Combat Training was taken in the fourth period, and was, by far, the longest class on anyone's schedule —- This was because it was over three and a half hours long and split into three parts. The first was a Beast Weapons class, and took place in a Gym-like classroom chamber that had various weapons lining the classroom chamber walls — These weapons were no ordinary weapons; Corven noticed they had auras on them, making them beast weapons — No higher than Tier C beast weapons, but formidable in their own right, ranging from swords, shields and spears to daggers, battle axes and gauntlets. They were all neatly lining the walls across the chamber like decorations and ornaments to a house.
The official name for the first part of the class was called "Beastal Studies & Beast Weapons" and it was taught by Instructor Shifu Wang — A chinese adventurer that hails from humble beginnings. He looked to be 32 years old at the mid-level Chaotic rank. He had jet black hair, a lean build and wore a black educated, Chinese-styled jacket with yellow dragon embroideries etched into it, matching trousers and sandals. He had a golden embroidered, black sheathed Jian strapped to his back that gave off the aura of a low level Chaotic rank beast weapon even through the concealing sheath of the Jian, named "Golden Dragon's Fang."
"Welcome to Beastal Studies & Beast Weapons class, Beastal Studies for short or you can just call it Beast Weapons class. It does not matter. The point have been gotten across either way," the man spoke. "I am Instructor Shifu Wang, and I will be handling all three Combat Training Sections for this course.
"To begin, can anyone tell me the five subtypes of beasts found in existence?"
Only Marxes had his hand up.
"Yes, Marxes Ilmari?"
"There are actually 14 tiers of beasts, each more powerful than the last, going up from Tier D to Primordial, though Primordial is impossible to achieve unless born into it, so I should really say there are 13 tiers, ranging from Tier D to Progenitor," began Marxes, knowingly. "These tiers are separated into smaller subtypes — Five, well, four, if we don't include Primordial. The first subtype is Magic Beasts, which contain beasts from Tier D to Tier A. The next is Apex Beasts, which contains beasts from Tier S to Tier Z. Third, we have the Elemental Beasts, which are the beasts from Tier Alpha up to Tier Emperor. And, lastly, we have Progenitor, which is, as the name suggests, the Progenitor Tier beasts."
"Very good, Marxes Ilmari, very spot on," praised the Instructor. "In the real world, as cultivators and adventurers, whether nobleborn or commoner, you will have to encounter magical beasts. I am here to teach you the basics of what to do when you do."
Shifu Wang goes on to speak about how most beasts are from mythological stories — How almost every beast has their own myth and that knowing said myth can help one conquer said beast.
"Beasts are used to make a variety of things, including clothes, jewelry, armor and, yes, even weapons," Shifu Wang explained. "But to make these things, you have to actually kill a beast and, to do that, you must carry a beast weapon. Even the weakest beast is stronger and more durable than the strongest normal mortal and must be dealt with by a beast weapon of equivalent tier or stronger.
"Here is what we are going to do — For the second portion of Combat Training, or 'Weapons Use,' you will pick a weapon from the wall of weapons you see around you and you will pick a partner to spar with. Everyone present is above High rank so Tier C weaponry, while painful, shouldn't kill you if you are just sparring. This weapon will be your weapon for this class for the rest of the semester, so treat it well.
"Now, let us begin. Pick a weapon off the wall. There's more than enough to pick from, so pick a partner, pick a weapon and, when you are finished, follow me. We will be heading to the Training Grounds.
"Before we do this, I would like to let you know that after this class period, the Dining Hall will be giving you your cultivation resources for the month, so feel free to head there after class.
"Also, I would advise you to choose your weapon carefully. Who knows? Perhaps the weapon you choose will have an Active or Passive skill to it." With a chuckle, as if to laugh at his own joke, Shifu Wang got out of the way to allow his students to go through the weaponry lining the walls.
Corven knew that whatever passive or active skills these weapons may or may not have would not be match up to his Legendary rank sword, Darkstar, or even his High Level Demigod rank Twin short swords, Greenfang Blades, but, considering he was not ready to reveal his cards quite yet, he decided to just play along. Looking to where the weapons were lining the walls, Corven began heading that way, noticing that Celeste and Jabari were following close behind with Marxes making up the rear.
