Chapter 207 - Duel Against the Veteran Students

  Nathan Evenhart:

  “Today you all have a special css, so get used to it. It's the duty of the older students to guide the younger ones,” Professor Beatrix decred authoritatively.

  We were in an open field, where Professor Beatrix had called advaudents to instruct us. Retly, we’d been trained by other instructors, with Professor Beatrix only occasionally giving pointers. Given the number of students, more bat teachers were necessary, but today, veteran students would assist as instructors. These students, already in leadership roles or preparing for them, came from military families and had undergorous training since early childhood.

  Not all first-year students were here; our css was divided into groups due to the rge number of attendees.

  "This is going to be b…” murmured Cyl, sitting on the ground.

  Si ractical css, even tamed magical creatures were allowed to participate, many of which were traio assist their owners in battle. I observed the range of animals and even caught sight of a small, green-furred bear.

  A Rank C magical creature… iing.

  The cat beside me gave my leg a gentle nudge.

  “Are you assessing the animals? You should know I don’t even fit into human rankings—I’m way too powerful for that,” she said with pride.

  I muttered under my breath, “Show-off…”

  “Good m, css. You already know me from the first day’s introdu. I’m Sebastian Bke, a Sky Knight ieresia Kingdom’s army, also known as the Human Kingdom. Starting today, I and some senior students will be responsible for your practical lessons,” the instructor announced before stepping bato pce.

  Beside him, a red-haired woman stepped forward.

  Do they practice this, too?

  “I’m Era, princess of the human kingdom. I’ll join the csses whenever possible. As a representative of the alliance of the three kingdoms, I want you all to know we’re itted to seeing you grow into fine warriors. I hope you enjoy the training,” she said, then turo the knight instructors. “And go easy ohey’re just novices.”

  Professor Beatrix stood aside, and evaluating the instructors’ performances.

  “Let’s get started. I promise we’ll be geh you,” one of the instructors said with a smile that didly inspire fidence.

  So I’m supposed to let them win? Great…

  “I know you have separate csses fic, but we’ll also assess yical talent,” Sebastian added.

  “Nathan Evenhart,” someone called, and I quickly looked around.

  What did I do this time?

  “You’re assigo spar with the top instructor, aside from the princess,” Professor Beatrix informed me, approag and giving my shoulder a light sp.

  She leaned in and whispered, “I know it was you who scratched me in that st fight. It had to be you.”

  “I have no idea what you’re talking about…”

  “Seems like you’re not just a pretty face,” she said with a grin that wasirely f.

  She patted my shoulder. “I’m keeping an eye on you. Good luck,” she finished.

  So much for being the invisible one…

  I looked at the cat beside me. “You’d better find a pce to rest; this is going to take a while,” I said, and Cyl dashed off to a safe spot.

  Sebastian Bke:

  We were on our way to the training grounds to instruct the sed group of first-year students. Earlier, we had taught the other half of their css.

  “I’m telling you, take it easy this time. I don’t want to hear any pints,” Era insisted.

  “Haha, I swear it wasn’t on purpose. Not my fault that kid was traio be a She. He should’ve been prepared to wield a sword,” William remarked with a mischievous grin.

  The princess sighed, but I could see a hidden smile f on her face.

  “I know it was funny, but remember to go easy. These are the ones who’ll eventually fill our ranks. We have to inspire them to want to be like us, not scare them off,” Era reminded us.

  We kept walking.

  “And don’t fet to invite a few students to start knight training,” she added.

  “When I mentio earlier, audent overheard and begged for the honor of joining the team,” William said.

  “The promise of riding an Asalon Horse and s through the skies is tempting. Everyone wants that honor,” Era observed.

  I let out a small ugh.

  “Too bad only a few will ever get that ce,” I ented.

  Era gave my arm a light smack. “o say that out loud. Maybe some of them will rise to the challenge and earn that the future. They don’t o know it’s… almost impossible,” she said.

  I stifled a chuckle and shrugged.

  “Don’t injure audent, William,” Era warned.

