Nate's senses slowly returned, his eyelids fluttering open as the soft glow of the infirmary bathed the room in a warm, comforting light. The familiar scent of herbs and healing magic filled the air, mingling with the crisp, clean aroma of freshly laundered sheets. As his vision cleared, a figure came into focus—a woman with vibrant pink hair styled in twin buns, her gentle smile welcoming and reassuring.
"Good to see you're awake, Nate," she said, her voice soft and melodic, reminiscent of a lullaby.
Nate blinked groggily, trying to make sense of his surroundings. The white walls of the infirmary seemed to shimmer slightly, a testament to the protective wards undoubtedly woven into their very structure. "Where... am I?" he asked, his voice hoarse and scratchy.
"You're in the academy infirmary. I'm Nurse Joy," she said with a playful wink, her hands glowing with a soothing blue healing magic that seemed to pulse in rhythm with Nate's heartbeat. "You're going to see a lot of me if you keep ending up like this."
Nate attempted to sit up, groaning as his muscles protested, feeling as though he'd been trampled by a herd of wild horses. "That bad, huh?"
"Well, Professor Jodi does have quite the reputation," Nurse Joy replied with a sympathetic smile, her magic easing his pain like cool water flowing over hot coals. "But, if nothing else, it means she sees potential in you. She doesn't waste her time on the unworthy."
"That's... comforting," Nate muttered, wincing as he moved his arms, each motion sending a dull ache through his body. "Thanks for patching me up."
Nurse Joy nodded, her pink buns bobbing with the movement. "Just try not to make it a habit. You're scheduled with Professor Garret next. He's... different."
Nate raised an eyebrow, curiosity piqued despite his discomfort. "Different how?"
"You'll see," she said with a knowing grin that suggested both amusement and concern. "Just keep an open mind."
With a final word of thanks, Nate left the infirmary, his body still tingling from the effects of the healing magic, feeling as though a pleasant warmth was coursing through his veins. As he made his way to the training grounds for his session with Garret, Nurse Joy's words echoed in his mind. If Jodi's training was this intense, what would Garret bring?
The training arena was eerily quiet, save for one figure standing in the center. Nate blinked in surprise at the sight before him. Professor Garret looked more like a drifter than an esteemed combat instructor. His dirty blond hair was wild and unkempt, reminiscent of a lion's mane, and a scruffy beard shadowed his face, giving him a roguish appearance. He was juggling a bottle of wine with surprising dexterity, looking completely at ease in the vast, empty arena.
"Professor Garret?" Nate called out cautiously, his voice echoing slightly in the open space.
In an instant, the bottle vanished as if by magic, and Garret was suddenly behind Nate, moving with a speed that defied belief. A dagger, its edge gleaming wickedly in the light, was pressed lightly against Nate's throat.
"Lesson one," Garret whispered, his voice low and sharp, carrying the weight of years of experience, "always expect the unexpected."
Nate's heart raced, pounding against his ribcage like a caged bird, but he forced himself to remain calm. "Got it," he said, his voice steady despite the adrenaline coursing through him.
Garret released him, stepping back with a lazy grin that didn't quite reach his eyes. "Good. You're not completely hopeless."
Nate turned to face him, still trying to process Garret's swift movements. The man moved like water, fluid and unpredictable. "So... what's today's lesson?"
Garret tossed him a practice dagger, which Nate barely caught, the wooden hilt smooth against his palm. "Lesson two—never rely on just one thing. Magic is a tool, but if you can't fight without it, you're already dead."
Nate nodded, gripping the dagger, feeling its weight and balance. "So... we're going hand-to-hand?"
Garret chuckled, his eyes gleaming with mischief and something darker, more dangerous. "Not just hand-to-hand. You're going to learn how to fight like your life depends on it. Because one day, it will. Defend yourself."
Without warning, Garret lunged at Nate, moving like a viper striking its prey. His movements were so fast that Nate barely had time to raise his dagger to block. The force of Garret's attack sent shockwaves through his arms, vibrating through his bones. The relentless assault that followed left Nate struggling to keep up, each blow coming faster and harder than the last. Garret was like a whirlwind, switching tactics mid-strike, never giving Nate a moment to recover or predict his next move.
"Stop thinking so much!" Garret barked between strikes, his voice cutting through the clash of blades. "You're letting your mind get in the way. Use your instincts!"
Nate gritted his teeth, trying to follow Garret's advice. He focused on reacting rather than planning, letting his body move on its own. But Garret's unpredictability was overwhelming, each attack coming from a different angle, with varying speed and force. In a final flurry of blows that seemed to defy the laws of physics, Garret disarmed Nate, sending the dagger flying from his grasp. Before Nate could even register what had happened, he found himself pinned to the ground, Garret's dagger at his throat.
"Lesson three," Garret said, his voice firm but not unkind, a hint of approval in his tone, "sometimes you lose. And when you do, you learn."
Nate panted, the weight of defeat pressing on him like a physical force. His body ached, muscles burning from the exertion. "So... what do I learn from this?"
Garret grinned, pulling the dagger away and offering Nate a calloused hand. "You learn how to get back up," he said, hauling Nate to his feet with surprising strength. "And next time, you'll be ready."
Nate's muscles ached, his mind buzzing with the intensity of the lesson. Every breath felt like a small victory. "Thanks," he said, still catching his breath, a newfound respect for Garret growing within him.
Garret clapped him on the back, his carefree demeanor returning as if the intense fight had never happened. "You've got potential, kid. Just don't let it go to your head."
"Same time tomorrow?" Nate asked, his body already dreading the answer, but a part of him eager for more.
Garret winked, a mischievous glint in his eye. "Same time tomorrow. Be ready for anything."
As Nate walked away, his legs feeling like jelly, he felt both physically and mentally drained, but he knew he was growing stronger. Garret's methods were unconventional, bordering on brutal, but they were undeniably effective. He would be ready next time, he promised himself. He had to be.
[Quest Complete: Hell Training]
Reward: +3 levels, Special Class Option Unlocked.
Nate paused in the corridor, his breath catching as a new prompt appeared before him.
[New Special Class Option: Illusionist Duelist]
Description: A combat-focused class blending illusion magic with precise and deadly physical attacks. Specializes in disorienting foes and striking with lethal precision.
Without hesitation, Nate selected the class, feeling a surge of energy course through him like lightning.
[New Skills Unlocked]
Vanishing Act (Normal): Temporarily disappear from sight for a short period, creating an opening for strategic maneuvers. The user becomes a ghost, untouchable and unseen.
Mirror Mirage (Rare): Create a perfect duplicate of yourself to confuse and mislead enemies, capable of mimicking your movements. The illusion is so perfect, it can fool even the sharpest eyes.
Phantom Flourish (Epic): Execute a series of swift, deadly strikes while cloaked in illusion, leaving afterimages that bewilder and distract foes. A dance of death that leaves enemies reeling.
Reaching his dorm, Nate collapsed onto his bed, every muscle in his body screaming in protest. The day's events replayed in his mind like a vivid dream. As exhaustion pulled him towards sleep, a small smile played on his lips as he slowly passed out.