The Tournament

The next day classes were only in the morning, as the afternoon ones were canceled for the tournament. The day passed normally, until the time came to head to the arena.

The academy arena was a large coliseum in the back of campus that was used for large events such as this. It could fit most of the academy students, as well as a large contingent of outside guests that were attending.

As Bar was in the waiting room, he snuck a peak out at the crowd. “I didn't expect it to be this big of a deal...”

Alice giggled. “You don't have an orichalum sword as a prize without it being a big deal. See, look over there,” she pointed.

In the distance, he saw several men in military uniforms, talking amongst themselves. One had jet-black hair as dark as hers.

“Is that...” Bar started.

Alice nodded. “Yes, my father. I'm sure he'll be watching us closely,” she added with a smile.

As Bar was looking up at them, he noticed some motion a few rows up from them. He saw the burgundy hair of Claire, who seemed to be...really tall (?) and waving at him. Squinting his eyes, he noticed some blue around her legs. Oh... He waved back, causing Claire's waving to go even faster, before wobbling a bit and Joan almost dropping her.

After the coliseum had filled up, they posted a bracket in the waiting room where all the competitors were.

Alice scrunched her eyebrows, “Hmmm...”

Bar raised an eyebrow, “Something wrong...”

Alice pointed to both of their names. They were on opposite sides of the bracket. “They want us to meet in the finals.”

Bar was taken aback, “Are you saying they stacked it?”

Alice nodded. “The military organizers make the bracket, and I did mention you to my father. It's possible they want to have us dual last to put on the best show.”

Bar felt a little uncomfortable. “Isn't that a little...”

Alice shrugged. “If we both keep winning, doesn't that just mean they were right?”

Soon after, the duels started, with a man in military attire calling the two names next to each other in succession. Some of the contenders watched from the tunnel, while others were grasping their sticks, warming up their grips. Some were even kneeling and praying.

Alice, however, was sitting on a bench, resting against the wall, eyes closed.

Bar joined the group warming up their grips, keeping himself focused.

After a few rounds, Bar's turn had come.

He walked out first, followed by another student that he recognized from club. While he hadn't talked to him, except maybe a passing greeting, he knew he was a regular club member.

Ugh...this is gonna be a tough one right out of the gate.

As they readied themselves, the judge (another military-uniformed man) looked at each in turn, before dropping his hand to start the duel.

Bar, used to dueling Alice, took his stance and watched his opponent. His opponent seemed to pause for a moment, before deciding to charge at him.

Bar was incredulous, What is this? He's so slow... Instead of parrying, he sidestepped the attack as the opponent drew near, rapping his arm and making him drop his sword.

Bar was surprised (as was his opponent) that he had actually dropped his sword from the hit. Before he could grab it, Bar rapped him twice more, and the judge called it. “Bar wins via three hits!”

The crowd, which had mostly been polite applause during the prior duels, erupted into cheering. Bar thought he even heard Claire's voice shrilly calling his name.

Returning to the locker room, the other contestants were looking at him, some even clapping. Alice had apparently also gotten up to watch his duel, at least, as she was smiling with anticipation, her arms crossed.

A few duels later, and Alice was up. Bar decided to watch, but given Alice's popularity, he had to push to get to the front. By the time he did, the duel was over, Alice's opponent on the ground with his hand's up, and the crowd raucously cheering.

As she came back, she glanced at Bar, who gave her a smile and a thumbs up, which earned a smile in return.

The tournament kept going, with both Bar and Alice easily dispatching their opponents, until the final four had been reached. Bar was facing with Rolf, and Alice was facing Jarrell, another veteran club member, who already had a job in the military once he graduated.

As Bar and Rolf went out, Rolf chuckled, “I'm glad I finally get a crack at ya...”

When their names were announced, the crowd cheered loudly in anticipation. Rolf had also easily beaten his opponents.

As the judge motioned for them to get ready, Bar took his stance, while Rolf readied himself to charge. He always charges, using his superior size and strength to force his opponent on the defensive.

When the judge threw down his hand, Rolf did just as Bar thought, and ran right at him. Bar went to sidestep, but Rolf seemed to predict this, changing his thrust to a swing right at him.

