As class goes on, Nathan looks out the window and sees the headmaster depart to meet Captain Cedric. All that comes to mind is her reaction in the office after mentioning the tattoo.
[What happened to her back then? It's the first time I saw her like that.]
Thoughts flood his mind, questions of whether it all happened during the elf war or certain parts of her life.
The teacher notices Nathan not paying attention and calls him out in front of the class.
"Mr. Valen!"
"Oh- yes, Professor."
"Seeing as though you aren't paying attention, would you mind telling us why it's dangerous to push past the limit of mana your body can take?"
Surprised at the question, Nathan thought that the teacher would've given him a much harder question. He easily answers based on what he analyzed when training with Noah and Oscar.
"Naturally, our bodies weren't meant to inherit magic, so it's seen as a miracle that we can. Regarding your question, it's dangerous because it can lead to fatigue, and when in battle, it can give the enemy an opening and strike. A part of your body can give out, rendering you physically impaired for a brief moment or even forever. Worst case scenario is death."
The whole class goes into utter and brief silence after hearing those facts.
"Well done, Mr. Valen. You gave a brief and direct answer. I hope all of you heard and understood that, because this could save you one day."
Nathan proceeds to sit back down as the professor goes on to lecture on her lesson.
Class ends, and she gives one last statement before they are all dismissed.
"Your battle class instructor will be 10 minutes late for class on urgent business, so make sure to prepare before then. You are all dismissed."
As the class disperses, Nathan is the last person to exit. He sees Noah patiently waiting for him by the door and asks Nathan,
"Are you ready?"
"About what?"
"Don't tell me you forgot. We were going to tell the others what happened after battle class."
"Yeah, about that."
"What is it?"
"I don't think it's a good idea."
"(groans) What is it now? Are you getting cold feet? If so, then I'll tell them."
"That's not it. I had a talk with the headmaster, and she knows."
"She knows?"
"She knows everything, including that water bastard and that cult group."
Noah is taken aback by this and covers his face in disappointment.
"What else did she say?"
"Said to keep it between us and that she'll inform all the captains and the king."
'This sucks ass."
"Tell me about it. Let's change and get ready for class."
The two of them go to the boys' changing room to put on their gear. They get in to see all the other boys getting ready, along with Oscar and William. The tension between Nathan and William is still as tense as ever, with the two of them exchanging sharp glances towards each other. Everyone inside is aware of this and gets ready at a much faster pace to not get involved.
Oscar, being the student council president, wants to help settle their dispute, but sees it as of no avail.
William was one of the first people to get out, followed by the others in the changing room. Oscar walks over to Nathan and asks,
"Please try not to cause any trouble today."
"Whatever do you mean?"
"I mean this thing with you and William, don't let it get to a point of being physical."
Noah enters between their conversation and asks,
"Are you afraid he'd get in trouble?"
"Not with the school, but with his family. With him being the second heir to his family, if he gets into any sort of confrontation, they would stop at nothing to make sure whoever did it answers either in a cell or underground… by calling over his brother."
"The one in the Obsidian order, right?"
"Exactly, and I'm sure you know of this, right, Nathan?"
"Don't worry, your pretty little head, Oscar, I wouldn't want to hurt your cousin. But just know that if I'm in an inescapable circumstance, I will handle it in a manner befitting it. Shall we go?"
Oscar sighs after what Nathan has said regarding his cousin, William, and the three of them head on over to the training grounds where their class is being held.
They arrive in what looks like a smaller and modernized version of a colosseum. Other students are in attendance with Ariel, Seraphina, and Eleanor. They greet each other but see one of them not being there. Noah asks about this.
"Do any of you know where Daniel is?"
Seraphina responds.
"To be honest, I haven't seen him these past few days. Do you know, Ari?"
"Not a clue. Haven't seen him after talking with Prof. Nowell."
Oscar shares his opinion.
"Isn't he probably helping out his father's business?"
"Maybe."
Their conversation gets interrupted by a muscular man in light battle attire.
"ALL OF YOU BE QUIET!"
His loud voice shook everyone around the arena, causing them all to frantically take a seat in the stands.
"Now then, without any more interruptions, I would like to welcome you all to your first battle class of the year. My name does not matter, but what I'm here to do, so call me whatever. Last year, you were all taught how to fight with mana, weapons, and hand-to-hand combat. But this year, you will all get a more personal experience. No better way to start the class than with an all-out brawl between students."
All that was heard around the class was the students murmuring about who was going to fight and how.
"I'm sure this is all exciting for you all, so without further ado, here are the rules. I will select 1 person from a slot, and that person will choose any one of you to fight them. Doesn't matter if that person is stronger or weaker than you because the end goal of this class is to help you all in conditions on the battlefield. Note that fighting with the intent to kill is strictly prohibited, and all injuries will be tended to by the school nurse with healing magic."
He starts shuffling the bowl filled with names on a piece of paper, and he pulls one out.
Everyone looks at him in suspense, with some having silent prayers of not fighting, then a name was called out,
"Darren. May whoever goes by that name come forward."
That name belonged to one of Williams' lackies. William tells him that he will go in his stead, and he eventually agrees. He stands beside the teacher as Noah whispers to Nathan about what he is planning.
"So, who do you choose to fight?"
William gives a large grin and points in the direction of someone everyone expected.
"I choose Nathaniel Valen."
The crowd gossips in excitement to see the two of them about to fight.
"You heard that. Nathaniel Valen, step forward."
Oscar tries to ask Nathan out of it, but his gaze is fixated on the overconfident William, with fists clenched with fury and hatred.
Once arriving down there, the instructor tells both fighters to position themselves on opposite sides of the arena.
"Are both fighters ready!"
William responds.
"Yes."
Nathan does the same.
"Yes."
He raises both arms and pulls both down, commencing the match.
"FIGHT!"
[Bring it on.]