The School Days and Beyond

by Storyjumper

These stories are going to focus largely on Ferdinand during his school days with the last few focusing more on Part 5 content. We all know how Ferdinand feels about Dunkelfelger women and I wanted to expand on that with a slight twist... one of them is much more than they seem.

7. First of Many

Ferdinand 1st year Royal Academy

"Lord Ferdinand, it's time."

I grimaced and looked up from my study materials. Justus had under his arm clothes that would be better suited for dirty outside work. The sturdy material would be hard to rip and the quality was not nearly as good as my regular clothing. He also held the board that had been given to me after my rather humiliating defeat at the hands of one the Dunkelfelger archduke candidates. Even thinking about her smug smile was enough to make me mildly irritable. She truly was a vexing woman. But I sighed and set aside the scroll I had been reading through. Then submitted to Justus. He was quick and efficient in his duties, and soon I was in my gathering clothes. Mostly black and white, but the sleeves were trimmed in a light blue that matched my hair and complimented the yellow of my cape.

Eckhart was waiting patiently outside my room. Though by his stiff expression he was looking forward to this as much as I was. Justus chuckled at us. "It's not going to be that bad, you both look like you're going to be sick. This is an opportunity." His excitement was definitely not shared between Eckhart and I.

"Speak for yourself. You're not the one who will have bruises." Eckhart grouched.

"I wouldn't be so sure about that." He held up the invitation. I glanced over it and noted that it did also include Justus.

"That wasn't part of the deal."

"No, apparently Lady Minerva thought my response to your poisoning was poor. She amended it. Her scholar assured me that I would be discussing things with him, that I wouldn't have do what you two are doing unless I wanted." I could tell he was seriously considered the merits of learning to fight. "Though I'm not sure that I would be any good with a sword."

"Stick to what you're good at." I told him firmly.

"As you wish."

With that future crisis averted I made my way out of the dormitory and towards the apprentice knights' practice arena. Several students with blue capes were standing near the entrance. One was a bright red-haired boy who was tall, but well muscles. A fourth- or fifth-year student I thought. The other two were clearly third years. Both still on the scrawny side for an apprentice knight so hadn't fully hit their growth spurts. But they held themselves at ready position that did not waste energy, but would allow them to easily intervene.

It was the red-haired boy noticed us first. His amethyst-colored eyes followed as we approached. He straightened up out of his reclined position against the wall. "How can we help the one of Ehrenfest's archduke candidates and his people?"

The younger two shared a dark chuckle. They watched us expectedly.

"We were invited." Justus showed the board. The red-haired boy glanced over the board. His grin becoming more pronounced.

"Well, who am I to stop a man from meeting his fate." He and the other two stepped aside. I did not like what his words implied, but at this point I could not back down. To do so now would make me a coward on top of the shame of losing. So, I forced one foot in front of the other and made myself walk out into the arena. A grassy area surrounded several smaller rings. Each ring was a different size and designed to mimic battle in different terrains. But there was a large rectangle of sand designed for group drilling. It was there that most of the Dunkelfelger students were working through various drills with wooden practice swords. Among the ranks were Lady Minerva as well as her guard, Heisshitze.

"Swing with more vigor! You don't want to be overwhelmed by your opponent!" That was professor Rauffen. The man was too loud, but he made for a good drill instructor. He did not even need to enhance his voice for all the students to be able to hear him.

We watched for several more minutes as Rauffen led his students through the several different forms. Any student who seemed to slow would soon find his eyes turned on them and his shouts of encouragement as well. Then he finally seemed to notice us.

"Lord Ferdinand! You're here early." He seemed exceptionally excited about my presences.

"No professor. He's here on time, you just couldn't hear the bell ringing over calling orders." Lady Minerva pointed out.

Professor Rauffen merely shrugged that off. "Well Lord Ferdinand, you and your two guests can go ahead and grab a practice sword. We can find out what you know and maybe you can free style at the end. Lady Minerva and Heisshitze both speak highly of you. Rare for praise for someone so young."

