Today, the class is practicing swordsmanship. This lesson has another difference besides what will be learned, namely that several other classes will join the swordsmanship class.
However, even though everyone participated, not all of them were skilled in swordsmanship, especially the female students who used their magic more than their physical abilities. Free, Gil and Seria go together to the special sword fighting field.
After some time of traveling, they arrived at the place. The atmosphere of the place where the lesson was held was so noisy. The sounds everywhere seemed to not provide any space for peace. The instructors gave instructions that they were required to duel each other to find out each other's abilities.
The students were divided into 2 parts or groups according to the Instructor's instructions. Coincidentally, Free was in the same group as Gil and Seria.
They cheered each other on for the duel that awaited. Seria raised her hand "I'm confident in this." With a gentle smile Seria said that to Free and Gil.
The duel will start soon with a 5 vs 5 rule from each group. In this duel, it is not allowed to use magic and the like because this lesson is purely physical ability.
The instructor started the sword duel match. The cheers from all the students in all directions made the field so crowded and more lively. Each round begins and ends, the names that are called continue to advance and participate in the duel. Winning and losing continue to occur as the duel continues.
Free was still dwelling on his inability to use magic the day before. He clenched his hand, then raised it and stared at it.
"I'll use this opportunity to prove my strength and make up for what happened yesterday," Free thought with fierce ambition.
His determination to never be humiliated again began to forge a growing sense of confidence within him.
Free, Seria, and Gil were finally called in for the final round.
Two of their team members were Prince Hedra and an ordinary girl.
They walked into the dueling zone and greeted the other two teammates.
They prepared themselves to begin.
The opposing team showed slight arrogance, particularly looking down on Free and the girl.
Before the duel began, Free felt irritated by their cocky attitudes.
"Tch... being looked down on is annoying, but this might actually be a good chance to crush their confidence," Free muttered to himself.
The instructor initiated the duel.
Free and the others readied their swords and launched attacks with various tactics.
The enemies played dirty—two of them went after Free, while the rest occupied his teammates.
One of the two laughed smugly, saying,
"Now you're all alone... I suppose it's fine if I give you a deep wound."
Hearing that made Free feel genuinely disrespected—treated like a joke, like some target for bullying.
His face turned blank and emotionless as he replied,
"You're just making it easier for me to beat you.
Honestly, I should thank you—now I'm even more motivated to make you suffer,"
Free responded, his voice dripping with intimidation.
The two enemies laughed even harder, but that only made Free's irritation worse—his threatening aura began to leak out.
Both enemies reflexively attacked Free with knight-style swordplay. They seemed well-trained.
But every strike was deflected, and Free dodged with ease while countering their moves.
Their swords slashed toward Free again and again, the sound of steel clashing echoed in rapid succession.
The watching students were impressed, cheering loudly.
To them, this was a spectacle—a duel worthy of attention.
The tension stirred shouts and gasps among the crowd.
One of the enemies tried to stab Free, but just before the tip of the blade reached him, Free countered.
He ducked low and slashed upward, knocking the enemy's sword away.
Free let the enemy retrieve his weapon.
The two of them were overwhelmed, but they didn't give up and attacked more viciously.
However, their attacks grew sloppy—making them easy to predict.
Free, now bored of their pathetic performance, ended it all with a single, powerful slash that sent them flying.
His sword strike—infused with raw physical strength—was too much to block, launching them far across the field.
For a moment, the crowd went silent. Then, the cheers exploded.
Free stared them down with a sharp gaze, adding a faint smirk.
"I win," he said as he sheathed his sword.
His teammates had also completed their duels.
A man approached Free.
"That was amazing, Free. I'll admit that," said Prince Hedra in admiration.
Free turned to face him—a man with long, straight white hair and a gentle tone in his voice.
"Thanks. You weren't terrible either," Free replied sarcastically.
Seria and Gil were surprised by Free's remark.
Free didn't treat people differently based on status—everyone was equal in his eyes.
Gil, still stunned, wanted to apologize on Free's behalf, but the prince waved it off.
At the academy, there was no need for formalities.
Relieved, Gil placed a hand on his chest.
"Free! You were amazing! You beat two people at once and finished them with a single strike! Teach me!"
Gil was completely in awe.
The sudden shift in attitude confused Free.
(That was fast...)
"I'm still learning, Gil. I've got nothing to teach you. Honestly, I should be the one learning from you, hehe."
The duel was over.
Swordsmanship class had come to an end, showcasing the wide range of talent among Crenia's students.
Everything was finished—it was now noon, and afternoon approached.
The instructors dismissed the class and reminded everyone to attend the next session properly.
