Why do a physical training after a hearty breakfast? Never mind, if I puke out all of my content, it’s not gonna be my fault. The two were facing off in the ring while sizing each other. If I were to say what the outcome was, I’ll say that Kiefy would triumph due to my conventional understanding on how fantasy battle usually played out. But even though I only known Erganisu till just yesterday, I understand that he is a very calm, careful and observant type, so he will analyse his opponent thoroughly. I don’t know how good is he in fighting but looking at his well-toned muscle, his developed body build and the fact that he was holding the wooden sword with a practiced grip, he probably at least is no stranger in fighting.

While Kiefy look as every bit like the ubermensch but he doesn’t seem to exude the same presence like he did. In fact it felt subdued as in obsequious way.

Judging by his sword strapped on his waist and he said something that he was a knight; he probably boasts enough fighting capability.

After some time, Kiefy started to take action as he got into a stance, wielding the sword with both grip.

He slightly adjusted his body as he pulls back the right arm and position the sword in a thrusting stance.

He charged but instead of thrusting, he swung it in vertical, circular slash in a 360 degree clockwise at Erganisu.

Erganisu back-stepped and avoided the upward slash.

Still, Kiefy relentlessly continued slashing, giving Erganisu no time to retaliate with no room to even counter attack as he dodged every attacks.

After a minute or so, Kiefy movement began to slowed and overexerted. He looked ragged due to his constant attacks. Erganisu on the other hand, still seems to have looked calm and composed as he dodged the attacks.

It was probably because Kiefy had thought that with his large build, a fast attack was all he needed to defeat him but he paid the price for underestimating Erganisu.

After a Kiefy made a wide slash that made him stumbled slightly, Erganisu took the opportunity and swung the wooden sword down at Kiefy right shoulder.

Kiefy fell to his right knee while he reversed grip the sword on his left hand and stabbed it to the ground. He was panting audibly.

“Nicely done both of you. Kiefy, you seem to continue attacking with the same method even though you realized that you should have switch tactic. Why didn’t you?”

“… I thought that he would eventually fail to dodge but I was being naïve and in the end I strained myself, bringing my own downfall. I would like to apologize to you, Erganisu for looking down on you.”

He made a formal bow towards Erganisu and Erganisu replied by nodding earnestly.

“Okay, it’s time to see the combat capability for the first timers.”

Gavrau called me and August to step forward. Both of us had an uneasy expression looking at each other. We then faced off as we nervously took our stand.

“Don’t worry men… and lady. I only wished to evaluate your understanding on how to act and react during combat. Begin!”

After he said that, August instantly ran towards me with his wooden sword held above him while he was showing his ‘game’ face.

If I learn anything from the previous fight, it was to tire your opponent until he made a mistake and fully capitalized on that mistake.

I can say that I fairly good in dodging on every aspect.

The sword swung down but it missed as I stepped back, emulating how Erganisu moved. As I thought, Unlike Kiefy, whose slashes were trained and coordinated, August swings were wild and sort of predictable, so the obvious thing to do was to keep a sword-length distance from him.

It was only after a dozen of swings he stopped, seemingly realizing what I was trying to do.

He put some distance from me and observed my every movement.

Darn!

I thought he wouldn’t notice but I have a contingency plan just in case.

Deception is also my forte.

First, I made a carefully ‘genuine’ shocked expression as I look behind him.

Good, he’s staring at my face with slight bewilderment. He still hasn’t taken the bait but what I do or rather say next will seal the clincher. “Why is there a kangaroo over there!!?”

It was only a second but it was enough. With fluid movement, several steps and crouching slightly, I was already in front of him as he reacted and tried to block my wooden sword. Just a slight force and I jabbed his belly.

Time stopped for both of us.

“… puhahahaha!!”

Gavrau burst into a laugh and followed by Kiefy and Akujin as they also laughed.

