[Brian's POV]
Days continue to pass, and we are drawing closer to the schedule for the field work practice.
In front of me right now are the first-year students who have just become members of the Swordsmaster Club. It is currently the scheduled time to give them some knowledge of sword techniques after they have completed their learning activities with the Instructor.
"Three of you, try to attack me simultaneously," I instructed them.
Three new members then stepped forward, carrying their wooden swords. Judging from their stances, they were all still completely inexperienced. Footwork was wrong, shoulder positions were imperfect, and breathing was unfocused.
"Get ready, Senior!"
The three of them began their attack. All their movements were very slow; I could easily evade them. Furthermore, their teamwork was poor, performing attacks at will without a clear objective.
- Bam!
I struck the hands of all three with my wooden sword. They were seen wincing in pain while clutching their respective hands. Resting the wooden sword I held against my shoulder, I said, "Keep practicing, especially your footwork."
"Yes, sir!"
They all responded to my words with great enthusiasm.
"Senior Brian is so cool, isn't he?"
"Not only is he strong, but he's also handsome!"
I heard compliments from the women present here. It seems being the Head of a club isn't so bad after all.
After finishing the training at the Swordsmaster Club, I returned to the regular men's dormitory. Upon arriving there, I saw the third-year students gathering in the common room; several were seen reading papers held in their hands.
"Hey, what are they doing?" I asked one of the students there.
"The Decree regarding the field work practice for third-year students is out," he answered me. "You can look for yours on that table, Brian."
There was a large table in the room. Atop the table, a stack of papers was visible. I then walked over to the table and searched for my Decree. I hoped I would be in the same group as Ariel for this activity. If not, I wouldn't see her for several months!
After several minutes of searching, I finally found my Decree. It stated that I would be the leader of the student group stationed at the Alcantara Fortress—one of the headquarters for the Inquisitors of the Temple of Goddess Diana located in the Duchy of Grenaut.
"I wonder if Ariel will be placed at the same location as me?" I muttered hopefully. "I must find her now."
Leaving the men's dormitory, I hurried toward the women's dormitory. The day had entered the afternoon; academy students could be seen strolling, relaxing in the garden, or practicing in the open areas. I hadn't realized I had been living in this place for two years already.
I still remember the first time I met Master Erina at a street fighting arena. She saw the talent I possessed and entered me into this academy with her recommendation as a teacher. Before entering this academy, I had no purpose in life at all—no family and no friends. However, everything changed after I began my life here.
I gained new friends so that I am no longer lonely, and I can develop my fighting talent to eradicate evil. However, what I am most grateful for upon entering this academy is meeting her—Ariel. She is the one who always makes my days here colorful; she always comforts me during my depressions at my worst moments; she has become my motivation to reach my dreams.
Ariel... She is everything in my life... Her smile, her kindness, her soft voice that always calms my heart... I want everything she is to be for me alone... I want to be with her always and reach our dreams together... And after graduation, I want to propose to her to be my life partner until the end of our lives.
Upon arriving at the women's dormitory, I told the guard to call Ariel here. However, he said that Ariel was not in her room at all. One of her friends mentioned that Ariel was currently at the Temple, keeping to herself.
Inside the Temple? Is she praying? But didn't she already do that during the lunch break earlier? Not wanting to think further on it, I walked to the Temple.
The Temple of Goddess Diana within the academy is the place where Priestess students like Ariel gather. There, she is taught healing magic, exorcism magic, and sealing magic. Unlike the Knight or Mage students, the Priest and Priestess students are few in number. Because of that, their curriculum differs from those two types of students.
Reaching the Temple inside the academy, I entered and saw the place was very quiet; I couldn't find Ariel as far as my eyes could see. I then walked to the ceremony room. This time, I found Ariel sitting in one of the rows of benches. She had her eyes closed, fingers interlaced, and her head bowed as if in prayer. There was only her and me in this place.
I walked over to Ariel and sat beside her. Her eyes slowly opened, and she turned her head, noticing my presence.
"Brian... what are you doing here?" Ariel asked in her soft voice.
"I've been looking everywhere for you, you know. It's quite unusual for you to still be praying this late in the afternoon, Ariel," I said to her. "Actually, what are you praying for?"
Ariel then gave a light smile upon hearing my question.
"Sorry I didn't come to see you directly, Brian," Ariel answered in a melancholic tone. "I was praying that my field work practice would go safely and smoothly."
Just where was Ariel stationed that made her look so uneasy? Was she placed in a dangerous location?
"Ariel, could I see your placement Decree?" I requested.
