Chapter 12: Proving yourself

3rd Pov

3 days have passed since the great start of Dawn's school life...Finally at their first practice class, all the students were gathered on a training field with their wand or whatever weapon they chose.

Waiting for their teacher, the students chatted separated by their social class...beside Dawn and Luna who stuck together.

It didn't bother Dawn even though he wasn't the one who insisted on being together for lunch, walking from the dormitory to the class building in the morning, sitting beside her in class, finishing school and going back to their dormitory together.

It was Luna who just followed him and didn't even bother to hide her intention...at the end, they pretty much grew closer and somehow became friends.

Now standing beside each other in the background, they exchanged a few meaningless words while staring at the crowd of students.

Dawn : By the way, Luna, I still don't know what kind of mage you want to become.

Luna : What kind of mage ?

Dawn : I mean, we all know you got a high amount of mana but if you don't specialize in some field, this power of yours would be useless.

Luna : I see, then I was told to learn offensive magic.

Dawn : (Offensive ? Well it's logical since it is the type of magic that doesn't rely on anyone but yourself...it's also the favorite type for any noble since it's the strongest weapon beside skills.)

As he thought, someone sneaked beside the duo, it was the prince of this kingdom Ray...as the prince he was surely handsome and well built.

With a smile, he waved his hand and spoke up.

Leo: You two seem to get along despite your family difference, anyway you must already know me but i'll still introduce myself, Leo Muth, the heir prince of our kingdom.

Extending his hand toward Luna, Dawn narrowed his eyes...he was polite and showed no sign of superiority complex yet it seemed he didn't acknowledge him.

Luna : Luna.

Shaking his hand, Luna only nodded before going back behind Dawn and stood there quietly.

Dawn : (Well at least this prince isn't one of those generic pigs of a royalty.)

Leo : You must be Dawn Arceid, despite our social stature difference, I hope we can be good partners in the future.

And to Dawn's surprise, the prince extended his hand for a handshake...it was honestly kind of a shock, the prince of such a kingdom not being arrogant.

Again, Dawn remembered that the actual kingdom of Muth isn't Falmuth...the king is someone good, at least this is what all the rumors said about him.

Dawn : The same for me, your highness.

Leo : Oh please don't call me that, honorifics are useless here since we are just students.

Dawn : If you say so, Leo.

Now it was Leo's turn to be surprised...he didn't expect the boy in front of him spelling his name so directly.

Thought it was refreshing...he smiled and nodded before turning away.

Leo : You sure are interesting, much more than what the rumors of you say...i look forward to our future interaction.

Dawn : If you say so (He is weak...but his intellect seems gifted, i guess this kingdom has a great leader for the future.)

Leo Pov

After leaving this interesting duo, I went back to my sister who stayed unfazed by all the noise...a lot of students had come to us and still bother us since we are royalty and having our favor is something great.

Anyway, I just stood beside my twin and crossed my arms.

Dawn Arceid and Luna Zickard...the girl suddenly appeared and was presented as the viscount's daughter and she possessed an abnormal amount of mana.

Along that divine gift, a blessing by the heaven...surely her value skyrocketed and she was granted the title of genius.

On the other side is the so-called worthless bastard child of viscount Lavane...but from what I just saw, he is nothing like the rumors say.

His body is fit as if he trained his whole life to be a knight and he is extremely calm, also something is odd about him.

He always has a sort of cold aura around...an aura that screams, be my enemy and you won't live another day.

Ria : So how are those two ?

Leo : Honestly, they don't seem to care about our statue at all...I would say Miss Luna just doesn't bother to pay attention to anyone beside Dawn while...the latter is unreadable.

Ria : I see...Dawn, huh.

Leo : Did he pick your interest ?

Ria : Yes, he has a blessed power too.

Leo : Huh ?

My twin sister Ria is particular...she is a lone wolf who has a special talent, she can feel and act like a device that sees through your soul.

She can naturally detect blessed ability...but to think Dawn has one, he hides himself very well.

