...
Thirty Minutes Later: The Training Hall
As Janina stepped into the training hall, the earthy scent of the dirt floor mingled with the brisk breeze blowing through the open gates. The building was simple yet functional—a wooden structure nestled within the school grounds, surrounded by spectator stands that lined its edges. Sunlight streamed through cracks in the ceiling, casting shifting patterns on the ground that danced with the movement of the whirling dust in the air.
She paused for a moment, letting the cool breeze brush against her face—a welcome contrast to the day's lingering warmth. Her eyes roamed the hall, noting the signs of recent activity. 'Someone was here before us,' she mused, her gaze settling on the scuffed floors and disturbed dirt.
The ground bore the marks of a training session: deep cracks, imprints where bodies had fallen, and patches of earth stained a dark, ominous brown. 'Is that... blood? A flicker of unease passed through her. Quite brutal. Must have been the older students.' She felt a knot tighten in her stomach but shook it off, deciding it was nothing serious, especially since they were the class with the youngest students.
Banners hung from the rafters represent various territories and guilds, their vibrant colors contrasting against the worn wooden backdrop. Rows of training weapons lined one wall, many showing signs of heavy use. Nicks and cracks marred their surfaces, and some were broken entirely. The air held a faint metallic scent, mingling with the aroma of sweat and aged wood.
Janina took a deep breath, steadying herself as she began to stretch. She anticipated some form of exercise or evaluation, though the thought of sweating in her pristine school uniform was less than appealing. 'The last class was so much fun,' she thought wistfully, recalling the intrigue and drama. 'I wish this could be more like that—it's always entertaining to watch.'
Everyone was still wearing their school uniforms, likely because Alexander's new tailor hadn't finished making the exercise clothes yet. 'No wonder,' Janina mused, recalling how Klili—Ocilia's little sister—had wandered around the estate, mumbling incantations under her breath, visibly exhausted. The poor girl looked like she'd been up for days; her mana veins cramped as her fingers.
"What do you think we'll do?" Naza's voice pulled Janina from her thoughts. The catkin's eyes darted nervously around the training hall, her tail swishing behind her in restless arcs.
Janina shrugged casually. "Probably some running or basic exercises. I can't imagine anyone foolish enough to start combat training on the first day."
Naza sighed, fiddling with the hem of her sleeve. "I hope you're right. I'd prefer to ease into the whole 'physical exertion' thing."
A deep, resonant voice sounded from behind them. "Ms. Janina is quite the cheeky one, isn't she?"
Startled, Janina whipped around to face the speaker. A towering figure loomed over her—a man of immense stature, muscles evident beneath his well-worn leather and linen training clothes. His silver hair framed a weathered face that held both stern authority and a hint of amusement in his piercing eyes.
'I didn't even catch his scent!' Janina's heart skipped a beat, a mix of surprise and apprehension washing over her. How had someone so large approached without her noticing?
"Barry?!" she exclaimed, her eyes widening in recognition.
Everyone else reacted similarly—gasping and stepping back in surprise. No one had noticed Barry's imposing presence until his deep voice resonated through the hall. "Greetings, students," he announced with a hint of amusement. "My name's Barry, and I'll be your physical education instructor."
As his gaze swept over the assembled students, Janina felt a jolt of shock ripple through her. 'Isn't he supposed to be 350 years old?!' she thought incredulously. Tales of the former Chief Commander—who had served for two generations and Larry's grandfather—flooded her mind. Stories and rumors depicted his ominous achievements, painting a picture of a man—both revered and feared.
She recalled rumors of her own Grandmother reprimanding him for his ruthless campaigns against piracy in the South—a brutal offensive that left rows of enemy ships destroyed and countless lives lost. 'If even Grandmother had issues with his methods, this can't be good,' Janina mused, a shiver tracing down her spine as she imagined what rigorous training he might have in store for them.
He chuckled softly, the sound reminiscent of distant thunder rolling across the mountains. "Good to see you remember me, little calf," he said, his eyes twinkling with a mix of nostalgia and mischief.
