"Is that one of the Aegis Rose boys?" Rock leaned over and whispered.
Noble nodded. But before she could tell the young man that she had not selected him, he raised his hands to address the crowd.
"Enough of the practice rounds. Which one of you wants to face me and mine?"
"Definitely an Aegis Rose boy," Rock mumbled. "Ever since Tristan came through here, his ilk have been insufferable."
Noble didn't respond. She was more concerned with the way the class was turning.
Another Legacy stood, but Keth glared at him. "Not you, friend from Valor."
His inflection on the last word made his intention clear. The air grew electric, people murmuring about who would answer his challenge.
"I did not select you for the next match, and I have not been allowing people to pick their opponent. Please sit down." Noble furrowed her brow. This boy really was trouble!
Keth met her eyes a moment before shrugging. "I might as well. The representatives of the Song Domain are too frightened to take up the challenge anyway."
"That is quite enough!" Noble felt anger burning in her chest.
"I accept!" A voice rang out. "That is, if it is acceptable to Professor Noble as well."
Noble watched the ashen-haired girl stand. Tamar was too proud to let the slight go unanswered. The professor wasn't sure whether to be proud or call out the foolishness of being goaded.
Keth also seemed overly pleased. It seemed he hadn't recovered from her earlier insult.
"If they don't settle it here, they will find another way to duke it out," Rock told his fellow teacher.
It was easier to let them spar with supervision than to find out about an unfortunate incident later.
Noble sighed, "If you wish to take the round, Lady Tamar, then I am willing to let you. Please join your opponent."
Taking the note from an earlier round, Tamar summoned her armor as she descended from the stands. An intricate suit of full plate armor forged from lustrous steel covered her body. She was ready for a battle against the young man whose mouth always seemed to run faster than his mind.
If her leisureliness bothered Keth, he didn't show it. He smiled widely to welcome the woman to the field.
"Please, take your time."
Tamar ignored his comment, waiting until her armor had fully materialized before setting foot on the area's floor.
When she did, her neutral expression was only betrayed by the intensity in her eyes.
"The same rules apply, and I will hold you to them. Three points wins. On your mark."
Noble waited as the two Legacies took their places. Unlike many of the previous contestants, who seemed unsure of where to plant their feet, these two kept their knees bent and ready to spring into action.
"…and…begin!" Noble tapped her staff on the ground. The jolt from the action was nothing compared to the explosion of motion on the reinforced arena.
Keth may have used his cousin's name to get noticed, but that did not mean he lacked skill. He went straight for his opponent, aiming his gauntlet at the space between Tamar's shoulder and helmet to incapacitate her.
Tamar dropped, sweeping her leg to kick his feet out from under him. Keth stepped lightly, avoiding her strike while his own met only air. The two separated, sparks forming in each of their right hands.
The Legacy of Sorrow summoned an imposing zweihander. The leather-bound ricasso immediately adjusted to her grip as she swung it once in front of her.
As for the Scion of Aegis Rose, he brought out a curved sword with etchings along the side of the blade. The mere sight of it gave Noble a sense of unease, and she could see how the students on either side of her in the stands did not want to look directly at the weapon.
'A powerful Memory indeed.'
If Tamar could not use her line of sight to know the position of the strange blade, she would have to gauge it by Keth's movements as well as her other senses.
The girl had her work cut out for her.
Though Tamar's weapon was impressive as well. As much as Noble was apprehensive about the match, she was also excited to see how the two Sleepers would handle the Memories, which should have been beyond their capabilities.
The new Saint was careful not to influence their emotions. That would be unfair. Thankfully, each of the contestants had more than enough motivation without the professor's coaxing.
Keth held the curved sword at eye level, but before he could advance a second time, Tamar moved.
Her technique was flawless. The subtle grace of her movements matched her aloof expression. The young woman was stunning.
Her zweihander seemed like an extension of her, moving with the same unbending certainty of its mistress.
Not wishing to bear the brunt of the incoming swing, Keth shifted his weight to his left. The two blades collided in a glancing blow but failed to lock.
That was what Keth wanted. As Tamar turned to slow the momentum, he planted his elbow into her back.
The well-disguised jeweled charm situated at the tip glowed.
The ruby cracked, but instead of shattering against the opponent's armor, it reformed even more solid than before.
Tamar gasped, her face momentarily growing pale as her body felt weakened.
Noble realized immediately what had happened. 'The charm is an essence thief!'
Or, at the very least, it robbed the victim of its energy in an insidious way.
"Point!" Rock's voice rang out.
"Having that charm in such a strange position allowed you to have full control of your sword during the secondary hit. That attack surprised even me." While Noble wasn't sure that she wanted to praise the young man, she couldn't deny the effectiveness of his maneuver.
"Those from the Sword Domain know how to handle them. Our king expects no less." Keth acknowledged the cheers of his comrade at arms.
Gritting her teeth, Tamar stood. "You used a jewel on me, not a blade."
"Valor has many jewels—the most shining being Lady Changing Star and Lady Morgan." Keth nodded.
"He must be aiming for a knight of Valor…" Rock whispered.
Noble nodded. She found his words flowery even for a legacy. And the worst part was that he actually believed that the two princesses of Valor were jewels. His sincerity was so strong that Noble doubted that he looked at the women as people at all.
'If Lady Morgan had heard him say that, she would have cut him down to size.'
Noble didn't know the crimson-eyed woman well, but the professor was certain the princess would not have taken the compliment any better than she did. Unaware of this, Keth took the applause by placing his hand on his chest with a firm nod. Anyone who saw it would know where his allegiance lay.
But Tamar was not interested in his loyalty.
All she cared about was that he had lowered his guard. She pushed aside any remaining fatigue and pressed her advantage.
The zweihander sang through the air, following the arc that the Legacy of Sorrow had ordained.
It fell like a guillotine. There was no escape.
For by the time Keth realized what was happening, it was too late.