Nicandro walked to survival camp and showed his card at the entrance and entered. He was a captain at military school so he was welcome to the survival camp at the Rosario school. He wanted to see Leo and confront him. He didnt mind sizing up the new recruits at the camp too. The survival camp at O'Neil school and Rosario school were partners and did manoeuvres and events together so he didnt mind meeting the newbies.
He spotted Leo giving demonstrations of self defence with a piece of wood to a bunch of kids.
Leo spotted Nicandro coming his way. He had to give him a military salute and ordered everyone to give a salute to the captain who was a survival camp coach now. He introduced Nicandro.
Nicandro jumped on the fighting rink standing opposite Leo "I dont mean to interrupt the lesson. I am here to help with the demonstrations." He then picked up a piece of wood himself and started circling Leo "You see kids. Never stop looking at your opponent and ..." He then without warning attacked Leo and tripped Leo with the piece of wood.
Leo sighed. He was in for a beating and he wasn't disappointed. Nicandro started his assault and at some point Leo started using the stick like a sword and of course that was his mistake because Nicandro got the piece of wood out of his hand with his quick movement and then dropped the sticks. The fight turned into a fist fight now. Leo had zero chance of beating the captain. He ended up on the floor a couple of times until Nicandro was satisfied.
Leo said "Everyone get on with practicing your moves. Disperse."
After the crowd of the trainees dispersed, Leo said while breathing hard after the fight "Hello cousin. What brings you here?"
Nicandro said "You have been upto no good Leo. Tsk Tsk."
Leo said "I am never upto any good."
Nicandro said "You tried to recruit Michangelo."
Leo said "He said no."
Nicandro said "Stay away from him. I warned Leandro too. Michangelo belongs to my team."
Leo said "He made it pretty clear he wont join us. Why are you really here?"
Nicandro said "I was passing by and I thought I say hello. Besides since you are doing scouting, I like to do some scouting too... The survival camp recruits from our school and yours will soon take part in joined manoeuvres. I like to get to know some hidden gems in the recruits. Why dont you give me a tour. Do you have any gems?"
Leo said "We do have some gems. The best recruit for survival camp is Jacob Neuer. He has strength and stamina. Its quite rare to have both qualities. When everyone runs, he runs fastest and he doesnt get tired by the end of any runs. He is strong too. He scored highest in self defence and endurance trials."
Nicandro said "Jacob Neuer? So he is not just a genius football player. He is a gem in survival too. Take me to him. Where is he?"
Leo said "He is in the sword fighting training right now."
Nicandro flashed a smile "My favourite activity. So he likes sword fighting alot. He could be choosing other activities for survival camp."
Leo said "Well he wants to learn something new. He didnt do sword fighting until now. He is a beginner. ."
Nicandro said "Take me to him. I like to see him in action."
Leo took Nicandro to the sword fighting part of the camp. He watched pairs playing against each other. Leo pointed to a direction "Thats Jacob. He is playing opposite his sister. She is Jean."
Nicandro said "The Jean? The one who Leandro cant live without?"
Leo said "Yes. Thats her. Watch how you behave around her."
Nicandro picked up a sword and walked to them "I let my sword speak."
Leo sighed and walked behind Nicandro "Here you go again showing off your O'Neil moves."
Nicandro said "You show your Rosario moves. Who is stopping you?"
Leo said "You are gifted in sword fighting. No one can beat you Nicandro. You know it full well. Leave Jacob alone."
Nicandro didnt listen and stepped between Jean and Jacob "Hello Neuers. I came to introduce myself."
Jacob asked "Who are you?"
Nicandro said "I am Nicandro. I am Leandro's cousin." He then turned to Jean and bowed slightly "Nice to meet you Jean. I have heard from Arcangelo quite alot about you. I hear his meeting didnt go down very well with you."
Jacob said "No. It didnt."
Nicandro asked Jean "Do you mind if I take your place and test your brother's moves."
Jean shrugged and stepped aside."
Nicnadro held his sword up and said "Attack me neuer."
Jacob sighed and attacked Nicandro.
Nicandro blocked the attack and pushed hard throwing Jacob to the floor. "Try again. Attack harder. I watched you from far. You have some technique."
Jacob attacked again and this time, his sword went flying from his hand and it ended up in Nicandro's hand.
Nicandro looked at his watch "Wow. 20 seconds. Normally even professionals dont last that long fighting me...:
Jacob said "Obviously you are good at sword fighting. You are the one with my sword in your hand. How have you learnt to sword fight like this?"
Nicandro said "I have learnt from my grandfather.... I am a state champion... You can be as good. I can teach you so much if you join my school. You have the right body strength for sword fighting."
Jacob said "I am not interested in changing schools."
Nicandro said "Such a shame. I would have loved to add you to my football team. How are you with fighting? I heard from Arcangelo that you are good in fighting. I like to see for myself. I am a captain of survival camp. I like to know the recruits strengths."
Leo started laughing and then coughed "Nic. Dont even go there."
Nicandro said "Why are you laughing?"
Leo said "Why dont you challenge him to a fight and see what happens. He is called the wall. But I think you may like to go to the room next door. You wont want to fight against him here in front of an audience. Trust me. It would disrupt the class thats going on. Let them sword fight...."
