NOVEL NEXT II. Porcelain
Virno had already made his way out to the yard.
There, two men armed with dull swords chatted with one another, as two young men around Virno's age sparred in a large, circular patch of dirt. One of the men saw him as he approached them.
Jolly man: Well, if it isn't birthday boy! Finally out of bed, are we?
Virno penetrated his gaze with angry eyes.
Virno: Save it, instructor Pocna. I'm in no mood for jokes.
Virno picked up one of the swords from the nearby racks.
Pocna (Jolly man): Ah, one of those days... Very well. You're just in time, we had a sole spectator there waiting for his turn, but with you here you can train together.
Pocna pointed towards a younger boy who was watching the two teenagers fight. He had to be around 13. Virno held his sword up and pointed it towards Pocna.
Virno: It's my birthday, instructor Pocna. I'm not about to fight small fry today... I want to battle you.
The other man that was speaking to Pocna shakes his head, his mouth betraying a slight grin.
Pocna: Heheh... How would your mother feel about that?
Virno got angrier.
Virno: I fail to see why you would even bring her up...!
Pocna tilts his head in the general direction behind Virno. As he turns around, he sees his mother coming their way.
Virno: Oh, come on...
Pocna: Perhaps another day, young sir.
Virno: Another day? Hah... If she's already here, you've nothing to be afraid of!
Virno quickly draws his sword and takes a swing at Pocna. As he already had his blade in hand, he was able to deflect the blow before getting hit.
Pocna: Sir Virno! Stop this at once...!
Virno: On your toes, Pocna! Fight me as you would your worst opponent, I want a real battle today!
Virno wasn't letting up. The two boys who were skirmishing quickly move out of the way, as the field is taken over by Virno and Pocna. Virno relentlessly attacked him, as the instructor attempted to parry and dodge his swings.
Mrs. von Virtus: WHAT IS THE MEANING OF THIS, YOUNG MAN?!
Virno did not reply. At that moment, all that existed to him was the opponent before him. He and the sword were one, an impenetrable whirlwind of flourishes and slashes. Pocna feared attacking him, as doing so before his own mother would surely spell the end of his career... As such, he did his best to keep dodging and deflecting Virno's strikes.
Virno: GAH! Fight me like a real man, damn you!
Virno lunges forward, delivering a powerful downward swing. As Pocna steps back, he trips on a rock and falls backward. Virno does not stop, and before he manages to regain his composure, Virno moves in for the final blow... The sword was not as dull as he thought. Blood spurts out of Pocna's face, as he quickly moves his hand to cover one of his eyes... The bystanders gasp.
Mrs. von Virtus: Virno... What have you done?!
Virno was still unaware of the severity of the situation, with so much adrenaline running through his system. As the other instructor attempts to approach him, Virno points his sword towards him.
Virno: A-HA! My next opponent advances!
The man steps back, knowing full well that he'd be fighting a losing battle...
Virno: What? Are you all so afraid of me?!
One of the boys that had been sparring steps forward, sword in hand.
Brave boy: Enough, Virno! Can't you see what you've done to master Pocna?! If you've blinded him, we'll never forgive you!
Virno: If I blinded him it's his own fault for not taking this seriously, Venna! Now, either you fight me or you take the other dog's route and retreat with your tail between your legs!
Venna holds his sword firmly.
Venna (Brave boy): You're an idiot if you think anyone here is afraid of you. If your mother wasn't around, you'd be on the ground already, battered and bruised. Of course the instructors won't lay a finger on you with her here!
He approaches Virno.
Venna: But I have nothing to lose... It's about time someone showed you your place.
Mrs. von Virtus: Please, stop this now both of you! Young Venna, don't you dare hurt my son...!
Venna: Sorry, madam Anya... But someone has to step in.
Compared to Virno, Venna appeared to be a little older. Virno's body was pumping with adrenaline, but Venna appeared to be much more at ease. He adopts a sideways stance.
Venna: You've had this coming for a long time.
