Chapter 28 – Combat Practice
I stood before my class in the battle area, one of the many training facilities built into the academy grounds.
The air here always carried a faint tang of scorched stone and dust — a scent born from countless duels, training sessions, and the occasional reckless explosion.
Rows of tiered seats overlooked the wide, rune-etched arena floor, though today it was only us: my class of aspiring mages, full of restless energy.
Today wasn't about books or lectures.
Today, I wanted to see my students in combat.
Not the carefully rehearsed, slow-paced drills they were used to, but the kind of real confrontation that left your heart pounding and your mind scrambling for solutions.
The kind of clash where instincts were sharpened, and weaknesses became painfully obvious.
Studying and practicing had their merits — discipline, theory, and repetition were the foundation of magic.
But without the test of battle, progress would always be… limited.
A blade polished but never tempered.
Things were going well on my own end, too.
My personal research into the Mana Stone had reached a subtle yet important breakthrough.
My understanding of runes — particularly the intricate formations in the Ancient Rune Compendiums — had deepened.
The real obstacle now was the decoding process, a puzzle that still resisted me like a locked chest without a key.
But I knew the solution wasn't far.
Once I unraveled it, I would finally move on to my long-delayed research into becoming a Knight.
Because of my innate talent, [Warrior Body], my physical strength already matched that of a Tier 1 Knight. But raw strength wasn't enough.
To truly walk the Knight's path, I needed Ki — the essence that allowed them to fortify their bodies beyond natural limits.
My plan was clear: become a Knight while still maintaining my Tier 3 Mage capabilities.
Then, I would aim for something unprecedented — breaking the first limit and reaching Tier 4 on both paths… or perhaps even fusing them into something entirely new.
The thought alone sent a spark of anticipation through me.
I forced those thoughts aside and focused on the present.
My students were watching.
"Alright, students," I announced, my voice carrying across the arena. "Today is combat practice. You're allowed to choose your opponent. Make sure it's someone equal to you… or stronger. If you want to see your real strength — and how much you still need to improve — you'll need to push yourself."
I let my eyes sweep across the group. "I'll be here watching. Let's begin with… Nova."
As Nova stepped forward, matches began forming quickly.
The sound of clashing magic and stomping footsteps filled the air, each bout sparking little bursts of excitement.
I watched them, my mind drifting — not away from my students, but into the deeper questions that had been troubling me lately.
Why do mages have to chant for spells to work?
Why not simply imagine the effect and let it become reality?
Why is the mana of every child I've met either slightly chaotic… or completely unstable?
Why are mages so physically frail compared to knights?
Why are some born with great talent while others struggle their entire lives?
Theories circled in my mind.
The way I saw it, chanting was just a crutch — a focus tool that gave our mana a clear path.
Words, linked to intent, guided mana where it needed to flow.
Without that path, mana would disperse wildly, like water spilling on uneven ground.
But what if a mage already had a natural pathway for mana — one that functioned like veins for blood?
If such a structure existed, then perhaps spells could be formed purely through will and imagination, without a single word spoken.
A seamless connection between thought and manifestation.
The possibilities were… dangerous and exhilarating.
Several bouts passed until it was time for a match I'd been anticipating: Eleanor versus Jaxson.
Eleanor — the top of the class.
Jaxson — a close second.
Their rivalry was as much about pride as it was about skill.
"[Ice spell: Ice Barrier]," Eleanor commanded.
Her magic took form instantly, a glistening wall of blue-white rising between her and Jaxson.
"[Fire spell: Snake Strike]," Jaxson countered.
A flaming serpent burst forward, coiling and snapping its molten jaws against the barrier.
Steam hissed violently into the air as fire and ice collided — the impact detonating with the explosive force that only opposing elements could produce.
Both of them were Tier 1 Adept Mages, but the way they fought made them feel like veterans.
"[Ice spell: Giant Spikes]," Eleanor called.
Razor-sharp spikes erupted from the ground, aiming to skewer Jaxson.
He moved quickly, wand sweeping in a fluid arc as his voice kept pace with the speed of battle.
"[Fire spell: Tornado]."
A whirling cyclone of flame surrounded him, shredding the ice to vapor before it could pierce his defenses.
The heat was intense — even from where I stood.
Then, in a sudden burst, flames exploded beneath his feet, propelling him forward like a living comet.
"[Fire spell: Snake Chains]," he invoked, sending burning, serpentine links toward her.
Eleanor only smiled — a small, confident curve of her lips — and answered with her own layered defense.
"[Ice spell: Walls]."
"[Ice spell: Uprise]."
Three thick walls of ice formed instantly, while beneath her, jagged spears of frozen earth thrust upward toward her opponent.
Jaxson knew brute force wouldn't work here.
He dropped the chains and began a more dangerous incantation.
"[Fire spell: Wave]."
A massive wall of fire surged forward, clashing against Eleanor's rising ice.
She didn't back down, instead adding one more spell to amplify her attack.
"[Ice spell: Forward]."
The two forces collided with a deafening roar, an explosion of steam and shattered frost filling the arena.
The shockwave was strong enough that I had to erect a shield to protect the surrounding students.
The sheer force… it was on par with a Tier 2 mage.
Through the steam, I could feel Eleanor making her move.
She was calculating — not the kind to waste such a distraction.
Jaxson threw fireballs into the mist, trying to force her out of hiding, but she had switched tactics entirely.
Instead of more spells, she used a martial technique — one I recognized as belonging to the assassins' repertoire.
It didn't require Ki, only extreme control over the body.
Her presence thinned to nothing, her footsteps silent, until she was right on top of Jaxson.
Her wand shimmered, reshaping into a blade of ice.
By the time she appeared in his vision, it was already over.
The tip of her sword hovered at his throat.
"I win," she said simply.
The mist thinned, revealing the scene to the others.
A wave of murmurs and awe rippled through the students.
I was impressed myself.
I'd thought of Eleanor as just another prideful noble, but now… she was a far more valuable piece in my plans than I'd given her credit for.
Jaxson sighed, accepting his loss with dignity.
The two returned to the sidelines as I called for the next match.
"Ava Heart," I said.
She stepped to the center, her eyes sweeping over her classmates. "Choose your opponent," I instructed.
Ava's lips curved upward. "You said I could choose anyone here, right?"
I gave her a look that said, what do you think?
Her smile widened. She pointed directly at me. "Then I choose you, Professor. I want to fight you."