Nicandro said "Why not have an audience?"
Jacob said "My sister doesnt like to watch me fight." He pointed at his sister who was now busy talking to a girl who had taken her to the side and whispering words to her.
Nicandro said "We wouldn't want to upset Leandro's girl. Do we? Ok. Lets go next door."
As they entered next door and entered the wrestling mat, Nicnadro said "No rules."
Jacob said "Deal."
Nicandro was the first to attack. Jacob blocked his attack and tried to tackle him to the floor. But Nicandro docked in time.
Nicandro was looking at Jacob with surprise "Damn. Your reflexes are so fast." He then attacked again. Jacob blocked the attack and defended himself.
Nicandro said "I see what you mean Leo about his strength. He is strong as a bear."
Jacob rolled his eyes "I dont like to fight. Are you done sizing me up or you want more fighting?"
Nicandro said "I think I have seen enough. You are captain material. Why dont you join military school."
Jacob said "Thats what your friend Arcangelo said. What is it with you people and recruitment? I like to stay here and graduate with my sister."
Nicandro said "Fair enough. It was only a suggestion."
After they entered the sword fighting room, Jean walked to her brother "Where did you go Jacob?"
Jacob said "Sorry flower pot. We were just having a friendly chat next door."
Nicnadro said "A very friendly chat." He then turned to Jacob "It was nice meeting you neuer." He then looked at Jean and slightly bowed "It was nice meeting you too your highness." He winked "You are Leandro's queen. I never thought Leandro would have a queen by his side any time soon. I like you to meet my girlfriend too. Her name is Gretchen Jay. When we have regional survival camp manoeuvres or at the football games you will meet her."
Jean said "It was nice to meet you too Nicandro." There was something about this polite boy. He sounded like a gentleman but something about him unsettled her. He had an air of authority around him like Leandro. After he left she asked Leo "Can you tell me more about your cousin?"
Leo said "Sure. What do you want to know?"
Jean said "Why was he so polite? He didn't seem like the type who would bow to anyone. He was friendly but something tells me I need to be wary of him ..."
Leo said "Your impassion is correct... You need to be wary... He is Leandro's number one rival. Even though he is our cousin, our schools have a close rivalry. He is interested in our weaknesses. He was here to scout and assess our strengths and weaknesses I bet. Leandro returns the favour... In survival camp and football we clash a lot. Especially the football match between us will be epic and our family members will be split over it..."
Jean said "But how can you be rivals with your cousin? How do your family see this? Do your family members take sides?"
Leo said "Yes. This is a Rosario owned private school so our Rosario side supports us. Our O'Neil side supports Nicandro's school because it's an O'Neil owned private school. Our families will be at our game when it happens... We can't lose. We just can't..."
****
It was evening time after school and Leandro was in his office. He had taken the punching bag out and was punching it hard taking a break from his dean duties that he had to do on top of studying. As he was busy punching the bag, a knock came on the door. He said "Come in."
Jean came inside and gasped seeing Leandro in his tank top and shorts with boxing gloves punching a punch bag. She stared at his muscles.
Leandro was waiting for the person to speak. But when whoever entered didnt speak he turned and saw Jean. He was taken back. He didnt expect to see her. He said "Hi."
jean said shyly "Hi. I just came to say I have finished my work in the library. I just came to ask you something."
Leandro asked "What is it you want to ask?"
Jean said "I asked and they said I need to ask the dean. I like to do something. The sports teacher asked my class to suggest an idea for a club that's not already there. We are challenged to get together and create a new club.... We were told to run our ideas by you ... I want to suggest for a club to be set up for going out with mountain bikes..."
Leandro said "No chance. We dont do mountain bikes. Its too dangerous. Only in military school they allow it. We had many adults to teach us and measures to guarantee our safety."
Jean said "We will be careful."
Leandro said "No. I cant authorise it..."
Jean said "Ok... "
Leandro said "You can go hiking... How about that? Thats allowed."
Jean said "Ok. Thank you." As she was about to close the door, Leandro said "Wait..."
Jean said "Yes..."
Leandro said "Stay with me abit longer..."
Jean said "You seem busy with your ... boxing... I dont wish to disturb you,,..."
Leandro said "I can do it later... Do you want a drink?"
Jean said "I dont mind one..."
Leandro smiled. He walked to the fridge in his room and took two bottles of soda. He opened them. He walked to Jean and handed one bottle to her.
Leandro took a sip from his bottle after Jean took a sip from her bottle. Leandro then said "Jean... Why are you interested in mountain bikes?"
Jean shrugged "Because I just thought its fun..."
Leandro shook his head "Danger is not fun Jean..."
Jean said "Its not that dangerous..."
Leandro said "Dangerous sports are banned here. Only if someone joins military school we let them try extreme sports with full supervision..."
Jean asked "How about rock climbing? Can I set up a club for rock climbing?"
Leandro said "No. No rock climbing happens here. I am glad you want to set up a club but it cant involve mountain bikes and climbing... Choose something else... Its a no from me... "
Jean said "Ok... I see." She then looked away as she was sipping from her drink. She told herself. "No means yes.... sometimes..."