Janina swallowed hard. "I guess," she muttered, instinctively taking a step back. She tried to gauge the sheer magnitude of the man before her, attempting to discern his [Tier] by scent—a technique canine could do if they could compare to others. But the effort only made her eye twitch in frustration; his power was overwhelming and impossible to quantify. 'Great,' she thought sarcastically. 'First or even second [Body Modification]... his age suddenly makes much more sense.'
Barry surveyed the group with a weary sigh, his gaze sharp beneath furrowed brows. "I promised Mr. Alexander I'd go easy on you all, and I intend to keep my word," he declared, his deep voice resonating through the training hall. He nodded toward the weapon racks lining the wall. "So, I'll let you prepare properly before testing you—two minutes."
A palpable wave of panic rippled through the students. Eyes widened, breaths quickened, and uneasy murmurs spread among them. A few snapped into action, darting toward the weapon stand. Spears, swords, and bows were snatched up with trembling hands, the clatter of weapons echoing in the tense silence.
Lacroux moved with a predatory grace, selecting a pair of one-handed daggers. His eyes gleamed with a dangerous madness, a twisted grin curling his lips as he locked his gaze onto Barry. "It will be my pleasure," he hissed under his breath, the anticipation evident in his voice.
Janina glanced at Naza beside her, noting the cat-kin's rigid stance and the fear flickering in her wide eyes. 'Damn it!' Frustration bubbled within her as she imagined the worst possible outcomes. Without hesitation, she grabbed Naza's arm, pulling her toward the weapon stand. "Come on! Grab a weapon and get ready!"
Naza resisted, her voice shaking. "I can't! I've never fought—except for a scuffle or two years ago!"
Janina's grip tightened, urgency overriding sympathy. "It doesn't matter! That sack of meat wants to evaluate us, and if you don't do something," she raised her voice, projecting it so others could hear, "he'll use you as a punching bag until you do!"
Her words ignited a flurry of movement. Students who had been frozen in uncertainty now rushed to the weapon stand, grabbing whatever seemed familiar—or at least less intimidating. 'How can orphans even be expected to fight?' A pang of doubt pierced Janina's confidence. She knew that learning combat before receiving one's [Legacy] was a privilege reserved for nobility, the wealthy, and the offspring of seasoned warriors. For everyone else, the risks were daunting, and resources were scarce. Treating injuries was expensive, and finding instructors was even more so. Throwing oneself into danger was practically insane.
She selected a bow and a quiver of dull arrows, the familiar weight offering a semblance of comfort. Naza, swallowing hard, mimicked her choice, standing close as they both eyed Barry, searching for any potential advantage. 'At least I'm not the only one with some experience,' Janina thought, a flicker of relief easing her tension.
Across the hall, Lacroux twirled his daggers with unsettling ease. His eyes radiated manic energy, a palpable aura of bloodlust that caused nearby students to edge away nervously—all except Lucifer.
The incubus stood poised, a rapier held with practiced elegance. His gaze was intense, darting over Barry's form as if mapping out every possible weakness. His calm amidst the chaos was both reassuring and disconcerting.
Henry positioned himself directly in front of Barry, a chain coiled in one hand and a dagger gripped in the other. His stance lacked the finesse of a trained fencer, but there was raw determination in his eyes. Janina observed that he may not be poised, but he seems to know what he's doing.
Other experienced students formed a loose semicircle, weapons ready, while archers spread out along the perimeter. Those less sure of themselves clustered, their whispers blending into a cacophony of anxious murmurs. 'This class is already a mess,' Janina thought, irritation prickling at her. 'We're like a band of misfits thrown into the deep end.'
She began to weave a mana construct, planning to cast a smokescreen spell that might give them an edge. But Barry's booming voice cut through the air before she could complete it. "Time's up!" He stomped the ground with such force that it shook the entire hall. A crater formed beneath his foot, and cracks spiderwebbed outward, disrupting their footing and sending a jolt through everyone.
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"I promised Mr. Alexander I'd go easy on you," he repeated, a sly smile tugging at his lips. His eyes gleamed with a mix of challenge and anticipation. He stomped again, the ground trembling anew, and small craters appeared perilously close to some more seasoned students. "So, I have a simple task: Attack me with all you got!"
