After all the students finished their laps, Instructor Borr stood up from his stool. He looked at the tired faces.
Borr said,
Physical fitness is not enough. You must learn to fight. Most of you have Cores too weak for real combat. You will learn to use your hands. Find a partner. We will practice sparring.
The students looked around. Garen grinned and walked toward a large boy who looked strong. They squared off immediately.
A skinny student with quick eyes named Jax walked up to Elric. He had a faint green light around his body, a Speed Core, but it was weak.
Jax smirked.
I will take the Blank. This should be quick.
Elric looked at him and said nothing. They stood opposite each other in the dusty yard.
Borr shouted,
Begin!
Jax moved first. He was fast, darting forward to throw a punch at Elric's face. Elric did not move back. He took a small step to the side. Jax's fist flew past his head. At the same time, Elric put his foot behind Jax's leg.
Jax's own speed carried him forward. He tripped over Elric's foot and fell hard onto the ground. The other students laughed.
Jax pushed himself up. His face was red with anger.
You got lucky.
He charged again, this time aiming a low kick. Elric stepped back just enough for the kick to miss. As Jax's leg was in the air, Elric pushed his shoulder lightly. Jax lost his balance and fell again. He had not been hit. He had been guided into falling.
Jax got up, breathing heavily. He did not attack this time. He just stared at Elric with frustration.
From across the yard, Garen shouted.
Wow! You beat him without even hitting him!
Garen had already finished his own spar. His opponent was sitting on the ground, holding his stomach. Garen walked over to Elric, his eyes wide with excitement.
Instructor Borr walked over too. He looked at Elric closely.
Where did you learn to fight like that?
Elric replied with a calm voice,
I read about it in a book.
Borr did not look convinced, but he just grunted.
Hmph. Reading is one thing. Doing it is another.
He turned to the rest of the class.
That is enough for today. Be here at the same time tomorrow. Do not be late.
The students started walking back to the F-class dormitory. Garen walked beside Elric, talking the whole way.
That was amazing! You have to teach me that move. The little foot trip thing. It was perfect!
Elric just nodded. His mind was not on the fight. While he was sparring with Jax, he saw it again. Just before Jax attacked the second time, a faint shimmering line had appeared. It connected Jax's fist to Elric's chest. A path of action.
He had not tried to break it. He just saw it, and he acted to avoid it. He was beginning to understand. These lines showed what was about to happen.
Mira was walking behind them. She had not sparred. Her healing Core was not for fighting. She had been watching Elric. She saw every move he made. They were too clean. Too efficient. His balance was perfect. He moved like a man who had fought in a hundred battles, not a boy who had never been in a fight.
She looked at his calm face. He was not proud of his victory. He was not excited. He was just… quiet. It was strange. She knew he was hiding something. She just did not know what it was.