'So that is the boy who caused such a ruckus at the Avouching Ceremony…,' Shifu narrowed his eye slits at Corven, taking note of how he had three powerful noble students following him like baby geese to a goose. 'How unusual… Then again, when dealing with Primordial Spawns, nothing is ever just simple as I've learned last year with those other two Primordial Spawns… Achlys Keresa and Cimon Morpheus….
'Well, it doesn't matter. So long as he does not cause any trouble in my class, he should be fine. There's a rumour going around that Head Instructor Athan may take him on as his pupil in future, though there's no way to be sure, as Athan never takes on anyone as his student, not after what happened with me, I suppose.
'It is strange, though. When it comes to potential. Achlys and Cimon are just as rich as Corven. Achlys being the daughter of the Primordial Death itself, and Cimon being a son of Primordial Slumber… And yet, only Corven is being considered for Athan's tutelage… ? How curious. Athan Eubuleus is the only Faction Head Instructor to not have an active protege — I highly doubt he's taken one on now… At least, not yet. But will he really take on this one…?'
Meanwhile, Corven was busy studying the weapons on the walls before him, completely ignorant of the musings of his combat instructor.
Before him, he saw a long sword, a shield, a katana and 2 long daggers — All were at the Tier C rank, but Corven completely ignored most of them, especially the shield. He was tempted to get the long sword, but eventually decided not to. Whatever he could learn with the long sword he could learn with Darkstar, he'd figured. That left the katana and the two long daggers.
Corven picked up the two long daggers, feeling their +7% increase in agility each, before shaking his head, and putting them back. His gaze shifted to the katana. It was an average looking katana, with a silver reflective blade and a red-bound hilt with black tsuba and menuki etchings. The blade had a black sori while the rest of its blade was a reflective silver.
'I've never used a katana before, but maybe I should try it,' Corven figured, wondering internally. 'I mean, anime makes them look so damn cool and wielding one would prove to be a perfect cover for my plans…'.
Corven decided he would go ahead and pick the katana. He had sensed the +(% boosts he would gain in agility by wielding the blade, but noticed no Active skills from within the blade.
'I doubt a Tier C ranked weapon with an Active skills would actually be used in a classroom setting for teaching students combat techniques,' Corven realized. 'The instructor knows this so he was most likely just pulling our legs on that part. If there were such a weapon present then it would likely already be in an instructor's arsenal.'
"A katana?" a voice sounded beside Corven, causing Corven to turn towards the source to see Celeste beside him with a normal looking rapier, giving off a Tier C aura unlike her own, custom rapier, which was a Legendary rank weapon. "Do you know how to use it?"
"I'll learn," Corven shrugged.
"I have no doubt," stated Celeste, honestly, fixing Corven with a flirty gaze. "Who knows? Maybe you'll look attractive in the process."
"We'll see," Corven said back, the subtle flirting not lost on him. He, instead, tried to focus on his surroundings, no one around him being able to tell if he was using a pokerface to hide a blush or if he was just being shameless.
He noticed Jabari had gotten a pair of bronze gauntlets also at the Tier C rank. Nice gauntlets," Corven acknowledged.
"Ya think? I was tempted to get the twin short swords but they'll make me severely limited on how much martial arts I'd be able to use during a fight. Then I saw these gauntlets and was like, I should definitely get them and so I did," Jabari said as fast as ever.
'That boy never slows down!' Corven and Celeste thought internally, eyes twitching slightly.
Corven then turned to Marxes, who wielded an obsidian black, heavy battle bladed sledgehammer at the Tier C rank. Even from where Corven stood, he could tell the weight of the sledgehammer was a heavy one, even as just a Tier C weapon. It was definitely a weapon few would be capable of wielding but, considering how Marxes had it slung onto his shoulder so nonchalantly, and how buff the technopath was — Well, Corven was sure Marxes could wield it efficiently and with ease.
The two exchanged a nod before Corven turned to Celeste, curious. "You want to be sparing—-."
But, before he could finish his sentence, some boy shoved past him, with his own clique of students following close after. They had shoved past a handful of nearby students to get there from the looks of displeasure on many of the surrounding students' faces. They had an air about them that Corven recognized immediately, even before they spoke — The arrogance, the narcissism, the expression of snobbism and highborn idiocy. Nobles.
