In the middle of a dirt sparring ring, two boys exchanged blows with dulled swords, their movements fast but unrefined. Nearby, two instructors leaned against the fence, chatting as they observed the practice.
One of the men, a senior, grey-haired figure with a creased yet still jovial grin, spotted him approaching.
Jolly man: "Well, if it isn't the birthday boy! Finally dragged yourself out of bed, eh?"
Virno's green eyes narrowed, cutting through the man's good humor like a blade.
Virno: "Save it, instructor Pocna. I'm in no mood for your jokes."
He strode past the man, grabbing a practice sword from the nearby rack.
Pocna (jolly man): "Ah, one of those days, I see..."
He gestured toward a boy of about thirteen, standing to the side of the ring.
Pocna:"You're just in time, though. That young lad there's waiting for a turn -- you two can train together."
Virno turned his gaze to the boy, his lip curling.
Virno: "It's my birthday, Pocna. I'm not about to waste my time fighting small fry. I want to fight you."
The other instructor, a stocky, broad-shouldered figure with a sharp face, chuckled under his breath, shaking his head.
Pocna (grinning): "Oh? And how do you think your mother would feel about that, hmm?"
The mention of her immediately soured Virno's expression.
Virno: "Leave her out of this!"
Pocna tilted his head toward something behind Virno.
Pocna: "Easier said than done..."
Virno turned and groaned inwardly. His mother was marching across the yard, her face a storm of anger.
Virno (under his breath): "Oh, come on..."
Pocna: "Perhaps another day, young sir."
Virno: "Another day?"
He smirked, stepping forward.
Virno: "She's already here. You've nothing to be afraid of!"
Before Pocna could respond, Virno lashed out, swinging his sword. Pocna reacted instinctively, raising his own blade to block the blow.
Pocna: "Sir Virno! Stop this at once!"
Virno (grinning): "On your toes, Pocna! Fight me like you would your worst enemy. I want a real battle today!"
The sparring boys quickly scrambled out of the way as Virno pressed his attack. Steel clashed against steel, and though Pocna deflected each blow, his movements were hesitant. He dared not strike back, not with Mrs. von Virtus watching from the edge of the yard.
Mrs. von Virtus: "WHAT IS THE MEANING OF THIS, YOUNG MAN?!"
But Virno was deaf to her shouts. The world around him had narrowed to the opponent before him. Each swing of his blade carried the weight of his frustration and fury, a whirlwind of relentless strikes.
Virno: "GAH! Fight me like a real man, damn you!"
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He lunged forward, delivering a powerful downward strike. Pocna stepped back -- but his foot caught on a loose rock, sending him sprawling to the ground.
Before Pocna could regain his balance, Virno was on him. His blade came down in a brutal arc, aimed for the man's head. Pocna raised his hand to shield himself as the sword struck.
Blood splattered across the dirt. A gasp rippled through the bystanders. Pocna clutched his face, a deep gash running dangerously close to his left eye.
Mrs. von Virtus: "Virno... What have you done?!"
Virno stood over his instructor, chest heaving with adrenaline, seemingly oblivious to the severity of the situation. When the second instructor approached cautiously, Virno pointed his blade at him.
Virno: "Ah-ha! Another opponent steps forward!"
The man hesitated, weighing his options.
Virno (mocking): "What? Are you all afraid of me now?"
Before anyone else could move, one of the sparring boys stepped forward, his sword gripped tightly in his hands.
Brave boy: "Enough, Virno! Can't you see what you've done to Master Pocna? If you've blinded him, none of us will ever forgive you!"
Virno scoffed, turning to face him.
Virno: "If he's blinded, that's his fault for not taking this seriously. Now fight me, or run like the rest of these cowards, Venna!"
The boy raised his blade, stepping into the ring with a measured calm.
Venna (brave boy): "You're an idiot if you think anyone's afraid of you. If your mother weren't here, the instructors would've put you on the ground already. But I've got nothing to lose."
He took a sideways stance, his blade steady.
Venna: "It's about time someone showed you your place."
Mrs. von Virtus: "Stop this, both of you! Young Venna, don't you dare hurt my son!"
Venna: "Apologies, madam Anya. But someone has to step in."
Virno snarled, lunging forward with a wild, downward strike. Venna sidestepped easily, landing a solid punch to Virno's side.
Venna: "That's for the vile things you said to my sister three months ago at her birthday celebration..."
Virno staggered back, clutching his ribs, but Venna gave him no time to recover. He takes a swing at Virno, who deflects the blade and goes for a quick counter-swing. But his side hurts too much, and as a result, he moves slowly and predictably. Venna grabs his arm while it is extended, and pulls Virno over his back. Virno is projected, landing with his back on the ground.
Venna: "That's for all the times you went too far in practice and got away with it."
Virno lay in the dirt, gasping for breath. Venna raised his sword, the tip hovering inches from Virno's eye.
Venna: "And this... This is for what you just did to instructor Pocna."
Virno sees the tip of Venna's sword going heading directly for his left eye. He shuts his eyes in anticipation... But the pain doesn't come.
Venna: "If you had actually blinded him... Luckily, it seems like it was just a flesh wound."
Pocna had managed to stand, blood streaming from his face. His eye was untouched, though the injury was gruesome.
Venna: "Learn your place, Virno. You're not the main character of whatever play you think this is."
Venna lowered his sword and walked away.
Anya rushed to her son, dropping to her knees.
Anya von Virtus (Mrs. von Virtus): "Virno, are you hurt? Someone, call a doctor!"
But Virno shoved her aside, staggering to his feet and charging at Venna's back.
Virno: "WHO THE FUCK DO YOU THINK YOU ARE?!"
He tackled Venna, driving him face-first into the dirt. Before Venna could react, Virno straddled him and began punching him mercilessly.
Virno (screaming): "FUCK YOU, VENNA! FUCK YOU!"
Pocna and the other instructor step in as fast as they see that Venna had no means of defending himself. The young man's face was already bloody, but at least he was still conscious. As he's being dragged away, Virno manages to spit on his face.
Virno: "AND THERE'S MORE WHERE THAT CAME FROM, YOU POMPOUS BASTARD!"
Then, from the corner of the yard, a figure approached -- a tall man with an imposing presence, flanked by a retinue of servants.
Pocna: "You went too damn far today, Virno... too damn far..."
Anya von Virtus: "Oh no... no no no..."
Anya stared in horror, tears welling in her eyes.
Anya von Virtus (pleading): "Charles, please, I can explain --"
Charles (tall man): "Out of the way, Anya. That boy is far out of line."
As Charles approached, Virno stilled, the fight draining from him.
Pocna: "Sir Charles... I'm sure it's not as bad as it looks, I myself will ensure that the other boys' parents will see this merely as a falling out between teenagers..."
Charles raises his hand, as if to ask that Pocna stop speaking.
Charles: "Tend to your wounds first, instructor Pocna. I'll take care of the other boy and his parents. And please... ddo not cover for my son. He is clearly undeserving of such good faith... And you."
He turned to Virno, his gaze lowered.
Charles von Virtus (Charles): "You will go to your room immediately, and wait there for me. Understood?"
But Virno does not answer or move.
Charles von Virtus: "Do not test my patience, Virno... Not today. Do not make today any worse than you already have. For both our sakes."
With a final glare, Virno turned and left.
Charles von Virtus: "It would be best if the sparring sessions for today come to an earlier end, I believe..."
The instructors agree, and take the remaining boys indoors. Charles signals the butlers and maids to follow them in, as well. Only he and his wife stay outside.
Charles von Virtus: "Let us sit, and talk... Calmly."
They make their way through the courtyard.