The advanced combat session was held in a much larger training room with reinforced walls and protective barriers around the practice areas. When I arrived, I found about a dozen students already there, including several faces I recognized from the novel.
There was Elena Brightwater, the ice magic specialist, practicing precise frost techniques with the focused intensity that would make her one of the academy's top graduates. Thomas Ironwood was working with defensive magic, creating barriers of earth and stone that could stop most attacks. And in the center of it all was Ace Luminhart, moving through sword forms with the natural grace that marked him as the story's chosen protagonist.
They all stopped what they were doing when I walked in.
"Everyone," Professor Aldric announced, "we have a guest joining us today. Mr. Vale has shown some remarkable improvement and Miss Cross suggested he might benefit from advanced training."
I could see the skepticism on their faces. These were the academy's elite students, the ones destined for greatness according to the original story. Marcus Vale didn't belong here, and they all knew it.
"Marcus Vale?" Elena said, tilting her head curiously. "Aren't you in Class 2-B?"
"That's right," I said, not bothering to sound apologetic about it.
"Interesting," Thomas rumbled. He was a big guy, built like a mountain, with earth magic to match. "What's your specialty?"
Before I could answer, Ace Luminhart stepped forward. Up close, he was even more impressive than I'd expected. Tall, confident, with an aura of natural leadership that made people want to follow him. In the original story, he was everything a hero should be: brave, noble, and powerful enough to save the world.
Looking at him now, I wondered how long it would take for that confidence to crack.
"I'm Ace," he said, extending his hand with a friendly smile. "I don't think we've met before."
"Marcus," I replied, shaking his hand. His grip was firm, the handshake of someone who was used to being the strongest person in the room.
"So what brings you to the advanced class?" he asked.
"Curiosity," I said. "I wanted to see how the top students train."
"Well, you picked a good day for it," Ace said with a grin. "We're doing sparring matches today. Professor Aldric likes to pair us up to test our skills against different fighting styles."
Seraphina, who had been watching our exchange with keen interest, stepped forward. "Actually, I have a suggestion for today's pairings."
Professor Aldric looked at her expectantly. "Yes, Miss Cross?"
"Since Mr. Vale is new to this level of training, perhaps he should start with a demonstration match. Something to help us assess his current abilities."
"That seems reasonable," the professor agreed. "Who would you suggest as his opponent?"
Seraphina's smile was sharp as a blade. "I volunteer."
The training room went quiet. Elena and Thomas exchanged glances. Even Ace looked surprised.
"Miss Cross," Professor Aldric said carefully, "you're one of our most advanced students. Perhaps someone closer to Mr. Vale's experience level would be more appropriate."
"With respect, Professor, we don't know what Mr. Vale's experience level is," Seraphina replied. "His sudden improvement suggests hidden depths. I think a proper test is exactly what we need."
I could see what she was doing. She wanted to expose me as a fraud, to demonstrate in front of everyone that my newfound abilities were somehow fake or artificial. In her mind, I was a disruption to the timeline that needed to be corrected.
The problem with her plan was that my abilities weren't fake.
"I'm fine with that arrangement," I said. "If Miss Cross thinks it would be educational."
Professor Aldric still looked uncertain. "Very well, but we'll use practice weapons and defensive barriers. This is a demonstration, not a duel to the death."
We moved to one of the larger practice circles. The other students gathered around to watch, their expressions ranging from curious to skeptical. Ace looked particularly interested, probably wondering if there was a new rival emerging.
Seraphina picked up a practice sword and moved to her starting position. Her stance was perfect, balanced and ready, with the poise of someone who'd fought real battles. I could feel magical energy gathering around her, not enough to be obvious but ready to be deployed at a moment's notice.
I selected my own practice weapon and took a basic ready stance. Around us, the protective barriers hummed to life, designed to contain any magical effects and prevent serious injury.
"Standard academy rules," Professor Aldric announced. "First to land three clean hits or force a surrender wins. Begin when ready."
Seraphina didn't waste time with preliminaries. The moment the professor finished speaking, she launched herself forward with speed enhanced by magic. Her sword came down in a perfect overhead strike, aimed at testing my reflexes and defensive capabilities.
I met her blade with my own, deflecting the attack and sliding to the side in one smooth motion. The impact sent vibrations up my arm, and I realized she was stronger than I'd expected. This wasn't going to be as easy as I'd thought.
She followed up immediately with a horizontal slash, then a thrust, then another overhead strike. Each attack was precise, calculated, designed to probe my defenses and find weaknesses. I parried them all, but I was definitely on the defensive.
"Interesting," she said between attacks. "Your technique has definitely improved."
She punctuated the comment with a particularly aggressive combination that forced me to give ground. I could hear murmurs from the watching students, probably commenting on how the nobody from Class 2-B was at least managing not to get immediately demolished.
But I was learning her patterns, understanding her style. And more importantly, I was getting a feel for how much power I could use without making it obvious that something supernatural was going on.