Out smarting the Fox

Before Daksh could answer Bert, Hari butted in and said " I am also interested, can I join. "

Hearing Hari's answer Daksh was surprised and looked at Hari with a questioning gaze., But Bert was not at all surprised as he already thought after hearing mana stone Hari would come around, they always do.

Bert scoffed " yes you can join, if you want to?" Bert didn't brother to play hard to get as Hari was his target to began with.

" I am also willing " said Daksh still looking at Hari with amazed eyes.

Bert nodded and grimaced " before we begin we have to go through some procedures of the ring. like this contract that say Wodeyar Combat Hall is not responsible for your injures in the ring and also accidents happen in the ring and one can not sue other, and also for your assurances I have added the clause where I will pay you a mana stone for every minute you spar with me"

Hearing Bert say accidents happening in the ring and one can not sue other, confirmed Daksh's suspicion before. Bert just wanted a sand bag for punching, Bert had no intention of taking out a mana stone. but with this contract he didn't have to worry about Bert going back on his word if he wins.

So Daksh didn't back out of the spar as only a miracle could help him open 3 stars and 1 life star before Magic Academy entrance Exam to get into a reputable Magic academy, and this mana stone was the miracle he has been waiting for. with his families financial's a mana stone was a luxury he could only dream of, so with out giving it much thought he just went with his gut.

But what Daksh didn't know was that Bert just did not want a sand bag to punch for few minutes, that sadistic bastard wanted to totally break Daksh both Physically and mentally.

Bert was sneering in his heart Seeing the contemplation on Daksh's face, just yesterday he had the same hope filled face with great expectations for his future but all of it shattered as he got the news that he would remain a mortal for rest of his life.

According to federations static's only 25% of general populous successfully steps into Magic Realm and the rest 75% has no hope of ever ascending from their mortal status. But still this mindless people believe they can walk on the martial path with only hard work, only to experience their hopes and beliefs shattered by the cruel reality like he had experienced.

If he knew from the very beginning that he would never be a Wizard or magic knight may be just may be the pain he was feeling now would be less , his heart would hurt less and he wouldn't feel this helpless. since the very beginning he was told he was destined for greatness as long as he worked hard … alas if only he knew or someone tell him in the beginning that hard work works side by side with enough talent and resources, hard work without enough talent and resources is just wasted effort along with lots and lots of pain and heartache.

' Its not peoples fault for being filled with hope and dreams, I will set them straight and show them the right path and let them face the reality one by one no matter how long it takes.' thought Bert as he handed contracts to Hari and Daksh.

"what changed your mind, if I remember correctly someone thought that this was simply foolishness" said Daksh as he took contract from Bert.

" hehe ... that was before you reminded me Hard work is slower without appropriate resources and what we don't have right now is time. by the way, do you mind if I go first buddy" Hari foolishly laughed scratching the back of his head.

" be my guest, I will learn from your mistakes." said Daksh patting Hari's back.

" well said my friend, Handwork is slower without appropriate resources. haha but I warn you don't underestimate me I am a 10 star Magic apprentice and I am not planning on holding back." Bert chimed in showing all his 32 pearl white teeth.

Like I thought no one can escape the greed of energy stones. Hard work is slower without appropriate resources, my ass no matter how hard you work or how much resources you have it doesn't matter if you have no Mana affinity and Talent. Its not your fault it's the fault of the society for giving you false hope. no worries this young master will help you realize the truth shortly.

" Friends sign the contracts, then we can have our spar unhindered. let me summarize .." noticing Hari and Daksh go through the contract seriously Bert offered his help.

" No need, I can read" Hari wasn't polite with his words, he didn't care about Bert's identity even if he cared the pride of ex-diamond level mercenary wouldn't allow him to.

In previous life as a Ex- diamond level mercenary Hari worked with many royalties. mercenary are not soldiers, yeah they are called the soldiers of fortune but they lack the discipline of the soldiers and are arogant, prideful, greedy, selfish, cruel and merciless. hiring a mercenary is like swimming with a school of piranha, your okay until you don't bleed but once you bleed then no one can save you. but still the royalties prefer to work with mercenary because as long as the price is right mercenary will do anything for them.

So, even though Hari didn't have the strength to back his attitude right now but he knew that the amount strength he had right now was enough for him to teach a lesson to the jumping clown in front of him.

