Chapter 152: Exhausted

The current fourth-years' four years at the academy weren't anything to scoff at for normal people. But compared to what some of their seniors or juniors had gone through or were going through, it was a tame year. There had been no A-ranks and only a few B-ranks, Rabst one of them.As if to reflect the class' lacking potential, their curriculum was tame. There were several deaths and life-threatening incidents, even for Rabst. But it didn't keep him constantly on his toes. He hadn't met enough challenging enemies.

Of course, he was not foolish enough to tell anyone that or express it in any way or form. If he did and the principal heard about it, Rabst could forget about his freedom and nightly walks since the principal would make sure he would forget he had ever felt anything like that in the most guaranteed way possible.

However, at the beginning of his fourth year, Rabst had finally found someone who could help sharpen his instincts.

Rabst wasn't planning to, but if he went all-out, he could probably defeat Yanael in a few moves. She still had much room to grow. Rabst was three years Zach's senior after all.

But her instincts, the sharpness of her moves as they fought, and her innate talent for combat kept Rabst on his toes. Looking purely at talent, she was better than him. Rabst still had the advantage of experience, but almost like Yanael was relearning something she had forgotten, she improved in the midst of their fight without regard for Rabst's confidence.

If it continued like this, Yanael would overtake him in technical skill before long.

Rabst couldn't wait.

"Um, Senior? I think we might have to end it here. Your Rabbit is looking pretty tired."

However, Zach interrupted Rabst and Yanel as they were in the middle of another clash. Both of them stopped moving at the sound of his voice and snapped out of a slight battle frenzy. Rabst realized he had really let Yanael draw him into the fight and quickly turned to look at his familiar.

While Rabst and Yanael had clashed and danced a dance of blades across the training room multiple times, careful to avoid any obstacles, such as bystanders or Zach and the Rabbit, those two hadn't been idling around, at least not the Rabbit.

Just by looking at his Rabbit lying on its back on the ground with its four limbs splayed out like a starfish, Rabst could tell that it hadn't given up on trying to break through Zach's barrier. Its heart was beating so hard that it was visible on its chest, but it was also beating so fast that it was difficult to tell that it was the beating of a heart.

But it was still glaring at Zach with frustration. It had been bested and forced to exhaustion, but it hadn't given up. The only thing that had defeated it was its own lack of stamina, not Zach.

Rabst ignored his stubborn Rabbit for a moment to look at Zach, who was dusting the back of his pants. He had been sitting down. Aside from the traces of that, there wasn't so much as a speck of dirt on him. Not a drop of sweat, either.

While the Rabbit had been fighting like its life was on the line, Zach took it easy and spectated Rabst's and Yanael's battle.

Rabst's head slumped forward for a moment, and a slight smile tugged on the corner of his lips.

He didn't think the Rabbit wouldn't get through a single one of Zach's barriers. He sheathed his daggers and extended his hand to Zach.

"Well fought." Rabst complimented him. Zach technically hadn't done much fighting other than the beginning against Rabst. But that alone was enough for Rabst to compliment him since it was better than he had expected. However, the fact that Zach remained completely untouched against his Rabbit's all-out assault was proof of his efforts and the work he had put in to hone his skill. Sёarᴄh the NôᴠelFirё.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

That was also worthy of praise.

"Thank you." Zach nodded and accepted the handshake with a smile. He wasn't sure what to think about the spar since he had mostly switched between watching and taunting the Rabbit and watching the other fight. But it had been entertaining, and he had learned from it.

Rabst then turned to Yanael and bowed slightly.

"It was an enlightening experience."

Yanael returned his words with a slight, barely perceptible nod. Rabst's eyes widened. The intelligence in Yanael's eyes wasn't for nothing. She didn't just understand her Master. She understood others as well.

Rabst wondered what the limits of her understanding and communication were, but quickly set it aside. Her fighting skills were more important.

"Let's do this again sometime." Rabst took his leave. He had a couple of things to think about and do.

After he left, Dukiel, Julius, Nessa, Anerias, and Violina slowly turned their stunned expressions to Zach.

Zach awkwardly scratched his nose. He could see the amazement in their eyes.

"Now, now, I know I'm—"

"Wow! I always knew your familiar was powerful, but to think she could fight with Senior Rabst!"

"Man, you totally used all your luck summoning her. No wonder you're so unlucky."

"Zach, can you help me summon something like this when I go for my second? I'll do whatever it takes. I'll even apologize to you."

"Did you save the world in a past life or something?"

"And she's beautiful like an angel to boot. Is Zach even a real person to have summoned a familiar like her?"

Zach's expression froze before slowly drooping. His shoulders slumped, and he gradually faded into the background as the spectators turned to Yanael with admiration and praise.

They knew Yanael was strong.

But so far, she had dealt with what they had trouble dealing with with ease. The monsters they struggled to hunt and kill, she didn't. That was it. She was powerful and all.

But fourth-years were supposed to be even more powerful. Yet, Yanael had fought seemingly on equal footing with Rabst, a fourth-year. He was a member of the student council and one of the stronger fourth-years. They didn't know much more than that about him, but that was enough to tell that he was in the stronger half of the fourth-years.

His strength made Yanael even more impressive.

"G-guys…It wasn't…" Zach didn't even bother trying to explain that neither side had fought with all their might or that it hadn't been a completely equal fight. Why would he when they had no intention of listening?

Absorbed in self-pity, Zach missed Dukiel and Julius glance at each other.