Quest of Automata King

Jumping to Wolves Lair

‘Dear, Mui-ken-Ikhu.

Although i have never said it in person, i wanted to congratulate you, and the fellow class F for winning mock battle that I have assigned for you on previous week.’

Mui opened his letter and read it carefully. For a moment, doubt started to appear since he reading the first line of the letter. He flipped the paper to searh for his sender again. It’s from Instructor Boris.

‘At first, the purpose of mock battle between class A and class F is to understand the strength and weak of each side on the battlefield. I was expecting that there will be a huge gap between the two of you, but in reality it was the other way around.’

‘Not counting other factor such as luck, or teamwork that formed around loyalty to Her Majesty, I found that class F showing a huge potential for the future. And among them I see it better when I take a look into you.’

Mui blinked twice. He tried to re-read the sentence again, making sure that he is not wrong, or misunderstood the context.

‘Not only you have contribute for the planning, but you also have become a key player to realize that strategy. Your part is very crucial, that it was almost feel that you are needed for the whole of class F.’

This is the first time Mui received direct letter from his teacher. Not to mention that it was filled with compliment about his performance in class.

‘Nevertheless, speed, agility, and cunningness have very little to do about being chivalrious. Therefore, I invite you for a private session to boost your sense of knighthood.’

Said that letter. It was ended with message to come to the training ground today at this time.

“Boosting sense of knighthood? What does that actually mean?” mumble Mui to himself. For a moment, his attention is focused on that letter, then he realized about his ongoing homework that need to be done.

“It’s very surprising to read that Mr. Boris want to meet right away. But I got to do my homework first, or I can’t focused on anything else,” thought Mui as he continue to do his homework.

***

Meanwhile, sun has finally settled, and night time arrived in Magusica. Sky is filled with stars and aurora, while cold night wind is pretty sure willmake anybody retreat to the protection of their home. But not for those people.

Lucius, Challender, and Boris are still outside, preciselly in the training ground where they used to train fighting techniques. Lucius have prepared with his leather armor and sword in his right hand. He swings it left and right, pretend that he is in the middle of battle between invincible opponent.

All of it he done with sour expression. Each swings, making his face get even more angry.

“Damn it that animal! He’s late!” shout Challender understand that his partner is growing tired to wait.

Julius didn’t answer, he is still practicing his move and sword technique that he learn since he is ten years old. Each move are gallant. Elegant, but still infused with strength and killing intent.

“P-please be patient Young Masters, He is the kind of people that value grades above anything else. I also said that not receiving this invitation will cost him reduction of his grades that already subpar!” assure Boris.

“He probably won’t come,” said Julius suddenly. He spin his sword, and then ending his blade dance by seathing his sword to it’s scabbard. All of he dones elegantly.

“Don’t you think it is suspicious? To being called by the instructor that does not like him, and then at the designated place, he met two biggest delinquent of the school. Any sane person will run away immediately.”

“Oi, oi, That’s too much isn’t it? To called us delinquents?” object Challender. “We’re nobles you know? Nobles! Those are our obligation to lead society into shape that we want them to!”

Julius’s eye looking at his friend without a little bit turning away. After that he chuckle. “I see that you are never changes after all,”

Challender smirk, he finally get up from the bench, and walked toward his friend. Boris on the other hand looking at those kid with confusion.

“How about a match then? That horn-head may not come, but at least we will be satisfied with little entertainment,” said Challender.

“Really? A Challender Heinrich finally asking to have spar with me? The business with that Devil may really have broke some part of your brain.”

Julius unsheathe his sword, and prepare with his battle stance. Julius pull his left foot backward, and then holding his sword in a middle height of his body. His blade placed in horizontal position and ready to strike Challender with one strike from the right.

Challender on the other hand, is grabbing his sword upward. A basic stance to start any battle, where Julius have used to much more difficult stance.

“On my mark!” shout Challender. Julius didn’t have objection that his partner is also become the referee. Just think this as some sort of handicap for his partner.

“Begin!” Challender Move forward right after the batlle begin, swinging his sword downward with the intention to hit his opponent’s head.

For Julius, that move are simple and easy to read. He moved his stance, and aim his blade at the way Challender’s sword will hit him. The sound of clanking steel can be heard and Challender feel his sword being redirected to the side.

Julius on the other hand, moved to right side of his opponent. With the position of his sword right now, he intended to strike at Challender’s stomach. In theory, this will slice his torso and bleed his opponent to death.

But Challender, already recognize that strategy is hoping to the left. He smirk, thinking that he finally manage to miss Julius’s attack, only to meet new problem. When his feet hit the ground, Challender can’t maintain his balance, and he end up falling.

“Oh, that’s a good dodge,” said Julius, “But too bad, you’re still fall, and that’s one point reducted.”

Challender chuckled, “Well, it’s important after all to stay away from your ‘deathly blade’ radius,” laughed Challender as he get up.

But then from the side, Boris appeared and stopping the sparring between Challender and Julius.

“Pardon me Young Masters... But we have a quest.”

Julius glancing to the spot that Boris pointed. Meanwhile, Challender get up and tidying himself up. From the direction that Boris pointed, Mui come while holding the bag strap on his shoulder.

***

Mui walked to the training ground. This place have very different sensation compared to what it was in the day. Their only source of light comes from star and moon above, that are enough to see in the dark at this open field.

At the designated place that Boris mentioned, Mui see glance of three people. Two of them have just finished their sparring, and one of them probably Boris. At first he can’t see them because of their distance. Mui think that they are probably also being called by Boris, therefore, he didn’t put too much attention.

But it all different as he come closer and notice who those people actually are. One is big muscly man with blond hair, he is definitely Challender, while the other one is his partner that seems to always hang out with him. If his memory isn’t wrong, he is called Julius.

Coming to that realization, Mui stopped his feet. Question are suddenly flowing inside his head.

“Wait... Isn’t that... That is Challender and Julius! What are they doing here!?” Mui is screming inside his mind.

“Are they also being called for extra lesson...? No way... They are prodigies, and have learned this lesson since they are little!”

Unconsciously, Mui started to take a step back. Challender and Julis have prepared to catch him, just like wolf trying to catch their prey.

But suddenly, Boris quickly speak before Mui can act.

“Oh! Mr. Mui! Finally you have come! Dear, how could you let us waiting for so long!” Boris come to Mui as if old man waiting for his grandson. He quickly warp his hand toward Mui’s shoulder in a very odd friendly manner.

“Sorry sir, I was just finishing my homework, I-I don’t have any intention to make you wait,” said Mui. Althought he tried to shake him off, Boris’s is gripping his shoulder, and take him closer to Challender and Julius.

“Challender and Julius are from the class A that you’re beat yesterday, remember? I call them here to help you understand more about chivalry. They have learn it since they are little!” said Boris.

Mui can feel glare come from the two of them. It’s even worse as he notice that both of them must be angry for the wasted time waiting for him.

“I’m sorry to not come as soon as possible...” Mui mumbling, those words are automatically coming out of his mouth, that too afraid to face Challender and Julius at the same time.