Training for battle—using physical strength, clear thinking, and the courage to never yield to an enemy—these are the natural skills and instincts a traveler must possess the moment they are faced with danger.
"In this training, I'll repeat it. You are not allowed to use magic or body-enhancement abilities. Think of this as a situation where you're caught in a crisis and can no longer use magic in a fight. You must rely on physical strength. Do not hesitate to engage."
The students surrounded their instructor as he spoke in the modest open space at the center.
"You've already been taught several proper body stances when attacking, how to fight an armed enemy in close range, and many more. By now, all of that should already be committed to memory."
Loan scratched his head and avoided eye contact. "I'm getting nervous. Damn it."
Eris heard her friend's whisper. He turned to him with a teasing smile. "Just pray you don't get called for the duel."
Loan swallowed and shot him a glare. "Don't scare me like that."
Right after that, their instructor faced Loan. "This is the second round of our duel matches. Loan Lin. Stand."
Loan's eyes widened in disbelief, pointing at himself as he stared at the teacher. "M-me?"
He heard Eris quietly burst into laughter, and though he wanted to choke him, their teacher spoke again:
"A good adventurer never accepts defeat. And he never backs down from a challenge. Loan Lin, this is a challenge that will test your strength. Your dream is to be a valiant adventurer, isn't it?"
Eris elbowed him and his grin didn't fade. "Come on, valiant adventurer. Don't tell me you're backing out of this simple challenge?"
"Shut up." Loan stood and stepped beside their instructor.
"Now. Choose your opponent. Anyone."
The moment he heard that, a wicked grin appeared on Loan's lips.
At the back, Emrys already sensed something bad from the look on Loan's face.
And his hunch proved right the moment Loan pointed toward him.
"I want Emrys Valestron."
"Boo. Picking on a kid," Eris muttered mockingly, earning another glare from Loan.
The others began whispering. It was obvious they already knew who would win this duel.
"Emrys Valestron? Stand up," the instructor ordered.
Loan studied Emrys closely.
"Aren't they from the same clan?"
"I heard they had a fight."
"Why do we even care? As long as they give us a good match."
"Or maybe that little rat's too scared to stand."
"Probably about to pee himself."
"Maybe his knees are shaking from fear."
"If I were that weak, I'd faint from fear too."
Laughter spread around the room.
Emrys exhaled sharply, stood, and kept his gaze locked on Loan.
"You're really stupid, Loan," Sai muttered.
Eris turned to him. "Why? What's wrong?"
Sai looked back at him. "That idiot wants payback for what Emrys did when he fainted. You seriously can't see that?"
Eris's expression shifted to seriousness as he crossed his arms and watched Emrys step into position. "So you're saying Emrys will win again? You're going soft on him, Sai?"
Sai snapped back. "What? No! I'm worried about that brainless Loan. If we're going to bring down Emrys, we should do it together. I'll admit it—he's strong. Different. That's why we need to be careful when we face him."
Eris said nothing more and just watched the coming fight.
The entire class waited eagerly. But what they truly anticipated was how Loan would beat Emrys to a pulp. Secretly, that was the outcome they wanted.
Their teacher raised his arm between the two students. "Remember the duel rules. If one of you admits surrender, he immediately loses. Or if he can no longer fight, the match ends. Anyone who breaks the rules or disobeys me will be punished. Ready? Fight!"
As the teacher's arm swung downward, Loan immediately prepared to charge with tightly clenched fists.
But when Emrys raised both arms in the air, everyone froze in shock, left speechless.
Even the teacher frowned at him. "Emrys, what are you doing?"
The boy looked at his teacher, then scratched his head shyly. "I'm sorry, sir. But… I really need to pee."
"So you're surrendering your match because of that?"
Emrys nodded, bowing slightly. "I'm really sorry."
"What kind of excuse is that?! Don't run away from me, Emrys! Fight me, coward!" Loan shouted, pointing furiously at him.
Their teacher simply put his hands on his hips as he watched Emrys walk away toward the bathroom.
Everyone was disappointed. So the teacher quickly assigned a new opponent for Loan.
Emrys stayed in the bathroom for several minutes, staring at his own reflection while leaning back against the wall with his hands in his pockets.
Why was trouble always chasing him?