Upon entering, Nova couldn’t help but notice the bustling corridors filled with students heading to their classes. ‘I wonder just how many people attend this academy’, Nova mused, glancing at the sea of uniforms and animated conversations. With a quick nod, Nova motioned for Malachi to find their classroom.
Malachi strode over to a man who appeared to be a professor, offering a polite smile. “Excuse me, sir. Could you tell me where Class A-03 is?”
“Ah, new students, I see,” the professor said, studying them briefly. “Go up the stairs, take a right, and follow the corridor. You’ll find it marked on the plaques outside each classroom.”
“Thank you” Malachi said before turning to leave.
“Good luck with your classes” the professor added with a nod.
Malachi paused, gave a brief nod of gratitude, then returned to Nova to relay the directions. Together, they made their way up the staircase.
Once upstairs, they turned right and scanned each plaque carefully, the soft hum of conversation and the scuff of footsteps filling the hallway. Finally, they spotted the sign labeled ‘A-03.’
Nova glanced at Malachi with a serious expression. “I don’t need to remind you—act like real students.”
Malachi grinned. “Leave it to me, boss.”
With that, he pushed open the door and stepped inside, Nova following close behind.
The classroom was spacious, large enough to comfortably accommodate hundreds of students. To one side, a section of the room stood empty, likely reserved for training purposes. Opposite it were rows of desks arranged neatly, and at the front, a chalkboard stood ready for the professor’s use.
Nova’s gaze swept across the room. Around twenty students, all roughly his age, were scattered throughout the desks. They chatted casually, paying no attention to him or Malachi. New students must have been a common occurrence here—so common that their arrival barely registered.
“Boss, where are we sitting?” Malachi asked.
“Just grab a random seat” Nova replied with a shrug. He made his way to a chair in the middle row and sat down, Malachi settling in beside him on the left.
With nothing better to do while they waited, Nova tuned in to the surrounding chatter.
“Did you hear? Owen died a dog’s death yesterday,” a young woman said, her playful smirk belying the grim news.
A young man sitting near her frowned. “Don’t joke about that. It could’ve been any of us in that situation.”
“Yeah, yeah, whatever you say,” she replied dismissively. “Anyway, I heard Elric cleared a Green portal already and is training with those young professors.”
“Hmm?” The man turned to her, curiosity piqued. “Which Elric?”
“Who else?” she said, exasperated. But when his confusion lingered, she sighed and clarified, “Elric Everhart.”
“Oh, him. I think I remember now.”
“Of course you do. Even someone with your memory couldn’t forget him.”
Nova tuned out the rest of their conversation, his thoughts shifting. ‘Talents are emerging’. He smiled slightly as another realization struck him. ‘But I’ve been gone for two months.’
He glanced to his side and noticed Malachi still listening intently to the gossip. Nova felt a twinge of exasperation. ‘He’ll fit right in with Rachel, Thomas, Samuel, and Amelia,’ he thought, shaking his head.
While Nova was lost in thought, the door at the front of the classroom creaked open, and a professor stepped inside. He appeared to be middle-aged, neither short nor tall, with short black hair streaked with hints of gray. A kind smile rested on his face as he scanned the room.
His gaze quickly landed on the two new students. His eyes lit up, and he called out “Guys.”
The chatter instantly died down as the students returned to their seats. Satisfied, the professor nodded. “We have two new students today” he announced, his eyes settling on Nova and Malachi.
The rest of the class barely reacted. New students weren’t exactly rare—there had been new arrivals just two days ago. They cast brief glances at Nova and Malachi, but neither seemed remarkable in their eyes.
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“Care to introduce yourselves?” the professor asked.
“Nova Grey” came a lazy reply.
“Malachi Archan” followed with the same indifferent tone.
The professor nodded. “Welcome to Univara’s Academy. I’m Professor Edwards, and I’m the combat instructor for this class.”
Nova and Malachi offered small nods of acknowledgment.
Professor Edwards then swept his gaze across the room, his friendly demeanor giving way to authority. “I hope none of you slacked off yesterday” he said firmly. “Get into the training area. Now.”
The room sprang into motion as the students began filing toward the empty section of the classroom.
The entire class rose from their seats and moved toward the open training area at the back of the classroom. Nova and Malachi followed close behind.
“Boss” Malachi said quietly, glancing at Nova.
Nova turned his gaze to him, his expression neutral.
“What am I supposed to do if I have to fight someone?” Malachi asked.
“Just hold back. Get beaten up if necessary” Nova said with a sly grin.
Malachi’s face fell. “I will hold back” he grumbled.
“Good.”
By the time they reached the training area, Professor Edwards was already waiting at the front. His arms were crossed, and his watchful eyes scanned the group.
