Combat Department

Ved followed a group of students toward the combat division's designated training ground. It was a massive open-air facility, with sections dedicated to various styles of combat—swordsmanship, hand-to-hand combat, archery, magic duels...

The instructor, a man whose face bore the scars of countless battles, stood with an imposing presence. His eyes, sharp and discerning, surveyed the new arrivals with a mix of curiosity and challenge.

"I am Instructor Henry," he announced, his voice cutting through the air with no room for idle chatter. "I won't waste your time with pleasantries. You're here to become stronger, and that's what I'll make you."

He scanned the group, his gaze lingering on each student as if measuring their worth. 

"Many of you think you're already strong. That's a mistake. The real monsters of this world don't care about your noble status or your family name. Here, you will either improve, or you will fall behind."

Ved found the directness refreshing, a change from the veiled intentions back home.

"We'll begin with an assessment," Henry continued. "Nothing formal—just a basic evaluation of where you stand. We'll divide you into groups based on fighting style. Sparring matches will follow."

The students began to sort themselves out, moving toward the sections that matched their combat preferences.

Ved stepped into the swordsmen's section. While walking he noted the familiar and new faces around him.

Owen Rider, the third-place ranker, stood with an air of relaxed confidence, his eyes scanning the crowd.

Lee Anil, the wind magic spearman he had fought during the entrance exam, now held a spear that seemed to hum with latent energy.

Agnar Guerra the tall, muscular teen with red hair and a greatsword strapped to his back a silent statement of his strength.

And again the dwarves are nowhere to be seen.

"Maybe they are in the Alchemy & Engineering department" Ved to said himself.

The atmosphere was different from the high-stakes battle of the entrance exam; today was about assessment, less about proving oneself and more about learning.

"You think they'll ever pair us with someone from the magic department for a real challenge?" Lee asked, his voice carrying the excitement of someone who thrived on competition.

"Maybe," Agnar responded with a chuckle. "But I'd like to see how you would use that spear of yours against my greatsword."

Their banter was light, a camaraderie forming from shared experiences, something Ved watched with a mix of fascination and detachment.

Ved was paired with a lower-ranked student—someone clearly nervous about facing him. Instead of overwhelming him, he fought at a measured pace, treating it as a light practice rather than domination or he was just trying to get through the day without any drama with the Instructor.

As he was watching from the sidelines, Instructor Henry gave a nod of approval. 

Ved merely shrugged in response.

The day continued with drills, theory lessons on combat strategy, and exercises designed to push students' limits.

Instructors observed their movements, providing feedback. Some students fought hesitantly, while others, eager to prove themselves, went all out.

As the sparring session continued, Henry paused the training to gather everyone around him. "Let's talk about your battle art," he said. "As warriors, Magic in combat isn't just about throwing fireballs. It's about enhancing your moves, predicting your opponent's next step. Who can tell me how they use magic in their fighting style?"

Lee Anil raised his hand, eager to speak. "I use wind magic to add speed to my thrusts and to create barriers when I need to defend."

"Good," Henry nodded, "But what if your opponent can manipulate wind too?"

"Then I'd use it to my advantage, maybe create a vortex around us to disorient them," Lee responded, a smirk playing on his lips.

Agnar, with his greatsword, chimed in, "For me, magic enhances my strength. I can make my sword lighter or heavier depending on what I need."

Henry pointed at Ved. "What about you, Ved? You've got both sword and magic; how do you make them work together?"

Ved considered his words. "I use magic to extend my reach or to feint. If my opponent expects a physical attack, I can use magic to strike from an unexpected angle."

"Good," Henry said, his voice showing a hint of excitement. "Use your magic as a tool to manipulate the battlefield."

"You all need to think beyond just hitting harder," Henry cautioned. "Think about how you can use your abilities to outwit your opponent."

The discussion continued with other students sharing their methods, each one adding to the collective understanding of combat in this magical world.

By the time lunch arrived, Ved could already tell which students would last in this environment—and which would break under the pressure in the next months.

Instead of joining the crowded cafeteria, Ved took his meal outside. He sat beneath a tree, watching the Academy's bustling activity from a distance.

For the first time in a while, he felt a strange sense of calm.

There were no manipulative family members here, no hidden agendas—just a structured system where effort determined one's fate.

Even if he had no intention of forming bonds, perhaps the Academy wouldn't be the worst place to spend his time.

For now, he would watch, learn, and wait.