An Unexpected Confrontation
Master Ragnar slammed his heavy sword into the ground, sparks flying from its sharp edge.
> "Saruto… Lucian… you two first."
The arena shook, and the students gathered around the circular ring.
The two exchanged the same hateful glances.
"Why do I have to be dragged into everything with this commoner?!" Lucian snapped.
"As if I care about you too… just get out of my way."
But suddenly, Master Ragnar's aura erupted like a volcano.
A heavy force pressed down on bodies, nearly knocking most of the students to the ground.
Lucian knelt for a moment, his teeth chattering, but forced himself to stand still.
As for Saruto… he stood like a mountain, not moving an inch.
"Good… now show me your weapons."
Ragnar grinned as he raised his massive sword. ---
✦ The Battle Begins
Saruto closed his eyes for a moment, chains forming in his fists, two black swords bound together by shackles.
As Lucian raised his arm, his massive ice spear transformed, steam billowing from it.
The Master's voice boomed:
> "Begin!"
Lucian charged first, unleashing a barrage of icy blades.
He snarled:
> "I'll prove you're nothing but a burden, you commoner!"
But instead of cooperating, Saruto also attacked from his side, his swords flashing as they lashed at Ragnar.
---
✦ A Disjointed Struggle
Ragnar easily deflected the blows, blocking them with his sword alone.
Each strike from the two left a fatal gap.
> "You two are squabbling more than fighting."
Ragnar said with a smile, then unleashed a blast of his power that sent them both reeling back.
But the two rose quickly, their killing intent far outweighing any desire to defeat their true opponent.
Lucian charged again, but the chains of Saruto's swords suddenly coiled around his arm, blocking his advance.
He shouted:
"Don't interfere in my fight, you fool!"
Saruto retorted angrily:
"You're the one who's holding me back!"
---
✦ The End
The fight dragged on, the students around the arena watching with wide eyes.
Each strike revealed just how strong they were… how incompatible they were.
Finally, in a moment of confusion, Ragnar seized the opportunity, leaping high and brandishing his heavy sword:
"Boom!" A thunderous blast shook the entire hall.
Both fell to the ground beneath his blow, dust filling the air.
The coach stood over them, his sword pressing against the ground, his voice like thunder:
"Defeat isn't because you're weak... it's because you didn't cooperate. Strength alone doesn't win, you failures!"
Whispers rose among the students, some laughing at Lucien's fall, others marveling at Sarotto's resilience.
But both of them, on the ground, burned with rage... rage toward the coach, and toward each other.