Someone cleared their throat behind me. I forced myself not to jump, and slowly turn to look at Peter who was much too close to me for my liking. "Professor, I believe Justus was here to do research with me. You wouldn't take away this opportunity for me to learn from another duchy, would you?" Masterfully done, I admitted to myself. Dunkelfelger had very few true scholars so they would certainly want to have their few scholars learn from other duchies even if we were from a lower duchy. Rauffen; while a ditter crazed knight, was no fool. His eyes glittered as they looked from Peter to Justus.

"I'll have to look forward to contributions to ditter then." Hmm, maybe I gave him too much credit. Justus walked over to a shaded covered area that had worn table set up under it. He was close enough that I would be able to keep an eye on the two of them and they would also be close enough that Justus would be able to do his attendant duties if I needed it.

Before Eckhart and I could even think to refuse one of the older students brought us practice swords and we were directed to join the drill. At first, we were just mimicking what the instructor did. Rauffen would loudly call when a student wasn't following his assistant, or when their form was off. Thankfully, neither Eckhart or I had attention called to us. Though many of the students who did, were called out because they were looking at us. There was some hostility, but mostly it was curiosity on the parts of the aspiring apprentice knights. These drills went on until the whole group could do the movements in near perfect synchronization. Then came something a little more complicated. The assistant would call a strike and we had to perform the best counter to that particular attack.

Here both Eckhart and I struggled. Though we were nowhere near as poor as the rest of the first years with a handful of exceptions. We continued through every conceivable attack and the instructor would even call for a change in the type of weapon we would be defending against. Slowly my body began to burn. My limbs grew heavy under the constant weight of the practice sword. Sweat trickled down the small of my back. Despite this, I felt alive. I was relishing in the strength of my body and my ability to keep up. It was almost a disappointment when Rauffen called for a water break.

Justus came over with a water skin for me and Peter came over for Minerva. Heisshitze and many others had theirs hanging from their belts. Many students just sat down where they had been standing in formation and just tried to breath.

"Lady Minerva, are you going to do freestyle this time?" A female knight apprentice came up to Minerva as she was taking a swig of water.

"No, I think I've done enough, let Heisshitze give it a go. I'm sure he wants to." A few of the apprentices including the girl who had come up to her looked disappointed. Minerva flashed her white teeth in a very un-noble like grin. "Perhaps I can do a pattern dance instead." This caused excited murmurs to run through the assembled apprentices. I glanced at Justus who made a barely visible shrug. I had never heard of such a thing.

"Alright, back in formation." Rauffen called.

The Dunkelfelger students immediately obeyed. Even Minerva moved into position. Eckhart and I were left almost fumbling to move back to our spots. Then we continued where we had left off. For the remaining half bell of the time, I was supposed to visit we drilled. Once the bell rang the students let the points of their weapons drop. A few even milled around. I started to move towards Justus who was asking Peter some pointed questions.

"Heisshitze, Lady Minerva said you would be doing free style today. Choose your opponent."

"Alright, I choose Lord Ferdinand."

I froze mid step and turned back to face Heisshitze. "My agreement was that I train for one bell."

He chuckled his expression clearly asking if I would back down from such a blatant challenge. Others whispered that I was afraid. That I would lose and Heisshitze was just being cruel. I even heard the red-haired boy snort in disgust.

"I'm sure Lord Ferdinand is merely asking if we are changing the rules of the agreement. He does not strike me as the type that would run from a proper challenge. Especially after Lady Minerva spoke so highly of skills after he lasted half a bell against her." Had it been that long, I wondered. Several people were looking at me with new found curiosity and even no small amount of respect. "Besides, I will make it worth your while." He held up three fey stones. A blue, yellow, and black one. Even from this far away I could tell they were of incredible purity of their respective elements.

