DISCLAIMER: I don't own "Re:Zero - Starting Life in Another World". The novels and their characters belong to Tappei Nagatsuki, or whatever, surely they aren't mine.

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"Dialogues"

Thoughts

*Onomatopoeias*

Flashbacks

"Dialogues in flashbacks"

This… this idiot

The young man was walking along the hallway, aware that his thoughts were not elegant or knightly. His undoubtedly calm face was burying his tumultuous emotions.

Proclaiming himself the knight of a candidate to the throne, in front of us Knights of the Royal Guard no less. Being aware of his weakness and still claiming to be like us, who spend our lives in training, aiming to reach higher and higher peaks of strength. Addressing us as noble brats, lucky to be knights due to our bloodline, and insulting me in that way in front of all that influent and noble people. This boy truly is an idiot.

He shifted a rebel lock of violet hair with a white-gloved hand, never losing his composure while advancing. His black boots were hitting the marble step after step, echoing in the empty rooms.

He is so arrogant, and so in danger too. He seems oblivious to manners and etiquette, but that does not mean the world will go easy on him for that. I have to put an end to this self-destructive and childish demeanour, so that hotheads among us won't seek some kind of revenge; after all, he seems to be someone close to Lady Emilia, and she surely will be sad if he will incur some serious danger due to his absolutely disrespectful behaviour. For her sake, and for his own too, he cannot be like this anymore if he wants to get into the Royal Selection. I guess this time "the finest of the knights" will be the tough teacher.

While reaching the waiting room, his mind flew to a spoiled brat who had discovered at his own expense he had to get stronger, no matter what, because he was terribly weak. He had to repay the people who had given him everything, accepting him as their own son; it had been the boy's duty and, after the meeting with that red-haired kid, it had been painfully clear he had to work harder not to disappoint the ones who stood beside him…

Julius returned to the present and sighed, preparing himself for what had to come. Probably there would be no serious consequences for him, but his own honour would be stained for sure: a knight injuring an average citizen it's not knightly at all. However, that was something that had to be made. He could rely on Ferris for the aftermath, after all.

It's time you get a lesson, Natsuki Subaru.

"And so, the meowgnificent royal selection began." Ferris concluded. "Subawu, you're going to serve as Lady Emilia's knight, huh? Good luck to both of us."

Missing the sarcasm in the cat-boy's words, a boy with black hair and bad eyes was sitting in the waiting room, looking to the ground. His clenched fists were trembling in frustration. The butler suit seemed a size too small, tightly enveloping and itching his body.

"A man who brings such an expression to the one he wishes to stand beside… is not a knight." Julius shook his head, pitying Subaru.

That smartass, Subaru thought. Who does he think he is? He leaned on the armchair covering his eyes with his right hand, cutting off from his mind the outside world.

But he is right: this time I really screwed up. I wanted to help Emilia, but I guess I only made things worse for her. How much can I be useless?

"Subaru, that's enough." The trembling of Emilia's hand touching his shoulder shocked him enough that even he wanted to look away.

"Subaru… is no vassal of mine." As she stated that with tranquil and clear voice, her expression was frozen over and her amethyst eyes were frigid.

Dammit he thought I cannot stand Emilia with that look on her face. And I'm the cause of that. I'm the only one who can help her, everybody hates her here. I need to be stronger. But what if I'm not enough, and Julius is right? So even in this world, relying only on this cursed power, nothing has changed…

"If you curse your own lack of strength so much, I believe you have one choice you can make."

Subaru raised his head, looking for the one who talked. But not Reinhard nor Ferris, who were standing next to him, was the one speaking.

"What? Oh, it's you." He gazed at Julius as he entered the room maintaining a composed look.

"Don't make such a disagreeable expression. I did not expect a warm welcome, but it's despicable letting your emotions get the better of you."

"Ugh…!"

"Now, I suppose you wanted to ask me what I am doing here?" Julius quietly resumed, ignoring the hate carved on the black-haired guy's face. "Naturally, I came to see you. I would like you to accompany me for a brief time."

