Chapter 8 Part 3: Combat Class

“You each can choose a partner to face off against,” Amalie shouted. Jun looked to Mei but noted her looking to another classmate. His eyes narrowed.

“Hey old man, quit it. You know what, how about we choose some new opponents. There’s only so much we can learn from each other now.”

Jun was about to refute, however she quickly dashed off, leaving him gripping the hilt of his dagger. It had only been two days since he had spared with Amalie, and yet, now, Mei was off mingling with others. He let out a long sigh. Before he could put his next thoughts together, an instructor’s hand was on his shoulder. As he turned, he saw the silvery chair-bound woman from before. Her icy ruby eyes narrowed as he was paired with her for combat exercises.

Jun remained guarded but respectful. He could tell she was more of a sorcerer than a warrior, and he wondered why she was in this class. Amalie’s eyes met his and he began to grasp her importance. She didn’t fight like other warriors. That alone would provide ample experience to the students here. She also didn’t fight like other warriors and needed to familiarize herself with the fighting styles of others. It was a win-win sort of situation, benefitting all sides.

As he moved to a prepared arena the instructor started the duel and he noted her subtle shifts before ice began to form in the air around them. Being that he favored the sword, he would need to get close to assert any pressure on her. He charged forward, avoiding the ice, but backing as she created a spiky wall. She was certainly hard and dangerous. He kept his sword ready and struck at some ice, feeling it clang while also sinking into the frozen water. It was jarring. The rebound made him retreat and think through things. Her eyes widened and she unleashed more ice at him. Gradually, after avoiding her, he determined she was limitless in her supply of faith—worthy of her silver status, even if she was also considered a red.

He dashed around to the back and she tried to move the chair to pivot but was slow—a weakness—however with her area of affect, it wasn’t much. He heard her growl as he came into her blindspot behind the throne. A massive spread of ice deterred him from charging forward and he dodged, feeling the chill run up his feet.

‘So not a good idea.’ He pondered. If only he could use fire, he could weaken the ice as it approached. He shifted barely in line of sight and she attacked. She manipulated the attacks to drive him away from her blindspot, controlling the field. Jun circulated his prayer, forcing the growing heat within to ward off the chill and keep his lungs from complaining as he dashed about. The duel kept its rapid pace, neither gaining the upper-hand over the other. Every time she almost had him cornered, he would break free, maneuvering himself and escaping. He could feel her frustrations mounting. Frankly, he was impressed. Only Amalie and the Master could push him this hard. Then he saw an opening. He retreated. It was obviously a plot to goad him into a trap.

Her eyes narrowed and her white hair shimmered with ice. He peered into it. Was her frost powerful enough that she couldn’t maintain it indefinitely? Was it affecting her? That alone would be a hinderance in combat. She had a time limit. He kept avoiding and noted that with each attack, her ice melted faster, and had lost some of its razor edge. He pressed on and then slashed at the ice, breaking it into a spray of glitter. With a smirk, he pounced on her ice walls and shattered them one after another, making it hard to see in this shimmering landscape. However, he knew where she was. She couldn’t move fast in that heavy chair. Feeling the turn in the battle, he charged. He would have one shot at this. They weren’t going to kill but threaten one another till one ended the duel. Frankly, she had done alot of that, but he could feel her threats weakening.

He broke through the starry field of ice and was at her side. He brought the sword up and she froze, his blade ensnared as she encased herself. He retreated, trying to pull the blade but ultimately giving up. Her ice grew and he conceded the round, seeing his weapon trapped in her control. Her ice began to thaw and his sword was directed to her hands. She turned the chair with great effort and then presented him the sword.

“It was a good fight,” she commented.

“Indeed. My name is Jun.”

“Elain.”

He picked up the sword and checked it over, flicking off the condensation before returning it to its sheath. He extended his left hand and she took it, her eyes wavering before she pulled back.

“Perhaps another time then, Elain,” he bowed and left, feeling her eyes boring into him.

He wouldn't be able to win against her for now. They both understood that. His lungs complained, despite his constant nourishment and prayer. She may have a time limit, but it was far greater than he could push himself to overcome. As he pondered on the fight, he wondered if she had intentionally softened her ice to goad him to attack, since he hadn’t fallen for her openings. If that was the case, he had no idea how strong she was.

‘Back to training.’ He groaned. He needed to get stronger.

He heard Mei’s laughter and paused, looking towards where she sparred with that man. His eyes didn’t watch long as he felt a tickling in his ear.

‘They watch—the Jinshari.’ Without much effort he saw them. Among some of the instructors were younger Jinshari, posing as students. He growled in his throat. It truly was impossible to escape their attention here. He forced his eyes to Mei.

He watched her and inwardly gave thanks as he saw her acknowledge that she was aware of the attention. The signal? A simple tug on her mask. Jun rolled his neck, in response, a simple code they used between them. Mei slightly nodded when their eyes met and she continued her duel unabated.

Jun watched a bit more earnestly after that. Her opponent she had chosen had a torn uniform. On the frayed strands were beads he had tied that matched the rest that hung around his neck.

As for their combat, the man dashed about, competing with Mei on speed. Jun shook his head. No, he was definitely faster than Mei. But her instincts and perception were sharp, so she seemed to be keeping up. They went through several bouts, unlike him and Elain.

Mei seemed to be taunting the man, something about cold feet. However, if anything, she was inaccurate. His feet were bare, and they seemed to melt the very ground.

When the instructors called for self study and reflection, they ended their fights. Mei found him, greeting him with huffs. Jun felt like he wanted to ruffle her hair, but held back. Her whole demeanor was that of a teen, rather than the hardened women who had grown up in the Jinshari estate and it felt more like she was little Maisie again. They chatted amicably and shared about their fights.

“Arvad is incredible. He’s from the deserts of Ungi, and can outpace me if I’m not careful.” Mei shared. Jun listened. She described the beads as cold yet filled with power. Jun shared about Elain, his frosty opponent.

“Oh, the Red Silver Saint?” Mei chimed in. Jun nodded.

“I’m surprised you came off so scotch free. Apparently she likes to scare her opponents with her ice. Her favorite tactic is to trap them in the ice till they can’t fight anymore.

“Oh, she tried, but I didn’t play into it. I’m sure you would have done a better job with your perception and speed. I could sometimes feel the ice before it formed.”

Mei nodded at this, then she grew silent and fidgeted.

“Hey old man. What does Arvad look like?” Her words barely reached his ears. Jun’s brows knitted.

“Why do you want to know? That’s not like you.” He remarked and Mei hissed.

“You know, sometimes it does suck being blind! I get curious. Like what are the buildings like and the scenery?” Her shouts grew and Jun took a deep breath, calming himself. Mei’s lips pursed as she folded her arms.

“Alright. I get it. Hmmm. His skin is a bit tan. You mentioned he is from the desert which makes sense. He wears the uniform a bit strangely. I can tell he ripped the hems to he could tie the beads on.”

“I can tell that too. I’m asking colors and stuff.”

“Hmm…” Jun studied her. Just why was she so insistent on this?

“You know what. Forget it.”

She rose and then stalked off. Jun could feel the chill coming from her and wondered what he had said wrong this time.