Chapter 78: Ch78 – Charity Case

“Alright,” James said, wooden sword in hand. “Your turn. Let’s see what you’ve got.”

Ryan picked up his own practice blade. “You know, you say that every time. And every time, I get my ass kicked.”

“Exactly. Tradition.” James grinned. “Now stop complaining—” James waved for Ryan to come at him. “—And fight me.”

They squared off in the center of the arena.

James didn’t give him time to think. He lunged forward, sword coming in fast.

Ryan blocked—barely. The impact rattled up his arms.

“Good!” James called out. “Now hit me back before I hit you again.”

“I’m trying—”

James struck again. Ryan blocked, stumbled slightly, then swung wild.

James sidestepped. “That wasn’t a swing, that was a prayer.”

“It almost hit you!”

“Almost doesn’t count.” James tapped Ryan’s shoulder with the flat of his blade. “Dead. Again.”

Ryan groaned. “How are you this annoying and this good at fighting?”

“Natural talent.” James reset his stance. “Come on. Again. And this time, don’t swing like you’re swatting a fly.”

They went at it again. Ryan managed a few decent blocks, even got close to landing a hit once. But James was always a step ahead, always reading his moves before he made them.

Still, Ryan could feel some improvement. His footwork was steadier. He wasn’t completely lost anymore.

James feinted left, then struck right. Ryan actually read it this time and blocked cleanly.

“There we go!” James’s face lit up. “You’re not hopeless after all.”

“High praise,” Ryan said dryly.

“I’m being generous.” James circled him. “Most people I’d just call hopeless and leave it at that.”

From the sidelines, Jared called out. “You know, Ryan, if you stopped talking and started moving, you might actually land a hit.”

“I’m multitasking!”

“You’re losing,” Jared corrected.

Ryan lunged forward, attempting a quick thrust. James deflected it, spun, and tapped Ryan’s back.

“Dead. Again.”

Ryan turned, breathing hard. “One day—I’m going to be fed up of this—and I’ll throw a light spell in your face.”

“Sure you will.” James clapped him on the shoulder. “And it’ll have zero impact because I’ll be a tier 6 Knight.”

Slow, deliberate clapping echoed across the arena.

All three of them turned.

Navius stood at the entrance, hands coming together in mocking applause. Two other students flanked him—both older and both wearing clothing that could only be of Nobles.

“How touching,” Navius said, voice dripping with condescension. “The charity case is learning to hold a sword. How long until he stops embarrassing himself, do you think?”

James’s expression darkened. “Navius. What do you want?”

“I was just passing by.” Navius strolled into the arena, eyes sweeping over them with obvious disdain. “Heard the pathetic clanging of wood and thought I’d see what all the noise was about.” His gaze settled on Ryan. “And here you are. The academy’s newest… rat.”

Ryan’s grip tightened on his sword. “I’m just training, what’s your problem?”

“Training.” Navius smiled. “Is that what we’re calling it? From where I stood, it looked more like a toddler learning to walk.”

“He started training to be a Knight two days ago,” Jared said flatly.

“And the Academy allowed him in?” Navius’s smile faded. “Standards really have dropped, haven’t they?”

He studied Ryan more closely. “And he’s also already sparring? The instructors must be desperate for entertainment.”

James stepped forward. “You going to train, Navius? Or are you just here to hear yourself talk?”

“Oh, I have plenty to say, kid.” Navius’s tone was dismissive, like he was addressing a child. “But watching you three pretend to be warriors is more entertaining.”

“Just leave,” James said. “No one invited you.”

“This is a public arena. I have as much right to be here as you do.” Navius tilted his head. “Unless you’d like to make me leave?”

The challenge hung in the air.

James’s jaw tightened. “Fine. You want a real fight? Let’s go.”

Navius laughed. “You? Against me?” He shook his head, genuinely amused. “That’s adorable.”

“Scared?” James shot back.