Bar got his sword up to parry in time, but had to use both hands to hold it, and got pushed several feet sideways.

The crowd let out an 'Ohhhhh'. Bar thought he heard swearing in a voice that sounded like Claire.

Rolf readied himself, grinning ear to ear, before lunging at him again.

This time Bar was ready, ducking the charge and rapping Rolf on one of his legs.

Rolf looked surprised. He hadn't been hurt by the hit, but the judge raised a finger to count it.

Rolf laughed seeing this. “Haha, I better watch it...”

Bar smiled at this, swinging down and trying to hit Rolf's leg again, but Rolf parried it, swinging back up so hard Bar had to take a step back.

Rolf continued taking heavy steps, swinging each time and forcing Bar to parry.

I can't let him wear me out like this, he probably wins the stamina battle...

Bar decided to gamble, running sideways to force Rolf out of his attack pattern.

Rolf seemed annoyed by this, charging at Bar again.

Bar did the same thing, not letting Rolf stay near him for more than a swing.

After doing this a few times, Bar noticed Rolf's swing seemed a bit slow, so he instinctively riposted, knocking the sword aside and hitting Rolf in the chest.

Rolf was thrown off balance, falling over on his butt from the hit.

Bar charged at him to get the last hit, but stopped a foot away as Rolf raised his other hand.

“You got me...ha....ha...” he said, barely breathing.

Wait, he's already winded? I did have more stamina!?

The judge raise his hand, shouting, “Bar wins via surrender.”

The crowd erupted into an even louder cheer. Their duel had been the longest and most action-packed, so he assumed they had enjoyed it.

Bar helped Rolf to his feet, earning a round of applause, before heading back to the waiting room.

Alice was waiting with a smile again.

Standing next to her was Jarrell, who smirked. “Haha, I thought Rolf might be my biggest threat, but maybe it's you...”

Bar thought this might piss off Alice, but she was already heading out to the arena, while Jarrell took his time following her.

Bar, now being alone in the waiting room, stood in the entry passage and watched as the two lined up.

Bar could tell Jarrell was experienced. Unlike Rolf, he probably fought more like Alice or himself, combining footwork with swift sword movements to win.

As the judge lowered his arm, Jarrell quickly closed the distance while maintaining his form, expertly swinging his sword.

However, Alice had no problem parrying his strikes, dancing around him. While Jarrell was able to keep up with her, he wasn't able to land a hit.

In a flash, he kneeled down, swinging the sword at knee-height. Instead of parrying, Alice jumped over his sword, before rapping him on top of the head, causing him to fall on his butt.

He was holding his head and had an angry look at his face, but managed to still parry the swings Alice was taking at him, before rolling back and standing up.

The crowd was going wild at this point, easily the same as the end of his duel with Rolf.

However, Jarrell seemed to have lost a step after the last exchange. His face looked to be visibly in pain, and he could barely keep parrying.

Eventually, he tried to sidestep, but was too slow, and got hit in the chest. As he was wincing in pain, Alice followed it up with another hit to his leg.

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“Alice wins via three hits!” the judge shouted, causing the crowd to go wild once more.

Jarrell seemed equally parts frustrated and in pain, angrily punching the ground as Alice walked back towards Bar.

Giving him a smile, Bar tried to smile back. She didn't even break a sweat.

They were given a short break to rest before the finals. Bar stood on one side, wiping his sweaty palms on his pants, trying to focus.

Alice was sitting with her eyes closed, laying against the wall, as she had earlier.

Eventually, the organizer came to get them, and they walked out as their names were announced.

The crowd was so loud it felt like the coliseum was shaking. Both the finalists hadn't even been hit yet, and now they were dueling each other.

The judge made sure both of them were ready, and then started the duel.

Bar had come up with a plan. He knew Alice's dueling, and she knew his, so he figured he had to throw her off to win. Of course, I don't actually need to 'win', I just need to hit her three times and that's that.

And so, Bar charged at Alice instead of waiting. Alice, as he expected, dodge out of the way, so he swung around, predicting where she would be.