August threw an unsatisfied glare at me. “You’re definitely from earth right!? Come to think about it, why the hell a kangaroo would be here!? And you looked genuinely shocked too!! And what’s with that name!? Ruigne!? Hey! You cheated as well!!” “All is fair in war.” His face was red in anger when I quote as such. In all honesty, I didn’t really expect for him to fell for something as stupid as that but he did and I can’t help but to also laugh inwardly but I also wouldn’t be too surprise if there was actually a kangaroo. I mean this is another world and if there truly were, I might call this world the Second Australia, the fantasy edition. “Calm down, Sir August, It is true though. In real battles, there are no laws or rules regarding on what is allowed and not allowed. For some, they can discard honour and fair play if it makes them win. Although, what’s a kangaroo?” August took a deep breath and exhaled. He chuckled in earnest. He held out his hand towards me for a handshake. Perhaps he is aiming for a payback?

No one’s that childish. I took it and we both shooked our hands. --

It was quite lengthy to explain about one of the marsupial species that existed in our earth but Gavrau seems to nod without a doubt after I finished explaining it in half an hour.

After our duel, Gavrau proposed that since three of them were battle-worthy, the three of us that are newbies will be paired with a battle-worthy.

Gavrau in a way suggested that he would assist the battle-worthy in inspecting on how they instruct us in fighting.

Looking at Gavrau and his wolf ears, he was probably one of the fantasy races of beastmen or the ‘furry’ people.

I was paired with Vefal on the reason that her height and probably weight was almost the same as her. While Kiefy was with Akujin and Erganisu was with August. Actually I think it was more of the fact that out of the three, I was the weakest looking guy so they paired me with a woman. What a band of sexist chauvinists.

Upon being gazed by indifferent and clear azure eyes, I do find myself intimidated. Seeing her up close really does accentuate her beauty.

“… Pay attention and stop staring, at least don’t make it too obvious.”

“S-sorry.”

She shut her eyes momentarily while nodding.

“You don’t need to be a genius to do training. It’s an activity that rewards you for your effort. Practice swinging first. Oh before that, stretch yourself and do some light exercise for a warm-up.”

We did some light exercise but for me it was something taxing for my lethargic body and what more that the ‘light’ mock fighting with August had strained my legs.

After barely completing the ‘light exercise’, she stood beside me. She verbally told me how to position my stance and how to correctly hold the hilt.

It was like training in Kendo- Not that I had one but I’d seen such training.

After an hour of basic combat being drilled onto me, I think I can say that I had a rough understanding on how to defend myself.

Gavrau on the hand had kept silent the entire time, observing each pair. He seems to give an approval nod to every pair after the training end. In short, he felt that he had nothing to do after much observation. --

“Welcome to my class, in here you will learn all about the history, the social norms, languages, writing and the cultures of every civilization that had existed in Eoum.”

After the combat training and an half an hour rest with me consist on taking a very short nap, we took into the portal again and arrived in front of a moderately sized room that resembled like a class room. Just like a class room, the six tables that were made by stones and chairs that were also made of stones were all aligned in one straight line facing Sir Keh Tauzad, who stood in front of a blackboard of a sort. We all took our seat. Erganisu was at the right most with Akujin next to him and Kiefy next to Akujin. While I was on the left most next to August who was beside me on my right and Vefal was in between Kiefy on her right and August on the left. Something had crossed on my mind when I entered this class. Would it be less hassle if they just let all the 24 summoned into just one class for general education? I lifted up my right hand as I was burning with curiosity since this classroom and the atmosphere of it reminds me of my university days where I always inquire on every turn.

“Teacher Tauzad, Why are we separated into groups for general education even though it would be easier to just let all the summoned gathered in only one class?”

“Hmm, well there are many reasons for that but one of the main reasons is that, the summoned are quite important as they are legendary figures. So teaching them is a privilege and would elevate the status of the teachers. There are also an unsavoury reason- a hidden implication so to speak, as to make the summoned lean towards their ideas and principles, so in short, there is a political implication.”

Ah, I see. Even in this world, taking advantage of others for their lofty ambition is no different from my world.