Chapter 11: Why do you pick now to act like a man!
"Yellow, suits you," Alexia told him as they stretched. "Though I expect you to be wearing blue by the end of the year. Purple or red would be better though."
Poochie groaned. As always, his exercise uniform stood out from all the others in section one. Only now it was a lemon yellow instead of snow white. Their new instructor had confirmed his skills had improved enough to earn a promotion. Alexia was quite pleased. Truthfully, she was happier about it than he was. During their sparring sessions she'd been pushing him to improve his footwork and counters. She wanted him to make progress as quickly as possible, and being the kind, gentle soul that she was, Alexia devoted her time in class to helping him.
Poochie, being Poochie, failed to appreciate this amazing charity. He whined and complained and tried to make excuses. But a bop or two on the head would keep him motivated.
"Don't you think you're being unreasonable? I was just barely good enough to be yellow and now you've got me skipping right past orange and green?"
"Hey, if you would just work hard, you could reach your full potential. Do you think I want to waste my time pushing you? It's your own fault I have to be so rough!"
Cid stopped stretching and stared at her for a moment.
"What?"
"You seriously remind me of my sister."
"What the Hell?! Why are you comparing me to your sister?!"
Instead of answering he went back to his stretches. She glared at him but decided to finish warming up as well. Throughout the dojo everyone was doing the same stretching exercises as the two of them. Originally the other students had all used magic to loosen their muscles and get ready for practice. Now instead they all performed the same series of exercises that Cid had invented. Alexia knew they weren't copying Cid. They were copying her.
When the news broke that Zenon had been her kidnapper the popularity of Royal Bushin had plummeted. He'd been one of the founders of the style and his disgrace had tainted it. A lot of students had dropped Royal Bushin as their elective. So many in fact that the number of classes teaching it had fallen from nine to just five. But not a single person had transferred out of section one.
That was because along with improving your fighting skills, the class served as a convenient meeting place for many of the elites of the academy. Sons and daughters of major lords and important government officials came here day after day to chat with one another and make connections as they sweated and banged practice swords. None of them failed to notice the fact Cid was her one and only practice partner. That they always arrived and left together, and ninety percent of her time was spent with him.
Most of their classmates had been neutral or downright hostile to Poochie when he began accompanying her. But today every single one of them had congratulated him on his promotion. She'd made sure word had got out about him 'helping' her fight off the slashers. As well as the fact that her sister was recruiting him for the Crimson Order. Alexia didn't doubt everyone still saw him as her short-term amusement. But they probably figured he had enough potential to at least be worth staying on good terms with.
Poochie could have used all this good will to start making connections and working to improve his social standing. Both in the academy and in the country itself. That's what she'd have expected any other kid from poor nobility to do in his place. But not Pooch, oh no! That might require effort! When a duke's son or the Knight Commander's daughter came up to congratulate him, he'd mumble a 'thanks' or 'appreciate it' and promptly ignore them. He really did act like his life's ambition was to be a background character! She understood that he was lazy, but there had to be limits!
Alexia honestly liked the fact her Poochie didn't put on airs and didn't care if the person he was talking to was a ditch digger or royalty. He was the exact same sarcastic ass with everyone. It was what separated him from others and made him special. But there were times when she would have liked him to have just a little ambition. Afterall, if he was going to keep supporting her after they both graduated that'd be easier to do if he had friends in high places and valuable contacts.
Plus, there was no chance her father would ever let her marry someone who was the son of an impoverished rural baron. If he was going to climb high enough to be considered worthy of her hand in marriage, he'd need all the help he could get.
As the two of them started sparring Alexia didn't focus on his lack of drive. There were more immediate concerns.
"So, tomorrow is the campus qualifier competition for the God of War Tournament."
"Yep."
"I'm honestly a little impressed you decided to participate. You know this is going to require some actual effort, right?"
"Yeah, actually my idiot friend Skel volunteered me without asking."
"Oh, well that was nice of him."
He sent her a lifeless gaze.
"Anyway, it'll look good on your record, but you understand you're going to lose right? I don't mean overall, but in the first round."
