Chapter 5: The First Day of School (Part Two)

On the training grounds, the teacher, known as Sir Roland, stepped forward with an air of authority softened by a casual demeanor. His short blond hair and thick mustache framed a face weathered by years of combat experience. Despite his formidable appearance, there was a warmth in his eyes as he addressed the students.

Sir Roland: "Alright, kiddos, listen up! I'm Sir Roland, your esteemed instructor for swordsmanship. And let me tell ya, there's no better way to start the day than with a bit of good ol' fashioned swordplay!"

The boys couldn't contain their excitement, their eyes wide with anticipation as they listened to the seasoned knight speak.

Boy 1: "Sir Roland, have you ever fought a dragon?"

Boy 2: "Yeah, and what about giants? Have you fought any of those?"

Sir Roland chuckled heartily, his booming laughter echoing across the training grounds.

Sir Roland: "Well, lads, let me tell you, I've faced my fair share of beasts and baddies in my time. Dragons, giants, you name it! But today, we're gonna focus on the basics. Swordsmanship is all about discipline and technique, and that's what I aim to teach ya."

As the boys bombarded him with more questions, Sir Roland deftly directed their attention to the task at hand. Pairing them off with training partners, he demonstrated the fundamentals of Arvadian-style sword fighting with finesse and precision.

Sir Roland: "Alright, let's see what you've got, lads! Remember, it's not just about swinging your sword willy-nilly. You gotta have control, balance, and above all, focus! Now, let's get to it!"

Sir Roland's eyes swept over the students, his gaze landing on Maximus.

Sir Roland: "Well, well! You're looking quite fit, lad. Though, I must say, that mane of yours might get in the way during training. Might wanna consider a trim."

Maximus grinned at the knight's comment, his playful demeanor shining through.

Maximus: "Ah, but Sir Roland, where's the fun in that? Besides, your mustache seems to be doing just fine, doesn't it?"

Sir Roland chuckled heartily, a twinkle in his eye.

Sir Roland: "Touché, lad! Touché indeed!"

As they shared a laugh, Sir Roland's attention shifted to the timid figure standing behind Maximus.

Sir Roland: "And who might you be, young man?"

The boy, Avery, shuffled nervously, his voice barely above a whisper.

Avery: "I-I'm Avery, sir."

Sir Roland raised an eyebrow, intrigued by the boy's timid demeanor.

Sir Roland: "Avery, huh? Well, welcome to the academy, lad. What brings you here?"

Avery hesitated for a moment before responding, his gaze fixed on the ground.

Avery: "It's... It's because of the sun, sir. I-I can't be out in the open for too long."

Sir Roland nodded understandingly, his tone gentle as he reassured the boy.

Sir Roland: "Ah, I see. Well, no worries, lad. We'll make sure you're taken care of here. Now, let's get you paired up for training."

Turning to Maximus and Avery, Sir Roland assigned them as training partners.

Sir Roland: "Maximus, Avery, you two will be practicing together today. Maximus, focus on your blocking, and Avery, work on your swings. Got it?"

Avery nodded timidly, his blue eyes wide with apprehension.

Avery: "U-um, Maximus... P-please be gentle."

Maximus grinned reassuringly, his demeanor softening as he nodded in agreement.

Maximus: "Of course, Avery. No worries, mate. We'll take it slow and steady."

As Maximus took his turn to strike, he couldn't help but notice the hesitance in Avery's stance, the uncertainty in his movements. With each swing, it was evident that Avery lacked the strength and confidence needed for effective swordplay. Despite his efforts to be gentle, Maximus found himself holding back considerably, adjusting his strikes to accommodate Avery's weaker defenses.

Maximus

As I watched Avery struggle with each swing, it became apparent that something wasn't adding up. This boy was weaker than a newborn babe, yet his mana reserves were anything but ordinary. With a quick scan using my skills, I confirmed my suspicions: his mana levels were abundant, comparable to that of a king-tier magician.

It didn't make sense. How could someone with such immense magical potential be so frail? Avery was hiding something, that much was certain. But the question remained: why? What reason could he have for concealing his true strength?

As Ronald paired us up for practice, I silently vowed to keep a close eye on Avery. There was more to this timid facade than met the eye, and I intended to uncover the truth behind it. Avery may have thought he could hide his power, but he hadn't counted on someone like me noticing.

As the night descended and classes came to an end, I gathered my belongings and made my way toward the dormitory. Along the path, I noticed a shadowy figure standing by the edge of the nearby forest, near the tranquil lake. Clad in attire as dark as the night itself, her features obscured by the fabric of her hooded cloak.

With cautious steps, I approached, clutching a makeshift weapon fashioned from a nearby branch. A familiar insignia caught my eye, sending a jolt of recognition through me. Could it be?

Then, I playfully called out, "Surprise attack!". Startled, the figure turned toward me, but before she could react, I swung the stick with all the force I could muster, striking her with a solid blow that rendered her unconscious.

As she lay before me, motionless, I stood there dumbfounded, my heart racing with curiosity. Tentatively, I prodded her with the stick, half expecting her to vanish into thin air. Yet, she remained, a silent enigma in the moonlit night.