After thoroughly going through the contract Hari pointed out " hey Bert the contract says that I can't give in until a minute after the sparing starts "

" you are right the contract does mention that cause it is there so that I can get a enough time to at least do warm-up " said Bert shamelessly

" so does that mean even as long as I sign this contract even if I loss I get a mana stone, wow Bert you are generous " scoffed Hari

Yes, Hari pointed out a loop hole in the contract. the first rule and the second rule in the contract contradict each other.

The first rule States that for every minute Hari spars with Bert he gets a Mana stone till a maximum duration of 8 mins.

The last rule States that Hari can't give in until a minute after the spar starts.

so according to these two rules Hari should get a mana stone even if he loses the spar.

Hearing Hari point out the loop hole Daksh slapped his forehead for having a pig teammate. this loophole was one of the reasons why Daksh readily decided to sign the contract. even if he was beaten shitless for a minute it was all worth it as long as he got a Mana stone. what Daksh didn't know was that Bert had made this loophole in the contract purposefully as a trap.

In previous life there was a reason why people choose to spar with Bert even after he was famously know as rookie crusher and that was this loophole, they thought even if they are humiliated in the social network so what, everything is worth it as long as they become a Magic Knight or Wizard. Hari couldn't agree more with them cause there is a difference between a mortal and a mage which couldn't be filled by this little humiliation. once he gets into federation Magic academy everything is worth it, their status in the society will change.

but what these geniuses didn't know was that no matter how much Bert humiliated then in this one minute spar he would always remember to give up at the last second of the one min spar. so, yeah no energy stone for you suckers. As, contract doesn't state any penalty for Bert if he decides to give-in before a minute. some wise old man once said " one with best lawyer is always innocent ".

you would think how much can one humiliate other in a span of one minute right, then you thought wrong my friends just ask the victims of the rookie killer. One minute video is enough to make different kinds of meme's, mashup video etc... making the victims life living hell.

Hearing Hari point out his trap Bert was flabbergasted, then he thought there are only two reason for someone to point out such a advantageous loop hole firstly he is The Good Guy in legends secondly he has already deduced the whole trap. it was hard for Bert to believe either of the reasons.

" thank you Hari, let me remove the last rule how about that problem solved " said Bert with a calm face and asked " are there any more problems? "

" Yes, there is. what happens if you give in or lose " asked Hari.

" that's not possible, how can I a 10 star magic apprentice give-in or lose to a 7 star or a 8 star magic apprentice" said Bert

" I already told you according to the previous test scores you are really not my opponent, Just add a clause that if you give in or lose the winner will get all the 8 mana stones. there problem solved " scoffed Hari

" bu..bu " before Bert could defend

" unless you really think you a 10 star magic apprentice can really lose to a 7 star or a 8 star magic apprentice " taunted Hari

Bert who was already about to burst with anger over Hari's previous mockery of his strength could not take it any more and took the two contracts from Daksh and Hari's hand and tore them in to pieces and turn to bring a new pair of contracts.

Daksh who watch all this happen from sidelines saw his best friend in new light. if he had hurriedly signed the contract then he would be in some deep shit, thinking about this Daksh shuddered and thanked Goddess Chamundi in heart.

Soon Bert returned with new pair of contracts but for some reason the coach also followed Bert.

Handing the two contract to Daksh and Hari, Bert said "these new contract have all the previously stated changes and I have already signed both the contracts, so please go through them and sign. and by the way. Coach Kirit will be our referee "

looking at the troubled face of Daksh, Coach said " don't worry this is Wodeyar Combat Hall policy, all Challenges in Wodeyar Combat Hall are to be monitored and refereed by a Wodeyar Combat Hall teacher. "

hearing this Daksh nodded and looked at Hari who was once again seriously going through the contract. after few minutes Hari gave Daksh a nod signaling that its safe to sign.

Coach took the both signed Contract from Hari and Daksh as well as 8 mana stones from Bert and lead the trio to a professional boxing ring. by now almost all the student's in the combat hall knew about the challenge between the trio and also assembled by the boxing ring waiting to watch a good show.

Some Students scoffed Daksh and Hari, some even went as far to say that Daksh and Hari were frogs viewing the world from the bottom of the well to thing that a 7 star or a 8 star magic apprentice could last for 1 min against a 10 star magic apprentice.

As the Trio reached the boxing ring, Bert first jumped in to the Boxing ring and next Hari entered the ring and stood at ease.

Seeing Relaxed and nonchalant Hari, Bert said " don't just give up easily please try to put up a good show for our fellow classmates "

" please don't start spouting some cliche villain dialogues like in some third grade drama, I am tried of them" said Hari with a yawn.