"Brave and proud," General Byteron sneered as Nagan entered the ring, drawing his own sword from its sheath. "Combine that with a smart mouth, and you won't live to see Turn of the Year."

Nagan couldn't help but let out a snort. "That's not as much of a threat as you think it is."

His words didn't register to the general. Instead, he took a stance, Nagan doing the same, and shouted, "Begin!"

It was when the first set of strikes rang around the arena did the students realize just how real this was. It felt like a dream before, one that made your heart pound and caused you to writhe in your sleep, but at least you would wake up when it became too much. Here, however, it was all too real. The general's sword swept in a wide arc towards Nagan's middle, and the younger barely managed to step back in time, letting a small grunt of pain escape from his lips. He momentarily brushed his free hand across where the fabric was torn, only to pull it away stained with blood. The students watched in horror as the once-white shirt began to seep red, and the fight had only begun.

Nagan took a few steps back near the edge of the circle. A step further, and he would forfeit the match. He could practically hear Professor Fai scolding him, telling him he's allowing his opponent to force him back even further, but he needed a moment to think and absorb all he had witnessed within those few seconds. The general's arms were longer than his own, but something was preventing him from extending it fully. Perhaps a previous injury. His foot shifted in the direction of his swing, and he had much more experience in close combat. This was an unfair fight, but possibly one Nagan could win with speed and wit.

"Scared away from a scratch?" General Byteron jeered, only giving Nagan more time to think.

They began to circle each other as if it was a game of predator and prey before the general lunged. Nagan, having long since anticipated the attack, blocked and twisted around him to lead the fight towards the center.

The students witnessed blow after blow exchanged between the general and their champion, only to grow more and more anxious as small nicks and deep gashes cut across the young Dragonmage's body. The general fought on with barely a scratch. It was clear this was a battle between someone with the will to kill against another with no intention to harm.

Many glances were thrown in Professor Fai's direction, each watching to see when — or if — he would step in. His arms were crossed tight and his hands gripped into his skin as he watched keenly, yet he made no movements to stop the fight in the first place. He held an unreadable expression.

A cry was heard, and everyone's attention snapped back to the duel. The cry hadn't come from either of the fighters, however, but from someone in the crowd.

Nagan was crouched to the ground, and his sword hovered just beside the general's calf. Both seemed to have frozen in shock. Quite the grievous wound it could have been if Nagan had completed the swing.

A bark of laughter burst out of Nagan's mouth from elation and surprise, and it sparked a small cheer from the students. He won! He actually won!

Or so he thought. A sudden movement caught his attention, and he jerked his head up. General Byteron's sword gleamed as it was raised above his head. His face was the picture of fury. This wasn't over.

Realizing the danger he was in, Nagan tried to scramble to his feet, only to slip on the loose ground. He raised his sword in futile, knowing a downward slash like this would break through his guard in an instant, and covered his head with his other arm. He could only hope he would survive a blow like this.

The sound of steel against steel rang above him.

But nothing had hit his sword.

Nagan gasped, taking in much-needed air after holding his breath. His heart pounded in his chest, and his arms ached while still being held up in defense. What happened?

He had fallen against something, he realized, and slowly dragged his gaze to where his near-eminent doom lingered.

Professor Fai stood over him, blade to blade with the general, and glaring furiously at the other. Nagan didn't dare to move as he sat frozen against the professor's legs.

"And what do you think you're doing, Byteron?" Professor Fai said coldly, carefully pushing back against him. "If you didn't notice, my student spared you. You should be grateful instead of trying to harm him."

The general pushed back and hissed, "In a real battle, no opponent will spare you unless they're dead."

"This isn't a battlefield!" Professor Fai roared, shoving the general off completely and stepping protectively in front of Nagan. "This. Is. A. Classroom! And the ultimate rule here is that there will be no unnecessary bloodshed! Are we clear?"

"This is no longer your school, Fai."

"But this is still my classroom." The professor narrowed his eyes before smirking. "Unless you want to duel me for the right to this class. We can even play by your own rules."

General Byteron faltered, even going so far as to take a step back from the professor. His expression changed several times, from wariness to fear to anger, before roughly sheathing his sword and grating out, "This is your classroom. For now."

"Good," Professor Fai bit out before turning to address his students. "By tomorrow there will be buffering enchantments over each blade and each arrow, but only enough to prevent serious injuries. I agree with General Byteron in the sense that you should start wielding real weapons. I'm sure all of you are old enough to realize you are dealing with weapons, not toys."

He smiled a bit too pleasantly, and everyone nearly instinctually flinched back. "For anyone who hasn't realized so yet, I can guarantee a very efficient reminder in the future."

A shiver went down everyone's spine, even General Byteron's. There was a reason why he refused to duel the other man. Fai was once a student of the still-missing Nageth Elvar, and any student of his was known to have a sharper edge, both in technique and in mind.

Despite the looks of mild horror, whether the professor was oblivious or smug about causing them — Nagan would have betted on the latter — he continued cheerily. "I might not even have to lift a finger for that to happen. With that said," Professor Fai helped Nagan to his feet, "Icarion, take Nagan to the medical wing. As for the rest of you, class dismissed. I have enchantments to cast and a flight class to plan for."

You mean you have notes to review that I wrote out, Nagan thought smartly as he was passed over to Az. He was already muttering a few healing incantations to lessen the bleeding.

"I'll make sure to send a message to Wolve in case it takes a little longer to patch him up," the professor said to Az. "Maybe it'll give you enough time to mentally prepare for more attention since Nagan here can't seem to resist the urge to fight everyone."

Az guffawed while a Nagan rolled his eyes, even other students let out a few snickers, but he couldn't help the small smile that formed. He didn't even bother defending himself.

"Now get going, you two," Professor Fai prodded. "As I said, I got work to do, so scram."

The class left in a hurry and Az pulled Nagan towards the medical wing, sending a nervous glance to the glowering general standing behind the unphased professor. As they left the arena, Nagan looked over his shoulder one last time to see General Byteron storming in the opposite direction while Professor Fai stood at the door with a satisfied smirk. Catching Nagan's gaze, the professor winked before disappearing back into his classroom, most likely to clean up, enchant the swords, and prepare for the flight class that night.

"Well, at least he spared your face," Az said after a beat of silence.

Nagan punched Az in the shoulder at that, but laughed and let a wave of relief wash over him. He may have just given General Byteron permission to make his life a living hell, but this one small victory was worth it.

For now, at least.

•________________________•

!!! KINDA IMPORTANT !!!

School is starting up again, and I may or may not be able to keep with with the schedule, or any regular publishing schedule, in fact (Not like I was very good at keeping schedule in the first place lol)

I just wanted to give y'all a heads up, heh. Grades are starting to become very important so I can get into the program I want (who knew an associates program could be so competitive lol), so if I disappear for awhile, just know that I'm sorry and that I'm getting them good grades XD

Lol anatomy's gonna kill me though XD