I narrowed my eyes at him. If he was willing to bet something so valuable over something so trivial then he felt confident enough to win. But what was this fool hoping I'd wager. I had not brought anything as the letter had said there would be no need. My eyes slid over to Lady Minerva who was watching her guard with a strange mix of amusement and resignation.

"And what would you ask a lower rank duchy wage in this challenge?"

Minerva, I noticed chuckled. She at least understood that I was reprimanding Heisshitze for making a wager of such expense that Ehrenfest would struggle to pay. Heisshitze on the other hand didn't seem to bothered or maybe he didn't understand that I had in fact reprimanded him.

"I would ask to amend the earlier agreement between my lady and you to thrice a week."

I grimaced at that. This would become tiresome if I was constantly being challenged to duels. But those stones would be difficult for a first year to obtain on their own. In truth, I was not in a position to refuse this challenge. So sighed, "I accept."

The whispers only increased. I heard several people exchange bets at how long I would last. Most seemed to be of the opinion that I wouldn't last more than a minute. A few of the pettier people made a comment about Lady Minerva going easy on me and that was the only reason I lasted as long as Heisshitze claimed. Minerva's head instantly went up. "Now, why would I show Ehrenfest such blatant favoritism?" She laid a hand on her cheek. "Perhaps someone believes I am being soft? I'm sure anyone who would believe that would be willing to challenge me to see if I am indeed being soft."

The whispers were instantly silenced. Minerva chuckled darkly. "Why so quiet? I would have thought my countrymen would be delighted for me to be open to such challenges." The silence was becoming more and more awkward as Minerva smiled at the rest of the first years. Peter cleared his throat.

"Yes, my lady! I think we could all benefit from watching more duels." Professor Rauffen was practically giddy with excitement. And if I did not know better, I would have said Minerva winced at his comment.

"Any duels I do will wait until after Heisshitze's challenge in concluded. Professor would you consent to being witness. I think a half bell time limit would be appropriate, don't you think?"

Rauffen looked thoughtful. "Most duels last only a minute or two. Why so long?"

"That is how long Heisshitze claims Lord Ferdinand and I's duel lasted." I saw the understanding in Rauffen and Heisshitze's eyes. Both nodded along. "Does that suit you, Lord Ferdinand?" She placed deliberate emphasis on my name with amusement dancing in her eyes. I had to grit my teeth and flash my perfect noble smile knowing she was telling me she would happily start referring to me as 'little flower' again.

"That is fine."

She gestured to one of the sand rings off to the side. Peter brought her a magical hourglass as Heisshitze and I both moved to the ring. We raised our practice swords into the ready position as we waited for Rauffen to officially start the match. When start was called Heisshitze roared and drove at me. His blows hammering down on my defenses. He was like a bull; his strength was easily greater than his lady's. Now I understood why he had been chosen to be an archduke candidate's guard. I even had to admire the lack of waste in his fighting style. It seemed to have been developed as a direct counter to Minerva's fighting style. Her flexibility and dexterous nature meant she would never be able to bring true brute force to bear on her opponent. So, this was meant to drive her into exhaustion losing her speed advantage.

The other Dunkelfelger apprentices crowded close to the ring. They shouted encouragement to Heisshitze. A few even heckled me in an attempt to distract me. Neither of us seemed to be gaining on the other. I couldn't risk an actual strike on his person because his blows would almost certainly cripple me. But he could not break my defense either, no matter what the other students shouted about him being so close.

But for all the strength that Heisshitze could bring to bear, he was too predictable. His flawless training had no doubt attributed to his almost instinctive way of fighting. It also meant that if you had been training with him and knew the sequences of the drills you could pretty easily guess what he was going to do next. Soon he would tire, I thought to myself. That strength cannot last forever. There was plenty of sweat dripping in the sand despite the cool air.

