Chapter 3: A Fight Breaks Out
"Seems you liked my performance!" Solana enthusiastically said, speaking to Marriott.
Smiling, Marriott rebutted, "Well, it was the only cool thing I've seen you do." he chuckled a bit, meaning it all jokingly.
"Atleast I've done something cool in my life," She laughed back, after a second she noticed the fact Marriott chose gauntlets which had changed her tone. "What's with the gauntlets Mar? You gonna punch some animals during the hunt?" She had said, half teasingly.
"Oh, Rose told me they were an easy to use weapon, aren't they?" Marriott responded, confused at why both Solana and the punchable dude both had comments regarding his gauntlets.
"Well. They're easy to use but typically guys with actual muscle use them," She laughed, pinching his shoulder. "and you seem to be lacking a lot of the muscle."
Slightly embarrassed, Marriott turned away from Solana. "Yeah yeah, well I'm gonna be proving the fact that I can use it. Gonna be fighting some sword wielder soon. If he has the balls to show up."
Solana raised an eyebrow. "You. You're gonna be sparring with someone other than me. Hopefully they don't have some kind of useful combat skill, otherwise you're gonna be boned Mar."
Marriott had felt his stomach sink, having no skills himself he was at a major disadvantage. Most 2nd years had one or two skills as the school provded unique skill books to the higher grades. Unless a 1st year's parents bought a skill book for them, or they were born with one, they were typically unskilled.
Marriott unconsciously scratched the back of his, a habit of his whenever he got nervous. A sign Solana picked up. "Right well there's no worries. Gauntlets could probably beat a sword anyways. Just grab their sword and you've pretty much won!"
Marriott continued to scratch his head before sighing. "Yeah. You're right. I should be at an advantage until his skill gets activated. So hopefully it's not something like your speed enhancement." His nerves slightly calmed by Solana's words, Marriott started stretching.
Midway through his streches the door had swung open. Slamming into the wall, the room had gone quiet. Normally teachers would have scolded any student responsible for the loud noise, except they knew better than to mess with the principal's son.
"Oi! Where's the man with gauntlets! It's time for your beat down!" The voice rung out, echoing in the silent room. Marriott's heart sunk, but rather than backing down, he took advantage of his fear.
"Hey dude! Over here. I'm not the one getting beat down though!" Marriott confidently raised his hand, waving towards the entrance.
Nearly all the students in the room gasped, including some of the teachers. Unbeknownst to Marriott, his opponent was an elite student. The son of the school's principal and one of the youngest bronze rank hunters.
Solana looked at Marriott with fear as she knew this. She knew that the cocky student had the power to back up his threat of beating Marriott down.
"Oh no, Marriott why. Why did you agitate HIM of all people?" She whispered under her breath.
Turning around, Marriott was confused about what the big deal was. Solana had never really shown signs of worry. Typically she'd be encouraging him but this case was different.
"What do you mean 'him'. Who even is he?" Marriott had said loud enough for other students to hear. A wave of laughter erupted, assuming that Marriott had been taunting his soon to be opponent.
"Oh. Oh dear. Marriott, do you really. Do you really not know who that is," She pulled him in closer, gulping in the process. "The person who is about to wipe the floor with you. Is Lenovo Navistar and as you might have heard. Literally all over the hunter forum. Is one of the top ranked. Bronze tier hunters."
"You of all people should know I don't stalk the hunter forum's. I barely use the internet other than to cheat on my homework." Marriott sharply whispered back.
The crowd of students parted, allowing a path for Lenovo to walk through. He lifted a hand up to cover his mouth as he yawned. Smiling as he put his hand down.
Marriott had noticed that there were 2 handles sticking out from behind Lenovo, around the area of his waist. Unable to see the blades, the only information Marriott gained was the fact that Lenovo apparently duel wielded swords.
"Nothing quite like crushing idiots who think they're hot stuff," Lenovo placed his hand on Marriott's shoulder, leaning into Marriott's ear. "If you apologize I'll make sure to go easy on you."
"I'm sorry." Marriott whispered. Causing Lenovo to lean in.
"You're sorry? Sorry for what, gotta make sure everyone can hear it."
Marriott smirked. "I'm sorry for you. It'll be really embarrassing to have your a** handed to you by an unpopular 1st year."
Lenovo had laughed, turning around to the crowd. "All of you heard that right?" The crowd murmured, unsure of how to respond.
He quickly turned around to Marriott, aggressively slapping his hand down on Marriott's shoulder. "Let's hope you don't end up dying here. Arrogant brats like you are so much fun to crush."
Lenovo walked forward, climbing up into the platform. Marriott followed behind, getting into the opposite side.
A few teachers circled the platform, some helping with moving students back to make sure nothing bad would happen if the fight got too intense. Others placing their hands on the teacher who placed the protective skill on both the opponents.
The sheer amount of energy put into the protective skill was visible. An outer layer of skin from Marriott was glowing green.
The referee stood on the stage, looking into Marriott's eyes as they spoke. "So uh. A reminder that is a JUST a touch battle. A powerful protective skill has been cast on you. You are allowed to use any skills you have as long," The referee looked over to Lenovo "as they are INTERMEDIATE class or lower. If your target hits you in a vital spot with a weapon you're out. In the. Uncertain case that the protective skill gets broken the round goes to the person who breaks it."
The referee quickly got out of the platform, standing a short distance away before yelling out. "Start!"
Marriott took a fighting stance, although this was his first time using gauntlets, Marriott had taken a few fighting courses with just his bare hands. Lenovo on the other hand didn't do anything. He didn't draw his swords, simply putting one of his hands up.
Lenovo snapped his fingers, which had seemingly done nothing. Until Marriott realized that he was moving. His body heading straight for Lenovo, only able to freely move his eyes.
A visible smile was planted on that annoying face. Marriott's body sloppily swung at Lenovo. Which he dodged, still not pulling his swords out.
"Cmon then, atleast try to make contact. That was just embarrassing kid." Lenovo had planned to take his sweet time. To fully embarrass Marriott.
Marriott swung again and missed, although it wasn't his fault as his body wasn't responding to him. It seemingly had mind of its own. That wasn't Marriott's.
The pattern of attacking and missing continued for around a minute before Marriott regained his body. "W-what did you do to me." Marriott stammered, the realization of the sheer difference in level between him and Lenovo sunk in.
With no response Lenovo drew one of his blades from its sheath. A short sword, school issued. It was a basic weapon granted to students, but in Lenovo's hand, it was a weapon of destruction. The blade began to shine, a golden yellow light enwrapping it.
Marriott instinctively put his guard up and prepared to either block or dodge whatever was about to happen.
Lenovo winked as he slashed his blade, multiple waves of golden energy flew across the platform and towards Marriott. As each one landed there was a spark of electricity. Each strike dimmed the protective skill that had covered Marriott.
"Hey! Hey! The match is over!" The referee yelled, but it didn't matter as the waves of energy had already been released.
Two more waves hit, completely destorying the protection Marriott had, a final wave came through. Bracing for impact Marriott put his gauntlets out, hoping to lessen the attack.
The wave slammed into his gloves, electricity surging through them and eventually into Marriott. His body shook as his eyes closed. It had been enough to shut him down.
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone