Chapter 83 A Special Lesson

  The warriors’ academy was just as Isaac had expected. Lots of stone, iron gates, and dirt training yards with sand sparring rings. There were barracks that had almost zero privacy for each the male and female students, classrooms where theory was taught, and there were even officer classes that all nobles were expected to attend and the top twenty five percent of the warriors could participate in if they desired. All of those who graduated the officer training could then sign up for the Altian Army immediately and gain an officer position if they desired, though many did not. Usually the students who completed the officer training would try to find a position as a noble’s Captain of the Guard or at the very least be an officer in their house guard so they would have the ability to assume that position in the future. That was the safest and most assured way to get paid well, farm prestige passively, and still be able to have a family.

  Lucius was greeted by quite a few of the other students but most of them just stared at Isaac and Lenna. It was obvious that there were more non-nobles in the warriors’ section than there were in the mages’ section. There was plenty of swearing in surprise but one look from Lucius got them to instantly be on their best behavior. Lucius wasn’t strong, not by Isaac and Lenna’s standard, but he was still nearly a graduate and would be more than capable of kicking the asses of a few of the younger students, probably at the same time, and that wasn’t even taking into account his title.

  “Lucius Arbencroft.” A stern voice intercepted them before they got to see the mess hall or the staff buildings. It belonged to a man who looked like he could have been half dwarf with how wide his muscles were in relation to the size of his frame. It looked like his muscles were going to force their way through his stone grey tunic and pants.

  “Yes, Sir.” Lucius immediately stood at attention and put his fist on his chest in a salute.

  “Why are there civilians in my training yard?” The man’s voice was in between berating and questioning. He turned and eyed Isaac and Lenna before his stern face relaxed in realization. “My Lord, my Lady, were you not informed that formal visits could be scheduled so an instructor could properly guide you through everything the academy has to offer?”

  “We can and do see whatever we wish in the manner we see fit, Instructor.” Isaac told the shorter but much physically stronger man.

  The Instructor glanced at Lucius with a scowl before his neutral look returned to Isaac. “Doing so without a guide could be seen as trespassing on a government property as this school was founded and is funded exclusively by the crown.” He informed Isaac like it was supposed to mean something.

  Isaac cracked a smile. “Well then, Instructor, since you seem to care so much about who entertains us during our time here, how about you show us to the sparring ring?” Isaac offered the instructor with a twinkle in his eye. A twinkle that made Lucius pale and Lenna roll her eyes. He was wearing a suit that cost them thousands of gold and he was about to go rolling around in the sand with it.

  “Of course, my Lord, if you will follow me.” The instructor waved them in the direction of the place in question. Lucius rubbed his temples and slid his hand down his face as soon as he was out of sight of the instructor.

  “It might be fun.” Lenna offered the young duke-to-be to which he just returned a pleading look that begged her to stop Isaac before he went overboard.

  “Tell me about yourself, Instructor.” Isaac told the man as they walked.

  The instructor didn’t seem surprised at all by the question as that was probably one that he had been asked by almost every parent that he had ever guided through the academy. “My name is Gerald Fitz. I retired from the Great Army of the Kingdom of Altia six years ago as an officer at the age of thirty one after serving for ten years. I have seen real combat against men and monsters alike. I am a level fourteen Soldier Warrior. In case you were unaware, the Soldier subclass of Warrior endows us with greater physical resilience at the cost of not giving us anything else. At my level, I am nearly as hard to put down as a level eleven berserker, however, I still maintain my faculties at all times. This is, in my opinion, the safest subclass for young Warriors and one that I would recommend to most would-be-warriors.”

  By the time the instructor had finished introducing himself and giving his spiel about being a soldier, they had arrived at the thirty foot wide square sand pit that they called a sparring ring. “Well then, I suppose you wouldn’t mind if I tested your skill level and weapon proficiencies then, would you?” Isaac questioned the instructor which made the older man pause.

  This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

  “I am afraid that we do not have training gear for loan, my Lord, not to mention the fact that it would be untoward for an instructor like myself to engage in a spar with a nobleman like yourself.” Gerald replied.

  “Oh, you misunderstand, for you do not know who I am.” Isaac told the instructor. “Which is surprising since I brought the only drow bride in all of Altesia with me.” Isaac could see the instructor’s brain working as he tried to actually figure out who Isaac and Lenna were. It wasn’t that surprising that a random combat instructor in a school in one of the safest cities on the planet hadn’t heard of them. He had no reason to. The school was on the opposite side of the city as the Adventurers' Guild and he probably also lived close by. “I will introduce myself after we have had a good stretch.” Isaac said and flashed the instructor a grin.

