The following day, the elite class gathered in the dueling arena for martial arts training. Several mage students had also joined the session.
It was crucial for them to understand the movements of a martial artist since mages were often at a disadvantage in close combat.
"You've all learned the three basic martial arts techniques taught during your first year," said Instructor Torun—a master of Brawler-style combat. "Now, in your second year, you'll learn variations of those basic techniques."
Brawlers specialize in unarmed combat, relying heavily on two of the three basic techniques: Power and Agility, for their attack patterns.
Temper Magic was one of the variations of Power and Defense techniques taught in the first year. This magic allowed students to strengthen an object or part of their body for attack or defense.
In the second year, we began learning Acceleration Magic. In the game's first chapter, only Elena and Brian mastered this spell effectively.
Speaking of Elena and Brian, both of them were watching me. Brian, for obvious reasons, wanted to challenge me again for a sparring match, while Elena seemed to be contemplating if she had made the right choice by appointing me as the Disciplinary Committee leader.
Two major pieces of news were circulating today. First, Brian, Ariel, and Roland had defeated a Level 5 monster, a feat typically only achieved by an official Knight. This made them quite popular around the academy. It seems the academy believes they were the ones who killed the monster two days ago.
Second, Senior Renald had resigned as head of the disciplinary committee. The academy had criticized him for failing to assign patrol duties properly, leading to Sephira's death at the hands of that monster.
Elena, as the Student Council President, had recommended me to replace Senior Renald—likely to fulfill one of the agreements we made yesterday.
"Today, you'll practice Acceleration Magic," Instructor Torun said as he activated his spell. Small orbs of light appeared around his legs. "This magic is a variation of the Agility technique and allows the user to double their movement speed."
Instructor Torun then began running around the arena. It only took him thirty seconds to complete a full lap, while the current student record, held by Senior Baldwin, stood at one minute and ten seconds.
However, Instructor Torun's Acceleration spell seemed much faster than Brian's. The more you practice it, the more efficient and economical cost of the mana from the spell becomes.
"Practice the spell for 20 minutes, and then we'll spar so you can get accustomed to using this ability in combat," Instructor Torun instructed. "Brian and Princess Elena, I know you've already mastered this spell, so I'll teach you the advanced version—Accel."
Accel was the next-level variant of Agility. Not only was it better than Acceleration in close combat, but it also allowed for more maneuverability. Most official Knights only used Acceleration for escape or pursuit, but Accel was often employed in combat against enemies.
After practicing Acceleration for twenty minutes, Instructor Torun ordered the Knight students to spar with the Mage students. The rules were simple: a Mage would win if they could knock down a Knight using magic. Conversely, they would lose if the Knight touched them.
"Alright, Valeria de Artagnan! Step forward and be the first Mage to spar!" Instructor Torun called out.
A beautiful girl walked to the center of the field. Her unique green hair marked her as a member of a noble family. Her expressionless face showed that she was only interested in one thing: growing stronger.
"Great, we're up against her first?"
"My hopes of gaining points today are already ruined!"
The Knight students muttered in frustration, some already resigned to their defeat.
It was understandable. Valeria had a reputation as one of the academy's strongest Mages, ranked first among the second-year students and third overall.
"For every student you defeat, you'll earn 10 points toward your rank," Instructor Torun explained. "Now, Knight student, step forward to face Valeria!" He pointed to a brown-haired boy.
If I remember correctly, that boy was Eric—an NPC from the Path of Destiny game. Players could use him as an information gatherer due to his great social skills.
"Huh? Why me?" Eric groaned in complaint.
"Get over here, or do you want me to dock your points for this lesson?" Instructor Torun threatened.
With no choice, Eric reluctantly stepped forward to face Valeria. Both bowed to each other as a sign of respect before the duel.
"Are you both ready?" Instructor asked, preparing to give the signal.
Valeria and Eric nodded, their gazes locked on each other.
"Begin!"
As soon as the duel started, Valeria thrust her palm toward Eric. A powerful gust of wind erupted from her hand, striking Eric and knocking him unconscious instantly.
"Ten points to Valeria!" Instructor Torun declared, signaling the end of the match.
The other Knight students looked at Valeria in a mix of awe and fear. Her graceful spellcasting mesmerized them, while her overwhelming power left them intimidated.
"With that Voiceless Incantation, she must have the fastest spell activation in the academy!"
"Yeah, I'm jealous of Lady Valeria's talent!"
The students began murmuring about Valeria's abilities.
