Seventeen prepared his stance as he faced Flare Dragnia, "You ready?", he asked. Flare nodded excitedly. She closed her eyes and soon red flames surrounded her. The flames converged and enveloped her hands. She got into her stance.
Seventeen nodded. Flare charged at him with her flaming fists and attacked. Seventeen dodged but he sensed the other fist coming at him from the side. He jumped backward, his thermal sensors detecting the heat.
Flare spun around and aimed a fiery kick at him, he blocked it and counterattacked. She wasn't able to dodge and got hit on the side, she grunted and jumped back to charge her fists. Seventeen said, "Let's pause."
In their short exchange of fists, he noticed something. "You don't spread your flames. You keep them contained to your fists. Why?", he asked. Flare was surprised.
"I don't have full control over my flames so I channel them to my fists.", she said. "Is that why you don't use a weapon?", Seventeen asked.
Flare shook her head, "I don't use a weapon because when I channel my flames it breaks, no matter how durable the weapon is."
"I know the fire attribute of the Dragnia Family is the strongest but I seriously doubt it destroys weapons.", Seventeen thought aloud. He looked at Flare and asked, "Have you tried every weapon?"
"I tried swords, spears, polearms, bows, daggers, and many others made of different materials. They all failed.", Flare replied.
'Maybe it's not the material but the type of weapon', Seventeen thought and looked at the weapons rack on the wall. He picked up a scythe, it has a jagged blade and a long, slightly curved shaft.
"Have you tried a scythe?", Seventeen held it out to Flare. "Uh, no.", she took it with a confused expression. She did some practice swings and was surprised to find it to be well-balanced, much better than the swords she broke. A smile appeared on her face.
"Looks like you like it.", Seventeen said, "Now enhance it with magia and channel your flames into it.", Flare became worried, "Are you sure about it?", Seventeen nodded.
She closed her eyes and focused. Seventeen could see the magia enveloping the scythe, making it stronger. Flare then channeled her flames into the scythe. The flames twisted around the shaft and reached the blade. The blade pulsed as the flames increased and decreased. The temperature around it rose and Seventeen could hear the flames roaring and the shaft creaking.
The others stopped their sparring and stared in amazement at Flare. Soon the flames became stable and enveloped the scythe blade in a jagged layer of flames. Flare opened her eyes and looked in amazement at the fiery scythe, "I did it!", she said excitedly.
"Wow, amazing.", Clare said, not believing her twin is using a weapon.
"Congratulations Flare. If you continue practicing, you will be able to launch flame attacks from your scythe.", Seventeen clapped his hands. "Thank you, sir. I wish I had chosen a scythe in the first place.", Flare looked at the scythe longingly.
"You can get one made in the academy workshop. Just bring the crafters the materials and they will make a good one for the right price, or you can purchase one. You guys will get a weekly allowance of ten gold to spend on items from the many stores and improve or buy weapons from the workshop.", Seventeen explained.
"Oh. Then I should start saving.", Flare said. She pointed the scythe at Seventeen, "Sir, will you help me test this weapon?", she asked. Seventeen smiled, "Very well.", and chose a longsword from the weapons wall.
*******
The sparring session lasted for an hour and everyone was exhausted and sweaty. Strangely, Seventeen didn't even have a drop of sweat on him despite sparring with Flare and her fiery scythe.
"Let's wrap this up. How about we go to our dorm building and freshen up a bit before going to the mess hall for lunch.", Seventeen announced. Everyone was exhausted, so they agreed. They returned the weapons to the wall and followed Seventeen out of the practice hall.
In the corridors, they passed other students who looked at them and whispered with each other. Arthur was pretty sure it was about their instructor. Soon they stepped outside the academy building.
There are many outdoor practice spaces behind the academy for students to improve their magia attacks. A long pathway between these practice spaces led to a small town with many buildings.
"Welcome to Cardinal Town.", Seventeen said as they entered a central plaza with a big fountain in the middle.
"To the left of the plaza are the items stores and food stalls and to the right is the academy workshop.", Seventeen pointed at a huge building with a massive chimney.
"And straight ahead are the living quarters. Now, Let's go to the dorms.",
Soon they reached another smaller plaza surrounded by buildings. They stood in front of a three-story white and brown building, a metal plaque on the doorway says, "SPECIAL CLASS A".
Seventeen opened the door, "Okay, guys. Your names will be on the doors of your rooms. Girls are living on the right-wing and boys on the left. I have to run to the academy so get refreshed and go to the mess hall.", He said and took out a teleport stone. He whispered in it and disappeared with a pop.
Arthur stepped into the common area. It has a cozy fireplace with couches and cushions around it. He spotted a kitchen near the fireplace and a big table which took up half the space.
They climbed the stairs and split up on the first floor, boys to the left and girls to the right. Arthur found his room on the second floor and was amused to find it next to Damien. "Looks like we're neighbors Mr instructor beater.", he said wrily.