Leo : I see, I guess he is one of those geniuses too...genius attracts genius.

Those two are valuable allies to have...now I'm truly excited to spend more time with him.

Ria : By the way, you suck at hiding your emotions.

Leo : Ugh, did I let my emotion show on my face again ?

Ria : Yes.

3rd Pov

Finally the teacher arrived and every student was separated in pairs...today's content is gauging the level of mastery of each.

Having a target a few miles away, they just had to shoot their elemental spell and try to hit it.

The teacher thought it was going to be an easy going lesson while watching children fail since it was their first day...but against all odds.

Two explosions resonned as both Dawn and Luna had hit in their first try, the target blown away by an ice arrow and a boulder rock.

All the other students sweatdropped as the duo stood there unfazed.

Dawn : You can already control your massive mana ? Impressive.

Luna : You say that but you did better than me.

The fact that Dawn had formed his spell a whole second earlier than her and that his attack caused more direct damage on the target didn't escape Luna's eyes.

But to others, those two were unmatched monsters for their age.

Teacher : You two seem quite advanced compared to others so why not go for a spar.

Dawn : A spar ? (What kind of teacher asks that in the first class...)

Luna : I want that.

Dawn : Huh ?

Luna : You don't want to ?

Tilting her head, Dawn was perplexed but once again something reacted deep inside him...he held his chest for a moment before nodding.

Dawn : Let's do this.

He agreed and soon both found themself encircled by the crowd of students...miles away from each other, this fight was going to be intense in a way where Dawn can't use his physical ability and sword.

Relying only on magic against someone who has twice your amount of magicule.

Dawn Pov

Taking a step forward, my entire body started to shake when I realized something...this girl...she is more dangerous than I thought.

Her massive magicule count is impressive but if you can't use it properly, it becomes useless...but this feeling...

I immediately jumped back miles away as multiple spikes of tone formed on my previous location.

Dawn : You sly fox...

Luna : You dodged ?

If it wasn't for my magic perception and physical ability, she would have crippled both my legs and I would have been out for several weeks.

She isn't as soft as i thought, well i should also try something since she goes in seriously.

Luna : You aren't moving ?

Dawn : Just now, you used a single word incantation ?

Luna : You heard me ?

Just before my instinct kicked in, I saw her lips move...she still can't use chantless spells but it's just a matter of time before she can.

Her mastery over magic is way above the average...was she trained to reach that level or is it just Luna who is a genius ?

Dawn : Ahh, I didn't expect to struggle that much here...

Sighing, I muffled my hair a bit before letting my eyes turn cold...Luna flinched as she realized I wasn't going to give her any mercy.

I understand what she wants now...if we don't go seriously against each other, our relationship will never progress.

3rd Pov

Luna took a step back, readying her wand as her sense sharpened under the effect of her unique skill : Observer.

Luna : (His mana is rising dangerously fast...)

She gulped her own saliva as for the first time in a while she felt nervous...her vision was then blinded by a light blue flash followed by a cold feeling gazing at her cheek.

Her eyes widened when she realized Dawn was in front of her, an unknown looking sword in his hand...her fresh blood slowly flowing down her cheek.

Luna : S-so fast...

Dawn : Is that all you got ?

Luna was bewildered, she wasn't dumb...and could see the difference in experience and capability at the moment.

But the boy's eyes were waiting for her to move...she couldn't abandon now.

Luna : Earth life.

Muttering two words, the ground around them moved in a way where Dawn had to back down...Luna had a great affinity with the earth element.

Though she can hardly control her magicule and thus is limited...just now, this single spell had drained a lot in her mental strength and the flux of magicule in her veins was growing out of control.

Yet, she didn't back down...her body strengthened as she pushed her wand up, manipulating fewer pieces of stone and sending them forward.

Dawn : (Playing with the surroundings now ? Well, you'll have to do better!)

His grip on the katana of ice he had made, he swiftly dodged the flying rock and approached Luna...the girl struggled in following his irregular movement and each seconds became more and more dangerous.

