The time had finally come for Nero's first official Martial Spellcraft lesson.
Official, because he had already trained with Zen and Mu multiple times over the past month.
Ever since recovering his past-life memories, Nero had maintained a strict physical training routine.
He worked out at least three times a week, building a lean layer of muscle that was quite impressive for a third-year student.
More importantly, his agility and reflexes had sharpened over the years, greatly improving his ability to dodge spells.
As they approached the training grounds, Mio stepped close to Nero and whispered, "Remember, do not expose my uncles. The fact that they are two is a very well-guarded secret."
"Don't worry, I know," replied Nero with a smirk.
The students gathered on the large, open-air training grounds, surrounded by bamboo and stone platforms, designed to withstand powerful magical clashes.
Nero spotted Mu, sitting cross-legged at the center.
His posture was perfect, his face calm, and his presence as still as a pond on a windless day.
Yet, something was off.
Nero narrowed his eyes. "Wait, why is his left eye twitching so much? And his right hand, it looks like it's forcing itself to stay still."
Mio sighed. "I guess for someone that knows them, it's quite obvious."
"To the public, Muzen is represented as my uncle Mu. When Zen has to take on the role of Muzen, he has to imitate the cold, calm, and composed persona of Mu."
Nero covered his mouth, trying to suppress a laugh.
"The hair, Mio! The hair! What happened to that flamboyant red hair?
Do you think Ayaka dyes hers black before coming to this class to match Zen's?"
For the first time since meeting her, Nero saw Mio completely lose her composure.
Her shoulders shook, her breath hitched, and then, she burst into uncontrollable laughter, tears spilling from her eyes.
Nero, unable to resist, joined her.
Zen's fake serene expression cracked. Thick marks of irritation appeared on his forehead.
In an instant, he stood up and delivered a devastating strike to a training mannequin using Martial Spellcraft.
The air around the mannequin warped, and in a fraction of a second, a forceful blast erupted, sending the mannequin flying and shattering the rock behind it.
A layered mixture of physical force and magical enhancement, this was Martial Spellcraft in action.
Mio and Nero stopped laughing immediately.
"This," Zen said, voice slow and controlled, keeping up the Muzen persona, "is an example of Martial Spellcraft application."
Whispers broke out among the students.
"Since when is Muzen Sensei so direct?"
"He's usually as calm as a still lake… but this is…"
"Maybe he's mad because that Hogwarts boy is dating his niece?"
Zen ignored the speculation and continued.
"Martial Spellcraft is the fusion of magical principles with physical combat. Unlike traditional spellcasting, where wizards rely purely on their wands and incantations, Martial Spellcraft integrates movement, control, and direct enhancement of the body to execute spells seamlessly in combat."
The students were captivated. This was a stark contrast to the movements they were used to.
"To demonstrate further," Zen continued, his sharp gaze locking onto Nero, "Ravenclaw, step forward."
Nero blinked. He had a bad feeling about this. "You sure this isn't just an excuse to vent your irritation?"
Zen did not answer. He simply beckoned Nero forward.
Whispers spread through the students again.
"This confirms it! He's mad that his niece is dating him!"
"This is going to be brutal."
"Poor Ravenclaw… he is dead."
Nero exhaled sharply and stepped onto the training grounds.
Zen might be out for payback, but Nero wasn't about to roll over and make it easy.
The spar began with Zen dashing forward.
His movement was seamless, no unnecessary motion, no wasted energy.
He was a blur, closing the distance in an instant.
Nero reacted instinctively, he shifted his weight, drawing energy into his forearm just in time to absorb the blow.
Zen's palm struck like a battering ram.
The impact sent a shockwave through his body, his feet sliding back across the ground.
Zen didn't let up. He dropped low, sweeping his leg in a perfect arc infused with magical force, aiming to knock Nero off balance.
Nero, anticipating the move, leaped into the air, twisting midair and countering as he sliced downward with a sharp wave of raw magic.
Zen smirked, flicking his wrist to deflect the attack, his body shifting into another precise strike.
Nero stepped in, meeting the attack with a counter-pulse channeled through his knuckles.
Zen slid a half-step back.
The students were speechless.
"He blocked that?"
"He's… keeping up?"
"No way… even senior students struggle against Muzen Sensei."
"Are you stupid? It's clear that Muzen Sensei is barely trying."
Zen stepped back and nodded. "Not bad."
He raised a hand to signal the end of the spar.
"That," he said, turning back to the class, "is the basic application of Martial Spellcraft. What you saw from Ravenclaw was a raw, instinctual version of it. With time and discipline, it will become second nature."
The students still looked stunned.
Zen gestured toward the training mannequins. "Now, practice the usual sequence with the mannequins. After that, you'll spar against each other."
The students hurried to their training stations, eager to replicate what they had just seen.
Nero exhaled, wiping sweat from his brow. He couldn't help but glance at Zen. "That wasn't a demonstration," he said dryly. "That was payback for laughing earlier, wasn't it?"
Zen smirked, his back turned towards the students "Maybe. You should consider this a gentle warm-up."
He glanced over his shoulder, eyes sharp and unreadable.
"The real training hasn't even started."
Nero groaned. Today was going to be exhausting.
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