“I thought there’d be some others.” Drew remarked. Theo was surprised too, especially from the impression that Sparrow had given him. Even Sasha seemed a little put off.

“While I am of the opinion that body strengthening is an essential part of what makes a combat bard effective, it is less important than knowing how to fight, and is often not in the purview of those that have just come to the College. I have an inkling that by the time the year is done, there will be many more.” Sasha said with a knowing smile, before her eyes flitted about and the smile gave way to a brow furrowed in concentration. “And there is still hope for today, Drew. We are down a classmate. One Miss Jade.”

Theo did a headcount, and only reached nineteen.

“Punctuality is important. As such, we will start without them. It will be good to introduce everyone to what it can do and why they should learn it when they are able to, or perhaps approach me after class to discuss further lessons or auditing classes from the College of War.” Sasha gave an impassive stare at everyone, almost daring them not to. Theo shrank back from her gaze. “I will assign everyone after this match, and if anyone wishes to fight two opponents they should raise their hand now.”

Immediately, one hand shot up. Theo wasn’t too familiar with them, but he felt like he recognised her.

“Ah yes, Miss Everett of House Quill. You shall be in the first and last bout, in order to give you some time to rest and recover.” Everett blushed at the use of her full title, and it clicked in Theo’s head where he recognised her from. She was the one who was confused at Maria’s speech at orientation.

“What if that late girl comes in?” Finn shouted from the back, and Theo realised that he was still lying on the sand where Sasha had grabbed him, hands behind his head. Sasha mumbled something under her breath, and the sand formed around him, wrapping tight around him like a snake, and brought him upright. Theo could hear him wheeze as the air was forced out of his lungs. Enough sand had been brought up that there was now a patch of dirt visible around Finn.

“I understand that students wish to contribute and engage, and I encourage that. However, I do not encourage disrespect. Do you understand me?” Finn simply nodded, pale, as he internalised what Sasha said. She dropped the sand, and Finn remained ramrod straight even after the last grains of sand had once again covered the dirt.

“If Jade does manage to join us, Finn, I have my own lesson to impart.” Sasha smiled as she said that, and Theo swore her teeth were sharper than they were a second ago.

“Now, Theo and Drew, come up. Everyone else-“ Sasha was interrupted by the door being blown open, and a figure dashing in, and immediately dropping to their knees in front of Sasha. She sighed.

“There you are, Jade. I can’t say I’m surprised, but that doesn’t excuse it in the slightest.” Jade sat there, nodding in acknowledgement before getting back up, but otherwise staying silent (like a pet who knew they had done something wrong). “Theo, Drew, begin when ready.”

Theo took in a deep breath, as he walked out and faced Drew.

“May the best man win.” Drew said, as he started to prepare.

“Yeah.” Theo was less articulate, and more anxious as he watched Drew methodically strap large metal plates and armour to his body, and grab his mace.

Drew started moving his body, hitting the metal armour with the mace rhythmically, as the sand around him started to dance and form into trenches and spikes and generally fortifying his position. It was like he was standing in the jaws of a dragon.

Engaging Striding Wind, Theo burst forward, sand kicking up behind him as he drew close in less than a second. Drew’s eyes widened in surprised, but he managed to maintain his rhythm.

Theo felt the sensation of mana surging through his legs. It felt good to let loose and stretch it out for once. He’d missed this feeling, Theo realised, kicking off a spike and falling back as he found no angle to attack the sand castle of a man from. He kept moving around, circling and drawing closer and farther from Drew, keeping on the move and pulsing mana to keep his footing on the sand. He distantly registered the sounds of his classmates gasping in surprise and commentating every new development.

Keeping his distance as Drew kept his eyes trained on him, Theo tried to sing and wrestle for control of the sand, but he was only able to catch a bit in the air and nothing that was already controlled by Drew. Thankfully, it looked like he was reaching the limit of how much sand he could control with his drumming, with the edges farthest out starting to crumble a little.

Theo looked at himself, at the clean-but-worn clothes he wore, and his empty hands, and realised that even if he managed to get a punch in, all that would happen would be breaking his own bones (and that was the best case scenario).

He grimaced.

Looking around, Theo spotted a weapon rack with a couple swords, a staff, a spear, a buckler, and a full tower shield.

He burst in that direction, sand spraying out again as he quickly grabbed the tower shield, hefted it in front of him, and braced it with an arm and a shoulder.

Theo charged directly at Drew, gaining speed and momentum with each step. He felt some resistance as he impacted the sand spikes, but kept going until he reached him and had the wind knocked out as they collided. Theo felt it in his bones as he was stopped by Drew’s body. The mace went flying out of Drew’s hand, warped from mana backfire as his charge had interrupted his rhythm. The remaining sand spikes quickly fell, no longer supported by mana.

