The Khopesh's curved blade pierced through Red's abdomen in a diagonal slash, however, the rusted sword couldn't reach deep enough to cause him a fatal wound and get Cole to interrupt the fight.

Nestor knew that much, thus he concentrated and poured out every ounce of soul power he could. The Khopesh suddenly vibrated with newfound strength, as a dark orange glint, almost bordering on a red shade of color, developed it.

The blade dug deeper, and a strange phenomenon started to appear around the wound, the flesh all around started to visibly decay and rot. Only a few seconds passed and the closest areas around it already turned to ashes, as a few granules of ash fell onto the tiles of the arena, Captain Cole knew he better had to interrupt the duel.

Soon enough a piercing scream resounded on the grounds, Red seemed to be experiencing intense agonizing pain. However, this time was different, not much like the torture Cole had put him under. He had been afflicted with a pain he never experienced before, it came from within his very self, from his soul.

"Captain, I think you can announce me as the winner, I know when to stop."

Suddenly Nestor retracted his weapon and put it back into his tablet, he had let go completely of his adversary.

'At this point, I could have easily continued for a few seconds before Captain would have intervened. Yet that would have been only unnecessary pain for him. Red might as well be an asshole but he doesn't deserve such a crippling injury.'

Under the inquisitive gaze of the knight, Nestor continued towards the end of the arena and swiftly jumped down onto the grassy grounds below.

Still, to say he was completely fine was a great mistake, the various injuries, the psychological stress, and even the soul power he exerted put a heavy toll on him.

Nastor did try to put a strong front in facing the startled expressions of his fellow trainees, however halfway to the fountain, his legs failed him. Down on his knees, blood still leaking down on the soft blades of grass below.

A gentle hand patted him and the back and offered him support, it was Marco who, from the fight and the wild injuries Nestor sustained, noticed he had to be completely burnt out.

"What an amazing fight that was, I see why the Captain seems to hold you in high regard. You know, I kind of admire you, back in my homeworld I never experienced such violent episodes.

Deep down I know that fear will hold me back in similar scenarios, yet I'm sure I'll have to conquer it if I wish to survive here. I think you were to same as me, but somehow little by little you've already suppressed it, you know, the fear of death.

Anyway, these injuries, I doubt they'll normally heal even in a few hours of the fountain's help. Especially the ones you have on your side and shoulder."

Nestor felt thankful for how considerate this young man had been in carrying him all the way right beside the fountain, even more for his kind words.

"Thank you for your help Marco, I pray that you'll manage to win your duel as well. Also, I hope the Captain will do something about these injuries, cause I'm not feeling too well..."

Nestor felt his consciousness slowly slip away, as he remained with no other option than to close his eyes and enter an indefinite period of torpor.

"I know, I know. I have already notified Teresa, that soon a small team of healers from the infirmary will be here the heal their wounds. I will pay up for Nestor's injuries myself, as for Red it'll be up to him, he lost and thus should bear the consequences himself.

Stolen novel; please report.

It'll be the same for you all, the loser shall shoulder the aftermath themselves. Of course, don't even think of giving up the fight for this, or I shall become your next opponent instead."

The sole thought of having to confront the terror of the instructor in such a gruesome spar made everyone shiver. Hoping not to end up as the poor Red.

"Frank, pick up Red and slowly lay him down on the grass. In case ask Alex or Richard to place him on the ground."

Quick orders come out from Cole's imposing figure in succession, however not many were happy with his strict orders.

'Can't be bothered to dirty your hands with your subordinate sweat and blood huh?'

Or so was thinking Brittney, even if she usually didn't complain much and even if she's been a loved child wasn't that much spoiled, the violence and fury of the fight before did give her a scare.

The impression she had of the Captain was more of that of a lord who loved to see their gladiators fight to the death in the arena for pure enjoyment. Even if she knew that Cole's true intentions were to prepare them for war, this was all too sudden and cruel.

"Pst! Karla, what do you think about the Captain's training? Isn't it a bit too much to fight like this when we have yet to receive a proper combat lesson?"

Karla's dark eyes were fixated on her long-time friend's figure. She heard such whispers carrying all the young lady's anxiety.

To be fair, Brittney had never been very brilliant, she might have a point on a superficial level, but as always couldn't go past her direct line of sight.

"The instructor needs to evaluate our singular strength to somehow establish a chain of command inside the team, he also told us that this is an evaluation. Thus he'll be giving us pointers to improve our weaknesses.

Of course, we are also exercising on a psychological level, the art of war mustn't be taken lightly, and we are learning exactly that.

I guess there are even more hidden motives behind these sparrings, but I think you've got the point already. Plus you know we don't have much of a choice, we have a mission to accomplish, not only for ourselves but both for our families too."

Words of truth hit right on their target, and Brittney had no other choice but acknowledge them. She breathed out a heavy sigh before apologizing.

"You're right, I must have been stressed out by this all situation. Hopefully, Captain won't pair me with a though opponent."

While saying so, a familiar face came to mind and made her snicker on the inside.

'Please, let it be Alex, it would be such good luck. I would also get to finally beat the pig up, a once-in-a-lifetime chance!'

The smiling Frank, together with Alex and Richard, finally managed to out down the unconscious Red.

'I'm sure had to be soul coating, what terrifying talent for him to have learned it in a single session. How lucky, most aspiring soul masters don't even get to that stage, mostly because the Council doesn't give them enough time.

Within the first week, newly formed squads have to delve inside the dungeons of the ring of plenty, and those that chose the path of the soul usually have yet to develop any sort of power.

That's the reason why we are lacking strong leadership among our ranks! All because of the stupid Nobles, these parasites, simply thinking about them makes my blood boil.

Calm down Cole, there is the only reason to rejoice in front of a strong cadet, hopefully, the other will do as well. I'm truly impressed, if I've seen correctly his control must e also be quite high. Before every clash, he made sure to coat his sword with power so that it will weaken Red's dagger and eventually break it.'

Captain Cole wasn't the only figure deeply impressed by Nestor's performance. In particular, Teresa had remained concealed behind a column all the while.

She had given Nestor for done on multiple occasions, however, he exceeded her assumptions each time.

'Crazy! That must have been Decay! He held high control over it and managed to coat his weapon on thought. Although if his enemy hadn't been injured I doubt the outcome would have remained the same.

A pity that from all the aspects he could have chosen he picked time. He'll have to stop his journey to power quite soon for that, anyway I'll have inform mother about this. An anomaly, for how small, is still a variable we have to consider.'

Still deciding on what to do, Teresa wondered for a moment about her other parent she was being an informant for.

'Father... He still gives me the creeps every time I think about him. Forget it, I'll briefly tell him the truth and leave as quick as possible.'

Soon enough she got back inside the academy, as a small troupe of healers ran through the training grounds, already savoring the sweat coins they would plunder from the unlucky cadets.