The Footwork Challenge

Lucas observed the brewing tension among the students, his sharp yellow eyes narrowing slightly with a hint of impatience. A man of calm authority, he released a pulse of mana to command attention. The air seemed to hum for a moment, drawing every gaze toward him as the murmurs quickly died down. His posture remained relaxed, but his expression held a quiet determination—a man who believed respect was earned, not demanded.

"Listen up," Lucas said firmly, his voice resonating with controlled energy. "Today, you won't need real swords. We're focusing on footwork."

As he spoke, he gestured toward five glowing magic circles etched into the grass-covered training field. Their intricate designs pulsed faintly with energy, casting a soft blue hue that mingled with the golden morning light. Lucas's lips curled into a faint smile, betraying his enthusiasm as he glanced at the setup. "These magic circles will shoot lasers at you. Your task is to dodge them. As the session progresses, the intensity will increase, testing your speed and footwork. You'll go in turns—five students at a time."

Though his tone was direct, there was a spark of excitement in his eyes. Lucas, a commoner who had climbed the ranks to become a seventh-circle mana heart swordsman, believed deeply in the value of hard work over privilege. He understood the dynamics of the class—a mix of nobles and commoners—and carried himself in a way that subtly challenged assumptions of superiority.

The students murmured amongst themselves, their reactions ranging from interest to apprehension. Aqua's calm gaze swept over the setup, his expression neutral but focused. He pondered the importance of speed and strength as necessary complements to precision. Casial, meanwhile, stepped forward eagerly, his grin wide and playful as he cast a look back at Aqua. Aqua followed, his steady presence signaling readiness without theatrics.

Jonathan glared from the sidelines, his frustration simmering as Aqua moved confidently forward. Lucas didn't miss the hostility in Jonathan's demeanor, though he chose to remain neutral. Instead, his attention shifted to Casial and Aqua. The pair's contrasting energy intrigued him—the prince's exuberance and the noble's quiet determination a sharp contrast to the typical arrogance he'd seen from some students.

"Good initiative," Lucas said warmly, his smile genuine as two of Jonathan's lackeys hesitantly joined the group.

Once the five participants stood ready, Lucas adjusted the magic circles' energy output, his movements precise. His features carried a sense of satisfaction as he activated the circles, watching with a discerning eye as the lasers began firing. The training ground buzzed with energy, the lasers bursting forth in rapid succession.

At first, all five dodged the lasers with relative ease, their footwork clean and deliberate. Lucas's sharp gaze lingered on Aqua and Casial, noting the fluidity in their movements. His brow arched slightly in approval as Aqua dodged with effortless precision, his face calm and unreadable, while Casial evaded with a mix of determination and excitement. Jonathan's lackeys struggled, their breaths growing heavier as they missed their marks. When the lasers struck them repeatedly, Lucas sighed lightly, shaking his head.

As the intensity rose, Lucas's excitement grew. He adjusted the lasers again, pushing them to higher speeds. His expression turned to one of genuine intrigue as Aqua continued to dodge effortlessly, his movements sharp and almost graceful, while Casial displayed grit, avoiding the lasers despite the increasing difficulty. When Jonathan faltered and took a hit, Lucas observed him briefly but didn't comment, maintaining his impartial demeanor.

Finally, Lucas raised the magic circles to their maximum intensity. His lips twitched in admiration as Aqua and Casial endured, Aqua moving like a shadow in perfect rhythm, and Casial pushing himself to match the lasers' speed.

When the session ended, Lucas clapped his hands, his voice ringing with enthusiasm. "Well done, you two. I didn't expect first-years to be this skilled. You've exceeded my expectations." His eyes gleamed with pride, hinting at his belief that raw talent was not bound by status.

The surrounding students watched in awe, the tension in the training ground replaced by quiet admiration.