  “I’ll try…” William replied, barely holding back his ughter.

  When we arrived, Professor Beatrix was waiting at the entrance.

  Such a beautiful… and dangerous elf.

  “I’ve prepared the list of who you’ll be sparring with. I’ll be evaluating you as instructors, so please avoid injuring the students,” she said, handing us the list before stepping away.

  “We’ll do the same as this m, dividing the matches to run simultaneously. Starti week, we’ll introduce advanced feng teiques. Today, let them use magid remember to try recruiting a few human students; we o begin preparing the group of knights,” Era instructed.

  “Rex. Ohe prince shows up by surprise, they’ll all be in awe,” William added, as roached the students.

  ***

  “We only have ten instructors, so first, each of you will duel with an instructor. Afterward, we’ll begin w on sword teiques. For those of you who use wands or ical implements… sorry, but you’ll also be required to practice with a sword, at least during this first school year,” I annouo the css.

  As earlier, I noticed their curious expressions. They reized our special uniforms, signifying our status as knights.

  Earlier, there was that wolf girl who defeated one of our colleagues, but she’s from another kingdom, so recruitment isn’t an option. Besides, she doesn’t even practice swordsmanship…

  We divided the students, and I approached William.

  “You’re instrug Alice, so go easy on my fiancée,” I said.

  “Of course, I would never do otherwise with Her Highness Alice,” William replied, adding a pyful tone.

  Melina tried sword fighting earlier, but she didn’t excel. Unfortunately, the talent for feng lies with Era and Dun. Still, I hope she bees an exceptional She. If she masters her fire magic further, she’ll be a real force to be reed with.

  I took my roster and reviewed the students I’d be dueling with.

  The st name caught my attention.

  It seems I’ll be paired with that Nathan Evenhart.

  Beatrix:

  I’ve been keeping a close eye on Nathan Evenhart. Ever sihat day, I’ve been repying the battle in my mind, feeling like maybe I overlooked something.

  “Professreeted Era as she approached.

  “Skipping the duels again?” I asked, a hint of curiosity in my tone.

  “I ’t be seen sparring with students due to my position in the army. It could affect morale if I appear weak, and if I overdo it, I might intimidate the students,” she replied.

  “Must be tough being you,” I teased.

  Era paused, stepping closer. “At least sometimes, it’s fun. I’ll help with feng instru, but I won’t participate in any of the duels.”

  I gnced over at Sebastian, who was already sparring with the students in his line.

  I’ve left Nathan for st…

  “Anyone else iing in this css? I’ve already recruited Edmund,” she asked.

  “The wolf girl from earlier is good,” I remarked.

  Era ughed. “I’m talking about people I actually recruit, Professor. I need didates for the human army.”

  I sidered for a moment. “There’s Viktor, the She with a solid arsenal of spells, but I believe he’s already been picked up by yroup. What type of mage are you looking for? Shes tend to be a bit vain, given their greater magical talent, and Healers are only ied in .”

  “I’m looking for Transmitter mages, the ohe military siders standard: bat Mages. I hose skilled in close bat. Shes often avoid feng practice sihey have the advantage of keeping e a distah their spells due to their higher mana reserves. I’ve recruited a few for the knights, but I need more quality fighters. After all, for a She to shine and unleash their spells, they need a bat Mage on the front lines, holding off the enemy and creating the perfect opportunity. Any student catch your eye?”

  I looked at Nathan Evenhart, waiting patiently in line.

  “For now, no one,” I replied, lying.

  I o firm if what happehat day was just a ce.

  “Easy, Princess; it’s only their first year. Let’s shape them into good soldiers. Just be patient,” I said.

  “You know me, I have targets to meet,” she replied, her toermined yet pyful.

  We watched a few students. Fire bolts flew through the air, and other powerful spells fred.

  Most of them are using magiecessarily… and if they run low on mana mid-battle?

  I sighed.

  And then they say we Transmitters are just brute fighters. But what happens when the She runs out of mana? Will they ask their eo show mercy? These kids…