Lacroux ignored the initial command and vanished, reappearing behind Barry. The ox-kin veteran merely smirked, effortlessly sidestepping the strike aimed at his calf by lifting his leg. "Boy, let the young ones have their fun!" With a swift motion, he brought his foot down, stomping on Lacroux's head and creating a crater beneath him. The ground shook as he was driven deep into the earth, knocked out cold.
Janina's heart pounded, cold sweat running down her back. 'My turn,' she thought, licking her lips in anticipation. Her muscles coiled like springs, tail flicking with excitement as her eyes narrowed, focusing intently on Barry. She began forming a mana construct, weaving intricate patterns in the air. But before she could finish, Barry vanished from sight.
He reappeared right in front of her, his presence overwhelming. With a swift snap of his fingers, a powerful gust of wind erupted, catching her off guard and knocking her off her feet. She tumbled backward, the world spinning as clouds of dirt billowed around her.
"No magic!" Barry roared, his voice echoing like thunder. "This is about your physical prowess. Rely on your own strength, you stubborn brat!"
Groaning, Janina pushed herself up, her pride stinging more than her scraped elbows. She glanced ahead and saw Naza standing before Barry, her eyes wide and shimmering with unshed tears. The cat-kin girl dropped her weapon, raising her hands in surrender. "I..."
Before she could utter another word, Barry sent her flying toward the weapon stand with another gust of wind. "No giving up either!" he bellowed.
Lucifer, Henry, and three other commoners exchanged quick glances before charging at Barry. Their attacks were half-coordinated and amateurish, but their determination was palpable. 'Impressive,' Janina mused, admiring how their limited training didn't dampen their fighting spirit.
"Argh!"
"Urgh!"
Barry deftly avoided Lucifer's thrust, his movements a blur. He caught the chain Henry hurled at him, giving it a sharp tug that sent Henry hurtling forward. The momentum caused Henry to collide with Lucifer, and the two tumbled away in a tangled heap.
"Not good enough, boys!" Barry chided a hint of amusement in his tone. "Only wrap a chain around your wrist if you can counter more power with your [Chain Arts]! And don't thrust with a rapier unless you're prepared to evade a counter! Such recklessness will be punished, bahaha!"
The others met similar fates one by one—their attacks effortlessly deflected, their pride bruised. Yet Barry offered valuable advice with each encounter. For those with some experience, his guidance was priceless; sparring with an instructor with such experience was an opportunity money couldn't buy.
Meanwhile, the inexperienced students who charged recklessly or swung wildly with closed eyes were simply knocked aside. Barry's booming voice reprimanded them. "Think before you act! Use your heads, not just your weapons!"
Janina watched the unfolding chaos and realized this might be their training regimen for weeks to come. 'They'll have a tough time ahead,' she thought, frowning slightly. They needed to conquer their fear before any real combat training could begin.
Fear in battle would render even the best techniques useless. Barry was pushing the experienced students while allowing novices to adjust their mindsets.
"Mr. Alexander is giving you the same chance that only the great nobility have, and all you do is cower?!" Barry's voice boomed, the intensity causing a palpable tension in the air. Some students staggered under the weight of his presence, but they grit their teeth and pressed on, improving ever so slightly with each attempt.
Barry met their efforts with calculated precision. "Too slow!" he barked at one student. "A spear doesn't suit you. You should use a sword and shield with that build, fatty!"
He deflected another's clumsy swing. "That dagger isn't right for you," he advised, stopping an attack from a student wielding a mace. "Switch weapons with each other!" With an elegant swing of his arm, a gust of wind made them crash into each other, tumbling away.
Despite his harsh demeanor, there was a method to Barry's madness. Janina realized he was observing each student carefully, guiding them toward their strengths even as he tested their limits.
She steadied herself, her gaze locked onto Barry. 'Let's see, how can I annoy you the most,' she thought, a determined smile curling her lips. Excitement coursed through her, her tail swaying rhythmically. Nocking an arrow, she drew her bowstring back, feeling the familiar tension.
