Taking them out of the school building, Art led them both to one of the numerous sparring halls within the academy. It stood tall at the north wing of the school, and inside, it was large enough to house an average school park.

With his hands in his pockets, he approached a shelf housing numerous weapons located at one end of the interior of the building.

"Choose any weapon you like!"

He himself was already armed with the longsword he had gotten during his venting, and it was strapped to his waist currently.

"Wait, are you serious about us fighting?"

Cheshire, unable to comprehend his thoughts, knitted her brow, her arms crossed.

"I mean, how else are you supposed to earn credits?"

"....."

"I'm sure you're already aware of how this city treats students."

"The credit system!"

"Exactly."

For the students of the four pillars of the city, credits meant two things for them. One, the accumulation of their grade for a semester, and two, the currency they earned—their very lifeline.

To promote humility and fairness, every student, be it a commoner or a noble, was stripped of their status and had to climb to the top on their own merit. Hence, the rank games were important.

Those who ranked higher were rewarded more currency credits, and those lower, vice versa. Sure, they weren't starved to death, but the difference between the lower and upper ranks was pretty noticeable. And while it was somewhat cruel in nature, it did encourage those at the lower ranks to work harder to reach the top.

In essence, it bred competition. It had its pros and cons, but for now, it was seen as highly effective.

"Until the rank games, credit currency will be allocated by credit scores. So until you prove to Professor Grim you can use aura, you won't be getting any."

"Tsk."

"I mean, this is the whole reason for this spar. We're currently being observed by the principal, so do her an honor and kill your restraint."

"You're annoying!" Cheshire, not hiding her displeasure, walked past him, her eyes displaying inhuman coldness as she grabbed a short-length katana, drawing the blade from its sheath to examine its condition before glaring daggers at Art.

"Let's just get this over with."

"Nuh-uh, sleeping beauty over there needs to also join."

Pointing at Ellie, who had found a corner to doze off in, Art smirked, prompting Cheshire's lips to part in bewilderment.

"Do you really believe you can beat both of us at the same time?"

Cheshire didn't know if Art was joking because, in her eyes, he was so weak it was almost laughable. So full of openings, she could kill him right then and there. But she was from a family that valued honor, so she had decided to humor him and just go along with his antics. But now, he was going too far.

"Well... I think you're right..."

Seeing he had given up the thought of fighting them both, she sighed—only for Art to shatter her world.

"I mean... you're so weak, I'll have to restrain my left hand."

"You arrogant prick."

She snapped right then and there, veins pulsing intensely on her neck as she saw his mocking smirk. She could tell this was a taunt, but she was fed up. She wasn't going to play by his rules, so she quickly lunged forward, a single step of hers allowing her to close the distance between her and Art as she drew the katana from its sheath and swung the blade right at him.

Aura wasn't used, but her attack was so fast the naked eye wouldn't keep up—meaning as long as Art wasn't able to weave aura, she would win. But...

"Impressive!"

Right before her swing could make contact with his flesh, Art's longsword had been drawn, clashing into the trajectory of her swing with impactful strength that lifted her body up—only for her to be kicked in the gut by Art within a mere second's interval.

As his kick made contact, the force gushed the air out of her lungs and launched her back, causing her body to crash into the wall and slump onto the ground in pain.

"A.a..."

Laying on the ground, her heated gaze locked on Art, her expression paled as a surge of pale aura—so bountiful it fluttered behind Art like a cape—surged from his body. The once harmless teacher now seemed like a veteran as his sapphire eyes, lacking in emotion, fell on her, projecting only a single thought: her defeat.

"So pitiful." Art said coldy, drawing his blade once more in a fluid arc, he then raised it high, his steps growing closer to her by the second.

"So arrogant, so prideful... no wonder you never held the qualifications to become one of the Seven."

"You know nothing about that."

Pushing her aching body up, an azure aura coated her body as she grabbed the short katana once more, but...

"Huh!"

In the second she had blinked, Art's body became a blur, and soon he stood before her, his brilliant sword raging with pale aura raised high—soon brought down like a judgment.

"I can't block."

Quickly coming to that conclusion, she rolled to the side, the sword missing her by inches and sending crevices across the ground where she had been moments ago.

"From arrogance to a rat."

Tilting his sword while it was lightly raised off the ground, he swung it diagonally with masterful intention, successfully tracing it across her back and drawing the first instance of blood.

Having timed his attack right when she tried to spring up from her roll, he left a cut—not quite deep but just painful—on her back. But as expected of a trained noble brat, her pain tolerance was impressive as she resisted falling. Instead, she spun right as his sword having cut her, rose over her and using that moment of defenselessness,she trace a cut of her own aimed at his chest.

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