The swordsmanship prodigy followed Lei Ting into the inner courtyard, her icy demeanor thawing slightly at the sight of the Lightning Class members.
"**Aijier?**" Maria nearly dropped her melon slice, cheeks flushing crimson. *The girl who saw us under the trees!*
Sisi froze mid-bite, spoon hovering. Erik just blinked.
*Since when did Lei Ting know Aijier?*
"Just passing by!" Lei Ting lied smoothly. "Poor thing, wearing armor in this heat!" He ushered Aijier to a shaded chair. "Sit here—nice breeze."
Aijier's rigid posture softened as the cool air kissed her sweat-dampened skin.
Lei Ting handed her two melon slices. "For the heat."
The warrior accepted awkwardly, her greatsword balanced across her lap. "Water would suffice..."
"Nonsense!" Lei Ting waved a hand. "Guests don't watch hosts eat alone." He squatted by the door, gnawing his melon like a starved squirrel under three female glares.
**The Tension**
- **Maria & Sisi**: United in silent accusation.
- **Tifa**: Clutching her skirt, eyes shimmering with betrayal.
- **Erik**: Munching melon, thoroughly entertained.
"Since we're all classmates..." Lei Ting's attempt at diplomacy earned him Maria's elbow.
Aijier nibbled daintily before suddenly jolting upright. "**Wait!**"
Her greatsword *clanged* against the floor. "**Lei Ting!** I came to **duel** you!"
"**Why me?**" Lei Ting whined.
"That swordsman from Osdin—you defeated him. I need to measure my strength!"
"Then challenge **him!**"
"He's gone!" Aijier's nostrils flared. "And you're no ordinary mage!"
Lei Ting stroked his peach-fuzz beard. "Tell you what—I've got someone **better** for you."
**Enter Carlos**
The guard captain barreled in, oak cudgel in hand. "Who dares challenge my master?"
Aijier's eye twitched. "**This** is your champion? A **woodchopper?**"
Carlos spat on his palms. "Girlie, I'll give you **three free strikes!**"
**The Duel Begins**
1. **First Strike**: Aijier's controlled slash—Carlos sidestepped effortlessly. "**Pathetic!** Hold nothing back!"
2. **Second Strike**: A hurricane of steel. Carlos yawned. "**Boring!**"
3. **Final Strike**: Aijier **leaped**, greatsword arcing like a meteor—
**CRACK!**
Carlos' cudgel met the blade mid-air, halting it cold.
Aijier's arms **numbed** from the impact. Her boots scraped backward in the dirt.
"**Impossible...**" she breathed.
Carlos twirled his stick. "Your footwork's sloppy. Wanna see **real** swordsmanship?"
He **moved**.
Aijier barely raised her blade in time. The cudgel struck **once**—
**CLANG!**
Her greatsword **shattered**.
The shards gleamed in the sunlight as Aijier stared at her empty hands.
**Silence.**
Lei Ting's melon dropped. "**Holy—**"
Carlos bowed. "Lesson one: **Never** underestimate an opponent."
Aijier's lips trembled. Then—
**She grinned.**
"**Teach me.**"
**What secrets does Carlos hide? And will Aijier's arrival shatter the manor's fragile peace?**