"Yep," he nodded. "I saw who my draw is."
"Well, I just thought I'd remind you that no one's going to hold it against you if you lose quickly. I'm not saying to forfeit of course, that would be a black mark. You have to cross swords for honor's sake. But if you were to go down after the first blow or two no one would blink an eye. The weapons are all blunted steel, but they're still real. There's no point in getting hurt if you're losing anyway."
Cid raised an eyebrow. "Wow, you sound like a friend. If I didn't know better, I'd think you cared about me."
"What do you mean? Of course, I care!"
"Really?"
Alexia gave an enthusiastic nod. "What kind of pet owner would I be if I didn't?'
"Right," he groaned. "You don't need to worry about me; I'll be fine. I'm surprised you're not participating."
Alexia frowned. "I've actually been in a couple of tournaments, and I've sparred with Iris plenty. I've got a realistic idea of how skilled I am. Even if I wear black I'm still nowhere near the elite ranks. At least not yet."
"I thought just participating looked good?"
"It does if there's nothing else on your record. That's not a problem for me, besides I have another role."
XXX
In a world where fighting tournaments were easily the most popular sporting events, and where tournament champions were celebrities. The God of War Tournament was far and away the greatest and most celebrated of them. Its champions were legends, and their names would be known all around the world. Held once a year in the capital of the Midgar Kingdom it was open to anyone who could afford the entrance fee. The various military academies were each granted special exemptions, they could send a representative who would not have to pay the entrance fee nor participate in the first two preliminary rounds. These slots were very highly prized.
A hundred and eight Midgar Academy students had decided to enter the competition. There would be seven rounds compressed into two days of fighting. Though these were academy students many of them came from famous families and had already gotten reputations. Only the previous year, the eventual God of War Tournament champion, Iris Midgar, had competed in and won this competition. So, interest among the populace was quite high. The event was being held off campus in the very arena that would host the main tournament in a couple months. It was sold out, with over sixty thousand fans eager to see the fighting.
The view's a little different from last time, Alexia thought. Last year she'd been a participant and had made it all the way to the quarterfinals.
Where she'd faced her sister.
This year, her role was ceremonial. Up on a stage overlooking the field she spoke.
"The God of War Tournament approaches. Let us honor the god and the heroes who have fought before us. Fellow academy students, fight with honor and courage for the opportunity to represent both yourself and our school in the great tournament." Alexia looked directly at one of the two contestants who were already out on the field. "And please… try to avoid unnecessary injuries."
The crowd gave a loud cheer at the conclusion of her speech. She turned and waved to them in acknowledgement, but before taking her seat she stopped and gave one quick wave to Poochie. He definitely saw it but didn't return it. That was probably as well as she wasn't supposed to be choosing sides here.
As soon as she sat the referee down on the field announced the opening match.
"Second year student Rose Oriana. First year student Cid Kagenou. Ready yourselves!"
They both dropped into fighting positions. Cid into a modified Royal Bushin and Rose into a classic Rising Wind Swordstyle. The people in the stands roared with approval and began to chant Rose's name. Alexia doubted a single person other than her was hoping for Cid to do well. She had no illusions about him winning, she just wanted Pooch to not embarrass himself and get through the match without getting hurt.
Just like herself and her sister, Rose was a princess. She was a transfer student from Orianna Kingdom, the kingdom of arts. As was fitting for a royal from that country she was not only beautiful but talented in various art forms such as singing, poetry, painting, dance, and many others. She was extremely popular and had been elected Student Council President. If all that weren't enough, she was also considered a prodigy with the sword on a level approaching her sister and had given her a good match in last year's final. She was the heavy favorite to win the academy tournament and represent them.
Alexia had watched her compete and judged her the fourth best she'd ever seen behind only Shadow, Zenon, and Iris. Just go down after one hit, Pooch. Don't get hurt for no reason.
The referee dropped his arm. "Begin!"
