My body jolts as I wake myself from my class-based slumber. Rubbing the sleep out of my eyes, I look around, and it seems nobody saw me take a little nap. I hope.

  “And that is the story of how The Chosen of the North was able to seal away Tyranus the Slumbering Disaster. This would also mark the beginning of the Era of Kingdoms,” Professor Schist explains as I let out a yawn.

  “Professor, is it true that The Chosen of the North died after the sealing?” Ruby asks.

  Professor Schist strokes his long dwarven beard. “Yes, sadly, like many of The Chosen Ones, he met an untimely end. Many speculate on what the cause of death could have been, but the general consensus is that he overextended his mana when sealing Tyranus the Slumbering Disaster.”

  Hopper scratches his bunny ears. “Why did he seal Tyranus instead of killing her?”

  With a somber look, the Professor closes his book. “Before Tyranus was known as the Slumbering Disaster, she was Tyra Queen of the Dragons. The strongest of all dragons, and then she was corrupted by the Blight, which made her even stronger. To put it bluntly, The Chosen of the North could only seal her.”

  Penelope hides a complicated expression.

  “Well, that’s enough of History. Have a good lunch, everyone,” the Professor says.

  As I stand, I look over at William, Talon, and Yilua. They’re the ones the second years are going to target, and if my intuition is right, they’ll strike today. Thankfully, I know exactly who’s going to challenge them and their abilities. Nothing like a little Market Research. Which is why I’ve paired up some classmates with each of them. Ruby with Yilua, Viola with Talon, and for William… I talked to him, and he gave me a thumbs-up. Seems he thinks he can take whatever they throw at him. I’m skeptical, but if he says… gestures that he can do it, who am I to say otherwise?

  Although I am a bit worried. Ugh. Alright. I rush over to William and give him a hardy pat on the back. Which somehow hurts me rather than him. Dwarves sure are hardy.

  “Hey, William. Mind if I eat lunch with you?” I ask with a friendly smile.

  He gives me an inquisitive look.

  “Oh, it’s nothing like that. Hopper is eating with his friends today, and I’d rather not eat alone. Would you let me join you?” I kind of [Lie].

  His eyes glare at me with suspicion.

  “It’ll be my treat.”

  He nods and trots along with a jovial bounce in his step.

  What a weird guy.

  One of the cafeteria staff places the last of the six plates in front of us. To think a person could eat so much. It’s impressive. He wouldn’t survive the streets.

  As I take a bite of my spaghetti, I wonder. “So, how’s the team doing?”

  William gives me a deadpan stare as he chows down on his ribeye steak.

  “Bad, why? It seems like you get along with Ruby and Viola. What could be the problem?” I ask with genuine curiosity.

  William continues to chew as he bates his eyes at me.

  “Aah, I see. They flirt a lot? Trust me, I understand,” I say as I think of how Hopper fawns over Luna even though she’s not even there.

  William sighs and then brings up his fingers and puts them together.

  “Yeah, I guess them kissing and getting it over with would solve some of the problems, but from my experience, they somehow get more annoying when they get together. The pet names, the constant inside jokes, and don’t even get me started on how they start to sound the same,” I lament on the past.

  William rolls his eyes.

  “Wait, are you saying they already kind of do that? Ah, I see. You’re frustrated that they’re tiptoeing around the subject. Do they both like each other? I know Viola does, but I didn’t get anything from Ruby,” I say as I spin the noodles with my fork.

  William shrugs his shoulders and then mimics a longing glance.

  “Oh, does she now? Well, that’s interesting. Seems it’s mutual. Yeah, that would be frustrating to watch. Two people who like each other pretending that they don’t, but still accidentally flirting. Are you rooting for them?”

  William glares at me before stabbing into his steak.

  “Sorry, I wasn’t questioning your loyalty to your friends. Of course, you’re rooting for them. Who wouldn’t root for love?” I ask.

  Suddenly, Penelope sits down at our table.

  “Can I help you, Penelope?” I ask.

  “Yes, you can, Charlatan,” she says with a hint of anger.

  “What slight have I made against you today?”

  “Well, for starters, can you stop treating everyone to lunch on my dime. The deal was that I would pay for your food, not entire classes,” she says as she takes a bite from her stew.

  “Odd, I don’t seem to remember that exact stipulation being made, but if you want, we can have another bet,” I say with a devilish smile.

  “I’m not falling for it this time. Try to limit the number of people you feed to a small orphanage at least. I have expenses as well,” she huffs.

  “Oh, yes, I’m sure you do, Ms. Carrie's Platinum Coins,” I taunt.

  This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

  “Yet again, how do you know that?”

  As we bicker, William lets out an audible groan.

  “What’s wrong, William?” I ask.

  William shakes his head as he rubs his temples.

  Before I can ask another question, somebody slams their hand on the table, almost spilling Penelope's stew.

  A second year with dark red hair and a cocky grin stands at the side of our table. “Well, well, well, if it isn’t a couple of first years. You guys sure are sitting pretty for a couple of runts,” he says.

  “Alfie Jhunt, a pleasure to meet you,” I say as I take a bite of my spaghetti.

  “Chosen One, the pleasures all mine,” he says sarcastically.

  “Have you come here to challenge me?” I ask fully knowing that’s not the case.

  “I wish, but you’re in luck, I’m not here to challenge you. I’m here to challenge you, William Dull,” Aflie says as he points to an empty seat.

  Penelope also looks over with a hint of surprise.

