Balrus was doing his best, but as one question after another was launched at him, he lost control of the situation. Aldric knew Balrus was too nice to get firm with them, so he helped. Letting out a piercing whistle, Aldric brought the class to silence.

“That’s enough! Do you always bombard people you just met with questions? This man is your instructor, now act like it!”

Most of the class were shamefaced, though most still looked like they were boiling with questions. Nadrina was chief among them. Balrus looked to see who had just spoken, seeming to notice Aldric for the first time. He squinted his eyes in careful study just before they went as wide as saucers.

“Aldric? Is that really you? It is, isn’t it?” he shouted, dashing forward and making a beeline for Aldric.

“Nonononono—!”

Before he could run for his life, Balrus had already swept Aldric up in a bear hug strong enough to lift him off his feet. Aldric’s face screwed up in agony as he felt his ribs grinding together from the force of it.

“Gods above, it must have been a decade, at least, since I last saw you! Kedrin and Zasia told me there was a surprise waiting for me, but I had no idea you’d be here! This is wonderful! All four of us, reunited once again!”

Most of the class was staring at the two of them in shocked confusion. Nadrina and Lilianna seemed like they had just discovered something important. Perfect, score yet another point for the teenage detectives. As dear a friend as Balrus may have been, he often epitomized the dumb blonde trope.

Frantically tapping at Balrus’s armor, Aldric squeaked out, “Yeah, nice to see you too, buddy. Mind letting me breathe for a bit?”

Noticing Aldric’s distress, Balrus blessedly released him. Aldric tried not to make a show of gasping for air while he leaned against his mountainous friend. Balrus still had his stupid grin firmly in place.

“Did you perhaps forget that you’re in the middle of a lecture?” Aldric asked in a hoarse voice.

Balrus looked back to the shocked class and a beaming Kedrin, then back to Aldric with a sheepish grin. “Ah, yes. Apologies, class. Please excuse my earlier outburst. If all of you could pair off and take places around the arena, we will begin some basic drills to warm up.”

Reluctantly, the class did as he said, though they still cast glances at the two men as they scattered across the field.

“Surprised you could get off work long enough to be here,” Aldric commented once they were out of earshot. “How hard did Kedrin have to twist your arm to get you here?”

“I’m rather overjoyed to be here, honestly,” Balrus replied, obviously extremely happy. “It has been too long since the four of us have been together, not since... well, you know.”