"And where would we be heading for? I will never say you "yes" without knowing that." Subaru replied scoffing.

"The place is the parade square. The objective is…" the young knight smiled venomously "…teaching you a lesson or two about reality?"

The self-proclaimed knight stood in the middle of a large ring of sandy soil, casually stretching his legs. Hundreds and hundreds of eyes were pointed on him, and none of them with good intentions.

Julius had removed the decoration from his uniform, along with his white cape and gloves. Reinhard was next to him with an expression of concern, trying to relent the other knight.

"Julius, you should stop this. It isn't like you. What he said is highly despicable, but it can be settled with a retraction."

"Usually I would agree with you, but not today. He insulted my name and our knightly honour in front of the Sage Council and the Royal candidates, and he didn't apologise at all."

Julius lifted his gaze to the knights on the stands all around the ring and declared with a loud and clear voice: "I shall now chastise the ruffian who has besmirched my knightly honour!"

The roaring ovation invaded the field, making Subaru feel intimidated. However, he kept his back straight, hatefully staring at the violet-haired knight.

"Now then, before we begin, I shall ask once more: Do you intend to apologize for your earlier impropriety and ask for forgiveness? If you make a full apology for your transgressions here and now, I shall forgive you."

A pair of dark eyes met an amethyst one, the first of them raging while the other disturbingly quiet.

"I-I have nothing to apologise for." replied Subaru. "And, even if I had, how would I apologise?"

"Put your forehead to the ground with tears in your eyes or roll onto the ground and show me the good lapdog you are."

"If you don't mind, I'll pass on both. Those aren't elegant choices."

"I see." said Julius "Normally a man like you would be executed for those words. Luckily for you, you are one of Lady Emilia's vassals; so, we shall be fighting with those wooden swords. Any objections?"

Subaru moved his hand, signalling there was no problem.

"The referee shall be… Ferris."

Julius received two swords from a knight near him, then offered the hilt of one of them to Subaru, who took it. That weapon was far lighter than the ones he had occasionally handled in those months; in truth, it was very similar to the ones the boy had used while practising kendo. He nervously tightened his grip, pretending a confidence he didn't have.

His adversary stood in front of him, calmly wielding the sword with his right arm.

"Shall we begin?" the knight asked. Subaru nodded.

"Well then" proclaimed Ferris "All right, one, mew, three!"

Raising his sword, Subaru started charging Julius. When the standing knight was some metres away from him, the boy suddenly rolled on the ground to his left leveraging on his free hand, then pushed himself back on his feet and sprinted the faster he could, changing the direction of his attack.

Let's see if he expected this!

The moment Subaru was swinging the sword, aiming to Julius's neck, this suddenly moved forward, avoiding the stroke and hitting hard the boy in the stomach before he had even the time to realise. He was hurled on his back, the air filled with knights' disrespectful laughters.

"-gh!"

The boy looked with anger at his opponent, who was slowly moving towards him. Before Subaru managed to get on his feet, Julius quickly hit his right shoulder with a vertical slash, making Subaru let go his sword while feeling an abrupt pain. The young man rolled on his left side, holding the hurt arm with the able one.

It hurts! This isn't going to be good…

While Subaru was lying curled up on the ground, Julius walked to him. The black-haired saw the shadow on him and tried to grab and raise the sword with his left hand, preparing himself for the incoming attack, but he was too slow.

"You truly don't have any pride."

The sword came down to his head and suddenly Subaru's vision blackened…

…

…

"Shall we begin?"

Hi guys, this is my first attempt at writing a fic.

Well, it's my first attempt at writing something in English.

To be honest, it's my first attempt at writing something not school-related.

So… don't expect too much from this. I'm just trying not to screw up the prompt, even more in the eventuality the canon will fly out of the window.

All ideas, criticisms and reviews are welcome.

See you (hopefully) in the next chapter.