Training with lucian 2

Marcus stood before Lucian, sweat trickling down his face, his chest rising and falling rapidly as he tried to catch his breath. Her words echoed in his mind—refine your footwork. It was a harsh but necessary truth.

He had been relying on his raw strength to win battles, but in true combat, those things weren't enough on their own.

Lucian turned her back on Marcus and started walking toward the far end of the training ground, her long silver hair swaying lightly with each step. Marcus watched her go, still feeling the sting of her critique. He tightened his grip on his sword, the weight of it now heavier than before. Despite his exhaustion, there was a fire in his eyes, a determination to prove himself.

"We'll start with the basics," Lucian called over her shoulder, her tone firm but not unkind. "Your footwork needs to be fluid, adaptive."

Marcus followed her, his sword still in hand. His mind was spinning with thoughts of his fight with Leo, the way he had overpowered him with sheer force. 'She's right', Marcus thought to himself. He had won that fight not because of skill but because of the overwhelming power of his dark aura. If he were to face someone stronger, someone more skilled than Leo, that alone wouldn't be enough.

Lucian stopped in the center of the field, gesturing for Marcus to join her. "We'll focus on movement first," she said, her sharp blue eyes observing him carefully. "Put away your sword."

Marcus hesitated for a moment, then sheathed his blade as instructed. He approached her, feeling slightly out of his depth. Lucian was the continent's most powerful mage, and here she was, about to teach him how to walk properly.

"Footwork," Lucian began, "is the foundation of all combat. Without it, your attacks will lack precision, and your defense will be full of holes. Watch."

She raised her hand and moved with a grace that left Marcus speechless. Her feet seemed to glide across the ground, never stopping, always shifting, flowing like water. She demonstrated a series of quick, precise steps, her body turning and twisting in perfect synchronization with her footwork. It was a dance—a deadly, elegant dance.

"Now you," she said, stepping back and watching him expectantly.

Marcus swallowed his nerves and stepped forward. He tried to mimic her movements, but his steps were awkward, uncoordinated. He could feel the imbalance in his stance, the heaviness in his legs. Lucian watched silently, her expression unreadable as he stumbled through the motions.

After a few minutes, Lucian raised a hand to stop him. "You're overthinking it," she said. "Your body is stiff. Relax."

Marcus nodded, frustrated but determined. He took a deep breath and tried again, this time focusing on loosening his muscles, letting his body flow naturally. The improvement was slight, but noticeable.

"Better," Lucian commented, her sharp eyes never leaving him. "But still not good enough. You need to practice until this becomes instinct."

Marcus sighed, wiping the sweat from his forehead. He was used to physical exertion, but this kind of focused training was new to him. It was mentally draining, requiring him to constantly adjust his movements, to pay attention to every step.

Lucian stepped forward, standing in front of him. "We'll work on it together," she said, her voice softening slightly. "You have potential, Marcus, but raw talent can only take you so far. If you want to truly master combat, you need discipline."

He was used to the bodyworkout even back on earth, as he was Gym enthusiastic,but after getting the job he forgot about that discipline now after hearing her words a fire light in marcus heart.The gap between them was vast, but for the first time, Marcus felt the stirrings of ambition. He wanted to bridge that gap, to become not just powerful but skilled.

"I understand," Marcus said quietly, meeting her gaze.

Lucian nodded approvingly. "Good. Now, let's try again."

---

The hours passed quickly, with Lucian guiding Marcus through various drills. They practiced footwork, defensive stances, and evasion techniques. Marcus's movements grew smoother, more fluid as time went on, though he still had a long way to go.

By the time they finished, the sun was hanging low in the sky, casting long shadows across the training ground. Marcus was drenched in sweat, his body aching from the constant practice, but there was a sense of satisfaction in his exhaustion.

"You've improved," Lucian said as they walked back toward the academy. "But don't get complacent. Footwork is just the beginning. Once you've mastered that, we'll move on to more advanced techniques."

Marcus nodded, grateful for her guidance but knowing there was still much to learn. "Thank you, Principal."

Lucian glanced at him, a small smile tugging at the corner of her lips. "Don't thank me yet. You have a long road ahead of you."

As they approached the entrance to the academy, Marcus's thoughts drifted to the future. He had a clear goal now—to become stronger, to master not just his dark magic but every aspect of combat. Lucian had showed him the path, and it was up to him to walk on that path.

But as they reached the doors, a voice called out from behind them.

"Marcus!"

Marcus paused, turning to see the source of the voice. It was Erza, walking briskly towards both him and Lucian. Her crimson hair shimmered in the soft light, and her eyes were sharp and focused as usual.

As she approached, she greeted the principal first, nodding respectfully. "Principal ," she said, her voice professional, yet there was a hint of warmth in it.

Lucian acknowledged her with a slight nod. "Good eveningz, Professor ."

Erza turned her attention to Marcus next, her eyes briefly flicking over him, noticing the slight slump in his posture and the exhaustion in his eyes. "Is your training finished?" she asked, raising an eyebrow in curiosity.

Marcus, still catching his breath from the grueling session, let out a long, tired sigh, his shoulders drooping slightly. "Yes," he replied, his voice tinged with fatigue. He ran a hand through his hair, showing just how drained he felt. His muscles ached, his mind was foggy from the intense focus Lucian had demanded of him, and he couldn't help but wonder if she had pushed him harder because of his earlier teasing.

Lucian, standing beside him, didn't show any visible reaction but Marcus couldn't help but feel that the slight gleam in her eyes was her way of confirming his suspicion.

Erza, noticing his exhaustion, softened her usually stern expression. "It seems the principal worked you hard," she commented, glancing at Lucian with a faint smile.

Marcus chuckled weakly, nodding. "You could say that."

Seeing how drained he was, Erza hesitated for a moment before asking, "Would you like to have dinner together?" Her tone was casual, but there was a hint of genuine concern in her voice.

Marcus blinked, surprised by the offer. He thought, Erza would try to hide his relationship,as he is currently her Student.But he didn't thought that she would ask outright for dinner and in front of principal also.But at this point, he was too tired to overthink it. He needed food, and the idea of having dinner with Erza and potentially Lucian felt oddly comforting.

"Sure," he nodded. His voice carried a note of relief, and he straightened up a bit, feeling a second wind at the thought of food.

Lucian, who had been quietly observing the exchange, gave Marcus a sidelong glance. "I suppose it wouldn't hurt to join you for dinner," she said, her tone casual but with that same calm authority she always carried. She turned and began walking towards the cafeteria, leaving Marcus and Erza to follow her.

Together, the three of them made their way towards the cafeteria, walking through the academy's grand halls as the evening settled in. The fading light cast long shadows on the marble floors, and the corridors were quiet, most students already having retired to their dorms or finished their meals.

As they entered the cafeteria, Marcus immediately felt the hunger gnawing at him more fiercely. The scents of freshly baked bread, grilled meats, and spices filled the air, and his stomach growled audibly. He tried to hide it with a cough, but judging by the slight smirk on Erza's face, she'd definitely noticed.

They chose the usual spot by the windows, where the evening sky's deep purples and oranges painted the horizon in a calming display. Marcus sat down, feeling the weight of the day's training leave his body, replaced by the simple comfort of being seated. Lucian and Erza sat across from him, their presence both familiar and yet a bit intimidating—he was, after all, dining with two of the academy's most powerful and respected figures.

A waiter appeared, bowing slightly before taking their orders. Both erza and lucian choose to eat stew. Marcus, not one to hold back, ordered a large steak with mashed potatoes and vegetables. He figured he earned it after surviving Lucian's brutal training.