Alice seemed caught off guard, but still managed to dodge, before taking a few steps back.

Seeing this worked, Bar tried it again, charging at her. This time when she dodged his thrust, Bar swung, anticipating where she would go. However, she instead stepped one way before twirling around and sliding back in the opposite direction.

Bar was completely thrown off balance as he tried to stop his swing. He managed to parry Alice's first attack, but she quickly followed up while he was still getting his balance and rapped him in the leg.

The crowd went crazy seeing this exchange. He couldn't even hear Claire this time, as she was probably being drowned out.

Alice smiled as he took a step back. His leg stung, but it wasn't even the hardest she'd hit him before, so he could still move.

Alice stood still, deciding to wait for Bar to come at her again.

Bar decided to try something else now. He did as he had seen Jarrell do earlier, maintaining his form while repeatedly swinging at Alice, forcing her to keep dodging.

He then also did as he had seen Jarrell do, kneeling down and swinging.

Alice, like last time, jumped again. However, Bar had predicted this, swinging up at an angle. Alice tried to parry, but Bar slipped it under her guard and wrapped her in the waist.

Somehow, the crowd got even louder as Bar stood back up.

Alice was panting, but smiling again, holding her side.

They both stood there, catching their breath.

After a few moments, Bar decided to try and repeat that attack again, but as he did, Alice charged at him as well with a thrust.

Due to the distance, Bar couldn't stop himself, taking the hit the chest. However, he still swung at her, but Alice ducked as she thrusted, so he missed.

Bar was really feeling it now. Breathing heavily as the wind had been knocked out of him.

They both stood there again. I really need to pull something out now... As they both watched each other, Bar decided to play up how tired he was, sagging his shoulder and trying to look perceptibly exhausted, something he knew Alice would pick up on.

And as he guessed, she did, smiling deviously and charging at him with a thrust.

This time, however, Bar had time to sidestep, attempting to swing. However, Alice turned her thrust into a parry, but didn't halt her momentum, so as she parried, she knocked his sword away.

While Bar managed to hold on, his arm had been knocked away, leaving his guard open. Alice took advantage, lightly tapping him on the stomach with a smile.

“Alice wins via three hits!”

The crowd erupted into cheers again, this time the arena actually shaking.

Exhausted, Bar fell to his knees, one hand one the ground, the other holding his chest where he had been hit earlier. Alice walked over, holding out her hand to help him back to his feet.

“You did well,” Alice said. She sounded a bit exhausted herself.

“Not good enough,” Bar sighed as he stood up.

Coming over from the entrance passage was the man Bar had seen in the stands earlier, Alice's father, holding a dark green sword.

Alice walked over to him, and the crowd grew quiet.

The man, serious expression on his face, looked at Alice as she kneeled in front of him. “As winner of today's tournament, Alice Bearen, I present you this orichalum sword,” he said in a booming voice, holding out the sword.

Alice bowed down and accepted it, before standing up and holding the sword aloft, which earned another cheer from the crowd.

Bar smiled, Well, I tried. I can't be too upset about Alice winning it. He got distracted, though, as Lord Bearen walked up to him. Wait, what did I do? Is it something to do with Alice?

Before he could panic too much, Lord Bearen grabbed a bag off his waist, holding it out, “For the runner up of today's tournament, Barrois Champage, I present to you one-hundred gold.”

The crowd broke out in polite applause, although he thought he heard the voices of Claire and Joan screaming in excitement.

Lord Bearen gave him a gruff nod before turning away.

Alice came back up to him, whispering “I need to talk with my father quickly, but then let's go back to your dorm so I can give you your reward,” she explained, a hint of seduction in her voice.

Bar blushed a bit, nodding.

After they met back up, they headed over to his dorm. Bar went in first, followed by Alice.

“B-...Master Bar, Lady Alice,” Joan said, going into servant mode when she saw Alice walk in with him.

Belle was over at the counter, preparing something for dinner.

Alice had her normal smile on her face, “As promised, a reward,” she said, taking out a scroll from her bag and unrolling it onto the table.

