CHAPTER 25: SPARRING SESSION (2)

Aisha’s fists pounded against Amon again and again. Her strikes were sharp, heavy, and relentless.

Amon stayed on the defensive, blocking and stepping back, but every punch carried so much force that he felt like he would lose just from the pressure of her blows alone.

To make matters worse, Aisha looked like she wasn’t even trying. Her expression was calm, almost bored, as if she was just warming up against a training dummy.

Gritting his teeth, Amon tried to break free from her rhythm. He suddenly lashed out with a sharp kick aimed at her gut.

But poor him—Aisha simply caught his leg with one hand, grinning as she effortlessly lifted him off balance. Then, with a casual swing, she tossed him across the arena like he weighed nothing.

Amon flew through the air and crashed onto the stone floor with a loud thud. The impact sent a jolt of pain shooting through his body.

"Shit... it hurts," he muttered under his breath, grimacing as the ache spread through his muscles.

Aisha stood where she was for a moment, watching. But when she noticed Amon trying to push himself up, she dashed forward like lightning, her fist cocked back and ready to smash into his face again.

Amon looked up and saw her charging at him with frightening speed.

His instincts screamed at him, and without a second thought, his left hand reached for the revolver at his side. He pulled it up in front of him and cocked the hammer with a crisp click.

The barrel of the gun lined up perfectly with Aisha’s face.

Bang! Bang!

The sharp cracks of gunfire echoed across the arena. Amon fired two bullets in quick succession without hesitation.

Aisha barely managed to move in time. The first bullet pass close from her cheek and she quickly rolled to the side, escaping the second shot. She came back to her feet with sharp reflexes.

Amon also stood, now holding his sword in his right hand and the revolver in his left.

Aisha touched her cheek and then smiled faintly. Instead of anger, there was a hint of excitement in her eyes.

’Fuck... she’s even more excited now,’Amon thought with dread.

Crackling filled the air as Aisha conjured her magic. Blue lightning flared around her hand, forming into a massive spear of thunder. With a swift motion, she hurled it straight at Amon.

The spear shot forward at blinding speed.

Amon’s heart skipped a beat, and he threw himself to the side just in time. The lightning spear slammed into the ground where he had been standing, exploding with a deafening crack. Even though he avoided a direct hit, the shockwave knocked through his body, leaving his limbs trembling.

But Amon didn’t waste a second. While dodging, he had already begun casting his own spell.

Aisha, stepping past her own lightning spell, spotted him preparing something. She moved to flank him—only to see a dark sphere of shadow flying straight at her.

She met it head-on, throwing a punch into the gloom orb. The sphere burst, surrounding her in a cloud of choking black smoke. Her vision blurred, and her body froze for a brief moment in the daze.

Amon seized the opening. He rushed forward, sword raised high, aiming to slash at her before she could recover.

But just as he closed the distance, Aisha suddenly moved. With terrifying speed, she thrust her fist into Amon’s gut.

"Gah!"

The impact lifted him off his feet. His body flew backward and crashed hard against the ground far across the arena. Pain exploded through his stomach, radiating across his whole body. His vision blurred, strength leaving him.

He coughed, gasping for breath, before the pain finally dragged him into unconsciousness.

The last thing he saw before darkness claimed him was Aisha Darkfang, standing tall and calm, not a drop of sweat on her body, looking almost bored.

---

Some time later, Amon stirred awake.

His eyes slowly opened, greeted by a white ceiling he didn’t recognize. A faint smell of herbs and medicine lingered in the air.

He groaned and sat up slowly, every muscle aching. It didn’t take him long to realize he was in the academy infirmary.

At the corner of the room, near a desk, sat a woman.

She was strikingly gorgeous. Wearing a white coat draped over her figure, the fabric failed to hide her voluptuous curves. Beneath the coat, she wore a black robe that clung to her form. Her silky, long green hair cascaded down to her waist, and her yellow eyes were focused on the book in her hands.

Amon’s gaze was stucked on her chest.They were the biggest pairs Amon had ever seen.

When she noticed movement, she raised her head and glanced at Amon.

Amon, who had been caught staring at her chest, immediately turned his head away, his face flushed. "S-Sorry about that," he muttered awkwardly.

The woman raised an eyebrow, a little surprised, before giving a soft, amused smile.

"It’s alright, boy. I’m used to stares like that. But this is the first time someone actually apologized," she said lightly.

Amon blushed even harder. He glanced at her again as she stood and walked gracefully toward his bed.

’Damn... why are all the female professors so beautiful? Well... except that witch-hat one,’he thought bitterly.

"Thank you, Professor, for treating me," he said politely.

"Don’t mention it. If you want to thank someone, thank your classmate Seraphina. She’s the one who carried you here after you passed out during your spar," the professor replied with a warm smile.

Amon felt a wave of gratitude toward Seraphina.

"You’re fine now," the professor continued kindly. "You only fainted from the impact. There’s nothing wrong with your body, but do take care next time you fight."

Her voice was gentle, almost maternal, and Amon couldn’t help but feel comforted.

’She’s so kind... if only the other professors were like her,’ he thought wistfully.

He got out of bed, wincing a little, and grabbed his sword and revolver from the nearby table. As he headed for the door, he stopped and turned back.

"Professor... what’s your name?" he asked with a small smile and politely.

"Aeliana," she answered simply, her golden-yellow eyes soft.

"Thank you again for looking after me, Professor Aeliana," Amon said, bowing his head slightly before leaving.

Aeliana chuckled to herself after he left. "He’s quite a cute boy," she said, giggling. Of course, she already knew of him from his antics in Professor Aria’s class. His amusing behavior had made him rather popular.

---

Amon walked slowly back toward his dormitory, his mind heavy with thoughts of his fight.

’Aisha... she’s ranked fourth, she’s so strong. From the very beginning, she was holding back. She could’ve defeated me in seconds if she wanted to.’

His fists clenched. "I’m so weak. I need to get stronger—fast."

But instead of feeling crushed or hopeless, the loss only fueled his determination. He wasn’t discouraged. He only wanted to grow stronger.

For now, though, his body was exhausted. Rest was the best option.

He returned to his room, took a refreshing bath, and changed into casual clothes. Lying on his bed, he finally let himself relax—until a sudden knock came at the door.

"Who could that be at this hour?" he wondered.

Getting up, he opened the door. To his surprise, the person standing there was the last one he expected.

"It seems you’re alright now, commoner. Take this."

It was Marcus, holding out a plastic bag toward him.

Blinking in disbelief, Amon accepted it. Before he could say a word or even peek inside, Marcus quickly added, "Forget what I said in class today. I’ll be going now." And just like that, he turned and left.

Amon stood at the doorway, stunned. He looked into the bag and found food, cake, and cold drinks. And not the cheap cafeteria kind—these were expensive, high-quality items.

Then it clicked. This wasn’t because Amon fainted during the spar. Marcus was apologizing for what he had said earlier about Amon’s parents.

"Hah... tsundere bastard," Amon chuckled, shaking his head as he closed the door.