Combat magic class.
The classroom was an open-air arena surrounded by floating shields and enchantment barriers. Here, students practiced real spells, dueling under supervision.
James stepped into the sand-lined pit, finding a quiet spot off to the side. Students were waiting together, eagerly chatting amongst themselves. Combat practice was the favourite lesson of most if not all magic students at Ainsworth Academy.
At this time everyone heard the clicking of heels. The sounds dispersed and everyone looked to the front of the arena.
"Alright, I'm not going to say much today. Everyone form groups of two now! I want to see the basic offensive spell execution from last week. Let's see if you guys have been paying attention or not."
The sharp voice belonged to Professor Selena Vaughn, the combat instructor for all of the first years at Ainsworth.
She was tall and curvy, with fiery red hair cascading in curls over her shoulders, deep green eyes like polished emeralds, and full, luscious lips that were always pursed in a frown. She wore a loose magical robe over her uniform that failed to hide her large assets, and thigh-high boots that clacked confidently with every step she took.
James glanced at her.
[Selena Vaughn: -15]
The number blinked red above her head.
Well that was the worst favorability so far, but James wasn't surprised.
She never liked him. Not since the first day. To her, he was just a charity case—a low-talent outsider taking up a slot meant for a real mage. And added to the fact that she was a noble too, although not one of the major families, it meant that he was even more of a stain in her eyes.
Even now, as she scanned the crowd, her eyes passed right over him as if he was just dust, but her next words seemed to indicate that she hadn't forgotten him.
"Oh wait, nevermind, There are some students here that are still apprentice mages even though they are already Ainsworth students. Only people who can practice spells by themselves should participate, the others should sit out and assist their fellow students."
The whole classroom started snickering. Everyone knew who she was talking about.
James felt countless eyes staring at him. He couldn't help but feel angry but he couldn't show it.
It was in combat class where he suffered the worst injuries. After all, regardless of everything, Ainsworth was still very kind to commoners in many ways, he heard that the principal and her faction had strict orders to protect all the students so usually he would not get physically hurt in other classes.
But in combat practice everything was fair game.
He glanced at the tall figure at the front of the arena with dark eyes. If not with her silent acquisition how else would he have been bullied so much? If the one at the top is crooked then the ones below will also follow.
Still, he knew now was not the time. Everything was too tenuous, he was still waiting for the message from that person to come back. If he had her support maybe things could start to change. And then there is the system…James decided he was going to use the lucky draw. He felt this class wouldn't be so easy.
Right then as if on cue a voice sounded out, "Professor, I think I need assistance!"
James traced the sound back to a tall boy with tanned skin and short red hair. He had a large smirk on his face and an arrogant expression.
Darien Wren, from the Wren family, a subsidiary noble family under the control of the Everhearts. He was Ryan's most loyal and most vocal subordinate. If Ryan Everheart was the master then Darien was like his aggressive pit bull.
Most of the injuries his body suffered had come from his hands.
He looked above his head, Darien Wren [-40]. A favorability below from [-30] meant that the person had an intense dislike for him, but it hadn't crossed into hatred yet, let alone the status of mortal enemy.
Seeing this, James felt like the whole thing was ridiculous; the owner only has a slight negative impression of him, while the owner's most aggressive guard dog didn't even hate him. All of the pain the original James had suffered amounted to so little in their minds.
James felt he had understood the nature of nobles in this world. A commoner like him existing and going to school with them was reason enough for them to torture him.
"Darien Wren, don't interrupt the lesson arbitrarily!" Professor Selena had a stern face. Perhaps the only appealing thing about Selena to James was that she was at least strict toward everyone. Well…most everyone.
James was paying close attention to Ryan Everheart and his group, so he clearly saw Selena look at Darien with disdain in her eyes but then she looked at the figure behind him with a serious expression. After some thought, she nodded, "Alright, Woodrow you go with him."
Darien smiled and then turned to look at James provaticely. James clenched his hands and was about to try his luck with the lucky draw when another voice interrupted.
"Professor, James promised me he would help me this time." Lydia Clearwater spoke with a smile on her face.
Everyone started talking, they didn't expect Lydia to speak up for James. However, they knew if anyone could stand up against Ryan Everheart in their grade it was Lydia, after all she was also from one of the 13 noble houses. But people couldn't help but find it strange, the Clearwater and Everheart family were quite close after all.
Selena was getting irritated at the constant interruptions, but glancing at this daughter of the head of the Clearwater family, she just waved her hands, "Fine."
Afterward everyone slowly split up into groups. At this time, Lydia was walking toward James.
He looked up at her head. Lydia Clearwater [-7]. The favorability went down…
"What's wrong? Is there something on my hair?" The blond girl had a gentle smile and she spoke kindly.
"No, no, it's uh, it's uh nothing." James stammered and put his head down quickly.
"Hahah, alright. Come on, let's go this way. My partner is waiting for us."
Hearing her bright laughter, James' eyes behind his long black bangs were very sharp.
As he was walking away he cast a quick look over toward the front of the arena where Selena was resting with her eyes closed in meditation. It seemed she wasn't taking her job to supervise students very seriously.
James glanced at the lucky draw sign in the system.
[Does the host want to use the free Lucky Draw? Yes/ No]
"Yes." James said firmly in heart.