After an hour of relaxing, Jacob finally made his way to the next class. Evidently this next class was mostly for the sponsored student class as it was the Praetorian Empire's Literature. Both it's writing and language, sure he 'spoke' and 'understood' it but he couldn't exactly write it. It wasn't of much interest since it was more embarrassing being treated like a six-year-old at kindergarten. Jacob wanted to sleep through it but evidently he needs to understand the writing system of the Praetorian Empire if he want's to live a life here.
It only takes about an hour of his schedule and after a ten minute break, he heads to the training hall where he met some familiar faces again. The ten minute break also was also the given time for students to switch to their more combat oriented uniforms. It was a top, a long sleeve shirt, brown trousers, and a pair of boots. It was the same for every other student regardless of who they were.
However, they all carried a training weapon with them, and they didn't seem so uniform in their choices. Most of the students there choose a long pool with a cloth covering one end. This was the training spear, made to prevent harm while still fulfilling it's role as a spear.
In many ways the spear was the superior weapon, it had the reach and lethality anyone could every need, however, mastering it completely was another problem. It's simple but effective, enough for anyone to use.
A small fraction of the nobles had swords, a long stick with cloth covering where the blade part would be. Evidently prince Alaric was holding a training sword, so was Dominic, and even Medea.
Yet Medea was the most eye-catching as she had a spear on her right hand, and a sword on the other. This was the Baalstrum Sword-Spear Technique, a way of fighting using both weapons. Normally this would be impossible due to strength issue but when you are a superhuman, does it really matter? This was also why Jacob found Medea amazing because this was in his eyes a cool factor.
Sada Dione, the successor of the Red Dessert, a group of assassins that could make anyone wary of. Sada held two short sticks that mimicked two knives.
The rest of the others weren't here. Harley Travis Loukrapt and Rosalia Fae Garrant were both mages who don't practice the sword. To them this class was either optional or wasn't event in their schedule. But to the sponsored students, it was mandatory. It was only basic introductions, to probe if they had any martial prowess.
'Oh yeah, I should pick up a training weapon before the class starts.'
On the corner of the room, a very spacious room, was a shelf with a lot of training tools and even real weapons. Jacob picked up a wooden sword, if felt decently heavy, the cloth added a few weight to it in order to mimic a real one.
'wait a minute... Can I unlock it like this?'
Jacob swung the training sword, however, nothing happened.
'Damn, I thought I could-'
Then he took a look to his right and saw real steel swords. He tried to nonchalantly take a sword and swing it. He heard a ding inside his head again and he promptly return the steel sword. On a side note, it was much heavier than the training sword.
[ Achievement Unlocked! ]
[ Beginner Friendly: Swing a sword for the first time (Unlock: Simple Slash) ]
Yet when Jacob decided to grab a training sword and turn around, a lot more eyes were on him.
"I got curious."
He made an explanation to make sure they didn't think he was crazy.
"You've never held a sword before?"
It was Dominic that asked him. Dominic Klein Pittsburg, a sword master prodigy.
"No, that was my first time. I just wanted to see how it feels hold a sword."
"Did it fit your hand?"
Jacob took a moment to think about what Dominic meant. Did a sword fit his hand? Well it was a well made sword, Jacob assumed once more, and that it usually fits all hands since it was mostly intended to be used by anyone who uses the room.
"Did you feel anything when you held that sword."
Jacob scratched his head at the question.
"Kind of...? This is all new to me, really."
"I always welcome anyone who wish to walk the path of swordsmanship. My name is Dominic, Dominic Klein Pittsburg. I hope to see you grow stronger with a blade in hand."
Seeing that he had introduced himself. Jacob felt inclined to do so as well. Dominic seemed aloof, his voice cold and almost emotionless but he seemed friendly. At least that's what Jacob felt at least.
"Jacob Veritas. I hope to meet your expectations."
Jacob felt awkward if he should extend his hand for a handshake or not. But time was not on his side as the doors of the room burst open.
"LISTEN HERE YOU LOUSY THIRD RATES!"
A man as big as a bear walked in. Large frame, muscles everywhere, and full facial hair. If he had a tank top, a blonde buzzcut, then he'd look like one of those old military drill sergeant depicted by old television shows and movies. Sadly he didn't have those additional features.
"YOU, ALL OF YOU, STAND ON THAT SIDE OF THE ROOM."
He pointed at all the sponsored students, then pointed at one side of the room.
"Everyone else, on the other side."
'Oh okay, I thought he had anger issues. He just didn't like us. That's good to see.'
Jacob inwardly sighed. While he screamed at them, he did not with the others.
"I NEED TO LET ALL OF YOU TO KNOW THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THOSE THAT ALREADY STARTED AND THOSE THAT HAVE NOT!"
Though he was shouting at them, at least he had a pretty understandable voice. Or was that the system again?
