Alexander blitzed forward, becoming a blur.
The boy with the sword hurriedly moved to defend, bringing his sword to his chest.
Alexander pressed his spear forward, thrusting it against the boy's sword.
The weapons clashed with a cracking sound, blowing the wind out of the green-eyed boy.
"Hurk!"
Alexander quickly pulled his spear back as the boy stumbled backward.
As the boy attempted to stabilize, Alexander thrust his spear forward again.
But this time he used world energy.
Drawing his essence from his chest and into his hand, he charged the spear with energy.
It was enough to make a difference, but not to be seen.
As his spear connected against the boy's chest a second time, it pushed him over.
The boy crashed into the ring with a hard thud.
He yelped in agony as he reached for his back.
His eyes were wide with anger and fear.
Alexander had already pulled his spear into the air for a second strike when his wrist was grabbed.
Alexander hurriedly turned to see who's fingers were burrowing into his wrist.
He was met with an amused black gaze.
"Winner!" Raphael declared, shaking Alexander's wrist. "Well done, little brother."
Alexander blinked before a subtle smile crossed his lips. "W–"
He opened his mouth to speak but was cut off by a hard thrust to the gut.
Alexander let out a pained cough as the air was forced from his lungs.
His knees buckled as his body began losing strength.
He used his free hand to clutch his stomach, which ached in pain and tenderness.
Rapheal's smirk was gone, replaced with something else. "But don't get cocky, I want winners, not animals." His tone was cold as he tossed Alexander back his arm.
Allowing Alexander to finally drop to the floor with blurred vision and shaky hands.
He could feel his confusion and anger rising.
Why had Raphael attacked him, he won, didn't he?
Isn't victory all that counts?!
Alexander tightened his fists as his anger simmered just under the surface.
Raphael turned his attention towards the other students. "And let that be a lesson to all of you." He said with a point, "I don't care how strong you are, never lose yourself in a fight. If your opponent is down, then you move to the next, do NOT get trapped in a senseless duel!"
Alexander groaned out in pain as his vision blurred. Raphael's punch was hard, like being smashed against a brick wall.
It hurts…
"Get up," Raphael said as he looked over at Alexander and the green-eyed boy. "Both of you."
Alexander tightened his jaw as he forced himself to his feet.
His abdomen was screaming in pain.
Even with the ability to heal, the pain still lingered.
With his spear in one hand, and his stomach in the other, Alexander made his way out of the ring.
The green-eyed boy rolled off his back with a pained grunt and sharp glare.
Raphael looked down at the boy with an unreadable expression. "You stay in the ring," he commanded, before looking out to the other students.
"Who's next?"
A few students eagerly stepped forward, ready to fight the kid who just got his ass kicked.
But Alexander barely acknowledged it, instead stopping in front of Karl and Jules.
Jules chuckled as he placed a hand on Alexander's shoulder. "Your strength is overwhelming Sir Alexander, but you have the awareness of a fish."
Though Alexander wanted to push Jules away, he had a point.
He didn't even notice a shift in Raphael, just a sudden punch.
He was blindsided.
"I guess that was his point." Karl chimed in, "You lost yourself in the fight, and as such you lost track of your surroundings."
"He couldn't just tell me that?" Alexander hissed angrily while glaring up at Karl.
Karl sighed, "I don't think you would've listened."
Alexander frowned as he rose. "Whatever, just know I always win in the end." He mumbled under his breath.
And that was true, though Alexander has been caught off guard in several fights, he always came out victorious.
But Raphael's words stuck to him.
Maybe he was too unaware, Béatrice and Claire said the same thing.
Napoleon just straight-up called him lazy.
Alexander sighed as his fists loosened.
"Winner."
Raphael's voice cut through his thoughts, and Alexander looked up to see the green-eyed boy from before standing tall.
And glaring at him.
Alexander frowned as he narrowed his eyes before his gaze shifted to the boy's opponent.
His opponent was sprawled out with a pained expression.
He had been beaten, and badly.
Alexander's expression shifted as he looked back at the green-eyed boy, who flashed him a threatening smirk.
"Another rivalry." Jules teased, "Oh this is glorious."
"Then I'll beat him again." Alexander replied, "I don't have time for games."
Jules smirked as Karl watched him curiously.
Raphael was already looking to the gathered students for another pair of opponents. His eyes then landed on the girl with the spear, "you, come up here."
— — —
After the girl with the spear won her second fight, and another student won his, Raphael had his six new teammates.
"Alright," Raphael said, finally clearing out the other first-years. "You six are my new pawns, and with any luck, you'll be worth a damn."
He then looked down the line, his gaze scrutinizing as he pointed a finger at the yellow-eyed girl with the spear. "You, what's your name and House?"
The girl straightened her back as she puffed out her chest. "Josephine du Luna, of the second major House."
Raphael nodded, "you're competent but eager, rein in your skills and harden them, understand?"
Josephine gave a firm nod. "Yes sir."
Raphael chuckled as he pointed a finger at the green-eyed boy. "You."
The boy stepped forward with a stoic expression, "Lyam du Noir, of House Noir."
Raphael nodded, "I won't judge your first fight, but you did well the second time around, keep it up."
The boy nodded, before stepping back.
Raphael then pointed a finger a Jules. "You're an idiot." He stated flatly, before moving to Karl. "You're quick and precise, I like that."
He then pointed a finger at Alexander, his expression hardened as his eyes narrowed. "You, you fight like a feral animal, which makes you powerful, but one wrong move and you're dead."
Alexander tightened his fist as he held Raphael's cold gaze.
He knew Raphael was right, but that didn't stop his pride from being shattered.
It felt like all of his training had been for nothing.
Raphael's gaze lingered on Alexander for a moment, his gaze thoughtful, before moving on to the final student. "And you?"
The boy, who had blue eyes and short blonde hair, stepped forward. "I'm Mathéo Claude, and I'm a commoner."
Raphael let out a surprised chuckle. "Interesting," he said under his breath, leaning forward. "Well mister commoner, your fight was so mediocre I'd almost forgotten it, but hey, sometimes you need a background character."
Mathéo took a step back as his eyes widened.
"Well, with introductions out of the way, I suppose I'm to train you all." Raphael began, "But I have no guide, as such, we're going to improvise."
His tone became sinister as his grin grew to his eyes.
Alexander let out a sigh, It was going to be a long afternoon.