Bar didn't need to read it to know what it was, it had the red thread of a marriage contract at the top. So it was an engagement.

Joan stared at it for a few moments, before swiftly walking over to the counter, to help Belle cook.

Alice looked at him, “I'm assuming you know what this is? My father's dowry offer is one-thousand gold. You impressed him enough at the tournament, as I thought you would, and he agreed to my request.”

Joan stopped chopping the potato she had grabbed for a moment, leaving the room in momentary silence, before she started chopping again.

Bar closed his eyes. With that much gold, a house wouldn't just be close, it would be as good as bought. Actually, maybe we wouldn't be cut off if we married. Or, well... Bar remembered his situation. No, we have to make sure this will work. “Can I ask why you wanted to get engaged to me?”

Alice nodded, smiling again. “The look in your eyes when you challenged Cob at the enrollment party. You could say, maybe, it was love at first sight. Of course, when I saw the way you dueled, I had to have you for myself. I know you didn't beat me today, but I'm fairly certain with more practice you could. Well, sometimes at least, as once I had someone as good as me, I could improve myself as well. Plus, I wanted a man who wouldn't prevent me from joining the military, since I don't think most noblemen would...allow it,” she added with distaste.

Bar, mulling over her explanation, agreed, “You're correct there.”

Alice smiled, “Good. I have a few...requirements as well.”

Bar crossed his arms and nodded. “As do I, but you can go first.” We'll see how she feels about our Plan.

Alice nodded. “Of course. For mine...first, you must go to club and practice with me every time club meets,” she said. “That, or studying with me.”

Bar nodded, I've been doing that in the run-up to the tournament anyway.

“You must also practice with me on our days off,” she continued. “Of course, as fiance's, we will be spending time together anyway.”

Bar thought for a moment, but nodded again. It's not like that means I have to spend the whole day with her.

“You must call off any relationships you are currently in,” she said, still smiling.

Bar took a moment to register what she had said. “What...what do you mean?”

Alice's smile disappeared, replaced by a frown. “Don't be coy. I don't know exactly what is going on, but you're unnaturally close with your servants, and I've also heard you spend time down at a seedy tavern in town. And it's plain as day to me that you are lovers with the Dorm Mistress. I'm assuming you seduced her for some benefit to yourself. I admire your cunning, and I'm willing to forgive these as youthful indiscretions, but they end now. I will be your first wife, and any future relationships you have must be approved by me as well.”

Bar just stood there, staring at her, as she finished her explanation, her eyes piercing into his, her mouth still showing a hint of frown. He glanced over and could see Joan slightly quivering, and he couldn't hear Belle preparing dinner anymore.

After a few moments, Bar calmly grabbed the scroll, and rolled it back up before handing it to her. “I decline.”

Alice's jaw dropped and eyes went wide. “You...you would choose tavern wenches and that old, homely dorm mistress over me?” she asked, incredulous, and puffing out her ample chest as reinforcement of her words. “Are you insane?”

Well, Dolly actually is a tavern wench, even if she deserves better, but... “I will not abide you insulting Claire like that. I...I love her, and she wouldn't ever insult you like that. She's ten times the woman...no, she's ten times the noblewoman you'll ever be.”

Alice was positively seething. “You...you love her? You bastard, I...” She grabbed the hilt of the orichalum sword, quivering in anger.

In a flash, Joan wrapped her arms around Bar, shielding him from Alice.

“Joan!?” Bar asked, grabbing her shoulder to try and pull her behind him.

However, Joan's actions seemed to bring Alice back to her senses, as she calmed down, seeming surprised at herself that she was grabbing her sword hilt. After a moment, she quickly grabbed the scroll from his hand, stuffing it back in her bag, and left out the door, slamming it shut as she exited.

After a few moments of silence, Bar let out a huge sigh. “That...wasn't how I expected that to go down.”

Joan, blushing, was squirming a bit.

“What's wrong? I mean, I know she was a little threatening there, but...”

Joan shook her head. “No, it's...” she trailed off, motioning her head.

Bar looked over to where she had motioned. It was the bedroom door, cracked open a bit, with Claire's face peering through, beet red.

