Throughout the whole afternoon, everyone readied themselves for the Battle of the Houses. After learning who they were up against, there was no more room for fun. Everyone strives to win, because winning here is the same as saying that you're far better than everyone.
With it, the atmosphere in the whole forest had become more serious, too. There was no chatter and laughter from the nobles. Instead, they trained in silence. Even Lionel was practicing with Rylan and Eiden.
Time passed more quickly than anyone expected. Soon, the sun began to lower in the sky, casting a warm glow across the trees and land.
That was when a staff member from the academy began going around from tent to tent to pick up the nobles.
"It's time."
One after another, the nobles stepped out of their tents. Each of them was guided by a respective staff member. They were led away from the main camp and deeper into another part of the forest.
As they walked to it, a massive structure slowly came into their view. It was a large tent, covering almost all the flat surface of the forest. Inside, the tent was divided into multiple sections.
There were 12, to be exact.
Each section was separated by thick fabric walls, ensuring that no one could see what was happening in the other arenas.
Each section was called a mini arena. It was an enclosed open area with enough space to fight. Every mini arena has an instructor to oversee and judge the fight.
Just like earlier, a rack of wooden swords was placed near each entrance of the tent. They walked towards it, and one of the staff members handed him a sword.
"This will be your sword."
"Thank you," Lionel nodded once as he accepted the sword.
"The same rules will apply to this game," the instructor reminded calmly. "Victory will be decided if your opponent yields, is disarmed, or can no longer continue."
"I understand, Sir," Lionel respectfully muttered.
"You may go in now."
Lionel stepped into the entrance of the mini arena assigned to him. When he entered, he was immediately greeted by the sight of his cousin, Cassian. He was standing in the middle of the room.
When Cassian saw Lionel enter, a smile formed on his lips. It looked friendly, but the look in his eyes wasn't.
"I was surprised that you're my opponent, Lionel," Cassian said smoothly. "I was really shocked when I found out when I returned to my tent."
Lionel met his gaze and smiled sweetly as he used to.
"Me too, cousin," he replied. "I thought your opponent would be Rufus again."
Cassian's face stiffened at that. His ears reddened as he looked at Lionel, "What are you talking about?" he asked, raising a brow.
Lionel blinked once, then tilted his head slightly as if confused by the reaction.
"Oh, nothing much," he said lightly. "I just thought you'd want to take revenge after he beat you earlier."
Lionel spoke those words calmly, but that rang a bell in Cassian's ears. His grip on his sword tightened as he gazed at Lionel.
"I'm not one to take revenge, you know that. And it's just a game." His tone remained calm, but the slight irritation beneath it was clear.
"You're right," Lionel only smiled, saying nothing more.
I guess he still can't accept that he lost. He shook his head. It wasn't even his intention to provoke him. Yet somehow, it still happened.
Cassian took a slow breath, forcing his expression to be back to normal. Whatever irritation he felt, he masked it quickly. He didn't want to show it to Lionel, and most especially to the professor near them.
"Let's just get this over with, Lionel," Cassian said e raised his wooden sword and took his stance.
Lionel looked at him for a moment before nodding..
"Sure, cousin."
At the side, the instructor stepped forward slightly when he saw the two guys stopped talking.
"Are both participants ready?"
"Yes," Cassian answered.
"Yes, Sir."
"Alright," the instructor glanced between them once before raising his hand.
"Begin."
The moment the signal was given, the air between them changed. Enough of their conversation. It was now time to fight.
Just like Lionel expected, Cassian moved first.
His foot pressed firmly against the ground as he dashed forward without hesitation. His speed was definitely faster than Nathaniel's earlier, and his attack came clean and precise, aiming straight at Lionel's shoulder.
Clack!
Lionel raised his sword just in time. Lionel's eyes narrowed slightly as he slid a step back to absorb the force.
Cassian didn't stop there. Unlike Nathaniel, he wasted no motion in his attacks. He followed up his attacks immediately, his blade cutting from the side, then shifting angles mid-motion to force Lionel into a tighter defense.
Clack! Clack!
Clack! Clack!
The sound their swords hitting each other rang out repeatedly.
"Are you also just? going to defend like what you did earlier?" Cassian said as he swung again.
"No, cousin," Lionel smiled before he tilted his body slightly, letting Cassian's sword pass close to him before guiding it away.
Cassian's eyes sharpened at that. He clicked his tongue softly and increased his speed.
His next strike came lower, aiming at Lionel's side. However, halfway through it, he changed his stance and turned his aim directly at Lionel's stomach.
Clack!
Blocked.
Lionel blocked it. How could he not, when the attack that Cassian did was what made him win earlier?
Before Cassian could attack him again, he took the initiative more and stepped forward, closing their distance in a single motion. His sword came from the side fast.
Clack!
Cassian was able to block it easily. But Lionel didn't stop at that. Another strike followed immediately, one after another.
Clack!
Clack!
Clack!
"Are you finally attacking?" Cassian's lips curled faintly. "Then don't regret it, Lionel."
"I won't" Lionel answered before attacking once again.