"Move out of my way peasants," the boy was a blond, blue-eyed noble with a jock-ish build, from the Heavenly Faction, based on his uniform — He had an arrogant aura yet Corven could sense he's at the beginning of the Legacy rank. His minions seem to be at different minor levels of the Special rank and all of them seem to be built like an American football player.
'It doesn't seem I can escape these stereotypical jocks,' Corven thought to himself, a shadow of annoyance covering the top half of his face.
"Celeste Lumianris, I wouldn't mind sparring with you, then maybe take you out to dinner some time after," the boy said, sounding and looking smug as he grinned like a retard. Corven had to fight the urge to stab him in the gut.
Celeste gave this boy the fakest smile she could muster before answering with "Ah, and you are?"
"Josh Sky," the boy, around 15 years old, bolstered, his chest puffing out like in the cartoons Corven used to watch as a little kid. "Of House Sky, and a direct descendant of Zues himself. There's no genes quite like mine. You'd be lucky to have my seed, I'm sure," he winked at Celeste, who had to fight with everything she had not to gag at the gesture.
Corven could not stand the cringe. He could not decide whether to cry, laugh or snap his own neck just to escape the secondhand embarrassment that came as a result of this boy's audacious words. 'Do these people really talk like this? How are they not cancelled? Someone should put them in their place! This is embarrassing… for them! I'm embarrassed for them just listening to them talk! The cringe, oh, the cringe!'
Corven wanted to step in. He wanted to show this child his place. He locked eyes with Celeste and he could tell she was disgusted by this boy. But, from what she conveyed through expressions, Corven realised she wanted to handle this herself. Corven
"Well, Sir Sky," suddenly, Celeste's warm smile turned sharp and cold. "You can't handle me. I'm above you. Get lost, creature."
"Yes, I know I'm amazing, I– Wait, what? You-you," Josh began, eyes wide, before glaring. "You bitch!"
It was at this moment that Corven decided to step in.
"You know, she won't spar with you, but," Corven interrupted, catching Josh's attention. "I'm sure I can keep up with you. How about I spar with you?"
"Get lost, Primordial Spawn commoner trash!" Josh looked Corven up and down in disgust before blinking slightly, shoving past Corven.
But. before he could get far, Corven grabbed his arm in a vice-like grip, his hair covering his eyes in shadows, his wicked grin all that could be discerned on his face, startling Josh. "I'm afraid… I wasn't asking, noble scum. I;m challenging you, noble trash. Face me in the sparring match —- If you win, I'll convince Celeste to spar with you once," Corven looked to Celeste, who nodded in acknowledgement.
"However, if I win," he turned back to face Josh. "You must get down on your knees and beg for Celeste's verbal forgiveness like the little, insignificant being you are… Deal?"
Upon hearing the details of the "deal," Josh Sky immediately jumped at accepting. To Josh, beating someone as insignificant as the commoner trash of Corven was a small price to pay to get close to Celeste. It wasn't like this was his first time beating a commoner; it just happens that this commoner was a Primordial Spawn, that's all. It's not like he couldn't beat Corven — He was naturally confident in his ability to beat the boy and win Celeste's heart. The House of Sky were descendants of Zues, after all, they were great king of the Olympian gods. If anyone deserves Celeste's favor, it would be Josh — He was born for it, honestly. At least, so he thought.
'Though Corven phrased it like a deal, he isn't asking,' Instructor Shifu Wang thought internally. 'This boy… What an interesting turn of events.'
Eventually, Shifu had everyone move to the Training Grounds behind the Castle where sparring and training were oftentimes performed.
The Training Grounds were reminiscent of a Gladiator Arena from Ancient Greece. It was built of stone and sand, with stone stands for spectators and an arena ground made of dirt and sand the size of a football field.
As Instructor Shifu's class entered, murmuring about what was about to go down, they noticed that a few second and third year students were present, doing spars and practicing various weaponry from swords to spears to axes and staffs and whatnot. Theu picked up on what was happening quickly, with many deciding to either go to the side or go to the audience stands to watch what was happening.
