As Leo settled into his new life at the Arcanum academy, he quickly discovered that academic and combat prowess were not the only challenges he would face. The social dynamics of the academy, steeped in the traditions and prejudices of class distinction, presented a different kind of battleground.
A few weeks after the entrance exams, the Collegium held a grand ceremony in the Great Hall to officially announce the classes of all new students. The hall was packed with students from various backgrounds, the nobles sitting prominently at the front, their fine clothes and haughty expressions setting them apart.
When it was Leo's turn, the headmaster, an aged mage with a stern face, read out loud, "Leo of Elden's Reach, class: Soul Reaper." A hushed murmur swept through the hall, as many students whispered in surprise and curiosity. The title was rare and enigmatic, one that few understood but all respected.
However, the whispers also carried a hint of scorn from some of the noble students. "A commoner as a Soul Reaper? Preposterous!" one whispered audibly.
Following the ceremony, Leo received his weapon—the Scythe of Souls, a weapon that none, including Leo, knew how to wield effectively. Its handle was long and elegantly carved, the blade shimmering with a faint, otherworldly light. Leo felt both a surge of pride and a daunting sense of responsibility as he held it.
Training with the scythe proved to be a formidable task. Unlike a sword, its balance and movements were unfamiliar, and Leo found himself struggling with the basic maneuvers. Recognizing his difficulties, the combat instructor assigned him additional training sessions, which only served to isolate him further from his peers.
The noble students, many of whom had been training in their family's chosen weapons from a young age, took Leo's struggles as an opportunity to assert their supposed superiority. They flaunted their skills and heritage, often belittling Leo's common background and his difficulties with the scythe.
"Perhaps some classes are too grand for common blood," sneered one noble student during a training session, watching Leo fumble with a particularly tricky maneuver.
Despite the jibes, Leo pressed on, his resolve hardened by each snide remark. His unique class began to reveal its powers gradually, aiding his understanding and mastery of the scythe. Each swing and cut slowly became more fluid, the weapon feeling less like an external tool and more like an extension of his own spirit.
Night after night, Leo practiced under the moonlit skies of the academy's grounds, away from prying eyes. The scythe's blade sliced through the air, creating arcs of silver light. With time, Leo not only mastered the basic movements but started to innovate, combining the maneuvers with the tactical insights from his past life as Lucian.
One evening, while Leo was deep in practice, he was unaware of a small audience that had gathered to watch. His fluid movements and the deadly grace of the scythe drew a begrudging respect from some of the noble students who had come to mock him but stayed to watch in silence.
The next day, during a group training session, Leo surprised everyone with his improved prowess. The same noble who had mocked him earlier found himself disarmed in a practice duel, his sword knocked away by a swift, unexpected move from Leo's scythe.
The combat instructor, having witnessed Leo's growth and the subtle shift in the dynamics, clapped his hands, calling the session to an end. "Remember," he addressed the class, "true mastery is not just about heritage or class. It's about perseverance, innovation, and respect for your peers."
As the students dispersed, some of the nobles looked at Leo with a new-found wariness, perhaps recognizing that underestimating him had been a mistake.
Leo returned to his quarters that evening, not with triumph, but with a quiet satisfaction. He knew this was just the beginning, and many challenges lay ahead, but he was ready to face them with the same determination that had brought him this far.