Thirty Days of Classes, part 20 (before battle)

Right, class! Here's a new task to help you lot learn how to break your enemies' morale.

The moment you shrink in front of your enemies, you've already lost. So don't. It don't matter how many there are, or how threatening they look, yeah?

Take me for example. Have I ever turned tail and fled like some milksop, no matter what enemy we were put against?

I don't... think you ever have...

Leave it to the nerds to waste time comin' up with strategies and what have you. Listen, there ain't a problem in the world you can't solve by boldly rushing in headfirst.

Ishmael and Outis would've boldly rushed in headfirst to shake him by his lapels if they'd been here...

Here's what I think; neither of you've got enough pluck.

That's why neither of you could say shite against those buggers back at the assembly hall, am I right?

…….

Jia Xichun maintained her silence, the old scar on her pride growing sore again.

So, lemme help you lot grow some backbone.

Try gettin' mad at me.

No need to shrink, lad. Stand proud!

Well, okay, but how could I -

Don't worry 'bout offending me, yeah? I can take it.

Unlike you two, I've built up enough thick skin for all kinds of insults thanks to my years in the Backstreets. I'm bloody invincible.

Y-yeah? Well, s-shut up, Heathcliff...!

Good lad.

Y-you're hardly even a teacher, man! This class sucks! All you're doing up there's standing around and trying to look cool...!

Ooh, that one's gotta sting a little.

…….

That's it, you little shite -

- is what I would've said back in the day. And I probably would've struck you with this hammer, I mean, my club.

But I've changed, too.

And so did you. I can see that the fire in your eyes has grown.

Remember this feeling, yeah?

I will...!

Now, let's practise.

And looks like both of you have the perfect sparring partner in each other.

Grab your weapons, the both of you.

Huhh? You mean us? Me and Xichun?

I grew my backbone by gettin' into fisticuffs with the boys during my Backstreets days.

They break my arm, I break their legs in return. See what I mean?

Is... is that what "besties" is supposed to mean?

Jia Xichun asked with considerable confusion.

Uhh... well... let's do this, I guess?

Hm... you don't want me to go easy on you, do you?

... I don't.