I arrived at the place twenty minutes before the scheduled time. I wanted to warm up and clear my mind. However, the second was more difficult because my team decided to show up and cheer for me. It was nice, really, but... it's hard to focus when you hear Nora's constant shouting in the background.

Cardin was already there too. He stood with his team, but unlike me, he wasn't warming up at all. He was just chatting and joking, as if what was about to happen didn't concern him at all. Is he really that confident? I hope he'll be surprised. Thanks to the training with Pyrrha, I've definitely improved... but is it enough to beat him? NO. I can't doubt it now. I've accepted the challenge, and I'm going to meet it. Besides, it's just a sparring match. It's happening on school grounds. What's the worst that could happen?

The clock on the wall showed there were two minutes left before the start. I stepped into the center of the arena. Cardin did the same, swinging his weapon as if he wanted to scare me.

"Wow, Blondie! You actually showed up. I'm shocked."

Of course, he said it with that annoying smirk on his face.

"Unlike some, I was raised well. And that means I keep my word."

Cardin took a quick step toward me and swung his mace, aiming directly at my head. He was fast too fast for someone in armor wielding a big chunk of metal. He didn't strike, though. He stopped his weapon just in front of my face.

"You'd better reinforce your aura, Blondie. I wouldn't want to end this with a single blow."

He said, then turned his back and took a few steps to wave at his team.

"Don't let him intimidate you, captain! Wipe that stupid grin off his face!" Of course, that was Nora, cheering me on with her usual enthusiasm. She even had pom-poms. Where did she get them? No idea.

Ren, as always, remained calm. When he saw me looking at him, he raised his hand and gave me a thumbs-up. Pyrrha was there too. She waved at me, and it seemed like she wanted to say something, but just then the gong sounded.

The clock on the wall stopped counting down time and started a fifteen-second countdown.

Cardin turned toward me and assumed a fighting stance. I did the same, raising my shield. I prepared to thrust from behind the cover. I focused on my aura, strengthening it.

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Suddenly, I heard the second gong.

Cardin immediately charged forward. He didn't waste time with any formalities or testing the opponent. He ran toward me, swinging his mace, and every step he took felt heavy and sure.

I reacted instinctively, raising my shield and trying to turn to the side to avoid giving him a full surface to strike. That was my mistake. Cardin easily predicted my move. Instead of attacking straight on, he made a quick feint to the side and swung wide. His mace hit my side with a loud thud, and the force of the blow was so great that I almost fell, but my aura flared up, absorbing most of the impact.

"Is that all you've got, Blondie?" he called with a mocking tone, stepping back a step. His voice was full of confidence, as if he had already won.

I ignored his words and focused on the fight. I tried to counterattack. I thrust my sword quickly toward his chest, hoping to catch him off guard. Unfortunately, Cardin easily blocked the strike, using his mace like a shield. Before I could react, he twisted his weapon in his hands and, with the end like a spear, jabbed me in the side, forcing me to step back.

Every one of his blows was heavy. Each one required more focus and effort to defend against. I could feel my aura weakening with every second, as if it was starting to crack under the pressure of his attacks.

"Come on, Jaune! Don't let him!" I heard Nora shout, but I couldn't focus on her. Cardin was pressing more and more. With each strike, I felt like I was losing control.

At one point, I noticed a gap in his stance. I gathered all my strength and decided to take a risk. I spun around, dodging his next swing, and thrust my sword straight into the exposed part. The hit landed, but... nothing happened. His aura was still intact. He looked at me as if to say Is that all you've got?

"Not bad, Blondie. But now it's my turn."

Before I could prepare, Cardin swung with full force. His mace hit my shield, then again, and again, until I felt my arms starting to tremble. I couldn't take it anymore. The final strike hit me square in the side. I staggered, and before I could rise, I felt his mace strike me in the back. My aura flared brightly for a second, then... it shattered.

It felt like the whole world slowed down for a moment. My body suddenly felt much heavier. Without aura, every strike would hurt a lot more. I needed to restore it, gather my thoughts, get up, and counterattack, but it no longer mattered because Cardin was already above me.

"Something wrong? You look like you've had enough."

I tried to get up, but before I could, I felt a powerful punch straight to my face. The pain was instant and sharp. Something cracked, and I felt something hard fall out of my mouth.

I fell to the ground, gasping for air. I didn't have the strength to rise. Cardin stood over me, holding his mace in one hand and looking at me with a triumphant smile.

"And that would be that. You'd better ask your team for help, Blondie. You look like you need it."

I didn't have the strength to respond, that was the end, and then I felt someone from my team, probably Ren, helping me up. My head was heavy, and the pain in my jaw wouldn't let me speak. I knew one thing: Cardin won, and with brutal dominance.