The students returned to their respective classes.
Free, his friends, and Prince Hedra walked back to class, chatting about the match on the way.
But as they turned a corner—too caught up in conversation—Gil accidentally bumped into another student.
Gil quickly tried to apologize, but the student didn't take it well.
His jaw clenched in fury.
"Do you even know who you're dealing with?!" the student shouted harshly.
A white-haired boy with yellow eyes.
It was Sieba brì Jurga—Hedra's older brother.
Gil trembled with fear, his knees nearly giving out.
"I'm sorry, PRINCE! It was my fault—I wasn't paying attention! Please forgive me…"
Gil pleaded desperately once he realized he'd just collided with one of the kingdom's most powerful figures.
But Sieba wouldn't accept the apology.
He humiliated Gil with cruel, sarcastic words.
"Well... if you kneel and kiss my feet, I might consider forgiving you.
Not that it matters in the end! HAHAHA!"
His loud laughter echoed, followed by his lackeys.
Sieba took a closer look at Gil's face—he recognized him.
He knew Gil came from a well-known alchemist family.
But from Sieba's point of view, his status and caste far surpassed anyone else in the Kingdom of Jurga.
Hearing Sieba's arrogance, Free could no longer stay quiet.
His anger, barely held back, bubbled up.
He imagined punching Sieba's smug face over and over.
He stepped forward and threw words that disrupted Sieba's narrative.
"You talk too big for a loudmouth, Sieba," Free said sharply, directly mocking him.
Seria and Hedra were shocked.
Someone actually dared to confront royalty.
Most people trembled in fear and obeyed whatever a royal commanded.
The royal family held absolute power.
But not Free.
He countered Sieba's insults toward Gil with sharp words of his own.
At first, Seria and Hedra didn't want to get involved—
especially Hedra, since going against his brother could endanger his position in the family.
But all hesitation vanished after hearing Free.
His words turned the heavy atmosphere into something oddly amusing.
"As a member of Jurga's royal family, shouldn't you be setting a good example for your people?"
Seria added seriously. She had gathered her courage after watching Free stand his ground.
Seeing Seria step in gave Hedra the push he needed.
Even if his opponent was his own brother, wrong was still wrong.
"I think she's right. As royals, we should lead by example—
bringing joy to the people, not making them suffer.
Gil only bumped into you, and it was an accident.
Here at the academy, we're just students, not royalty."
Hedra tried to reason with Sieba.
But Sieba stood firm in his arrogance.
He even scolded Hedra for opposing him.
"If that's the case, then how about we duel, Hedra?"
Everyone around was stunned at the challenge.
Tension spiked.
More students gathered, cheering for the match.
To them, a duel between royal siblings felt like a power struggle—
a fight to determine the future heir.
"What do you say?
If you win, I'll admit I was wrong.
But if I win… you know what that means."
Gil didn't want to fight a royal—doing so could bring shame to the Vänsbor family.
Seria also wanted to step in, but doing so would stain her father's reputation as a parent.
But Hedra was ready—even if it meant risking his right as heir.
Free, watching the three of them dragged into this, felt guilty.
Even though they made the choice, it was still his fault for provoking Sieba.
He felt ashamed—they had all been so kind to him.
"I accept. I'll fight you myself… one-on-one. How about it?"
Everyone gasped in hysteria.
"What did you say?!
A commoner like you dares challenge me?
Fine—if I win, I'll torture you.
HAHAHA! Let's head to the Galar Colosseum right now!"
Sieba raged, furious at being belittled by someone he viewed as trash.
"You're taking it all the way to the Colosseum?
Brother, what are you thinking?
You'll only tarnish the royal family's image!"
Hedra protested, unable to accept his brother's decision.
"Silence.
You should feel grateful he's stepping in to take your place.
This will prove who rules… and who belongs to the ruled."
Sieba barked with arrogant pride.
Free remained silent as he stared at Sieba.
(Haaa~ haah~... what a pain.)
"What? You gonna make me wait?
Are you that scared of dueling me?"
Sieba barked back,
"Don't get cocky, bastard. I was just dealing with my useless little brother."
"You should make peace with him—he's the only one who'll care about you when you lose. I hope you get that done soon," Free sneered.
Sieba scowled.
"You're really pissing me off.
So much that I won't let you die before you've suffered the pain you deserve."
Free was disgusted by Sieba's attitude.
(He's such an idiot.
I told him to make peace, but he's too stubborn.
Hopefully, he's the only hopeless fool in this kingdom.)
Free grumbled in disappointment.
They had arrived at Jurga Colosseum.
Sieba's excitement was clear as he entered.
"Alright then—let's do this!!"