The morning sun broke through the thick curtains of the Vasti household, bathing the room in a soft glow. John now inhabiting Melch’s fragile body sat on the edge of his bed, his mind racing. Today was pivotal. He needed to secure his future by preparing for the Theoder Academy’s entrance exams, but the road ahead was anything but straightforward.
Melch’s memories told him that securing his grandfather’s recommendation was the easiest route. As the knight commander of the Order of the Verdant Shield under the Church of Beginnings, Thomas Nicolescu held considerable influence. However, Melch knew his grandfather’s time was precious, and there was no guarantee the letter he sent would reach him in time. With just 37 days left until the academy’s entrance exams, every second counted.
John's strategy was clear: pass at least two of the three entrance exams. The written test would be manageable with Melch’s knowledge, but the physical and magical affinity tests posed significant challenges. Becoming a healer seemed like a viable option. Melch had basic theoretical knowledge, but practice was another matter entirely. Time was his greatest adversary.
Determined, John called for Galen, the Vasti household’s butler and former knight. Galen arrived promptly, his towering frame and stern demeanor filling the room. His sharp eyes scanned John, assessing him with the precision of a seasoned warrior.
“You called for me, young master?” Galen’s tone was firm, his voice carrying an undercurrent of authority.
“Yes” John replied, standing as straight as his frail body allowed. “I need your help, Galen. The physical test for Theoder Academy… I need to be ready. I want you to train me.”
Galen’s brow furrowed, his expression unreadable. “Training you for a physical test is not a simple task, especially given your… condition. But if this is your decision, I will assist you.”
Leif, who had been lounging in a chair by the window, perked up at the exchange. His carefree grin spread across his face as he leaned forward. “Training, huh? This should be fun to watch. You sure you’re up for it, Melch? Galen’s training isn’t exactly a walk in the park.”
John shot Leif a determined look. “I don’t have a choice.”
Galen crossed his arms, his gaze unwavering. “If we’re going to do this, we’ll start slow. I’ll gradually increase the intensity to match what your body can handle. Overexertion will only harm you.”
“Understood,” John replied, his voice steady.
Leif chuckled, clearly amused. “Well, I’ll stick around for moral support. Someone has to keep the mood light.”
Galen ignored the comment, already mentally formulating a training regimen. “We’ll start with basic exercises to build stamina. Walking laps around the garden, light stretching, and breathing exercises. Once your body adjusts, we’ll move on to more rigorous activities.”
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John nodded, silently committing himself to the plan. He couldn’t afford to fail.
Later that day, John asked Galen to gather books and materials related to medicine and healing. Galen raised an eyebrow but complied, his efficiency evident as he returned with an armful of ancient tomes and jars filled with dried herbs.
“These are from the storeroom” Galen explained, placing the items on a table. “They’re basic but should suffice for your studies.”
Leif hovered nearby, his curiosity piqued. “What’s all this for? You planning to become an apothecary now?”
“Something like that” John replied vaguely, not wanting to delve into details. He couldn’t afford to let anyone know his full plan just yet.
As the days passed, Galen’s training began in earnest. True to his word, he started slow, ensuring John’s body adjusted to the new regimen. Each morning began with a walk around the estate gardens, followed by light stretches. Galen’s watchful eyes missed nothing, and his gruff voice barked instructions whenever John faltered.
“Straighten your back” Galen ordered during one session. “Your posture is half the battle. A weak stance invites defeat.”
John complied, gritting his teeth against the ache in his limbs. The progress was slow, but he could feel his body adapting, however slightly. Galen’s approach was methodical, pushing John just enough to build strength without causing harm.
Leif, true to his word, often hung around during the training sessions, offering encouragement in his own peculiar way. “Come on, Melch, you’ve got this! Just imagine Galen’s face if you actually manage to impress him.”
Galen shot Leif a withering glare. “If you’re not going to contribute, stay out of the way.”
Leif smirked, unfazed. “Oh, I’m contributing, all right. Morale is important, you know.”
In the evenings, John turned his attention to studying the books Galen had provided. One particular text caught his eye: a detailed guide on the art of creating elixirs. The process was intricate, requiring precision and an understanding of each ingredient’s properties. Dried herbs, ground minerals, and distilled liquids had to be combined in exact proportions, often requiring hours of meticulous preparation.
John found himself engrossed in the work, his hands moving deftly as he prepared his first concoction. Leif, ever the curious observer, peeked over his shoulder.
“What’s that supposed to be?” Leif asked, his nose wrinkling at the strong, earthy scent emanating from the mixture.
“An energy-boosting elixir” John replied, not looking up. “It’s supposed to help with fatigue.”
Leif leaned closer, his expression skeptical. “You sure it won’t just knock you out instead?”
John sighed. “If you’re so worried, why don’t you try it first?”
Leif laughed, holding up his hands in mock surrender. “No thanks. I’ll stick to cheering you on from a safe distance.”
Despite Leif’s teasing, John continued his work, perfecting his technique with each attempt. The knowledge from Melch’s memories proved invaluable, giving him an edge in understanding the ancient recipes.
On the ninth day of his preparations, John decided to test a theory. If his body now truly possessed some innate ability to heal itself, as he suspected what had happened during the summoning where Melch’s hand which was cut during the spell was healed later, then it could change everything. Using a thorny herb, he pricked his hand, drawing blood. The pain was sharp, but he endured it for more than 30 minutes of waiting, then the wound slowly began to close.
Two hours later, the wound was gone, leaving only a faint ache behind. It was proof that his body could heal, albeit imperfectly. The discovery filled him with cautious hope. If he could harness this ability, perhaps he could overcome the physical challenges ahead.
The physical test loomed large in his mind. It wasn’t just about running or climbing. It was a grueling trial that involved navigating forests filled with beasts and competing against other candidates. John knew he wasn’t ready yet, but he was determined to keep pushing forward.
As the 30th day approached, John reflected on his journey so far. Galen’s training had strengthened his body, and his experiments with elixirs had deepened his understanding of healing. Leif’s presence, though often distracting, had been a source of comfort.
That night as he lay in bed, John’s thoughts turned to the road ahead. The journey to Rakllan, the capital of the Viria Dukedom would be long and arduous. Yet, he welcomed the challenge. He imagined the faces of those who had underestimated him in his past life, their dismissive glances fueling his resolve. This time, he would forge a path no one could deny.
He thought of the academy as more than just an institution. It was a proving ground, a stage where he could rewrite the narrative of his fragile existence. Every pain, every setback would be a step closer to breaking free of the shadow of death looming over him.