4. Rogue vs Healer

Kōji finished his push-ups with a heavy exhale, wiping the sweat from his brow.

"Tch…That Reivain, he's a damn force to be reckoned with," he muttered under his breath, rising to his feet.

If only I could show Saka-chan just how strong I really am…

His gaze flicked to Seiito, a smirk curling at his lips, tinged with something unreadable.

"Reivain-san," Kōji called out casually, though his voice carried an underlying edge. "You mentioned sparring matches, didn't you?"

Reivain, arms crossed, looked over. "Indeed. Would you like to go first?"

"Hell yeah. I'm in." Kōji's enthusiasm was obvious—too obvious.

Reivain arched an eyebrow. "Full of energy, huh?"

Seiito glanced over at Kōji, wondering if he'd be chosen as his sparring partner. If he was… this could be his chance to prove that he wasn't just a burden.

Even if he wasn't a fighter, even if Kōji wouldn't hold back, he could still survive.

"May I pick my opponent?" Kōji asked, feigning politeness.

Reivain gave a slight nod, curious. "Go ahead."

Will he pick The Hero? The Battle Maiden? Or—

"Yo, Seiito-kun."

"…!"

"How about you?" Kōji's grin stretched a little too wide, almost masking the malice behind it.

To the others, it looked like a friendly challenge. But Reivain? He saw through it instantly.

H-He's not even hiding it…What the hell is his problem with chubby cheeks?

"Are you serious?" one student scoffed. "He's Seiito. He probably doesn't even have combat abilities."

A hand clapped onto Reivain's shoulder. He turned to find Takemi, the Hero himself, watching the exchange with a knowing look.

"Look at Seiito," Takemi murmured, tilting his chin toward him.

"…!"

Reivain's eyes widened. Seiito wasn't afraid. His posture was steady, his breathing controlled. Despite knowing the risks, despite his lack of combat experience, he looked ready.

A healer who actually wanted to fight?

"Come on," Kōji said with a smirk. "Let Seiito get some experience. That's what this is for, right?"

Takemi overheard Kōji and scoffed.

As if I'll let that fat bastard heal. Kōji's fingers twitched.

Reivain weighed his options. This was just a sparring match. No one here had real battle experience yet—there was no real danger.

"Very well. The match is on," Reivain said, signaling the knights to prepare the arena.

He observed both fighters carefully. The Rogue had a clear advantage. But for a brief moment—just for a split second—he sensed something strange between them. A fleeting balance, as if, for an instant, Seiito was an equal.

Then it vanished. The scales tipped back in favor of Kōji, stronger than he should've been.

How peculiar…Was I still drunk from last night?

"Hand over your status plates," Reivain ordered. "No point checking them mid-fight, right?"

Seiito already had his abilities memorized—there weren't many to begin with. He handed his plate over without hesitation.

They stepped onto the training ground. A large, circular arena roughly 18 meters in diameter, marked with a glowing white boundary.

Reivain tossed Seiito a short sword—a lightweight blade, barely bigger than a dagger.

"W-Whoa!" Seiito barely caught it, almost fumbling it in his hands. Now, he had a staff in one hand and a sword in the other.

That was dangerous! I could've cut myself!

Across from him, Kōji exhaled slowly, his breath visible like a thin mist in the cold air. His dark eyes narrowed into slits, a quiet intensity radiating from him.

A chill crept down Seiito's spine. His heart pounded against his ribs.

It was…different from fear.

Something primal. Something was clawing at the edges of his nerves.

Across the arena, Reivain's hair stood on end. A smirk played at his lips—intrigued.

A rough diamond...

But his expression soon darkened.

The air thickened with Kōji's killing intent. It wasn't just confidence. It was raw, tangible violence.

What is their connection? Reivain wondered. Why do I sense…such hatred?

Seiito's hands trembled. His grip on the staff wavered. Even the onlookers could feel it—something was off.

A Rogue wants to fight a Healer.

From the sidelines, Masa let out a sigh. "What a loser…"

She adjusted her glasses with a sharp push, her dark green bob swaying slightly in the wind. Her emerald eyes glowed with thinly veiled disdain as she shot Kōji a disapproving look.

Chiharu crossed her arms, nodding gravely. "Taking out the healer first makes sense…in a battlefield, but targeting someone who can't even fight? That's just pathetic."

Her usual cheerfulness had vanished, replaced by an icy glare. The high ponytail of her fiery orange hair swayed with her movement, and her once-bright azure eyes darkened with scorn.

I can hear you, you know… Kōji sighs.

