The academy grounds were enveloped in a quiet stillness, with only the occasional rustle of leaves breaking the silence of the night. Within their dorms, each student prepared for the coming day, revisiting notes from Professor Jurg's recent lecture.

In his room, Ray sat on his bed, the flyer Maya had given him for the academy newspaper recruitment in hand. He examined it absently, his mind split between curiosity and disinterest. After a moment, he placed it aside, lost in thought. Meanwhile, Isaki was in his own room, fully immersed in his evening training routine. The room echoed with the quiet rhythm of his push-ups, sit-ups, and stretches. Once he finished his exercises, he carefully took out his sword, polishing the blade until it gleamed, preparing it for tomorrow's martial arts lesson with Professor Jessica.

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Morning arrived, bringing with it the fresh scent of dew on the training fields. Isaki left his room and ran into Ray outside the dormitory. The two exchanged nods and smiles, a daily ritual that had quickly become second nature.

"Ready for today's class?" Ray asked, with a raised eyebrow and a slight smirk.

Isaki slung his sword over his shoulder with confidence. "Absolutely. If Jessica's skills are anything like I've heard, this is going to be something special."

Ray chuckled, adjusting the strap on his own weapon. "Yeah, let's just hope she goes easy on us."

The two shared a laugh before setting off together toward the training grounds, both aware that today's lesson would be intense. They walked briskly to the open area near Professor Jurg's classroom, a space specifically reserved for practical lessons for first-year students. When they arrived, they found a small group of students already gathered, including some familiar faces like Gaus and Marie Bolén—the latter of whom had left quite an impression on everyone during the endurance test on the first day with her exceptional time.

At the front of the training field stood Professor Jessica. Her stance was poised, her gaze calm and steady. She wore her hair tied back, with light armor over her training clothes, which gave her a professional, battle-ready look. She was clearly at ease in the field, projecting both authority and a quiet strength.

Once the group had assembled, Jessica stepped forward, her gaze sweeping over them with a hint of anticipation. She offered a slight nod and began to speak.

"Good morning, everyone," she said, her voice clear and authoritative. "Today, we begin your training in swordsmanship and martial arts. But before we start, I want you to understand that this isn't just about brute strength or knowing how to swing a sword. What I will teach you requires discipline, precision, and above all, control. Mastering a sword is about becoming one with it—understanding it as an extension of yourself."

She gave them a brief rundown of her background, describing her years of intensive training and combat experience, as well as her philosophy on the art of swordsmanship. Her eyes gleamed with a fierce conviction as she continued.

"The style I'll be teaching you is a blend of traditional techniques and practical combat skills, tailored for both battlefield scenarios and one-on-one duels. It combines offense and defense in a way that builds a strong foundation, allowing you to eventually develop your own style. But, to get there, you must first master the basics. Without this foundation, you're simply swinging a piece of metal around."

As she spoke, Jessica unsheathed her sword with a smooth, practiced motion. Her gaze hardened as she surveyed her students, and then, with a subtle nod, she launched into a dazzling demonstration. Her sword moved with blinding speed, cutting through the air with graceful precision and control. She executed a series of swift, complex maneuvers, blending offensive strikes and defensive blocks seamlessly. Her footwork was impeccable, her every step calculated and perfectly balanced, her movements flowing like water, yet each strike landed with the force of a hammer.

The students were transfixed, their eyes wide with admiration. Jessica's mastery of her weapon was evident, her body moving as if one with the blade. Every move she made was a testament to her skill, experience, and dedication. Isaki's mouth fell slightly open as he watched her, feeling both awe and a sudden, fierce determination.

When Jessica finished her demonstration, she calmly sheathed her sword and turned back to the class with a faint, knowing smile. "That's what you should aspire to," she said, her voice steady. "But it takes time. A long time. Today, tomorrow, and throughout next week, we'll focus on laying a solid foundation. Once you've mastered that, we'll start working on advanced techniques. Eventually, you'll reach a point where you can develop a style that suits you best. But for now, let's start at the beginning."

The lesson began with an introduction to basic stances and grips, the core foundation for wielding any blade. Jessica showed them how to assume different positions, each one designed for either offense or defense. She moved from the low guard to high guard, explaining how each stance allowed them to either protect themselves or prepare for a strike.

"Strength means nothing without balance," she said, her gaze sharp as she watched them practice. "If you can't maintain your stance, you'll be easy prey. Proper form will allow you to absorb impact, deflect strikes, and stay on your feet in the middle of combat."

She moved among the students, adjusting their arms, shoulders, and postures, ensuring that each of them achieved the correct stance. She then had them partner up and practice slow, controlled movements. The exercise was designed to improve timing and coordination as they mirrored each other's moves, lightly tapping each other's swords with precision rather than force. Jessica emphasized the importance of control, urging them to focus on small, calculated motions instead of sweeping, reckless swings.

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As they moved through the exercises, Jessica reminded them of the mental aspect of swordsmanship. "A sword fight is as much about the mind as it is the body," she explained. "Anticipate your opponent's moves. Observe their stance, read their intent. You must be two steps ahead."

Throughout the lesson, Jessica kept a close eye on each student, offering feedback and encouragement. The morning wore on, and by the end, the students were sweaty and tired, but there was a tangible sense of satisfaction in the air. The lesson had been demanding, but each of them felt they had gained something valuable.

As Jessica concluded the session, she gathered them together for a final piece of advice. "Remember, the sword is not just a weapon—it's an extension of your will. Learn to control it, and you can control the flow of any battle."

After the lesson, as the students began to leave, Professor Jessica suddenly remembered something. She raised her voice slightly, calling out to the class.

