Magic Circle #4

The sun was setting, and dusk was quickly approaching with the sun losing its radiance to the moon. Akiro twirled the wooden daggers in his hands, stretching his wrist; Ayama stretched his shoulders for the incoming abuse. Despite the plan already in their heads, they were at an advantage as they were well-rested compared to the somewhat expended instructor.

There was no need for them to wirelessly expend effort, a respectful silence being shared by the two boys and the knight. It was quiet enough that one could hear the drop of a pin and the sound of the breeze.

"They seem to be waiting me out," Kaiser squinted, "Let's change that!" He grinned, his weight shifting forward, his leg muscles tensing.
At the slightest change in Kaiser's form, the two boys were alerted."He's making a move!"
When Kaiser was about to advance, and the duo charged at the knight simultaneously, ambushing him in between his held-in breaths. “These two, they were paying attention to my breathing!"

During Kaiser's fight with Toshiyuki, when he charged at Toshiyuki, he took a deep breath. That moment of pure luck, on Toshiyuki's behalf, he attacked Kaiser when his reaction speed was reduced by at least a second-- nearly landing a hit on him.

"Only a handful of people ever discovered that flaw! Are you telling me these two--" With his concentration broken and flow disrupted, Kaiser narrowly blocked Akiro's swift left strike instead of parrying. Kaiser lowered his shield down, redirecting the follow-up from the other dagger.

Clink!

Clank!

Ayama jumped over Akiro, who lowered his frame close to the ground, using his fingers to keep himself from tipping over. Kaiser's eyes widened, his arms strengthening to intercept Ayama's descending shield. With a strong push with his left arm and a punch with his right, he repelled the two.
Bam!

Ayama and Akiro were pushed back, Akiro's white shoes skidding against the pavement as he caught Ayama, who was thrown back at an awkward angle, and was able to keep themselves from tumbling back.

Ayama glanced at his arm and shook it slightly. “It's numb, “ he cursed. He raised his shield to eye level and glared unwaveringly.
"He's really strong. He's not chief knight for nothing."

“Seems like you two–” Kaiser grinned, exhaling a small puff of smoke from his jaws—and dashed forward. “–did your homework!”

Sccchskkk!

The wooden sword scratched across Ayama's shield, leaving a small scratch and a few chips of wood to fly. Kaiser didn't limit his strength this time but Ayama was able to block, using his shield, but he fell back. Fortunately, Akiro who was still behind him pushed forward, steadying him once more.

"Perfect Cohesion!" Kaiser contemplated the ongoing battle, “Not only were they putting up a fight more than others, but they also strategized the battle.” He turned the double-edged sword for a returning strike.

When the blow connected to the shield, Kaiser frowned, jumping back. “They fought me when all the classmates have finished their duel, putting me in the most exhaustive state, and paid attention to the opening of my slacking movements. These two are… the superior heroes!”

Kaiser ditched his shield and charged again, excess weight removed and his center of gravity perfect. Launching forward, a few inches from the ground, his sword high for a downward strike. Ayama stepped back to parry the Chief Knight's downward stroke using a left side-stepping spin, the sword being sent to the floor.

Tak!

With his sword, Ayama sliced at Kaiser's head even though his back was exposed and the shield is thrown away. The move surprised Kaiser, making him barely dodge the sword in time, his hair flowing because of the wind produced by the swing.

Logically speaking, shield users should always put the shield between themselves and their opponents, but Ayama put away his shield and confidently pointed the tip of his sword at the man.

“What’s the purpose of setting aside his only defense?” the Kaiser thought. “He must have a plan,” he thought as he gripped the sword tighter.

Ayama dashed forward, using the same technique as the last attack. But this time, he leaned further and the arm that was carrying the shield, using the edge almost like another blade. With a perfect, unintelligible pattern to his sword and shield Attacks, Kaiser was pushed back ever so slightly each time blows were exchanged.

Two wooden daggers pressed against Kaiser’s neck, "Checkmate," said the missing duelist. Kaiser flinched, turning his head to see Akiro, who was gazing at him with empty eyes. They were murky, troubled almost.

"When did he-- Oh, I must've been preoccupied with Ayama. I completely forgot about Akiro." The defeated knight now dropped his sword and shield. He raised his hands in surrender, an impressed smile painted on his face. “I forfeit.”

Akiro removed his wooden daggers from the knight's neck, dropping them almost immediately as he sat down. "This is so exhausting!"
Kaiser turned to the other boy, who was sharing the same sentiment as he was on his knees, panting from exhaustion.

Ayama and Akiro gave each other a distant, air-high five and celebrated their victory.