"Shut up you weakling.", Damien glared at him. "No need to get fired up Sparky.", Arthur sighed and entered his room.
It is a simple medium-sized room with a bathroom, a single bed, a desk, a wardrobe, and grey curtains. There is a small balcony overlooking the plaza. All his things are kept neatly on the bed.
He took a quick bath and took out a fresh set of clothes from his bag. He was wondering whether to unpack or not for the moment when he heard a knock on the door. He opened it to find Ray along with Robin, Oliver, and to his surprise, Damien. "What is it?", he asked, puzzled.
"I thought it would be a good idea if all of us guys go for lunch together.", Ray said cheerfully. "You sure about that?", Arthur asked, looking at Damien.
Damien turned his face away, "I'm only tagging along because you guys don't know where the mess hall and it'll be really nasty if you open the wrong door.", he said gruffly.
"Oh. Well, lead the way Mr repeater.", Arthur stepped outside and closed the door. "Call me another name and I'll kill you.", Damien warned.
"Whatever. Lead the way dude."
They stepped outside the dorm and walked towards the academy.
*******
Seventeen watched the boys going to the academy from the shadows. He smiled as he saw Arthur and Damien bickering, "Well, at least they aren't killing each other."
(It will take time Seventeen. It's not easy to make two enemies into friends. But I can see that Damien has undergone a major change. What did you do to that kid?)
'Nothing. I just removed the veil he put on himself, a veil of being a tough and arrogant guy which clouded his care for friends. Plus, he can't afford to be a loser unless he wants to be kicked out of his family. Noble kids sure have it tough.', Seventeen sighed.
(Yeah. By the way, shouldn't you prepare for tomorrow's class?)
'I know. No need to remind me.'
Seventeen whistled and with a flash of silver, Selene hovered above him. "Come on girl.", he said, holding out his arm. The falcon landed on his arm and pecked him affectionately.
Seventeen couldn't believe how much the baby falcon grew up in the span of a month. According to Prime, Moon Falcons become young adults in a month and have a long lifespan of 100 years. Even though Selene can't use telepathy yet, both of them can understand each other really well.
Seventeen stood in front of the wall and felt his hand on the smooth stone until he found a rune engraved in the stone. He channeled magia to the rune and a section swung inward revealing one of the many paintings in the academy main building. He entered it and the wall closed behind him.
There are many of these connected doorways sprawled across the whole campus. They are used by staff to reach anywhere on the campus in a short time whether it is an emergency or when they feel lazy to walk
Seventeen walked along the empty corridor, his footsteps echoing. He reached the first-year staffroom and opened the door and found only one person in the staffroom.
"Ah, Seventeen. How was your first class?", asked Marcus Lesley, the instructor of the first-year S class. He is a demi beast, half-human, and half animal. They are a race with animal characteristics.
They are like half-bloods but their animal characteristics do not come from their parents but from their animal spirit which is identified at birth. Demi beasts are everywhere in Arken. The Zelien family is an Arken Family comprised of demi beasts.
Marcus's animal spirit is a wolf, so he has wolf ears and a long bushy tail. He is a cheerful and friendly person who worked as an instructor for five years. He and Seventeen became friends on the day the latter became an instructor.
Seventeen smiled, "It was interesting. First day of class and I already have a student who challenged me to a duel.", he said. Marcus laughed as he rubbed Selene behind her beak, "So it was your presence that I and my students felt."
Seventeen became puzzled, "You were nearby?"
"Yeah. We were in the adjacent practice hall."
"Oh. I am terribly sorry. I thought the materials of the practice hall would absorb my presence.", Seventeen apologized. "It's alright Seventeen. The presence absorbers are working fine, it is just that your presence is too strong to be fully absorbed. It happens when we instructors release our full presence."
"But I know you only released a part of your whole presence in the practice hall. Honestly, I believe you are even stronger than the headmaster.", Marcus pointed out. "I don't know about that.", Seventeen said as he sat in his chair. Selene flew to the perch near his desk.
"Oh yeah, speaking of the headmaster, he wants to talk to you about your co-worker.", Marcus suddenly remembered. "My what?", Seventeen almost fell off his chair.
"Your co-worker Seventeen. You should know that each class has two instructors.", Marcus sighed.
"Seriously?"
Marcus nodded, "There is another new instructor along with you. You haven't seen her because she just came from Elveria today. She was assigned to Special class A and planned on taking the class by herself until you came."
"Ah. I believe she isn't a fan of me.", Seventeen said as he got up and walked towards the door. Selene left her perch and went to his shoulder and pecked at his earring, he stroked her head. He looked at Marcus, "Well, I am off to see the headmaster."
Marcus chuckled, "Careful Seventeen. I met the other instructor and I can say one thing. She's really icy."