Cedric rolled his shoulder, as he took his position, his grin as wide and smug as ever.
"My turn huh? Don't go easy on me, Althrone"
He raised his hand and concentrated
"Aegis ward"
A barrier of shimmering light flared into existence around him, not perfect, but solid. Rough and around the edge, just like him.
It's somewhat funny though.
I cracked my knuckles, focusing the mana within me, let's see how much punishment that barrier could take.
"Alright, don't cry to me when i break it easyly"
Cedric snorted
"Heh, try me"
I lifted my hand.
"Fire bolt"
A ball of flsme formed at my palm then launched forward, slamming into Cedric barrier with a sharp crack. The shield rippled slightly, but held strong.
"Is that it? Is that all o mighty Althrone can do?"
Cedric taunted me, his grin and smug face really make me want to smack his face damnit.
Fine, if that what you want, let's see how you will handle it
I gathered more mana, this time trying to make it bigger and powerful than before.
"Fire bolt"
"Fire bolt"
"Fire bolt"
I fire it multiple times toward cedric, each blast struck the same point, rapid and precise.
The barrier trembled under the repeated impacts, faint cracks forming along the surface.
Cedric expression shifted, grin faltering as he focused. He reinforced the mana flow within his body, patching the crack in no time.
"Persistent bastard"
He muttered
"Fire bolt"
I shoot the last fire bolt, trying to created it more powerful than before towards the crack that cedric hasn't finished fixing yet.
The barrier flared violently, nearly collapsing, but cedric growled and held it together.
"Enough!"
Professor Eliza who watch my training stopped me.
I lowered my hand, the heat fading from my palm, Cedric barrier vanished and he stumbled slightly, wiped his sweat on his forehead.
As Cedric wiped the sweat from his forehead, i stepped outside training arena, since my training already ended, watching the other students training.
"Hah.. you really like that one spell huh?"
Cedric approached me and stood next to me, leaning his body against the wall while crossing his arms.
"Well it's efficient anyway"
He let out his laugh.
"I'll give you that buddy, that one damn spell nearly cracked my barrier open, heh, remind me not to pissed you off"
I can tell from his word he not actually scared and just joking, heh, he surprisingly good guy huh?
I can see few gazed towards me who already finished the training, some are whispering, not so quite whisper though.
"Tch… freak."
I heard that. The voice belonged to Finn Ashford, a tall, wiry noble with a permanent sneer on his face. His lackeys, Reed Ainsworth and Theo Greystone snickered beside him, pretending to watch the duel in the center of the field.
"Who the hell uses the same spell over and over? Are you lazy or just arrogant?"
Finn added, loud enough for others to hear.
I didn't react. Not because I cared, because they didn't matter.
Across the field, Irene Valemont, his partner.
"Focus on your own training, Finn"
She said firmly.
"You won't get stronger by running your mouth."
Finn scowled, but didn't argue.
"You hear her, heh, you not even as strong half of my strength and here you are, trying to critic me, what a joke"
I can see how angry his face now, but somehow he still can hold back, heh, probably he knows he won't win against me? But to be perfectly honest, I'm not even sure i can win against anyone here though, in fair fight anyway.
"You really don't hold back, huh?"
Cedric laughing.
"Bet it pisses him off"
"Let him be pissed"
I said.
Cedric grinned.
"Hell yeah. That's what I like to hear."
Not far from him, Ardan Drakenhart stretched lazily, his scaled arms folded behind his head.
"You're wasting your breath, Eisenhart. Some of us don't need to talk big."
Cedric snorted.
"Says the guy who hasn't lifted a sword all morning."
"Why should I? Watching you trip over your own feet is entertainment enough."
"Tch…"
Their bickering faded into the background. I closed my eyes again.
This class, these people, they still didn't understand, how important their roles in the event later, unfortunately they are important character, somewhat.
Even though the relationship in this class is technically bad, but later they will become ally when they fight firs demon lord general invasion, hopefully this scenario will not change though.
My eyes shifted toward the sparring pair now stepping into the circle.
Elena Valkrad and Lyria.
