A Little Sparring Match(1)

In the remaining days before their studies commenced, the students acquainted themselves with the academy grounds, explored its facilities, ventured into the Academic City, and met other students from various years.

As they had planned, Alex, Ross, and Julia went to the combat systems to have their VR pods and mana podiums activated.

For a full immersion experience, the systems had to be calibrated to match the physical statistics and abilities of the users.

They had to perform speed tests, response and reaction time tests, strength tests, and an ability test.

With this data recorded, users can fully utilise their capabilities without limitations.

While the process took time, the combat systems were large enough to accommodate all the equipment, VR pods, and house over 1,000 students at once.

Moreover, there was more than one building for the number.

Once Alex and his friends had sorted that out, they were free to do as they pleased inside, although the VR was primarily for combat applications.

.....

"So you finally realised, huh..." Ross commented smugly.

Alex, Ross, and Julia were in a shared virtual reality (VR) room that linked their accounts.

After organising everything, the three of them decided to create a dedicated space where they could meet and train together, from practising their abilities to improving their martial arts.

"Why didn't you say anything before?" Alex said, a slight frown on his face. Not that he was truly angry.

Alex informed them of Xex's predictions regarding his fight with Zen, leading to the current conversation.

"What did you expect? That was the first time you were standing up for yourself, and I didn't want to get in the middle of that," Ross explained, and Alex had to agree.

"None of that matters now. What you need to do is improve your combat skills. That Zen fellow is a piece of work. Trust me, I know his type." Julia interjected.

"For him to approach you in the manner he did, he most likely possesses the skills to support it. Attention seekers like him often seek to undermine the strongest individuals around them."

Alex listened to his friend's perspective on the issue with a thoughtful expression.

That said, it was not to imply that he was poor at martial arts; he was above average, and that was the extent of it.

For individuals like Julia and Ross, who received training in their formative years, Alex would be seen as a child before them.

"Mm… Well, that's just by the way. At least, with the VR pods, I can make up for the difference, and since I decide when we fight, there shouldn't be much of an issue," Alex said, receiving nods of agreement from Ross and Julia.

While no one was holding him to fight Zen, the challenge was issued in the face of the entire class.

His reputation was at stake, and since he accepted this and would choose the date, he couldn't afford to back down.

Alex looked at both of them and asked, "So, who wants to spar with me?" Although he posed this question, he hoped Ross would step forward.

Ross and Julia exchanged glances, and as if in agreement, Julia responded, "I'll spar first. I want to see just how good you are."

With a sweet smile that appeared more like a silent promise of pain, Julia stepped forward while Ross took a step back.

Alex regarded Ross with furrowed brows, and Ross merely shrugged with a grin.

Speechless, he turned to Juliia and asked, "Are you sure?" He didn't wish to articulate it, but the message was clear.

"What? Are you scared to fight a girl?" Julia asked as she approached Alex, staring him directly in the eyes.

"T-That's not what I meant… Hehehe." He didn't know how to respond to that. He backed away from her chilling gaze, both hands raised in surrender.

"Oh… then, by all means, explain." Julia did not want to let it go.

Alex glanced at Ross, only to find him staring blankly elsewhere.

'Fuck! Why did I even ask the damn question?!' He cursed silently to himself as his mind raced to conjure an excuse but failed miserably.

As Alex struggled to find the right words, Julia shook her head and stepped back.

Despite Alex's blunder, the Knight princess maintained a fierce expression as she opened the window to select the stage for the spar.

"Get ready, Alex. We would be starting soon." She stated, and the environment transformed into a plain surrounded by vibrant vegetation.

"Oh… And just so you know, I'll be setting the pain level to 85%," she added with her signature smile that wasn't really a smile. 

Alex gulped anxiously before replying, "Just to clarify, it's only martial arts, right?"

"Of course, why would I use my ice skills on you? It's not like I want to freeze anything." She replied.

Alex felt a sudden chill run down his spine and down his special area. 

The way Julia said the word 'anything' made him understand that things wouldn't go exactly as planned. 'I'm definitely dead, aren't I?'

Here he was thinking that with his strength and speed, Julia might not be able to handle his blows. That was why he wanted Ross to be his sparring partner.

But from the way things were looking, he knew he was in for a world of pain.

Taking a deep breath to calm his nerves, Alex got into a fighting stance, ready to go. Seeing as he was prepared, Julia also took her stance and waited.

Of course, Ross was outside the fighting stage Julia had picked. As he observed the interaction between Alex and Julia, he couldn't help but think to himself, 'They are definitely going to end up together.'

The thought brought a smile to his face. But for now, the fight was about to begin, and he was also interested in seeing how good Julia was.

The countdown for the match to begin appeared above the two combatants. Alex and Julia looked at the timer as it counted down to one. 

Right before it hit the mark for the match to begin, the two locked eyes with each other.

[Fight!]

Once the alert came, both disappeared from their positions.