Chapter 103 - Hundred And Three - Jin Li wants to punish me (1/2)

His father was a man who believed in swift justice. If one of his subordinates was to betray him, they would die. If one of his men was to steal from him, they would die. If another tried to smear their family name with mud, they would die.

His mother was much more generous with what she perceived as punishment, believing that the punishment should fit the crime. If a man was to assault a woman, he should lose his thing, if a woman was to covert her man, she should lose her eyes. If they bled to the death in the process, then that was just down to fate.

However, Leon had kissed him. Kissed his face. And then forgotten about it. Did that count as an assault? Well, it wasn't as if Jin Li felt he should die for it nor should he lose his lips. Those glasses were already an eyesore, to make his face worse by scarring it so badly made him feel as if he would be punishing his own eyes more than Leon's body. And it wasn't as if the kiss felt... bad...

But he had forgotten about it! He needed to be reminded! And then what...

”Jin Li!” Sun whispered with some urgency beside him. ”It's your turn!”

The final lesson of the day was being supervised by Teacher Eridana, but also observed by many other Teachers, who sat in the stands. This lesson was actually sparring, first year against first year, opponents were chosen by lots.

Sun had faced his opponent already, who just happened to be one of Bullen's followers, but that was a unnecessary point. The youth was the same age as Sun and Jin Li and like many first years, had a feeling of superiority due to the skills and talents he had cultured over his childhood beneath the watchful eyes of his wealthy family. Much of his ego had been deflated thanks to several occurrences, one being the Standings itself, but he still had much pride and definitely felt he was better than the brunette pipsqueak who'd been hiding in Jin Li's long shadow.

That youth's pride was squashed as not only did Sun prove to have learned, if not yet mastered, the techniques from earlier and bruised his person in several places, he could not land a single blow on the agile youth. Sun was declared the winner and the other crept back to the stands to lick his wounds.

Now it was time for Jin Li and his opponent. Being aware that the first year was somewhat more skilful that the other first years and not wanting to his spar to be marred by fear, Jin Li would face a Senior. This senior could technically be considered a second year and had gained a reasonable place in the Standings for his first time. His name was Pavo and as he had been welcoming and humble towards the first years, they generally had a good impression of him.

Jin Li was still feeling sour and seeing the elegant man before him with the amicable smile upon his face did nothing to temper his mood. Pavo greeted him; ”I'll be in your care, Jin Li,” the youth's pleasant demeanour unfazed by Jin Li's negative aura. Jin Li looked over the man with slightly narrowed eyes and offered a sharp nod in return. Sun listened with a wince, as several whispered behind him how arrogant Jin Li was and how rude he was being to Senior Pavo.

The two youths took stance, their weapons in hand, though still sheathed as this was a sparring match not a fight to maim or kill. Teacher Eridana looked at both before signalling that they might proceed.