  There were a pair of students fighting with wooden swords in the arena already with an instructor watching them both and giving them verbal corrections. When Isaac reached the edge of the arena and took a step out onto the sand in his pristine black and platinum suit, the fighting stopped. “Excuse me, my Lord, but they were in the middle of a lesson.” The second instructor explained.

  “I am aware.” Isaac informed him. “We will be giving a special lesson today, that is to say, Instructor Fitz and I.” Isaac said and gestured towards the instructor in question who did not look pleased. “Today’s lesson will be about a few things.” Isaac made sure his voice was loud enough for the twenty or so students that were around to hear him. “First on the list is knowing your opponent.” He gestured towards Gerald and the training swords from the students hands were dragged from them, with one flying into Isaac’s hand and the other sent at a casual speed towards Gerald Fitz.

  Gerald started to look mildly concerned when he felt the flow of power that brought him his sword. It was also immediately clear that plenty of the students also felt the massive but casual use of power that it took to move wooden swords with shadows during the afternoon. “Another topic that we will be going over is ‘Rules of Engagement’.” Instructor Fitz played along with Isaac as he joined the dark mage in the arena.

  “Since Instructor Fitz is unaware of my capabilities, he must use what little he has seen to make the right call on what the rules of our spar should be.” Isaac informed the students. “If this was a real fight on a battlefield then we would not be having this discussion but as champions are expected to fight on their lord or lady’s behalf, this is a great example for you.”

  “Based on the feat of magic that we all just witnessed, and also the Lord’s choice to still use a sword, it is safe to assume that he is a spellblade of some kind.” Instructor Fitz began. “I would assume the mage based variety, like a War Cleric, Swordsinger Bard, or Arcane Assassin Wizard.”

  “A fair assumption.” Isaac agreed. “Though I could also be something more unknown, such as a Blade Warlock or a sorcerer with an obsession with swordsmanship.” The crowd seemed to think it was funny but Isaac was only half joking and Instructor Fitz knew it. “Now, as the challenged party, in our ‘Formal Duel’ it is up to Instructor Fitz to dictate the terms of our engagement first.”

  “I would dictate that all forms of magic should be banned and that this should be a duel of swordsmen. Since the sword is not my primary weapon, this puts us still on relatively even footing. It does tip the odds in my favor but not so much so that it would cause me to lose too much face.” Instructor Fitz explained to the students.

  “A wise choice, instructor, though might I ask for an addendum?” Isaac said with a raised eyebrow. “Seeing as my suit costs tens of thousands of gold, I would prefer not to mar it unnecessarily. I would request that the summoning of non-reactive armor over my clothes be available.”

  The instructor paled slightly at the cost of Isaac’s clothes and nodded. “I believe that is fair and agree to the change in terms.” He told Isaac.

  “The next lesson is about balance.” Isaac began instantly. “I have just thrown Instructor Fitz off balance before the fight even began. Getting into your opponent’s head is the first part of every battle. Before swords are drawn, the battlefield is set, and the mental battlefield is just as important as the physical one.”

  The instructor nodded once more. “As another term, I would like to stop on first solid contact. These swords will have trouble injuring me and I doubt they would be able to scratch your conjured armor so I believe that to be fair.” He told Isaac.

  “I agree.” Isaac replied with a nod of his own. “Leaving the arena will obviously be counted as surrendering.”

  “Yes. As will taking any noticeable damage.” Instructor Fitz added.

  “Agreed.” Isaac finished and raised his sword. As soon as Fitz raised his own, Isaac spoke again: “As of this instant, the duel has started, yet neither of us have rushed in to attack. In a formal duel, launching at your opponent the moment the fight begins can be looked upon poorly.” Isaac explained to the students. “It makes you look as though you are aggressive and impulsive.” Isaac gave Lucius and Lenna a wink.

  “Common courtesy dictates a silent count of three, unless I am mistaken?” The instructor asked Isaac.

  “I believe that is correct.” Isaac agreed. “Though I must confess that I rarely wait at all. If someone has earned my ire enough for me to enter into a proper duel with them personally, then I have already made up my mind to crush them without mercy. If I was fighting on behalf of another, however, I would probably wait three to five seconds before beginning.”

  “Then I am ready whenever you are.” The instructor offered Isaac.

  Isaac smirked and spoke words that reverberated through the local mana. “Armor me.” It was a simple statement that brought with it Isaac’s mental image of his armor, cloak included. Silence reigned as Isaac’s shadow reached out and clung to him like his dragonscale armor would have. His cloak connected to the ground as it was really just his shadow that had been drug up to meet his shoulders. His boots looked like they were fused with the ground as the shadows connected to the darkness between each grain of sand. It was at that moment that the instructor knew that he had walked into the ring with a man talked about as being the newest demigod. And after feeling Isaac’s voice in his core, Gerald Fitz was now a believer.