First Day III

The afternoon air was crisp as I began my jog around the academy grounds. After a long day of classes, this was my time to unwind, to let my thoughts roam freely. To be honest, I think best when I'm running. The rhythmic pounding of my feet against the ground helped me process everything—the weight of entering this new world, the dull sword I carried strapped to my back, the villains in the novel and the strange visions that plagued my mind.

The first had been a vision of bandits attacking me. It felt vivid, as if a warning. And then last night, the burning masquerade hall. I could still see it clearly in my head: the flames, the masked figures creeping in closer, circling like vultures. The more I thought about it, the more I realized I needed a way to carry a concealed weapon and a plan to deal with the situation when the time comes. In Duterra, anything that could conduct mana was considered a weapon, so I needed something different, something they wouldn't expect. Maybe a trip to the blacksmithing department was in order.

I pushed the thought aside for now and focused on the physical strain of running. My body ached, but it was a good pain—the kind that made you feel alive. My visual prowess, the strange ability to see more than others when I focused, was something I had to keep under wraps. Especially the glowing eyes. That wasn't something I could afford to reveal yet.

Then there was Marcus Morningstar, and I couldn't forget Raul's threats earlier today. If I'm going to survive here, I need to find a way to deter them, maybe something that gives me leverage. The academy had plenty of subjects to choose from, and I had already decided on my path: swordsmanship, runic theory, and the lightning elemental class. They seemed practical, and more importantly, they gave me distance from Marcus's lackeys. Sticking close to Arthur and the main cast during the swordsmanship lessons seemed like the best strategy for now.

I needed to be prepared, which meant mastering more than just my sword. This world was unforgiving, and even the smallest edge could make the difference between life and death. The academy, as advanced as it was, had resources I could use. Swordsmanship classes were one thing, but I knew they wouldn't cover everything. There were gaps to fill, techniques I needed to learn on my own if I were to stand a chance against the academy's upper ranks.

My mind flashed back to my duel with that second-year senior during the entrance exam. His movements had been fluid, almost like water, as if the sword was an extension of his body. His attacks were precise, each swing calculated to exploit weaknesses, while mine were raw, full of power but lacking the refinement necessary to make them truly effective. The clash had been brief, but it was enough for me to realize that brute strength wasn't enough. There was an art to swordsmanship, and I had to master it if I was going to survive here.

I pushed myself through the jog, muscles aching from the exertion, but I relished the burn. My breath came in steady bursts as I reached the training hall. The sun was beginning to set, casting long shadows over the academy grounds, but inside the hall, it was still full of life. The air was thick with the sound of weapons clashing, grunts of effort, and the low hum of magic being practiced.

Students were scattered across the expansive space, each group engrossed in their own training. Some were practicing elemental magic, their hands crackling with energy or blazing with flames. Others were locked in hand-to-hand combat, testing their martial prowess. But I had something else in mind. The gravitational chamber had caught my attention since I first heard about it. A place designed to push the body to its limits by increasing the weight of the world around you—a challenge I was eager to take on.

As I approached the chamber, I could feel my pulse quicken. Inside, I set the gravity to double the normal weight, feeling an immediate pull on my limbs as if invisible chains were binding me to the ground. I began my stretches, focusing on the basics: pushups, squats, and air cycling. The increased gravity made every movement feel sluggish and heavy, but I pushed through it, letting my body adjust to the pressure.

The next part of my routine was sword practice. I unsheathed the dull sword strapped to my back—a far cry from the sharp, elegant weapons some of the more elite students used, but it was mine. Each swing felt like lifting a boulder, my muscles straining under the added weight, but that was the point. The more I trained, the faster and stronger I would become. It wasn't enough to be competent—I had to be exceptional.

Next I incorporated flash steps into the routine, trying to balance speed and precision in this heavy atmosphere. The gravity made it difficult to maintain my momentum, but I noticed something interesting. When I used flash steps, even under the increased gravity, I felt momentarily lighter, as if the skill was mitigating the extra weight for a brief instant. It wasn't perfect, but it was something I could work on.

