Chapter 5: The Combat Training (1)

The hellish day began.

We gathered in the lecture hall, and Professor Darius stood in front of the class, his stern face the same as usual.

Despite being the combat instructor, today he was teaching us the foundation of magic.

"Now, some of you might think learning the basics is a waste of time, but it's essential. Even as swordsmen, understanding magic is crucial," Professor Darius said.

"First, let's talk about the three basic types of magic. The first is the mental realm, or imaginary realm. This is where you memorize incantations, spells, and visualize them. Take a simple spell like 'flame'—if you can imagine its heat, structure, and purpose, you're already halfway there. When you chant 'Ignis,' the spell takes form."

"Next is the magic circle, the foundation of magic. It enhances efficiency and shortens casting time. Normally, you'd chant a full incantation, but with a magic circle, simply saying 'Ignis' is enough."

Some students murmured as they took notes.

"Next is the inscription of runes, the language of magic. Mastering it allows you to read ancient texts written by scholars who documented a system called 'Numbers.' These scholars recorded history, but those who changed it were the Apostles—those who wielded magic beyond human limits."

Professor Darius' voice lowered slightly. "The Apostles were incredibly powerful, their mana nearly infinite. They were seen as demigods, their magic shaping the world itself. But let me warn you—Numbers are forbidden. If you're ever found to have a connection to them, the Imperial Knights will arrest you for treason."

The room fell silent. Some students glanced at each other, as if wondering, Then why even tell us about them?

Professor Darius smirked slightly. "Don't get any stupid ideas. You're not ready for that kind of magic. Now, back to the lesson."

"The last thing you need to remember is the manifestation of magic, or the 'code sequence.' This ensures your magic remains stable and efficient when cast. Without it, spells can become unstable, and in battle, that could cost you your life."

He paused for a moment, then looked around at us. "Any questions?"

Elysia raised her hand, and Professor Darius called out her name. "Elysia."

After being called, Elysia stood up from her seat and asked, "What is the difference between mana and aura?"

Professor Darius sighed, shaking his head. "You don't know the basics?" he muttered, then cleared his throat and turned to the class.

"Mana," he began, "is a form of energy that exists in all living beings and the world around us—the source of all magic. Just as blood circulates through the body, mana flows through every living creature—human, monster, or plant—allowing mages to cast spells."

He gave the class a moment to think. "Every human has mana. The amount one possesses is called 'mana capacity.' Think of it as a reservoir. The larger it is, the more mana you can store and use. More mana means stronger spells and longer sustain."

"Mana isn't just within you. It flows through nature. That's why anyone can use a little magic. The problem is learning how to harness and control it."

He leaned forward. "Aura, however, is different. While mana is the source of magic, aura is the manifestation of a person's will and spirit. It is used by knights and warriors to enhance their physical capabilities. When a knight channels their aura, it strengthens their body and allows them to surpass the limits of the human body."

Professor Darius continued, "Unlike mana, aura requires concentration to manipulate its own will. It's an external force that surrounds and strengthens the body. Mages use mana for spells, while knights use aura to fight."

"Any other questions?" Professor Darius asked.

The bell rang, signaling the end of the lesson. Professor Darius left the room, and the students made their way to the training ground.

As we gathered at the training ground, everyone stretched and chatted while waiting for instructions. I walked over to the weapon racks and picked up a massive two-handed greatsword. Gripping the hilt with both hands, I felt its weight.

"This thing is heavier than I expected," I mumbled, struggling a little to get used to the weight.

I tightened my grip on the sword, adjusting to its weight. I swung the two-handed greatsword with one hand.

SWOOSH!

Lilith approached me, twirling her sword with ease. "Don't worry, Kaiser. You'll get the hang of it."

How did she know my name? I wondered, watching Lilith skillfully handle her weapon. We've barely talked...

Liliana remained behind Lilith, offering a quiet, encouraging nod.

Seraphina crossed her arms and glanced at me. "Have you ever used a sword before?"

"Not really," I calmly said. "But I learned from my master."

Then, heavy footsteps approached. A large, muscular figure stepped onto the field, his reddish skin and sharp tusks.

Grimgar, the academy's infamous ogre instructor, let out a deep grunt. "Enough chatter. Pick up your weapons."

Professor Grimgar spoke in a cold voice.

