[Raul PoV]
The following day, the elite class gathered at the duel arena for their martial arts lesson. Several magic students were also in attendance. It was crucial for them to understand the movements of a martial artist, as mages are at a disadvantage during close-quarters combat.
"You all learned the three basic martial arts techniques taught by the academy during your first year," said Instructor Torun—a Master Brawler. "Now, in your second year, you will learn variations of those three basic techniques."
Brawler is a martial art that uses bare hands as the primary form of attack. Brawlers rely on two of the three basic techniques—Power and Agility—within their attack patterns.
Temper Magic is one variation of the Power and Defense techniques that academy students study in their first year. This magic can strengthen an object or a part of the user's body for both offense and defense.
In the second academic year, we began studying Acceleration magic. In the first chapter of the game, it was noted that only Elena and Brian could master this magic well.
Speaking of Elena and Brian, both appeared to be watching me. Brian, for obvious reasons, wanted to challenge me to another sparring match, while Elena seemed to be contemplating whether appointing me as the head of the disciplinary committee had been the right choice.
Two shocking news items broke today. First, Brian, Ariel, and Roland defeated a Level 5 monster—a feat usually reserved for official Knights. This made them popular throughout the academy. It seems the academy credited them with defeating the monster the day before yesterday.
Second, Senior Renald resigned from his position as head of discipline. The academy criticized him for neglecting to assign other committee members to patrols, which led to Sephira's death at the hands of the monster. Elena, as the Student Council President, then recommended me as Senior Renald's replacement. She did this to fulfill one of the agreements we made yesterday.
"Today, you will practice Acceleration magic," said Instructor Torun, who began activating his magic. Particles of light appeared around both of his legs. "This magic is a variation of the Agility technique, which increases the user's speed up to twofold."
Instructor Torun then began to run, circling the arena. It took him only thirty seconds to complete a full circle; the current student record is held by Senior Baldwin at one minute and ten seconds. However, the Instructor's Acceleration magic appeared faster than what Brian used. This is because the more frequently you use it, the more efficient and effective the magic becomes.
"Practice that magic for 20 minutes; after that, we will spar so you become accustomed to using this ability in combat," the Instructor commanded. "Brian and Princess Elena, I know you have already mastered this magic. Therefore, I will teach you both the advanced level of this magic: Accel."
Accel is the next level of the Agility technique variation. Besides being faster than Acceleration magic, this magic is much easier to maneuver. Most official Knights only use Acceleration magic for escaping or pursuing. they use Accel magic more often when fighting enemies.
After practicing Acceleration magic for twenty minutes, Instructor Torun ordered the Knight students to spar with the Magic students. The rules were simple: a Magic student wins if they can hit a Knight student with their magic. They lose if a Knight student touches them.
"Alright, Valeria de Artagnan! Come here and be the first Mage in this sparring session!" the Instructor shouted.
A beautiful girl then walked to the center of the field. Her unique green hair signaled that she came from a renowned family. Her flat facial expression made it seem as though she had no interest in anything other than studying and growing stronger.
She is Valeria de Artagnan—the daughter of Archwizard Julian de Artagnan, the Leader of the Aragon Empire's Wizard Council.
"We're unlucky; why is she the first one we have to fight!"
"Ugh... My goal to gain more points today is likely to fail!"
Several Knight students sounded as if they had already given up. This was natural, considering Valeria's reputation as one of the strongest Magic students in the academy. She ranked first among the second-year students and third in the entire academy.
"Every student you defeat will add 10 points to your rank," Instructor Torun explained. "Knight student over there! Step forward to fight Valeria!" He then pointed to a brown-haired man.
If I'm not mistaken, that man was Eric—one of the NPCs from the game Path of Destiny. Players could use him as an information gatherer due to his excellent blending abilities.
"Huh? Why do I have to be first?" Eric complained, dissatisfied that his name was called.
"Get over here quickly, or do you want me to reduce your points for this lesson?" the Instructor threatened.
Eric could only resignedly walk toward the center of the arena to face Valeria. They both bowed to show respect to their opponent as per duel etiquette.
"Are you both ready?" the Instructor asked, about to give the signal.
Valeria and Eric nodded in response. Both of their gazes were focused on their respective opponents.
"Start!"
Immediately after the Instructor started the match, Valeria pointed her palm toward Eric. A powerful blast of wind emerged from her palm. Her magic quickly struck Eric's body, knocking him unconscious instantly.
"Ten points for Valeria!" the Instructor said, signaling the end of the fight.
The other Knight students looked both impressed and frightened by Valeria. Her graceful appearance while performing magic could enchant others, yet her amazing power simultaneously inspired fear.
"With Voiceless Incantation, it seems she is the student with the fastest magic activation!"
"Exactly! I'm jealous of the talent Lady Valeria possesses!"
