"Ready?"

Renne looked wearily at her instructor, his arms spread out in a standard combat position, body crouched low. Standing on the well kept grass of the mansion.

She nodded slowly, keeping her eyes on him all the time.

"On my count of three.. one.."

She readied herself, gripping her wand tighter.

"Three."

He flashed, and disappeared. Renne was stunned for a moment, Did he say two? Or -

A staff gripped around her throat and forced her back onto a chest. A hand held her arm, restricting the movement of her master hand while she struggled, pinned against him and slowly but surely being choked. Pinpricks of light started to appear within her eyes as she was suffocated.

Suddenly, she fell forwards, gasping. Released.

"Don't ever trust your opponent. Didn't I teach you that in your first lesson?"

"You cheated." Renne said, massaging her throat.

He peered at her over his spectacles, "All's fair in love and war Renne."

"Oh so - Fle Monte!"

He deflected her Wind Slice, or as directly translated, with a casual flick of his hand, it disspated into the trimmed trees, not so much as cutting off a single leaf.

"See? One must be prepared for all circumstances." He said, walking over to his dejected student. "However, i would like to comment on today's performance.."

She shut her eyes, waiting for the inevitable.

"You did well today. Good job."

Those words rang on in her ears even as she looked up, he offering a hand.

-Captain Mook