Virno: Shut your mouth already!
Virno lunges forward, with another mighty downwards strike. Venna steps to the side, easily dodging the attack and punching Virno hard in the liver as he was left wide open.
Venna: That one is for the vile things you said to my sister, three months ago at her birthday celebration...
As Virno stumbles backwards, Venna gives chase. He takes a swing at Virno, who deflects the blade and goes for a quick counter-swing. But his side hurts too much, and as a result, he moves slowly and predictably. Venna grabs his arm while it is extended, and pulls Virno over his back. Virno is projected, landing with his back on the ground.
Venna: ... That one is for all the times you purposefully went a bit too far during practice, and got off scot-free!
Virno was laying on the dirt, in pain. Venna prepared to deliver a finishing blow.
Venna: And this one... This one is for what you just did to master Pocna...
Virno sees the tip of Venna's sword going heading directly for his left eye. He shuts his eyes in anticipation... But the pain doesn't come.
Venna: ... If you had actually blinded him. Luckily, it seems like it was just a flesh wound...
Pocna had managed to stand up. Blood ran down his face, close to his left eye. Thankfully, the eye itself was fine, and the injury was just a flesh wound.
Venna: Learn your damn place, Virno... You're not the main character of whatever play you think this is.
As Venna lowers his sword and walks away, Virno's mother runs towards her son.
Anya von Virtus (Mrs. von Virtus): Virno! Virno, are you alright, my son? You there, call a doctor immediately!
Virno pushes his mother away, and runs towards Venna as his back is turned against him.
Virno: WHO THE FUCK DO YOU THINK YOU ARE...?!
He tackles Venna off guard, causing him to fall to the ground face-first. With his opponent dazed by the shock, Virno manages to turn him around and begins pummeling his face repeatedly.
Virno: FUCK YOU, VENNA! FUCK YOU, FUCK YOU, FUCK YOU!
Pocna and the other instructor step in as fast as they see that Venna had no means of defending himself. The young man's face was already bloody, but at least he was still conscious. As he's being dragged away, Virno manages to spit on his face.
Virno: AND THERE'S MORE WHERE THAT CAME FROM, YOU POMPOUS BASTARD!
His mother was in absolute shock. The two instructors struggled to hold Virno still, as he kicked and thrashed around. The other boys helped Venna stand up, and took him indoors quickly.
Pocna: You went too damn far today, Virno... Too damn far...
Anya von Virtus: Oh no... No no no...
Anya saw someone coming in the distance... A man, followed by a menagerie of maids and butlers.
Anya von Virtus: I can explain, please, I can explain!
She yells, as she walks quickly towards him.
Important man: Out of the way, Anya... That boy is clearly out of line. Far too out of line...
As soon as Virno sees the man approaching, he ceases trying to break free. The man stops before him, looking at him. Neither say a word.
Pocna: Sir Charles... I'm sure it's not as bad as it looks, I myself will ensure that the other boys' parents will see this merely as a falling out between teenagers...
Charles raises his hand, as if to ask that Pocna stop speaking.
Charles (Important man): Tend to your wounds first, instructor Pocna. I'll take care of the other boy and his parents. And please... Do not cover for my son. He is clearly undeserving of such good faith...
Pocna bows, but says nothing else.
Charles von Virtus (Charles): You will go to your room immediately, and wait there for me. Understood?
Virno looks down at the ground, without answering.
Charles von Virtus: Do not test my patience, Virno... Not today. Do not make today any worse than you already have. For both our sakes.
Virno: ... Fine.
Charles von Virtus: You may let him go.
The instructors release Virno, and he leaves the courtyard.
Charles von Virtus: It would be best if the sparring sessions for today come to an earlier end, I believe...
The instructors agree, and take the remaining boys indoors. Charles signals the butlers and maids to follow them in, as well. Only he and his wife stay outside.
Charles von Virtus: Let us sit, and talk... Calmly.
They make their way through the courtyard.