“Ray!” Igi shouted while walking over to him and putting an arm around his shoulder. I got to thinking after our lesson breakdown and thought it would be a good idea for all of you youngsters to get some more practical combat experience against other humanoids. So I let Arabella know, and she thought it would be a great idea to set up some 1 on 1 exercises.

“Ok… but if that's all this is, why do your students look so pale?” asked Ray.

“Oh, they got like when I told them Arabella and I would be joining in.” He said with a large grin.

Ray zoned out for a moment, leaving him with the same pale visage and expression as the other students. Erith soon joined them in the courtyard with a wide smile on her face, but moments later, she was no better off than any of the others.

“Alright, let's get started shall we?” Igi said rubbing his hands together “For pairings in the first round let's do Rudy and Erith, Jen and Katelin, Ray and Sam, and that just leaves Me and Arabella, Huh funny how that worked out.” Igi said with a wide grin.

“If you wanted a reminder of your education, you should have just asked,” Arabella said with a small shake of her head.

“Oh, things will be different this time.”

“Well, I'm glad you still have your dreams, no matter how unrealistic they might be,” Arabella responded with a vicious smile touching her lips.

“All right, everyone, get into your pairs, and let's get this thing started.”

Everyone quickly followed the instructions, breaking off and standing across from their assigned opponent.

“On the count of three, begin. One, Two, Three!”

Ray exploded into motion as Igi finished his count, opting to draw his dagger and short sword instead of engaging in a ranged battle. He ducked a hastily fired power shot before he was forced to back off as a barrage of 10 arrows flew toward him. There was a momentary stalemate as Ray was forced back every time he came within 10 feet of the archer. Undeterred, he formulated a plan he quickly set into motion. He placed his short sword on his belt after dodging another barrage of arrows and made to grab his bow. Seeing this, his opponent charged another power shot, aiming to keep him from drawing the weapon. As he did so, Ray smirked as he charged the extension enchantment on his dagger, not bothering to compress its size. Sam was left unable to react as the ethereal blade rushed towards his neck, stopping inches from striking him.

“My win?” Ray asked.

Sam could only nod as the blade rescinded from his neck and back into the dagger. A boom echoed out from the edge of the courtyard, pulling everyone's attention. A cloud of dust lingered in the air, fading to reveal Igi half-embedded in the wall with a sword to his neck.

Stolen novel; please report.

“Better luck next time, my foolish disciple,” Arabella said, sheathing her weapon.

Igi pulled himself from the wall with a groan and followed her back to the large group now gapping at the display.

“Well, looks like everyone is finished, so let's move on to the next pairings,” Igi said, cracking his neck.

Ray stared wide-eyed at the man. He did not think he could move after taking a hit like that, but Igi just shrugged it off like it was nothing.

“Next pairings will be Jen and Erith, Sam and Katelin, Ray, and Rudy, and what a coincidence that just leaves Arabella and me again,” Igi said with a grin.

Arabella rolled her eyes.

“Eager to lose again, are we?” she said.

“That hit was a fluke, and you know it.”

“Are you going to make that excuse every time I beat you today?”

The two continued to bicker until everyone had taken their positions, and the next round began. This continued until everyone had faced each other once. Ray was surprised at how easily he could match every opponent he faced. The only two that gave him trouble were Erith, whose speed was getting close to one par with his own, and Jen, who somehow animated the arrows in his quiver, using them to chase after him like a swarm of angry bees. Ray was overall happy with the experience as it had helped him learn how to adapt against new opponents who displayed similar abilities to his own. It looked like most of the group agreed with him having content expressions as they talked among themselves. The only one who looked like they had a problem with how the exercise was Igi. A frown adorned his face as he walked back to the group after pulling himself from the third and largest hole left in the wall Arabella sent him flying into with each defeat.

“Alright everyone, good work today,” Arabella said. “I hope you were able to learn something from today's activity and look forward to doing more like this in the future. You are all dismissed.”

Ray and Erith said their goodbyes to the group after the dismissal before joining up. They walked into the city, making their way toward a small restaurant Ray had found during his morning adventures. They made small talk while walking, mostly discussing their duals against Igi’s students. A smile was stuck on both their faces as they walked and talked, with Erith eventually reaching for Ray’s hand. He returned the gesture as they finished the last stretch to the restaurant.

“I have a reservation for Ray,” he said as they walked up to the front counter.

The woman running the counter checked a list she kept before motioning for Erith and him to follow. She led them through a large dining room and to a circular table near the back of the room. They both sat down and began studying the menu that had been given to them. Erith's eyes widened as she looked at the options.

“Are you sure we can afford this place? These prices are not cheap.” She asked.

“Well, I have been doing well for myself with all the work I am helping Freia with, and this is our first date, so I wanted it to be memorable.”

“Aw, that's sweet, but I'm just happy to be spending time with you.”

Ray blushed at the statement and a wide smile crossed his face.