"I WILL HAVE ALL OF YOU SPAR WITH EACH OTHER AND THEN YOU'LL SEE HOW THOSE WHO ALREADY STARTED FIGHT, GOT IT?"
"Sir, Yes, SIR!"
'Fuck.'
Maybe Jacob watched one too many media regarding military training or anything related because he had unconsciously replied.
Though the man just gave Jacob a look and proceeded to walk to the middle of the room.
"I'LL PULL OUT THIS LIST THE ACADEMY GAVE ME AND CALL YOUR NAMES. THE TWO NAMES I'LL CALL WILL STAND HERE AND DEMONSTRATE THEIR SKILLS. AM I CLEAR?"
'For the commitment.'
"SIR, YES, SIR!"
Miraculously the other students followed with him, since Jacob already said, it would've been awkward if he stayed silent again. It was truly a miracle that some were stupid enough to follow him. Though only a handful of the sponsored students answered, it was enough to make the man nod in approval.
"THE FIRST WILL BE RAMOS PELADA AND JACOB VERITAS!"
Forced to make a choice as luck would have it, Jacob steeped forwards. So did Ramos Pelada, a boy no different than Jacob. They were fairly skinny for their age and Jacob, only by a slight margin, was taller than him.
Jacob started moving to one side of the room, and Ramos did so on the opposite. They didn't need to hear the instructions as the man pointed to one end of the room and the other. They simply followed.
'Does this count as academic violence?'
What was important was form, form and technique. He was confident with a sword not because he knew but because there were some sword skills he saw at the skill tab that were easy to unlock and were pretty good to start with. With some future planning, if he had a few good magic skills and then he runs out of mana, he needed something he could use in the downtime in between that.
He did see a few shorts and reels regarding swordsmanship before. He didn't need to do wide swings, and he had to be fast and quick. Most of it were fencing or those using a rapier which had the range advantage he currently doesn't have.
Thankfully, when he was selecting a training sword and when he unlocked an achievement, he pulled the skill tab to his side. It covered about 10 percent of his total field of view but that was only his peripheral view. Surely that wouldn't pose a problem for him right?
A skill he recently unlocked and wanted to use.
[Simple Slash: Swing a weapon and deal physical damage dealing (50% STR) + (50% DEX). (Cooldown: 5 Seconds) ]
'Alright, I've got this!'
"ON MY SIGNAL, YOU TWO WILL FIGHT USING THE WEAPONS YOU CHOOSE. IF ONE OF YOU IS UNABLE TO FIGHT OR SURRENDERS THEN THAT WILL BE THE END OF SPAR. UNDERSTAND?"
"SIR, YES, SIR"
Both of them answered in unison. Their eyes had a look of reluctance and loss. This was the first time they'll fight someone. Regardless of the outcome, it was something they've never done before.
"BEGIN!"
While his opponent looked like they had a plow stance, keeping the sword close to himself, Jacob raised his sword above his head while the tip pointed at his opponent. Slowly, though awkwardly, Jacob inched forward towards his enemy.
His opponent, though still far away, was beginning to feel intimidated by Jacob's form. Though the same could be said to Jacob.
It was Ramos who made the first move, thrusting his sword towards Jacob when he got in range. It was fast, and it was at this moment that Jacob realized that his body wasn't as coordinated as he thought. It was delayed but he manage to move to the side, catch and push Ramos' sword away from him, while immediately driving his sword towards Ramos' chest after clearing the danger of his opponents weapon.
Ramos had a quick reaction, but a horrible execution as he stumbled back. He dodged Jacob's thrust but ultimately landed on his back. With panicked movements, he tried to swing his training sword wildly to dissuade Jacob from pushing forward.
[ Will Fortified ]
With a fleck of Jacob's sword, which was at an Ox Guard stance, he momentarily stopped Ramos' sword from it's wild swinging. Perhaps it was because of the moment, but Jacob immediately swung his blade with full force, hoping to knock Ramos' wooden sword off his hand.
[ Simple Slash ]
With a loud thud after a very powerful swing, Ramos' training sword was out of his hand. When Jacob's sword was finally stopped from the forceful swing, he thrusted his sword towards Ramos who was still knocked down.
With no weapon and on the ground, Ramos was forced to lie flat on his back and have his hand cover his face.
Jacob's breathing was ragged, not because he was tired, but because the adrenaline was rushing through him.
"RAMOS PELADA IS UNABLE TO CONTINUE! GET YOURSELVES OFF THE CENTER! BERYLL TUCKER AND FLINT EASTWOOD GET YOURSELVES READY!"
The man had concluded the spar. Jacob lowered his weapon and reached out a hand to Ramos, offering to help him get back up.
The sound of a single person clapping echoed through the room. It seems Dominic liked the spar, even making Alaric join in after seeing the sudden situation.