Valeria had a unique Blessing known as Endless Wisdom, allowing her to analyze anything quickly. Thanks to this, she could cast spells without chanting, having already memorized their structure.
In Path of Destiny, only five people possessed this ability.
One by one, the Knight students stepped up to face Valeria. None of them lasted more than five seconds against her.
"Instructor, I think only Princess Elena could challenge me now," Valeria said, looking bored.
It was a fair statement. Only students who had mastered Acceleration could keep up with Valeria's spell speed. Even Brian wouldn't stand a chance against her in his current state.
Instructor Torun, clearly disappointed in the Knight students for failing to offer Valeria a challenge, turned his gaze toward me. It seemed like he didn't have high hopes for me either.
"Your turn, Raul de Garcia!" he called out.
I walked to the center of the arena to face Valeria. Our eyes met, and she bowed respectfully, though her face showed she had no interest in fighting me.
"Begin!
---
Valeria's PoV
"You were born to be the best, Valeria," those were the last words my mother said before she passed away.
I spent my entire life striving to be the best, just like Mother's final words urged me to. Every day, without rest, I studied magic, reading every book I could find.
In the end, I reached my limits at the academy level. No one in this academy could match my skills in magic.
I longed for a strong rival to help me grow. Reaching the top and standing there alone only made me stagnant, slowing my potential. Princess Elena had abilities similar to mine, but she was only focused on expanding her influence within the academy.
There's no point in attending this class anymore. I'm here only to observe Brian's abilities. There's a rumor that he once injured an instructor during the entrance exam.
He was admitted to Grunbelt Academy through a recommendation from Master Erina—the greatest wizard of the young generation in the Empire. She is also my father's best disciple at the Tower of Magic.
That's why I'm curious about this Brian, who managed to attract Master Erina's attention. Could he really be that powerful? With him here, I hope to find a worthy rival to push me further.
"Now it's your turn, Raul de Garcia!"
A man with black hair, a cold expression, and eyes as dark as the night, walked to the center of the arena.
I know him—he's the man who always boasts about his strength, though his abilities are far beneath the claims he so often makes to others.
I hate people like him.
I'll shatter his arrogance with my magic. I want to see the pathetic look on his face when he realizes there are people far stronger than him.
"Begin!"
As soon as the instructor started the match, I immediately launched a Wind Blast spell at him. It was stronger than the magic I had used on the other students before.
"..."
Unexpectedly, that disgusting man managed to dodge my magic. A small light glimmered at his feet.
Since when could he use Acceleration magic?
But I didn't have time to think about that. He was now running straight at me. I raised both hands and increased the intensity of my Wind Blast.
- Boom! Boom!
My magic only hit the ground behind him.
This is bad. He's getting closer. I need to hit him from an unexpected angle. In that case, how about this spell?
Typhoon Blast!
The man suddenly jumped, and an explosion of wind erupted from the ground where he had just stood. He landed smoothly and continued running toward me.
He dodged that too? Impressive, for someone like him. Let's try a different element.
Earth Shatter!
The ground beneath him crumbled into pieces as if a small earthquake had struck the arena. Yet, despite the ground breaking beneath him, he didn't fall.
Mud Trap!
I tried turning the ground beneath his feet into mud to trap him. But it failed—he kept reacting to my magic with incredible speed.
But that's impossible! The speed at which I cast my spells should be far beyond what any academy student can handle.
Could he see the future?
Thunderclap!
Hurricane!
Blazing Fire!
I unleashed every elemental spell I could. But it was useless; he dodged everything. He was only a few meters away from me now.
His hand reached out toward my body.
No... I can't lose to someone like him! I won't accept this!
Numion Blast!
- Boom!
A burst of wind exploded between us. I closed my eyes to shield them from the flying dust. But because the blast was so close, I lost my balance.
However, I felt a hand catch my waist, keeping me from falling.
Slowly, I opened my eyes and found myself staring into the face of a man with dark hair. The hand holding my waist was his.
It was the first time a man had ever touched me.
His face was so close, I could feel his breath on my skin. I noticed a small cut on his cheek.
When I reached out to touch his bleeding wound, he suddenly grabbed my hand, stopping me.
Is this... a man's hand?
His hand was rough, yet warm.
"Ten points for Valeria de Artagnan!"
The instructor's announcement snapped me back to reality—we were in the middle of a sparring match.
"Huh?"
I suddenly realized that Raul was holding me and gripping my hand in front of all the other students. Our position looked like that of a couple dancing.
"W-what do you think you're doing! Pervert!"
- Smack!
I slapped him hard, sending him crashing to the ground.