As I read more about the differences between what was a mage class and what was a warrior, the commonality I found was that a warrior's "mana" was focused inwardly and in the aspect of muscle and nervous systems, whereas mages ejected mana outwardly with the associated chant/runes to get the desired effect. I also learned some "job classes" were locked into guilds, temples or could only be taught by specific trainers. The night felt long reading the many introductions into "X" class but I felt satisfied with what I had learned for now.

The next day was the unofficial start school year for newcomers. We had a counselor come and talk to us about being willing to talk to them about any problems that weren't academic in nature whether they felt it was important or not. After that was the start of the day, largely the same as any other class I've been too, the teacher lectured about said topic, gave us examples, and we did work to show if we understood said topic, the only difference was that those that pulled ahead weren't slowed down by others as for those that can't keep up they were demoted down a class to meet their understanding, and those that excelled had a chance to advance in classes. I won't lie it seemed a bit cutthroat as it felt like they were letting the students weed themselves out, but I also felt conflicted as it wouldn't be bad to ensure proper learning and understanding of said topic. The day went much the same, it felt dull as I was reviewing information I already learned before I came here or in my previous life. The first bit of excitement I felt was the Warrior Class.

We would showcase what we knew about our perspective martial arts with the teacher to grade us on our performance. Many of us passed, with only a few exceptions that were lacking in form or understanding. Those towards the top were paired with some sharing their martial arts, to get a chance of either learning or teaching experience. Every pair went one by one with the teacher yet again grading everyone. When it was my turn, I was paired with one of the few that failed, a girl who was practically shaking in her boots. Upon getting to the stage I greet her.

"Hi my name's Adam, let's both do our best."

"…" She just gives me a nod.

Once again, she shows me her swordsmanship, to which I am to critique. She starts hesitantly, the shaking of her training sword even more profound. Her sword dance started with flourish slicing her sword behind her head towards the ground before she did a pirouette to slice the imaginary foes behind her, she then tucked her sword in her bosom she took a wide step forward to perform a stab. Her dance continued until she finished with what could be called a run into a backwards strike midair. Her dance largely reminded me of theatrical Chinese sword dance, I didn't doubt that many of these moves started with the essence to kill but seemed to be watered down from what used to be concise and concentrated energy. I replayed her dance again and again in my head as she just idly fidgeting her fingers.

"I'm ready."

"Well then what are you waiting for Adam, teach Emilia."

I start by showing the example of her dance. A take a pounding stride leading into the overhead strike towards the ground which causes a thud as it hits the ground, a take another step forward before I do a semicircular twist whipping my sword from the ground to the sky, I take a breath as to slowly collect the sword. I face the would-be enemy and take a leaping strike forward to stab it, I end her dance with the same backwards sweeping slice in the air.

"That's great Adam but you haven't explained anything, it looked largely the same if not for more oomph in every move."

"The difference is footwork. A step here to generate more power, a step gone to sweep back the enemies into an opportune range."

"Is that all that was wrong with it?"

"… No, I don't believe this dance is supposed to kill anyone."

"Huahaha, Emilia no word of this to your mother." He gives the girl a stern look before she nods, to which he turns back to me. "Normally you would be correct, but Viscountess Natasha Barnes' Alluring Flower Sword Dance is supposed to be used in conjunction with a combined skill. The end result is that these seemingly superfluous moves end up drawing the victim deeper into a mirage before their life ends."

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"What's a Combined Skill?" I asked.

"You don't have to worry about that but I suppose it doesn't hurt to have something to aspire for. Alright, we're going to take a break from our peer teaching session. A combined skill requires the mastery of multiple martial arts or mage arts in an attempt to create something new. This process is usually met with more backlash than not but, when a new skill is created it depends on the ingenuity of the creator to explore the possibilities of this new skill. One of the first combined skills, shared hearts, created the Beast Tamer class as we know it now today. Many people have tried to coexist with monster, respect their boundaries, make offerings to appease them but this skill was the start of a true bond, the combined skill Animal Companion consisting of Keen Sense, Tranquil Mind, Mind Blast, and Spirit Tether. Just knowing the combination doesn't guarantee success but the message you receive from the voice of God is different to a complete failure. The superiority of Combined Skills doesn't have many if any penalties and can be taught outside the skill systems unfortunately if they are active skills, they still fall under the Rule of Six. Anyways that concludes our short deviation from the course. Right, Adam, you pass, and Emelia take heart to the advice you've been given."

"Yes, teacher."

"Alright you guys are done, John, Kimberly, you're up next."

As I headed down, I could feel Emilia's stare bore into my skull. She tucked on my collar.

"Can we talk more?"

"Sure."

I went back to rejoin the other students sitting down, as did Emilia, I was half expecting her to talk to me immediately but this was fine too. The class finished with some more passing and some failing to properly analyze or give accurate ideas on how to improve. Once the class was finished, the teacher left. Math was next, Language, then the class was split into genders for Etiquette. Class went by fairly fast and before I knew it, it was time for lunch. I invited Damian, Vanessa, and Sarah to eat our late afternoon lunch, while we were eating and chatting about our day so far, I see Emilia walk towards us and insert herself in between the Stein siblings.

"Ahem excuse me, can't you see that the seat is taken?"

"I already set an appointment to talk to Adam."

The Stein siblings shuffle away albeit giving Emilia the stink eye."

"You realize that was quite rude."

"But I already talked to you about this talk during class."

"Eh, that's true but still quite rude for the one accompanying me."

She quickly turns to the two and gives a curt apology before she turns back to me.

"Can we talk about advice from earlier?"

"Suppose, now is a good time."

"Why should I remove or add steps into my dance."

"As Teacher Donovan pointed out, your extra moves only work if you are able to initiate your mother's skill, otherwise the extra moves actually pose a threat to your safety as it delays you from killing the enemy."

"Do you think if my mother added or subtracted these moves it would improve her form?"

"I can't know for sure since it's your mother's skill but surely trying can't hurt, at least then you would know the answer for sure."

"…"

Emilia got up just as quickly as she sat down, and walked off muttering under her breath, most likely deep in thought.

"Who was that?" everyone asked at almost the same time.

"Uh, I believe her name is Emilia Barnes, I just met her today for Warrior training."

"Wow the Barnes' family, I hear that they're a bunch of martial arts junkies."

"Damian, there's nothing wrong with having a passion towards an art, just like Papa liking horseback combat."

"I suppose that's true."

"More importantly Adam you gave advice to what is practically a genius family in regards to fighting. You should be careful they might even try to pair you up with her, they are always desperate for finding another genius to continue their bloodline."