"What? You say a commoner challenged a noble to a duel?" questioned a second year.
"And one of House Sky, no less!" a third year exclaimed, amazed by the audacity.
"This commoner is done for!" stated another third year student.
"The balls of this commoner must be made of steel," muttered a second year student.
"While admirable, this commoner is foolish nonetheless, especially in this instance," a second year wear glasses adjusted his glasses so that they reflected the light, making his eyes unnoticeable through the flash of the lenses, as he smiled. "He will lose, and when he does, it will just prove that we nobles are superior in every way when compared to commoners. He will learn his lesson, as have those commoners before him, no doubt."
"To challenge a noble… Well, I would not want to be this commoner," a fourth year student stated bluntly.
"Gee, y'all glazing so hard right now," Corven shamelessly began towards the crowds watching. "Stop riding this man's dick! It's gross… Unless you are all into that sort of thing, in which no shame thrown. I don't judge, you do you and all that."
There was a pause of silence as the crowd absorbed what Corven just said then…
"You prude insectious bastard!" screamed the second year noble with the classes. "You dare speak to us this way!"
"You shameless prick!" screamed a third year from before. "You dare insult your superiors!"
"The audacity on this one!" screamed an enraged second year. "Such impudence mustn't be allowed to stand unpunished! As both nobleborn and higher classmen, I shall show you the error of your ways!"
As the older students were about to charge Corven onto the field, something happened, causing everyone to gaze upward and gasp. A mass of crimson blood descended upon the bleachers, eventually taking the form of… Faction Head Athan Eubuleus, who sat directly beside Instructor Shifu.
Athan suddenly released a bit of his Chaotic Rank presence, causing the upper class students to think twice before proceeding with their actions. "This… is a dual of two, not a jumping of many over one. There is no honor or merit in doing such things. Back off. If you want to battle this youngling, make sure to follow the proper Duel Regulation Rules. No more than 3 challenges can be done per person, per week."
The crowd of students seemed to grasp the faction head's reasoning. At the very least, they were now even more hesitant to charge at Corven now that a Faction Head was seeming to at least be looking over him. Still, they weren't calm just yet, far from it. They'll do as advised though, and wait their turn to challenge Corven.
'So he truly has taken at least minor interest in the boy,' Instructor Shifu thought, looking at Faction Head Athan from the corner of his eyes. 'To acquire this stubborn man's attention…,' Shifu, turning his attention back to Corven, thought on. 'This boy…'.
Instructor Shifu Wang looked to the arena grounds, more intrigued by who this Corven boy really was to interest someone as detached and stubborn as Athan Eubuleus, who was well-known to not have had an apprentice… or at least, not have had one in a long time, anyway. He hasn't taken on the role of a Master in centuries. He was even more curious to learn just how gifted this Corven Umbrovante was and he knew that with this duel, he would get a pretty good window into that insight of wisdom…
Athan's earlier words and presence display seemed to have thwarted the nobles of the student body from jumping Corven. Instead, most of them moved aside more, making wider space for Corven and Josh's duel, some even going back to their own spars, completely ignoring what's about to occur in just a few minutes.
Corven did not care, though. He knew the arena was big and spacious enough for multiple spars and duels to occur simultaneously and he was only primarily focused on Josh before him at the moment, anyway. His only thought was to make this bastard pay for shoving into him and looking down on Celeste like she was only an object to be claimed and a womb to be bred and nothing more. Corven couldn't entirely identify just what he was feeling or why exactly he felt so strongly about it, but he knew one thing for sure: He was going to make an example out of this brat, and he was going to do it right there, right then, for everyone to see.
'No one will ever speak that way to Celeste nor will they look down on Corven after today,' Corven steeled his resolve and meant it to his very bones.
Some part of him — a miniscule part of him — was sane enough to remember to make a mental note to thank Faction Head Athan for stepping in and stopping the jumping from happening. Corven knew that he was an asshole and not a very self-helpful assjole, either, so Athan stepping in just then was some helpful PR control.
"Are you ready, Primordial Spawn commoner trash?" Josh unsheathed his Tier C silver geat longsword from his back — it looked heavy. "I'm going to skewer you, trash, so that I can prove to Celeste Luminaris that I have the better genes to gift her with."