Even as I thought that I could feel my own strength slowly being sapped. Each time our swords clashed it would jar my joints in my arms. My back was starting to ache as well. My breath was coming out in heavily. It was becoming harder and harder to control my breathing and keep my body moving the way I wanted it to.

Then disaster struck. My ankle twisted uncomfortably in a slightly deeper depression in the sand. I felt myself fall side ways and saw the exact moment Heisshitze was going to swing. I rolled in the sand letting my momentum carry me out of the way of the strike. As I rolled, I snatched up a fistful of sand and flung it back at my attacker. Judging by the shouts of surprise and the angry murmurs from the on lookers I had hit my mark. I continued my roll forcing myself to my feet.

Heisshitze had dropped his sword and was frantically swiping at his eyes. The other students saw me raise my sword to strike at his collarbone and shouted for Heisshitze to move. Far too late.

"Time!" Minerva's voice cracked through like whip. I stopped my blow just before it connected with Heisshitze's shoulder. Everyone stopped and turned to her with their mouths open. In her hand was the magic hourglass with all of sand in the bottom half. She set aside the magic tool and clapped, "Well done, Lord Ferdinand, Heisshitze." I sucked a deep breath of air in and stepped away from Heisshitze. Air burned my dry lips and my starved lungs. I don't believe I have ever been so tired in my life.

"That makes this a tie." Rauffen instead of looking disappointed by Dunkelfelger's failure to win, he was looking at me with the same excitement that Sylvester had upon receiving Blau.

Eckhart cleared his throat. "I believe Lord Ferdinand was about to win. There was no way to defend against the next blow. Even if he had dodged, he was disarmed. The moment that happened he lost."

"But Lord Ferdinand did not win in the time allotted." Minerva pointed out. "You misunderstand the point of this battle. In order for Ferdinand to win, he had to defeat Heisshitze in a certain amount of time. The same goes for Heisshitze."

The Dunkelfelger students seemed to be in agreement with Eckhart oddly enough. One even asked, "What does it matter if he didn't win in the time limit. He still would have won."

Minerva shook her head no. "Defeating an enemy does not always mean you win. Let us say Heisshitze and I were delivering vital intelligence we gathered on Ehrenfest during war time. Say Lord Ferdinand was supposed to stop that. This duel was Heisshitze staying to delay him while I ran on ahead and took the intelligence to a nearby border. In order to win, Lord Ferdinand would not only have to stop Heisshitze, but also prevent that information from leaving his border. Either by killing me and getting the information back, or destroying the information. While he would have succeeded in killing Heisshitze, I was given enough of an advantage that I crossed the border. The reverse is also true. The main goal of getting the information succeeded, but Heisshitze died to do it."

Her explanation was simple, but the rest of the students seemed impressed. Several started discussing other possible win loss situations and how to avoid them. I noticed she was watching those discussing tactics with a satisfied smile. Rauffen soon surrounded by students asking for advice. While Heisshitze came over and handed me the three fey stones.

"I look forward to seeing you here thrice a week." I merely smiled back letting some of my venom show.

"As you say."

"My Lady are you going to do one of your pattern dances now?" The female apprentice who had approached her early was very eager.

Minerva smiled sweetly "I suppose I promised. Do you have a preference to which style?"

"I would like to see the Spectacle Style."

"Alright, let me get my-."

A group of apprentice knights approached Minerva. The leader looked exceptionally displeased. He had long silky brown hair tied back behind his head. His clothes were immaculate with not a speck of dirt or sweat despite the fact that he had been drilling here with us. I do not believe before this I had ever come across a knight who was so obsessed with preening himself that he looked like a bird. "Lady Minerva, your show of favoritism to those of lower rank is unsightly."

Minerva's smile took on a sharper feel. If gazes could cut, she would have slit this boy's throat. "My, my, what gives you the idea I favor those beneath me? Did Heisshitze not just prove that the young Ehrenfest candidate is in fact a worthy opponent? Go back to training and maybe I'll consider teaching you, Dimitri." I resisted the urge to wince at her blatant rudeness. Several of the young men that had come with the fop

"You show off your fighting techniques that you refuse to teach to your equals to those who are not worthy. For this insult I challenge you."

