Lunch came and went, and now it was time for afternoon combat training. I separated from the twins and walk to the men's locker room to change. I finish changing and walk out into the training arena. Once outside, all of the other students, including myself, begin to raise our combat auras. I'm careful not to summon my sword so as not to reveal my sealed state. The less attention I attract, the better. I grab one of the available swords from the equipment rack and begin taking a few practice swings. Suddenly, from out of nowhere, a scythe is swung directly at my head. I narrowly dodge the attack and jump to a ready stance.

“Awww, come on, what the fuck, man? Who does some cowardly shit like that?” I yell out. I scan my surroundings to see whose weapon that was when my eyes land squarely on Rebecca. She smirks at me, the blade of her scythe towering above her head.

“Why the hell did you do that? School rules prohibit preemptive strikes on other students. If you want to duel me, you must announce your intent.” I quote.

“I expect nothing less from a master swordsman.” Rebecca taunts.

“Then make your intentions known.” I call back.

“Fine. I wish to duel. If I win, you become my husband.” Rebecca announces.

The students gasp in shock. Who in their right mind would make such a bold declaration? Earlier today, it seemed she could have cared less about friendship, and now she wants to get married?

“Okay, and if I win?” I ask.

“I shall leave you alone.”

The referee steps between us. “Very well. The duel has been challenged and accepted. First person to be disarmed loses. Ready? Fight!” The referee drops his hand to signal the start of the duel.

We charge towards each other. My sword in hand, Rebecca's scythe in hers. She clearly has a reach advantage, but speed is on my side. As she reaches back to take a wide swing with her scythe, I quickly gain the upper hand and smack her in the solar plexus with the pommel of my sword. She buckles from the blow, gasping for air. I swing the blade of my sword, easily disarming her. The referee blows his whistle, signaling the end of the duel.

“Winner of the duel by disable, Christopher Johns.”

The students gather around me to congratulate my win. Rebecca slowly stands up, still trying to breathe. I walk over to her and extend my hand. “You're a good fighter, Rebecca. I can sense how strong you are. I hope that we can be friends.” I put my arm around her to stabilize her as she slowly gets her breath back. “And you're beautiful to boot.” I whisper so that only she can hear.

She looks sheepishly up at me, but instead of her trademark scowl, a smile appears on her face. “I can sense your strength as well. Yet you are kind and gentle. And that is why I want you as my husband.” she whispers back.

The rest of the afternoon combat training goes off without a hitch. We all pair up and spar with each other, paying especially careful attention to the instructor as she taught us how to control the flow of energy in our aura as we applied it to combat.

Once training is complete for the day, the class is dismissed. I head for the locker room to shower and change. I finish showering, get dressed, and head out onto the quad to meet up with the twins. We link arms and head for the dining hall for dinner when I hear Rebecca call out my name.

“Oh, Chris, dear, may I join you for dinner?”

Jeni and Jesi look at me bewildered. “Chris, dear?” they ask.

“Uh, yeah, I might have hit on her during training.” I calmly state. “Plus, you did hear her try to propose to me during the duel. And don't forget, you did consent to making her a sister wife.”

The twins give me a dirty stare, then smile at me. “Yes, we did.” They then turn back in Rebecca's direction. “Hey, join us! You're more than welcome.”

Rebecca runs up to join us and jumps on my back. I nearly stumble from the impact.

“Dammit, Rebecca, be careful. I almost fell.”

“Sorry, love.”

Rebecca looks at the twins and gives me a slight scowl.

“You never told me you had two other women.” she said with a twinge of jealousy.

“You never asked me. These are my betrothed. Jeni, Jesi, meet Rebecca. Officially.”

Rebecca extends her hand in peace to the twins. “My apologies, ladies. I too, am Chris' betrothed.”

Jeni and Jesi look at me as if to question the situation, then extend their hands to Rebecca. “Welcome to the sisterhood.”