Once they were set up in the east garden, Kir dutifully took his place opposite the hippokin knight as the rest of her guards surrounded the fighting space.
As soon as everyone was settled in, Kir asked, "What are the rules?"
"The rules are simple. We fight until one can fight no more, or until one concedes. No leaving the garden, and no spells that target the mind," the woman replied. "Do you accept?"
"I accept," Kir said. "Though I'd hate to make a mess of the garden, so I will simply have to end the fight in a single move."
The hippo woman scowled at him - at least he thought it was a scowl. "I, Sabrekar Rabsiir, Silver Knight of the Steel Claws, place my honor and my life on the line for Queen Fruhe." She paused, waiting for Kir to introduce himself.
"I, Kiryu Nasumi, new professor, would like to get this over with," he replied back.