“Same routine” the professor announced. “Find someone at or near your level and spar. I’ll provide pointers as I watch.”
The students nodded and began pairing off quickly, having already grown accustomed to the training format.
Professor Edwards then turned his attention to Nova and Malachi. “If you don’t have a weapon, head over there” he said, gesturing to a large weapons case near the wall. “There’s a wide selection to choose from.”
Nova and Malachi nodded and headed toward the case.
Nova’s mind stirred with an idea. ‘Since I can’t use my full strength here, I’ll just focus on training my sword skills.’
Opening the case, he scanned its contents—spears, axes, sabers, and more. His eyes landed on a simple sword. ‘This will do’. He took it and returned to the training area.
Malachi, seeing Nova with a sword, frowned. ‘Fine, I’ll train with the sword too’. He grabbed a similar blade and followed.
The two found themselves paired together, as the other students had already started their sparring sessions.
Nova turned to Malachi with a grin, mischief gleaming in his eyes. ‘Even luck has abandoned you after what you said.’
Malachi’s eyes narrowed. “Boss, you’re going to hold back, right?”
“I sure will”
The words barely left his mouth when a thin line of blood appeared on Malachi’s left cheek.
[Sword proficiency increased]
Malachi froze. Nova was still standing in front of him, not having moved an inch—or so it seemed. Yet his cheek burned. Touching it, he found a small cut, and a faint streak of blood smeared his fingertips.
“Boss, you promised!” Malachi exclaimed, a mix of shock and frustration in his voice.
Nova’s expression was nonchalant. “My bad. I forgot. Next time, I’ll hold back.”
“Don’t forget it this time!” Malachi grumbled as he rushed forward.
Before he could get too far, a burning sensation flared on his right arm. He stopped in his tracks and looked down—another red line had appeared. His eye twitched as he turned to Nova, who stood in the exact same spot.
“Why are you stopping?” Nova asked, his tone laced with mock innocence.
Malachi sighed, sounding defeated. “Boss...”
“Does it burn?” Nova asked, unable to hide his smug grin.
“Yes.”
Nova’s grin widened. “Good. Don’t forget this feeling, Malachi.”
“But why?” Malachi asked, still baffled. ‘What did I do to deserve this?’
Nova’s smirk faltered for a moment, and then he straightened up. “It’s... something too secret for you to know just yet.”
Malachi groaned. “Boss, seriously—”
“Okay, okay, stop mulling it over. Let’s fight.”
Malachi huffed, casting aside his doubts, and dashed toward Nova once again.
The two sparred back and forth, each holding back, their movements controlled as they played the part of real students.
Watching them from a distance, Professor Edwards rubbed his chin thoughtfully. “They must be new to fighting, but their instincts are sharp” he muttered, nodding in approval.
Meanwhile, notifications continued ringing in Nova’s mind with every exchange—until finally...
[Sword proficiency increased]
[Sword proficiency increased]
[Sword proficiency increased]
[Sword Slash has been learned]
"One down" Nova thought as he shifted into a defensive stance. He waited for Malachi’s next move, alternating between precise parries and solid blocks with his sword, each motion measured and controlled.
[Sword proficiency increased]
[Sword proficiency increased]
[Sword proficiency increased]
Seeing Nova’s steady defense, Malachi pressed on, determined to land at least one hit now that they were both holding back. But with each passing moment, his chances dwindled as Nova kept hearing a series of notifications echo in his mind.
[Sword proficiency increased]
[Sword proficiency increased]
[Sword proficiency increased]
[Sword Parry has been learned]
[Sword Block has been learned]
"Two more down" Nova thought, his focus unwavering. It was then that Professor Edwards approached, offering his praise. "Good work, you two" he said. "Even though you aren't the strongest, you've put your heart into this training" He gestured towards the other students, who were drenched in sweat, their swords clashing with intensity. "Keep at it, and one day, you'll be as strong as them."
Both Nova and Malachi smiled at the professor’s words—one with a calm, measured expression, the other with a subtle, mocking grin.
Professor Edwards, pleased to see their acceptance, beamed and walked away, satisfied with his motivational speech.
Once he was out of earshot, Malachi couldn't help but mutter, "He's a fool of a professor."
Nova nodded, making a mental note to remember this professor, before turning to Malachi. "Resume training."
Sighing, Malachi nodded and launched himself towards Nova. But Nova dashed towards him just as quickly, sweeping his sword low. The two clashed in a flurry of strikes, their swords meeting in rapid succession. As they fought, Nova’s mind filled with the steady chime of notifications, each one marking his growing progress.
[Sword proficiency increased]
[Sword proficiency increased]
[Sword proficiency increased]
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