“I see.”
“This will be your first martial arts class, won’t it?”
You don’t have to treat me with kid gloves, Wendy, Almark thought, his body brimming with the fierce strength he was so used to wielding.
“You can treat me like everyone else.”
It’ll remind me of how things were back then.
Noticing the gruff smile on Almark’s lips, Wendy blinked, like she’d just seen something she shouldn’t have.
“Tomorrow I’ll thank you for all the help you’ve given me,” Almark said, the usual kindness returning to his smile.
The martial arts training area was a vast arena beneath a dome, with dry soil as its floor. Almark had seen arenas like this in his travels, and while this one was much smaller, it did have spectator seats, including some fancy ones for nobles.
“I didn’t expect such a fancy martial arts facility in a school for magic,” Almark commented, surprised. He turned to face Wendy, who nodded.
“Impressive, isn’t it? We have a martial arts tournament here once a year, and a lot of visitors come to watch, including the king of Garai,” she told him.
“So we have to fight in front of the king?”
“Yes, and winning is a really big honor.” Unlike her teary-eyed display the day prior, Wendy was back to her usual cheerful attitude. “Only third-years participate from the elementary division, though, so this is the first year we can be part of it.”
“Wow. Does the institute have any other events like that—?”
“Hey, new kid, pipe down!” Tohrk shouted, cutting Almark off. “Stay quiet until Professor Bohen comes in. I see you Northerner brutes really don’t know how to behave.”
“Oh, sorry,” Almark said, and then whispered to Morgan who was next to him, “Tohrk’s really on edge today for some reason.”
“He’s really proud when it comes to martial arts. I mean, sure, he’s strong, but he fights so violently. I wouldn’t want to go up against him…” Morgan shrugged with a frown, and Almark sympathized.
A few moments later, a burly man—the martial arts instructor—appeared.
“Everyone’s here? Good, let’s get started, then. I see we’ve got a new face today. You’re the new student, right? Almark, was it?”
“Yes, sir,” Almark replied, to which the instructor grinned.
“The headmaster told me about you. I’m the martial arts instructor, Professor Bohen. Nice to meet you.”
“Nice to meet you, too.” Almark bowed his head.
“I like that look in your eyes,” Bohen said with a nod. “You’re gonna be strong. Start by watching everyone else train, and you’ll get the hang of it in no time.”
“Yes, sir.”
The training session began. Almark was surprised when he saw the swords everyone brought. At the mention of swords, he had imagined broadswords like the one he had in his room, but instead they used thin rapier-like swords that seemed to be missing most of their blades and could only be used to thrust.
Almark had never used this kind of sword, but he could tell that he’d never choose a thing like that for real combat. A thin blade wasn’t completely unviable—it could slip into the gaps of a heavily armored opponent—but these were just too frail. If he were to try to riposte a strike from an axe or a spear, the blade would snap on the spot. He’d fought mercenaries who used all sorts of weapons, but he’d never seen someone use a sword this thin.
But then he cracked a bemused smile. He was probably the only one who looked at this in terms of real combat. The people living here hadn’t known real war for a century. They only saw fencing or martial arts as a pastime at best.
After practicing some swipes through the air, the instructor split everyone up into pairs and had them put on armor made of tanned leather and wood as they conducted practice matches. The tip of the swords was wrapped in soft resin that made it so even a direct poke wouldn’t hurt anyone.
That said, everyone dueled quite seriously. Out of everyone, Wollis moved the most elegantly. Despite winning all his bouts, he never seemed to put in much effort. Almark remembered hearing he was a savant at martial arts, too.
Morgan, on the other hand, was just as lacking in this field as he’d said. Even with armor, he still cowered from any swipes that came his way. It wasn’t an issue of reflexes, but rather a lack of competitive spirit. All he did was run around.
Nelson, by contrast, had very good reflexes and exhibited some good moves. His father was a knight’s attendant, so perhaps swords happened to be his forte.
Meanwhile, Tohrk dueled one of his flunkies. And indeed, Tohrk’s moves were good; his confidence was well-founded. In terms of the sheer force of his thrusts, he was a match for Wollis, if not even a bit stronger.
Almark’s gaze moved to the girls. Most of them delivered small, timid thrusts, like they were playing. One pair, however, was dueling as intensely as the boys.
Wendy and Leila.
Perhaps the two of them just had more training in this field, as they were both nobles. Either way, they had fine movements. Almark watched their feverish exchange, impressed, until eventually Leila successfully landed a thrust on Wendy’s chest. Their match over, the two wiped their sweat away and chatted with a smile. It seemed the two of them acknowledged each other’s skills. And while he’d seen Wendy smile before, this was the first time he’d seen Leila look so happy.
At that moment, a rapier landed with a clatter in front of Almark.
“Pick it up, new kid.”
It was Tohrk. He approached Almark with his two flunkies in tow.
“There’s no place for weaklings in this class,” Tohrk said, sneering at Morgan, who was struggling with a duel nearby. “Weaklings like him.”
“No place for him, huh?” Almark countered, glancing at the rapier lying on the floor. “That’s not for you to decide.”
“You talk like you know it all.” Tohrk’s smirk widened, but Almark could tell it didn’t extend to his eyes. “I see you haven’t learned a thing after that huge mess you made the other day.”
“I’m not defending my actions in the magic training area,” Almark replied. “I’m sorry about what happened. I’m just glad no one got hurt.”
“At least it showed you how much you don’t belong here.” Tohrk scowled. “Having dead weight like you slowing us down really pisses me off.”
“If I’m causing you any trouble, then I apologize.”