Alice had first seen Grace Walker at the young age of 5. She remembered standing in the Walker ballroom, watching as the guards welcomed the Walker Family with such grandiose gestures.
There were dozens of people - perhaps even hundreds - all compacted into that one building. When the doors opened for the Walker Family, she remembered Grace walking closely behind the family. More specifically, he was walking a bit behind his siblings.
His older brother, Vincent Walker. His hair was black and parted. He stood tall as his royal blazer shined brightly with a shimmer.
And his older sister, Madeline Walker. Inheriting their mother's brown hair, her gaze remained even.
At the time they were just 17 and undergoing their final year in Central Ergo Academy. Even though they were approaching the upper-echelons of intermediate-grade, they were still exuding this profound potential.
"Mommy," Alice tugged on her mother's gown. "Why is he so sad?" She whispered quietly. She pointed inconspicuously to the shortest boy, Grace. His eyes were stern yet yielded a certain sadness that she could ascertain.
It was after that party that she never once saw Grace ever again. And she never put much thought about meeting again until the ceremony. When he sat at the stage at the seat of 10.
The Great Families of Ergo - and some other Great Families within the other continents that regularly interacted and traded with the Ergo Families - always saw the lacking of talent within Grace.
He worked hard to get to Rank 10. Alice thought.
However, rankings won't matter beyond this academy, she ultimately thought. In the end, true strength did not reside in the academy.
Rather in the dungeons. Alice focused onward.
Paul started the lesson.
"For the first day, I'll explain to you the basics of breaking through." It was first explained that the reason a child could not be considered a Normal Grade 10 or higher, was simply because of the process of praying.
It is precisely due to being able to gain a unique technique and a boost in power that a person can be considered a Grade.
This stage in a person's life is evolution.
"But when you feel this 'instinctual' feeling--that is when you can break through to the next Grade. However, do not be so hasty when attempting to break through.
"As you know, when a person breaks through, the refinement of the prayer and sincerity and place it occurs in all play a role on the results that you receive. For example, let us say that your prayer is delivered perfectly without any imperfection, and also your heart was thrown into it as well--but you did it in an alleyway. Not only would the general strength boost received lack in comparison had you done it even in your dorm room, but due to surroundings of the vicinity ever-changing - rats moving, voices, the rush of wind, and even the temperature - your prayer can be tampered with."
Yes, this was the basics of improvement. One could not carelessly breakthrough without making sure all the boxes were checked.
This would also impact the characteristics granted to you every 5 Grades that you advance. Grace thought as he thought of where he could try and advance with the most optimal conditions.
"Also, please try avoiding having to advance during battle." He turned round and erased everything that he had written on the board.
And he wrote something that made a selective amount of people groan.
[Overarching Semester 1 Assignment]
"Don't give me that," Paul sighed. "This assignment is not necessarily the hardest thing on earth."
He wrote underneath it the word: Normal Grade 10.
"Most of you are a Normal Grade 10," Paul announced. His eyes briefly landed on Alice and Rufus - the latter being a Normal Grade 9 - and continued once focusing back on the class.
"By the end of the first semester, I want everyone to be a Normal Grade 6 or higher."
~~~
Realistically, getting to Normal Grade 6 was not a difficult take, Grace figured. However, it is because everyone was still not fully used to the new surroundings and the abilities that they have been granted via praying.
At this point of the story, no one has their own routine or any training methods that allows for easier ascension. That would lead to people forming inefficient training regimens that would hinder their progression. While people will get by training using the pods, most people would not realize how to fully utilize it to advance until further into the academy days.
He'd give it a month or two before people make some leaps. Though they would soon run into some complications once they reach Normal Grade 6.
However, as someone who knew the story--he was the sole exception!
Along the way, he saw a familiar face in Anne. She was leaning against a ledge, letting the strong gust of wind permeate through her hair.
"Hello," Grace spoke. Anne widened her eyes at the sudden voice, turning around fully red as she met Grace's even gaze.
"Oh! Um... hi."
"Do you feel pressured from the assignment."
Anne gave him an small smile and nodded.
"Is it weird? Even though you and I are in the top 10... I still feel the pressure of the assignment. I think I can do it, but it's the 'how' that I'm unsure about. You?"
Grace looked at Anne for a moment, recounting her character. She was not a noble, but rather a commoner. So these privileges and accessible training equipment was overwhelming her, someone who never was able to afford them.
And at the beginning, she was always questioning her worth as Rank 9. And if her abilities were truly up-to-par for the position she was granted.
"It's not something impossible."
"Oh... yeah, of course."
Grace shook his head.
"For both of us, I mean. People are panicking because they do not know what to do. That is because they believe Normal Grade to be something too far out of their reach. However, Normal Grade 6 is nothing but an insignificant pebble in an ocean."
Normal Grade was not a mountain, it was a hill.
And it is only when you climb up that hill will you see the mountains that you must traverse.
Although... this does not mean all people will make it through to the Intermediate-Grade. They were usually bottom-of-the-barrel talent.
Or the cases where people are in poverty and can not learn effective amounts of magic until way later down the line. Which is why there are times where people can be a rather disappointing Grade despite their age being in the mid-twenties or even thirties.
"For that, believe in your strength, Anne. Whether or not you believe you are worthy of Rank 9 does not matter--it is yours. Claim it and progress." He looked at Anne.
He smiled softly.
"It is your right."
Grace nodded his head before walking away, leaving Anne to her own devices. She looked at his retreating figure, the wind blowing her hair softly.
She sighed, looking outside.
She did not know the type of person Grace was. The rumors that he was an introverted, closeted guy who did not know how to interact with other people--they were dismantled the very few times she has talked to him.
Moreover, he even offered words of encouragement.
Anne briefly shut her eyes, a small smile forming on her face.
"Claim what is rightfully mine... thank you, Grace Walker."