"Oh, before you all go—please remember that I'll need to see you this afternoon at the student assistance center. Make sure to be there on time."

With that final instruction, she gave a short nod and dismissed them, walking off toward the faculty building. Ray and Isaki glanced at each other before heading out together, making their way toward the cafeteria.

When they entered, they noticed the dining hall was much emptier than it had been two days prior. The tables stretched out before them, nearly all vacant, with only a few early risers scattered around. They grabbed their trays, loaded with food, and sat down at a table by the window.

As Isaki started to eat, he looked around and wondered aloud, "Do you think Arya, Sophia, Lian, and Rael are still in class? I haven't seen any of them."

Ray nodded thoughtfully. "Probably. The classes for the magic department usually run longer. I think they cover both practical and theoretical parts each time. So they might be there a while."

The two continued chatting casually while they ate, laughing over some of the techniques they'd learned that morning, and discussing what else Jessica might have in store for them. Midway through the conversation, Isaki noticed something on Ray's wrist. Ray had rolled up his sleeves from the training session, and for the first time, a thin red thread around his wrist caught Isaki's eye.

With curiosity, Isaki gestured toward it. "Hey, Ray—what's that red thread around your wrist?"

Ray paused, glancing down at the thread as if he hadn't thought about it in a while. His gaze grew distant as he looked at it, his voice a little quieter than usual. "It's… a bracelet," he answered, a trace of seriousness in his tone. "It was given to me by someone who helped me when I was in a really tough spot."

Isaki smiled, catching Ray's expression and realizing that there was likely a deeper story behind the bracelet, one Ray might not be inclined to share. So he simply nodded, leaving it at that. "Must be a pretty important person," he said lightly, and Ray offered a small nod in return.

Just then, a voice interrupted their conversation. "Hey! Mind if I join you two?"

They looked up to see Marie, who was smiling brightly at them, her usual easygoing energy radiating as she approached their table. Isaki quickly smiled back and gestured to the seat beside them. "Of course, go ahead, have a seat!"

She slid into the seat, setting her tray down and glancing between Ray and Isaki with genuine curiosity. "I saw you both in class with Professor Jessica this morning," she began. "You two looked pretty focused!"

Isaki chuckled, rubbing the back of his head. "Yeah, we're trying to keep up with her. She's impressive—and intense. I'm still getting used to how fast she moves with a sword."

Marie's eyes lit up, her enthusiasm obvious. "You know, I actually noticed your sword, Isaki. It looked different from the others. Is it custom-made?"

Isaki's face brightened. "Oh, this one? I picked it up from a village near where I live—Asdra. They have some pretty skilled blacksmiths there."

Marie's eyes sparkled with interest as she unsheathed her own sword slightly, letting him see the craftsmanship up close. "This one's a family heirloom. It's been passed down for generations," she explained, holding the hilt carefully. "Pretty cool, right?"

Isaki's eyes widened as he took in the sword. It was a beautiful, elegant weapon, with intricate engravings and symbols etched along the hilt that gave it a regal quality. "Wow. A blade like that must've cost a fortune if someone had to buy it," he murmured, clearly impressed. "The details are incredible. This looks like it's made from the best materials."

Marie nodded, her pride evident. "It's made of "black iron," one of the most durable materials around. That's why the blade's this unique shade of dark grey—it's nearly indestructible. Pretty handy, huh?"

Isaki chuckled, admiring the weapon with an appreciative eye. "Yeah, that's amazing. Not to mention it's a great fit for you."

Ray watched their conversation in silence, his gaze shifting from Marie to Isaki as they discussed the finer details of their weapons. Marie's easygoing nature seemed to put Isaki at ease, and the two quickly fell into an animated discussion, talking about the various techniques they'd learned and comparing different sword styles.

"It must be nice to have such a strong family history attached to your weapon," Isaki said, genuinely interested. "It's like it's got its own story."

Marie grinned. "Yeah, that's exactly how I feel. Carrying this blade feels like carrying a part of my family with me, like they're right there fighting beside me."

Their conversation carried on, filled with lighthearted banter and a shared passion for the art of the sword.

"How did you end up here in the academy?" Marie asked Isaki, her tone relaxed and open.

Isaki took a sip of water, considering her question. "I guess it was always kind of the goal. My father trained me for this, and I wanted to get stronger. It seemed like the academy was the best place for that. What about you?"

Marie leaned back, sighing. "Well, it's a bit of a family tradition, I guess. My brother graduated from here, so I wanted to follow in his footsteps—and maybe even surpass him."

Isaki grinned, clearly amused by her determination. "I bet you'll manage to. You did pretty well in that endurance test."

Marie laughed, brushing off the compliment. "Thanks, but I still have a lot to learn. That's why I'm excited for Professor Jessica's classes. Maybe we'll all be a little closer to our goals by the end of it."

As they spoke, Ray found himself unexpectedly at ease in their company, though he maintained his usual quiet demeanor.

Marie laughed, noticing his silence. "What about you, Ray? Anything cool about your weapon?"

Ray gave a slight smile, responding with a casual shrug. "It's nothing special. Just a basic dagger I picked up. I like to keep things simple."

Marie chuckled. "I had a feeling you'd say something like that."

The trio continued their conversation, Ray's quiet presence contrasting with Marie's vibrant energy and Isaki's genuine interest. They finished their meal in comfortable camaraderie. As they stood up to leave, the sun streaming through the dining hall windows seemed to signal a new beginning for each of them.

With a final laugh and shared smiles, they headed out, ready to face whatever the rest of the day had in store for them.