Chapter 39: Friendly Sparring


    Chapter 39:


    The snowfall hadnt stopped professor Tauri from making her students exercise outside. The majority of them despised the cold and were sluggish throughout the ss. Most of the students were still runningps around the track. Stryg was one of the few who didnt mind the cold much and pressed forward. Like every day, Stryg finished first. But, his mind was elsewhere as he walked off his daily run.


    He needed to think of a n to deal with Karen. Stryg didnt know much about families, but he had seen how the animals in the forest behaved with their own. How a mother bear would risk everything to keep her family safe. Who knows, Karen might even give up herrades if her family was threatened.


    After his muscles had cooled down a bit Stryg headed over to the water barrel to get a drink.


    Hey, Stryg, Callum walked over. Clypeus and I almost passed you this time.


    The two vampires were always trying to beat one another on the track, but their true goal was to top Strygs unbroken 1st ce record.


    I was just a little tired. I ran from themoner district all the way to the schr district without stopping, Stryg drank down the water in one go.


    Seriously? You must have ran for an hour at least. Callum ran his hand through his ck hair, And here I thought we were finally catching up.


    Tell me about it, Stryg nced at professor Tauri, who was directing a few academy staff carryingrge wooden crates. The orc woman was always the fastest among the ss. It was almost infuriating how she always seemed to stay just a few steps ahead of Stryg everytime. He suspected the professor used magic, but he wasnt sure.


    Are you going to get some water? Stryg asked, stepping away from the barrel.


    No, I just actually had a drink, Callum pointed his thumb to his maid standing a few dozen feet away.


    I never found blood to be as refreshing as water, Stryg said.


    Youve drunk blood before?


    A few times. The cooks in my tribe would serve it during full moons, it was normally mixed in with some herbs.


    Are you sure youre not a half-vampire too? Callum raised an eyebrow.


    I dont know, Stryg sighed into his cup. Callum was one of the few ssmates who wasntpletely weirded out by Strygs off handedments. Besides Plum, he was the only student he really talked to.


    Okay, everyone gather around, Tauri called out.


    Stryg and the others made a circle around Tauri and the wooden crates next to her. The snow in the area had been cleared out, leaving dead yellow grass underneath it.


    Kithina was still trying to catch her breath. Running long distances wasnt easy for a dwarf, but she had at leaste to the point where she could finish the daily runs without falling to her knees in lung piercing agony. Tauri kept telling her that the exercise would help make her body stronger and more capable of channelling mana, but Kithina never felt that way.


    Today we are going to be doing something a bit different, Tauri stated. She opened the crates to reveal an assortment of wooden weapons. Sparring.


    Nora, a human ssmate, groaned, But we already have magic. Why would we ever use a club over a st of fire?


    Well for one, you are not a chromatic orange, so you cant cast me spells even if you wanted to. More importantly, while Professor Loh may be training you to be able to cast spells inbat, there will be times you run out of mana or your body is incapable of handling a spell or even worse, your spells are ineffective against your opponent. Weapons can help close that gap, Tauri exined.


    This isnt the martial academy, so I dont expect you to be weapon experts by the end of the year. But, I do expect you to be able to handle yourself if the need ever arises, Tauri said.


    She caught the worried nces of Nora and a few others. Dont stress too much though, you have three years to learn. Today well take it slow. Stryg, you are the swiftest on your feet in the entire ss, actually the entire student body. But how fast are you in an actual fight?


    Stryg became worried, was she challenging him to a fight?


    Tauri waved Stryg over to the weapons crate, Youll go first. Pick whatever weapon you want. They''re all wooden and dull, so dont worry about hurting your opponent.


    Stryg nodded with reluctance and began rummaging through the crate, hoping to find a suitable weapon.


    Who got 2nd ce today? Tauri asked.


    I did, Callum said with a proud smile. Normally, Clypeus or Kegrog would get 2nd, but he had managed to beat them both, barely.


    Youll be up against Stryg then. Choose your weapon, Tauri said.


    Alright, Callum went to another crate and picked up a wooden long sword.


    He felt a little sorry for the goblin. Callum had taken sword sses since he was a child. Besides Clypeus, there werent any trainedbatants in the ss.


    Stryg finally found what he was looking for. He reached deep into the crate and pulled out a quarterstaff. It wasnt a spear, but it would have to do. The students took several paces back to give the two magi fighting room.


    The goal is tond three hits on your opponent. Hits to the head or groin are not allowed. We are trying to avoid any serious injuries. At any point you can decide to give up. There is no shame, this is just practice after all, Tauri stated. Face each other and bow before each bout.


    Stryg bent his neck in a short and quick bow.