  “Seems he’s not here. Seems like you’re seeing things, Aflie,” I taunt.

  “I… I could’ve sworn he was there. Where did he go?” he asks with disbelief.

  “It was just me and Penelope. I haven’t seen William since class,” I [Lie].

  “But the plates. He was eating so much food. He had to have been here!” he yells, drawing attention to himself.

  “Sorry, bud, I don’t know what to say. Those plates are Penelopes. She’s a big eater. Aren’t you?” I ask her.

  She gives me a deathly glare. “Yes, those are mine. I was so… hungry today. After all, I had to beat this Charlatan I know. It burned a lot of calories,” she threatens me.

  Alfie stammers with disbelief.

  “Maybe you’ve been studying too much. I recommend you go to the infirmary for a quick check-up.”

  Alfie mumbles to himself as he walks away. As he does, I suddenly feel danger behind me.

  “Well, it seems it’s time for me to go,” I say as I quickly run away from Penelope.

  “Where do you think you’re going, Charlatan?” she asks as she grips my shoulder.

  “We have Math soon. So, I was thinking I would get a head start,” I [Lie].

  “Well, that can wait. You and I are going to spar,” she says as she drags me away.

  “Why?”

  “Let’s call it Market Research.”

  Penelope and I find ourselves in one of the training fields. Why? I don’t know. The fact that she said Market Research is honestly a bit scary, but she… won’t actually make me fight, right? Right?!

  Penelope draws one of the smaller wooden swords from the training rack. “Pick a weapon, Charlatan,” she orders.

  I sigh as I grab a similar sword. “Why are we doing this, Penelope, and don’t say Market Research?” I say as I loosen my tie.

  “If the two of us are going to be taking on the top ranks of the second years, I need to see what kind of fighting ability you have,” she says as she stretches.

  “We’ve fought together for over a month now. Don’t you already have a good idea?”

  “That’s in a group setting where we are covering for each other's shortcomings. In a 1v1 fight, those shortcomings become fatal flaws. So, come at me.”

  “I can’t find a flaw in your logic. Fine, but don’t break anything. I’d rather not have to feel that again,” I say as I ready myself.

  This is going to suck.

  I rush towards her and swing hard with my sword. Penelope easily blocks the strike.

  “Not bad. I can actually feel some strength behind that hit, but your form is terrible,” she says as she disarms me and then hits me in the chest with a pommel strike.

  “Thanks…” I groan.

  “I kind of guessed, but you’re not formally trained in swordsmanship, are you?” she asks as she throws me my sword.

  Catching it, I crack my neck. “Not really, but I have other tricks up my sleeve,” I say as I palm some sand off the ground.

  “Well, let's see them,” she says as she disappears and then reappears behind me.

  With a swing of my sword, I barely deflect the attack, but not the kick that follows. Suddenly, I’m thrown back a good couple of feet.

  “What did I say about breaking things?” I complain.

  “Did I break anything? By the way, good reflexes,” she says as she readies her next attack.

  Right as she disappears, I [Throw] the sand towards her. The sand is displaced. I swing hard in that direction. Penelope suddenly appears as I slam into her stomach.

  “How did you do that?” she asks, easily shaking off the pain.

  “Simple, really, your [Skill] isn’t teleportation-based, right? That means you actually have to travel to the space you want to go to, so I thought, what happens if you get attacked while you’re traveling?” I explain.

  “I get knocked out of [Step]. Interesting. It seems we both have shortcomings we need to work on,” she says in a serious tone.

  “Nobody’s perfect after all. Are we going again?” I ask.

  “No. We don’t have time. Math class is going to start soon,” she reminds.

  “I guess we do have to go to that,” I sigh as I place the sword back on the rack.

  “Charlatan, I know you can’t master swordsmanship in a week, but I recommend you at least learn the basics. As it stands, you might as well be swinging a club,” she says as she wipes the sweat from her brow.

  “I’ll think about it. Go on ahead. I’ll catch up.”

  “You better not be late for class,” Penelope threatens as she leaves.

  Guess I should actually think about learning how to swing a sword, but who do I ask? Penelope’s going to be busy with her own training, and the same kind of goes for all the students. A teacher? I guess that’s their job. Professor Stargazer doesn’t really seem the type to wield a sword, Professor Schist gives me an icky feeling, Professor Keller falls in the same boat as Professor Stargazer, and then there’s the Literature Professor… She's scary. So, who am I supposed to learn swordsmanship from?

  “Your form is all over the place,” an elderly woman from the custodial staff says.

  “Uh, I’m sorry, what?”

  “You need to relax when swinging your sword. You’re holding on far too tightly,” she explains.

  Following her advice, I swing my sword. That feels correct. Well, that’s certainly odd.

  “Who are you?” I ask.

  “I’m Gerta Egon, one of the many Janitors for Sylvian University. It’s nice to meet you, Chosen One,” she says as she mops the floor.

  “It’s nice to meet you, too. Is there any chance you know swordsmanship?”

  “Only a bit. You can learn a lot from just watching.”

  “Is there any chance you can teach me?” I ask as I look her in the eyes.

  “Hmm. Only a bit. I still have my work to do after all. Come to the training halls during lunch, and I’ll teach you what little I know,” she says with a soft voice.

  “Thank you, Gerta. I greatly appreciate it.”

  “Shouldn’t you get to class? I think they’ve already started,” she says with a small chuckle.

  “Ah, shit.”