Adeline and Gustin had already fought against each other countless times to know about each other's strengths and weaknesses. Adeline had great strength among all of those present in the training ground, it was a piece of common knowledge to everyone.
And Gustin was good at avoiding Adeline's direct confrontations. He knew that if he took any direct hit from Adeline, he would have to go and see a healer later. So after years of training together with Adeline, he had adapted and had become a good avoider.
"Both of you ready?" The General asked the two opponents.
"Yes," both of them replied simultaneously.
And the General ordered, "Begin!"
As soon as their teacher gave the order, Adeline charged in towards Gustin. She was aiming to grab Gustin's arm and throw him down on the ground. But the moment she took a step, Gustin turned to his side and leaned backward to avoid being caught by Adeline.
Now Gustin was behind Adeline. He was about to throw his elbow on Adeline's back but Adeline saw through his move and blocked it with her arm. Then she caught his arm and tried to pull him down but Gustin managed to slip out of her hold and took several steps back.
Adeline was frustrated that she was not able to land a single blow on her brother.
Gustin was reading her change in expressions and tried to provoke her verbally, "What happened sister? I dare you to catch me, which is if you can." And he gave a playful smirk to her. Gustin was planning to tire her out and when she was tired he was planning to land a blow or two on her.
But Adeline also knew what he was going to try. So she gave a challenging look and shouted, "You sure are talkative when you know that you are going to lose."
The other Royal Children who were watching the fight cheered when Adeline gave a satire to Gustin. "That's right! Make him go silent again Adeline." "Woo-hoo!" "Oooh… that hurt a lot, didn't it Gustin? Hahaha…"
Gustin glared at the others and pretended to slit his throat with his thumb. He was threatening them to keep quiet.
Adeline smirked and said, "Your usual trick won't work on me brother, it never has." And she dashed forward at a super speed.
Gustin had predicted for Adeline to go for her stomach, which she would usually do when the distance was greater. So he guarded his stomach with his forearms. But she went on straight for his leg.
She dashed forward and stood by his side so that she could wrap her legs around his leg from behind. Then she pushed his leg forward while punching him on his chest at the same time. It created an imbalance and he fell down on his back.
A loud thud sound was heard and Gustin was gasping for air. The punch from the front and pressure, while he landed on the ground from his back, made him feel as though his rib cage was squashed.
Adeline held out her hand to Gustin and pulled him up from the ground. "Do you want to go for another round to try your trick on me or do you accept your defeat?"
He waved his hand and groaned, "No, I'm good for today." Gustin was speaking with great difficulty, "I hope that I never get paired with you again." And then he limped down from the ring while holding his chest.
Adeline followed him with a smile and a sense of victory on her face.
The General shook his head at Gustin and scolded him for giving up so fast. "Why did you give up so soon? You could have at least given some more effort. I never understand why each one of you gives up so easily when you go against Adeline."
Gustin replied in a vacant tone, "You are most welcome to go up against her and find that out on your own."
"Nonsense! Why would I fight against a woman?" General Herwin had a policy of never fighting a woman. It had been a few years since he started to teach to these children but he had never had a match against any of the Princesses. He believed that Princesses were weak and he did not want to take responsibility if he broke some bones in their bodies.
Herwin was fed up with hearing the same excuse from all of them so he yelled at the Princes and Princesses, "I know every one of you always makes an excuse saying that she is too stronger than you all. But you are not helping your sister by letting her slack off like this."
The Princes and Princesses who were cheerful and happy a moment ago were now pouting and angry. They were angry that the General did not even want to test Adeline's strength on his own and called them all liars.
The General shifted his gaze towards Adeline and directed his words towards her, "I don't know what kind of inside deal you have made with your brothers and sisters, but it is only going to stop you from improving yourself."
The General fisted on his hips and took a threatening stance. And he yelled at Adeline, "How will you grow stronger when you don't practice? Don't come crying to me when you have to fight in an actual duel and someone beats you up."
Adeline was annoyed by these baseless accusations towards her. First of all, she knew that no one practiced fighting as much as she did. Second, she was pretty sure that she could beat most of the humans in the Palace if they were to do a duel. And third, of all people, why would she even come crying to him?
"My brothers and sisters don't like to beat me because I am the youngest. Why don't you be my opponent and show me how to fight, teacher? Isn't it your job to make me better?" Adeline gave a devious smile and tried to lure the General to the fighting platform.
"Girls are too weak for me to become their opponent," the General arrogantly said that and twirled his mustache.
"I won't complain to my father even if you break a few bones of mine. So you have nothing to worry about." Adeline was trying to provoke the General.
And the other Princes and Princesses also supported Adeline. "Yes, we also won't snitch on you." They wanted the General to get the taste of Adeline's powerful punches so that he wouldn't think that they all were trying to fool him.
The General slowly stepped towards the platform while saying, "Alright, just one round. I am making an exception just to give you a good learning chance."
Adeline gave a mischievous look to all of her brothers and sisters who were cheering for her to teach him a lesson.
Both of them took a fighting stance, and the General said, "Okay, try throwing me your strongest punch. And I will teach you other steps."
The General did two mistakes here. First, he underestimated the strength of Adeline even when everyone was vouching for her. Second, he asked her to punch him.
Adeline was waiting for this moment. She sprinted towards the General and flung her strongest punch right on his face.
Everyone's jaw dropped when they saw what happened.
Nefriti stuttered because she was shocked, "Did he… did he just get knocked out by Adeline's one punch?"
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