I shuffled toward the training yard, trying my best to look inconspicuous. Very inconspicuous. Invisible, even.
Step lightly. Don't trip. Don't make eye contact. Pretend you belong here… somehow.
The yard was enormous, filled with floating practice dummies, glowing training spheres, and students already strutting around like they owned the place.
Perfect. Just perfect.
"Everyone, gather for your first exercises!" boomed the instructor. "Today we practice basic dueling and mana control!"
I nodded politely to the floating dummy in front of me. Yes. We're friends now. You won't judge me for falling on my face.
First exercise: mana control.
Students had to lift floating orbs with just the right amount of energy. Too much mana, and the orb exploded. Too little, and it fell with a humiliating plop.
I stared at the orb. My hand shook. Alright… gently…
I touched it. Instantly, the orb shot up like a rocket, ricocheted off a Valcor student's head, and exploded.
Everyone froze. Including the royals.
Syria laughed, bouncing up and down. "Wow! That was… impressive! Totally intentional, right?"
"Uh… physics test?" I mumbled, backing away slowly.
Next: dueling practice.
I was paired with a kid from Veyr. Broad shoulders. Muscles. Aura that screamed I will destroy you. I gulped.
The duel started. He lunged. I panicked. My wooden sword flailed wildly… and somehow, by some miracle, knocked his sword aside with perfect timing.
Everyone gasped. Kaelen's smirk faltered. Selene tilted her head. Charlotte narrowed her eyes. Syria clapped and cheered.
Yes. They think it's luck. Perfect.
I stumbled backward, pretending to trip, flailing dramatically. Yes, this is exactly what I planned. Totally weak and clumsy.
Kaelen approached afterward, crossing his arms. "Ashcroft. Interesting. You might survive longer than I thought… or the academy will collapse around you first."
"Thank you?" I said awkwardly, bowing. "I… usually aim for subtlety."
Syria bounced up. "Don't get cocky, floor inspector. You're entertaining, though!"
Selene gave the faintest smile. Charlotte… remained unreadable, probably plotting my death or… lunch menu.
By the end of the day, I was exhausted. My robes were torn, my arms shook, and I probably smelled like failure. Yet inside, I felt it: the duelist of my past life was awake, teasing the world, but carefully hidden under layers of chaos.
Step one of surviving Grimveil Academy: stay alive.
Step two: stay invisible.
Step three: don't let anyone see how dangerous I really am… yet.
And so ended my first day of training. Weak, clumsy, ridiculous… and perfectly unnoticed. For now.