Observing

The next morning, I returned to Lupusrica Academy as usual. The sky was clear, and a fresh morning breeze greeted me as I stepped through the Academy gates. The path to the main building was bustling with students, all absorbed in their own activities. Some of them glanced in my direction, probably still curious after yesterday's incident in the cafeteria. But I didn't pay much attention to it and continued walking calmly.

The day started with a class led by Professor Fei Zhang. Today's lesson focused on more advanced techniques in magic atom resonance, including how these resonances can affect the environment around us. I took notes on the key points Professor Zhang explained, though I already understood most of what he was teaching.

After class, we had a short break before the training session. I quickly prepared myself and headed to the training grounds with the other students. When I arrived, I was a bit surprised when Professor Fei Zhang called me over.

"Ellora, today I want you to observe," he said calmly, a small smile on his face. "Watch the matches between the other students, analyze their techniques, and give feedback. This will help you develop your strategic insight."

I nodded slowly. Although I preferred to be directly involved, I appreciated the opportunity to learn from a different perspective.

As the training session began, I sat at the edge of the field, watching the students sparring with one another. The matches varied—some relied on brute strength, while others took a more tactical approach. I noted each move, strategy, and technique they used, contemplating how I would respond if I were in their position.

While I was engrossed in observing, I noticed three familiar students—Charlotte, Cestine, and Gareth—getting ready to fight. They looked focused, but as soon as they noticed me, their expressions changed.

"Ellora!" Charlotte greeted me with a broad smile as she walked over. "What are you doing here? You should be fighting with us."

I returned her smile. "Professor Fei Zhang asked me to observe today. He said it's for strategic development."

Cestine, with her bright smile, joined the conversation. "You'll give us amazing feedback, I'm sure. I've always admired your ability to quickly grasp situations, Ellora. After battling you in the selection, I'm even more convinced of your skill."

"Cestine's right," Gareth added seriously. "You really deserved to win the selection. The way you defeated us, especially at the end against Madalyn, was impressive."

It seemed Gareth's hand had healed well, with no trace of injury. The Lorelei family's illusion magic was truly remarkable.

"Thank you. I just did my best."

Charlotte looked at me with curious eyes. "You must know a lot about ancient magic techniques, right, Ellora?"

I looked at Charlotte for a moment before answering. "I study what I can. Ancient magic has its allure, and sometimes it can be the key to winning difficult battles."

Charlotte nodded in agreement. "I can see that. Maybe you could teach me a few techniques sometime?"

Before I could respond, Professor Fei Zhang signaled for their match to begin. Charlotte, Cestine, and Gareth immediately turned around, ready to fight. They displayed their abilities flawlessly—Charlotte with her reflective mirror magic, Cestine with her deadly poisonous flower magic, and Gareth with his impressive shapeshifting ability.

I observed each of their moves, taking note of how they adapted to their opponents' techniques. Charlotte used her mirrors to deflect attacks, creating illusions to confuse her opponents. Cestine gracefully spread her dangerous flower petals, forcing her opponent to keep moving to avoid the poison. Gareth, in the form of a large white tiger, leaped swiftly and attacked with controlled, yet brutal, force.

Their match was intense, and I could see how each of them tried to adjust to the others' fighting styles. The three of them were formidable opponents, and I could see how much they had grown since the last time I saw them fight.

When the training session ended, the three of them approached me again, out of breath but with satisfied smiles on their faces.

"So, Ellora? Any advice?" Charlotte asked eagerly.

I smiled faintly. "You all did very well. Charlotte, you could sharpen your mirror magic further, especially in reading your opponent's moves before they attack. Cestine, your control over the poison is excellent, but try to be more flexible with your attack range. Gareth, you have incredible strength, but remember not to rely too much on just one form—flexibility can be the key to confusing your opponent."

They listened intently, nodding as they considered my words. I could see how much they wanted to keep improving, and it reminded me that this Academy is truly filled with people who genuinely want to be the best.

"Thank you, Ellora," Cestine said with an admiring smile. "You really know what you're talking about. I should learn from you more often."

"And we'll definitely fight again someday," Gareth added, his eyes shining.

