Today, the class conducted practical swordsmanship training. This lesson was different from the usual, as several other classes would also be joining the swordsmanship class.
However, even though everyone participated, not all of them were skilled with the sword—especially the female students, who relied more on magic than physical combat. Free, Gil, and Seria headed together toward the designated sword training field.
After a short walk, they arrived at the location. The atmosphere was extremely noisy. Voices echoed from every direction, leaving no room for calm. The instructors announced that the students would duel one another to assess their individual abilities.
The students were divided into two groups according to the instructors' directions. Coincidentally, Free ended up in the same group as Gil and Seria.
They encouraged one another for the duels ahead. Seria raised her hand and smiled gently.
"I'm confident in this," she said to Free and Gil.
The duel was about to begin, with a 5 vs 5 format for each group. Magic and any similar abilities were strictly forbidden, as this lesson focused purely on physical skill.
The instructor started the sword duels. Cheers from students in all directions made the field lively and vibrant. As each round began and ended, names were called, and students stepped forward to fight. Victories and defeats continued as the duels went on.
Free was still thinking about his inability to use magic the day before. He clenched his hand, raised it, and stared at it.
"I'll use this chance to prove myself and make up for yesterday," Free thought, filled with ambition. His determination not to be seen as incompetent again gave him confidence.
At last, Free, Seria, and Gil were called for the final round. Two of their teammates were Prince Hedra and an ordinary-looking girl.
They walked to the duel zone and greeted their other teammates.
As they prepared to begin, the opposing group looked down on them—especially Free and the girl. Before the duel started, Free felt irritated by their arrogance.
"Huh… being underestimated is annoying, but this is actually good. It'll be fun to watch them lose their confidence." Free muttered.
The instructor began the duel. Free and the others readied their swords and attacked using various tactics. The enemy used a trick—two of them went after Free while the others distracted his teammates. One of the two laughed with a smug expression.
"Now you're alone. I guess it wouldn't be a problem if I gave you a serious injury."
Hearing that, Free felt truly insulted, treated like a target for bullying. He put on a blank expression and replied coldly, saying their tactic only benefited him. From the beginning, Free had intended to beat them to vent his frustration and compensate for his inability to use magic.
"You're just making it easier for me to beat you. I should thank you—my desire to make you suffer just increased," Free said, his words intimidating.
The two students laughed even louder. Annoyed, Free began to emit a threatening aura. They reflexively attacked him using knight-style swordsmanship. They were clearly well-trained, but Free deflected every strike and even counterattacked while dodging.
Their swords swung and slashed toward Free. The continuous clashing of steel rang through the air. The students were impressed and cheered loudly. From their perspective, this duel was a spectacle worth watching. The tension made some of them shout in excitement.
One of the opponents attempted to thrust at Free, but just before the sword's tip reached him, Free countered. He lowered his body and swung upward, knocking the sword away.
Free allowed the opponent to retrieve his weapon. The two were overwhelmed, yet they refused to give up and launched more brutal attacks.
Their strikes became sloppy, making their next moves easy to predict.
Bored with their performance, Free ended it with a single, powerful swing of his sword that sent both of them flying.
Free struck them with overwhelming physical force. They tried to block, but the attack was too strong, sending them crashing back. The crowd fell silent for a moment—then erupted into loud cheers. Free stared at them sharply and added a slight smile.
"I win…" he said as he sheathed his sword.
The remaining opponents had already been defeated by his teammates.
A man approached Free.
"That was amazing, Free. I admit it," said Prince Hedra.
Free turned toward him. The man had long, straight white hair and a gentle demeanor reflected in his voice.
"Thanks. You weren't bad either," Free replied sarcastically.
Seria and Gil were shocked by Free's words. Free didn't treat anyone differently—he considered everyone equal. Gil, still startled, was about to apologize, but the prince stopped him. At the academy, formalities weren't necessary.
Relieved, Gil clutched his chest.
"Free! That was incredible! Taking on two people at once and finishing them with one decisive strike—teach me!" Gil said in admiration.
The sudden change in attitude surprised Free.
(That was fast…)
"I'm still learning, Gil, so there's nothing I can teach you. If anything, I should be learning from you," Free replied with a small laugh.
The duel ended, and the swordsmanship practice class concluded. The diverse sword skills of Crenia's students were clearly displayed. Everything was finished; it was already midday, and evening was approaching. The instructors gave dismissal instructions and reminded everyone to attend their next classes properly.
