A New Friend

Instructor Elda called the group to gather once more as she began her address.

She stood on the observation platform, her stern gaze sweeping over the recruits.

"Well done, all of you," she said. "You have all shown courage and skill today as expected of future Adventurers."

Neron leaned back against the wall, his arms crossed over his chest as he listened to her halfheartedly.

He couldn't shake the thought that had been nagging at him since he exited the dungeon.

"I could have done more," he muttered under his breath, eyes narrowing as he replayed the scenes in his mind.

He had chosen to rely solely on his swordsmanship, intentionally avoiding the use of magic.

While he had done well enough in the exams, he knew that he might get flaked for it since he didn't use magic.

While Martial arts was efficient in its own right, it didn't command the same respect as magic in the world.