Sylwen interrupted them and asked,
"Are you by any chance related to the Twelfth Lord?"
I had been waiting for this question, though I was surprised it came so late. In fact, the whole class went silent. Even the Hero wanted to listen.
Well, I did show off during her ceremony, so it was obvious this would come up.
I said,
"Well, I once helped him. It wasn't anything big, but he said help is help. So he told me I could ask him for three things."
I paused before continuing,
"The first thing I asked for was a last name. He told me that except for him, no one else has the last name 'Lewin,' so he gave it to me.
The second thing I asked was for help getting into the academy. At first, I was supposed to be admitted next year, but after the Hero's ceremony, he suddenly helped me get in now."
I stopped again and said,
"And the third thing I asked was for him to train me a little. He helped me, though not too much—but I'm still thankful."
Alaric's eyes widened.
"Wait, the way you fought... Now that I think about it, it's like an inferior version of him fighting blindfolded."
I was sipping some water when Roderick asked,
"So you'll fight me blindfolded too?"
I choked on my water. Then I said,
"Are you an idiot? He's a powerhouse! He doesn't fight other powerhouses blindfolded, so why would I fight you like that? He was just bullying your seniors."
Sylwen asked again,
"How long does it take to become a powerhouse?"
Everyone was shocked because they had never seen her talk this much. And I understood their surprise—there was a reason behind all that.
I said,
"It depends on the person. Many come very close to becoming a powerhouse but then get stuck."
Then we all went to the cafeteria together. Maybe because Sylwen—the most aloof one—had talked so much, I became friends with them almost immediately.
After that, our combat lecture began.
A professor who was quite lean, with a sword at his side, walked in.
He was Thane Edrich, the combat instructor.
Though primarily a swordsman, he could use almost all weapons proficiently.
He said,
"Alright, last time I demonstrated a few things, so today let's do some practice. Form pairs of two and train. I'll watch and give advice after you finish."
Roderick came running to me, smiling.
"Let's do it, Elric."
I nodded, and we picked up the blunt weapons provided by the academy.
Then we stood opposite each other.
---
Roderick Stormrider POV
The clang of wooden weapons echoed through the arena-like training hall. Dust hung in the air, caught in the beams of morning light slanting through the tall windows. Professor Thane Edrich stood at the center, his expression unreadable as always—calm, sharp-eyed, the kind of man whose presence alone kept the class from slacking.
He said,
"For the next mock battle—Roderick Stormrider versus Elric Lewin."
A murmur spread through the class.
"Elric? The new guy?" someone whispered.
"Against Roderick? That's brutal."
"He topped theory, right? But this is combat…"
I heard it all but kept my focus on the arena floor. My spear rested across my shoulder as I turned toward Elric. He looked calm—too calm. The red-haired boy stood in the training uniform, practice sword in hand, expression neither proud nor afraid. His stance was light, almost careless, but there was something precise about it—like he had already measured every step between us.
Professor Edrich's voice cut through the noise.
"No killing intent. Blunt weapons. All forms of magic are permitted, as long as control is maintained."
He looked between us, then raised his hand.
"Begin."
The moment his hand dropped, I lunged forward, spear leveled at Elric's chest.
He didn't block—he slipped just enough to the side that my spear's tip brushed his sleeve. His movements were fluid, not teleportation—just speed and perfect timing. I spun the spear back, thrust again, and hit only air.
He circled lightly on his feet. Then—light gathered around his sword. A thin streak of radiance ran along the blade, humming faintly.
"Light enchantment…" I muttered, lowering my stance.
He dashed in, his blade glowing like dawnlight. I parried, sparks bursting as our weapons clashed. His strikes were sharp, fast, and rhythmic—but the strength behind them was lacking. Every time our weapons met, I felt the absence of weight in his blows.
He compensated with precision—each attack flowed into the next, testing angles, rhythm, and timing.
I thrust, feinting low. He sidestepped, swung horizontally, and a faint whoosh of compressed wind brushed my cheek—a wind slash. Not strong enough to cut, but enough to make me step back.
So he's mixing swordplay and magic mid-motion… not bad.
I twisted the spear in my grip, channeling wind mana down the shaft. The air trembled as I thrust again—faster this time, the spear tip glowing faintly from compressed air pressure. He barely managed to dodge, his boots skidding across the floor.
The next instant, he planted his foot and cast Flash Step. A white glimmer burst beneath his heel, and he blurred forward—straight into my range.
Reflexively, I rotated the shaft to block, but his sword had already struck. The impact numbed my arms, and a faint scorch followed—fire magic. His sword had flared mid-strike.
