The schedule continued the next day with a tedious theoretical class, which, honestly, I don't remember very well because I ended up resting my head on the desk, almost falling asleep. After those long and boring classes in the morning, the moment we were all waiting for finally arrived: the combat class. Everyone gathered in the training field, and although people were usually tired at this point in the day, today there was a different energy, a mix of excitement and expectation. The reason was clear: the instructor of that class was none other than Sir Galahad, a man of great renown and skills.
"It's good to see you again," he said in a firm tone.
Physical training is part of a warrior's duty, whether a mage or not, and it is an individual responsibility of each cadet. The NOVA academy is primarily responsible for providing top-notch facilities, which can be accessed according to each one's rank; the higher the rank, the greater the benefits. Although I haven't had access to all of them yet, I was given an ID that gives me access to a private training room and an individual lab.
The phrase "NOVA cares a lot about its best students" I heard over and over again, but seeing it all with my own eyes completely changed my perspective. At first, it sounded rather institutional, like an empty slogan. But when I was actually there, I realized what it meant to truly be first. The atmosphere was different and actions spoke louder than words...
The teacher looked at some of the cadets and sketched a slight smile, so imperceptible that if you didn't look closely you wouldn't notice it.
—Correct. For your training, you will have a direct fight with me. This will be observed by several instructors from the audience, who will select their apprentices based on their skills and aptitudes. If you haven't chosen a weapon yet, you can take the one you selected from the grave, or, if not, in the container in front of you you will find a wide variety. From swords forged in utril, to spears imbued with fire magic. Choose carefully and take the one that best suits your style, but remember: give it your all, if you don't want to be affected or, worse yet, seriously injured.
Taking the teacher's words to heart, some students passed by, choosing spears or bows, while others, bolder, chose to wield two swords. I slightly narrowed my eyes for a moment and observed the protagonist.
Fortunately, he was still holding that old, worn, unconfident sword.
"Uff..." I let out a sigh of relief.
"It seems he hasn't woken up yet," I thought, before focusing again.
I touched the bracelet on my right wrist twice and, instantly, it transformed into a revolver of elegant design, golden and with a slight pale glow. Its two perfectly aligned barrels gave it a modern, subtle but lethal touch.
"Je, je..." I let out a light laugh.
It wasn't long before I could feel gazes filled with contempt staring at me.
Firearms, in this world, were practically useless, a relic of times past. The only reason they existed was to provide a false sense of security in ordinary people. Although they could sometimes be used to defend against low-ranking monsters, such as goblins, they were extremely inefficient and expensive.
Bullets were made from materials derived from monsters or special metals, making each one exorbitantly priced, almost like its weight in gold. Furthermore, in order to forge a magic bullet, it was essential to have the skill of a master craftsman capable of engraving runic patterns on each projectile, making it an extremely complicated and inefficient art.
Well, this process didn't apply to me. But no one, except me, knew about it. The weapon I possess has the ability to bypass all of those complications and get straight to the end result. However, that doesn't mean it's more powerful, as I rely on the material to create a stronger bullet, and there are materials that can't be transformed without using special methods.
As for cold weapons, the difference is clear. This is a world that fuses the myths and legends of my previous life, and that changes the rules of everything.
For example, the swords that hunted dragons or the spears that wounded gods aren't just stories. These weapons manifest in ranks and classes, reflecting the magnitude of the feats they accomplished.
Excalibur, Mjölnir, Gungnir, the Holy Spear of Longinus, the Arrow of Eros, among others, are just a few of the mythical or legendary weapons that have endured throughout the ages. Many of them have manifested as dungeon rewards. Others, however, still remain hidden.
So the question was, if they really are so amazing, why didn't I use the sword I have in my inventory? Truth be told, the answer is very simple.
"I don't know how to handle any kind of weapon, except for some fire weapons."
I can't complain about being looked at strangely or looked down upon anymore.
"Since everyone has a weapon, when they hear their name, they report here..."
Instructor Galahad looked at each of the students, his gaze fixed and appraising. When his eyes landed on me, a slight look of recognition crossed his face.
"First, second, and third place: Cyan Vesper, Erwing Guthrie, and Aziel Walton... Ah, yes, fourth place, Amelia Hart. Come forward."
His voice was firm but not without a certain intensity that made my hair stand on end.
"You guys turned out to be quite interesting, so I'll start with you," he said, letting the pressure fill the air. "Now, how do you prefer to do it? All together or one by one?"