Around her, the groans and cries of her classmates echoed.
"Ow! My arm!"
"I can taste blood!"
"I thought this was just a formality!"
Janina smirked, adrenaline fueling her resolve. 'Time to give it another go.' She released the arrow, aiming straight for Barry's private parts. With uncanny speed, he sidestepped, allowing the arrow to sail past him and accidentally strike another student, who yelped before collapsing theatrically.
Barry threw his head back in hearty laughter. "If I tell your parents about this, they'll never let you live it down, bahaha!"
The session continued in a whirlwind of movement and instruction. By the end, the students were drenched in sweat, their bodies aching, but a spark of exhilaration shone in their eyes. They had gained a newfound respect for their own potential—and for Barry.
"I can't feel my legs," one student panted, leaning heavily on his sword.
"I just wanted to become an accountant..." another moaned, sprawled out on the ground.
Barry clapped his massive hands, the sound echoing through the hall. "Excellent effort! Remember, strength isn't just about muscles. It's about heart, strategy, and the will to push beyond your limits!"
As they filed out of the hall, Janina felt a surge of excitement. The day had been full of surprises, challenges, and unexpected camaraderie. She glanced at Naza, who was grinning despite being covered in dirt.
"Quite the first day, huh?" Naza said, her eyes sparkling.
Janina chuckled. "It has only just begun."
...
Three Hours Later (after a couple of classes)
The late afternoon sun bathed the campus in a warm, golden glow as Janina and Naza meandered along the cobblestone pathways. The sprawling grounds were alive with vibrant gardens where blossoms of every hue swayed gently in the breeze. Students lounged under the shade of trees or hurried between buildings, their voices melding into a soothing hum.
Friendships were being forged around them, whispers of budding romances floated in the air, and rivalries sparked with stolen glances and hushed words. Groups of students darted from one classroom to the next, the energy of new beginnings palpable in every corner. It was chaotic, just as Alexander had predicted, yet the disorder had a certain charm.
Naza sighed dramatically, her feline ears drooping as she side-eyed Janina. "Only just begun, eh?" she muttered, her tail flicking with exasperation. "Moral Education, Fine Arts, Music, Craftsmanship, Science, and House Economics—all crammed into one day."
Janina smirked, adjusting the strap of her satchel. "You didn't like it?" she teased, a playful glint in her eyes.
Naza groaned, throwing her head back in mock despair. "Oh, I do! But all those twenty-minute intervals are killing me!" she exclaimed. "Just when it gets interesting, the bell rings, and we're off to the next class. I'm sooooo bored of the constant stop-and-go!"
Janina chuckled softly. "I feel you. It's like getting a taste of dessert but never the whole slice." She kicked a loose pebble on the path, watching it skitter ahead. "At least we only have Magic Class, and then the club activities left."
Naza's ears perked up slightly at the mention of magic. "True," she conceded, a hint of excitement creeping into her voice. "Though you mentioned we might not get our mana skills today?"
"Probably not," Janina admitted, her gaze drifting toward the distant mage tower that loomed over the campus skyline. Its spires seemed to pierce the very fabric of the sky, shimmering with ethereal energy. "The initial process takes time. It's straightforward but a bit lengthy, especially for those with little experience gaining skills."
Naza pouted, scuffing her shoe against the cobblestones. "Are you even allowed to tell me that?" she asked, arching an eyebrow playfully.
Janina shrugged lightly. "Alex was pretty open about it. He wants everyone to share knowledge, but there are some caveats, obviously."
Naza glanced at her curiously. "What kind of caveats?"
"Well," Janina began, "once you learn certain things, like specific spells or techniques, you're obligated to share any new magical knowledge you develop or receive back with the school. It's part of the contract we all signed, remember?"
"Aha," Naza murmured, her eyes drifting down to her fingernails. She began picking at the dirt trapped beneath them—a remnant from their earlier physical education class.
Janina noticed and wrinkled her nose in mild distaste. "Don't do that," she chided gently. "It's unsanitary." With a subtle gesture, she whispered a simple incantation. A soft glow enveloped Naza's hands, leaving them spotless.
