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"Has he ever contended with a cadet before?" I asked, with an aim to get justification for my fury at the moment.

Old Jacob glanced at me. Picking up from where he left on a frond knot, he lifted a side of his mouth, "No. His egoistic nature wouldn't let him stoop so low. Rarely though, he only gets involved with the cadets whenever he's willing to lend a skill. Besides that, this is the first time he requested for a challenge." Furrowing his brows, he muttered grumbly, "Bloody punk. Half of them are gone already..."

He must not have meant it for my hearing, but I had. And it got me overly curious. 

"Half of them? Who are gone already?" I tilted my head to the side to probe, slightly squint-eyed.

Old Jacob waved his palm dismissively, his look, a nonchalant attitude. "It's heart wrenching to discuss such. Let's leave the dead to rest… it's really nothing good."