I nodded, feeling that even though we were rivals, there was a mutual respect between us. They returned to their group while I continued my observations. That day, I not only learned about my opponents' strengths but also about the importance of keen observation and thorough analysis in every fight.

After the training session ended, I headed straight to where Professor Fei Zhang was to report my observations. As usual, he stood calmly on the side of the field, watching the students as they took a break. When I approached, he turned his attention to me with a friendly smile.

"Ellora, what did you think of today's training session?" Professor Fei Zhang asked warmly.

I took a moment to breathe, then began explaining what I had observed. "Charlotte displayed excellent control with her mirrors, but I think she could improve her speed in reading her opponents' moves. Cestine has very precise control over her poison, but she tends to rely on the same attack range. Gareth, on the other hand, is very strong, but he seems too focused on one form. He might benefit from being more flexible with different forms during a fight."

Professor Fei Zhang listened attentively, his eyebrows raised slightly as I detailed some aspects that might have slipped his own notice. When I finished, he nodded slowly, looking impressed.

"You really pay attention to the finer details, Ellora," Professor Fei Zhang said, his smile widening. "I'm pleased to see how deeply you analyze the fights. It shows that you're not just physically strong, but also have sharp strategic insight. Keep it up."

Hearing the praise from Professor Fei Zhang made me feel a bit proud, but I simply nodded calmly. "Thank you, Professor. I just try to understand every situation as well as I can."

After giving my report, Professor Fei Zhang dismissed the training session. I started to leave the field, but before I could go far, Charlotte, Cestine, and Gareth caught up with me. They looked excited, their faces bright after hearing my earlier feedback.

"Ellora!" Charlotte called as they approached. "We'd love to hear more about what you think. There must be a lot we can learn from your observations."

I stopped and turned to face them. "Sure, I can explain in more detail if you'd like. It could be a learning opportunity for all of us."

We started discussing the techniques and strategies they used in their matches. Charlotte admitted that she felt a bit slow in responding to her opponent's moves, while Cestine agreed that she needed to vary her attack range. Gareth, though initially reluctant to acknowledge his weaknesses, finally agreed that more variation in forms would give him a greater advantage.

However, our conversation was interrupted when two other figures appeared before us. Madalyn and Chris, usually so haughty, greeted us warmly. "Ellora," Madalyn said with a much softer tone than usual. "Have you finished your observations?"

Charlotte, Cestine, and Gareth exchanged glances, clearly surprised by the change in Madalyn and Chris's demeanor. They were usually the hardest to approach, especially in a relaxed setting like this.

"This… isn't like them," Gareth muttered, almost disbelieving. "What's going on with them?"

Chris chuckled softly, then looked at me with a serious yet warm expression. "You must find our change in attitude unusual. But after the selection yesterday, we've done a lot of reflecting. We acknowledge our defeat fairly and realize there's much more we need to learn. That's why we're trying to be more open, especially with you, Ellora."

Madalyn nodded in agreement. "We used to focus too much on winning without truly understanding what it means to be strong. You've shown us that strength isn't just about power but also about understanding our own limits and striving to surpass them."

I simply smiled faintly at their acknowledgment. It was something I hadn't expected, but I appreciated it. Seeing them recognize their mistakes and strive to improve showed how much they were growing, not just as mages but as individuals.

We continued our conversation in the Academy garden, discussing everything from training schedules to new techniques they wanted to try. The tense atmosphere had shifted to a much more relaxed one, and I could feel a genuine sense of respect among us.

As we were chatting, Akira and Nadeshiko suddenly appeared in the garden. Akira, with his gentle smile, was guided by Nadeshiko, who remained silent but always offered a warm smile to everyone. They were quickly welcomed by the others, indicating that Akira and Nadeshiko were well-known and respected among the students.

"Good afternoon, everyone," Akira greeted calmly. "I didn't expect to run into all of you here."

"Good afternoon, Akira," Charlotte responded eagerly. "We're discussing our training together. Maybe you and Nadeshiko could join us?"