"Incredible! I did not even notice you getting behind me!." Kaiser was dumbfounded. He thought Akiro wouldn’t advance and would wait for his turn. "When did he get behind me? Was it a skill? I certainly would've heard it--" Or perhaps, that was his turn, but Kaiser spaced out. He conjured up reasons but wasn’t sure if they were right. “When exactly did Akiro get above me?”

Both of them tilted their heads in confusion. “Pardon?” they excused.

In a stiffer tone, he repeated, “When did Akiro get above me?” Kaiser squinted at the two boys.

Ayama grinned victoriously, “Ah, that… It was when I did that weird spin move.”Kaiser raised an eyebrow as he turned to the other boy, who just nodded in agreement. “At that time, I was behind him, and when he swung his shield, I jumped on it like a springboard to get over you.”

“It was similar to what you did with Kenji-san,” continued Ayama with a grin growing ever wider, “and so you wouldn't notice Akiro disappearing, I kept swinging my shield against you.”

Kaiser was utterly speechless. It was a humbling experience for him. How could two aliens use such a strategy to beat him, a seasoned Knight? He could only laugh in amazement. “Well done.

Akiro and Ayama were confused by the remaining question. “Yeah?” they asked, starting to fidget and twiddle with their thumbs.

“Why do you hide your true classes? You could do away with the mockery if you hadn’t. Besides, your skills complement your classes.” Kaiser ruffled his hair, sitting on the ground like them, "Certainly, it isn't worth purposefully being put down? Is it?"

Akiro and Ayama flinched, exchanging panicking glares with each other, Kaiser growing curious about their reasoning. Revenge? Ambition? Only they knew how they thought, and he wanted to know. He certainly didn't expect to hear this.

"Because we're afraid." Akiro grit, his shoulder shaking, his daggers finding their way to his hands. "We're in a foreign world! I have a family-- m-my mother is waiting for me!"
Kaiser jumped back, turning to Ayama, who just looked at him with the same eyes as Akiro did, "We had lives to live, you cruel bastards." He glared, a small tear falling from his eyes. "It may not be happy for some of us, but being plucked from our world and being forced to fight--- we're not like the others. We understand reality and its consequences."

"I was inconsiderate..." Kaiser had no words, only silence permeated between the three of them, sending a somber feeling down his stomach. "I'm so foolish."

"I understand." The knight said, almost in a whisper, "I promise-- nay, I swear that I will help you return to your old world. You have my word."

His words were reassuring, Akiro and Ayama struggled to keep in their tears, relief washing over them like waves, and their worries poured like rain. Kaiser could only give a comforting hand on their shoulders peacefully waiting until they cried themselves to exhaustion. By then it was nighttime.

Kaiser slowly escorted Akiro and Ayama, chatting slowly but surely, slowly getting to know the boys better. He could only guess the hardships these two experienced, the walls they've surrounded their hearts were thick. Even if they were closer than blood brothers, there seemed to be an unspoken topic, a line they both respected.
"I hope you two overcome your hardships. They are mountains you should climb, not carry-- sadly, you have been carrying them for way too long."

Upon entering the banquet hall from earlier, everybody but the ones called by the priest was present, although their current state was much better than now. The mages that were called by Olivia were sprawled over the chairs, pale and tired to their bones. Takumi, Hashimoto, Keichi, Katsumi, Rei, Tsukiko, Misuko, and Rei seemed like malnourished individuals who survived months in the wild before being rescued.

“What the–” Kaiser turned to the healthier-looking classmates, “what happened to them?”

Kenji replied, “The mana training for mages took a toll on the user's mental strength thus…” He pointed, “This mess.”

“She has done it again,” Kaiser sighed, "I gave her one instruction."

As Kaiser spoke of Olivia, she entered the room, her arms carrying more books than this afternoon. “Oh, you brats are finally here.”

Ayama noticed something missing.“How about the other three who went to the temple?”

Olivia sighed, shaking her head as she shrugged. “Temple training is strict, so they will train them and keep watch on them, all hour, all day.” Olivia sighed, “You brats are so pathetic. Can't you do better? Even bugs–”

“Olivia Albion." Kaiser seethed, a strained smile replacing a happy one. Ayama, Akiro, and Olivia flinched. "I would like a word, now would not be the best location. Now."

Akiro watched as Kaiser practically dragged Olivia out of the room. It must be his imagination but he could hear a soft plea for forgiveness from the hallway. “I–I'm s–sowweee! Uwaaahh!!”

"Well, I wish you the best of Luck, Ms. Olivia."

A group of maids entered the banquet hall to serve the tired heroes shortly thereafter.