"For today's training, you are mandated to form groups of at least three members. You have five minutes. If you fail to do so, you will face the consequences."

The students immediately moved, picking their teammates—mostly friends or those they trusted. I remained where I was, watching as everyone formed their groups. As expected, no one approached me.

"Four minutes left," he said. "If you think you can handle this alone, you're dead wrong. This isn't just about combat. It's about teamwork and survival."

I let out a small sigh and looked around. That's when I noticed Elysia. She wasn't in a group either, turning down everyone who asked her to join.

"One minute remaining," Professor Grimgar added. "If you still don't have teammates, you'd better start thinking fast."

I walked up to her and said, "Professor Grimgar made it clear—everyone needs a group. Staying alone will only increase your chances of failure. How about a temporary truce?"

She paused, momentarily surprised, but quickly regained her composure. Her noble pride showed in her calm response.

"I see your point. Being alone would be inefficient. But why should I accept your offer? What do I gain from it? There are others just as strong as you. I may have let my guard down once, but that won't happen again."

What a pain. But she wasn't wrong. There were stronger teammates. Still, Professor Grimgar had a reason for forcing us into groups.

"It's your choice," I said. "But if you want to avoid failing and make the most of this, teaming up with someone who knows what they're doing is your best option."

She paused for a moment, then looked at him. "I'll accept your invitation."

She tilted her head slightly, her cheeks tinged with a faint blush.

"However, don't get the wrong idea. This doesn't mean I accept you."

With Elysia on my team, I needed one more member. Most groups were already full. I sighed, knowing that being a commoner probably made this harder.

Even as a top student, there was always some resentment—jealousy or hostility, it didn't matter. What mattered now was finding the last member. Maybe a demi-human?

This world might claim equality, but old grudges were not so easily forgotten.

I had no other option.

Professor Grimgar's voice rang out. "Only 45 seconds left! If you don't have a team, be ready for the consequences!"

I spotted a high elf with a fencing sword and bow. Her platinum white hair and ocean-blue eyes stood out—unusual for her kind.

I walked up to her.

"Are you still looking for a team?"

The high elf glanced at me, her expression unreadable. "I am. And you?"

"I need one last member. If you don't have a group, we can team up."

She looked at me for a moment. "Why ask me? Surely there are others."

"Not anymore." I looked around the room. "And even if there were, I don't have time to be picky."

She let out a soft hum. "A human teaming up with an elf? You don't mind?"

"I don't mind. What matters is if they can contribute to the team. That's all."

She chuckled lightly. "Interesting. Very well, I'll join you. But don't expect me to follow orders blindly."

I nodded. "I understand."

Professor Grimgar's words echoed in the room, his voice harsh. "Now that everyone has teamed up, the combat training starts now. But, before that, I'd like to remind you that the person you chose to be your teammate will remain your squad until graduation. If I hear any talk of disbanding, I'll kill you myself! Do you understand, brats!"

The room went silent. Some students grumbled, but a single look from Professor Grimgar silenced them instantly. For me, though, nothing had changed—it seemed like I'd be working with Sylvia and Elysia for the next six years.

Elysia crossed her arms and looked at me, clearly annoyed. "You really chose her as your teammate?"

I raised an eyebrow. "What's wrong with that? Sylvia's strong."

"She's a high elf, and you know it," Elysia said. "You could've chosen someone else."

Sylvia, leaning casually against the wall, spoke up with a relaxed tone. "I'm strong enough. You should worry about yourself more than me."

I sighed. "Complaining won't change anything. Professor Grimgar made it clear—we're a team now."

Elysia hesitated, then sighed as well. "Fine... I'll deal with it. But only because I trust you, Kaiser."

Sylvia nodded calmly. "Same here. I'll do my part."

And with that, we reluctantly accepted the reality of the situation.

Professor Grimgar explained the rules for today's combat training: a battle royale combined with capture the flag. The objective was simple—steal the enemy's flag to win. Any method could be used to defeat the opponent, but killing was strictly prohibited. Anyone who crossed that line would be expelled from the academy.

"This is an ancient relic used by the academy to train students like you," Professor Grimgar said, activating the cube-like relic.

The scene shifted instantly, the training ground transforming into a dense, sprawling forest. The air smelled of earth and pine, and the sound of leaves rustling beneath our feet felt real, even though we knew it was all just an illusion.