Minerva practically purred, "My, my how brave of you to challenge a woman who has no interest in you just so you can learn to be a knight." Her soft polite way of speaking was completely ruined by the smug grin that was spread across her lips, but also by the way she had just bluntly told this boy that not only was she not interested in him. Not to mention the fact that she flatly said he wasn't a knight much less worthy of her teaching. This was going to end poorly. No man would take these insults lightly.

"As your husband I'll make you regret those words." That threat alone was enough to have me uncomfortable. But then he summoned his schtappe and shouted, "Schwert." Transforming the wand into a sword.

Lady Minerva snorted in disgust. She turned her back completely to Dimitri. Then she addressed me. "My apologies Little Flower." I should have been angry about her use of that name, but I saw such rage behind her silver eyes that I forced myself to swallow it. "Would you consent to me taking up just a little more of your time today? Since this fool's complaints involve you, would you witness the duel?" I was more surprised by the fact she was willing to turn her back on her would-be attacker? Suiter? Especially since he had drawn a blade on her. I noticed several other apprentice knights were watching Dimitri with something akin hostility. Despite this, I could not help but wonder if she was brave or a fool for making herself so vulnerable. In the end it did not matter, nor did I actually have a choice.

I nodded my agreement.

She smiled and gave me her thanks. The smile was devoid of her usual more attitude. Now she was smiling in the way of a noble who was assured their victory. Then she turned to Peter. "Peter, fetch me my scarf please. Leave my glaive. I will not be needing it."

Several of the boys exchanged glances. They were already uncomfortable from what Dimitri had threatened, but as part of his faction they likely would not be able to oppose him. That did not seem to stop them from being worried about hurting one of their archduke candidates. No weapon meant she would be exceptionally vulnerable to a schtappe. But why a scarf, I wanted to know. A sword would certainly cut straight through it. What was she planning?

A glance at her scholar and Heisshitze showed not only no concern, but like they were sharing a joke. Peter even shook his head as if he were resigned to his lady's antics. He pulled a red leather pouch from his belt. It was about the size of a human head and had draw strings sealing it closed. But when I noticed there were magic circles stitched into the bag, I suddenly wondered what magic circles would appear on the scarf. Once he opened the bag and reached in almost his whole arm disappeared into it. When he pulled it back out, he was holding the base of the glaive in his hand. He just kept pulling until the weapon came free of the bag. The blade was wrapped in two plush scarfs. One was a rich purple the other was a deep sky blue that matched the Dunkelfelger capes. They were both covered in gold embroidery. Some of which were magic circles while others were symbols, I did not recognize. Peter suddenly glanced up at me as if he had sensed me starring. His lips twitched in a small knowing smile.

"The blue one?" he asked Minerva.

"Please."

He unwrapped the blue scarf from the base of the blade. Revealing that the weapon had changed. Six small rings now hung from the guard at the base of the blade. Each one clinked as the scarf was removed.

"My lady, your esteemed mother will want proof of how this challenge ends."

"I'm sure she will." She sighed. "Very well, place the tool."

This time Peter pulled a small gold disc shaped object from one of his many pockets. It was about as thick as one hand placed on top of another. He walked to the center of the sandy arena that I had just fought in a set it down. I watched carefully as he touched a couple parts of the tool then imparted it with mana. The top of the tool opened like a flower in bloom. Then a circle of light spread out from it and came to a stop at the edge of the arena.

Minerva stepped into the light. "Step into the ring, make your challenge, and accept the rules."

Dimitri stepped into the ring. "I Dimitri Schulz of Dunkelfelger, challenge Lady Minerva archduke candidate of Dunkelfelger to a duel for the right to wed her."