The other students began talking about Valeria's abilities. Valeria possessed a Blessing called Endless Wisdom. This ability allowed her to analyze everything quickly. Because of this, she could use the Voiceless Incantation technique. She already understood the structure of magic, so she did not need to chant spells. In the game Path of Destiny, only five people possessed this ability.
One by one, the Knight students stepped forward to fight Valeria. However, not a single one of them lasted even five seconds against her.
"Instructor, I think no one can fight me except Princess Elena," said Valeria, who was clearly starting to get bored.
This was a fair point for Valeria to make. Only a student who could use Acceleration could match the speed of Valeria's magic activation. I even doubted Brian could touch Valeria at his current level. Instructor Torun's face showed clear disappointment in the Knight students because none of them could offer any resistance to Valeria.
His gaze then fell on me. It seemed he also held no expectations for me.
"Now it's your turn to step forward, Raul de Garcia!" the Instructor shouted.
I walked to the center of the arena to face Valeria. Our eyes met, and she then bowed to show duel etiquette. Her face showed she was not interested in fighting me at all.
"Start!"
***
[Valeria PoV]
'You were born to be the best, Valeria'—those were my mother's last words before she died. I have spent my life studying magic and becoming the best, just as she said. Every day, without ceasing, I study and read books about magic.
Eventually, I reached my limit at the academy student level. Not a single person in this academy can equal me regarding magic. I want a strong rival so I can grow. Being alone at the top will only make me stagnant and slow my potential. Princess Elena has the same abilities as I do, but she only focuses on developing her influence at the academy.
There is no point in coming to this class anymore. I attended to see Brian's abilities. Rumors circulated that he could injure an Instructor during the entrance exam. He entered Grunbelt Academy because he received a recommendation from Master Erina—the best Wizard of the Empire's younger generation. She was also my father's best student at the magic tower.
That is why I am curious about this man named Brian, who could capture Master Erina's attention. Could he be that great? With his presence this time, I hope to find a rival worthy of my development.
"Now it's your turn, Raul de Garcia!"
A man with black hair, an expression as cold as ice, and black eyes like the darkness of the night walked to the center of the arena. I knew him; he was a man who talked a lot about power, yet his abilities were far below what he often boasted about to others. I hate people like him.
I will crush his arrogance with my magic. I want to see his pathetic face when he realizes there are still many people stronger than him.
"Start!"
As the Instructor started the fight, I rushed to aim a Wind Blast spell at the man. This magic was stronger than what I had used against the other students.
"..."
Unexpectedly, that disgusting man could dodge my magic attack. A particle of light appeared to illuminate his feet. Since when could he use Acceleration magic?
However, I didn't have time to think about that. That man was now running toward me. Aiming both hands at him, I increased the intensity of the Wind Blast.
— Bomb! Bomb!
My magic only hit the ground behind him. This is bad; the distance is getting closer. It seems I have to attack him from an unexpected angle. In that case, how about this magic?
'Typhoon Blast!'
The man suddenly jumped; a wind explosion appeared on the ground where he had just stood. He then landed and approached my position again.
He could avoid it too? Not bad for someone like you. How about other elemental magic?
'Earth Shatter!'
The ground the man stepped on shattered into pieces as if a small earthquake had occurred in the arena. However, even with the ground shattered like that, he did not fall at all.
'Mud Trap!'
I tried to turn the ground he stepped on into mud to catch him. But it still failed; he could always respond quickly to the spells I cast. But that should be impossible! My magic activation speed should be far above an academy student's ability to respond immediately.
Does he have future sight?
'Thunderclap!'
'Hurricane!'
'Blazing Fire!'
I attacked him with every elemental magic I could use. But it was still useless; the man could avoid them all. The distance was only a few meters away from me. The man's hand was about to reach my body.
No... it's impossible for me to lose to a man like him! I will not accept this result!
'Numion Blast!'
— Bomb!
A wind explosion was created between our bodies. I closed my eyes so no sand would hurt my vision. However, because the magic explosion I created was too close to me, my body eventually lost its balance.
But I felt a human hand holding my waist so my body would not fall. Slowly opening my eyes, I saw a black-haired man looking into my eyes. The hand hugging my waist was his.
This was the first time a man had touched my body. His face was very close; I could feel his breath touching the skin of my face, and a cut was visible on his cheek. When I was about to touch his bleeding cheek, he suddenly grabbed my hand, preventing me from touching his wound.
Is this the hand of a man? His hand was rough and felt warm.
"Ten points for Valeria de Artagnan!"
Hearing the winner's announcement from the Instructor made me realize that we were sparring.
"Eh?"
I just realized Raul was hugging me and holding my hand while being watched by the other students. Our position was like a couple dancing.
"W-what are you doing! Pervert!"
— Slap!
I hit him hard, causing him to fall to the ground.