Training with Lucian

After leaving his room, Marcus made his way through the long, lavish corridors of the academy, heading towards Principal's office.

The weekend had arrived, and with it, his highly anticipated training session with the continent most powerful mage. He felt a mix of excitement and nervousness bubble up in his chest as he thought about what the training would involve. Though Marcus was naturally strong thanks to his innate talent and magic, he lacked battle experience.

His recent fight with Leo had been a wake-up call. He had won, yes, but not because of superior strategy or skill. It was only due to his raw magic power and control over his dark aura that he had managed to defeat Leo. But that wouldn't always be enough. In real battle, experience and instinct mattered just as much as power. Today, he hoped to start addressing that gap.

As he reached the principal's office, Marcus knocked on the grand wooden door, expecting to hear Lucian's voice from inside, inviting him in. However, after a few seconds of silence, there was no response.

Confused, Marcus checked the time. Maybe he was too early? He knocked again but still no answer.

Shrugging, he decided not to wait. His stomach growled slightly, reminding him that he hadn't eaten yet. If Lucian wasn't in her office, she was probably on her way. He could grab a quick bite at the cafeteria before heading back.

Turning away from the principal's room, Marcus started down the hall, making his way towards the academy cafeteria. The morning air was crisp as the sunlight filtered through the large windows, casting warm patches of light along the floor. As he walked, he couldn't help but let his thoughts wander to the possibilities of what Lucian might teach him. Maybe she would show him how to harness his aura more effectively or teach him advanced magic techniques that could give him an edge in future battles. His mind raced with anticipation.

As he approached the main atrium, Marcus saw a figure coming towards him from the opposite direction. It was Principal Lucian, her long, silver hair flowing behind her as she moved with an elegant, almost effortless grace. Her sharp blue eyes caught sight of Marcus, and a small smile appeared on her usually serious face.

"Good morning, Principal," Marcus greeted, inclining his head respectfully.

"Good morning, Marcus," she replied, her voice carrying its usual calm authority. "I see you were eager for today's training."

Marcus grinned sheepishly. "Yes, I was actually at your office just a few minutes ago. I guess I was a little too early."

Lucian gave a soft chuckle. "Punctuality is never a bad thing, Marcus. I'm glad to see you're taking this seriously. Come, we'll head to the training grounds."

As soon as Principal Lucian spoke, Marcus's stomach made a loud, unmistakable growling noise. The sound echoed in the hallway, and Marcus looked slightly embarrassed, while Lucian raised an eyebrow.

"Cough," Lucian said, covering her mouth as if to hide a smile. "It seems that before we dive into training, it's better for you to eat something first. I can't have you passing out from hunger."

Marcus chuckled awkwardly, scratching the back of his head. "Yeah, I guess breakfast wouldn't hurt."

"Let's go," she said, gesturing for Marcus to follow her. "We'll grab something at the cafeteria."

They both turned and headed towards the cafeteria, their footsteps echoing through the empty halls. Marcus couldn't help but feel a little strange walking beside her. The academy was still quiet this early in the morning, with most students either sleeping in or not yet out of their dorms.

When they arrived at the cafeteria, Marcus made his way to the first floor, scanning the room for a table. He picked a spot by the windows, with the early sunlight streaming in, casting a golden glow over the polished wooden tables.

Principal Lucian sat down right next to him, which was… surprising. Marcus blinked a few times, his expression clearly asking, 'What are you doing here?'as she should be on second floor not here on first floor.

Noticing his look, Lucian tilted her head slightly, her blue eyes glinting with amusement. "I think it would be nice to eat together with someone for once."

Marcus raised an eyebrow, still trying to process the idea of having breakfast with the principal. He decided to take advantage of the situation and teased her, putting on an exaggerated sad expression. "I didn't think someone like you would always eat alone," he said, faking a tearful tone.

Lucian's eyes narrowed slightly, though not in anger, more like an amused challenge. A small vein popped on her forehead as she responded, "Well, Marcus, I'll make sure to train you properly later," her voice taking on a dangerous edge as she twitched, clearly threatening him with a brutal training session for his cheekiness.

Before Marcus could respond, a waiter appeared almost out of nowhere, clearly spurred by the sight of the academy's principal sitting in the student cafeteria. He approached with utmost professionalism, asking what dishes they'd like for breakfast.

