How To Survive A Calamity

Chapter 78: General Combat Class [2]

Derrick Greybarn was in every word, a muscle head.
No offence.
But that was the best impression I got from.him after meeting in person, and hearing about him from Adrianne.
But this kind of people were simple to understand and read.
It wasn't like he was an edgy advocate for the strong, and goes on to say things like 'weakness is a sin, and only the string survive!' or something like that.
He just liked those who were strong, and didn't really have much of an opinion for those who were weak.
But it was different if the weak showed promise.
Instructor Derrick's thought process, as such, should be easy to predict and follow.
He wouldn't have much of an interest or opinion for the bottom ranked cadet.
But I was a bit off on my reasoning.
I also forgot, or dismissed a tidbit in the whole thing.
Derrick wasn't just a muscle brain.
He was a muscle brain instructor — a teacher.
As baffling as it may seem, even he had a sense of duty!
Ignore the last ranked cadet just because he ranked last?
That's absurd and preposterous, when you think about it. What kind of teacher would do such a thing in an academy.
In such a system like life, there are bound to be those who come in first, second and bottom last.
But that didn't mean they were less human than those ahead or anything.
"Take out a weapon..."
Why would I think that Derrick would easily dismiss me in the first place?
"I'll be your sparring partner."
As such a supposedly simple minded person, they were also driven by a simple type of curiosity often.
What could be more curious than, someone evaluated as the weakest prospect with zero talent ever?
Even if it was small, that curiousity would be there in the minds and hearts of many.
Things like, who? How? Is that possible?
Although, perhaps not a major factor, all of this three points came together and played a significant paths as a whole to why I suddenly found myself in such a situation.
I stared straight at Derrick with a lost expression for a few seconds before blinking.
Inwardly, I sighed.
Off to the side, there was a rack of different weapons present, I made my way up to it and pulled out a long spear with a sharp tip.
Apparently, real weapons were permitted in this exchange. But fatal blows and wounds were prohibited.
Once I turned around, I found Derrick looking at me again.
No, he glanced at my spear for a brief moment without saying anything.
'Oh, yeah. Now that I think about it, this would be the first time for most of the cadets to use or pick a weapon. Is that alright?' muttering inwardly, I casually looked around at the wide field.
And as expected, the scene was just as I thought.
The sight of the cadets awkwardly weilding one weapon or another.
In such a situation where many lack actual or real experience with weapons, if they're suddenly asked to pick one like this, most people would go with the seemingly most obvious choice.
A sword.
Perhaps, that was what Derrick was thinking when hs saw me naturally pick up a spear and walk back.
"A spear... Alright, I'm ready when you are."
Derrick nodded and walked back a little.
But just then, I restrained a sigh, and felt a powerful force of rising battle intent surge from my side.
-Whoosh.
"Ah?"
The wind was slightly riled up as it slowly sped up and brushed through my hair from the same direction.
And just like the other cadets, even I turned towards the source with a slight baffled expression on my face.
My lips parted to say something, but hesitated.
I turned back to Derrick and said;
"Uhh, what about thos two?"
Right there, the two figures of Deandra and Ceres were slowly being shrouded in worrying layers of Aura and Mana.
No, what was deeply more worrying and troubling was the degree of murderous intent and bloodlust their figures were emanating into the surrounding.
Deandra was slowly being clad in a  ghostly flickering red hue, and her flaming red hair slowly rose and scattered eerily. Strange, unfamiliar glowing red magic circles slowly unraveled against the ground underneath her feet and in both her hands, as Deandra's Mana surged.
Ceres meanwhile, was slowly clad in an even paler and ghostly flickering greyish blue hue.
Unlike Deandra's, her's didn't seem as visually imposing, and neither did her usual cold and blank exoression so much as ripple at the intensity of her opponent.
From a glance at it, I could tell.
Ceres refined aura, instead, slowly focused and dwindled closely around her body and limbs.
That level of control and manipulation...
Ehh, but what is up with that kind of bloodlust?
These guys know it's just a light spar, right?
Right?!
Was that alright, I frankly thought as I watched them.
Yet, funnily, my heart was slightly beating quickly.
'What is this strange excitement like I'm about to watch a long awaited big battle...?' I mused self mockingly.
No, really though.
Was this okay?
Once again, I looked back at the Instructor and directed those questions with just my eyes.
"It's fine. I can both be your partner and observe the other students exchanges, so you'll have enough of my attention too."
'No, that's not really what worried about...'
Could this guy really be trusted as an instructor?
In the first place, shouldn't he have an assistant...?
While I pushed aside my thoughts and rising doubts concerning Derrick's credibility as a teacher, I ignored the battle that was about to begin with the two top students, and took a natural stance before my 'partner'.
I had my own battle to fight.
And with the impending clash between No.1 Ceres, and No.2 Deandra, all of the attentions of the cadets were drawn to them instead.
"Mhm. Now don't try to hold back even if you're weak. Regardless, I need to know where you are, and don't even try to be coy with me and think you can pretend your way out of this. I'll know if you aren't giving your all and give you a failing grade!" The orange haired instructor with thick muscles warned with a squinted gaze at me.
"... You're not going to use a weapon?" I asked.
Instructor Derrick just stood there and scoffed with a grin.
"Nahh, that would be overkill for you. These are enough, just barely." He raised his right palm, and pulled at the edge of its glove with his left fingers.
He's probably not doing it intentionally, but this bastard instructor has a painful way with words...
"Now, come on. Come at me with everything you've got. Attack me with the intent to kill me!" Derrick had an expectant grin on his face, and his thick arms were folded by bis chest, as he urged.
I took in a small breath, and breathed out while lowering my head.
"Ha... Kill is a big word, professor...'
Derrick laughed almost mockingly at my statement.
"What? I don't think you should be worried about me. You just do your best."
And so it turned out exactly like this.
First official day at the academy, I fought a teacher as an opponent.
Although it wasn't a real fight, but a class exercise, I've been warned to go full force without holding back anything to have my skills and level properly gauged and examined fro the future.
Funny.
I was just thinking it was about time too...
I felt my grip against the silver spear tighten as I raised my head and looked back at the instructor.
"Right." I nodded subtly.
Derrick smile widened with a hint of glee.
"That's it. No.1499, that look in your eye, it's commendable..."
"...Then... I'm coming..."
It's about time I began to give Aegis a reason to invest in me.
Immediately, I leaned forward and pushed myself off the ground, as the spear spun in my fingers.
For a brief moment, I could see the expression of the instructor flinched with mild suprise, and his body tensed as if preparing to go on the defensive.
Ever since the beginning when he said he would be my partner, Derrick hasn't once shown any obvious signs he was on guard or cautious around me.
Even when he took a casual stand with his arms nonchalantly folded, and a smile that was obviously mocking and looking down at me, I couldn't feel an ounce of worry or caution from him at me.
But, for that very brief moment...
Derrick Greybarn actually flinched.
 Nôv(el)B\\jnn