Neil pov:
Time was slipping away like sand through my fingers, leaving me with less than a month to gather the necessary funds. The prospect of securing a loan was laughable; even the most ruthless lenders wouldn't touch such a sizable sum without collateral. 22 golden narloi that was how much I needed.
No, my only option was to find employment, and quickly.
Seated on the stone benches overlooking the bustling entrance exam, I couldn't shake the sense of urgency gnawing at my insides. The practical exam was crucial; it was where nobles would be watching, where I needed to shine. While my performance in the writing portion might have been lackluster, I knew that my prowess in combat could potentially turn the tide in my favor.
Life had dealt me a curious hand—a skill that both blessed and mocked me in equal measure. Blessed, because it set me apart from others, bestowed upon me a unique ability that, if honed correctly, could prove invaluable. Mocked, because it seemed to taunt me with its limitations, reminding me that despite my efforts, I would never be a match for others.
But I refused to be deterred. I had poured countless hours into training, pushing myself to the limit in an effort to unlock the full potential of my gift. While I had made strides in wielding it effectively, I remained acutely aware of my vulnerabilities. Against a skilled opponent who understood their strengths and weaknesses, I knew I stood little chance.
Yet, as I watched the flurry of activity below, anticipation bubbling in the air like electricity, I couldn't help but feel a surge of determination. This was my moment to seize, my opportunity to prove myself worthy of notice. With every fiber of my being, I was ready to fight, to strive, to overcome whatever obstacles stood in my path.
I watched the students below and noticed how lacking they were in the martial department , even without my ability I think I could have taken them one.
In one corner of the arena, two students engaged in a fierce duel. Their blades flashed in the sunlight, sending sparks flying with each clash. They circled each other, seeking an opening to strike.
Finally, with a swift and calculated move, one of the combatants landed a decisive blow. The sound of metal meeting flesh echoed through the arena as his opponent staggered back, defeated. The crowd erupted into cheers and applause, celebrating the victor's skill and prowess.
As the dust settled and the crowd's fervor began to die down, the voice of the announcer boomed over the arena, calling out the names of the next contenders. "Roche of Vinci and Vrox of Leonars!" he declared, his voice carrying across the arena with authority.
A heavy sigh escaped my lips as I heard the announcement. These were the moments that would define my future, the opportunities I had been waiting for. With a determined resolve, I descended from my perch, ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead.
This was my chance to turn my life around, to prove myself worthy of recognition and success. And I was determined to seize it with everything I had.
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Favain's pov:
From my vantage point, I could see the flaws and shortcomings in their techniques, the hesitations and missteps that betrayed their lack of experience.
The fighters are lacking,Their use of mana, for those who even know how to wield it, is sloppy at best.
I watched as spells fizzled out prematurely or missed their targets entirely, the mana being wasted in bursts of uncontrolled energy. Even among the nobles, whose training should have honed their skills to a higher level, I saw only a marginal improvement in their swordsmanship.
It's as if they're swinging blindly, hoping to land a lucky blow,no finesse, no strategy. Just brute force and blind determination.
Maybe it was me that I had my first two fight with fucking power-houses , or maybe it was just this year's batch that was so weak, as inside the academy in the novel there were few talents that I wished to recruit.
I reached for one of the sweets on the table, its sugary aroma wafting enticingly towards me. With a flicker of anticipation, I popped it into my mouth, savoring the burst of sweetness on my tongue
Turning slightly, I found myself locking eyes with the princess, her red gaze studying me .
A smile played at the corners of her lips as she returned my gaze,
The princess mirrored my smile, her lips curving in a graceful arc as she reached for a sweet of her own.
"Seems like you have a sweet tooth, Favian," she remarked with a small smile, her voice carrying a hint of amusement.
"Oh, I still remember how fond I was of them when I was younger, though unfortunately, some bad teeth made me change my opinion," the grandmaster sighed, a note of nostalgia lacing his words as he reminisced about days gone by.
"Pardon the question, Grandmaster, may I ask where your granddaughter is?" I interjected, glancing around the room but not seeing her among us.
"She is making me proud and earning her seat through combat, Lord Favian," he explained, a sense of pride evident in his tone as he spoke of his granddaughter's achievements. "I saw it fit not to let her blood connection with me give rise to rumors among the academy."
"I see," I murmured thoughtfully, taking a bite of a biscuit as I absorbed the information.
"Is there anyone among the students that caught your eye, Your Grace?" the grandmaster inquired, turning his attention towards the princess, his gaze curious.
"None," she replied with a slight shake of her head, her expression betraying a hint of disappointment. "Seems like our fellow students are lacking in many areas."
"Well, it is the job of the academy to shape them, Your Grace. After all, it is our students that are our future," the grandmaster remarked sagely, his tone filled with conviction.
"Since we are on the topic of the future, after the exam, would you accompany me to my lodging where we could continue our conversation there?" she suggested, her eyes alight with anticipation
"Of course, Your Grace," I replied readily, already envisioning the continuation of our discussion. As I turned my attention back to the ongoing battles below, my eyes were drawn to a particular youngster, his movements showing promise amidst the flurry of combatants.
The young man I was watching was with short brown hair, stood out amidst the other combatants, his movements fluid and precise as he expertly wielded his sword. With each parry and thrust, he effortlessly overpowered his opponent, his skill evident to all who watched. Yet, it was not his swordsmanship alone that caught my attention.
There was something else, something unique about the way he fought. Every time he made contact with his opponent, they seemed to freeze, their movements halting with some of them outrightly collapsing to the ground. It was as if he possessed a power, a gift that allowed him to incapacitate his foes with a mere touch.
As I observed him, a sense of intrigue stirred within me.
Such a power could be invaluable if properly trained and harnessed. With the right guidance, this young man could become a formidable asset, a force to be reckoned with on the battlefield.
But as my thoughts turned to his abilities, another thought crossed my mind. Could his power be similar to the one Lucas had used at the end of the fight? The memory of Lucas and his mysterious abilities lingered in the back of my mind, a puzzle yet to be solved. If this young man possessed a similar power, perhaps it could offer a clue, a hint that could shed light on what had happened to Lucas.
As I continued to watch the young man in action, my mind buzzed with possibilities. There was much to consider, much to unravel.
The student ended his fight with a swift strike,showing impressive skill with his sword. As the crowd erupted into applause, I turned my attention back to the grandmaster, who addressed me with a request.
''Lord Favian , would you be so kind as to look after my granddaughter in the future?" he asked, his tone earnest and filled with concern.
A warm smile graced my lips as I nodded in response to the grandmaster's request. "Of course, Grandmaster " I assured him, as after all nursing a good relation with him could only bring good news.
However, as the grandmaster turned his gaze back to the ongoing fight, his expression shifted from concern to confusion. He muttered under his breath, "What the hell is that madman doing?"
As I turned around, however, a smile erupted on my face, as it seems like I had found my plan reaching closer to me.