I woke up before the bell made a sound, the faint glow of dawn seeping through the window casting a soft light across the room. The academy grounds were still quiet, the early morning air crisp and cool. I figured it was the perfect time to practice my magic without any interruptions. Slipping on my shoes, I quietly left the room, careful not to wake my sleeping roommates, and headed outside to an open area near the dorms.
The academy's training grounds were empty at this hour, the grass still wet with dew. I took a deep breath, feeling the chill fill my lungs as I concentrated on the flow of mana within me. I started with basic spells, beginner spells of water and wind, letting my body remember the rhythm of casting. It felt good—refreshing even—to push myself this early, alone with nothing but the sound of rustling leaves and the distant chirping of birds. For half an hour, I immersed myself in practice, losing track of time until the first bell rang loudly, signaling the start of the day.
Realizing it was time, I quickly returned to the room, knowing my roommates would still be in their beds, likely undisturbed by the bell's call.
"Hey everyone, wake up!" I shouted, my voice slicing through the morning silence. "Haven't you heard the sound of the bell?"
Tyiyn groaned, pulling his blanket over his head. "Will? It's so early; why are you being so loud?" he mumbled, his voice muffled by his pillow.
I crossed my arms, leaning against the doorframe. "Today's the start of classes, so wake up now, or we'll be late."
Tork, always the first to jump to action when reminded of something important, sat up abruptly, rubbing his eyes. "That's right; I completely forgot about it. Thanks, Will." He swung his legs over the side of his bed, already starting to shake off his grogginess. Tork then turned to Raiden, who was still snoring lightly, sprawled out on his back with an arm dangling off the edge of his bed.
"Raiden, wake up!" Tork called out, shaking Raiden's shoulder vigorously. Raiden groaned, half-opening his eyes, blinking sleepily at the morning light pouring through the window.
Raiden yawned, stretching his arms above his head. "What time is it?" he mumbled, his voice thick with sleep.
"Time to get going," I said, amused by how reluctant everyone was to get moving. "The bell already rang; we need to eat breakfast before class starts."
Reluctantly, Raiden pulled himself out of bed, muttering something about wanting five more minutes, but he joined us nonetheless. The four of us quickly got dressed and made our way to the cafeteria. The hallways were bustling now, filled with students rushing to start their day, and the cafeteria was no different, buzzing with the chatter and clatter of breakfast preparations.
We grabbed our food—simple but hearty meals of bread, eggs, and some fruit—and sat at a table near the corner. We didn't have much time, so we ate quickly, exchanging a few words here and there about how excited or nervous we were. The atmosphere was lively; everyone was in a rush, but the energy was contagious, sparking a sense of anticipation in the air.
After finishing our breakfast, the bell rang again, echoing through the academy grounds and signaling that classes would begin in twenty minutes. We stood up, feeling the urgency kick in as we made our way toward the main building.
"Guys, what class are you taking today?" Tork asked, looking a bit apprehensive as he adjusted his collar, which seemed to be choking him more out of nerves than actual tightness.
"I'll take the swordsmanship class," I answered confidently, already feeling eager to start. The thought of training and improving my skills excited me more than anything.
"Me too!" Tyiyn added, his voice filled with enthusiasm. "I've been waiting for this; I want to see how I stack up against the others."
"I'll also take a swordsmanship class," Raiden said casually, though there was a competitive glint in his eyes that hinted he was just as eager.
Tork, however, looked slightly crestfallen. "Is that so? So I'm the only one who will get separated," he said, his nervousness returning in full force. He glanced around, his hands fiddling with the straps of his bag.
"You're taking the fire magic class, right?" I asked, trying to offer a reassuring smile.
"That's right," Tork nodded, his expression tight with worry. "But I feel nervous; what if they learn that I don't have any experience in fire magic? And what if they find out I come from an ordinary family, not one of those families of soldiers?" His voice was small, and his eyes darted nervously from one person to the next, reflecting his self-doubt.
Raiden clapped Tork on the shoulder with a broad grin, the sound of his hand hitting Tork's back echoing with a friendly force. "HAHAHAHAHA, you're overthinking again," Raiden said with a laugh, his carefree attitude seeming to lighten the mood instantly.
Tyiyn nodded, flashing Tork an encouraging smile. "That's right. Don't think too much about it; just do what you always do! You've got this."
I stepped closer, meeting Tork's anxious gaze. "If you need help with anything, you can always ask us. We're friends, after all. You're not alone in this."