Rose dashed in and delivered a single ferocious blow that connected with pooch's chest and sent him into the air. An 'oooh' ran through the crowd. Alexia winced. She was sure most of the spectators thought the blow rather vicious. Alexia though understood that it was actually an act of kindness. When the skill levels were as far apart as they were in this match, the stronger fighter was in control and could do anything they liked. Those with a cruel nature or who wanted to entertain the crowd would deliberately draw out the fight. Playing with their much weaker foe and delivering a needless beating before ending things at some point.
The kindest thing a contestant could do in that situation was to end the match with one move. While this might look bad from the stands, a quick knock out was actually the best way to limit the harm done. So, Alexia was relieved to see Rose land such an overwhelming strike.
Until she saw the fountain of blood erupt from Cid's body.
Having taken a serious wound and suffered from blood loss recently she couldn't help but empathize. Cid landed in a heap and Rose remained where she was, obviously seeing no need to continue. Well at least it's over, Alexia thought. Poochie can get medical treatment and head back.
The referee was just about to end the match when Cid sprang back to his feet. With grim determination he began he began to walk towards Rose. Rose was frozen in place, obviously shocked to see the contest wasn't over.
"Poochie you moron, stay down!" Alexia muttered to herself.
He didn't. He kept moving towards his opponent. Rose hesitated, clearly not out of any sort of fear, but from a desire to not cause unnecessary injuries. She glanced at the referee who gave a shake of his head. Despite the blood loss and his obvious injuries Cid was conscious and capable of continuing. Without any real option, Rose moved in.
The beating began.
Alexia watched the next five minutes through her fingers. She kept cringing and gasping as pooch kept getting the absolute hell beaten out of him. Time and again Rose would deliver a merciless blow that would knock him down and cause a fresh effusion of blood. And each and every time he would stand back up and continue the match. His face and uniform were soon drenched in red. The crowd that had started off cheering wildly, soon quieted, everyone could see this was not a contest and realized they were watching someone being literally beaten to death right in front of their eyes.
Each time Rose struck him a blow she held back, refusing to add any additional strikes. It was plain to see that she wanted him to stop every bit as much as Alexia did. It was pointless, everyone in the arena could see he had no hope of victory. But his male pride would not let him yield.
Why do you pick now to act like a man?!
He was getting back up for the eighth or ninth time when Alexia reached her breaking point. She forced mana into her legs and leapt down onto the field jumping in front of Cid.
"THAT'S ENOUGH! THIS MATCH IS OVER! ROSE WINS! CID KAGENOU CANNOT CONTINUE!"
She was only here as a representative of the royal family. She had absolutely no authority to end a match but didn't care. She wasn't about to sit back any longer and watch him get killed.
Rose was obviously relieved and let out a sigh. "Oh, thank goodness!"
Poochie felt differently. "What?! You can't stop things now! I have still have fifty-three moves left!"
"Moves?!" Alexia rounded on him. "You idiot! You haven't hit her once! Look at yourself! You're covered in blood! I don't care about your male pride it's not worth dying over! The match is over! You lost!"
"Noooooooo!"
"Stop arguing with me!" She grabbed his collar and began dragging him away. "You need to see a doctor, now!"
As Alexia took him to the stadium infirmary, she saw Rose raise her sword in salute. There was a look in her eyes Alexia found a bit worrisome, but since she had more important things to worry about, like making sure Pooch didn't die of blood loss, she ignored it.
XXX
On the way to see the doctor Cid kept assuring her that he was fine and that he had actually healed all his own wounds. Alexia reminded him that he'd told her he only knew basic healing. It was enough to close up wounds, but could not treat damage to organs. Alexia was also acutely aware that healing magic did nothing to replace blood loss. Cid looked like he'd gone through a couple buckets worth.
Somehow on the way to the infirmary he managed to give her the slip and never actually saw the doctor. But amazingly, he really did seem to be okay. Though he requested and was granted five days of bedrest. (He got upset when Alexia showed up to nurse him back to health, but that was a story for another day/omake.)
Rose went on to win the competition and claim the academy's slot for the God of War Tournament.
And, as luck would have it, on the day of the attack she was off the campus grounds meeting with her sister.