I'm Happy to Be Your Sparring Partner

In the past year, you have all undergone rigorous training, and those who remain are the cream of the crop.

However, do not become complacent. Even the most outstanding results in the assessment are merely theoretical.

Today is your first lesson, and we won't waste time with formalities.

To better understand you all, and to show you what true combat is, I've decided to have two of you with actual combat experience spar.

Hearing Zephyr's words, Wood, standing at the back of the formation, felt a sense of dread and quickly lowered his head, trying to become invisible.

Yet, Zephyr's sharp gaze swept over everyone and finally landed on Wood, who was desperately trying to be a nobody.

"Kid Wood, it'll be you. As for your opponent..."

Most of these people were elites from the Naval Academy, and while they had experience in brawls, very few had experienced actual life-or-death combat.

Upon hearing Zephyr call Wood's name, most of the other students present showed eagerness.

Having been classmates for a year, even if they rarely met, some people recognized Wood.

However, in their memories, Wood was just an ordinary passerby. Could such a person have real life-or-death combat experience?

Wood wasn't the only one who entered the Naval Academy that year.

In fact, even those who arrived at Marine Headquarters on the same ship as Wood believed that the pirates on Maple Leaf Island were personally killed by Zephyr after witnessing Wood's unremarkable performance throughout the year.

"Report! Teacher Zephyr, I also personally killed some pirates before entering the Naval Academy, so I have some combat experience.

I am now willing to be Wood's opponent and spar with him to demonstrate what true combat is to everyone else!"

After selecting Wood, Zephyr had been quite troubled about finding an opponent for him.

After all, it was his first day meeting this batch of students, and besides Wood, who had left a deep impression, he wasn't familiar with anyone else.

Zephyr had initially planned to step in himself or find a naval officer to spar with Wood, but unexpectedly, Gion from the formation suddenly stepped forward, expressing her willingness to be Wood's sparring partner.

"Ah, it's young Gion. Indeed, if it's you, you should be a suitable match for Wood.

Alright Wood, Gion, you two step forward. Begin your combat spar. You may choose your weapons and fighting styles freely, as long as you can fully display your strengths."

With Zephyr's permission, Gion was visibly excited. She immediately entered the training ground, her eyes fixed on Wood with a fighting spirit.

"I said it before, we'd have a chance to fight soon. Now Teacher Zephyr has specifically asked us two to spar. Are you going to refuse?"

Gion placed "Konpira", with its white hilt and red scabbard, before her, exuding the sharp aura unique to a "Swordsman".

"I choose to surrender! I'm just a nobody. Even if it's a spar, why should the top student spar with me?

Besides, "Konpira" in Gion's hand is a famous sword known as the guardian deity of the sea. I don't even have a decent weapon. This duel is too unfair."

The surrounding crowd, who initially thought Wood would be thrilled to accept the challenge, given that he was being recognized by the rare, aloof beauty Gion and ZephyrAdmiral, were stunned.

After all, even if he lost, it would at least get him noticed by Teacher Zephyr and Gion. However, to everyone's surprise, faced with Gion's eager challenge, Wood actually forfeited without a fight!

A beautiful Swordsman invited him to battle, and this guy surrendered before the fight even began. Was he even a man?!

Hearing Wood's words on the platform, Gion also showed a look of surprise and said, "As a Swordsman, you don't even have your own sword?"

Gion was certain that Wood was not just a "Swordsman", but at least a highly skilled swordsman.

Yet, she hadn't expected that a swordsman like Wood, who could make her feel threatened, wouldn't even have his own sword!

"Nonsense, do you think famous swords are as common as cabbage? Not to mention the rare Supreme Grade, even the Fine Grade and Good Grade swords are rare famous blades on the sea, no less precious than Devil Fruit."

After becoming a "Swordsman", Wood had naturally tried to acquire a decent sword.

He had even checked the market during his holidays, and the conclusion he reached was that famous swords were available but not for sale, and even if someone did sell one, he couldn't afford it with his current wealth.

Since Wood didn't even have a sword, and she was using "Konpira", Gion felt she was indeed bullying Wood. After some hesitation, she stuck "Konpira" into the ground beside her and assumed a martial arts starting stance.

Gion was a "Swordsman", and she could sense Wood's considerable swordsmanship. If possible, she naturally wanted to compete with him using her sword skills.

However, if the conditions were unequal, even if she defeated Wood, Gion wouldn't be happy, and would even feel the victory was undeserved.

"Nonsense! As an honorable Marine, would you also choose to flee from the enemy without fighting!

Since you feel the conditions between you and Gion are unequal, I will lend you a famous sword.

But if you choose any other excuse to surrender without a fight, I will show you how severe the consequences are for trampling on the dignity of the Marines!"

Zephyr undoubtedly loved the Marines deeply. This was why, after losing his family, he continued to uphold his justice in other ways.

Wood was one of the children he had high hopes for, and he wished for Wood to become one of the finest Marines. However, Wood's recent behavior had indeed disappointed Zephyr.

The Marines were the strongest force on the seas, controlling most of its resources.

Within Marine Headquarters's resource pool, even precious Devil Fruit and famous swords were naturally in stock.

And with Zephyr's status as a Headquarters Admiral, obtaining a famous sword was not a problem.

Thus, soon after Zephyr's request, within just a few tens of minutes, two Marines delivered a long sword with a sky-blue hilt and scabbard, and a cherry blossom-shaped pommel, to Zephyr.