Ariel then reached into the breast pocket of her uniform and handed me a piece of paper. I took it and read the contents of Ariel's Decree. It mentioned that she would be stationed in the Fortress City of Cataluna.
"The Fortress City of Cataluna is the territory of Marquis Fran de Cataluna," Ariel said, looking at the letter I held. "It is located in the Northeastern region of the Empire, which is the most dangerous region in the country."
If I recall correctly, four of the six students who died last year during this program were also stationed there, weren't they? That means Ariel's life could be in great danger if she carries out her activities there. If I were with her, I could still protect her. However, our locations are different; I am not sure the other students will be able to protect Ariel!
"I will speak to the Student Council to have you moved from that place," I told her.
But Ariel shook her head upon hearing my words. "I don't want someone else to replace me in a dangerous place while I comfortably serve in a safe one, Brian. Wouldn't that make me a bad person?"
I had forgotten Ariel possessed such a kind heart. It was clear she didn't want to trade her dangerous placement with someone else.
"In that case, I will ask the Student Council to place me in the same location as you, Ariel," I said while holding the shoulders of the platinum-haired woman. "With this, you won't have to worry because I will protect you from any threat!"
I then stood up to hurry toward the Student Council Building so they would agree to swap my place with one of the students stationed in the same location as Ariel. Surely they wouldn't want to carry out this activity in such a dangerous place either, right? That student should be willing to swap with me.
"Brian, don't cause any trouble there."
However, I ignored her and quickened my pace to get there fast. The Temple building was not far from the Student Council Building, so I could reach it in just a few minutes' walk. Entering the building, I saw the Council members were busy, either preparing documents or discussing.
"May I meet with President Elena?" I asked one of them.
"The President is in her office; I suggest you do not disturb her as she is busy today," he replied.
I ignored his words and went straight to the Student Council President's Office. The door was not closed; I could see President Elena sitting while reading several documents inside the room. She turned toward me as I entered the room. Her face looked slightly displeased that I was there.
"Brian? Why have you come here?" President Elena asked me.
"It's about the field work practice placement that will take place in a few days," I answered her.
Hearing my words, President Elena furrowed her brows. "And what is the problem regarding that?"
"I want you to move me to the same location as Ariel, which is the Fortress City of Cataluna, for this field work activity," I answered frankly.
Hearing my request, President Elena put down the document she was reading and said, "I cannot; all spots have been filled by the Disciplinary Committee members. If you want to do something about it, speak to Raul—their leader."
The Disciplinary Committee? Don't tell me that jerk is going to be there with Ariel too? Did he plan this? Is he still targeting Ariel after I defeated him in the duel!? I couldn't let that man do as he pleased.
"So, if I can convince him, then I can swap to the same place as Ariel?" I asked her.
"Yes... He himself said that if you came to dispute this decision, you should meet with Raul yourself directly."
After hearing President Elena's words, I immediately left the Student Council building to find that jerk.
***
[Raul's POV]
Night had arrived; I was currently at the academy's main arena, waiting for someone. Only I was here; no student would come here this late at night. By bringing Ariel to a dangerous place with me, that man would surely be furious.
Bringing Ariel to the most dangerous place in the Empire is absolutely necessary to awaken the Codex she possesses so that after the Trials I've engineered are completed, she will have the chance to be chosen as a Saint. All scenarios must be arranged neatly so that the results match my expectations. With Ariel being chosen as a Saint, the future of this world will be more secure.
"Raul de Garciaaa!"
My thoughts were shattered when I heard a very loud shout echoing in this place. Brian was seen running quickly toward me.
"I've looked for you throughout the academy; it turns out you were here!" Brian shouted while pointing his finger at me.
"What do you want from me?" I asked, feigning ignorance.
"You're the one who placed Ariel in the same location as you, aren't you!?" Brian said in a raised tone. "She already rejected you, yet you still keep chasing and bothering Ariel!"
"And if it is indeed true that I wanted Ariel in the same location as me, what can you do about it?" I said, provoking him further.
"Let's settle this like men," Brian said. His gaze looked very serious. "If I defeat you, then I will replace you as the leader of the student group stationed at the Fortress City of Cataluna!"
"And if you lose?"
Brian looked surprised when he heard that question from me. It seemed he hadn't considered losing at all when intending to challenge me this time.
"I will do whatever you want if I lose! For Ariel's sake, I will sacrifice anything!"
Oh, it seems I must teach you to be careful with your words, Brian.
"Very well, I accept your challenge," I said to him while giving a sinister smile. "We will duel right now, in this arena."