"Mr. Kaelhart," Yukiara said, her voice carrying its usual cold edge.
"Yes," Lucien replied, a slight smile crossing his face as he looked at her.
She opened her mouth but hesitated, silent for a moment. "Thank you," she finally said, then turned and walked toward the old building.
Lucien's smile lingered. First success, but it's too early to celebrate. A simple 'thank you' doesn't mean much to me, though it might to her. I don't know.
He followed her toward the old building. Upon reaching the classroom, he noticed all the students were already present. They seem obedient. So why did that man call them stubborn? Just a rumor, then.
Lucien stepped inside the classroom. "Good morning, everyone," he said, his tone even.
"Good morning," the students replied in unison, though some voices betrayed reluctance, their forced tones obvious.
He set his books on the table and clapped his hands. "Let's head to the training ground. We're practicing all day without a break." He started walking out.
The students followed, chatting among themselves. Lucan, however, trailed behind with a frustrated expression, hands stuffed in his pockets. Liam approached him and said, "Lucan, today's another chance to take down Mr. Kaelhart."
Lucan didn't respond, his eyes fixed on Lucien. Just wait, you bastard. I'll crush you and throw you out of this academy myself. He clenched his fist inside his pocket.
When they reached the rooftop, Lucien pulled his sword from his inventory. To the students, it seemed to appear from nowhere. "What kind of sword do you think that is?" Ziya asked Yukiara, who was lost in thought. Ziya's voice snapped her back to the moment, and she glanced at Lucien's sword.
"I'm not sure," Yukiara said. "Maybe it's a spirit sword, formed from his spirit energy."
Ziya nodded in agreement.
This man… Yukiara thought. Maybe he's not as bad as I first assumed.
Lucien stepped into the temporary duel circle. "This is our first serious combat training class. I'll take you all on at once. You might think it's only the second day and we're jumping into intense combat, but I have just two months to raise your ranks. Now pick up your wooden swords."
"That's cheating! We're using wooden swords, and you've got a real blade," Alaric protested.
Lucien swung his sword in a wide arc, the motion creating a perfect circle of energy, much larger than the previous duel circle. Then the sword vanished from his hand. "I only used it for that. I'll fight you all with a wooden sword."
He walked to the corner where the training tools were stored and picked up a wooden sword. Stepping into the expanded circle, he raised the sword to chest level.
Lucan grabbed a wooden sword and entered the circle. "You're underestimating us. We're not so weak that one person can defeat us all."
"Talk less. We'll see who wins in the end," Lucien replied, his face expressionless. His words ignited a fire in Lucan. Bastard, I'll kill you. He gritted his teeth.
The other students picked up their wooden swords and stepped into the circle, each taking a stance.
"Start!" Lucien announced.
Lucan charged recklessly, swinging his sword as he closed the distance. Lucien blocked the strike effortlessly. From the side, Alaric aimed a blow, but Lucien dodged at the last moment, causing Alaric's sword to clash with Lucan's.
Lucien leaped back. A shadow appeared beneath him on the ground. Glancing up, he saw Liam descending with a slash from above. Lucien sidestepped, but Lucan attacked again from an unexpected angle.
Placing a hand on Liam's shoulder for balance, he thrust one leg forward in a powerful kick at Lucan's stomach.
Lucan stumbled back, clutching his abdomen. Amara rushed to his side. "Lucan, are you okay?"
He glared at Lucien, rage boiling within, but softened his tone for her. "Yeah, I'm fine."
Amara's expression eased with relief.
Yukiara swung her sword at Lucien from above, then vanished, reappearing at his side. At the same time, Alaric charged from another direction. Lucien took a deep breath and swung his sword with such speed that it tore through the air, the deafening sound forcing both Yukiara and Alaric to collapse to the ground.
Liam attacked from behind. Lucien's wooden sword began to splinter, so he dropped it. In one fluid motion, he sidestepped Liam, grabbed his face, and slammed him to the ground.
Amara was the only one left standing. Lucien maintained a calm posture, his eyes fixed on her. She pointed her wooden sword at him and vanished. What? Where did she go?
She reappeared behind him, swinging her sword with force, but the wooden blade shattered upon contact with Lucien's body. Amara staggered back, collapsing to the ground, breathing heavily. A smile spread across her face. "I lost."
Lucien regarded her with a hint of surprise. That speed… it was incredible. If she'd held a real sword, I might've been cut in two. She has potential, immense potential.