"Uh, gross, ultra cringe," Corven unsheathed his katana. "I'm goin' have fun beating you. When I'm done with you, you'll never speak of "spreading your genes" again. I give you my word."
"We shall see," Josh gritted his teeth, his veins in his forehead slightly throbbing in annoyance.
"Both fighters ready?" a fourth year acting as referee stood between them, checking on both sides. When they both nodded, he said "Begin!"
The fourth year referee barely finished giving the green light before Jish dashed towards an expecting Corven, his great longsword in hand, raised overhead as he leaped high into the air about 20 feet before descending with gravity on his side.
'I see, so it is true,' Corven narrowed his eyes, locking onto Josh's descending figure, as he remembered what he read in the books at the Luminaris Estate about the ancient house of House Sky. 'Those of House Sky all have some kind of Meteorokinesis ability they're born with, being descendants of Zues, the sky god.'
Corven swiftly rolled out of the way before jumping backwards a few feet, eyes not leaving his opponent, even as Josh created a mini crater about 5 feet of the area at the spot Corven just was, causing a small dust cloud to rise from the point of impact.
'He used aerokinesis to help lift him into the air, before using gravity and his heavy sword to cause more impactful damage,' Corven analyzed, as Jish locked on his location and dashed his way at inhuman speeds.
"Stop running and fight back, you bastard!" Josh snarled, sneering ugily as he appeared before Corven, mid-swing of his sword to Corven's side. "It's not fun if you run. Plus, I can't show off for the babes properly if you don't fight back. I have you mow!"
Corven raised his katana just in time to block the strike from cutting him in two, but the force of the blow still caused him to slam into the arena wall with a BOOM! causing a dust cloud to arise in his wake.
"Corven!" exclaimed a worried Celeste, her fists clenching, shaking uncontrollably in anger.
She couldn't believe this. She blamed herself for this. Corven was knocked around because of her. He was in this situation because of her. She was certain Corven only challenged Josh because he spoke so badly to her — Corven was just trying to defend her pride and he's getting hammered because of it.
Jabari was in no better state. He was shaking, but not with rage — No, Jabari was shaking with excitement.
He knew Corven was strong — He had a sixth sense when it comes to sensing power levels and Corven rings his bells more than Josh Sky ever could — Jabari was sure Corven was about to prove just why that is, too.
Marxes was silently watching the whole thing, without comment, analyzing everything before him methodically, down to the very last detail. He knew Corven took care of a Tier A beast with Cimon — He was going to see just how that was possible and he was not going to miss anything.
"So he was all talk?" A noble student scuffed when Corven didn't immediately exit the hole he was in.
"Of course he was! You cannot hope to beat a nobleborn as a commoner!" exclaimed another one, this one a third year student.
"This ends the same way as it always does when dealing with commoner trash," the guy from earlier with the glasses said, pushing his glass up on his nose, a glint passing through the lenses in the process, his grin malicious in nature. "In loss and defeat, with your tail tucked in between those commoner legs of yours."
Up in the booth, where Instructor Shifu and Faction Head Athan resided, Instructor Shifu was perplexed. "Was that all? I thought any student that have gathered your interest, even mildly, would be more of a challenge, Athan."
"Oh, I'd be a little more patient and not be so quick to give up on this one," Athan chuckled, puzzling Shifu even further. "Just wait and watch. You'll see soon enough."
Shifu looked at Athan in confusion before turning back to the arena floor…
[Back In The Arena]:
"Come on out, little brat," sneered Josh. "I know that was not enough to kill you. We've got lots of playing to do."
"You're not going say 'pause' after a sentence as zesty as that?" Corven's voice sounded from inside the dissipating smoke cloud. Suddenly, glowing pale white eyes could be seen floating in the depths of the dissipating dust, causing a shiver to run down Josh's spine upon eye contact. "You could at least say, 'no, Diddy,' man."
"Wh-what?" questioned a clueless Josh, who suddenly felt like he was before a darkness of old, ancient powers. He had to pinch himself to un-paralyze himself as he locked gazes with the pair of sclera black, pupil pale white eyes glowing before him. He felt true fear — no, terror, he felt true terror — as if the jaws of darkness itself were about to swallow him whole. He was completely unaware that this was a side effect of Corven's killing intent: it paralyzes one in fear, making it much easier to take out enemies weaker than Corven. It was an instinctual ability that Corven was only first using right then, like many abilities he'll learn he'd inherited from his parents.
