Combat, Hidden Rules, and Academy Clubs
One Week Later—The Second Combat Class
A week had passed since Ethan first set foot in the Royal Academy.
In that time, he had observed, analyzed, and adapted.
Today was his second combat class.
The training hall was a grand arena, built with reinforced mana-infused stone to withstand even the strongest attacks.
The instructor, Sir Aldrin Gale, a battle-hardened knight, stood in the center. His armor bore the scars of countless battles, and his sharp gaze scanned the students like a seasoned predator.
"Last week, we tested your raw abilities," he said. "This week, we focus on actual combat."
Pairs were formed, and sparring matches began.
Ethan stood on the sidelines, arms crossed, observing.
His opponents weren't just his classmates—they were heirs of noble families, future commanders, and rulers.
Each move, each technique, revealed something about their background.
But more than that… it revealed the hidden rules of the Academy.
Ethan had been paying attention.
The Academy had its own unwritten laws—rules not taught in classrooms but understood by those with influence.
- Power dictated status. The strongest students gained more opportunities, resources, and privileges.
- Connections mattered. Those with strong family backgrounds could pull strings behind the scenes.
-Duels were more than fights. A well-placed challenge could shift the power dynamics within the school.
-The professors had their favorites. Talent and background influenced how some students were treated.
- Nothing was truly fair.
Ethan smirked.
"Good. It means I can play the game my way."
He would build his own influence—on his terms.
After combat class, Ethan wandered the campus, exploring the different clubs.
Clubs were a major part of Academy life—not just for extracurriculars, but for forming alliances, gathering information, and climbing the hierarchy.
Each club had its own purpose and influence.
🔥 Political Clubs – Run by noble factions, shaping future rulers and diplomats.
⚔️ Adventuring Clubs – Focused on dungeon exploration, treasure hunting, and combat.
🐉 Taming Clubs – For those interested in magical beasts and monster companions.
🔮 Magic Clubs – Dedicated to specific branches of magic, from elemental mastery to forbidden arts.
🛠️ Blacksmith Clubs – For crafting weapons, armor, and enchanted items.
🎭 Social Clubs – Networking groups that dictated noble society within the Academy.
Ethan noticed that some clubs held more power than others.
"I'll have to choose wisely.
He had no interest in blacksmithing because of the system, he had no clue had to become a tamer, he was sure he wasn't interested I. Politics which just left the adventure club and magic club. He wants to explore so the best chance would be the adventure club but students aren't allowed to leave the school grounds for dungeons till after their second year even those in the adventure clubs.
Must first and second years members just soar most of their times and try to discover hidden paths in the academy. He was torn on what to do should he just join the magic club? Then later switch to the adventure club. Magic fascinated him a lot it is a new experience for him and he can't learn it on his own he needed guidance and he had no one yet.
He sat down on a staircase of the academy and became to ponder what to do student pass by wondering what a start pupil of the academy was doing on the stairs some tried to strike up conversation but there was no response. A few minutes later he jumped up in excitement and he said why don't I just joined the two no rule on that. He laughed as he carried on towards his room. People who saw thought power does lead to madness.