Then there was my lightning affinity. I still hadn't figured it out. No matter how hard I tried, I couldn't generate even a spark of electricity. I'd seen others do it effortlessly, but for me, it was like trying to catch lightning in a bottle—slippery, elusive. I was missing something. Maybe it was my understanding of the element itself, or perhaps my mana control wasn't refined enough. Either way, I knew I had to study more before attempting anything serious. Lightning was one of the rarer elements, and if I could master it, it could give me an edge.

After what felt like hours, the strain on my body began to show. My muscles screamed for rest, and the dull ache had spread to every part of me. But I kept going, determined to push my limits further. I knew that training in this chamber would pay off in the long run. If I could handle double the gravity, fighting under normal conditions would feel like a breeze.

As I left the chamber, the academy grounds were bathed in the soft glow of twilight. On my way back to the dorms, I caught sight of Arthur, practicing alone. His movements were sharp, methodical, as he wielded his dual swords with precision. It was no wonder he was regarded as one of the best in our year. His secret sword technique required immense focus, but he had a natural talent for it. Watching him made me realize how far I still had to go.

Further down the path, I noticed Jayden with his spear, practicing thrusts with impeccable form. The Ingrail family was known for their spear techniques, passed down only to the direct descendants. His movements were fluid, and I could see the discipline ingrained in him from years of training.

As I jogged back toward the dorm, I spotted Elna Blackwood and some of the other girls from our class jogging around the dorm building. Elna was a mage, but even she understood the importance of physical endurance. The academy was molding us all into warriors, and it seemed everyone was feeling the pressure to improve.

The sun had dipped below the horizon by the time I reached my room. The long day had taken its toll, but I felt stronger for it. There was still so much to learn, so much to master, but this was just the beginning. But for now, I allowed myself the small victory of surviving another day at the academy.

The sound of the shower filled the room, the steam rising and curling through the bathroom as I stepped under the warm cascade of water. My muscles, sore and tight from the intense training, began to relax. The heat worked its way into my skin, soothing the tension I had been holding onto all day.

I stood there for a while, letting the water wash over me, taking a moment to gather my thoughts. The events of the day felt like they were etched into my body. Every ache was a reminder of how much further I had to go.

As I scrubbed away the sweat and grime. Followed by rinsing off, I stepped out of the shower, the cool air hitting my damp skin as I reached for a towel. I could still see the faint glow of my eyes in the mirror, though it was gone almost as quickly as it appeared. The golden glow that accompanied my visual prowess was something I had to keep hidden. The academy had too many eyes, too many people who would question what it meant. I needed to figure it out on my own terms—away from prying eyes.

I dried off quickly, tossing the towel onto the rack before pulling on a loose shirt and some comfortable pants. The academy uniform had never felt more constricting, and it was a relief to change into something simple.

My body ached in places I hadn't even realized could ache. The gravitational chamber had taken its toll, but I could already feel the benefits. The extra strain was helping me adapt, making my movements sharper and my muscles stronger. I had pushed myself hard today, and now I was paying the price, but I welcomed the fatigue. It was proof that I was improving.

I sat on the edge of the bed, staring at the dull sword leaning against the wall. I needed to stay focused. Tomorrow was another day at the academy, another round of classes, training, and trying to avoid Marcus and his goons. I had already decided on my subjects: swordsmanship, runic theory, and lightning elemental class. Each one felt like the right step toward survival, but I also needed to think of the future—how to stay ahead, how to keep growing stronger.

Sighing, I lay back against the pillow, closing my eyes as exhaustion began to take hold. My body was heavy, the day's efforts weighing me down, but I felt a sense of purpose starting to settle in. I was on a path now, uncertain as it was, but I was moving forward.

As sleep started to take over, the last thing on my mind was the vision from the night before—the circle of masked men, the flames surrounding me. I needed answers, but for now, all I could do was rest. Tomorrow would bring more challenges, and I had to be ready for them.