Spar

We all made it to the training ground and eventually gave everyone a quick explanation as to why I looked different, the official story being I became part dragon after an accident in a dungeon. Then we started sparing to get a feel for how far everyone had come. They had all improved a staggering amount… But, they weren't exactly up to par when compared to some of the more prestigious nobles like the ones in my class. More importantly, though, it was an opportunity to test myself.

If they had improved from 3 stars to 4 stars, then I had improved from 5 to 8. My strength, speed, and agility were all unmatched, even if my coordination was a little off it was improving by the second. And as out of place as I felt in my own skin, the strange boldness and confidence I suddenly had coming from the dragon, and the fact that I felt invincible, were both undeniable.

'There's only one thing left to do now, right?' I cracked my neck, starting to smile again at the thought of a hard fight. "Ok Airsidh, how about we spar now? Maybe I'll even take on you and Kai at the same time?"

He narrowed his brow. "I like how big your smile has gotten… But If you start getting cocky and lose your level head, I might start worrying about you even more…" He sighed, taking off his shirt, once again revealing several cuts and bruises that had only grown more apparent as he began to sweat and circulate blood.

'He's right… I don't actually know how much I've changed… I know I'm not nearly as shy… For better or for worse… But I'm sure there would be some other things too, right? If this has made me more cocky then… Forget it, this is just training. I'll worry about that later.' "Don't hold back ok? This body might even be as tough as Keigan's

He took a deep breath, his eyes suddenly narrowing and his face somehow growing colder as he slowly let out and settled into a stance. "Come at me then…" His words were so soft and cold that I almost didn't recognize his voice.

'He's… Taking this seriously? When has he ever taken anything seriously? Who is this?' I felt a sudden chill, starting to second guess myself and checking his stats. They were all even higher than before, each one now vastly surpassing Lu's 'Did losing to her in that fight really piss him off that much? What kind of training has he been doing? And how long? Since before we left school? Is that why he always acts tired?'

I swallowed, shaking out my arms to try and relax the sudden tension in my shoulders, and raised my hands. 'It doesn't matter though, right? I'm a lot stronger too… And with my magic enhancing me even more I should be able to keep up right? No… No, this is a test. I should limit myself to a level that won't seriously damage my muscles, and see how far I can push myself.'

I stepped towards him and the fight began, each of us coming at the other with a flurry of blows, neither one allowing the other to ever have room for an opening. My muscles started to burn with intense pain as I continued pushing myself further and further just to keep up. The more tired they became, the more manna I had to put into them until eventually, I backed away to take a rest, but he followed after me. As he stepped forward I tried to kick his leg out from under him, but he stepped over my kick and drove his knee into my inner thigh before stomping my knee to the ground and stopping with his fingers pointed right at my neck.

We both stared at each other, completely still. 'Since when… Can he fight like that?'

He took his hand away from my neck, flipping it over and patting my head. "You still want to take on Kai and me at the same time?" He chuckled, squatting down and straightening out my leg to check my knee which was already bruising. "You aren't hurt are you? You told me not to hold back, so I hit you as hard as I could."

'Wha-why do I feel embarrassed now all of a sudden?' "I-I'm fine… I think anyway. It hurts… But I'll live…"

He offered me a hand up. "I told you, didn't I? No way I'll let myself lose to my little sister… That would be so lame."

I took his hand, slowly shifting my weight back onto my now slightly swollen leg, finally feeling a sense of relief as my heart loosened. 'I get it… It wasn't just the bow the dragon was afraid of… But the man strong enough to use it… 'I guess I'm not invincible… Still, my leg would have probably snapped in half if I was in my normal state…' I groaned. 'I'm not embarrassed about these clothes… or this body… So why can't I even look at him right now?'

He chuckled again. "Maybe this will teach you not to be so cocky. Eating your own words, how does it taste? Well, never mind, I can tell just by how red you are."

'Oh… That's why…' I groaned again. "I'll… Try and do better…"

"Good. After we wrap up here you should probably go get a new school uniform too. I think you're starting to outgrow that one a bit."

I felt my face turn even more red. 'Now I'm embarrassed… Why now all of a sudden?' I took a deep breath. "Gee, you think…" Still, it's not as bad as before… My face feels hot, but I don't feel like hiding or running away…' I slowly looked around at the others. "So, what do you think about them?"

"They aren't ready for war… But they'll pass the exam for sure."

"Wel, l that's good enough for now…" I looked down at my hands, still having a bit of a hard time feeling like they were my own. 'Even now I can't beat him… But I'm strong enough to overpower my teacher… He said I was about the level of a lieutenant, so I'm sure with this body I'd be on the level of a guild leader, which is probably the same level as him… Although I've never seen a commander, so I have no reference for that…' I groaned again, scratching my head. "Airsidh, what's your rank right now?"

"When we got here I was a guild master, although I'll be a commander soon. Lu is already a guild master. She beat her teacher in a duel, and she received her temporary rank early because of that. So I have to put in some work if I want to stay ahead of her."

'So she's gotten stronger too… Hmm, I guess I should challenge my teacher to a duel as well then? I'll have to keep pace with her if I expect to go farther than she does… Then again there's no point if I end up getting promoted from the exam anyway…'