'Trainings over my guy,' Sylvain said, stretching. 'Come on, let's grab some lunch. If we're quick, we'll get a seat next to those cute Adrestian girls.'

'Not yet,' Felix breathed, wiping sweat from his brow.

'I believe there are more students who intend to use these grounds soon, Felix,' Hanneman said. 'We must go.'

'One… one more battle.'

'Felix, we have all cooled down, the others should not have to wait on you,' Dimitri said.

'You don't have to,' Felix said, meeting Jeritza's gaze. 'One more fight.'

The man shook his head, his face expressionless.

Felix spat. The sun blasted down into the training ground, and he squinted his eyes. For the most part, he and the Blue Lions had had the training ground to themselves. He'd been focused on his training, and only now did he realise that they weren't alone in the ground. Students were now scattered around the area, sparring, performing push ups and jumping on the spot. In the corner, he saw four knights. He went to them.

'Hey, you guys, come fight me.'

The four knights, who'd come in for some light training turned and gazed in Felix's direction.

'Felix,' Ingrid said. 'N'-

'I know what I'm capable of. Come fight me, all four of you at once. You shall be my final bit of practice for the day.'

'You can't be serious,' one of the knights said.

'Felix,' Mercedes said. 'Are you sure this is a good idea?'

'Another time Felix,' Dimitri said. 'I would not wish you injured before the mock battle.'

Felix shook his head. 'Enough, boar prince. (He raised his training sword at the knights.) Come, all four of you, now.'

The knights at the monastery were often warned about interacting with the students, should they do or say something that offended them. Getting on the wrong side of a powerful family never helped one's fortunes, but in that moment, the four knights didn't care. They'd had little sleep over the past week, due to working longer and harder hours with the arrival of the students at the monastery. In their eyes, they'd been overworked to ensure the safety of people who didn't respect them, and that idea seemed all the more real with the boy trying to order them around as if they were his slaves.

AN opportunity to teach the brat a lesson, one of the knights thought. He and the other three knights strode to the weapons chest, grabbed training swords, axes and lances and then moved to the edge of the duelling circle where Felix awaited them.

'Would you not be better fighting one at a time?' Ashe asked, her eyes wide. 'This seems awful extreme.'

'I can take them,' Felix muttered, moving into a fighting stance.

'He never gives it a rest, does he?' Sylvain sighed.

'We shall give him a few moments,' Hanneman said. 'I do admire his persistence.'

'Why is he so obsessed with fighting?' Annette asked, now sitting at the side with Mercedes, Ashe and Dedue. 'He's crazy to be taking them all on.'

'He's always been like that,' Ingrid sighed. 'Even when he was a kid, he'd go around begging people to "duel" him. Sword fighting has been his thing, and well… his only thing really.'

'He certainly seems like a capable swordsman,' Mercedes said.

'He is,' Ingrid replied. 'He's the best swordsman I know. It's just that his obsession can… well… he can come off wrong sometimes.'

'Yeah,' Sylvain chuckled, watching the knights raise their weapons. 'Like now.'

The knights charged. One holding a wooden axe closed in first.

Just you wait, he thought. Just until you see how hard I can swing you little-

At one moment, the boy was there, the next he wasn't. At one moment, the knight was bringing his axe down, the next, he was on the ground, cradling his stomach.

'Oh my…,' Mercedes breathed.

'He's… amazing,' Annette said. Her eyes were wide and her jaw gaped. What happened next looked almost like a theatrical performance to the Blue Lions and the small crowd of other students that'd gathered. Felix jinked and skipped past multiple swipes and jabs before knocking two of the knights out of the ring.

'Incredible,' Hanneman said.

'I apologise for his impoliteness at times, professor,' Dimitri said, 'but you won't find anyone more dedicated to their craft than him.'

'Not at all,' Hanneman said. 'I look forward to seeing his prowess in the mock battle and beyond. In fact, I believe this year's Blue Lions house is the strongest we've had in years.'

The final knight lunged at Felix. He swung and to his surprise, Felix not only parried, but managed to knock his weapon from his grasp.

How strong is h-

He never had time to finish his thought before Felix kicked his feet from him. He landed with a clanking thud and groaned. The crowd around the ring clapped. Felix bowed at the knights. 'Thank you for training with me.'

He turned, bowed in Jeritza's direction and moved past Dimitri.

'Food time,' he murmured.

Dimitri glanced at Ingrid and shook his head. Dedue walked over and helped the knights up.