Chapter 458: Trial by combat (2/2)
The four made a diamond shape around Igna. Each took turns attacking with full-powered blows. Blood flew left and right.
”Why aren't they stopping the fight…”
”Calm down Jen,” whispered Leonard, ”-getting mad here won't do anything.”
”This is cruel…”
'Can't even take time to breathe,' another punch had him startled, '-I really can't do anything in this state.' Another blow to the back of the head had him fumble and fall. 'I'm weak… here I thought waking in the Azure wall was a sort of sign.'
”Juren, DON'T STAB HIM.” In the passion of battle, he who used the sword gave a downward thrust to the boy's heart. Fletcher didn't call the fight, the crowd sat in shock, the absurdity of letting four onto one was devastating.
”WHY DID YOU KILL HIM?” they hurdled over the body.
”I DON'T KNOW, IT HAPPENED!”
”He's dead,” sighed Anna, ”-Lampard, your friend couldn't have done anything in that situation. Letting a comrade die is inexcusable.”
'Heir to the First Progenitor, wake up. The fight has yet to end.'
'Heir to the first progenitor?' he sat upright with a sword impaled deep within, ”-peculiar,” the blade was pulled nonchalantly. The four who stood were speechless, ”-Jen.” He pulled himself up whilst holding onto a sword. Broken and disfigured by the countless merciless attack, ”-the battle isn't over yet.”
”You cocky piece of shit,” screamed the one with the battle-ax. The latter swung horizontally. Igna ducked and aimed for the hands. Two strokes later, the massive weapon fell. It didn't take long for the other to react. Arrows flew for his head, the swordman dashed into close-combat whilst the remainder stood still from the fear of having killed someone. The battle sunk into a mess of counters. Igna blocked and slowly grew to read the movements. After five minutes, he delivered the final blow onto the three others to then fall himself.
”The battle is over; the victor is none!”
”Lampard,” said Anna, ”-who is that boy?”
”Lyoko Igna, why?”
”The last five minutes was the best swordplay I've seen in a while. I take back what I said about him being weak. There's the muscle memory of a master-swordsman in that Igna. Too bad he's in the Trader's guild.”
”Did he draw?”
”Yeah,” laughed Ren, ”-IGNA DID IT.”
”Stop this charade right away,” came a demanding voice, ”-Mr. Fletcher, I'm disappointed this Trial was allowed in the first place,” guild Leader Haru walked onto the field. ”The battle is over,” said she to the crowd, ”-go!”
'The same white ceiling,' he awoke beside lady Haru once more. A day had gone since the fight. ”A feeling of Deja-vue?” she laughed, ”-good morning.”
”Good morning Lady Haru, what happened to the Trial?”
”It was canceled,” she smiled, ”-the fight was unfair to begin in both men and terms of the contract. I've taken care of the issue of the rogue teacher. I heard from your friends of the ill-treatment. As part of the Federation and originator of the Adventuring Academy, such behavior mustn't be allowed. I did my part in making sure the man pays for what was done. Don't rest easy, there are more shady individuals here that you'll ever see and know. Let this be a lesson,” she gently patted his head, ”-promise me that you'll never fight unless it's self-defense.”
”What if I'm sent to the Azure wall or the Tower?”
”I doubt that day will come,” she smiled, ”-what happened earlier was luck. The awakening of the muscle memory, I told you before, didn't I?”
”Yes, nightwalker,” the head bowed in shame, ”-I promise to not cause trouble again.”
”Good,” from a pat to a hard pinch, ”-take care, for now, I won't always be here to save you.” The dim and quiet corridor flashed with the door opening.
”Go, he's awake,” said she with a gentle smile.
”Thank you,” said Lampard. And so, it flickered to return to darkness. The fight didn't hold much importance in the mind of those who watched. What they saw was a mediocre half-dead man trying to fight and landing lucky hits. Well, tis the narrative lady Haru spread to have the focus lowered. The Dorm-mother was severely reprimanded by the council as for the teacher – hanged. Not publicly, no, hanged by the guards she brought along.
”You're alive,” whispered Jen who jumped into his arms, ”-I'm glad.”
”Be a little tactful,” said he in pain, ”-I'm still hurt you know.”
”Sorry.”
”Good job out there, Igna,” nodded Lampard, ”-I'm sorry. We've decided that starting today, all the fighting will be done by us. The pain of seeing a comrade be beaten so badly for our sake is nauseating.”
”I appreciate it,” he smiled, ”-I don't want to fight either,” the sunny sky out the window gave a feeling of rest. ”By the way, Lampard, what happened to the monster drops?”
”You mean the wolf-fangs?”
”Yeah, did you sell them?”
”No, why?”
”I'll buy them,” he smiled.
”What do you mean buy?” he chuckled, ”-take 'em for free once you return.”
”Let's go, he needs rest,” interjected Rena.
'The week started strong,' the room emptied, '-I landed two times in the infirmary. The battle was a blur, I don't want to go through that again. Suppose the ends justified the means. Jen and Rena seem more joyous, lady Haru did do what she said.' And so, Sunday was spend resting.
Damp and cold, Monday 8th was harsher on the body. The supply truck came with the Chef supervising the unloading. ”Good morning, Igna,” said he firmly.
”Good morning, chef,” he replied, ”-I'll head to the kitchen.”