Void resets the room as Zachry and Clover take the field

“Is this your first time using a sword?” Clover asks nonchalantly.

“Yeah. I don’t use weapons often. I prefer to fight bare-handed.” Zachry answers.

“Don’t worry. I won't use my dominant hand.” Clover reassures him.

“I’ve seen you use your off-hand before. How about using your foot instead?” 

“And what kind of swordsman I would be if I did that?”

As soon as he says those words he unsheathes the sword. He tosses the sheathe a few feet away. And with the sword in his right hand and the blade’s tip pointing down, he assumes his battle stance. 

“So I guess you’re not going to go easy on me then?” Zachry asks after seeing Clover holding the sword in his dominant hand.

“This is a match to determine our skill. No point in fighting half-assed.” He widens his stance and furrows his brow, “Plus, if I pressure you, you can either die under it or become a brilliant diamond.”

“Well said. Shall we then?”

Zachry takes up a defensive stance as he holds the sword upright with both hands.

“And now. Let the match begin.”

Void officially signals the start of the match. But none of them budge even an inch.

“Are you guys deaf?!” An irritated Jasper yells, “Or are you stupid?! The match started so get moving already!”

“Will you shut up? They’re just feeling each other out. And trying to predict what the other one is going to do.” August explains.

“Are you talking about that fighting in the mind thing? That’s so lame…”

Zachry and Clover stare at each other intently. They start to move in a circle as they hold eye contact. It doesn’t take long for Clover to discover Zachry’s nervousness. 

He tries his best to hide it but Clover sees through his false bravado. From the way, he moves his legs and his unsteady breathing to the almost unnoticeable trembling of his blade. Clover sees it all… and so does Void.

‘He’s nervous. And for a good reason. Even though he’s young, Clover handles a sword better than everyone I’ve seen. For real, he’s the best swordsman. I doubt I could win against him in a duel, and I’ve been using a sword for more than twenty years.’ Void thinks while watching the two o them.

After finishing his assessment of Zachry, he makes his move. In the blink of an eye, Clover arrives within a few feet of Zachry. His blade skillfully and swiftly moves through the gap between them, aiming for Zachry’s neck.

Zachry surprisingly blocks Clover’s sword and it’s a perfect block at that.

‘He moved as soon as I did. And how did he know where I was aiming for? He’s barely able to see what’s in front of him much less me. Did he guess my desired target with his heightened spatial awareness? That would be the most plausible explanation. Shall I test the limits of his senses then?’

Clover quickly backs away a good distance from Zachry and unbuttons his overcoat. He takes it off and reveals a skin-tight black undershirt.

‘Whew. I managed to block his attack. He’s way too fast for his own good. Sticking to him will cancel out his speed, but his swordplay is even worse. So I guess keeping my distance is for the best. My high spatial awareness can help me somewhat negate his speed.’

Clover crouches down on his free hand as he holds the sword aloft. His presence and the pressure he’s giving off are similar to a feral beast about to pounce on its prey. And pounce he does.

The moment he moves, an immense force rattles the room. And this time around Zachry barely manages to deflect his sword as the power behind it is too strong to take on.

‘What the?! He’s a least three times faster than he was before!’

To stop himself from slamming into the wall, Clover spins around and slams his hand on the floor. He manages to stop himself a few feet away from the wall.

‘Nice. They’re both using their elemental mutations to the fullest.’

Elemental mutations are abnormal or superhuman traits that accompany certain elements. For instance, fire and ice users can sense the slightest change in the temperature around them. Also, people who’ve mastered the element can use the trait like a radar over a limited area. 

‘Should I change the scenario? No, it’s too early for that. I should let them continue for now.’

The match goes on with Clover completely on the offensive. And Zachry barely managed to hold on to his weapon.

‘The force behind his attacks is getting stronger as the match goes on. If it continues like this I won’t even be able to deflect them. I have to turn the tables, but how?’

Zachry remembers how Clover had to forcibly stop himself from hitting the wall. A mischievous look appears in his eyes as he comes up with a plan to turn the tides in his favor. 

Clover moves again unaware of Zachry’s scheme. Before his attack, Zachry had positioned himself closer to the wall. Clover hadn’t realized this until after he started his attack.

‘Clever bastard. I’ll have to decelerate prematurely…’

He slows his assault moments before he clashes with Zachry. And expecting he would do so, Zachry readied an attack of his own. The two blades connect and Clover gets stopped dead in his tracks.

Locked in a power struggle, Zachry gains the advantage with his larger physique and superior strength. He easily wins the exchange and pushes Clover back. Suddenly, human-like holograms appear. Some of them are yellow while the rest are purple.

“Finally.” Clover says, “And what scenario is this?”

“War.” Void answers.

‘War?’

“I’m guessing purple is me and yellow is Clover,” Zachry says.

“Precisely. Two armies are going to fight each other. And both of you are the commanding general of either side.” Void explains.

“I can work with that. Shall we continue?” Zachry asks with a sense of confidence.

“Of course. Now charge.”

The yellow holograms wasted no time as they ran breathlessly at Zachry and his holograms. But before they could make contact all the holograms suddenly pause.

The door to the hall creaks open as they turn to see the academy’s receptionist.

“Good afternoon. Sorry to interrupt. Mr. Starr the principal would like to see you in his office immediately.” She says.

“Looks like we’ll have to end class here for the day. And don’t worry we’ll pick up where we left off in the next class.” Void reassures them.

“Wait. Can I access this room to do some training at a later date?” August asks.

“Sure, no problem. Are you the only person who’ll be using the room?”

“No. Another person will be joining me.”