Each time a match ended, Arne and Piers would make comments and give advice to their students.

Except maybe their ways of giving advice differed a bit.

"What's you name? Peter, excellent job Peter. I really like how you handled your defense but you shouldn't be too passive specially with your element.

And you? Thomas? Great job to you too Thomas, that attack you pulled off there was fantastic, but you need to work on your analyzing skills, don't just jump in mindlessly, you need to put thought behind each of your moves or else you'll find yourself in danger in no time."

"ARE YOU AN IDIOT? ARE YOU AN IDIOOOT!?

Which imbecile swordsman swings a short sword like a spear huh? Your defense was wide open and your attacks could be countered with a fart! and you! why didn't you defend using a spell? You're an Earth element mage for god's sake how can you fight like that?

Listen the two of you. You, will either learn how to use a sword properly, or will switch to a more suitable weapon since clearly you don't have any talent in being a swordsman.

As for you, you're gonna learn how to defend with your spells rather than just throwing pebbles around with it!

Understood?"

"YES!"

"Yes What!?"

"YES SIR!"

Regardless of their teaching approach, they were giving valuable advice, so it was best for the students to listen.

The spars came to an end quicky and soon, it was the third batch's turn.

Specifically speaking, Emil's turn.

Both Arne and Piers' eyes lit up when they saw Emil. Piers flashed him a smile while Arne gave him a thumbs up.

"You got this kid."

The other students looked at each other, baffled.

Since when did Arne take sides and cheered on someone?

Emil, feeling a bit embarrassed, came back to his senses and looked at his opponent.

He was an Earth Element Knight with gauntlets as his choice of weapon.

That wasn't what concerned Emil, it was his cultivation.

His opponent was a 2nd Order Knight Apprentice while Emil was barely a first order.

His arm was healed now but he was still weaker both in terms of cultivation and body strength, not to mention his lack of ability to augment which was considered a basic and essential ability of any Knight.

His chances weren't looking too good and unless his opponent was an idiot like Arthur who lets his guard down, Emil was most definitely going to lose.

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That wasn't gonna stop him from giving his best though.

Emil planned to win at least one spar today through whatever means possible, otherwise there was no way he was gonna survive hunting in the Monster Forest.

With the count of three, the battle started.

Emil scrutinized his opponent with utmost care.

He didn't dare make the first move, all he could do was watch as his sparring partner cast a buff spell.

"Sefttar."

Without any delay, he charged straight towards Emil after casting the Harden spell.

It was a spell unique to the earth element and gave its user an extra layer of defense.

However, that extra defense came with a cost. The caster's movements seemed rigid, it could be because he wasn't used to using the spell and didn't have enough mastery.

Whatever the reason was, it favored Emil since his speed was only slightly lower than his opponent's now.

Emil went in for a frontal clash when he saw his opponent rushing at him.

He raised his sword and swung down, only to be met with a sturdy pair of gauntlets.

A vibration was sent down his hand all the way to his shoulders, it felt like he just hit a rock.

His hands numb, Emil barely retreated while almost letting go of his sword as his opponent started a barrage of punches.

He didn't seem to care much about battle strategies or whatnot. He was using his advantage in strength and relentlessly going after Emil. After all, one solid punch was enough to down him.

Emil dodged the boy's attacks, unable to find a moment to strike back.

He was inferior in every aspect, speed, strength, stamina, it wouldn't take long before he gets struck and loses the match.

He had to think of something.

Emil's movements started slowing down, allowing for the opponent to land a hit. But it only grazed him, it didn't connect directly.

The reason for Emil's sudden drop in speed was revealed soon.

"Attash."

Before the boy knew it, a fiery fist was flying towards his face.

Raising his hand, he was able to deflect it just in time, but his gauntlets couldn't help but suffer some damage.

"That burns!"

Enraged, the boy's attacks got more furious as Emil tried to look for an opportunity to escape.

Emil suffered yet another graze, this time opening a small wound on his arm and drawing some blood.

It was nothing too serious, but noticeable nevertheless.

However, that wound was enough distraction to raise his sword and strike at the boy again.

The boy raised his gauntlets in defense, but the awaited impact didn't come.

He watched as Emil threw his sword away and backed out, chanting a spell at the same time.

"You're mine!"

Now defenseless, the boy was sure to finish Emil once he caught up to him.

"Attash."

A small flame formed on Emil's hand.

He didn't have much cultivation and casting the spell twice was his limit. He poured all his mana into this fireball.

It was now or never.

Once his opponent was upon him, Emil raised his hand and swung it at him.

As expected, the fireball was deflected again, leaving Emil to the opponent's mercy.

"I give up."

"Hmph, trash."

The boy grunted, his chest moving up and down, panting slightly.

Once the match was over, they could take a good look at their surrounding.

They were the last people fighting, and everyone was watching them.

"Trash? TRASH!?"

Arne stormed in and grabbed the boy's ear as soon as the match was finished, bringing his face closer to his, close enough for their foreheads to touch.

"Look at me you little shit, look at me."

The boy was stunned, he looked at Arne's red raging eyes in terror.

"You call him trash? He has no cultivation, he's received no training, hell, it's been barely a week since he awakened his mana core and despite that he almost got you twice, you and me both know what would've happened if those fireballs landed on you which they almost did, so you better reconsider your words next time.

If he's trash then your worse than that to put on a fight like that."

The boy could only nod like a scared chicken in response, sweat running down his face like a stream.

Once Arne was done with him, he moved on to Emil.

*Smack*

He didn't treat him like the other boy though, he went in straight with a smack to the head, knocking Emil to the ground and sending him rolling.

"Ouch! What the was that for?"

Arne, even more furious than before, opened his mouth.

"I'll tell you what the hell that was for."