“Explain?” Clover asks as he sees August and Zachry come through the door with Jaku in tow.

“Hi. My name is Jaku Orion and I’m please–” Jaku begins to say with a polite bow before being interrupted by August.

“He's my apprentice!” He blurts out.

“I’m not your damn apprentice!” Jaku retaliates.

“So basically what happened was, August exercised his self-interest philosophy,” Zachry explains.

“What?” Jasper asks confused.

“I don’t know he just went over and offered to pay off the kid’s million-dollar debt.”

“Do you even have a million credits?” Jasper asks August.

“Of course, I do,” August answers while pushing out his chest.

“You’re lying.” Jaku says in a defeated manner, “And when she finds out she’ll turn me into her slave.”

“We’ll see. But for now, why don’t you return to your room since it’s getting late? Plus I don’t want any pupil of mine to have bad sleeping habits.” August says.

‘Then why’d you bring me here in the first place?’

Jaku leaves the room moments later. And the moment Zachry believes him to be too far to hear, he starts to question August.

“What are you thinking August? Do you even know who you’re getting involved with?”

“Why would that matter? We’re already in deep shit with Leo. Besides their ‘mistress’ could be a possible ally of ours.” August replies.

“Avarice Fuimaono on our side? Are you crazy? She’s one of the heirs, she’ll never be our ally.” 

“Not if I have anything to say about it.”

Morning lights as they all get prepared for class. All except for August that is. That’s because he got up and left for class long before they did.

“Can I ask you a question?” August asks Void the moment he enters the classroom.

“Hm? Oh, August. How unusual of you to be here so early.” Void replies as he turns to face him.

“Yeah, I had to skip breakfast. However vexing it may be.”

“So what did you want to ask me?”

“In your opinion, what do you think is the most valuable thing in our world?”

“What an interesting question,” Void says as intrigued expression appears on his face, “What holds the most importance in this day and age? I’d have to say money or knowledge.”

“Knowledge, yes. But money? Yes, it is a necessity but I doubt it holds that much importance.” August argues.

“You didn't let me finish. Yes, I do believe money and knowledge hold the most value now. But in the coming years, the value of money shall dwindle while the value of knowledge will not.” Void explains.

“What are you talking about?” A confused August asks.

“The change that I fear will be upon us soon is going to favor those who value the pursuit of their strength. But after that change, the thing that will be the most valuable is up to the victors.”

‘Favor will be on the side of ambition…’ August ponders.

Just then, Jasper and Zachry enter the room. And trailing close behind them is a half-asleep Clover.

“Good morning.” Jasper and Zachry say.

“And on that note, let today’s lesson begin,” Void says.

“Yeah.”

They all take their seats and the lesson begins.

“Alright, I’ve been doing some thinking. And I’ve come to the conclusion since the Hollows eve’s festival is right around the corner some practical lessons will do you all some good.”

“Practical lessons? Are weapons going to be involved?” Clover asks.

“Yes, that’s the main focus of today’s lesson. Besides this is a martial academy, so teaching you the proper way to use a weapon is a given.”

They all leave the classroom a Void leads them to one of the training halls.

“What’s this festival he was talking about?” A curious August asks.

“They call it a festival but it’s more or less a tournament. A tournament so students can showcase their abilities to the royal and noble families.” Japer answers.

“Don’t forget, there’s also a ball afterward,” Zachry adds.

“Cut the chatter. We’re here.” Clover says.

Void opens the door and they all go in. They enter a room lacking any other openings whatsoever. The room is completely white with a weapons rack and a control panel on a pedestal.

Void walks over to the control panel and instructs them on what to do next.

“Okay, I want you all to choose a weapon. But I want you to choose the weapon that best compliments your fighting style. And I also want you to pursue mastery of the weapon you chose.”

Heeding Void’s words, they all walk over to the weapons rack. On the rack, there is every weapon you could ever think of. From a feather to a gladius. You name it, it has it.

The first one to pick a weapon is none other than Clover. His hand hovers over the straight sword but he decides to go with the curved single-edged sword instead.

‘Simple and practical. A perfect choice for those who follow the path of a swordsman.’ Void surmises.

Jasper is the next to choose. And he immediately goes for the dual short swords.

‘Dual-wielding? An odd choice, but a safe. Even better for him since he’s ambidextrous. Now, what about the next two?’

August is the next one to choose. He walks over to the rack and examines all the weapons. After a while, he picks up two weapons, a double-bladed polearm, and a glaive. He twirls both of them around and decides to put back the glaive. Because he believes the polearm can add a variety of different moves to his arsenal of attacks.

‘A double-bladed polearm, huh? While it is a versatile weapon, mastering it is a whole different story.’

Zachry looks at all the weapons. He picks one up and puts it back. He does so again but this time he moves it around before putting it back. This cycle goes on for a minute or so until he ultimately decides on picking a longsword.

‘So he chose the safest route…’

“Now keep in mind, the way you fight will change as you gain more experience. And so too shall your weapons.”

“What about you? What kind of weapon do you use?”

“Nothing fancy, just a simple straight sword. Now since it’s four of you, you guys will be sparring with each other. Jasper against August and Clover against Zachry.”