The first few days at the Royal Academy of Military Magic were a whirlwind for Mingma. The rigorous schedule, demanding instructors, and sheer competitive atmosphere made it clear that this was no ordinary school. Every corner of the academy seemed alive with students either practicing magic, discussing theories, or sparring in fierce duels.
Mingma spent his mornings in classrooms absorbing knowledge about mana control, elemental theories, and tactical combat strategies. His afternoons were dedicated to physical training and practical magic application. The academy's structure was relentless, designed to push students to their limits.
On the fourth day, after finishing his classes, Mingma found himself wandering toward the academy's central courtyard. Known as the Duel Grounds, it was a sprawling open area with multiple sparring rings surrounded by curious onlookers. Here, students tested their skills against one another in official duels or spontaneous challenges.
Mingma stood on the sidelines, observing the battles. One duel in particular caught his attention—a fiery clash between two students. One wielded devastating fire magic, while the other skillfully manipulated water to counter and attack. The intensity of their spells made the air around them shimmer with heat and moisture.
The duel ended with a massive explosion of steam, knocking both participants to the ground. The crowd erupted in cheers, applauding their efforts. Mingma couldn't help but feel a surge of excitement and apprehension. "This is the level I'm competing with," he muttered to himself.
As another duel began, Mingma found himself edging closer to the action. A tall, muscular student with an earth affinity faced off against a nimble girl wielding wind magic. Their clash was brutal, each spell shaking the ground and whipping the air into chaotic currents.
Mingma was so engrossed in the duel that he didn't notice the warning signs. The earth user slammed his fists into the ground, sending a massive shockwave rippling outward. The girl countered with a whirlwind, deflecting most of the debris but sending smaller chunks of stone flying toward the crowd.
Before Mingma could react, a jagged rock hurtled toward him. He tried to dodge, but it struck him on the side, sending him sprawling to the ground. Pain radiated through his ribs as he gasped for air.
"Hey! Someone's hurt!" a voice shouted, and the crowd began to part.
A group of staff members rushed over, one of them kneeling beside Mingma. "You'll be fine, but we need to get you to the healer's office immediately," they said, their tone firm but reassuring.
The Healer's Office
Mingma found himself lying on a comfortable cot in the academy's infirmary. The room was filled with a faint herbal aroma, and shelves lined the walls, stocked with potions and medical tools.
A middle-aged woman with a calm demeanor approached him. She wore a light green robe that seemed to glow faintly, indicating her healing affinity. "You're lucky it wasn't worse," she said, placing her hands over his ribs. A soft green light emanated from her palms, and Mingma felt a soothing warmth spread through his body.
"You'll be sore for a day or two, but you'll recover," the healer said after finishing her work. She handed him a small vial. "Drink this tonight. It will help with the pain."
Mingma nodded, muttering a quiet "Thank you." As the healer walked away, he stared at the ceiling, reflecting on what had happened.
A Lesson Learned.
Later that evening, as he sat on his bed in the dormitory, Mingma replayed the events in his mind. The duel, the shockwave, the rock—it all served as a harsh reminder of how dangerous this world could be.
He activated his system and muttered, "Status."
Name: Mingma Rathore
Level: 1
Health: 85/100 (Recovering)
Attributes:
Strength: 12 Agility: 10 Intelligence: 18 Mana Control: 15
Staring at his stats, Mingma clenched his fists. "I need to get stronger. I can't afford to be a bystander anymore."
The system chimed in:
"Suggestion: Host should focus on increasing physical resilience and reaction speed to prevent similar incidents in the future."
"Yeah, thanks for the obvious," Mingma muttered. But he knew the system was right. This wasn't Earth. Here, strength wasn't just a luxury—it was a necessity.
From that moment on, Mingma resolved to take his training even more seriously. He couldn't allow himself to be blindsided again.