"Ladies and Gentlemen! Welcome to the final part of the three part exam. These Cadets have been meticulously trained for the last four years. They have been tested in their ability to defend an objective, instill loyalty, now they demonstrate their own courage and ability to stand before an opponent on their own!"
The announcer said to the massive essentially sold out crowd that had come to watch the fights between the remaining Cadets.
"Those who win two out of three of their fights today will recieve the title of lieutenant within our Empire's military!"
Euryale and Sorin were meandering their way through the the crowds on their way to the center of the stadium where they would make an appearance. Sorin wore a sad face mask that is seen in dramas and tragedies according to the plan they had come up with. Reeger being older and stronger would be watching all site lines for long range attacks on her while Sorin dealt with close range attacks and refusal to stop matches by officials.
Euryale pointed to one of the painted circles and they went toward it. Sorin held both of Euryale's khopesh swords with one of his short swords on his hip. They arrived and saw a man in red and blue robes. Neither he or Euryale cared what house he was from.
Euryale took her blades and went through and warm up routine and some stretching until the official called for the two. Sorin followed behind her left shoulder as the other man's second did the same on the other side.
"Lady Aegis and Lord Mooska as well as seconds. Welcome. My Lady and Lord, congratulations on making it to the third phase of the exam. The rules of the duel are as follows. You will raise your weapons and bow, take position on my command, then fight on my command. The fight stops when the opponent yields, is disarmed, or it is commanded to be stopped by myself. Seconds are to observe and intervene at the jeopardy of their primary. This is not a duel to the death. Any questions?"
The fighters both shook their heads. "
"Very well, return to your starting points and prepare for combat." The official said.
Euryale and Sorin turned and went to the start point.
"I didn't notice anything wrong with this official. My shield is primed in the event of underhanded tactics. Straight shots to your life in the midst of the duel I can't help with ma'am, but blatant attemps on your life I can 100% defend you against so please watch yourself." Sorin said.
Euryale nodded then faced her opponent.
"Begin!"
Euryale walked slowly toward her opponent who was sprinting in toward her glowing green every step hissing with an acidic nature.
Euryale stomped her foot launching a small wave of liquid fire outward away from her. Droplets of fire sprayed everywhere. Lord mooska threw a small barrier up as he rushed passed he pushed more acid down toward his feet and was able to stand on it like Sorin could use his water ability. Euryale launched herself into the air with jets of fire from her feet swinging her swords at her opponent who brought up his sword and buckler to stop the strike, but underestimated the weight of the strike and his opponents strength.
He also didn't see the supercharge of aether put behind the blades of his opponent as he was smashed not only downward into the flames but bounced and flew out of the ring.
This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.
"Ring out! Winner is Euryale Aegis!"
Euryale flew back to her side of the ring and set down. She turned and bowed her head to the official and went back to Sorin handing him her blades who was watching all directions with senses open covering the whole stadium.
"Nothing to report ma'am." Sorin said as they headed to the stadium rest areas where they were wait for the next match.
- Meanwhile -
Blood painted the top of the stadium as reegor flicked his jian free of blood. Three men were targeting his charge. They were correct to take action in her defense.
He was glad Sorin had suggested he move about the area looking at all sight lines and dealing with those threats as the stronger fighter of the two.
Of all the things Reeger had expected to take place during his assignment to Lady Aegis while she was at the academy, being assigned someone like Sorin was a God send that seems to have saved more than just Euryale's graduation, but potentially the people under the rule of the Aegis family.
- Sorin and Euryale -
"Lady Aegis it's time for your next match." An attendant came to her waiting room and declared.
She nodded and rose to her feet with Sorin moving in front of her in the defense.
They entered the bowl of the stadium and were guided by the attendant to their ring across from them looked like a woman with feathers on her arms and a very hawklike face.
The official called to the fighters who went to the center with their seconds.
"Seconds you're not permitted!" The official stated. Sorin looked across and saw a familiar face. The vampire woman he had teamed with Serene. She looked at the official puzzled.
Sorin simply ignored him and continued to walk with Euryale.
"Did you not hear me second?! Get out of the ring!"
Euryale spoke sharply to the official. "My second will depart the moment you can provide for me a single time in the history of our empire that a second was not permitted in a duel."
The official seemed shocked then regained his form. "You are a cadet here Lady Aegis and you will follow my directions."
Sorin spoke this time from behind his mask as the feathered woman finally arrived with her second.
"The only reason, you would demand the removal of seconds is if you are corrupt and about to cause the injury or death of one of the fighters. Should we send for the senior official of this event?"
The official swallowed nervously. "That...that won't be necessary. Fine! You can have seconds. The fight will end on my command."
Sorin spoke again.
"Or upon disarm, unconsciousness, ring out, or yield. We seconds will step in only when to save the life of our primary."
There was a pregnant pause as the official seemed stunned.
"Don't worry Mr. Official, I'll do your job as you don't seem able to or are paid by house Pallas to ensure death or failure of my primary."
The official rocked back as if struck.
"How dare you! The official said.
"What other reason could you have to trying to keep seconds out and trying to change the rules for a fight containing Lady Aegis and Lady Stormwind that could lead to their serious injury or death and it not be sanctioned by the senior official?"
Aello Stormwind put her hand in the air waving to an adjacent official that had their attention drawn to the duel. He hurried over.
"Yes my Lady?" He said.
"This official is banning seconds and removing the conditions of victory to be only his word. Is this sanctioned by the senior official?" She asked.
He seemed shocked and looked at the official in question. He pulled a small remote looking device out of his pocket and pressed a button on it. After a very awkward minute of silent waiting one of the largest women Sorin had ever seen stepped into the ring.
"What is the issue junior official?" Said the woman in a surprisingly light voice for her size and more melodic.
"Senior Official, this official has been witnessed by these four attempting to remove seconds and chance victory criteria and we wanted to ensure it was ruled by you." He said.
She turned toward the original official who had gone extremely pale.
"It is against imperial law to corrupt an academic examination."
She reached behind her and pulled a collar out and handed it to the original official.
"Put it on, or die."
She said. After a brief hesitation he put it on and with a left side kick the massive senior official launched the man like a rocket out of the ring, skipped once and impacted the wall with a splatter of blood.
The lady winced.
"Too much. The headmaster will be displeased."
She looked at the official that summoned her.
"Officiate this match. I must go recieve my punishment."
She took three steps and was out of the ring.
"Well....shall we ladies?"