"S-s-so what>! You think I-I'm a-afraid? Of you?" snapped Josh, doing his best to shake his body of what lingering fear clung to him from Corven's killing intent. He then waved his hand, summoning a breeze of wind strong enough to carry away the dirt and sand cloud, completely dissipating the dusty air. "You can't hide now!" Josh charged forward/
"I wasn't trying to," Corven admitted, as an aura of shadow energy covered his whole body. "I was… buy time." his voice began to ecko as Corven's form began to distort, shifting and twisting with the purple-black shadow energy to the point that he became blurry.
Josh, finally realizing something was wrong, tried charging faster to prevent Corven from doing whatever he was about to do, despite the sense of dread he was feeling growing by the second, but it was already too late. Corven had already done it.
Before Josh, Corven had created two more Corvens from his own shadow and body! And something told Josh these weren't just simple mirages — They were all carrying the same aura of shadow energy that Corven's original body had, all six eyes were glowing the same pale white with black sclera — And all three bodies were smirking darkly. It was unnerving.
"I'm going to kick your ass now. And you're going to have to take it, no?" the three Corvens chuckled darkly, before all three jumped into motion.
[Up In The Stands]:
Up in the stands, where Athan and Shifu Wang sat watching, Shifu had a shocked expression on his face, his jaw slacked, and his eyes while in surprise. Athan was visibly impressed — He knew Corven would surprise him, but this? Well, the kid had potential, to say the least. He was glad that his guy had been right to come here this morning.
"Th-that's impossible. I don't believe it," Shifu stuttered silently, his face a canvas of surprise and confusion. "Both of them are solid copies of the original, despite both being made of shadows — They are solid physical manifestations!"
Athan just chuckled.
[Back In The Crowds]:
\ Jabari's ear twitched. "'Solid Physical Manifestations' huh? They're made of shadows, you say? Oh, this fight is getting good!"
"He's amazing!" Celeste's eyes were like stars as she watched Corven's performance.
She could hardly believe her eyes. Corven was powerful — She already knew this. Her father told her as much, but to see it up close and personal? Well, it was an experience she was glad she did not miss.
"He's strong," she repeated, steeling her resolve. "I must also get stronger and stronger, too. I will not become a burden to him or my family — I have my own reason for annealing the Shadow Realm — To achieve that, I must get stronger with Corven."
Marxes was very impressed with the results of what he was seeing. He silently watched Corven begin his counter attack, certain that this display of strength could be one to remember…
[Back In The Arena]:
Josh slammed the edge of his great sword into the side of a shadow clone, but it only went through the clone like it was a hologram. The clone, smirking, leaped on top of the blade and of weapon, suddenly solid and weighted, preventing Josh from lifting it, while the second clone ran up, did a flip before drop kicking Josh in the chest with a resounding THUMP, causing Josh to fly backwards a few yards onto his back with a THUNK!
The real Corven did not give Josh a chance to recover. Josh had only just gotten back up to his feet, clutching his wheezing chest, air knocked from his lungs when suddenly Corven — the real Corven — came charging his way, his feet light on the ground but quick.
Josh, noticing that Corven was approaching, thrusted a hand, summoning a gust of wind to blows leaping Corven away. It was successful as Corven was thrown back multiple yards. Sadly, Josh could not celebrate his victory for long as Corven's two shadow doppelgangers came charging at him, katannas in-hand, and they were closing in fast.
Josh must have realized he couldn't hand;e both of them weaponless, at least, not head-on, so he trusted his hand forward, summoning a gust of wind where his sword laid flat on the ground, forcing the sword to come his way like a propeller, slicing through a clone on its way into his hand. The clone turned into a puff of shadowy mist before disappearing for good.
Then, using his backhand, he backhanded the last clone, who blocked the hit but was still sent backwards a few feet.
"You think a couple of clones can stop me?!" Josh arrogantly looked to the real Corven, laughing loudly and boastfully. "Don't make me laugh!"
