In reality, modern martial arts often seem like mere public spectacles. While some forms are useful for self-defense, those techniques are usually unpopular or kept away from the public eye.
Looking through these Imperial books, I've realized that martial arts are meaningless unless you experience them directly against someone else. It is a dangerous thought, but that is the very reason martial arts exist.
So, let's get to the heart of the matter. Currently, I have no friends or connections. I possess no martial arts skills, and the only way to identify if I have any talent is to put it to the test in the martial arts class.
"Listen up everyone! Today is the time to show your martial arts abilities. You are allowed to use magic and any available weapons, but the condition for this training is that you must not attack your peers with malicious intent."
"YES, SIR!"
Following that announcement, the cadets from every class were ordered to gather at a training ground that resembled a coliseum. Some cadets immediately formed groups to find weapons they felt suited them, while others chose to be alone. I was one of those who stood alone.
The walls of the training ground were lined with many weapons, all of which were made of wood. One student asked why they weren't using real weapons.
"For now, I only want to assess the extent of your skills, so give it everything you have," the instructor replied.
To be honest, this field practice was mostly a stage for the students of Class A and Class S to show off. Those two classes existed in a completely different realm compared to the others. Furthermore, this was the golden era of Ardenfield, especially with the arrival of the main characters.
"All I can do now is practice and practice."
After choosing a sword as my weapon, I waited at the edge of the field.
____________________________________________________________________________________
As everyone moved to the benches at the upper edge of the coliseum, the cadets were called one by one to face an instructor suited to their expertise.
The matches began with the top classes, which the instructors highly anticipated. Instructors from other classes were even present, eager to scout the talent of Class S and Class A. Edward waited as he watched how the matches would unfold.
"The first-ranked cadet of this year, Seraphina Fairwyn!"
"...Present."
A woman with blonde hair and golden eyes stepped forward. She could be described as the most beautiful figure among the main characters. Since she was a child, people had praised her as the most beautiful princess in the kingdom.
Beyond her beauty, she mastered several magical elements such as lightning, fire, water, and earth. However, her primary element was fire, which could incinerate anything.
"Please guide me, instructor," Seraphina said.
She bowed and immediately prepared her magic circles. The instructor, seeing Seraphina perform multi-casting instantly, was surprised and smiled with pride.
Seraphina had prepared circles for both fire and lightning magic. These elements were perfect as opening attacks because they were fast and demonstrated dominance. In terms of magic, Seraphina held a far greater advantage than an ordinary instructor, but when it came to combat experience, she unfortunately didn't have much to show.
"In that case, the training begins!"
"!!!"
Seraphina quickly unleashed a barrage of magic attacks toward the instructor. Spells like fireballs and lightning bolts were fired without pause, but the instructor countered them with a thick wall of earth.
"Hey, isn't Lady Seraphina incredible? She can already do multi-casting even though we're only in our first year!"
Whispers began to spread among the students who were amazed by Seraphina's performance.
"Hah, I could learn something like that in an instant."
Edward, who was listening, could only remain silent, his eyes fixed on the arena.
'That... that is truly amazing.'
Without Edward noticing, a girl walked toward him slowly and spoke. "Have you given up on being the center of attention and decided to try getting the Saintess's attention instead?"
"...?"
Edward had no idea what she was talking about.
"Was the lesson given by Sir Ronie not enough?"
"Uh...?"
"I asked him for leniency, but I suppose this is exactly what you deserved."
The girl kept talking, while Edward stayed quiet because he didn't know who she was.
"Um, excuse me but— ouch..."
Just as Edward tried to raise his hand to ask who she was, the injury on his shoulder flared up. Although he had used ointment, the bruise hadn't disappeared, though fortunately, it had subsided enough for him to survive the physical training.
"Ah, look at you, how pathetic."
The girl then sat next to Edward and placed her hands near his bruised shoulder. She closed her eyes and went silent, as if focusing deeply.
"...What are you—"
"Please stay still and silent."
"Yes, Ma'am."
Edward's nervousness overpowered his confusion. He remained still and let her do whatever she was doing. To his surprise, a pale green light formed in her hands and illuminated his shoulder. The light felt so gentle that it startled him.
"Next time, behave better and don't cause trouble."
As the green light faded, the bruise on Edward's shoulder vanished. Seeing Edward looking bewildered and amazed, the girl simply stared at him and sighed before someone called out to her.
"Fay? Lefay? What are you doing?"
"Nothing."
She immediately stood up and walked toward her friend. Edward, however, was left completely unable to process what had just happened.
'Who was she?'
The question would surely haunt him.
________________________________________________________________________
"Next, Ethan Haven!"
"Ready, sir!"
As soon as that name was called, everyone's attention spiked. The voices of the cadets went silent, and the same happened among the instructors. At this moment, Ethan Haven, the protagonist of this world, was about to shine brightly.
"Let's get right to it, show me what you've got."
The child of the sun, the guiding light, the embodiment of justice, the bringer of truth, the best leader, the finest noble, the perfect human. Those were the titles that would belong to Ethan in the future. Yet, Edward, staring straight at Ethan, still questioned the dream he had seen before moving to this world.
"In that case, let the training begin!"
"Come at me!" the instructor roared, causing several cadets to flinch.
But for Ethan, it was nothing more than a hollow threat. With his sword skills, Ethan could be categorized as the best among the knights, yet the weakest among the strongest.
As their swords and magic clashed, many cadets and other instructors began to cheer for Ethan, seeing great potential and hope for his victory. Edward already knew the outcome of this training.
'Ethan's defeat is certain.'
Although his fire magic was strong and its destructive power was immense, he was still weak for now. However, his growth would eventually surpass anyone else. His technique, mana control, physical strength, and intelligence were already high, but compared to someone who had lived through it all, it was still like comparing an apple to an orange.
Looking at his current state, Ethan was exhausted and panting.
"Ethan Haven, you have passed."
Hearing those words, Ethan finally dropped to his knees and smiled. "Thank you very much," he replied.
"Good, go take a rest first."
When he tried to stand up, his knees wouldn't let him, so his childhood friend, Altinna, helped him up.
"Excellent, next!"
Each cadet from Class S came forward one by one, followed by Class A, Class B, Class C, and finally...
"Class D, Edward."
"Present!"
It was time for Edward to show the results of his intense overnight practice.