Nadeshiko nodded slightly, agreeing with the suggestion without speaking. I was always impressed by how Nadeshiko could convey so much with just a smile and subtle gestures.

Akira smiled and then turned to me. "So, Ellora, would you be open to setting up a joint training session with us?"

I thought for a moment and then nodded. "Of course, training together will be a great opportunity for us to learn from each other. We can arrange a schedule that works for everyone."

"How about tomorrow? I happen to have no classes scheduled," Cestine suggested.

"Alright, I'll ask Professor Fei Zhang for permission about this tomorrow," I replied.

Gareth, hearing this, immediately showed his interest. "If Ellora and Akira are joining, I'd like to be part of it too. We can make this training session even more exciting."

Charlotte and Cestine also looked enthusiastic. "I agree! It'll be great to train together with all of you," Charlotte said.

"With the strength and experience we all have, I'm sure we can help each other become stronger," Cestine added.

Madalyn and Chris exchanged glances for a moment before Madalyn nodded. "I'm interested too. We're all here to improve, and I think training together will be very beneficial."

Finally, we all agreed to set up a joint training schedule. The atmosphere that had been awkward turned into a warm sense of camaraderie. Amidst the light conversations and small laughs, I felt something different in this group. Our rivalry was no longer just about ego but about mutual respect and a desire to grow together.

After finalizing our plans, we all parted ways to return to our activities. But I felt something new growing inside me—a sense of newfound camaraderie and confidence that we could achieve greater things if we worked together.

***

When I got home, Lily and Arianne were waiting for me at the entrance as usual. Their warm smiles always lifted my spirits after a long day at the academy.

"How was your day, big sis?" Lily asked enthusiastically.

I smiled at her. "It was pretty good. I was assigned to observe the other students' training today."

"Oh, that sounds interesting!" Lily replied. "You must be great at spotting all the little details."

Arianne, standing beside Lily, added, "Ellora is always thorough. Was there anything particularly intriguing in the training?"

I sat down in the living room, reflecting on everything that had happened. "Yes, I saw some interesting things, especially from Charlotte, Cestine, and Gareth. They all have different techniques, but they're all very effective. What's most intriguing is the change in Madalyn and Chris. They seemed much more humble now."

Lily looked a bit surprised. "Really? Madalyn was your opponent in the selection yesterday?"

I nodded. "They even acknowledged their defeat fairly. It seems like they're starting to accept that there are many strong people out there who might be better than them."

Arianne gave a small smile. "That's a positive development. Maybe it's influenced by their encounter with you."

We continued chatting lightly as we spent time together. After a while, I began thinking about the training schedule we'd planned earlier. I knew it was going to be challenging, especially as I had to consider everyone's strengths and weaknesses.

As I sat in my room, my mind started strategizing. Gareth's beast-shifting ability allows him to transform into a fierce creature, giving him incredible physical strength. Cestine's flower magic can create dangerous poisons. Charlotte's magic mirrors can reflect attacks back at opponents in unpredictable ways. I need to ensure I can anticipate all their moves.

However, one thing still remains a mystery to me: the strength of the Yoshitsuki family, particularly Akira and Nadeshiko. Even Nero, with all his knowledge, doesn't know the details of their powers. What I do know is that the Yoshitsuki family always wins their fights using traditional swords and basic magic to enhance their weapons. But that's not enough to fully understand their potential.

Akira, despite being blind, possesses remarkable calmness and precision in his actions. Nadeshiko, with her serene smile, seems to hold something deeper. Their strengths and fighting styles remain fully unexplored. I began pondering all the possibilities, trying to figure out how they could defeat their opponents so easily. Could they have a secret technique or ancient magic?

I know that training with them will be a great opportunity to observe and learn more about them. But I need to be cautious. Hidden strengths are often the most dangerous.

With these thoughts on strategy, I decided to get some rest. Tomorrow will be a long day, and I need to prepare myself well. Before falling asleep, I prayed that all my plans and strategies would go smoothly. I know the challenges ahead will require all my skills, both in magic and strategy.

With my mind full of plans, I finally drifted off to sleep, hoping that the next day would offer more clues about the Yoshitsuki family's mysteries.

***