Lucian, always composed, ordered something light—just a coffee with some pancake. Marcus, on the other hand, went all out and ordered a steak, much to the waiter's mild surprise. The waiter bowed and hurried off to prepare their orders.

As they waited for their food, the air between them remained light but had a playful tension. Marcus glanced at Lucian, watching as she seemed to enjoy her rare moment of peacefulness. Despite her reputation as the most powerful mage on the continent, she appeared much more… human now, sitting in the sunlight waiting for her meal.

The food arrived, and they ate in silence for a few minutes, each lost in their own thoughts. Despite the playful back-and-forth, Marcus couldn't shake the nervous excitement bubbling in his chest. Lucian was about to teach him, and he had no idea what to expect.

After a few bites of her pancake, Lucian noticed Marcus watching her and gave him a calm but slightly questioning look. Before she could say anything, Marcus, ever the opportunist, grinned and said, "If you ever need someone to eat with, you can always call me." His tone was teasing, but he wore an exaggerated sad expression again, as if begging her to not leave him alone.

Lucian's calm demeanor faltered for a second, and the vein on her forehead pulsed again, this time much thicker. She took a deep breath before responding in a controlled, measured voice. "Yes, Marcus, I'll keep that in mind."

Marcus laughed softly at her reaction, enjoying the rare moments when he could see Lucian off-guard. But he knew better than to push his luck any further, especially with the training session looming over him. She wasn't the type to let things go without some form of retribution.

After finishing their meal, Lucian stood up and motioned for Marcus to follow her once again. "Now that you're properly fed, let's get started. I hope you're ready for what's to come."

Marcus nodded, his playful demeanor fading as the gravity of the situation began to sink in. He followed Lucian out of the cafeteria and towards the training grounds. His mind raced with anticipation. This was his chance to grow, to close the gap between his raw power and his lack of experience. If anyone could help him do that, it was Lucian Silvermoon.

---

The academy's training grounds were vast, equipped with all manner of training dummies, elemental obstacle courses, and open fields for combat practice. This wasn't where the normal students trained; it was reserved for the elite—those who had already demonstrated exceptional magical prowess.

Lucian led Marcus to a secluded area, far from prying eyes. The field was open, surrounded by tall stone walls enchanted to absorb magic and prevent any stray spells from causing damage to the academy.

Lucian turned to face Marcus, her sharp blue eyes locked onto him. "Attack me," she said calmly, her tone leaving no room for hesitation. "I want to see how well you can fight."

Marcus blinked, momentarily surprised by her direct command, but he quickly regained his composure. With a nod, he unsheathed his sword, feeling the familiar weight of the blade in his hand. Taking a deep breath, he gathered his strength and leaped toward Lucian, aiming a powerful swing at her.

But Lucian didn't flinch. With minimal movement, she effortlessly sidestepped the attack, her expression completely calm. Marcus, not one to give up easily, continued his assault. He slashed, thrust, and swung his sword in rapid succession, each attack more aggressive than the last. Yet, despite his efforts, Lucian dodged every single strike with ease, her movements graceful and almost casual.

Frustration began to build within Marcus as he pushed himself harder, but no matter how fast or precise he tried to be, he couldn't land a single hit. His breathing grew heavier, his arms felt like they were starting to burn from the exertion, and sweat trickled down his brow. He leaped back, catching his breath for a moment, before charging again.

Lucian sidestepped another swing, and this time, she raised her hand. "Enough," she commanded, her voice steady.

Marcus halted mid-attack, his chest heaving as he tried to catch his breath. He sheathed his sword, feeling a wave of exhaustion wash over him. Despite his best efforts, he hadn't come close to touching her.

Lucian regarded him with a thoughtful expression, though her words were far from kind. "I'm surprised you managed to defeat Leo with footwork like that," she said bluntly. "Your attacks lack precision and control. If you want to improve, you need to focus on your footwork. Refine it, and it will naturally raise your swordsmanship as well."

Her critique stung, but Marcus knew it was true. He had relied too much on raw power and magic, neglecting the finer aspects of combat. He clenched his fists, determined to improve.

Lucian gave him a small nod, recognizing the resolve in his eyes. "Don't worry, we'll work on it," she added. "This is just the beginning of your training."