Sparring

Lehrina guided us out of the classroom and through the academy's wide halls until we reached the armory. The moment we stepped inside, a sense of awe washed over the group. Weapons of all kinds were displayed behind reinforced glass cases, each meticulously arranged in neat rows.

"You can choose whatever you want. Go on."

At Lehrina's words, the students eagerly surged into the armory, their eyes scanning the countless weapons displayed behind glass cases. I lingered at the entrance, watching them rush toward their choices, some already testing the weight of the swords and firearms.

Only after the initial excitement settled did I step inside.

The room was filled with weapons of every kind—swords, daggers, axes, spears, bows, guns. Despite the incredible variety I was hesitant.

What should I choose?

A sword seemed like the safest option. It was balanced, versatile, and one of the easiest weapons to learn. Unlike spears or axes, it didn't require specialized techniques, and unlike firearms, it didn't rely on ammunition. It was an all-purpose weapon.

But then again, I had Analyze.

With my Rune of Analyze, I could adapt and learn how to use any weapon quickly. That meant I wasn't limited—I could pick anything.

Yet, even with that advantage, I felt no personal preference toward any particular weapon.

So, in the end, I reached for the sword anyway.

It was a simple two-handed sword—nothing unique, nothing remarkable. Just a standard steel blade, like all the others in the armory. No intricate engravings, no legendary history, no special properties. Just a weapon.

I ran my fingers along the hilt, feeling the rough texture of the grip. The weight was heavier than I expected, but not unmanageable.

More than anything, it felt… ordinary.

And maybe that was for the best.

I don't need a special sword anyway. There wouldn't be any in this armory to begin with. The real weapons—the powerful ones—are Almas, and if I want one, I'll have to enter the Tower of Babel to find it.

Gripping the hilt tightly, I lifted the sword and rested it against my shoulder.

Until then… this will do.

Looking around, I noticed that most of the students had already chosen their weapons—including the main characters.

Mikhail wielded two swords: a one-handed blade in his dominant hand and a smaller one in the other. His dual-wielding style made him one of the most versatile fighters in the game.

Emily Lancaster had chosen a whip. A strange choice, but given her route and abilities, it made sense. She specialized in unpredictable attacks, using both speed and precision to overwhelm her opponents.

Chloe Areliel was testing the draw of a bow, her movements smooth and practiced. A natural choice—she was a long-range fighter through and through.

Lin Dukian had picked up a pair of daggers, and he swung it confidently. Though I already knew he was just faking it, those daggers were not the best weapon for him.

Something felt off. A lingering unease settled in my chest, as if someone important should be here but wasn't.

I quickly scanned the room again. Mikhail, Emily, Chloe, Lin… They were all here, but—who was missing?

That feeling continued within me, but before I could dwell on it further, Lehrina clapped her hands and smiled.

"Well, now that you've all chosen your weapons, it's time for me to leave, before he arrives" she said cheerfully. Then, with an almost mischievous glint in her eyes, she added, "Have fun with Axel."

However, before she could leave the room, another figure revealed outside.

A tall man stood at the entrance, towering over Lehrina, who looked at him with a startled expression.

His dark eyes held a scowl, sharp and unyielding. His neatly combed black hair was slicked back, giving him a severe, almost military appearance. He wore a white shirt beneath a gray vest, a dark tie knotted tightly at his throat. Black trousers and polished shoes completed his appearance.

The room fell silent, because just as I recognized him, everyone else did as well.

"What are you doing?" Axel's voice was cold and impatient.

Lehrina let out an awkward chuckle. "Haha, nothing much. I just thought I'd let them pick their weapons early to speed things up."

Axel's scowl deepened. His sharp gaze swept over the students, then returned to Lehrina.

"You thought?" His voice was edged with irritation.

Lehrina laughed nervously, rubbing the back of her neck. "Well, yeah. Figured it'd save you some time."

Axel exhaled sharply, clearly unamused. "You don't make the schedule. I do."

The tension in the room thickened, students shifting uncomfortably under the weight of his presence.

Lehrina, however, merely shrugged. "Well, what's done is done. Guess that means you can start right away, huh?"

Axel studied her for a long moment before slipping his hands into his pockets, seemingly searching for something. When he realized it wasn't there, he clicked his tongue in annoyance.

Turning to the students, he said, "Form a line."

His voice was so cold and intimidating that everyone, including me, instinctively snapped into formation, standing rigidly as if we were soldiers in the military. 

Axel walked forward, his sharp gaze sweeping over us. "I'm Axel, your combat instructor. I'll teach you how to fight. How to kill. Any questions?"

Silence. No one dared to raise a hand.

Axel gave a curt nod. "Good. Now, follow me."

We followed him in silence, stepping out of the building and into the open air. Before us stood a massive arena, constructed from white, magically reinforced stone. 

As soon as we reached the arena, Axel told us to form pairs for dueling. The students moved quickly, pairing off without hesitation. In mere moments, everyone had a partner—everyone except me.

I glanced around, realizing I was the only one left standing alone. For some reason, no one had chosen me.

It was a lonely feeling, yeah, but that wasn't what concerned me the most. What truly puzzled me was the numbers—every first-year class was supposed to have exactly 30 students. The fact that I was left without a partner meant that there was an extra student… or someone was missing.

Missing… I had a strange feeling about that earlier, didn't I?

"Hey, you."

Axel's chilling voice cut through my thoughts. I turned to see him striding toward me, his sharp gaze locked onto mine.

"You'll be dueling with me," he said, his tone leaving no room for argument. "Since your class is missing a student."

I didn't flinch as Axel approached, sword in hand, ready to duel. Instead, I focused on his words.

"Missing a student?" I asked.

He nodded. "For personal reasons, Illiade's kid will arrive later in the semester."

At that moment, something clicked in my mind.

How could I forget her? Anastasia Illiade—a noble from the prestigious Illiade family. Just like Emily, Chloe, and the others, she was one of the main playable characters in the game.

But as soon as I realized Anastasia was missing, another, far more unsettling thought struck me.

Wait… Why is she missing?

I remember clearly—she was always here at the start of the game, in every route.

So why is it different now?

What's happening?

My thoughts were abruptly cut off by a sudden wave of chilling energy washing over me.

I looked up—Axel stood before me, his sword raised, eyes cold and sharp.

"Pay attention, I'm attacking."

In the next second, he vanished.