Second Lessons: Combat

Loki and Daphne arrived at Combat class 15 minutes late as they entered the fighting room.

"Do you have a pass?" A deep voice asked.

The two turned around and saw a man standing write behind them. Loki quickly handed the man the pass. The man nodded. "Very well. I will excuse your tardiness this once."

"That's not fair!" A voice said. It was Saltavore. He pointed at Daphne accusingly. "Mr. Crowley, she started the fight She shouldn't be excused! She-"

"That's quite enough, Mr. Saltavore," Mr. Crowley said. "You and Mr. Nishan

"But at least punish the Ability-less boy!" Nishan whined. "He shouldn't be treated on the same level as us! He should be treated like the trash that he is!"

"You are all still students," Mr. Crowley said firmly. "And you don't even know his name, do you?" Nishan fell silent sulkily.

"Let this be a lesson to all of you here. There will be no advantages for high-tiers, nor disadvantages for low-tiers in my class. I don't believe in the hierarchy system, but as I can't control what the higher-ups decree, I can control what goes on in my class. I don't care if you're and Original, you're rich, you're powerful, or all three, you will not be getting special treatment. Understood?"

There were relieved yesses from low-levels and reluctant and annoyed yesses from the mid-levels and high-levels.

"Good. As I was saying, there are many weapons here that you will learn about in your Weapons class. Right now, I want you to choose a weapon to practice with. You will be given an opportunity to change your weapon every class, so you can get a chance to practice with different weapons. All blades have been blunted, arrows dulled and the bullets aren't real ones, so that there isn't any fatal injuries. Abilities are not allowed. Since my Ability is to cancel other's Abilities, no one will be able to use their Abilities during my class. What ever weapon you choose, you must keep until after the mid-year separations, when you will be allowed to choose again. You may begin choosing... Now!"

Students fanned out, looking at weapons and holding them, gauging their weight and size.

Daphne raised her hand. "Mr. Crowley, are we allowed to use our own personal weapons?"

Mr. Crowley nodded. "You must choose one of the basic weapons because it is a standard protocol. But yes, you are allowed to use personal weapons when fighting in the ring, or having practice sparring with others. However, when someone challenges you to a duel in this class, you must use the standard weapons that has been provided. I don't think that other teachers have told you, but you cannot take other's weapons or gear, whether their level or lower than you or not. If you are caught breaking any school rules, there will be serious consequences."

Daphne picked up a basic but elegant sword. Other students picked out their weapons around him, but Loki found himself walking towards a sword.

'Inspect this sword," Loki thought.

[Basic sword: Level 1]

[Made from metal]

Mr. Crowley walked up to where Loki was holding the swords.

"Interesting choice, boy," Mr. Crowley said. "This is a normal weapon that people would choose, but with the right technique, you can surpass many."

Loki nodded decisively. "I'll choose this to be my weapon for today."

"Very well. Has everyone picked a weapon?" Yesses filled the room. "Good. Would anyone like to spar in the ring?"

Saltavore walked up. "Sir, if I may, I would like to challenge Daphne Phoenix to a spar in the ring."

Whispers filled the room, but Saltavore ignored them walking towards where she stood. "So? Will you accept? Or are you too much of a coward?" Saltavore smirked at me.

Loki felt anger course through him as he saw Saltavore goading Daphne. She steely said, "I accept," gripping the handle of her sword tighter.

"The two contestants, come stand in the ring," Mr. Crowley said. "There will be no foul play. Ready your swords, and... Fight!"

Saltavore attacked first, bringing his chosen longsword crashing down on her. She raised her sword, just managing to deflect the blade as she expertly spun away, slashing her sword at Saltavore. Saltavore yelled as my sword slashed at his torso, the blunted blade ruining his shirt and grazing his torso.

"You bitch!" Saltavore screamed, throwing some sort of powder straight into her eyes. As she stumbled backwards, momentarily blinded, Saltavore raised his longsword over her head. "This won't kill you, but it'll sure as hell hurt!" Saltavore laughed as he brought the blade down.

"Daphne!" Loki yelled, just as Mr. Crowley shouted, "Enough, Mr. Saltavore!"

Daphne rolled away at the last second, the longsword just missing her by a hair. She sprang back up, holding her blade to Saltavore's neck. As the both breathed hard, neither of them moving, Mr. Crowley announced, "Daphne is the winner!"

There were small cheers from some low-levels that were quickly silenced by looks from the higher-leveled students.

"Good job, Mrs. Daphne. Mr. Saltavore," Mr. Crowley said, turning to Saltavore furiously. "You are to stay behind and clean every single weapon."

"But-" Saltavore's protest was cut off by Mr. Crowley. "You can either take it and shut up, or argue and do this for the rest of the week. The rest of the class is dismissed."

As Saltavore sat in a corner, fuming, and everyone filed out, Loki quickly ran to catch up to Daphne, checking for injuries.

"You reckless little- Ugh, why the hell would you accept a challenge with a high-level that would do anything to win?" Daphne raised an eyebrow. "Present company excluded," Loki added.

"It felt good to wipe that smug smile of that bastard's face," Daphne said with a small laugh. She noticed Loki holding his chosen sword. "Oh? You chose a sword!"

"Huh?" Loki looked down at the sword in his hands. "Oh yeah."

Loki tossed it in the air a couple of times, catching it in his hand. "If wielded properly, it can be really powerful. Do you know how to use it?"

"Um.... I don't really know how to fight, weapons or not," Loki admitted.

"Well then!" Daphne smiled, clapping her hands together in excitement. "I guess that means we're spending our afternoon in the training room then!"