Naza blinked in surprise before grinning sheepishly. "Thanks. Old habits die hard, I guess."
"Consider it a preview of Magic Class," Janina quipped, a mischievous smile playing on her lips.
As they continued along the path, the chatter of other students gradually faded, replaced by the soft whisper of the evening breeze rustling through the trees. The campus seemed to hold its breath as they approached a quieter part of the grounds. Looming ahead was the mage tower—an architectural marvel that appeared both ancient and alive. Its obsidian walls shimmered with intricate enchantments and glowing runes that pulsed gently like the heartbeat of the tower itself. Mana flowed through it in such abundance that when Janina tried to sense it, the sheer intensity was almost blinding.
Clusters of students stood nearby, their faces lit with awe as they gazed up at the towering structure. Gasps and murmurs of wonder filled the air. But Janina couldn't muster the same excitement. She crossed her arms, a wry smile playing on her lips. 'Once you know how the magic is done, it's hard to be impressed,' she mused.
She recalled how Alexander had procured cement from Bartholomew and, with characteristic ingenuity, transformed it into mana-infused cement. The process was deceptively simple: mixing the cement with the burned, distilled, and filtered essence of the Oyarion tree—the parts rich in mana. "Voilà," she whispered to herself, "mana cement."
'But what's it good for?' she pondered. 'Enchantment, mostly.' Structures built with mana cement could hold enchantments indefinitely as long as the building stood. The material absorbed ambient mana, slowly recharging itself and fueling the enchantments embedded within. It was a silent, self-sustaining system.
Janina remembered how Alexander had secluded himself for three days, coinciding with Sarah undergoing a more thorough body modification. He'd emerged with an incredibly complex system to harness the mana efficiently. His ideas were apparently so complex that even the craftsman had no idea how to implement them.
But then correspondence arrived from the Cathedral of Pestilence, making his earlier work obsolete, making him happy and annoyed at the same time. 'It was fun to watch him being annoyed and happy from one moment to another, only to get angry at himself,' she mused, remembering how irritated he was.
Alexander started exchanging letters with the Cathedral of Pestilence, as they wanted to know how he and the others received the mana skills. He didn't disclose it immediately and wanted all the knowledge they had first.
An exchange of passive-aggressive written letters started cumulating, and they began to share knowledge little by little. Alexander sent them formulas and experiment instructions for calculating gravity. In exchange, they sent him the plans for a far more sophisticated and enduring building—the mage tower that now stood before them.
In addition, the Cathedral became eager customers for his printing press. For a fair price per book, Alexander gained access to an astronomical amount of knowledge across various disciplines while also earning a substantial profit. It was a mutually beneficial arrangement that fueled both his coffers and intellect.
Janina sighed inwardly, 'I am petty, am I?' She reflected on her inner turmoil, wanting still to get a chance to become an heir, but it was over for her. It felt unfair, but seeing all he invented and implemented, all the projects, the successful but illegal warfare—how could she even be considered?
There were moments today when she thought she could do it better, but was it true? She doubted that even their parents could do it better. 'He really deserves the position...'
Naza nudged her gently. "You're awfully quiet," she observed, her eyes still fixed on the tower. "Isn't it incredible?"
Janina offered a small smile. "It is," she began, "I wish I had the chance to create something so beautiful and majestic..." her voice trailing off as something caught her attention.
A heated argument was unfolding further away, near a cluster of oak trees. Henry stood rigid, his fists clenched at his sides, while a girl with fiery red hair glared at him, her hands on her hips.
"Henry! What do you mean she is here?!" the girl exclaimed, her voice carrying across the quiet lawn.
...
Author's Afternote: Also, while I get that many wanted to see the development of certain things, which will be shown, I just needed to push a little since many things, especially here, would need dozens of additional chapters with boring explanations. I want to try and show first what is possible through the developed means and then explain it.
While the explanation of a calculator was quite enjoyable, how data is saved, what data is, and how data is transferred is a bit different and actually already shown. Now, it is more of an implementation and shows how something works from a more technical perspective.