“Of a kid who can barely—” Navius stopped, smile vanishing. His expression turned cold. “Very well. If you insist on humiliating yourself, I’ll oblige.”

He gestured to one of his companions, who tossed him a wooden practice sword.

Navius caught it easily, testing the weight. “Try not to cry when you lose, kid.”

James’s face flushed with anger. “Just fight.”

Jared leaned toward Ryan, voice low. “This isn’t going to end well.”

“For who?” Ryan whispered back.

“Navius, of course. I saw him sparring in our sessions. He’s good, but he’s no where near James’ level.”

“Ready?” James said.

“Yes!” Navius said as he thrusted in for a surprise attack.

James stepped back, and hand parried Navius’ sword away. James quickly followed it up by slamming his sword toward Navius’ neck.

Navius ducked, the sword grazing the top of his head.

James wasn’t holding back. Navius was in a weak spot, and James wasn’t about to give him time to reposition.

James pressed the advantage, sword coming down hard.

Navius blocked, but the impact forced him back a step. Then another.

“Not so confident now?” James said, striking again.

Navius parried, but he was barely keeping up.

James feinted high, then went for Navius’s legs.

Navius jumped back.

“You’re all talk,” James said, advancing. “Just like I thought.”

Ryan, smiling, looked over to Navius’ two companions, who were growing more and more eager to leave.

Navius’s face was red now. But not from exertion.

He swung wildly. James sidestepped, let the momentum carry Navius past him, then struck his exposed hip.

“Dead,” James said. “That’s three openings you’ve given me.”

Navius spun around, breathing hard. “Shut up.”

“Make me, kid,” James shot back, throwing Navius’s own words at him.

The two nobles watching from the sidelines shifted uncomfortably. One of them called out, “Navius, maybe we should—”

“I said shut up!” Navius snarled.

He attacked again. Desperate now.

James blocked easily, countered, and slammed his wooden blade into Navius’s ribs.

Navius staggered. Dropped to one knee.

“Stay down,” James said. “It’s over.”

For a moment, Navius stayed there, head bowed, chest heaving.

Then Ryan saw it.

Navius’s free hand—the one not holding his sword—was moving. His palm now facing James.

“James—” Ryan started.

Too late.

“Ignis Pila!”

A ball of flame erupted from Navius’s palm.

James tried to dodge, but he hadn’t expected such a despicable move. The flames caught his hand—the one gripping his sword.

He screamed.

The wooden blade clattered to the ground as James jerked his hand back, clutching it against his chest.

Navius stood, breathing hard, fire still flickering around his fingers.

“You should’ve stayed down, kid,” he said coldly.

Jared was already moving, running toward James. Ryan followed.

James’s hand was red. Blistered. The skin already starting to swell.

“You used magic!” Jared shouted at Navius. “In a sparring match! Are you insane?”

Navius lowered his hand. The flames died. “He wanted a real fight. I gave him one.”

“This was supposed to be swords only!” Ryan said, anger rising. He raised his practice sword.

“I never agreed to that.” Navius’s expression was calm now. “He challenged me. I accepted. What I use is my choice.”

James gritted his teeth, still cradling his burned hand. “You—”

“I what?” Navius stepped closer. “Taught you a lesson? Showed you what happens when you challenge your betters?” He sneered. “You should be grateful. I could’ve done much worse.”

“Navius,” one of his companions said quietly. “We should go. Before an instructor—”

“Before an instructor what?” Navius said, not looking away from James. “I defended myself in a fair challenge. If he’s upset about losing, that’s his problem.”

Navius turned and walked to the exit, his two companions following.

At the entrance, he paused and looked back.

“Next time, kid, know your place.”

Then he was gone.

Ryan knelt beside James. “Let me see.”

James reluctantly held out his hand. The burn covered his palm and fingers, already forming blisters.

“It wasn’t a strong spell,” Jared said. “But we need to get you to an infirmary.”

James slowly nodded.

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