Chapter 20
Chapter 20: The First Day of Class
The Royal Academy gates stood open as students returned from their one-week break.
Carriages lined the entrance.
Students greeted old friends, compared their training, and boasted about how much stronger they had become.
Vee stepped through the gates with a smile.
"...I didn't get lost."
He looked around proudly.
"...We're already off to a great start."
"Give it an hour."
Leon walked up beside him, carrying a small bag over his shoulder.
Vee laughed.
"You have so much faith in me."
"I've seen your sense of direction."
Aurelia approached moments later.
"Good morning."
"Morning."
She looked Vee up and down.
"...You look stronger."
"So do you."
Kai silently walked past them without saying a word.
Leon watched him leave.
"I wonder if he ever says 'good morning.'"
"I don't think he knows mornings exist," Vee replied.
---
A loud bell echoed throughout the Academy.
DONG! DONG!
Students gathered in the Central Plaza.
Headmaster Orion stood on the stage with Professor Adrian.
Professor Adrian held a scroll.
"The class assignments have been finalized."
"Students ranked within the Top Ten..."
"...will study in Special Zone One."
Murmurs spread through the crowd.
"The Academy's elite."
Professor Adrian began reading the names.
"Vee Ashford."
"Kai."
"Princess Aurelia."
"Prince Leon Valerian."
"Luna Noctis."
He continued until all ten names had been called.
Professor Adrian smiled.
"The rest of the students will attend their assigned classes."
---
Special Zone One
Unlike the other classrooms...
Special Zone One resembled a grand lecture hall.
Large windows overlooked the mountains.
Ancient runes covered the walls.
Only ten desks stood inside.
Professor Selene entered carrying a glowing crystal.
"Welcome."
"You are the Academy's strongest first-years."
"That also means..."
"My expectations of you are much higher."
She placed the crystal on the desk.
It floated into the air.
"What is mana?"
Several hands rose.
She pointed toward Vee.
Vee stood.
"Mana is..."
"...the thing that disappears whenever I finally learn a cool skill."
The classroom fell silent.
Professor Selene blinked.
Leon burst into laughter.
Even Aurelia smiled.
Professor Selene sighed.
"...Technically..."
"...that is not incorrect."
The class laughed.
She continued.
"Mana exists in every living being."
"It is both energy and life."
"The better your control..."
"...the stronger your techniques."
She spent the next hour explaining mana circulation, control, efficiency, and the dangers of wasting energy.
Vee listened carefully.
Unlike his jokes...
He took learning seriously.
---
Afternoon
Professor Adrian walked into the classroom carrying a box full of wooden practice weapons.
"Our next lesson..."
"...Battle Royale."
The students immediately became excited.
Professor Adrian smiled.
"You'll fight one-on-one."
"No killing."
"No permanent injuries."
He pointed toward the weapon rack.
"Choose whichever weapon best suits you."
Swords.
Spears.
Axes.
Daggers.
Bows.
Wooden staffs.
Each student selected their preferred weapon.
Vee naturally chose a sword.
Professor Adrian held up a small box.
"Now..."
"Each of you will draw a number."
He shook the box.
"Students with matching numbers will fight."
Vee reached inside.
"...Number Three."
Across the room...
A tall blond noble held up his own wooden token.
"...Three."
The noble smirked.
"So..."
"I get to face the famous Apex."
He walked toward the arena.
"My name is Cedric Hawthorne."
"I hope your title isn't exaggerated."
Vee smiled.
"I hope your confidence isn't."
The class chuckled.
Professor Adrian raised his hand.
"Begin!"
Cedric attacked first.
His sword swept toward Vee's shoulder.
CLACK!
Vee blocked easily.
Cedric attacked again.
Then again.
His strikes were clean.
Disciplined.
But...
Predictable.
"Uncle Rowan would've called this telegraphing."
Vee smiled.
Cedric frowned.
"Why are you smiling?"
"Because your sword keeps introducing itself before every swing."
"What?"
Cedric attacked harder.
Vee sidestepped.
"You leaned your shoulder."
Cedric swung again.
"You moved your feet first."
Another attack.
"You blinked."
Cedric's face reddened.
"Stop talking!"
"I would..."
"...but you're making this too easy."
The spectators laughed.
Cedric roared and charged recklessly.
Vee calmly stepped aside.
Using Cedric's own momentum...
He hooked the wooden sword around Cedric's wrist.
Twisted.
CLACK!
Cedric's sword flew into the air.
A second later...
Vee's practice sword rested gently against Cedric's chest.
Silence.
Professor Adrian nodded.
"Winner..."
"Vee Ashford."
Applause echoed through the classroom.
Cedric lowered his head.
Embarrassed.
Vee smiled and offered him his hand.
"You've got good fundamentals."
"You just got angry."
Cedric looked surprised.
"...You're not going to keep mocking me?"
Vee grinned.
"Nah."
"My uncle already did enough of that to me."
Cedric couldn't help but laugh.
He accepted Vee's hand and stood.
The tension disappeared.
As Vee walked back toward his seat, Leon called out,
"Give us some words of wisdom, Apex!"
Everyone looked at Vee.
He rubbed the back of his head dramatically.
"...Well..."
"If today's lesson taught us anything..."
He raised the wooden sword like a hero.
"It's this..."
"The strongest weapon..."
"...is making sure you don't accidentally bring the wrong classroom map."
The room went quiet.
Vee smiled confidently.
"...Because getting lost is still undefeated."
There was a brief pause.
Then the entire class burst into laughter.
Even Professor Adrian covered his face, shaking his head.
"One day..."
"I'm going to ban your jokes."
Vee saluted.
"Respectfully, Professor..."
"My jokes are a public service."
The laughter echoed through Special Zone One, marking the end of their very first combat class at the Royal Academy.