Her fists were a millisecond slower than he moved. Barely dodging her attacks, his smile never faltered. 'I didn't think that he would have a new moveset!' Orissa cursed in her mind as he always remained out of her reach by a breathe. Never once did he attack, merely dodge or block her attacks.
'I thought that he was more of a mage rather than a knight but his performance says otherwise.' Most of those watching silently cheered in their hearts for Orissa to come out as the victor. Their distaste for nobility evident on their faces.
She roared, closing the distance but nothing changed. He dodged to his right, something she hadn't seen before brushing against her ears. "You do know that there's a more subtle way of trying to seduce me." His taunts ever persistent, swinging her elbow he caught it spinning her in his embrace like a lover.
"You really shouldn't let your emotions cloud your judgement so easily. But it can't be helped when you're facing me." Every single time he made sure that she never forgot who he was. Eldroin watched the whole thing, his face never once faltering from the smile he had. "Can you take this seriously?!"
Breaking from his embrace, she demanded to which he didn't react but watch. "Very well." His figure flashes across the arena closing the distance between them. His first punch was predicable to which she effortlessly blocked but from there, the rest was a blur.
His movements sporadically hastened making her wonder, the next punch blocked too late making her buckle. Before she could orient herself another punch landed squarely on her face further making her retreat. However Jarren wouldn't let her escape so easily as he combined this with a sweep making her crash onto the floor.
He crouched down to her level, his smile ever present. "If only you were a little bit more beautiful, then maybe I would have gone easy on you but you can't have it all I guess." His words filled with hubris and mockery, gloating over her. Most of those watching had their teeth grinding, the sight of his domination an eyesore to them.
Their hatred really did run that deep. Neglecting the hand ushered to her, she rose to her feet. Her dignity shattered. "What was that movement? Did you apply a buff to increase your speed or what?" Her face sour from her defeat. "There was no spell used, it would seem that that was his actual speed and that before was him playing games."
Eldroin commented, his intrigue growing by the second. "Since you were able to beat Orissa without malcore, consider yourself a member of the Eyrie." His hand stretched out to Jarren who merely gave a long had look at it before accepting it. The shake gentle.
"Are we really going to have a noble in our midst?" Some questioned with their doubtful eyes landing on Jarren's figure. "He did beat Orissa squarely and from that it qualifies him to be one of us. But that doesn't mean he'll get any privilege or advantage. However if you're not content with this them please don't hesitate to leave."
Eldroin spoke, his voice firm as his eyes rested on his members. He knew about their distaste for the upper class and Jarren's presence was an insult to their injury. Some faced injustice at their former clubs because of nobles and now it would seem that it was slowly happening all over again.
"Am I done?" Disinterested with the world around him, he was ready to leave. "Not yet, I want to see what you're truly capable of." Eldroin's knighthood rank was Crimson Sigil, two ranks higher than his Iron Strider rank. "Very well." Accepting the challenge, the two made their way towards the arena.
For a fifth year student to actively challenge any other student was rare, even within their own peers. Orissa stood at the sidelines, hoping Jarren's ego be brought down to size by Eldroin and possibly learn something from the exchange.
Right of the bat, neither side seemed playful about it. Jarren's speed was remarkable to the point it was doubtful to think that he was an Iron Strider. His speed equalled those of Silver Vow and held it's own with Crimson Sigil. There were no taunts or games Jarren pulled, his movements just as refined as Eldroin's.
'So many flaws I could have ended this within the first move. But that wouldn't be something an Iron Strider would be capable of achieving now would it?' Jarren mused in his mind as he kept on playing defence. He could tell that Eldroin was holding back with his punches.
The bones of an Iron Strider would shatter at the full force of a Crimson Sigil punch but instead of shattering, pain bloomed from his arms and legs. With Orissa, her movements despite refined had flaws here and there. Hesitations could be seen not to mention after a couple of taunts her flair took a sharp dive. But with Eldroin that wasn't the case.
*Bam-Bam-Bam*
Jarren took the initiative and went on offense making Eldroin hesitate. 'If his body rank was higher then this would've been problematic. He lacks hesitation or flinches but what dampens it all is his low rank.' Even he knew that Jarren had more to offer but couldn't.