Finally a step away, Luna bit her lips and sent a close ranged shot...the stone forming midair, it drained all the remaining force she had left.

Dawn : (Impressive.)

Solid elements like earth and ice aren't like the other...creating ice and stone from nothing requires an insane amount of control and mental capacity.

Dawn has Snowie to help him but Luna had no one...for that, Dawn didn't stop and instead sharpened his blade with magicule.

His eyes glowed as the unique skill : Reader was activated...accurate line slowly drew on the stone projectile...

Ria : (That's...)

On the side, the spectators were shocked to see people of their age acting and moving the way they do.

Ria, with her talent could feel more than the teacher themself, the true intensity of this fight.

Back down, with his skill he could see the weak point of the incoming projectile...his eyes tracked down the single point where his blade ran through this stone.

And surely he did, the katana was swung in a way where the stone found itself cut into two distinct slices...Luna widened her eyes realizing her loss.

She tried to balance herself, but Dawn was truly merciless...throwing his sword midair, he grabbed Luna's arm before kicking her left foot, her balance totally out.

She closed her eyes as the sharp pain of being pushed on the ground registered in her mind...

Luna : Argh !

She grunted in pain, some blood spilling out...once she was fully locked down, she opened her eyes and froze as Dawn wasn't done.

The sword he had previously thrown fell back right into his hand, his eyes as cold as ever...the persona he had gained in killing dozens of bandits and monsters kicked in.

Smashing his sword down, it landed and pierced the ground just beside Luna's head...the girl shook in terror as her life flashed in front of her.

Teacher : You stop !

Finally reacting, Dawn was quickly restrained...he didn't try to resist as he knew he went overload and just went on as he was escorted out of the training field by the instructor.

Lune was still on the ground contemplating what just happened...the katana of ice slowly melting.

Ria : You noticed it too, right...he wasn't like he usually was, more like a wild beast.

Leo : Yeah...i honestly don't know what to say...

Ria : Dawn Arceid, i don't understand how someone like him had a bad reputation...

Luna Pov

He was different...those cold eyes were screaming danger, what did he go through to have them ?

He killed, this was sure...but somehow i don't feel scared, i was startled but now, for me those eyes just belong to a man who has a heavy burden.

Someone who must accomplish something even if it cost his sanity...i slowly got up and stared down at my legs.

I'm still very weak...i thought i was strong but just now, i realized how big the gap in strength is.

Luna : Huh ?

Wait...since when did I start to care about these things ? I'm just a mere tool for the viscount...it's natural for me to grow stronger...

And I never really cared about these just following what I was told, so why do i want to be stronger now ?

Luna : This is weird...

I muttered before getting up, my legs still felt shaky and I had not much strength left..I should go rest and skip the remaining class.

Luna : I don't understand...

Ria : Do you need help ?

Turning to my left, I saw the princess...my blue eyes met her emerald one, she wore an emotionless expression while extending a hand for me.

What does she want ?

Ria : You are drained out, let me help you.

Luna : I'm grateful for your kindness but allow me to refuse.

Without saying much, I just continued my walk, leaving the princess alone. It might have sounded disrespectful but something felt wrong.

It was as if she had another intention in helping...i don't need that.

Dawn Pov

I messed up... I lost control over my emotion, if Snowie didn't stop me...I would have killed Luna.

Right now, i was sitting in a room, a sort of punition i guess since i almost killed the one everyone is interested in.

Dawn : I wonder how Luna will look at me now...

Teacher : You can go out now.

Finally, someone entered...the teacher who supervised the fight, he came in and gave me an annoyed look before sending me out.

I was freed with just an expulsion warning, it isn't much fortunately but now the rumors have spread and whenever I go, people look at me with different emotions.

Not like I care, I just walked forward ignoring these fools.

Finally reaching my room, I entered and just let myself fall on the bed...

Dawn : I should apologize to Luna...

Closing my eyes, for now I just wanted to rest.