He used the recoil to leap back, panting lightly, while I rebalanced my stance.
"Fast," I admitted.
He said nothing—just lifted his sword again, eyes calm.
Professor Edrich's voice echoed from the sideline,
"Lewin, control your mana flow. Stormrider, don't rely solely on brute force."
I gritted my teeth. "Yes, sir."
The next exchanges came quicker. He darted left, flicking a small fireball to force me to guard. I swept it aside with a burst of wind from my spear. The moment my view cleared, he was already closing in again, sword thrust low.
Our weapons collided—once, twice, three times. Then he slid to my right, sword glowing again—a feint.
I dropped my stance and spun the spear horizontally. The wooden shaft struck his sword mid-swing, and he stumbled back. He barely recovered before I followed up—my spear lunging forward like lightning.
He ducked under it and tried to counter. I twisted, turning the shaft downward and catching his strike near the guard. Sparks of mana scattered where our weapons met.
He exhaled, sweat trailing down his jaw. "You're strong."
I almost smirked. "And you're faster than you look."
The battle intensified.
Elric moved like wind and light—never staying still, darting in and attacking from impossible angles. But every time he tried to land a solid blow, I deflected or forced him to retreat. My spear's range gave me the advantage, but his adaptability was irritating.
He used small spells tactically—never wasting mana. A wind slash to make me flinch, a fireball to obscure vision, and then a burst of light to close distance. Each movement was designed to complement his swordsmanship rather than replace it.
The students watching were whispering louder now.
"Is he really new?"
"He's keeping up with Roderick…"
"No—Roderick's holding back."
"I don't think he is."
I ignored them and attacked again, sweeping low. He jumped, spinning mid-air, and his sword flashed—a burst of light magic erupting downward. I crossed my spear above my head, deflecting it, then countered by thrusting upward. The blow caught his ribs, sending him sliding backward across the floor.
He coughed, grimaced, and still raised his sword again. Determination burned in his golden eyes.
Professor Edrich said quietly, "Continue."
Elric's next move was reckless. He charged directly, gathering mana. His sword glowed crimson—fire this time. I steadied my spear, waiting. At the last moment, instead of attacking me directly, he slammed his foot down, and a ring of fire burst around him, forcing me to leap back.
He darted through the flames, swinging upward. I blocked. The heat grazed my face, sweat sizzling on my skin. He pressed forward with a flurry of strikes—each weaker than mine but so fast I could barely see his hands.
Clash after clash echoed through the hall.
Then—he overextended. A tiny misstep. His balance shifted.
I took the chance. My spear thrust forward, striking his abdomen with controlled force. The impact sent him staggering back. He dropped to one knee, panting, sword trembling.
Professor Edrich raised a hand. "Enough."
Silence fell over the training hall.
Elric looked up at me, breathing hard but smiling faintly, almost amused rather than frustrated. His blade lowered, and he bowed slightly. "I yield."
Professor Edrich nodded. "Winner—Roderick Stormrider. A narrow victory."
A chorus of whispers erupted.
"He beat him?"
"Barely!"
"Did you see that speed? He's unreal."
"I thought Roderick would crush him…"
I exhaled slowly, resting the spear against my shoulder. My arms felt heavy, and my legs tingled from the constant motion. It had been a long time since a fight made me sweat like this.
Professor Edrich approached, looking between us.
"Good control from both of you. Lewin—your speed, mana synchronization, and reflexes are impressive, but your physical strength lags behind.
Stormrider—excellent adaptability and discipline, though you grew predictable toward the end."
We both nodded.
As Elric stood, brushing dust off his uniform, he smiled—genuine, light, like he'd simply enjoyed himself.
"Good fight."
I nodded back. "Yeah… good fight."
As he walked off, I couldn't help but think—
That wasn't the full extent of his ability.
He was holding back… and yet, I almost lost.
Professor Edrich clapped once, calling the next pair.
But even as others stepped forward, all eyes stayed on the red-haired boy who had fought me like a phantom of light.
The professor also looked at him with a strange expression.
My feint attacks were always seen through—like he knew I was going to use them. Why?
---
Elric Lewin POV
Holding back is tough.
The professor already noticed something was off.
And I noticed his feints without even trying. Well, with Omniscient, it's obvious.
I did lose, and I made it believable because of my lacking physical strength.
But I'm not trying to improve other things right now.
My main priority is developing aura—and then strength.
Thanks to The Devourer's Gift, my strength increases easily, as I don't get tired.
Omniscient also helps with aura indirectly.
When I rejoined the others, I heard Alaric say,
"Did you hold back fighting me? You were so fast just now. Even Liora might be slower."
I smiled awkwardly.