POV: HELENA IVYRA.
A few days had passed since classes began. Nothing major happened during that first week, just the usual start to the school year.
We had our first lessons with the teachers, heard a bit about what we'd be studying in the first trimester, and learned about the evaluation methods, among other things.
In truth, the only really relevant thing, if I stopped to think about it, was the instructions about graduation.
Especially the part about fundraising; we'd have to sell mini-pizzas, hold raffles, and sell trinkets to get enough money for the ceremony. Third year involved a lot of necessary "gambiarras," as they say.
Along with its responsibilities, now that I was in the special class, I'd have to attend afternoon classes sometimes. Something that, honestly, was already routine for me.
'The last time was for the astronomy Olympics, right?'
I quickly recalled the times I'd come to school after hours to study and train.
Those were good times, sitting at that corner table, reading while sipping coffee that the lunch lady, Joaquina, would get from the kitchen and let me drink.
'Always so kind, I loved her, it's good she managed to retire… She'll be able to rest better.'
Those were things I'd miss after school. Thinking that this was my last year, that I'd have to leave at the end, really brought a sense of uneasiness, or rather, anticipation.
'I'll probably leave this city for college if things work out… Let's hope so, right… Future Helena, please be patient with me'
Whether she'd be mad at me or not, I couldn't know. What I did know was: these classes with this special tutor could be a salvation! I definitely needed to ensure I learned as much as possible.
'He's a professor who studied at ITA, it'll be perfect if I can ask for some help with second-level axioms!'
Before I knew it, I was already at the school corner.
Renata was just a few steps to my right, catching her breath and wiping sweat from her face. After all, that blessed afternoon, the sun decided to work overtime, even though now that we were almost there, the sky had turned cloudy.
As we crossed the street, I noticed the sun liked to appear exactly when we left and hide when we arrived… Damn selective heat.
We reached the school gate. I turned to Renata and saw her nod for me to go first. There was silence between us today, but it was common. After all…
There was a tension in the air, of course, but it was the kind of anxiety that came with the expectation of this strange new class, keeping in mind that we'd have to meet the new professor and see if the headache would be worth it.
Upon entering the school, I passed by the guard post and showed him my shining student ID.
'Not even stylish, at least… Hmph….'
The usual guard, who already knew me, authorized our entry without problems. We walked towards the training courts. I looked to my right; there was a strange zigzag ramp that led to the second floor.
After its entrance, there was a covered area with a ping-pong table and a foosball table. Further to the side, a small sand volleyball court, marked by an orange line.
And in the background, two combat courts before the gym, where the futsal court was.
I focused my attention on the combat arena, which had new colors and apparently the floor had been reconfigured to be more resistant, I believed.
I noticed a tall, elderly man with an upright posture and a serene, yet clearly trained, appearance standing by the platform gate. The platform was probably about fifteen meters long by ten wide.
His presence was impossible to ignore. The tall man with a calm but clearly trained demeanor looked up as he noticed our approach. His eyes were cold, but not empty. Evaluative.
"Good afternoon, young ladies. I imagine you are Helena Ivyra and Renata Silveira" said the man, with a firm voice and an accent I couldn't discern.
We nodded in agreement. He continued.
"I am Professor Miguel Castro. I am a Master, graduated from ITA, where I studied engineering for my undergraduate degree, and specialized in mathematics, as well as being a black belt in two martial arts and a second-class mage"
I was silent for a moment, absorbing every word. A new professor. And we already knew it would be different, but I didn't expect that.
'He's teaching high school with that resume?? I know exact sciences are complicated to get a job, but this much??'
Noticing my silence and probably my astonished face, he continued.
"Before we begin, I need to understand who I'm dealing with. I want you to introduce yourselves." said Professor Miguel, raising his hands to count.
"Tell me: main enchantments, interpretive styles, and mastery times".
I took a deep breath and stepped forward.
"Good afternoon, Mr. Castro! My name is Helena Ivyra, my interpretive style is Analogous. With intermediate masteries and a beginner one. I have experience in close-quarters combat using constructs and short to medium-range energy projections"
He just nodded, and his eyes quickly moved to Renata. She spoke with more firmness than I expected.
"I'm Renata Silveira. Wielder of support and long-range enchantments, my interpretive style is analogous, I have an intermediate mastery, and another beginner one. But…" she hesitated a second.
"I have an energetic core enchantment of my own…".
His eyebrow raised slightly. For the first time, I saw him show genuine surprise. Which was common when Renata mentioned that fact.
"Imagine when he finds out what this menace can do…"
I glanced sideways at Renata, who was a sweet and super shy person. But, the creature was so incredibly talented. Turning my attention back to the professor, he continued.
"Interesting. Very well. To assess you accurately, I need to see what you can do." he said, stepping onto the platform via the stairs.
"Let's begin our class…"
My eyes met Renata's for a brief moment.
"We'll start with what?" I asked, even though I already imagined the answer.
"Combat. The class is about that, after all…" A slight smile appeared at the corner of his mouth.
"Let's practice, I want to see what the 'Sunflower' class can do…".
The tone of his comment was clearly provocative. Which didn't fit the composure he had shown until then.
'Peculiar fellow…'
I gave Renata a signal, and took a few steps forward to get onto the platform. She followed right behind.
"Two against one?" Renata questioned, suspicious.
"Exactly," he replied so naturally that I was left speechless.