However, Drew was still standing, close enough for Theo to feel his breathing. The sand had almost all come off, but underneath it was a layer of mud that had allowed him to stay upright.

Theo tried to retreat, but found that Drew had grabbed onto the shield, and wasn’t letting go.

So he let go instead. Drew immediately used the (now warped and bent) shield as a substitute for his mace, and resumed his rhythms (although the controlled sand wasn’t as uniform or controlled as it was with his mace).

Retreating, Theo started singing again, trying to remove the dirt and sand from Drew’s influence once more. He kept closer this time, choosing to charge through the sand, darting and weaving as best he could and trying to ignore the way it scraped his limbs when he couldn’t.

Theo made a mental note to thank Sparrow for forcing him to complete those obstacle courses, especially the wires.

He engaged Endless Song, singing louder. It was always an odd feeling to not have to breathe, but it was a benefit that Theo really appreciated right now, trying to maintain pressure on Drew.

Drew still didn’t budge.

So he sang louder. And louder. All while trying to keep his concentration and dodging waves of sand and spikes emerging from the ground.

It continued in this fashion for a minute, and Theo felt like a mosquito trying to bother an elephant (if that elephant had ten smaller trunks, all trying to hit the fly out of the air).

Eventually, Theo dashed too close, and ran straight into the shield that Drew held straight out. It flew away, warped from backfire as Drew deliberately ruined his rhythm to hit him.

Theo, however, wasn’t focused on that. His concentration slipped from the strike, and his song stumbled. His eyes widened as he felt the mana in his throat churn and knot itself. A rush of mana exploded out of his jaws, managing to hit Drew in the chest as Theo’s head was wrenched back by the force.

It was an odd sensation, to have a backfire happen inside of you. Theo felt his eardrums pop as the low bass rattled through his head. His throat tasted like fire and iron, and he fell on the sand (at least this time it was soft enough to cushion his fall).

He laid there for a moment, head in agony, before reaching for the remaining mana inside and (very carefully) manipulating it. Bat’s Ears made quick work of his ruptured eardrums, and Endless Song plus Striding Wind fixed up his throat. He spit out blood, and his tongue felt around to make sure all his teeth were still there.

As his hearing returned, he caught Sasha talking.

“- benefits of body strengthening. While Theo suffered an internal mana backfire, his head is still intact. His throat was not ripped open, and he is recovering as we speak.” Sitting up, he looked around to see Drew was standing, pale-faced, a glowing hole in the front of his armour. Theo watched as seared flesh knitted itself back together until the hole was the only evidence he had been injured.

“Drew beat Theo by utilising his strong and well-practiced action magic, supported by internal magic. He was able to think creatively after his weapon had been warped from backfire, and that helped him maintain his pressure.” Sasha paused, as some people clapped for the weary giant, sweating as he nodded with a weak smile.

“Theo relied almost entirely on some admittedly impressive internal magic, however his weak action magic was not able to overcome Drew’s. The shield covered up his weaknesses, but still was not enough.” Sasha turned to Drew.

“What song were you using?” She asked.

“Earthmaw.” Drew responded. Sasha nodded in recognition.

“A rhythmic song utilising the terrain to your defensive action. A versatile spell, well-performed. Well done. What song were you using to counter that, Theo?” Sasha turned back to him. He hesitated for a moment, before telling the truth.

“I was making it up as I went along.” Theo admitted, face flushing in a way he hoped would be hard to see (it wasn’t).

“That was a- wait, you weren’t using any song at all?” Sasha started, then interrupted themselves as they realised what he was saying.

“Yeah. I’m bad with memorising and performing the same songs, so I just improvise and hope for the best.” Sasha paused, trying to suppress a chuckle.

“Eleanor is going to have a field day with you,” She muttered, voice low.

“That’s what Sparrow said,” Theo muttered back in kind. She nodded, and cleared her throat.

“Theo’s choice to improvise is a cautionary tale for those that do not understand the importance of standardised songs. It is only through incredible control that he was able to achieve any effect at all. It did mean that he was able to devise something to counter Drew’s Earthmaw… but it wasn’t strong enough to make an impact. This also leads to easy backfires, which I assure you, is not a risk that most of you should take.” Sasha nodded at them.

“Drew had a solid strategy, while Theo understood what his opponent’s strategy was and tried to counter it. Good job, both of you.” Sasha clapped her hands, and looked at Jade.

“My poor, directionally challenged apprentice.” Sasha chuckled, walking closer to Jade (as everyone else tried to subtly move away). Jade stared back at Sasha, maintaining eye contact as Sasha cracked her neck. “Your lesson today is simple.” The ground seemed to shake, as Sasha balled her fists.

“Survive.”

Theo swore that Jade was smiling.