Transmigrated as the Novel's Final Boss-Chapter 102:Practical Preparation [3]

For the next thirty minutes, the two of us sparred about three times, where I won once while she won twice, tying the score at 2-2.

It was clear that she had the upper hand in terms of technique and strength, as my losses came from my inability to attack her due to her perfect stance.

However, I still managed to clinch another win through my... creativity.

Through plays that she would never think of, like throwing my sword at her or allowing myself to get hit so I could grab her wrist and twist it, I had gained an advantage.

Some would call it being so dumb that your opponent couldn’t possibly expect it, but I would consider it amazing battle IQ.

During our spars, I could feel my technique slowly growing as, after the end of each small fight, I would immediately change my grip on my sword, attempting to block out the flaws that she revealed in her attacks toward me.

This would just be considered newbie gains.

Of course, someone who has just started something will have more progress in a day than someone who has been training for years.

After a while, I would most likely reach a plateau and be unable to improve for a while.

Standing up after our last spar, where Scarlett had won by knocking the wooden sword out of my hands, I groaned and looked forward.

"Did you need to hit my stomach after my sword was already out of my hands?"

Shrugging her shoulders, she instantly replied.

"Did you need to twist my wrist last fight?"

"...I actually did need to, though."

"You get what you deserve."

Feeling my hair start to droop down onto my face, filled with sweat, I glanced around, seeing dozens of students sparring.

Some of them were obviously not trying and just talking to each other while weakly throwing their swords forward...while others went all out.

For example, Evangel and Liam were at a standstill while fighting each other, each of them heavily breathing and sweating.

Since Scarlett and I had paired up, it was only natural that the other two Imperial students would as well.

Evangel seemed to be in a better condition as she managed to hold her head up, while Liam was just blankly staring at the ground, a couple of meters away from her.

If I had to guess, Liam was confused as to how Evangel was so strong, perhaps more than him, despite coming from nowhere.

In the book, Liam hadn’t gotten involved with Evangel until the second semester, so I was quite interested in their interactions.

Snapping me out of my thoughts, Scarlett’s harsh voice sounded from behind me.

"They’re on a different level than us, huh?"

Shrugging my shoulders, I coldly replied.

"Who’s ’us?’ Don’t speak for me."

A second later, a sudden pressure gripped my right shoulder, and an ominous voice sounded.

"Another spar?"

Too exhausted and weak to shrug her hand off, I reluctantly stood still and answered.

"Water first."

Not releasing her tight grip on my shoulders, she dragged me to the corner of the outside area where a massive water cooler sat.

It was infused with water elemental particles, so it could release endless amounts of water, only needing to be refilled with more particles once a month.

Sighing as people around the cooler, lounging around and hiding from the professor, came into sight, I said.

"I’m not going to run away, you know?"

Pretending as if she were surprised, Scarlett turned around and said with her mouth wide open.

"Oh, I forgot! You were so small and light, I couldn’t even tell I was holding onto you!"

Ignoring her taunt, I filled up a cup of water and instantly poured it down my scorching, dry throat.

Thankfully, just as Scarlett finished drinking her water and began back toward the training area, a loud voice reverberated throughout the area.

"Class is officially over! Please clear this area out within ten minutes for the next class."

As Scarlett looked back at me, I waved my hands and sarcastically said.

"Oh no! We’ll have to settle the score some other time!"

Snorting, she turned around and walked toward the only exit and entrance into the area with crowds of students behind her.

After waiting in the shade for the exit area to clear out for some time, I wiped the sweat off my forehead and strolled forward.

At this point, students from the next class were already entering, and as I walked through the exit, I passed by Charlotte, who was in conversation with Scarlett.

Ignoring them, I was about to head back to my dorm to shower again when a sudden voice sounded from behind me.

"YOU!"

Without even looking back at the source of the voice, I readied my legs and prepared to sprint away.

Yet, before I could take off, a sudden pressure...gripped my shoulder.

...what was it with everyone and my shoulder!?

Turning around and looking at the boy with pitch-black hair and eyes behind me, I tilted my head and asked.

"Long time no se-"

Before I could even finish my sentence, his angry voice interrupted me.

"You’re the one who won the mana gathering competition, right? Right? I thought you said the ceremony was useless and boring!"

"...that was you."

"YOU AGREED!"

Dramatically brushing my amber-brown hair off my forehead, I smirked and responded.

"The money reward was simply too...tempting for me to resist!"

"MONEY REWARD!?"

"I’m bathing in gold coins now, don’t you know?"

"y-you bastard. I NEED THE MONEY MORE THAN Y-"

Interrupting Raven mid-sentence, Professor Brock’s overpowering voice sounded, signaling the start of the next class.

Walking forward and deathly gazing at me, Raven yelled while entering the outside area.

"JUST WATCH WHAT HAPPENS AT THE PRACTICAL EXAM!"

Hm?

Didn’t he know the practical exams for Worldly and Imperial class students were different?

Looking at his furious expression, though, I didn’t dare say that aloud and brag about my Imperial class position.