Takemi, arms crossed, watched Kōji like a hawk. His usually calm gaze darkened. If Kōji took things too far, he'd step in—no hesitation. A sharp glint flickered in his eyes, and the air around him grew heavier, tense.

"Eep…!" Chiharu yelped, hiding behind Masa. "Takemi-kun is scary..."

Meanwhile, Reivain beckoned to his fellow knights, motioning them to surround the arena. They weren't taking any chances. His gaze locked onto Kōji, his instincts on high alert.

"This is a sparring match," he announced, voice cold and sharp. "If I sense any attempt to cause real harm, the fight ends immediately, and you will be punished." His eyes drilled into Kōji, a silent warning.

Kōji's expression didn't waver, but some of the intensity in his aura receded.

"You shall begin!"

Seiito exhaled, steadying himself.

"I can do this. I just have to—"

A sharp sting lanced across his cheek.

"—!"

Too fast!

He barely registered the attack before it was over. A thin cut traced his skin, blood welling at the surface.

He spun around, searching—Kōji was nowhere in sight.

"W-What?!" His heart pounded wildly.

Kōji's grin widened from the shadows.

"Oh? [Lightless Dash] and [Sneak]? That's a bit much for a Healer, isn't it?" Reivain mused, unimpressed.

Seiito quickly cast [Heal], the wound sealing instantly.

MP: 100/100 → MP: 80/100

Not on my watch, fatso.

Another strike. This time, his ribs took the hit.

HP: 15/15 → HP: 13/15

Slash!

HP: 13/15 → HP: 12/15

"Ghh…!" Seiito staggered. He had armor, but the impact rattled him.

He tried to heal again—

Another slash.

Too fast. Kōji was waiting for him to cast, attacking the moment he let his guard down.

Damn it! How do I counter—

Seiito's eyes darted to the ground. The dirt. Footprints.

He bluffed a heal. "Heal…"

A flicker of movement—there!

He swung.

Clang!

The sword met Kōji's dagger mid-strike.

Blocking was one thing. Predicting his next move? That was another.

Reivain smirked from the sidelines.

Not bad. Chubby Cheeks is adapting.

Kōji clicked his tongue, stepping back. His [Sneak] would wear off soon.

Reivain's eyes flicked to Kōji's status plate.

…Proficiency with daggers?

He frowned. Kōji was too skilled. Too precise. This wasn't normal student-level combat.

Kōji lunged again, faster, wilder—

Seiito barely blocked, barely dodged—

This wasn't a match.

For Kōji…

This was personal.

I'll never forget what you did…never!

His movements turned reckless and brutal, each strike fueled by something deeper.

It's burned into my mind!

Seiito was flung back, barely catching himself. His breath came in ragged gasps.

Damn it…What am I supposed to do?

He was too fast.

Too relentless.

And he… wasn't stopping.

Gasping for breath, Seiito forced himself to stand, his legs trembling as he scanned the room. His mind raced, grasping at a reckless idea—

It's a gamble…but I have no choice!

"Heal!" he shouted, golden light flaring around his chest as if he were leaving himself open.

MP: 80/100 → MP: 60/100

Kōji didn't hesitate. A predator's instinct kicked in, and he lunged forward, both daggers aimed squarely at Seiito's chest. In that split second, Seiito didn't move. Instead, he braced himself—inviting the attack.

Krrkk!

HP: 12/15 → HP: 3/15

The dagger plunged into his chest plate, cracking it with the sheer force of impact. Blood trickled from the corner of his lips as the blow forced him forward, closer to the blades. Pain lanced through his body, sharp and unrelenting, but he held firm. His breathing slowed, focused.

From the crowd, Saka gasped, clutching her chest. Her heart pounded, torn between fear and awe.

Takemi stood frozen, his pulse quickening. "You crazy bastard…" he muttered under his breath, old memories surfacing—of a bruised and battered Seiito, smiling despite the pain, reaching out to comfort him after a playground scuffle.

"…" Takemi's expression darkened. Chiharu, beside him, glanced up, startled by the shift in his demeanor.

Reivain's eyes widened, his body tensing to intervene, but he stopped. He saw it now—the strategy.

The kid's insane…

With Kōji's dagger buried in his armor, Seiito clenched his jaw and swung his staff like a bat, putting every ounce of his strength behind it.

"AAARGHH!"

The impact cracked against Kōji's skull with a sickening thud, sending him flying backward. His grip loosened, the dagger slipping from his hands as he tumbled across the ground.

Seiito staggered, then yanked the embedded dagger from his chest, letting it clatter to the floor.

"Heal…"

The golden glow enveloped him, mending his wounds with diminishing energy.

