After a year, it was morning, and in the middle of the arena, over 500 people were silently doing push-ups. Until a voice was heard:
"Repeat, you did the push-up wrong!" One of the instructors shouted at one of the people doing push-ups. The others didn't react, as if it were normal for them.
"Repeat!" The instructor shouted again.
'Finally, he left me alone, but I had to do 10 more push-ups because of that, what an annoying guy!' Lucca thought to himself.
An hour later, the physical exercises had ended, and everyone gathered in front of the five instructors.
"Today, we have an announcement to make," one of them said. Then, another instructor spoke:
"Today marks the end of the physical training, and tomorrow we will start the training with swords or other close combat weapons, whichever you prefer. So, enjoy your last day of physical training."
"Yes! Finally!" someone exclaimed.
"I can finally use my swords!" said another.
Everyone was excited to hear that the close combat training was coming to an end.
The next day, everyone gathered in front of the instructors, but there was a difference in the arena where they were accustomed to training. Now, there were wooden dummies everywhere in the arena.
"As you can see, there have been changes in the arena. For those of you with a minimum of intelligence, you should already know what these pieces of wood are for," one of the instructors explained.
"To learn how to strike?" suggested one of the students.
"If you're referring to the most basic attacks, you're correct. Now, choose your weapons!" The instructors produced a variety of wooden swords from their storage rings, including swords of different shapes, sizes, thicknesses, and one-handed and two-handed swords.
"Choose a dummy, but don't start attacking it just yet."
With all of them positioned in front of their respective dummies, one of the instructors began to speak: "Well, now we will start the most basic sword training, where we will use the dummies to practice fundamental movements and techniques, including correct grip, guard stance, and strikes."
The instructors started teaching the basic techniques and proper postures, while the students began to strike the dummies. In the arena, the sound of wooden swords hitting the dummy wood echoed constantly. At one point, an instructor said:
"The art of the sword is all about your foundations. Even if you perform only one technique, you must do it correctly and maintain your concentration."
After a month since the beginning of sword training, the students arrived at the arena and noticed that the dummies had disappeared. After recovering from the initial shock, they quickly lined up in front of the instructors.
"Once again, the arena has changed, and now that you have a basic understanding of sword art, we will start combat simulations. But before that, start running!" One of the instructors shouted, and the students began to run around the arena.
Eleven months had passed since the students began combat simulations. Lucca was sleeping in his dorm room when his father woke him up.
"Lucca, wake up! It's time!"
Lucca woke up startled and looked at the window before replying: "How can it be time if the sun hasn't even risen yet? But before that, why are you here?"
"I'm here to wake you up and start our aura training, haha!"
"Ah, I see. Does that mean we're going to the castle?"
"Exactly. Pack your things."
Lucca took 15 minutes to get ready and left his room. In the dormitory hallway, he asked a question.
"Why did you wake me up so early?" Lucca asked, yawning.
"I didn't want people to know whose son you are."
"But today is my last day with them. Why would it matter if they found out today?"
"How do you know today is your last day with them?"
"Because it's been a year since we finished the hand-to-hand training, so we should start the aura training today, as you mentioned before."
"Exactly, today they will start aura training!"
"And will I start too?"
"You will, but I'll be the one teaching you."
After some time, they arrived at the private and restricted training field for the Duke's family.
"Sit down!"
Lucca sat down, and his father began to speak.
"Have you ever wondered what aura is?"
"A subspecies of mana?"
"That's right. While mages use their circles to store mana, we store it in our bodies. Now, let's try to manifest aura."
Lucca looked at his father, determined to learn about aura.
His father manifested aura in his hand and said, "This is aura, an energy we need to control. You need to focus and visualize the aura flowing within you."
Lucca closed his eyes for a moment, took a deep breath, and tried to follow his father's advice. He began to feel a warm and vibrant sensation within himself.
"I'm feeling something, but it's very faint."
"That's okay. Try to shape that aura into a form. It can be any form you can imagine."
Six months passed, and he finally managed to manifest aura.
"I finally managed to shape the aura!"