The physical training room buzzed with tension as 200 students from Section A gathered for their first group training session at Gaia Academy. The vast room, designed to withstand the most intense magical and physical combat, felt claustrophobic with the sheer number of students present. Each of them knew this was no ordinary training—it was a test of their mettle, and more importantly, a glimpse of what lay ahead in their journey.
Leon and Alex stood near the center of the room, exchanging a few words. The tension in the air was palpable, but Leon's usual upbeat demeanor helped to ease the nerves of those around them. Suddenly, Lila appeared, her head lowered in a mixture of shyness and gratitude.
"Thank you... for earlier," she murmured, glancing up at them.
Leon grinned and waved it off. "It's nothing, really. We're friends, right?"
Lila hesitated, her cheeks flushing slightly. Then, with a small smile, she nodded. "Yes, friends."
Before they could continue their conversation, a powerful voice boomed across the room. Professor Gerald, the imposing physical training instructor, stepped forward. His muscular frame and battle-scarred appearance commanded immediate respect. The room fell silent as he spoke.
"Gather around, everyone."
The students quickly formed a semi-circle around him, their curiosity piqued. Professor Gerald looked over them with a critical eye.
"Today's lesson is simple," he began, his voice as steady as the earth beneath their feet. "You will fight me—all of you, together. You may use your weapons and magic. I will use nothing but my bare hands and physical strength."
A murmur of disbelief ran through the students. Some glanced at each other, unsure if they had heard correctly. But Gerald's expression remained serious.
"This is your first real test at Gaia Academy. If you think you're ready for what's out there, prove it."
At first, no one moved. The idea of attacking their instructor seemed absurd. Gerald's eyes narrowed, and a smirk tugged at the corner of his mouth. "What's the matter? Afraid? Maybe you're not cut out for this after all."
That was enough to ignite the competitive spirit in the students. They charged at him, some with weapons drawn, others preparing spells. Gerald stood his ground, waiting for the first strike.
Elena Ezra was among the first to act. Her lithe form moved with a grace characteristic of her kind as she began to weave an intricate spell. With a whisper of ancient elven incantations, she conjured a series of glowing, ethereal blades that hovered around her before shooting toward Gerald with pinpoint precision.
But as swift and precise as her magic was, Gerald was swifter. Reading the flow of mana, he deftly sidestepped the first blade, then the second, his movements a blur of calculated agility. Before Elena could launch another assault, Gerald closed the distance between them, moving with a speed that even her elven senses struggled to track.
With a fluid motion, he struck her staff, the focus of her spellcasting, out of her hands. Before she could react, he swept her legs out from under her, sending her sprawling onto the ground, her spell dissipating into the air.
"Magic is powerful," Gerald remarked, his voice carrying across the training ground as Elena caught her breath, "but if your strategy is predictable, it won't be enough."
Mira Bluecrest, a skilled elemental mage, didn't hesitate to follow up. Her hands crackled with energy as she unleashed a torrent of water toward Gerald, hoping to catch him off guard. The force of the water was immense, enough to knock any ordinary opponent off their feet. But Gerald wasn't ordinary. With a powerful stomp, he sent a shockwave through the ground, dispersing the water and sending Mira staggering back.
"Power without control is useless," he admonished, grabbing Mira by the shoulder and forcing her to her knees.
Liana Evangeline watched the battle unfold with a calculating gaze. Unlike the others, she didn't rush in blindly. Liana was a master of strategy and illusion, and she knew better than to confront Gerald head-on. Instead, she began weaving a complex spell, creating illusions that distorted Gerald's perception of the battlefield.
For a moment, it seemed as though the tide might turn. The air shimmered with phantom images, and Gerald hesitated, unsure where the real threats were. Liana directed a group of students to attack from multiple angles, using her illusions to create chaos.
But Gerald was not so easily fooled. He moved through the illusions with startling precision, striking down the real attackers one by one. Within seconds, he reached Liana, dispelling her magic with a single, powerful gesture.
"Illusions are clever," he said, gripping Liana's arm with just enough force to make his point, "but they won't save you when your opponent knows how to see through them."
The battle raged on, with students throwing everything they had at Gerald. Leon joined the fray, his swordsmanship on full display as he attempted to outmaneuver the instructor. Despite his efforts, Gerald countered every move with ease, his bare hands deflecting swords and nullifying spells.
Lila, gathering her courage, formed a protective barrier of light around a group of students. But even her efforts were in vain as Gerald shattered the barrier with a single punch, sending shockwaves through the room. Lila staggered, barely keeping her footing.
Ethan watched the ongoing battle. He had come to Gaia Academy determined to prove himself, build connections, and earn the respect of his peers. But every time he considered stepping forward, something held him back—an uncertainty, a fear of failure. And then there was Alex, who seemed to effortlessly overshadow everyone without even trying. The thought of it churned in Ethan's gut, fueling his frustration.
Determined to make his mark, Ethan clenched his fists and decided it was time to act. As Gerald effortlessly dealt with another group of students, Ethan saw his chance. He gripped his spear tightly, its sleek shaft reflecting the light as he prepared for a decisive strike.
With a fierce yell, Ethan lunged forward, aiming a series of precise thrusts at Gerald. The spear moved with deadly accuracy, a testament to his skill and training. But Gerald was already moving. With a deft twist, he dodged the first thrust and then caught the spear's shaft, twisting it from Ethan's grasp with a swift, practiced motion. Before Ethan could react, Gerald's fist connected with his ribs, sending him sprawling to the ground. Gasping for breath, Ethan struggled to get back up.
As Ethan lay there, the sting of his failure burning deeper than the physical pain, he couldn't help but glance toward Alex. The calm, composed figure stood out even more starkly now, and Ethan's frustration only grew.
As the battle continued, Alex did something unexpected. Instead of joining the fray, he blended into the crowd, moving silently among the other students. Years of survival in his past life had taught him how to hide his presence, how to strike when the moment was right.
While the others were fully engaged in the chaotic melee, Alex bided his time, watching for an opening. His chance came when Gerald was momentarily distracted by another wave of attackers. In a flash, Alex moved, his sword aimed directly at Gerald's throat from behind.
But Gerald was no ordinary opponent. He sensed the attack at the last moment, spinning around and catching Alex's blade with his bare hand. The force of the blow sent a shockwave through the room, and before Alex could react, Gerald delivered a powerful punch that sent him crashing to the ground.
The room fell silent as Gerald surveyed the students, who were now exhausted and bruised. "That's enough," he declared, ending the fight. He turned his attention to Alex, who was slowly getting to his feet.
"Why did you attack from behind?" Gerald asked, his tone stern. "Some would call that a cowardly move."
The other students seemed to agree, murmuring among themselves. Alex, however, was unfazed. He met Gerald's gaze with a calm intensity.
"In a real battle, there's no such thing as a cowardly move," Alex replied. "The only thing that matters is who survives."
A moment of silence followed as the weight of Alex's words sank in. Gerald nodded slowly, a hint of approval in his eyes.
"You're right," he said, addressing the entire class. "In the battlefield, there's no honor, no fairness—only survival. If you want to live, you do whatever it takes."
As the session came to an end, the students left the training room, each of them deep in thought.
Ethan, however, couldn't shake the feeling of jealousy that gnawed at him. He had seen the respect in Gerald's eyes when he looked at Alex, and it bothered him more than he cared to admit. He clenched his fists, vowing to find a way to prove himself, no matter what it took.