As Bar tried to say something, Claire swung it open, running over and tackling Bar to the ground.

“You idiot! How am I ever supposed to live up to those expectations!? Ten times the woman...” she said, rubbing her teary eyes into his chest.

Bar stroked her hair, “What do you mean, you already are...” he said with a smile.

Claire grinned while still being teary eyed, “I guess I'll just have to try hard...” she giggled, giving him a wet kiss. “Oh, and you should already know, but I'd like to hear it again...”

Bar raised an eyebrow, “That you're ten times the woman...?”

Claire blushed, but shook her head. “No, the other part...” she said with a grin.

Bar realized what she meant. Blushing, he said, “I...love you. I really do love you.”

“I love you too,” Claire responded with a grin, before giving him another kiss, this time making out with him.

Joan, who was standing next to them, asked, “Um...I'm happy to see you getting along well, but...”

She stopped as Claire pulled her to the ground, before giving her a hug as well. “Thanks Joan. I love you too. Err, like a sister, I mean,” she said with a blush.

Joan giggled, wrapping her arms around Claire, “I love you as well, Claire.”

They both giggled, as Bar looked at them. Well, Alice joining was a failure, but I'm glad they're getting along well.

After their emotions cooled off, Belle said tentatively, “Umm...dinner is ready, if...”

The three of them looked at each other, before bursting out laughing and getting to their feet. Claire and Joan hugged Belle too, who was surprised for a moment, before smiling and hugging them back.

The next day was the end of the week day off, so Bar headed over to Claire's, as he had promised. As he entered, he was greeted by an unexpected sight. Claire, in a maid outfit, blushing red and doing a rough curtsy.

“Welcome home, Master,” she said.

Bar laughed.

Claire angrily punched him repeatedly. “Why are you laughing, don't you like this kind of thing!?”

Bar wiped his eyes as he defended himself. “What do you mean? Well, you do look really cute in that, but why are you pretending to be a maid?”

Claire blushed again, “Well, you said your plan was to marry a bunch of beautiful maids, but...I'm not a maid, so I thought I would fit in better if...”

Bar leaned over and gave her a kiss. “I did. Well, maybe I still do, but that doesn't mean I don't want you as well,” he explained, face close to hers. “You don't have to pretend to be a maid. Just be Claire.”

Claire, looking overcome with emotion, grabbed his neck, pulling him down for another kiss.

After they unlatched, Claire said, “I guess I have to believe you. From what Joan says, you're not treating me different than her, so...”

Bar sighed, picking up Claire as he had done before, carrying her over to her bedroom.

He laid her out on her bright pink bed, as she splayed herself out, bright red.

Bar straddled her, pulling her maid outfit down to find she didn't have a bra on. “Oh, you're a naughty maid,” he said, licking her nipples.

Claire giggled, “See, you do enjoy the maid roleplay.”

Bar rolled his eyes, lifting up her skirt to find she had no panties on either. As he was already erect, he took out his shaft and stuck it inside her.

Claire curled up, wrapping her arms around his neck. “Let's do it like this, so we can kiss,” she suggested, before doing just that.

“You sure like kissing,” Bar chuckled.

“You seem to like when I kiss you, Claire rebutted.

With the combination of thrusting up into Claire in his lap, her chest hanging out of her maid uniform, and their intense making out, Bar quickly finished, coming in her as she grabbed him tightly.

“Oh Bar... I love you so much...” she said, panting into his chest.

“I love you too Claire,” he said, reinforcing his words with another kiss.

They continued their lovemaking the entire afternoon (the maid outfit being discarded once it got too sweaty) until they were both too exhausted to go anymore, both of them laid out on the bed.

“I don't...know how...you...manage...all...that...” Claire got out between breaths.

Bar looked over and smiled, “You did...too...”

Claire shook her head. “But...you're still tired from the tournament,” she explained, rolling over to lay on his arm, and curling up next to him.

“Well, that's true...” Bar said, scratching his cheek. “Do you wanna get dinner now?”

On queue, Claire's stomach growled, and she blushed. “Haha, thinking about Belle's cooking made me hungry all of a sudden...”