Fox Of Greed (Greedy Fox Book 1)

~~ TWENTY TWO ~~

A/N: Guys, you're going to love this chapter. I can feel it :D *wink, wink*

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"Draw your swords, Knights!" Jericho commanded, arms crossed behind her back as she prowled before the line of Holy Knights, myself included in that uniformity. "Today you will be duelling each other, putting to good use all the bashing you've been doing against the wooden dummies. No magic allowed. The winners will move on to the next round and so on, so on. The ultimate winner gets a prize. Form pairs!"

I knew coming outside was a horrible choice. Jericho's insistent whiny voice was making my headache worse. Guila was standing on the outskirts, observing, which meant I couldn't escape for my place of solitude.

"Partners?" Leraj asked by my side, hand on sword hilt.

"No," I responded bluntly, turning my back on him. He brought me here; he could suffer too.

"What?!" Indignant, he tried to get my attention, but I brushed him off and slipped through the crowd of Holy Knights preparing for battle.

My eyes scanned the crowd of coloured clothing and armour but I already knew that everyone was a weakling when it came to fighting without their magic. They relied upon it too heavily.

At times, I hated how advanced I was with my skills. It left me feeling lonely because no one wanted to associate with an apprentice who's power rivalled that of an Emerald ranked Holy Knight.

"Estra, please," Leraj asked, exasperated, and looked pleadingly at me. I rolled my eyes. I changed my mind; I didn't feel lonely. Leraj was also super powerful, probably ranking Emerald as well, so I guess I had someone.

However...

"Leraj!" Her shrill voice had my ear drums shrivelling up with pain. "Since no one can match your skill, I guess you'll have to battle me," Jericho purred, sliding up and rubbing her scantily armoured body against him.

"Get off him," I snarled, jealousy rising like a coiled cobra.

Her black eyes narrowed on me before she gave a laugh. "And why should I listen to an apprentice like yourself? What, you'll run to Hendrickson if I don't?"

The training grounds went silent as the other Holy Knights watched on. I seethed with anger, my cheeks aflame. How dare she! It wasn't like I wanted to be the Grand Holy Knight's teacher's pet.

I drew my blade without a second thought. "You're still an apprentice too, Jericho." My thumb rubbed over the little fox carved into the amber jewel in the silver hilt. The dark blue blade of my sword glinted as I swung it in the air before me.

"Are you challenging me?" she asked incredulously and detached herself from Leraj. Leraj stepped, nodding slightly in my direction.

"Yeah, and I'll send you into the ground."

"Guila, permission to teach the apprentice a lesson?" Jericho had drawn her blade, calling to Guila without a glance behind.

For the first time, Guila shifted from her leaning position. "Permission granted. All of you, clear the training circle." The apprentices rushed out of the ring and soon a crowd watched as Jericho and I squared off.