I thought that after so long without any news about this place, the Hall of Combat would look unkempt. I didn't expect the opposite to happen. The inside looked very clean and tidy. However, so far, I haven't seen a single person inside.
Several times I said hello, but there was no response at all. Until finally, I walked towards a small garden inside the hall. There, I saw a sight that I had never seen before while I was in Zephyr Magic Academy. A skinny shirtless old man was enjoying a cup of tea very serenely.
I was silent because I didn't know what to say or do, seeing the bizarre scene in front of me.
Not long after, the old man put his cup back down and turned to me and said, "Hey, why have you been silent all this time? Have you never seen anyone else drink tea as elegantly as I do?"
Looking at the old man's face smiling confidently. I couldn't hep but want to cover my face when I saw his mouth, which was almost toothless.
"Laugh if you want to laugh. Why hold it in? holding back emotions will only shorten your life."
I didn't feel any emotion of annoyance or anger from the old man in front of me. What I felt from him was a strong, optimistic, and positive nature. Besides, his statement earlier contained truth. Those who hold back their emotions tend to live shorter lives than those who release their emotions and don't hold back what's in their hearts. People who hold back their emotions tend to have pessimistic thoughts and most end up depressed and committing suicide.
I even lost my intention to laugh and became stunned after realizing the truth behind his words.
A hint of smile appeared on the old man's face as he looked at me and asked, "So, what did you come here for?"
His question reminded me of my main purpose in coming to the Hall of Combat. Without hiding anything, I explained the purpose of my visit to this place.
"My name is, Ace Arcane, the reason I came here is to learn combat spells. My body condition is different from most people's because my body can only hold a very small amount of mana. So, I came here to try and find out if combat spells are suitable for me to use with my condition. But since earlier, I haven't seen anyone here. Whether it's a teacher or student. It seems my coming here ended in vain."
The old man in front of me chuckled and said, "There's no one here? Of course, that's normal because it's been a hundred years since the Hall of Combat operated as a magic division like the other halls."
I was surprised. I knew that the Hall of Combat had lost its popularity. But I didn't expect that it had been going on for a hundred years. If so, why is this building still left standing in the academy? Is it just a part of history?
"Surprised? Let me tell you one thing, Ace, even though it has been abandoned for a long time, the Hall of Combat will continue to accept new students forever."
Again, I was surprised to hear that statement.
"Isn't there no one here anymore? How can the teaching and learning process take place if there are no students and teachers?"
Walking closer to me, the old man suddenly moved to attack me. His movements were fast and agile. Behind his thin and wrinkled hands, I could feel a very powerful force pressing me and forcing my instincts to take over my body.
"I must run!" that's what my instincts told me, but before I could move, the old man's fist had already reached my body. Hitting several points on my body and making me fly until I hit the wall.
I spat out fresh blood and moved my head to look at the old man.
At the same time, before I lost consciousness, I also heard the old man's words, "Teacher and students? Don't you want to learn combat spells? I will be the one to teach you. From now on you are my first student in a century."
…
I don't know how long time passed when I was unconscious. When I opened my eyes, I realized that I was lying on an altar. My own body was lying between several magic circles and burning candles. Seeing my current condition, I panicked and thought that I was going to be used as a sacrifice in a ritual.
Seeing a familiar silhouette walking towards me, I asked stuttering because of panic, "H-hey, what exactly are you going to do to me, old man?"
I realized that even though I was conscious, I couldn't move my body at all. So, it was natural for me to panic.
"Don't think anything strange. I just want to get rid of the seal inside your body. That seal will interfere with your learning process later so I decided to destroy it."
Somehow there were so many surprises since I set foot into the Hall of Combat. I even just found out that there was a seal embedded in my body. Although I don't know what seal it is.
"Seal? What seal is embedded in my body? How can I not realize that there is a seal in my body?"
The old man said, "Didn't you say before that your body condition is very different from that of ordinary people? The reason why you can only hold a small amount of mana in your body is because the seal embedded in your body takes ninety-five percent of the total mana in your body."
"Eh?"
Hearing that, I was silent for a moment. Without realizing it, tears came out and wet my cheeks.
Beside me, the old man looked at the crying me and asked, "Why are you suddenly crying?"
I replied, "I cried with joy. I thought I really had a trash physique. I didn't expect that there was a seal planted on me. It turns out that all this time I was a hidden genius."
This time it was the old man's turn to be speechless because of my words.
"Genius or not, it can only be determined by your ability to learn from me later. For now, let's focus on removing the seal on your body first."
Not long after those words came out of the old man's mouth, a magic circle glowed, and from the magic circle appeared someone who should be known to everyone in this academy.
"You're late, Merlin. I've been waiting for you."
Different from the old man next to me, although they are both old, the body of the figure named Merlin looks healthy and well-maintained. With his magic robe, the old man looks very majestic and authoritative. In contrast to the figure of the old man next to me.
Besides, his face and name were very familiar in my memory, I couldn't help but ask, "Are you, Merlin, the principal of Zephyr Magic Academy?"