Tork blinked, his expression softening as he looked at each of us, the weight of our words sinking in. "You guys…" he said, his voice quivering slightly with emotion. "Thank you! I'll do my best," he said with newfound determination, standing a little straighter as he adjusted his bag. He turned and started heading toward the fire magic classroom, his steps more confident now.
As we watched him go, I couldn't help but chuckle at how quickly his mood had turned around. "He's overreacting again," I said, shaking my head in amusement.
Raiden and Tyiyn laughed in unison, the sound filling the corridor with warmth as we watched Tork disappear around the corner.
After Tork left, the three of us started heading toward the training field, where the swordsmanship lesson would be held. The academy grounds were lively now, students bustling around as they made their way to their respective classes. The training field wasn't far, just beyond the main building, and I could already see other students gathering, their practice swords gleaming in the morning sun.
As we walked, I caught a glimpse of Chris with her group of friends, all of them chatting animatedly while making their way toward one of the classrooms. Chris stood out with her blonde hair pulled into a neat ponytail, her expression bright and full of energy as she talked to the girls beside her.
"Guys, you can go ahead; I'll just talk to Chris for a minute," I said, pausing to let Raiden and Tyiyn continue without me.
Raiden raised an eyebrow, giving me a knowing smirk. "Okay, just don't be late; Instructor Gord looks scary," he warned, his tone teasing but sincere.
"Yeah, I know," I replied with a small chuckle, watching them walk away before turning my attention back to Chris.
As I made my way toward her, Chris noticed me approaching and stopped, waving her hand with a warm smile. Her three friends also turned to look at me, their expressions a mix of curiosity and mild surprise. I could feel their eyes on me as I approached, but I brushed off the nervousness that threatened to creep in.
"Chris, are you heading to the classroom?" I asked, trying to sound casual even as my heart beat a little faster from the attention.
"Yeah, I chose the fire magic class," Chris replied, her tone brimming with confidence. "I already mastered the beginner water magic spells, so I thought I should also train on my other magic attribute." She spoke with an ease that I always admired—Chris was never one to shy away from a challenge.
"And you, Will? What class did you choose?" she asked, genuinely curious.
"I chose the swordsmanship class," I answered, meeting her gaze.
Chris tilted her head, her eyes narrowing slightly as if assessing my decision. "Didn't you already master the beginner skills?" she asked, sounding a bit puzzled.
"Yeah, but it's still not enough to fight an average swordsman one-on-one without using magic," I explained, scratching the back of my head. "I need more practice if I want to rely on my skills rather than just spells."
Chris nodded, understanding immediately. "Makes sense. You've always been like that."
As we talked, I couldn't help but notice that Chris's friends were listening intently to our conversation, their eyes shifting between Chris and me. I realized I hadn't introduced myself yet, and they were probably wondering who I was. Clearing my throat, I decided to introduce myself properly.
"Good morning, everyone," I began, feeling a bit awkward under their watchful eyes. "Sorry for the late introduction. My name is Will, Chris's childhood friend. Please continue being friends with her."
Chris burst out laughing, shaking her head at my formal introduction. "You're being too formal, Will!" she chided, her voice light and teasing.
I blinked, a bit thrown off by her reaction. Was that too much? I thought it was just a polite way to introduce myself. I glanced at her friends, and it became clear they weren't sure how to respond either. They exchanged awkward glances, looking like they were debating how to reply to my stiff introduction.
"Ah, right. That was too formal, wasn't it?" I admitted, scratching my head in embarrassment. "Nice to meet you guys; my name is Will, and Chris and I are childhood friends."
The dark-haired girl with glasses adjusted them slightly before speaking up, her voice soft but polite. "My name is Lana; nice to meet you too, Will," she said with a small smile. Her demeanor was calm and thoughtful, and she seemed like the type who observed more than she spoke.
Next, the girl with long brown hair, who had a modest and gentle appearance, introduced herself. "I'm Lucia; nice to meet you too," she said, bowing her head slightly in a gesture of respect. There was a softness to her that made her seem approachable and kind, a perfect balance to Chris's more outgoing personality.
Finally, all eyes turned to the red-haired girl, who had been watching the interaction with an air of mild disinterest. She let out a small sigh, as if introducing herself was a chore. "My name is Crestia; nice to meet you," she said quickly, her tone flat. Before I could even respond, she added, "Is that okay? Let's go now, or we'll be late," she urged the girls, clearly eager to get moving. Her expression didn't soften; instead, it seemed like she'd rather be anywhere else than here.
Chris nodded, turning back to me with a bright smile. "Then, Will, we'll go to the classroom now. See you later!" she said, her tone cheerful as always.
