(Rodova Military Academy, Practical Combat Grounds, 8:45 AM)
At 8:45 AM, Leo stepped onto the practical combat grounds, his usual military-issued robes replaced by his black Assassin attire—a rare choice, which he usually only wore during specialized stealth and mobility classes.
He had chosen this attire because he felt a sense of freedom moving within it, that he did not feel with the tight military clothes, and also because it helped him conceal weapons underneath the folds of the robe.
By the time he entered, a sizable crowd had already gathered at the practical training grounds, with the crowd’s whispers immediately surging as they spotted his visage.
"He actually showed up? Damn, I thought he’d take the smart route and bail."
"Does he really think he can win? I mean, he’s strong, but against a circuit team member?"
"No chance. The circuits team isn’t some joke. There’s a reason only ten second-years made the cut."
"But he’s a Monarch-level talent. You never really know until you see them fight."
Leo heard them all. Every snide remark. Every whispered doubt.
But he gave them nothing.
His expression remained unreadable, his posture relaxed yet purposeful as he walked further into the arena, his sharp gaze scanning the field.
There was no real optimism in the air surrounding him. The crowd wasn’t here to cheer for him—they were here to watch him fail.
Out of the hundreds gathered, only a handful seemed to believe he had even the slightest chance.
Mu Ryan.
Mu Shen.
And that was about it.
However, it did not matter.
He hadn’t come here to prove anything to them.
He had come to win and to avenge.
"Good, you showed up on time…. If you had not, I would have been forced to drag you from your dorm room by your hair—" A male voice came from behind Leo, as when he turned he found Yu Shen entering the combat grounds, with the entire second year team behind him.
"Are you scared? Rookie? You should be— you’re gonna face ’Khyaal’ here today.
And ’Khyaal’ is a mountain of a man!" Yu Shen said, as he gestured towards the biggest and tallest brute standing behind him, who looked like he was at least 7’6" tall.
"Of-course I showed up on time. Who do you think you’re talking to?
Leo Skyshard is many things, but a spineless coward is not one of them" Leo said coldly, as he fearlessly made eye contact with Yu Shen, before turning his gaze to Khyaal, who he stared down as well.
"Spunky" Khyaal said in a deep giant-like voice, as he simply chuckled at Leo’s attempts at intimidating him.
It was clear that he did not take Leo as a serious opponent, which enraged Leo even more.
"What did you call me? You big fat oaf?" Leo asked, as Yu Shen gave him a mean shoulder push.
"Easy there tiger…. Don’t bite before the fight starts, else my team will fuck you up.
We’re being respectful here.
Otherwise, do I need to remind you of what happened back at the mess hall?" Yu Shen said, as Leo almost felt his blood boil in rage at that statement.
Yu Shen was clearly fucking with him, however, Leo knew very well that he couldn’t do anything about it.
Yu Shen was very careful in not breaking any school rules when he provoked Leo, which made it hard for him to justifiably retaliate.
"Oh look, there’s the second one.
Haha, he’s shooting dirty glares at us…. That one’s funny" Yu Shen said, as he pointed towards Su Yang, who was squatting on the ground not 20 meters away, with a tight grip on his sword.
Su Yang had those crazed eyes of a murderer, and he looked like he was ready for the opening bell to unleash all his pent-up rage.
"Well, no point in even talking to that one.
I guess we’ll go find a seat for ourselves, won’t we boys?" Yu Shen asked, as his teammates voiced their agreement.
"Excuse us, rookie… we will sit and enjoy your downfall from the best seats in the house" Yu Shen said, as he deliberately brushed his shoulder past Leo as he moved past him, with his teammates doing the same.
All 10 of them bumped shoulders with him on their way to the stands, as slowly but surely Leo reached the limits of his mental calm.
’Relax…. You must Relax… this is exactly what they want.
You must not let him get under your skin’ Leo told himself, as he desperately tried to calm his raging blood down, however, it was easier said than done.
He could almost visibly see his heated breaths as they left his nose, as they had turned to vapours.
He too was ready to explode with his daggers out right this very moment, however, 10 minutes still remained till the Major and the officiating staff showed up.
As Leo was forced to bottle-up his feelings until then.
******** Your journey continues at Free
(10 Minutes Later – 9:00 AM Sharp)
By 9:00 AM, the anticipation in the arena had reached a fever pitch.
It wasn’t just Major Hen who arrived alongside his officiating team— as he was accompanied by a lineup of figures that instantly commanded respect.
Professor David.
Professor Powell.
Lieutenant Muiyan Faye.
Principal Alric Dainhart.
Professor Marvin.
And nearly a dozen other instructors, some of whom Leo didn’t even know by name, all arrived at the Practical Combat Grounds one after another.
"Holy shit even the principal is here—"
One student noted, as it became evidently clear to all that this wasn’t just a regular show-case fight anymore. That it was a proper spectacle.
As the gathered faculty took their seats, a secondary wave of arrivals followed behind them, in the form of Rodova’s entire medical team.
Leo’s gaze flickered across them, noting just how many of them had been summoned, only to realize that there were far too many for him to even count.
A dozen high profile healers, A dozen doctors and at least 3 dozen nurses seemed to be at-hand for this fight and it did not seem to be a coincidence that so many of them were here.
It was clear that principal Alric was the one who had summoned them and that he was the one who was not keen on taking any chances.
These were his star students that were fighting today—-
His circuit team members against his monarch level talents, and hence Alric seemed to wish to ensure that no matter what, none of them were permanently injured in today’s bout, for which, he summoned every available doctor to the combat arena.
"I’m telling you, Hen… if any of the boys lose a limb, or become permanently retarded because of a blow to their heads, I’m going to fire you from your job, and hound you to the point you don’t even get a pension after retirement.
I’m trusting your referees to interfere as and when needed, but it’s your neck and job at the line here.
Officiate a safe match, else be fired" Alric warned, as Hen chuckled heartily at the principal’s words.
Deep down he knew that Alric wasn’t bluffing, however, he had absolute faith in his referees.
They were the ones who were going to be closest to the action, and he trusted them to intervene if things ever went south.