"I accept your challenge, Dimitri Schulz. By right of challenge, I ask the rules be such that whoever leaves the ring first or submits, loses. There will be no time limit, use of schtappes, magic tools, and potions are allowed. This will be your first attempt of three to ask for this kind of duel. Do you accept?"

"Yes."

"Then by witness of magic tool, by an archduke candidate of Ehrenfest, and by my countrymen the match may begin." The words were oddly formal for a duel. Especially for the participants. Usually, the one witnessing the match would set forth the rules and decide the beginning of the match. But the way they were recited made me think this was far the first time she had done this.

Minerva waited patiently. Unlike when we fought, she did not drive at him forcing him to strike. Instead, she seemed content to wait twirling the scarf in front of her lazily. She was even slightly swaying and humming to herself. But she was perfectly balanced on the balls of her feet. Ready to move if Dimitri swung for her.

Dimitri on the other hand hesitated. He seemed to understand that just swing a bare blade at one of his archduke candidates would not be a very good look. Especially after the threats he had just made to her. Minerva on the other hand picked up the speed at which she was twirling her scarf. The gold circles faintly glowing as she swayed. I felt the tension slowly seep out of me. Even her humming was soothing even as it seemed to increase in volume. Something about this had warnings going off in my mind even if I couldn't figure out why. Dimitri seemed to also be relaxing, he even glanced at Peter and the glaive he was still holding.

"Lady Min-."

Minerva sighed at her humming having been interrupted. The other end of the scarf that she had been twirling was now in her other hand. I felt sick and dizzy as if I had been spinning. Then she took a single step forward. Somehow, she had managed to get so close to Dimitri without him realizing the danger. That last step put her just out of the sword's reach, but well within the scarf's reach. The scarf unfurled and whipped toward Dimitri's eyes. The magic circles flared to life and the apprentice knight's eyes glazed over unable to focus. Then the fabric slapped against the boy's face. Not hard enough to permanently blind him, but enough that he instantly covered his eyes and staggered back. Now he was open.

The few students who had approached with him shouted a warning as Dimitri struggled to clear his sight. It was far too late for that. Minerva charge forward. Her body low to the ground as she slammed her shoulder into his gut. The combination of him already being slightly off balance and the sudden force so low sent the apprentice sprawling back just outside of the ring.

"Lady Minerva wins." I told the group.

"What a dirty trick." One of Dimitri's supporters muttered.

Instead of being insulted like some around her were, Minerva laughed outright at this comment. "A third-year apprentice knight with a schtappe challenged a first-year female student to a duel for a marriage she did not want. Who was playing 'dirty' here? Besides, I am a woman of Dunkelfelger." At that last part several of the others roared their approval at their lady. "Go back to training Dimitri. You have two more attempts at duels you can make. But in the meantime, I believe you owe the archduke candidate of Ehrenfest an apology for your rudeness."

The apprentice knight glared at me as he shoved himself up off the ground. He ground out, "My apologies Lord Ferdinand for any perceived insults." Behind him I saw Minerva's lip curl with loathing for Dimitri. Her grip on the scarf made me wonder if she was considering strangling the boy.

"I appreciate that, Lord Dimitri."

The apprentice then fled taking with him those few that had supported him. Minerva sighed again.

"Peter, please send the results to my esteemed mother."

"As you wish." He went to collect the tool. Gently closing the petal like parts that had opened. This shut off the light. Then he fed more mana into it. Finally, he pocketed the tool. I could not help but watch the whole process and wonder how the device worked. I had a few guesses, but it would be better if I could get a look at them.

Justus cleared his throat. "Lady Minerva, what manner of magic tool is that?"

She looked him over curiously, but then her silver eyes slid to me. I did not like the thoughtful expression she was wearing before her noble smile was back in place. "It is a tool used to record my duels as part of my marriage tasks."

"It records?"