"Yeah, see you later," I said, waving my hand as they started to walk away. Chris, Lana, and Lucia waved back, their smiles warm and friendly. Crestia, however, didn't even glance back, her footsteps quick and determined. I watched her retreating figure, a bit puzzled by her cold demeanor. Did I do something wrong, or did she just not like me?
As the girls disappeared down the hallway, I sighed and turned back toward the training field, the sounds of students filling the air once again. Chris had always made friends easily, and I was glad to see her surrounded by such a lively group. I couldn't help but wonder about Crestia's attitude. Maybe it was just her personality, or maybe she was just having a bad day.
After that, I made my way toward the training field, my heart racing with anticipation. The academy grounds buzzed with energy, and I could see clusters of students chatting, their voices mingling with the sound of clashing swords in the distance. As I approached the field, I noticed that Instructor Gord wasn't there yet, which gave me a moment to collect my thoughts.
I spotted Raiden and Tyiyn leaning against a wooden post, animatedly discussing something, their laughter ringing out. I joined them, the three of us sharing stories and cracking jokes to ease the pre-class nerves. Raiden's broad smile was infectious, and Tyiyn's playful banter kept the atmosphere light.
"Did you see how nervous Tork looked when he left us?" Raiden said, shaking his head with a chuckle. "You'd think he was about to face a dragon instead of just a class."
Tyiyn laughed, his bright eyes sparkling. "He'll be fine! Just wait until he starts wielding fire magic. I'm sure he'll light up the whole place—literally!"
As we joked, the sun hung high in the sky, casting a warm glow over the training field. Students continued to trickle in, each one finding their place as the excitement grew palpable. Finally, after what felt like an eternity, Instructor Gord arrived. His imposing figure loomed over us, his presence commanding immediate attention. He wore a stern expression, and his black hair caught the sunlight, giving him an air of authority.
"Listen up!" he called, his voice booming across the field. "Form a line of ten! Twenty students per line. We have a lot of first-years to organize today." His tone brooked no argument, and I quickly fell into step with my classmates.
I glanced around, noting that there were a total of 400 first-year students, with 203 of us interested in swordsmanship. A small crowd gathered, creating a mixture of eager faces and nervous expressions. Among us, there were also those like Raiden and me, who had a knack for swordplay and a magical affinity. This meant that only about 170 of us were here today, but it was still a considerable number, and I could feel the weight of the competition settling in.
Instructor Gord began counting off the students, his deep voice echoing in the warm air. "My name is Gord, and I am the head instructor for swordsmanship," he said, eyeing us with a mix of appraisal and authority. "We will divide all of you into five sections, but first, those who can activate a swordsmanship skill should raise their hands."
I didn't hesitate. I shot my hand up high, and I was relieved to see Raiden and Tyiyn do the same. The three of us exchanged glances, a silent agreement passing between us. We were in this together.
"Good. All those who raised their hands, come here and form a line," Instructor Gord commanded, and we moved as one, stepping forward to join the small group of 16 students who could activate swordsmanship skills. The nervous energy in the air heightened as we arranged ourselves, a mixture of excitement and anxiety coursing through us.
Once we were in line, Instructor Gord approached, his keen eyes scanning each of us. He counted again, and the seconds stretched on as he assessed our readiness. "The 16 of you, follow me. You will be the first section," he declared, his voice leaving no room for doubt.
Relief flooded through me. This was it—the first step into the world of serious training. I couldn't help but glance back at Raiden and Tyiyn, who both wore expressions of determination. They were ready, and I felt a swell of pride at being part of this group.
"Instructor Logen will handle the division of the other sections. That's all," Instructor Gord continued, raising his voice to ensure all the first-year students could hear him. "Now let's go!" With that, he started walking, and we followed in a neat line, the ground firm beneath our feet.
I couldn't help but overhear snippets of conversations among the other students. Some were discussing their backgrounds, others were nervously speculating about what Instructor Gord would teach us. I felt a mixture of camaraderie and competition, an undercurrent of excitement that surged with each step.
"Will, you ready for this?" Raiden asked, his tone light but laced with sincerity.
"More than ready," I replied, my voice steady.
Tyiyn chimed in, "Let's show them what we've got. We're not just here to learn; we're here to excel!"
Their enthusiasm was contagious, and I felt my confidence bolstered. We were a team, and no matter how daunting this first day felt, we would face it together.
As we approached the training area, the air grew tense with anticipation. Instructor Gord turned to us, his expression softening just a fraction. "All of you can already activate swordsmanship skill, but remember—this is just the beginning. Training is rigorous, and only those who are truly committed will excel."
His words hung in the air, a challenge that ignited something deep within me. I was ready to face whatever tests awaited us.