself into a forward roll. Clashing steel rang out behind him, followed by several angry shouts. Leaping back to his feet, Caspian picked up the dagger that had been knocked out of one of his now three opponent's hands.

He didn't bother taking aim, and instead threw it at the closest person, clocking them upside the head with the hilt. His opponent stumbled backward in a daze. Following through before they could recover, Caspian rushed in, slamming the hilt of his sword into their jaw and feeling the satisfying crunch as it broke under his attack.

"Spirits damn it! He just busted Alton's jaw!"

"Ho? Is that this guy's name?" Caspian grinned at his opponents, causing them to take a step back. "Well, it's not like his name matters, just like your names don't matter."

He took a step forward. They took another step back. Caspian's grin widened.

"Now, come here." His eyes crinkled as he smiled. "Let me hear you scream."