(Rodova Military Academy, The Practical Combat Grounds)
The two combatants stood at opposite ends of the sparring ring, clad in protective gear, as mandated by the academy.
Leo adjusted the arm pads, knee guards, and light body armor strapped to his frame, shifting slightly to test his mobility.
His helmet fit snugly, obscuring part of his vision, but he ignored the discomfort.
Since regulations demanded that he must wear a helmet, this one was the best fit, although it blocked part of his vision slightly.
Across from him, Su Yang grinned as he flexed his fingers around the grip of a training sword, its edge dulled but still formidable.
Leo, on the other hand, took a different approach.
He strapped a utility belt around his waist, filling it with daggers, their hilts snugly secured within easy reach.
Two more were drawn into his hands, their familiar weight bringing a sense of reassurance, as he mentally prepared himself for the battle ahead.
’It doesn’t matter if I lose, I just need to understand what this body is capable of–’ Leo thought to himself, as he let out a series of deep breaths, as if to instinctively calm his heart rate, and increase his focus.
"Planning to throw them at me? Or do you actually know how to use them up close?" Su Yang asked, eyeing the daggers in his hand, as Leo ignored his comment, instead shifting into a ready stance, as he prepared for combat.
Major Hen observed them for a moment before raising his voice.
"Combatants, take your starting positions."
Leo exhaled, steadying his nerves.
Su Yang, ever the showman, rolled his shoulders lazily before pointing his sword toward Leo. "Try not to embarrass yourself too quickly, Skyshard."
Leo resisted the urge to retort. Words wouldn’t help him here.
"Begin." The major said, as the moment the signal was given, Su Yang exploded forward.
Leo barely had time to process the movement before a blur of sword slash came screaming toward him.
His instincts roared, and he flung himself sideways just in time.
WHOOOSH!
The massive sword slash sliced through the air where his torso had been, missing him by a hair’s breadth.
A cold sweat trickled down his spine—had he been even a fraction of a second slower, that hit would have caved in his ribs despite the armor.
But before he could even recalibrate, Su Yang was already on him.
’Oh, shit—’
Leo barely managed to raise his daggers in time as the next strike came.
CLANG!
The impact rattled through his arms like a shockwave.
His right-hand dagger flew from his grasp, spinning through the air before clattering against the arena floor.
His left dagger remained, but his grip was shaky.
Su Yang’s eyes gleamed. "You show too many openings, Skyshard."
Then, he attacked.
One strike.
Then another.
Then another.
Leo blocked the first few, but it was a downhill battle from there.
Su Yang’s relentless offense was overwhelming—his strikes fast, precise, and filled with raw power.
*THUD*
A heavy thud landed against Leo’s ribs, forcing him to stagger back, barely maintaining his footing.
*CLAP*
A sharp hit clipped his shoulder, causing his balance to waver.
*BAM*
A downward strike slammed against his armored thigh, nearly sending him to his knees.
Left. Right. Center.
Blow after blow rained down, the blunt end of Su Yang’s sword battering him mercilessly.
Leo gritted his teeth as the realization set in—
He was being completely outclassed.
Every time he tried to retaliate, Su Yang’s sword was already there, knocking his attacks aside as if they were child’s play.
It wasn’t just that Su Yang was stronger.
It wasn’t just that he was faster.
It was the way he fought—with the effortless confidence of someone who wasn’t even taking the fight seriously.
As if Leo wasn’t a threat.
As if this was all just entertainment to him.
A deep frustration bubbled within Leo as another brutal strike landed against his side, forcing him back once more.
His grip tightened around the one dagger he had left.
He had to do something.
However, all his fighting spirit amounted to nothing infront of Su Yang’s supremacy, as one last attack by his opponent to his chin, sent him crashing towards the floor, with stars circling before his eyes.
The spar was over, as Hen intervened and declared Su Yang as the winner.
"Stop! Winner Su Yang—" Major Hen said, as a deep frown spread over his face.
"Yang, God Damn It boy, your swordsmanship is beautiful! Well done—"
"Skyshard, you fight like a moron, what the hell was this stance? Why did you not use your combat skills to get out of the tough spot you found yourself in?
What were you even doing?" Major Hen said, as after praising Su Yang, he absolutely admonished Leo.
"Is this kid really a Monarch level talent? What clan are you from boy? What’s the story here son?" Hen asked, alternating his gaze between Leo on the floor and Su Yang, as he waited for an explanation.
"He’s supposed to be a Monarch level talent, but I don’t know why he fights so poorly, Major.
I came here expecting a war, but I found myself fighting against a baby" Su Yang said, as Leo struggled back to his feet, his bloody nose and bruised cheeks a sorry sight to watch.
"I—I don’t have my memories, Major. I’ve forgotten everything about myself but my instincts.
I don’t remember what skills I have, or how I used to fight.
I don’t even remember how strong I’m supposed to be" Leo replied candidly, as both Su Yang and Major Hen were taken aback instantly by his response.
"Mu!"
Both of them said at once, as if something just made sense in their heads, as letting out a deep sigh, Su Yang shook his head from side to side.
"Just when I thought I’ve found myself a rival, life plays a cruel prank on me again….. FUCKKK—" He cursed, his anger genuine, as he seemed to be pissed that Leo did not have his memories on him.
"Hmmm…." Major Hen mumbled, as he scratched his head and shook it from side to side in disappointment.
"I don’t know why they do this to their own kids. The Mu Clan is full of crazies–" Major Hen said, as after contemplating for a while, he placed a sympathetic hand over Leo’s shoulder and pointed towards the exit door.
"Go to the teachers staff room on floor two, and look for a female instructor called ’Muiyan Faye’, tell her about your memory loss and tell her that it’s Major Hen who has sent you.
She’s the specialist at the academy for mind control magic and memory loss, perhaps she can recover some bits of your memory that will help you become more of your usual self again" Hen said, as he gave Leo’s shoulders a good squeeze.
"Thankyou, Major" Leo said, giving him a thankful bow, as the Major gave him a soft smile.
"Become stronger fast, my boy, else the rest of your class will eat you up" He said, as Leo took his advice to heart.
"This isn’t over, Skyshard…. Today’s fight doesn’t count. I want to face you at your best, so you better get back to your peak, as fast as you can!" Su Yang demanded, as Leo gave him a simple thumbs up.
Internally, he did not view Su Yang as a rival. Hell, he did not even care what the bloke thought about him.
However, having fought him today, Leo got an understanding of just how weak he was compared to the best student of this year, and the gap between them was simply massive.
Su Yang had defeated him today without so much as breaking a sweat, and that in itself told Leo all he needed to know about where he stood in the academy hierarchy.