Chapter 8: The Master's Intervention
"Ohh, I see you made it," a voice said, laughing annoyingly.
"You know it's not good to let your students fight during class," Adrian said.
"It's not a fight; it's a duel," Master Cyrus countered. "Ahh, what will I do with you?"
"Ohh, and I have something I need you to do, and don't worry, it's not for free."
"Ahh, another task. Don't worry, I would do it. Besides, I'm not part of the Hero's Council for nothing, and I have a free period."
"Ohhhh, how resourceful," Master Cyrus said.
"Anyways, I don't want you to interfere in the fight. In other words, I don't want you to stop the fight," Master Cyrus said.
"Ohh, trying to protect your students?" Adrian asked.
"Nah, it's not that, but I overheard something interesting earlier," Master Cyrus said.
"Okay, sir. I would take my leave," Adrian said.
"Ahh, you sound too mature, Adrian," Cyrus said.
"Don't worry about it, sir," Adrian said as he left the class.
(Scene Break)
Smoke covered everything, the barrier having been broken by the slash.
"Hey, is everyone okay?" a voice said through the smoke.
"Who even set up a weak barrier like that? We almost got hit," a voice annoyingly said.
"OOhh, that was close," Vincenzo said, coughing, as he stood up.
"Wait, if that's Vincenzo, is that Arthur on the floor?" a voice shouted.
"Or did he cheat?" another voice added.
"Wait, I thought he hasn't even formed his first core yet," a third voice whispered.
"Vincenzo, what happened?" Elliott said.
"Ohh, Arthur stopped his attack be..." Vincenzo trailed off.
"What of the smoke?" Elliott asked.
"Ohh, he stopped it almost too late, and that's what caused it, right Arthur?" Vincenzo said, looking at Arthur.
"Are you not going to answer? You can stop pretending now," Vincenzo said, his tone embarrassing Arthur.
"You bastard!" Arthur blurted out, stood up, and started walking towards the door.
Then, Master Cyrus appeared. The moment his presence registered, a wave of terrifying pressure hit the arena. Vincenzo's hand shot out, unsheathing Elliott's sword in a perfect, desperate draw. Arthur drew too. It didn't matter. The skill, Killer Instinct, locked them both. Muscles screamed. He couldn't move. He was trapped.
"What do we have here?" Master Cyrus said, releasing his bloodlust.
"Sir, I can explain," Arthur blurted out.
"Did I ask you to explain?" Master Cyrus said.
"It's my fault, sir," Vincenzo said, keeping his voice steady despite the pressure. "I didn't take the test seriously and made my team fail. I'm sorry, sir."
"Then what of the duel?" Master Cyrus said.
"I was the one that asked him for a duel," Vincenzo said.
"Ohhh, I see," Master Cyrus said, releasing the skill. "Come back tomorrow for your punishment."
"Class is over," he said and disappeared.
"Hey, what was that?" Arthur said, walking over. "You think I would forgive you 'cause you took the blame?"
"Ohh, that? Don't worry about that," Vincenzo said with a dismissive wave. "I was mostly at fault."
"Ehm, Vincenzo... my sword," Elliott said.
"Here. I'm sorry, it just happened," Vincenzo said, handing it back.
"Don't worry about it," Elliott whispered, her eyes wide. "But that draw... has Sword Ascension already been completed?" Elliott thought
"Wait, are you okay, Vincenzo?" Elliott said.
"Anyways, class is over, right?" Vincenzo said.
I need information, he thought.