After about five minutes, the professor entered the classroom. Edmund Lanner. Mana beast Ecology had begun.
At the very start, everything was predictably boring.
The professor calmly explained the basic principles: monsters adapt to their environment and possess high resistance to their primary element. I already knew all of this, but I still listened carefully, not allowing myself to miss a single detail. There might be something important hidden in the details.
I still didn't like studying, but this subject was at least tolerable… even somewhat interesting if I ignored the fact that it was a lecture.
After the first part of the lesson, the second began. Now we moved on to specific beast species and their behavioral patterns. Of course, individual specimens could differ, but there was still a general classification system.
I listened about the Storm Wolves.
They are pack creatures, similar to ordinary wolves. Their combat style is based on speed and rapid strikes. However, not all individuals are capable of ranged attacks.
They inhabit forest regions and similar environments where offensive magic is less effective.
There is also a related species — Thunder Wolves. Unlike Storm Wolves, they are more likely to possess ranged attack capabilities using lightning-element magic.
The lesson continued, and I kept listening, periodically organizing and summarizing the information in my mind. These were exactly the kinds of things that would appear on exams.
I also noted their body structures, core locations, and the presence of special organs.
Any detail could be useful.
Finally, the lesson ended.
Students gradually left the classroom.
Eleris walked beside me and spoke first:
— We have different classes next, but don't forget your promise. I'll be waiting at the training grounds.
I nodded.
We were about to split up when Lucian Velmor approached Eleris.
Right. Of course. He's going to try and get close to her… just don't drag me into it.
— Your Highness, perhaps we could train together? — he asked respectfully.
Most people couldn't speak to her so casually. Even in the academy, status officially didn't matter, but reality was different.
I was already sure she would refuse. I just hoped this wouldn't become my problem.
Eleris glanced at me briefly.
— No.
Lucian froze for a moment, then stepped back.
Good. I wasn't involved.
We parted ways.
I thought it was over, but a bad scenario started forming in my head: if he decided I was somehow connected to her refusal, it could easily turn into one of those cliché problems. Better to keep him in sight and deal with him quickly if necessary.
With that thought, I moved on to the next class.
It took place on one of the training grounds.
There, Professor Sylvan Hartwein was already waiting. A man around forty years old, with short black hair, a tall frame of about 190 cm, and a heavily trained physique.
Around fifty students were present — all swordsmen.
The professor spoke briefly:
— Fight me one by one. I will evaluate your weaknesses and point out what needs improvement.
No unnecessary words.
The first to step forward was Cecilia.
Of course, the professor adjusted his strength to her level, allowing her to block attacks and even attempt counterattacks. However, her style was clearly not focused on offense — that was obvious from the start.
After about a minute, the match ended in her defeat.
The professor calmly pointed out her main issue: an excessive focus on offense while her defense lagged behind, and gave her advice on how to refine her technique.
Next was Toren Servalin.
The fight lasted longer, but the result was similar — analysis, corrections, and advice.
It wasn't particularly important to me.
Finally, it was my turn.
I stepped onto the platform and faced the professor.
First strike — a simple thrust. The professor easily deflected it and immediately counterattacked. I managed to block.
The fight quickly escalated.
We exchanged blows, testing each other's reactions. He pressed forward, I responded in kind.
At one point, I used the 12 Steps of the Storm, trying to catch his rhythm and turn the fight in my favor.
But he immediately shifted into countermeasures and began pushing me back.
I realized it clearly — my defense was a real weakness.
About thirty seconds later, the fight ended.
The professor stopped first.
— Your defense is your weak point.
He looked at me carefully.
— You haven't studied defensive techniques at all?
— No. I didn't want to split my focus on unnecessary things. I planned to learn them here at the academy.
The professor nodded and began pointing out my mistakes in detail.
I listened carefully, memorizing everything.
After me, Jian Lei stepped forward.
His match lasted about the same length. The feedback was similar to mine, though for a different reason — he simply hadn't studied the defensive techniques he was interested in.
After that, the rest of the students took their turns.
Then came paired exercises: one attacks, the other defends.
I was paired with Cecilia. She attacked, I blocked. We didn't speak a word — and that suited both of us just fine.
Then we switched roles.
After that came sparring.
Mostly, I fought unknown students wearing weighted gear. I didn't lose much, but I had to exert myself.
Finally, everything ended.
I headed to the training grounds as planned.
There I met Eleris again.
We started sparring.
She was serious from the very beginning. Due to the formation restrictions, the fight went until the first serious injury.
I never won, although I came close a few times.
Cecilia also participated — fighting both me and Eleris. I lost to both of them.
The gap was obvious, but not insurmountable. It could be closed.
Against Eleris, the ratio was roughly 6 to 4 in her favor.
When everything ended, I exhaled.
— I'm going to practice my strikes.
I said, turning away.
— Then see you tomorrow, — Eleris replied.
— Sure.
I was about to leave when I noticed Leon.
He suddenly shouted across the entire hall:
— Princess! I finally found you! Let's beat the shit out of each other!
I froze for a moment.
Was he always this insane?
…Not my problem.
I stayed behind at the training grounds, practicing my sword techniques, then worked a bit on physical conditioning, ate, meditated on magic and Aura, and finally went to sleep.