"Yes, whatever happens within the light the tool remembers and can play back. Sadly, it is very limited and we have yet to figure out a way to capture sound." Implying that her mother or someone among her staff could read lips. Otherwise, there would be no point in speaking the terms aloud. I'm sure Justus caught that too.

"Such an impressive tool, this must be the brilliance of a greater duchy's resources and skills."

Lady Minerva raised a clearly amused and understanding eyebrow at Justus. I'll admit that even I thought he was laying it on thick. But again, her gaze slid from Justus to me and then back again. The glint in those silver eyes was uncomfortable in way I could not begin to describe.

"Peter, how many of those do you have?"

"Including the recording from this match, four."

"Peter, would you say I have inconvenienced the Ehrenfest archduke candidate?"

Peter shook his head in exasperation with how blunt she was being. But the corners of his eyes still crinkled in genuine amusement. "A lesser duchy being asked to witness for such an event would generally be considered an advantage, but the enemy that you just made with Dimitri will not be someone Ehrenfest will be able to fend off easily. I do not mind lending Lord Ferdinand my tools in compensation for any troubles he may receive as a result of the duel. If her finds it agreeable?"

A small part of me wanted to leap for it right then and there. But this kind of tool could very easily be used to listen in on things in Ehrenfest. I had to tread very carefully. "That is not necessary."

Minerva chuckled. "I am aware that it is not 'necessary'. I could force you to witness and not give a care in the world about the consequences that you suffer from it because I am the archduke candidate of a greater duchy and you are from a middling duchy at best. But I find that using my power as a crutch is a very dangerous. One does not know where they will be in the future nor how fortunes change. The halls of power have grand falls. So, take the tool or don't. Your choice."

Peter brought out one of the spare tools and offered it to Justus. Justus looked to me for confirmation and I nodded. The Dunkelfelger scholar briefly explained how the tool worked before Minerva summoned him back. "Sadly, it looks like I will have to put off the pattern dance for another day. As it is sister will be vexed if I am any later to our tea party." If her expression was anything to go by then she not only found her sister's frustration as amusing as mine, but she also did not care one once about the tea party. I watched her go and sighed once her and her attendants were well out of range.

I waited until we were well away from the training ground to ask the other two their thoughts.

"She was very brash and brazen. We knew that already, but it seems even worse than we thought. That woman doesn't think at all." Eckhart's dislike came through perfectly clear.

Justus on the other hand clicked his tongue thoughtfully. "You think she did all of that spur of the moment?"

Eckhart scoffed. "Of course. Why else would an archduke candidate be caught so unawares by one of her own and then embarrass him in front of outsiders. It makes them look weak."

"Peter was watching Dimitri almost the entire time you guys were drilling. It seemed like they baited him into the challenge. I could have sworn he signaled the female knight to ask about the pattern dance. This has the feel of them exposing what kind of person he is. Not just to us, but the other knights. Now Dimitri will have very few allies especially after the open threat he made."

"What about the magic tool? She's just giving us something so valuable."

Justus chuckled. "At first glance it was very awkward and poorly done. As if to make her look stupid. But while all of you were so focused on her little show, I was watching her scholar, Peter. He was watching you, Lord Ferdinand. I even saw him say that you were more focused on the tool and that they should offer you one."

"She planned that? All of it?" Eckhart's disbelief matched my own.

Justus shrugged. "She's very good at getting the Dunkelfelger students to rally around her. I've always heard their women have to have sharp minds in order to keep their hot-blooded males in check. This just confirms that for me."

I frowned at that. "We shouldn't discuss anything around that tool of hers."

"You think she lied?"

"What do you think?"

Justus smiled while Eckhart glared at the tool.

My suspicions however were proven false. When I examined the circular tool, I found it worked exactly as Minerva described. As I poured over it, I wondered if there was a way to record events from further away. It would be especially useful to be able to rewatch battles over and over again. Possible. It would take a lot of high-quality material, but it should be possible. Perhaps I could ask Professor Hirschur