Sharmila (swinging the door open and jumping on the carriage): Oh come on, Mom. Hurry up. I don't want to miss Brother Sharron's match. If only I get to skip my piano lessons, then I would have caught the entire match. Well, hopefully I can still see the end of it by the time we get there.
Caren (closing her parasol and steadily climbing on the folding step) : Calm down, young lady. First of all, you need to take your music lessons more seriously. You cannot be a proper damsel if you are fooling around with magic every other day. You need to learn the right way to handle social situations. (turning a serious face, slightly annoyed) Hey, no fawning and no buts.
Besides, you have seen how much your brother Sharron has practiced in the past few months. It is true that his opponent is Lady Silverstone, and he did not have a good record against her. However, Sharfenn did say he is improving, so I think your brother has a good chance. (signals the coachman to make haste)
Sharmila: But Brother Sharron has never won a single match with her, even sparring practices. Hnng, it took him a lot of hard work to get into the quarterfinals, but he ended up facing with that stupid Catherine Ahnmes. (resting her elbows on her knees and her chins between her hands) Erhh, that is frustrating.
Caren: Hey hey, Lala, give her some respect. Lady Silverstone comes from a prestigious history of military service. She is in line to become the next head of the House Ahnmes once Master Claudio retires. Of course she is strong, but this much responsibility and expectation for someone so young...
Sharmila: Oh mom, you can't be seriously sympathizing with the enemy now.
Caren: Okay Lala, Cathy is not an enemy just because the House Ahnmes and the House Miles do not see all the politics eye-to-eye. You met her during the New Year's Ball, and she is a respectable and refined young lady. It is true that Sharron and her did not have a great history in the academy, but their interactions were reasonable and acceptable within such a competitive environment. Furthermore, ... (going into Lecture MODE)
Sharmila: Alright alright, I get it. It is all because of the unfortunate circumstances as you always say. Let's just get there and watch the match and cheer for Brother Sharron.
Caren: Good, I am glad you can understand. Now how is Cassandra doing? Is she getting better?
(Small talks went on for about ten minutes, mostly about Cassandra Ahnmes, Lady Silvertree, and how she is recovering from an accident during the horse riding lesson she and Sharmila were taking together. The street was not very busy, so the carriage quickly arrived at the Military Academy. Sharmila walked briskly to her brother booth off the lift, which caused her mother some dismay that Sharmila would care little of at this point.)
Sharfenn: Oh Lala dear sister. How were your piano lessons?
Sharmila (while sitting down): Oh nevermind the piano lessons. Ah, hello there, Mr. Rimond. I hope you are having a pleasant day with my brother.
Epillion: Indeed, I am. Miss Miles. I assume you are here for your brother's match.
Sharmila: Yes Yes. So when will it start?
(Sharfenn and Epillion exchanged a look.)
Epillion (slowly): Well, unfortunately, it was already over. You have barely missed it. You brother put up a brilliant fight and it was rather close. However, Lady Silverstone won with superior techniques.
Sharmila (instantly turning dark): But but, so nothing worked? How?
Epillion (slightly confused): I would not say that, the disarming move was rather fluid, and ...
Sharfenn (pressing his hand on Epillion's forearm and interrupted): He didn't use any of them. He fought fair and square. Lala, I think you should be proud of your brother. There were no tricks and no gadgets.
Sharmila: Alright alright, if you say so, Brother Sharfenn.
Epillion: Now I am curious, what were those tricks and gadgets you were speaking of?
Sharfenn: Surprised attacks that got him this far into the tournament. I am not sure if Kaen had a hand in this, but Sharron's modified weapons were accepted under the clause "any nonlethal weapons of choice if previously examined by three proctors." There were a quiver with a trap net, a five-sectioned staff, a dire flail with a build-in flash flint, a pair of tonfa with blade locks, a heavy hammer that sticks, a destructible shield with sleep gas, gauntlets with projectile roped hooks, and what else... oh right, knuckle gloves enchanted with paralysis magic. I am sure he had more in the stock and made an effort to master them. People would call him playing dirty, but they were really just underestimating their opponent.
Epillion: Fascinating...
Sharmila: Awh, I wanted to see Kathy's sour face after Brother Sharron beat her in the round.
Epillion: You didn't miss old man Claudio's sour face though. I am sure he was not so pleased with a victory not so completely one-sided.
Sharfenn (standing up): Either way, I rather not think about the politics concerning House Miles and House Ahnmes at this point. Let's go for some refreshment. I wanted to greet my mother and help out my little sister.
Sharmila (as if just remembering something important): Oh wait, I ditched her. Ahhhhh, I am going to be in so much trouble.
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