MP: 60/100 → MP: 20/100

Healing that wound left him almost drained. Every breath was agony. His vision wavered as he fought to stay conscious.

HP: 3/15 → HP: 5/15

Seiito wiped the blood from his lips, barely able to stay on his feet. His mana reserves were low, his body screaming in protest, yet his focus remained razor-sharp as he locked eyes with Kōji, who groggily pushed himself up.

"Stop! The match is over!"

Reivain's authoritative voice cut through the thick silence. Kōji blinked, finally snapping out of his haze, before slumping in exhaustion.

"Seiito…"

Saka's whisper barely reached him before his vision swam. His knees buckled. The world tilted.

Thud.

He collapsed.

"Seiito!"

Saka rushed to his side, Takemi and Reivain close behind. A healer knight was already on his way.

The healer, Marcus, knelt beside Seiito, placing his hands over his chest, his expression darkening.

Reivain frowned. "How bad is it, Marcus?"

Marcus exhaled sharply. "His healing barely stabilized him, but there's internal bleeding. I can stop it, but it'll take time."

"Do it," Reivain ordered.

Marcus nodded, golden energy flowing from his hands. "His healing skill is barely F-rank. It couldn't reach the internal wounds."

Marcus let out a breathy chuckle as he worked. "This kid…"

Reivain glanced at him. "What, reckless?"

Marcus smirked. "No. Gutsy."

"Gutsy, huh?" Reivain's lips twitched into a faint, approving smile. "I'll give him that."

Then, Marcus passed him Seiito's stat plate.

Name: Seiito
Class: Healer
Level: 1
Title: None
Vitality: 15
Strength: 10
Endurance: 10
Magic: 100
Agility: 5
Status Rank: E
Skills: Heal (F), Heal Touch (F)

Reivain's brows shot up. "What?! Is he insane?!"

Marcus only chuckled. "…Yet he fought."

Reivain studied Seiito's stat plate, intrigued. Despite the weak healing ability, his mana pool was unusually high for someone of his level.

Takemi's jaw tightened. His fingers curled into a fist. Way too weak… yet he didn't back down.

Saka stared in wide-eyed shock. Seiito, a healer, had gone toe-to-toe with Kōji, a rogue. Against all odds, he had fought.

Reivain turned to her. "Want to see Kōji's plate?"

Saka swallowed and nodded. Reivain handed it over.

Name: Kōji
Class: Rogue
Level: 1
Title: Chosen One (A++)
Vitality: 30 (+25)
Strength: 10 (+25)
Endurance: 30 (+25)
Magic: 10 (+25)
Agility: 50 (+25)
Status Rank: D
Skills: Sneak (D), Sneak Attack(F), Lightless Dash (C), Dagger Proficiency

Saka's hands trembled. The sheer difference was staggering. And yet…

He held his ground.

The healer tended to Kōji as well, but aside from a concussion and wounded pride, his injuries were mild. Meanwhile, Seiito had put his body on the line and nearly died.

As Seiito was carried to the Knight's Barracks, the matches continued—but the air had shifted.

"So, who's next?" Reivain asked, voice smooth but sharp.

A hand shot up.

"Me."

The voice came from Shigeri Kitani, the class's resident gym enthusiast. His excitement was palpable, his smile wide as he stepped forward. His dark, spiky hair flowed with the cool breeze, and his determined emerald eyes burned with fire.

Reivain took his plate and read it over.

Name: Shigeri Kitani
Class: Berserker
Level: 1
Title: Brute of all Brutes (S+)
Vitality: 100 (+50)
Strength: 200 (+50)
Endurance: 200 (+50)
Magic: 10 (+50)
Agility: 10 (+50)
Status Rank: C+
Skills: Axe Throw (C), Stomp (D), Boulder Throw (C), Rage (C), Axe proficiency (F)

Reivain nearly choked. Another monster.

Then, another hand rose. Takemi.

Reivain took his plate.

Name: Watanabe Takemi
Class: Hero
Level: 1
Title: The Hero of Humanity (S++)
Vitality: 200 (+100)
Strength: 100 (+100)
Endurance: 100 (+100)
Magic: 80 (+100)
Agility: 30 (+100)
Status Rank: C+
Skills: Light Blade (C), Indomitable Will (C), Shield of Light (C), Appraisal (D), Great Sword Proficiency (F)

Reivain exhaled sharply. "Damn. These two…are monsters."

As Takemi and Kitani stepped into the ring, the tension crackled.

"Try not to destroy the arena," Reivain warned.

Then—

"GO!!"

With a deafening roar, Kitani charged.