"Listen up, brats. The forest is your battlefield. Once you step in, the training begins. The one with the most points wins. That's all."

Professor Grimgar's voice echoed as the students split into groups. He watched silently, his gaze sharp and cold.

"Where are we? Is this even possible? I've heard White Tiger Academy has ancient relics, but I never thought this could happen." Elysia muttered, her expression filled with disbelief.

"This place... it looks familiar. I feel like I've seen this forest before, but I can't remember when." Sylvia murmured, her brows furrowing in thought.

"..."

Relic.

A relic can be an object, a person, or an entity from legend, history, or folklore. Its existence depends on remembrance—so long as stories, records, and myths persist, the relic continues to exist.

The higher a relic's rank, the greater its status and influence in the world of relics. Its power strengthens as its origin becomes more widely known.

But if left forgotten, a relic fades. Without recognition, it eventually becomes nothing more than an ordinary antique.

"Are you paying attention, Kaiser? What's the plan?" Elysia asked.

Sylvia nodded with a smirk, readying her bow as she waited for my orders.

I grabbed a stick and a few rocks, arranging them into an X and O in a triangle formation on the ground. "I'll be X at the front. You two are O, covering my sides."

I pointed to Elysia. "You'll act as the decoy—mages are usually the first targets." Then, I turned to Sylvia. "You'll stay hidden and eliminate any threats that come our way."

"If either of you senses danger, respond immediately. Professor Grimgar is monitoring this forest, so at least no real harm will come to us."

I moved toward the forest, scouting the area while concealing myself in the bushes. Sylvia was behind me, waiting patiently for the prey to appear. Elysia remained still, activating her magic detection. A magic circle formed, and the mana dispersed into the surrounding area. Moments later, Elysia detected three members of the same team—Raiden, Cain, and Finnian—moving cautiously through the forest.

"That commoner truly doesn't know his place. First, the academy acknowledges him, and now he dares to stand beside Elysia and Sylvia as if he's their equal? It's laughable," Raiden scoffed.

"No matter how much he grovels, trash like him will never be one of us," Finnian chuckled.

"If he's weak, he'll be crushed like the rest," Cain smirked, his arms crossed.

"Elysia shouldn't be wasting her time on a nobody like him. That bastard doesn't know his place," Raiden muttered, clenching his fists.

"Still obsessing over her? Even after she embarassed you?" Cain raised an eyebrow.

"That was then. I wasn't strong enough. But now, things will be different. If I defeat that commoner in front of her, she'll have no choice but to acknowledge me," Raiden gritted his teeth.

"There's nothing special about him. He'll break the moment you step in front of him," Finnian scoffed.

Just as they were speaking, they spotted Elysia—alone.

"Perfect. This time, I'll prove myself to her," Raiden sneered.

The three of them immediately moved to attack.

Then, in an instant—

The ground beneath them collapsed.

Dust filled the air as the three plummeted into a pitfall trap.

"What—?! Damn that bastard!" Raiden shouted.

"A trap? Tch… That commoner dares resort to such cowardice?" Cain scowled.

"You wretched—!" Finnian gritted his teeth.

Elysia looked down at them, her expression cold. Without a word, she raised her hand. A magic circle flared to life.

"Tier 2 spell—Consecutive Strike: Fire Arrow," Elysia said calmly.

Flames burst forth, raining down toward them.

At the same time, Sylvia whispered an incantation. A gentle breeze turned into a violent gale, and within moments—

A tornado descended upon them.

The last thing Raiden saw before being swept away was Elysia's indifferent gaze.

I picked up the red flag and smirked. I never expected my plan to work, though I didn't think those three would be weaker than I had anticipated. I handed the flag to Elysia, and she looked at me, confused.

"Why did you give it to me? Aren't you the leader?"

I replied calmly, "Because I trust you, Elysia."

Elysia was flustered, her cheeks flushing faintly. Eh? Is he stupid? Flirting at a time like this… This is why I can't stand commoners, she thought.

Sylvia, who had been watching, leaned in curiously and whispered, "Is that the only reason?"

"If I hold the flag, everyone will target me. It's better for Elysia to hold it. She's the greatest decoy. Now that she holds something important, everyone will probably think she's the leader. And that's when I strike. While they're focused on her, I'll take the enemy's flag,"