***
POV: MIGUEL CASTRO.
Time to start classes…
'Damn it, I never imagined that after twenty years in this cursed profession, I'd have to step foot in a public school again to teach'
That was my main dilemma these last few days as I prepared the training for these girls.
Fortunately, my old academic background fit perfectly for the professor disguise. I even made sure to use my real name, precisely to make it clear who I was.
If H had sent someone after the girl, they'd think twice with me here.
Speaking of the girl… let's see what she could do.
Both put on simple combat gear, with energy defense panels attached to the fabric.
Nothing heavy, nothing that limited movement. Just the essentials: danger indicator and impact protection in case of emergency.
The platform rose from the ground in a few seconds, expanding to form a large hexagon. The edges vibrated with energy, indicating the safe limit of the field. It was beautiful, modern, and really looked like something alien in the middle of that random school.
I took a defensive stance, no weapons, no active enchantments.
'Let's start by seeing if they set the pace… in combat.'
I lightly cracked my knuckles and gave instructions.
"The rule is simple: step off the platform or be knocked to the ground. That's a defeat".
I don't think the girls thought I was serious, but I noticed their postures change as they saw me prepare.
'Noah said she was good… we'll see'
I looked at the girl Renata. Both exchanged glances, Helena nodded. They were ready.
I saw them move naturally.
They took lateral steps, and one advanced to my right and the other to my left. Both crossed paths on opposite sides of each other, like two parallel lines wanting to cross a fixed point. Me.
'Good positioning…'
I reinforced both hands with energy, activating the base of my right wrist, my Cervantes enchantment mark. I kept my arms crossed.
"Axiomatic Tessellation!" Helena uttered, activating one of her marks, and advanced first towards me, coming from the right.
Forming two gauntlets on both her hands. Pure solid energy, she closed the distance quickly.
Before reaching me. I turned to face her, until I saw a chain tie on my foot… It was Renata.
She maintained distance and a firm support stance. She tried to pull me off balance.
I rotated my foot in the chain and pulled it. But before that, she canceled it, already expecting this, and fired an energy bomb in my direction.
Helena closed the distance, I was forced to take a lateral step, dodging the energy. Helena raised her gauntlets to receive the impact of the projectile, which charged her gauntlets… which now glowed a stronger blue.
Now, less than two steps away. She raised her guard in a boxing stance. She advanced, throwing a right hook.
I turned inside her guard. I swept my foot to her right to trip her. However, before that, another projectile hit me.
My energy-charged hand prevented the worst impact, but Helena kicked me in the leg, trying to sweep my feet.
I retaliated, sweeping at the base of her shin.
She noticed and turned her foot back, not in time to perceive my change of direction which ended up confusing her;
I swept towards her supporting foot again, wanting her to lose balance. I noticed a sequence of projectiles coming towards my back.
They weren't just simple energy spheres… were they cloud-shaped?
Channeling energy into my right wrist. I spun on my heels.
"Cervantes." I uttered.
A shield appeared in my right hand, a short sword mark in the other. Both of greenish energy. The projectiles exploded against the shield's energy barrier.
At the same time, I sent an energy wave at her feet to unbalance Helena, who, noticing this, took a step back and somersaulted, gaining distance…
'I'll have to take this seriously… I need to make her use The Scream…'
POV: HELENA IVYRA.
Before, I had the impression his resume was too much. Now, I had the terror of thinking…
"Who is this madman??"
None of the school teachers, neither in demonstrations nor in basic training, proposed a two-on-one. Yet, this madman proposed it without even using enchantments at the start.
It took Renata and me hitting him with one of her Shadows of the Clouds for him to activate his enchantment and energy for the first time.
After he did that, his hands, both of them, had patterns. His left had a sword, the other a shield.
'Cervantes, huh?'
Renata was a few meters behind me. I gave her a signal with my left hand and advanced. I tried to strike him with a sequence of hooks, reinforcing my energy to sweep his feet or form small energy blocks to push him off balance.
All failed… He blocked my blows with almost humiliating perfection.
My gauntlets connected, but he redirected the impact. Nothing truly hit him. The marks on his hand shone brighter and brighter…
"He's nullifying the attacks," I murmured, clenching my teeth.
I changed my rhythm. I tried to find openings, but he read every movement. It was like fighting someone who had watched a recording of me ten times.
Still, we kept going. Renata fired projectiles at strategic moments, trying to open space. I tried to get in. Break his guard multiple times, but nothing.
He smiled, not with mockery, but with genuine curiosity. He was waiting for something more.
His stance straightened, and waves of energy flowed from his hands.
That's when he murmured something. I didn't understand the words, but I recognized the tone: activation enchantment.
Maybe a projectile enchantment? I didn't know.
"Rê!" I yelled, on impulse.
She understood immediately. A larger, denser projectile exploded between us. Smoke rose, creating a momentary curtain.
I moved back a few steps. It was time to change strategy.
Let's try from afar… Directing energy to my Chains of Marginal Liberty mark while strengthening the connection of Axiomatic Tessellation to use if necessary.
"Chains of Marginal Liberty!" I proclaimed, as Specter Bala and Specter Professor appeared amidst small clouds on my shoulders.
Looking to the side, over my shoulder. I saw Renata with her hands charged and glowing a strong onyx color.
"Rê, formation: Mantle and Dagger!" I declared, firmly.
I saw her smile. She knew what to do. The next phase had begun.