Ready to end it, Eldroin's movements became a blur to those watching. Even Orissa had a problem keeping up with his barrage of attacks. Jarren played defense, letting the attacks hit his body while making sure his vitals remained out of range.
'He can still keep up with me at this pace? But barely.' Cheers echoed through the crowd as they revelled in seeing Jarren's figure be a dummy from Eldroin's punches and kicks, callous of how one sided the game was to begin with. 'These imbeciles just want to see Jarren beaten but they're complete morons failing to understand what this means.'
Orissa was puzzled with Jarren seemed so unbothered by the punches that rained on his body. Aware that the punch that came from a Crimson Sigil expert despite held back had force to it. Jarren wanted to block it but it would be too uncanny if he did thus he let it happen.
*BAM*
Eldroin's punch landed on his rib, the pain unfathomable but his face never faltered from the smile he showed. "You're still standing? I do have to give you credit for holding your own for this long. If I were to truly make you lose then you'd leave this place with a few shattered ribs. But if we were using malcore I'm curious how it would have turned out." Eldroin chuckled which was met with an equal lightheadedness.
"I understand and I thank you for going easy on me. But next time you better watch out." Those watching though glad that Jarren couldn't win were dissatisfied with how it came to a close. The image of his body flung about never came to be, only a reverence of the two.
"How were you able to keep up with his movements?" Orissa quizzed as Eldroin made his way towards the other students in their spars. "I wasn't. I simply anticipated where he would attack is all. But if was in Silver Vow then the fight wouldn't have ended so quickly."
Recalling Eldroin's speed, his foresight was more than just commendable, it was monstrous. "No offense but I've heard tales about you. Not to ridicule you but they are anything but positive." He merely stretched his limbs. "Well they aren't false either so there's no need to be modest."
He started making his way towards the dormitories with Orissa. "Then what made you change? Family pressure or realization?" What a noble chose to do with their future wasn't her business but her curiosity gnawed her mind. "Family? My father's furious hearing that I'm a practitioner of darkness and not fire."
"The real reason of it is merely entertainment. Not much happens at the bottom, everything of interest is at the top and having power is merely a step towards it. If not then I wouldn't need to grow strong." Orissa's face contorted into bewildered. 'Amusement? Not survival or power?'
The more she recalled how he performed, it never felt like he was giving it his all but merely a spectator forced to take part in the play. "But wouldn't it better to grow in the shadows then come watch the game unfold?" He let out a laugh. "Oh, I have. Driving dynasties and legends into madness and ruin. Realities and planes alike from the shadows but it felt more thrilling to have a first hand seat or take part in the play."
'Dynasties? Legends? Planes and realties? Is he crazy?' She couldn't help but think at his statement. "How about this, do you want take part in the play? But you'll have to be my slave for that." A strange silence fell between the two. His tone felt as if there was more, that's how it always felt with him.
Be it in the arena or alone, something about him always felt off. "Be your slave? Are you mentally deranged? There's no way I'd be your slave!" Her face shifted into contempt. "Well do know that the window won't last forever. And when it does, you'll hate yourself to your core wishing that you were more than just dead. You'll beg for your existence to be nothing more than a whisper."
Maybe it was the way he had phrased it but a shiver ran down her spine, a vague sense of dread overcame her. "Just don't be my enemy is all. Ally, enemy or obstacle, everything's a game to me." At this point she wondered whether she was talking to someone sane or one who had lost his marbles.
Looking at him, it wasn't some crazed laughter or bizzare face but a composed visage. It felt like he was saying something casual but the weight behind his words hinted something much darker, something more than human. Without another word, she parted from him to which he remained unbothered, heading back to his room.
For the rest of the way, the well lit grounds and starry skies felt like an after thought to Jarren who kept on walking alone till he arrived at his room. His mind intrigued with what a perturbed individual would do, feeling something off but upon further introspection, it felt like ramblings of a mad man.
Sleep unlike Orissa found him with ease. The day after was calm, Orissa had different classes. She dabbled in mist, a combination of water and air while he played in darkness. Upon entry, eyes shifted towards his figure, murmurs faintly drifting about as he took his seat before the professor arrived.