Royalty and a commoner. The contrast couldn't be more obvious. Elena, third princess of the Valkrad Kingdom, moved with grace and confidence, her golden hair tied neatly, her posture flawless. Lyria, by comparison, looked tense, focused, but… distant. Like her mind was somewhere far away.
Elena moved first, unleashing a barrage of radiant bolts that streaked through the air like falling stars. In response, Lyria raised a shimmering golden barrier, the light rippling as it absorbed the blasts before fading. The arena flickered with bursts of brilliance—golden shields meeting radiant projectiles, elegance against determination. The duel was precise, disciplined… dull.
Around the field, other students whispered.
"She's holding back…"
"Of course. She's a princess. Can't hurt the poor commoner, right?"
I tuned it out. Their voices. Their judgment.
I sat on the edge of the field, watching, but not really seeing.
Finn Ashford tried and failed to cast a firebolt, nearly setting his cloak alight. Tobias Windmere laughed. Sylvia Blackthorn rolled her eyes. Selene Nightshade stood in a patch of frost, cold and silent, conjuring shards of ice with terrifying precision.
Noise. Pride. Weakness. Delusion.
---
Elena Valkrad who already finished her training stood in front of me, her poise flawless as ever.
"You fought well. Efficient"
She said, giving a slight nod.
"Though perhaps… a bit too predictable."
"Noted"
I replied flatly.
Her gaze lingered for a moment, like she was expecting more. I didn't give her anything.
She turned without another word, walking toward Lyria, who was adjusting her gloves by the edge of the training field. Lyria looked up briefly as Elena approached, then quickly turned her eyes downward again.
I watched them for a second, then shifted my gaze toward the sky.
The sun was bright—blinding, almost. Too bright for a place like this.
As students gathered in small groups for the break, the same patterns emerged. The same hierarchy. The same empty noise.
Cedric Eisenhart sat nearby, chugging water from a flask, sweat still dripping from his jaw. He caught me looking and raised an eyebrow.
"What? You want some?"
He handed me another water, well there was nothing wrong with accepting it anyway, I took it and drank it to the end, quenching my thirst after training.
"Okay, that's a wrap for today's drills!"
Professor Eliza called out, her tone bright but edged with authority.
Professor Eliza clapped her hands once, gathering everyone's attention. She smiled, warm but sharp, like a sunbeam with teeth.
"Alright, let's do a quick review, shall we?"
Her gaze swept across us.
"Leonhard Sterling, your casting speed is excellent as always, but you let your aim wander"
Leonhard gave a sheepish nod.
"Cedric Eisenhart"
Eliza continued, chuckling.
"Eisenhart. Brute force is not a substitute for control. Your Firebolt nearly set the training dummies ablaze."
Cedric grinned without shame.
"But it worked, didn't it?"
"Reckless. One day, that will get you killed."
She didn't wait for a response, already moving on.
Eliza shook her head with a laugh, then turned toward Ardan.
"Ardan Drakenhart. I didn't see much from you today."
He shrugged lazily.
"Didn't need to try."
Eliza's smile tightened, though her voice stayed kind.
"You're talented, but talent alone won't carry you. Push yourself."
Finally, her eyes landed on me.
"Tristan Altrhrone"
She said, thoughtful.
"Your execution was sharp, efficient. You clearly pay attention. But… it still feels a bit too by-the-book. Don't be afraid to trust your instincts a little more. Magic isn't just about copying there's room to make it your own."
I gave a curt nod, saying nothing.
She smiled gently, letting it go.
"Elena Valkrad, excellent as always. Controlled, calm, precise. You make it look easy."
Elena nodded, composed as ever, her poise unshaken.
Eliza clapped again.
"Good work, everyone. You're improving, all of you, some faster than others, but that's normal. Just keep showing up, giving your best. That's how you grow."
Her voice softened.
"Dismissed. Get some rest."
As the students scattered with laughter and idle chatter, I remained still for a moment, her words echoing faintly.
Trust my instincts?
Not yet.
For now, imitation was all I needed. For now.