บท 66: Extraordinary Exchange Students
Sebastian and Amy spent the next two days adjusting to their new house. It was practically a mansion and it was privately owned by Amy herself.
Originally, it was Markus Luna's estate but he had transferred ownership over to her just before they left for Tidas.
"Sebastian, are you ready yet?"
Amy knocked on the door. The two of them had gotten separate rooms because of an incident that happened on board the airship.
While Amy was changing clothes, Sebastian walked in and the two of them stared at each other for what seemed like an eternity.
Amy was paralyzed with embarrassment for the next few hours and so, they decided to sleep in separate rooms in the house.
"Yeah."
Sebastian stepped out of the room in his uniform. They were only exchange students so there was no need for them to wear the uniforms of Wave Academy.
Amy walked up to him and straightened out his collar and tie.
"Jeez. You should learn to be more tidy while we're here, this reflects on the academy after all."
"I'll try my best."
The two of them left the house after. They didn't really need to hurry and walked to school at their leisure.
Along the way, they elicited more than just a few stares. They were heading in the direction of Wave Academy with different uniforms, it was natural to attract attention.
Wave Academy had the same status as Aurora Academy.
Sebastian opted not to take the carriage to school so he can at least do even a tiny bit of exercise.
Of course, Amy could take the carriage by herself but she insisted to stay by Sebastian's side.
The two of them chatted peacefully until they reached the academy's gates. Many students had their eyes glued to the two of them.
They stopped by the gate and waited. A professor ran over soon enough.
"G-good morning, Lord Sol, Lady Luna."
"Good morning, professor. We'll trouble you to lead us into class then."
"Y-yes."
The professor was nervous. It was only natural, Amy was the future head of a major house. Even in another country, the head of a major house is a title nobody can ignore.
"The classes are all full and the students that exchanged with you two were in different classes. So, we have to separate you two. Is that alright?"
Amy lowered her gaze in disappointment.
"Is that so...? Then, Sebastian, please do bear with the loneliness for a while. We'll still go home together."
"..."
Sebastian couldn't find any words to respond and sighed. Amy walked into the classroom and Sebastian followed the professor.
"Lord Sol, you have been assigned to my class, will you have any trouble adapting to the lessons?"
"I'll be alright."
"Fantastic!"
The professor opened the door to the classroom and walked in with Sebastian in tow.
Immediately, the class became silent and all eyes turned toward Sebastian. His black hair made him stand out even more than the minority of the ones in class with red, brown, and the like.
"Class, as announced before, our transfer students have arrived and the one in this class is..."
"Sebastian Sol from the House of Sol, though my stay here may be temporary, I hope we can get along."
Sebastian finished his self-introduction with a smile.
"Then, you'll take the seat... Elliot, can you move into Brice's seat for the time being?"
"Will do."
Elliot stood up from his seat and walked over to the vacant seat a few rows down.
"Maria, I'll leave Lord Sebastian to you."
"Yes."
Maria, the girl that had sat beside earlier flashed a smile at Sebastian who was approaching.
"Please take care of me."
"Likewise."
After the exchange of pleasantries, Sebastian and Maria turned their eyes forward.
The professor began with the lesson. There were times that he repeated basic information for Sebastian. Though it wasn't really necessary, Sebastian couldn't tell him that.
Once class finished, the students in class immediately swarmed around him and began asking questions.
"Hey, what's Aurora Academy like?"
"What ability do you have?"
Many questions popped up and Sebastian tried his best to answer them. When he couldn't keep up anymore, Maria stood up and clapped her hands.
"Everyone, that's enough. You guys are troubling our exchange student."
With her warning, the crowd began to disperse. Most of them had their questions answered so it wasn't any trouble.
"Thank you."
"It's only natural. I was the one assigned to help you during your stay after all. Our next class is practical. Normally, we'd have lessons but today, we're going to be mock fighting with training weapons. Will you be able to join? I can tell the professor to excuse you if you want to skip."
She was very understanding.
"I'm alright."
Sebastian took his bag and walked outside with Maria.
"Aren't you guys going to change?"
"We're only going to be using wooden weapons and it's not like we'll sweat with the professor's magic so it's fine to stay in uniform. If you're worried, you can change."
"Nah, if everyone is going to be using their uniforms, then I don't see why I should be the odd man out."
"But, isn't your uniform harder to move in?"
"I'll be fine."
"If you say so."
Sebastian continued to ask Maria questions as they walked toward the field. Most of their classmates were already there.
"Pick your weapon over there."
Sebastian took a staff and walked to the center of the field. The professor was already waiting while holding onto a staff.
Many students chose the staff while some others chose swords and a minority chose a pair of tonfas.
The professor looked at Sebastian for a second longer than the others before speaking.
"Class, today is our performance check. Remember, we are in this academy to grow. New student, are you going to participate?"
"Yes, sir."
"Alright. For now, I'll match you all according to last time's performance."
The professor pointed at a couple of students each time until all the pairs were made. Then, two pairs had to face off at the same time.
Winning and losing didn't matter, what mattered was that they were able to make up for their deficiencies. The professor gave nods of approval while watching the matches until it came to Sebastian's turn.
Sebastian had gauged the average levels of his opponents. They were better than the average civilian and slightly worse than the average soldier. Even the trainees that had faced him all at once were better.
Sebastian faced his opponent and took a stance. His opponent nodded at him and took a stance as well.
"Name's Elliot."
"I remember. Take it easy on me."
"Yeah, don't worry."
Though Elliot didn't exactly look or talk like a model gentleman, he at least acted like one.
"Then, start!"
Elliot moved first. He thrust his staff forward and aimed at Sebastian's shoulder. The condition of victory was to land a blow at the opponent. It couldn't be light, it had to force them to stagger.
Rarely, one could also win by cornering an opponent's vitals. Aiming the sword at the opponent's throat without hitting it was grounds for victory.
Sebastian lightly stepped to the side and swung his staff down at Elliot.
Thump
Elliot dropped down on the floor. Sebastian's staff had hit his back and forced him down.
"It was a good match."
Sebastian helped Elliot up who was looking at him in surprise. The other pair who had been fighting was also looking over in disbelief.
Even the professor was stunned.
"Ehem... New student, what was your name?"
"Sebastian."
"Sebastian, would you like to face another opponent?"
"Hm?"
Is there a need to fight another one? Sebastian's face was telling the professor.
"Don't get me wrong, it's just that... you ended the fight so quickly that it's difficult to gauge your skill."
"I see... Well, I'll face as many as it takes."
"Thank you for your cooperation. Gerald!"
"Yes..."
Gerald walked over to Elliot's previous spot while Elliot returned to the rest of the class.
Gerald was holding a sword. Though Sebastian was holding a staff, it wasn't two-handed like the spear that he typically used. It wasn't as disadvantaged against a sword.
Gerald took a stance and had a solemn expression.
Sebastian repeated his earlier stance and waited for the signal.
"Ready, start!"
Once the signal was given, Sebastian's eyes flashed as he vanished from his spot and reappeared beside Gerald.
His staff was pointing at Gerald's throat. Before he could even move, Sebastian had already defeated him.
The professor was staring with his mouth wide open.
Just like that, Sebastian defeated five enemies in succession. None of them lasted more than five seconds against him.
...
Meanwhile, in the other class, Amy turned her back from a crater. The rest of the class looked over in shock as she walked away nonchalantly.
The professor had told her to use all of her power and although she couldn't oblige, she at least used the power of an Apprentice.
Just like that, the rumors that the two transfer students were ridiculously strong were spread.
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