Mr. Cornell turned his back from where the classes stood and seemed to brief Coach Russo and Nelly Terran on the nature of the sparring that would be conducted. When he was finished Coach Russo yelled, "Alright maggots, your attention." The conversation in the courtyard immediately transitioned into silence. The air around Nelly changed in that moment and Winter noted the obvious attraction she had towards Mr. Cornell. "Your sparring pairs are posted on that board over there," Russo called out as both classes rushed over to see. Winter waited while her friends went over. She noticed people talking loudly about their partners and dividing to either side based on their class. Winter waited until the crowd dispersed before walking over to the board and tracking her name on the list. She moved her finger along the line to see who she was paired with. Winter groaned, "So much for staying out of each other's way." She sauntered over to her friends as a general murmur about her arose from the crowd. "Did you see Winter?" "Yeah where has she been?" "I heard the reason we're sparring today is because she found out about magic." "Really? Why were we hiding it from her anyway?" Winter ignored them. Layla tugged on her arm, "Did you see who you're paired with?" Winter nodded reluctantly. Mandy pulled on her other arm, "Who is it?" Winter sighed, "The Ice Queen herself." Layla scoffed, "You forgot to add the 'Evil' in front of it." Winter heard Jax talking behind them, the irritation in his voice caught her attention, "Why would they pair us?" Lucas was trying to cox him into calming down, "I don't know but it's not anything to get so riled up about." Jax's face said that he thought otherwise. She didn't have to wonder too much before she figured out who it was Jax was paired with. Coach Russo's voice rang throughout the courtyard as she shouted, "Listen up idiots. Since everyone knows their pairs now, we will begin the matches."
"We will be sparring using swords today. No magic," Cornell added. Mandy mumbled, "Winter are you going to be okay? Do you know how to use a sword?" Nelly Terran interrupted Winter's response, "Let's have the new girl go first." Winter shot her attention over to where Nelly was stationed on the platform. She couldn't help but wonder her intentions in calling her to go first. Coach Russo puffed her chest, "What a terrific idea! Winter Knight and Brenna Abbott, come up." All the eyes turned towards Winter as her class parted for her. Brenna Abbott emerged from the crowd. "Woah, the Ice Queen verses the Princess." "Does Winter even know how to sword fight?" "Why would she? She was raised outside of Golden Academy High." The smirk on Coach Russo's face was that of someone who desperately wanted revenge, "Choose your weapon." There was a row of different swords, some sheathed and some unsheathed. Brenna did not hesitate to choose the sword she seemed most familiar with. Winter, on the other hand, was at a disadvantage. She walked along the collection of swords running her hands over the handles. She closed her eyes. When she felt her magic tug at her, she wrapped her hand around a sword hilt. Winter heard a gasp and then opened her eyes. She stared down at the sword she was holding. Its handle was beautifully engraved, mixed with shades of red, purple, gold, silver, and orange. Winter ran her fingers over the sword, admiring its quality. The pride in Nelly's face quickly dissolved before catching anyone's attention. Winter rose her eyes to meet Coach Russo's, allowing a hint of amusement to shine through. Cornell cleared his throat, "Winter Knight, that is your choice?" Winter rose her chin in answer and faced Brenna. Winter was not expecting the appalled look on her face; she surveyed the crowd and noted the general look of confusion everyone sported. Nelly Terran looked between the two girls and said, "When you're ready." Brenna recovered from her initial shock and lowered her stance. Winter mimicked her. Brenna dashed forward attempting to get the first blow, but Winter had been watching her feet. She maneuvered out of the way gracefully and Brenna, scowling, turned around and tried again. Again, Winter dodged it. She slashed Brenna's arm instead. She thought to herself, "It's so fun when people underestimate me." She heard a chuckle in the crowd on class 8's side. She realized that the person was reading her thoughts so she continued, "Because then I get to see the look on their face when they realize just how wrong they were." Winter's eyes flickered over the crowd as they stopped on golden eyes filled with entertainment. She rose her eyebrow at the person and they lowered their head ever so slightly. Noticing that her attention was slightly diverted, Brenna took the opportunity to slice Winter's calf and forearm. She didn't allow herself to wince and only smiled. She rose her sword up to meet Brenna's, the clash of metal filled the air. Their swordsmanship was like a dance, one that Winter refused to be undermined in. Brenna lost her balance for a split second and Winter moved in, fast as a viper. She tripped Brenna and before she had the chance to stand again, the point of Winter's sword was aimed at the soft spot on Brenna's neck. Winter looked over at the platform where the teachers were observing. Haughtily, she waited for their response. "Winner, Winter Knight!" Coach Russo grimaced as a cheer came from the bystanders. Winter flipped the hilt of her sword in her hand getting another feel of its lightness. She couldn't help but admire it one more time before reaching her hand out to help Brenna up. "Good match," she said smiling. Brenna ignored her hand and stood on her own. "You got lucky," she clutched at the wound Winter made on her arm as healers rushed over to them both. Winter watched as they moved to mend Brenna's injury. When they fixated their attention on her, Winter was already healed. The tall girl from class 8 who was the designated healer frowned at Winter, "Didn't you get hurt?" Winter shrugged and looked down at her leg where the wound already stitched up by itself. She walked over to the sword stand and set hers down. Jax yanked on her arm hard and spun her around, "Why did you grab that sword?" Winter looked at him blankly, "What?"