Longinus took a few steps back from me, eyes sharp with focus.
"On the count of one," he said, voice low but brimming with anticipation.
Three…
Two…
One…
"Start!"
A massive wave of dust exploded from the ground as Longinus launched forward.
Before I could even blink, that maniac was already right next to me. I didn't even see his feet move—only the blinding motion of his sword, a blur of steel rushing straight toward my face in massive speed.
(Massive? LIKE MY LOOOW TAPEER FAAADE)
[Sorry i couldn't help myself 😔]
My hands, which had been loosely holding my wooden sword pointing downward, instinctively shot up. With a swift motion, I twisted my blade and managed to meet Longinus's strike mid-air.
The impact rang out like thunder.
I had blocked it.
But the sheer force behind his attack—
It sent me flying.
Spinning through the air, my body twisted uncontrollably. As the wind howled past my ears, it hit me—
Longinus wasn't human.
He was a monster wearing a man's skin.
I had put everything I had into that block, every ounce of strength and focus I could muster…
And still, he blew me away like I was a feather caught in a storm.
I clenched my jaw and braced for the landing.
Crash.
I slammed into the training field's grassy surface—hard.
The breath was violently ripped from my lungs as I hit the ground back-first. I rolled a few times, dirt clinging to my noble robes, then lay there, gasping, stunned.
I tried to breathe—really breathe.
"Haaaa… Heeeee…"
Each inhale was a struggle, my chest burning with pain. But even through the haze, I heard something that made my fists clench.
Laughter.
Low and cruel.
A group of knights—Markus among them—were chuckling softly among themselves.
Before Markus could scold them, before he could shout for them to shut up, I began to rise.
My arms ached, my lungs screamed, but I grabbed my wooden sword and used it like a cane. With effort, I pushed myself to my feet.
My fine robe was filthy with dirt and grass stains. I didn't care.
I stood still, silently glaring at the knights.
Their laughter died immediately.
I gripped the sword's handle so tightly that my knuckles turned white.
The tension in the air was suffocating.
Markus stepped forward, clearly preparing to apologize on their behalf—maybe even beg me to show them mercy.
But before he could utter a word, I turned away from him.
Slowly, steadily, I began walking back towards Longinus.
With a low voice and just a hint of rage, I muttered,
"Pathetic…"
Everyone heard me.
And I didn't care.
I'd been bullied before—back in school.
Always the tall freak, the quiet one with a father who didn't care about him.
I had always fought back, always defended myself, but being tall never made things easier.
I hated people who mocked others just for trying.
---
Longinus's Perspective
When I charged at Michael, I expected him to block like he always did.
But this time… he didn't move his blade until I had already swung.
Just barely, he managed to intercept my attack—but even so, it launched him into the air.
He crashed into the ground, unmoving for a moment.
I took a breath and prepared to walk over to him—
But then, I heard laughter.
From across the training field, a few knights had begun snickering.
My eyes snapped to Markus, who quickly moved to quiet them.
But just then, Michael began to move.
With great difficulty, he stood.
His sword tip pointed down, his back turned slightly to the laughing knights.
His hand clenched tightly around the hilt—so tightly his knuckles paled.
And in those blue eyes of his, I saw a storm of anger.
Markus stepped in front of the knights, clearly intending to beg for mercy on their behalf.
But Michael didn't speak to him.
He turned towards me instead.
And said just one word:
"Pathetic."
Then, he began walking towards me again.
And spoke once more, voice clear:
"Again, Longinus."
---
Michael's Perspective
Longinus heard me.
Without hesitation, he shifted back into his combat stance.
Three…
Two…
One…
"Start!"
He charged at me again, just as fast—just as monstrous.
But this time, I was ready.
Both my hands gripped my sword tightly.
My mind flooded with images—endless frames of me blocking his strikes, countering, moving, adapting. A million mental rehearsals played out in an instant.
Then I felt it.
The wind shifted on my right.
I turned sharply, sword raised—
Clang!
I blocked his strike cleanly this time.
The force still pushed me back, but I didn't fly.
Locked in a stalemate, our blades pressed against one another, our eyes meeting.
I knew I wouldn't win in raw strength.
In the clash, he kept pushing me back inch by inch. My arms trembled; they couldn't hold out much longer.
So I did the first thing that came to mind.
I pulled back my leg and launched a front kick straight into Longinus's chest.
And guess what?
Nothing.
That lunatic didn't even flinch.
He just kept pressing down on me like my kick was a gentle breeze.
I gritted my teeth, trying to stay calm.
I needed to think—fast.
Then an idea struck me.
A reckless one.
A 50/50 I'm-about-to-get-launched-again kind of idea.
But I had no other choice.
I let go of my sword.
Just dropped it.
Without resistance, Longinus's sword came crashing down toward my head.
I ducked—barely in time—and dropped to my knees.
In one smooth motion, I grabbed my sword from the ground and raised it—
The blade pressed tightly under Longinus's chin.
He stood there, holding his sword above my head… but didn't move.
He was surprised—I could tell.
Then, slowly, he smiled.
He let go of his sword and took a step back.
Raising his hands, he said with a grin,
"I surrender, young master. You win."
I rose slowly, breath heavy, and dropped my sword too.
I was surprised—truly surprised—that Longinus hadn't simply overpowered me again.
I was certain he could've dodged that if he really wanted to.
But hey—
Never look a gift horse in the mouth.
Even in Michael's memories, he had only ever beaten Longinus once.
Now I had too.
Which meant that, in total, Longinus had only lost twice.
And I was completely sure… both times, he had let us win.
Then Longinus straightened, his smile widening.
"Now," he said,
"let's move on to magic."
---