Beating up little kids

“Do you really want me to beat the snot out of a lil kid?”

Kanthi didn’t bother to hide her displeasure, glancing over from Nibal to her teacher. Isurus had taken over the praetor lesson that day in order to give Johan the chance to spend some more time with his husband - Aristar’s absence was tough on them all, but mostly on him. But this meant that Kanthi was going to get double the lessons with Isurus that day, and it didn’t bode well for her. His sobering, strict demeanor with one lesson a day was hard to deal with as it was. “I thought you made fun of me for doing that during Halloween.”

“Who said you're going to beat him?” Isurus’ tone was flat and unamused. “I've seen him train more than I've see you, and you're my student.” Getting such encouragement gave little Nibal more the reason to stand proud and indignant that Kanthi didn’t seem to want to fight him - which was a feat in itself because he was almost 2 full feet shorter than her and only reached a little below her bosom. Still, he was determined, and Kanthi was annoyed by it. Isurus, for his part, was undeterred, and motioned with his head for the small light praetor to approach Kanthi and start the sparring match. The other praetors around them were already together with their partners, in various stages of clashing with weapons and fists and tackling each other to the ground. Kanthi, however, didn’t move.

“Har har, funny.” She said in a tone that clearly showed she didn’t think it was.

“I'm not joking.”

After standing at a standstill for a few uncomfortable seconds, Kanthi finally gave in. “Goddddd, fine” she muttered, reaching into the waistline of her leggings, where she had tucked in her pocket knife for safekeeping. She didn’t have pockets in her training gear and it was the best option she had. “This is why you're my least favorite teacher...” She muttered under her breath, dragging her feet until she stood across from Nibal before flicking her weapon open. She used the same momentum to turn the seemingly innocuous knife into an ice long sword with the help of her spirit. She was less than eager to start but she might as well get it over and done with.

“Listen.” Isurus said, clearly having heard her - or at least knowing her well enough to have known what she said. “I don't give a fuck whether you like me or not.” He didn’t even seem exceptionally angry, though he was fed up with her attitude and demeanor. “What I care about is whipping your lazy ass into a into a half competent praetor that doesn't immediately slaughter whatever poor wizard is left in your care. Get fit or get out.”

Having set his piece, Isurus crossed his arms, glared for a moment then backed away. He had more lessons to give and other students to supervise