Sakuramoria

— What shall we do, Your Majesty? — Duncan asks, looking at Fortis. — It seems that one of your subjects has decided to turn his back on you, and I cannot simply ignore such a treacherous act.

Futaba sighed heavily, closed her eyes, and muttered a curse under her breath. Her face twitched, and her fingers tightened around the katana's hilt.
— You are an experienced war veteran, but you are past your prime, old man. Fortis has been with us for a short time, but even in that time, he has shown that he has the heart of a lion. I need subjects like him. He doesn't like that you impose order through force, so he challenged your authority. I respect that desire, and so should you. As part of my election program, I will allow you to have a duel, but on one condition. This man has the potential to become the strongest knight, surpassing you many times over, and I will not allow his potential to be stifled. In other words, you are not allowed to kill or maim him. As for Fortis... If he manages to kill or maim you, it means you are too old and weak to fulfill your duties, and you deserve it.
Futaba turned her gaze to all the other students, including her classmates.
— However, there is another point! No matter how old "Teacher" Mandragora may be, his century of combat experience fighting against superior forces cannot be denied, and his equipment is much better than ours. Therefore, it would be fair and just if everyone who is dissatisfied with the harsh execution of today's ceremony joins Fortis to fight against "Teacher." Under the same conditions—no one from the "subjects" should be killed or maimed. You wouldn't refuse such a fitting challenge to your rank, would you, General, Sir, Comrade, Teacher?