Eryndor didn't ultimately follow through with his idea.
He didn't want to expose his abilities to anyone here, not before he trusted them at least.
"Want to have a fight?"
Drakarion asked with a smile on his face. It wasn't anything malicious or with ill-intention but simply a basic question.
"I can't fight. I've never trained in this."
Eryndor shook his head.
"I'll only be asking for a beating if I spar with you."
Drakarion was quick to counter-offer after he gulped down water from a bottle nearby.
"I can teach you."
He hesitated but eventually gave in, it would indeed be beneficial to learn how to fight from someone as trained as Drakarion.
Both of them took their stances. The two women retreated to the side, but didn't leave the Training area. They were eager to learn as well.
The sound of training boots scuffing against ground echoed as Eryndor lunged at Drakarion. His punch was wild, straight at the young man's face.
Drakarion sidestepped with ease, his arm snapping out to strike his overextended elbow, forcing his balance forward.
"Lesson one: Control."
He spun behind Eryndor, his voice sharp.
"Overextension kills. Every move should flow—no wasted effort."
Eryndor stumbled but recovered, throwing a low kick aimed at his shin.
Drakarion caught it with his forearm and twisted, forcing him to hop awkwardly. Before he could regain his footing, the young man's heel slammed into Eryndor's shoulder, sending him to the ground.
"Lesson two: Stability. If you're not grounded, you're vulnerable. Unless you learn to fly of course."
Grunting, Eryndor scrambled back to his feet, his movements more deliberate now. He feinted left, drawing into a step, then darted in with a quick jab aimed at his ribs.
Drakarion smiled as he redirected the jab to the side and countered with a palm strike to his jaw, stopping just short of impact.
"Lesson three: Deception. Feints are good, but only when your opponent doesn't see them coming. Otherwise, you're just announcing your plans."
After wiping his hands against his pants, Eryndor adjusted his stance, trying to anticipate his next move.
Drakarion took the offensive this time, closing the distance with a sudden, fluid strike aimed at his neck.
Eryndor blocked it just in time and retaliated with a knee aimed at his midsection after a quick moment of thought. He caught his knee mid-arc and spun, dumping him on his back in one smooth motion.
As he gasped for air, he stood over him, hands on his hips.
"Lesson four: Adaptation. React, but don't overthink. In a real fight, hesitation is the same as death."
Eryndor groaned, pushing himself back up with a determined gleam in his eye.
"Got it. Control. Stability. Deception. Adaptation."
Drakarion smirked, extending a hand to pull him up.
"Good. There is obviously more to the fight but these are few of the overall basics which you should drill into your head."
Eryndor realized his forehead was already damp with sweat. He didn't think such a short spar would consume so much of his focus, attention and energy that he would start sweating.
Even with the transformation last night, it was a difficult match for him. It made Eryndor come to terms with the fact about how strong Drakarion actually was.
I need to start working hard.
He nodded to Drakarion, implying that he understood his advice.
Before he even left the Training area, Eryndor could already feel himself reinvigorating.
Passive regenerations even regenerates the energy I spent huh. Very convenient indeed.
Over breakfast, all four of them decided to take a mission to gather some credit points.
To obtain resources to get started on practicing different techniques or to speed up your practice, one needed to exchange them with credit points.
One can obtain credit points through a number of tasks listed in the mission hall.
As for the attendance in lectures, the Academy didn't attach much importance to it.
All the information taught in the lectures was recorded in the library, along with videos of personal tips from the professor and combat guidance.
What you actually missed out on was a chance to form connections with others, including the professor.
Eryndor left the villa after having a hefty breakfast, approaching the main building of the academy.
Since the other three had some work to do, he figured it would be convenient if he could choose their mission and do the registration by the time they arrived.
[Authority required: 1]
[Mission difficulty: 3]
[Mission venue: Kantos Town]
[Mission timing: The vehicle assigned to the mission leaves in an hour. The entire operation is estimated to last a week.]
[Mission Brief: Stray Animal Containment Operation]
[Objective: Contain and capture stray animals within the designated area, which has been affected by the local Anomaly.]
[Be advised: The animals may exhibit unpredictable or aggressive behavior due to their exposure.]
[The Academy will provide all necessary tools and protective gear for this mission. Ensure proper usage to minimize risk.]
[Health Advisory: While injuries sustained during the mission will be eligible for healing at an 80% discount, it is strongly advised to avoid harm.
Note that treatment for injuries caused by Anomaly-infected animals requires specialized healers, incurring significantly higher costs. Proceed with caution.]
[Rewards: Each participant will receive 50% of the realm one materials required to initiate their power system journey.
For students following a power system that does not require materials to initiate their journey or have already begun their path, equivalent-value practice materials will be provided as compensation.]
[Prepare carefully, remain vigilant, and prioritize teamwork.]
When Eryndor looked at the rewards he decided this was the mission he wanted.
It would help his roommates and give himself plenty of resources to speed up his cultivation.
Coupled with how strong his roommates were, he hesitated less than normal when he read the mission difficulty.
Drakarion is very strong, no doubt. Paulina is equally deadly, and Valentina has already contracted a beast, she shouldn't be weak.
If I discreetly use my other abilities, it should easily be a safe and rewarding mission.
Authority corresponded to the realm of power system required for the students to take up on the mission.
He figured their group's power already ranked high enough in realm one despite Drakarion and Paulina not having embarked on their power systems yet.
"Did you choose the mission?"
Valentina asked, she was the first to arrive.
"Yes, we'll leave in under an hour."