Remnant's Tactician

Chapter 21: Plagued by Fatigue

*No POV*

"Has everyone arrived?" Mars questioned.

He was currently on his Scroll while Chiki is taking a nap on her bed. Mars rented a room in an inn with two beds for them to stay in for the time being. Worried about the Grimleals appearance in Vale, he decides to call an acquaintance.

"Affirmative. Some of them are also within the academy, milord." The man on the other end answered.

"Good. And, Freddy. Please drop the formalities." He said. "I'm no lord. Here, I'm simply a masked Huntsman named Mars."

"Forgive me. It's just a force of habit." Freddy apologised. "That reminds me. What of milad- erhem... Robin's health?"

"She's fine. I'd say her resting caused more stress than actually studying." Mars got out.

"Diligent in her studies as always, I see. It reminds me too much of... never mind. I hope those who are currently in Beacon do not stir much trouble."

"They better not. The last thing I need is a talk from Ozpin about them hiding as students."
_____
(Arena Room)

*Robin's POV*

"And that's the match." Glynda declared.

I'm glad that I could finally resume taking classes. I definitely didn't want to miss Pyrrha's spar against Team CRDL. As she does in every battle in the past, the Invincible Girl took the victory once again.

"Well done, Miss Nikos. You should have no problem qualifying for the tournament." Glynda praised.

"Thank you, professor." She thanked.

"Alright, now I know that's a tough act to follow. But we have time for one more sparring match." Glynda noted, looking up to the onlooking students. "Any volunteers? Miss Belladonna?"

Blake closed her book quickly and looked to Glynda with widened eyes. I've noticed that Blake has been acting quite differently for the whole week. She would frequently come back to our dorm late, spend less time in the cafeteria with us and I've noticed that she sometimes would almost fall asleep during classes.

"You've been rather docile for the past few classes." She noted. "Why don't you-"

"I'll do it."

The student behind us spoke up. He was a student from Haven Academy, who's team Ruby had accidentally bumped into back when she went to get her board game.

"Mercury, is it?" Glynda narrowed her eyes. "Very well. Let's find you an opponent."

"Actually, I wanna fight... her." Mercury pointed to Pyrrha.

"Me?" Pyrrha got out, surprised.

"I'm afraid Miss Nikos has just finished a match, I'd recommend you choose another partner."

"No! It's fine." Pyrrha assured. "I'd be happy to oblige."

Is she serious? Even if Pyrrha is well experienced in combat, there's a limit to everything. I'd expect her spar against Team CRDL would have her a little tired. Did Mercury purposefully picked her since she had already fought and learned her fighting style?

The student of Haven went down to the arena, standing the opposite to Pyrrha and took his stance. He didn't look like he was carrying any weapons with him, but it appears he's wearing some sort of calibre chamber-like boots.

They stood still, waiting for either one to make the first move. Mercury began the fight by running at her before he spun and kicked, to which Pyrrha blocked with her shield, Akoúo and swiped him off his feet with her Xiphos, Miló.