"You're right," chuckled Corven darkly, causing the hairs on Josh's neck to rise up on end. "Two won't be sufficient with your sword skills… So how about four?"
Suddenly, Corven's shadow extended and from it rose four more shadow clones, each at the mid-level Legacy rank, just like Corven.
"Or six?" Corven's voice sounded as the shadow below him extended more, releasing more aloud shadow clones. "Is this enough to satiate your strength or do you want more?"
Josh, wide-eyes like saucers, was speechless. "I-I-Impossible! This is… unfair."
But the clones did not give Josh time to process his situation. Instead, all 7 clones [The original clone that Josh had backhanded had not vanished], plus original Corven, charged at him. Two disarmed him of his sword, while the rest began jumping him; Punching, kicking and biting were all on the table.
By the time the fourth year referee called Corven as the winner, Josh was beaten so badly, so haggardly, that he was an unrecognizable pulp on the ground, red, sore and full of injuries. He needed to get rushed to the medical ward, but even Corven knew the damage he did to the boy's balls were irreversible, even for the best of healers.
Slowly, Corven — the real Corven — turned towards the crowd, smiling with barely any injury or shame and spoke. "Now, who wants to challenge me next? I'm ready to have some more fun!"
No one was immediately raising their hands… Until someone did: the second year novel with the glasses from earlier raised his hand. "I believe," he said, volunteering. "I would prove challenging. Acommoner like you belongs below us. You will be reminded of that."
As the student stepped forward onto the arena ground, Corven sensed he was at the mid-level Legacy rank, just like Corven. He had brown hair, a clever face and elvish ears.
"That's Klaus Vahnes, of House Vahnes," a second year student stated, surprised.
\ "He's a halfborn elf and the youngest prodigy of his house, reaching mid-level Legacy Rank at the age of 15!" another student said, this one being a first year.
"House Vahnes and House Sky have been ally houses for centuries. They even share the same town in the Dark Forests!" a third year stated. "They practically raise their children together, they're so close."
"Klaus Vahnes is also the youngest high ranking student of the Student Leaderboards, ranked 89 in the student rankings," stated a second year student, impressed. "Of the second and first year students, he's 1 of only 4 students among the first and second years that are ranked below 100."
"If anyone can beat this dirty commoner and avenge Josh Sky's honor, it's Klaus Vahnes."
"I hear, he challenged his first dungeon at the age of 13!" another student stated.
"Oh, this is about to get serious for Corven," Celeste worried chewed her bitten lip.
"He'll be fine….," began Jabari. "...Probably."
Marxes could only squint his eyes more — Somehow.
"I am Klaus Vahnes," Klaus introduced to Corven, who silently observed him. "You beat my childhood friend quite harshly. I am here to avenge his pride and honor. I, Klaus Vahnes, challenge you to a Duel!"
"I, Corven Umbrovante, accept," Corven smirked, before releasing his aura for everyone to feel, shaking everyone to their core, surprising Klaus once more.
Murmurs began spreading.
"This aura…."
"Is he really…?"
"H-how is this possible?"
The crowd was surprised by the revealing rank of Corven's cultivation level. Even Instructor Shifu was surprised by the aura he was feeling, though Athan was not too surprised. "Mid-level Legacy rank? At age 15? Not many commoners are capable of achieving such levels at such a young age. Is he, perhaps, a noble born-in-disguise?"
"Who knows?" Athan shrugged, eyes closed, grinning in satisfaction. "It does not matter much, though. I wanted to see him going all out — That is the only way to see if he's impressive enough to become my protege. Perhaps fighting someone with his level of power would prove to be insightful and his decider of fate."
Instructor Shifu Wang was perplexed. He could've sworn Athan had already accepted Corven as his disciple. 'Did he not? Was I too assuming?' Shifu thought to himself, before shaking his head as if to clear his thoughts. 'Well, either way, he might still get a master out of this debacle, so good for him, I suppose.'
"Be that as it may, but Klaus Vahnes has much more battle experience and skills to his belt," was what Shifu said instead. "Perhaps the balance in this duel is much more tipped against Corven than he thinks it is."
