As expected of those exchange students, they brought a bit of home with them. Amy watched as all of them practice magic combat in the training field. Professor Donovan gave permission to observe the new students to study their fighting styles. Unlike Solin mages, they aren't full-fledged warriors however, their magic is unique and separated into a specialty.
Solin believes learning and balancing different kinds of magic are important in battle and self-improvement. But Hekaton believes in magic that is useful in both convenience and survival. Any magic used in combat are in their weapons and armor rather than their individual strength.
Amy watched as they did a mock training with the fifth years Sun members. She watched as one of them starts battling Amelia, getting overwhelmed by her. She analyzed the situation in front of her, knowing who is going to win. Baldwin Heron, skilled in the sword, however heavily dependent on his own special weapon. His strength isn't bad for a kid his age, but it is lacking.
Then she looks at Lysander. He is quite strong on his own. He's fast and good at balancing both close and long ranged combat and has very little need for improvement. That is already impressive for his age. Karnei doesn't use magic to fight that much, they specialize in defense magic and do not use wands like the others. In Lysander's case, he is wearing his magical item in his earrings. A wand is a vessel to the crystal that acts as a medium. Its shape makes it convenient when aiming as using magic as a novice could have dire consequences. So, a wand is used by novice mages in order to learn how to control their magic. Once they get past that and no longer require a wand, they would carry their crystals in different mediums like an amulet. Karnei mages almost never use a wand and believes that it is more effective to learn magic innately and receive their own crystals early so they would create some sort of innate connection with it before using it.
True mages like her do not need a crystal as her body is in perfect condition to act as its own medium. People like Viola do not share the same condition to be a medium which is why she requires a crystal. The reason is unknown.
Karnei's magic technology is also far more superior than any nation. Though, the balance would shift to Solin if any of the technology she introduced from the modern world were to make an appearance to this one~.
"I thought that Karnei would at least bring something interesting to the table." Nathaniel said while standing next to her, his tone is neutral rather than mocking or disappointed, "Solin's Magic Academy is reputed as the best for a reason. I could see how much they need to improve."
Solin's Magic Academy is the best in teaching magical combat and individual learning, even more than Getel. All exchanged students that come to Solin wish to improve on their magical and regular combatant abilities as their schools are not as specialized in that department. Hekaton may not get along with Solin, but the younger generation have an affinity to learn from each other.
Professor Donovon is responsible for teaching them, so he's probably just brought the 3rd years to spare himself the trouble of teaching.
"We will discuss this in class on the differences so pay close attention."
Those not paying attention before are now watching them closely. Out of the Hekaton students, surprisingly, the pink haired girl is the superior combatant. She is small and agile and uses that to her advantage. She also appears to be the most innocent and smallest out of her classmates when she walked in the Grand Hall. Her name is Claudia. There is no surname, so she is not a noble.
*
Upon returning to the classroom, Professor Donovan went up to the podium after everyone took their seats.
"Now who can explain to me the difference?"
Theseus was the first to raise his hand out of many. "Solin is stronger!" He yelled out much to the amusement of many.
"No," the professor answered humorously, "their style is different. The region they live in also reflects their fighting style. Let that be food for thought."
Ino raised his hand which the professor pointed.
"I noticed that those from Hekaton always like to use their weapons. Their physique, their style reflects that openly."
Professor Donovan nodded. "Correct, Hekaton lives in the far north. It is cold and damn near treacherous. The terrain makes it difficult for life to thrive there, so they do not have as many monster threats compared to the other nations. Yet to survive in an environment like this, they had focused on adhering to their strengths and blocking any weaknesses when it comes to combat, and they usually use magic for that. For example, Prince Alphonso is actually pretty weak to offensive magic, so he focuses on defense and uses a large range of weapons."
Out of all the Hekaton students, he is quite underdeveloped. Leon was right about one thing; he is talentless but earnest and hardworking.
"If you remember your history lesson, Hekaton used to be inhabitable, but the founder Hekaton used his power to make the kingdom habitable for humans to live in but also monsters. Now," Professor Donovan said in a happy tone, "write a paragraph on who you think is the best fighter before leaving."
Rarely, observation and analysis are not always a part of class as this is a practical class, so everyone groaned.
"There is a piece of news that I believe that you will be excited to hear. Since all of you are now third years, you and the other teams are all permitted to go on a field trip to the magical forest along with your Magical Creatures and Horticulture professors."
Amy covered her ears in advance to the explosive reaction from everyone. Viola started shaking her in excitement while screaming and even the straight, stoic Melissa is showing her excitement in her own way. The reaction is so explosive that everyone forgot their dignity.
Then the door opened abruptly to one of the interns, who appeared red and out of breath.
"Professor! Headmaster Zoe needs your presence at the office immediately."
"Alright," he replied then turn to the class, "On second thought, the paragraph will be your assignment due by the next class." he said before leaving with the intern.
"What was that about?" Melissa said.
"Whatever, it's a free period, I guess." Leon said.
"I can't wait! We can go to the Magical Forest!" Sabina said with happiness.
The Magical Forest is a one-of-a-kind area. It is a kind of place in Solin where monsters do not dare to go. In fact, it is the home of nymphs who are the true natives to the Grand Continent and never leave the forest since the Angel-Demon War. They are actually quite picky on those who tries to get inside so there is a magical protection that prevents them from coming inside however, there is an exception. Students from the Magic Academy are given permission to enter the forest with explicit instructions not to touch or enter certain parts of the forest and will be supervised by them.
She has wanted to see the forest for quite some time now. It has rarely been shown even in the original story, but the nymphs took the initiative to approach Aron when they sense the Cambion's arrival as it planned on destroying their home.
Amy grabbed her pencil and paper from her bag and began to work. Whatever the professor was called for must be serious enough to disrupt class before it ended.
What she would find out next would be so shocking that plans to go to the forest would be cancelled.