All students returned to their respective classes. Free, his friends, and Prince Hedra walked back together, discussing the match along the way.
However, while they were engrossed in conversation, Gil accidentally bumped into another student at a corridor turn.
Gil tried to apologize, but the student he collided with refused to accept it. The boy was furious, his jaw tightening.
"Do you know who you're dealing with!?" he shouted harshly.
A man with white hair and yellow eyes stood before them. It was Sieba bri Jurga—Hedra's older brother.
Gil trembled in fear, his legs going weak.
"I-I'm sorry, Your Highness! I sincerely apologize! It was my fault for not paying attention—please forgive me!" Gil begged after realizing he had bumped into someone of the highest status in the kingdom.
But Sieba rejected the apology, belittling Gil with sarcastic, unpleasant words.
"Well… if you kneel and kiss my feet, I might consider forgiving you. Though in the end, it won't matter. Hahaha!" Sieba laughed loudly, followed by his followers.
Sieba looked at Gil again. He recognized him—Gil's family was famous for alchemy. But in Sieba's eyes, his own rank and caste were above everyone in the Kingdom of Jurga.
Hearing Sieba's words, Free couldn't stay silent. The anger he masked as irritation grew stronger, the urge to punch Sieba's face flashing in his mind. Free stepped forward and spoke, changing the flow Sieba was trying to create.
"You're awfully arrogant for someone who just talks a lot, Sieba."
Seria and Hedra were shocked—someone was openly confronting a member of the royal family.
Normally, people were terrified and obeyed whatever the royal family ordered. The system of domination was firmly held by them.
But that didn't apply to Free. He responded with sharp words, directly countering Sieba's insults toward Gil.
At first, Seria and Hedra didn't want to get involved—especially Hedra, since opposing his own family could threaten his position. But their worries faded when Free's remarks turned the tense atmosphere oddly humorous.
"As a member of the Jurga royal family, you should set a good example for your people," Seria said seriously, having gathered her courage after seeing Free's bravery.
Seeing Seria step in pushed Hedra forward as well. Even if it meant opposing his own brother, wrong was still wrong.
"I think she's right. As members of the royal family, we should be an example to our people—make them happy, not make them suffer. Gil only bumped into you, Brother. It was an accident. Here, in this academy, we are students, not royalty," Hedra explained.
But Sieba refused to budge. He even scolded Hedra for opposing him. With an irritated expression, he said,
"In that case, how about we settle this with a duel, Hedra?"
Everyone was shocked by the challenge.
The situation grew tense as more students gathered, shouting for a duel. To them, a duel between royal family members was like a struggle for succession—the winner proving dominance.
"How about it? If you win, I'll admit I was wrong. But if I win… you know what happens, don't you?" Sieba said.
Gil didn't want to oppose the royal family—it could bring disaster to the Vänsbor family. Seria wanted to fight, but it would stain her father's name. Even so, Hedra accepted the challenge, prepared to risk his position as heir.
Seeing the three of them dragged into trouble, Free felt guilty. Even though it was their choice, it all started because he provoked Sieba.
"I'll take it. I'll fight you myself… one on one. How about that?" Free said.
The crowd erupted in hysterical shouts.
"What did you say? A commoner like you dares to challenge me? Fine—if I win, I'll torture you! Hahaha! Let's go to the Galar Colosseum!" Sieba roared, enraged at being looked down on by someone he considered trash.
"Taking it to the Colosseum? What are you really trying to do, Brother? That will only damage the royal family's image!" Hedra protested.
"Be quiet. You should be grateful he's replacing you. This will prove who dominates and who will be dominated," Sieba snapped arrogantly.
Free stared silently at Sieba.
'Haaa… how annoying.'
"Are you planning to make me wait? Are you really that scared you need to delay our duel?" Free taunted.
"Don't get cocky, bastard. I'm just dealing with my useless little brother," Sieba replied harshly.
"You'd better make up with him. He's the only one who'll still care about you after you lose. I hope you do it soon." Free mocked.
Sieba frowned deeply.
"You've truly enraged me. I won't let you die until you've suffered enough."
Free felt irritated by Sieba's disgraceful behavior.
'He's really an idiot. I even told him to reconcile, but he's stubborn. I hope he's the only one this hopelessly stupid.'
They arrived at the Jurga Colosseum. Sieba's excitement was clear as he stepped inside.
"Alright… let's do this!!"