"Or, perhaps, my soon-to-be apprentice has more tricks up his sleeve than he lets on. Afterall," Athan narrowed his gaze, darkening his expression briefly as if in an unpleasant memory from long ago before shaking himself out of it with a series of blinks. "I find hax and cunning just as useful in duels as experience and skill, and, from what I have observed, Corven lacks neither."
[Back In The Arena]:
"So you are of the same rank as me," Klaus chuckled after a moment of surprise expressed his face. "That explains how you beat Josh. I must say, I'm impressed…But…not for much longer."
Klaus summoned a Tier B grade weapon — a bow and a corresponding quiver of arrows with green leaves and brown wooden shafts. The bow was brown brown wood with green leaves attached to the end of it. It radiated a quiet but sure power. It was not to be underestimated, and, Corven was sure of this, neither was Klaus.
"You may be the same rank as me, but you will soon taste defeat," Klaus said, chuckling darkly, as he watched Corven with ferocious eyes. "I will show you a commoner's place: Below us nobles!"
Then, suddenly, Klaus's bow and quiver of arrows began glowing a natural green hue, its aura like energy from the earth itself. "Though, we Vahnes' main branch are descended from earthen elves, we are also descended from warriors — I will show you a glimpse of the power my house holds. Now, go, Earthen Thorns Shot!"
Klaus notched multiple glowing green arrows, blessed by the powers of the earth itself, and fired them simultaneously. And, despite them being made of wood, they easily shattered the sound barrier mere milliseconds after being released from Klaus' bowstring. They rushed at Corven like they wanted to tear him apart, easily aiming for his head and chest, all four arrows zooming in like homing beacons.
They were going too fast for Corven to dodge and there were too many for Corven to deflect on time.
'This fucker is trying to kill me!' Corven screamed internally. 'But that doesn't matter… This is no trouble at all. Switch!'
Then, Corven was suddenly in the position of one of his shadow clones right as the arrow landed on his shadow clone, eviscerating it into smoke a second later. BOOM!
"A shadow clone?" Klaus muttered. As the smoke cleared, Klaus was surprised. "I could have sworn that it was the real body. No matter, I'll just take out your clones first, one by one, if I have to. You won't be able to hide with no smokescreen. Earthen Thorn Shot!"
Five more arrows were notched and five more arrows were fired, completely eviscerating five more of Corven's clones before Corven could react.
'Fuck me, dammit!' Corven thought internally, breathing heavily. 'He keeps destroying my clones and my stamina is paying the cost! At this rate… No! I will not lose! I refuse to give this bastard the satisfaction of winning. Think, Corven, think!
'That's a bow.. A long range weapon. If I can get up close to him, I can fight him with my katana, but I'll need an opening…'.
"Get ready to feel the consequences of your actions, toy lowly commoner trash!" Klaus screamed, cackling as he notched two arrows, took aim and fired. "Earthen Thorn Sh–. Wait, wha—?!"
But right at the last second, Corven thrusted his arm, willing the shadows beneath Klaus' feet to extend, forming a tentacle that wrapped around his neck and arm, jerking his aim off Corven and his last remaining clone, causing the shot of the two arrows to miss its mark, hitting the arena wall in a loud BOOM!
Corven then thrusted his other hand, willing the shadows of the arena wall to form multiple tentacles that wrapped helplessly around Klaus, who was struggling to no avail. It restrained him inside a cocoon of shadow tendrils. By the time shadow clone Corven and real Corven arrived before him, Klaus's bow had been thrown across the arena floor and Klaus was too bound by shadows to do anything to stop Corven.
Corven and shadow Corven took turns beating Klaus to within an inch of his life. By the time the referee stepped in, Klaus's face was too deformed to have been recognized, scarring the more delicate students for life. Even the nobleborn had to avert their eyes.
Sadly, Corven's exhaustion soon came at him, just as the healers arrived to take Klaus's body for healing. Corven felt kike he had just run a 500 kilometer marathon in a single evening. He felt lightheaded and he knew he was about to go unconscious.
Just as he was tilting forward, he fell face first into…someone. He heard a voice he couldn't identify in his haze, he was so tired. "You did good, youngling. Now rest. You have a long journey ahead of you, if you're going to become my apprentice. You;ll need it."
Then everything went black, and Corven went unconscious.