    Callum bowed at a 90 degree angle, his hand over his heart, May the goddess of war, Bellum, watch over us.


    Stryg didnt know too much about Bellum, but he did know how to fight. The students surrounded them in a circle and Tauri acted as the referee for the match. It reminded Stryg of home back in Vulture Woods, in the vige square.


    Begin! Tauri shouted.


    Callum and Stryg began to circle each other. No matter how this ends, were both hybrids, no grudges right? Callum smiled.


    Stryg hissed in response. Callum frowned.


    Stryg charged forward and made a wide swing at Callums chest. The half-vampire raised his sword high to block. Stryg used his own momentum and spun low to the ground, his staff following suit, and smashing into Callums exposed shin. Callum crashed to the floor with a shout of pain.


    1 point to Stryg, Tauri said.


    But, Stryg wasnt stopping. Callum was pushing himself up when Strygs quarterstaff mmed into his back, sending Callums face mming into the grass. The vampire didnt even have a chance to grab his sword before Stryg had whacked him a third time.


    Stop! Stop it Stryg! Tauri yelled.


    Stryg paused his assault and looked at her, I win. Three hits, right?


    Tauri pinched the bridge of her nose, Not consecutively. Youre supposed to back off after each hit.


    You didnt say that before, Stryg said with an air of innocence.


    I just assumed it was obvious. You know what, whatever. Now everyone knows. No more excuses. Callum how are you feeling? Tauri said.


    Oh gods, I cant feel my back, Callum whimpered from the ground.


    Kegrog, take Callum to the infirmary please and be gentle, Tauri sighed.


    Yes, maam, Kegrog said. The orc gingerly picked up Callum in a princess carry.


    Kithina winced in sympathy as Callum was taken away.


    <em> Damn, that Stryg</em>, Kithina thought with clenched fists.


    Seeing as you''re still full of energy, youll go another round Stryg, Tauri said.


    I volunteer to be his opponent, Clypeus raised his hand.


    Looks like we have a challenger, Tauri smiled. Grab a weapon and hit the field.


    Clypeus jogged up to a crate and selected two wooden dii. He tested the weight of each dius, before walking over to Stryg.


    May Bellum protect the worthy, Clypeus bowed, hand to his heart.


    Stryg imitated the bow this time.


    Begin! Tauri shouted.


    Clypeus dashed at Stryg with surprising speed. He swung his staff at the vampires legs, but Clypeus jumped over with a twist and shed his des at him. Stryg rolled to dodge, but the dius clipped his shoulder.


    1 point to Clypeus, Tauri said.


    Stryg frowned. The de had been faster than he had anticipated. Clypeus kept a stony face and walked back to his starting point.


    Begin! Tauri said.


    Stryg rushed forward and performed a flurry of thrusts at Clypeus mid-region. Clypeus brandished his dii with expert skill, blocking each attack with swift deftness. The vampire waited for a break in the attacks and jumped towards Stryg, his de aimed at the hybrids arm. Stryg was waiting for the attack, he jumped backwards out of Clypeus reach and mmed the staff into his ribs. Clypeus grit his teeth in pain, but said nothing.


    1 point to Stryg, Tauri stated.


    The two fighters went back to their starting position.


    Begin! She shouted.


    They both charged each other immediately. When Stryg was close he drove his staff at Clypeus leg. The vampire parried the attack at a downwards angle. He kicked the staff to the ground and vaulted off it, twisting in the air right past Stryg. He shed at Strygs back as hended. The force of the blow sending Stryg to his knees. He was too slow to react, he hadnt seen iting.


    2 points to Clypeus, Tauri stated.


    Stryg cursed under his breath. Clypeus nodded curtly.


    Begin! Tauri shouted.


    Stryg and Clypeus began to encircle one another. Each wary of the others attack. Stryg focused on Clypeus feet, waiting for a single pause, a moment of distraction.


    Clypeus took a step closer, Stryg swung the quarterstaff as far he could reach. Clypeus ducked underneath and charged him. Stryg gripped the staff at its low point and mmed the butt of the staff at his opponent. The vampire blocked the attack with one de. Stryg immediately let go of the staff and kicked Clypeus in the face. The other dius met Strygs foot, parried it away, and shed at him.


    3 points to Clypeus! Thats it, done! Tauri crossed her arms. Stryg, at the end you went for an illegal hit to the face. Youre off the field for the day, leave my ss!


    Stryg red at the orc. She raised her eyebrow, daring Stryg to make a move. Instead, he sighed and walked away.


    Tauri shook her head and turned to Clypeus, Well done. 3 solid hits.


    As expected of a member of house Gale, Nora smiled at the vampire. You''re not a warrior family for nothing.


    Mm. Clypeus stared at the cyan goblin in the distance.