The male students, having changed into their gym uniforms, proceeded toward the training grounds.
Aside from Class 5, there were other classes spread across the expansive training area.
All the classes with overlapping Combat Studies courses were present on the training grounds.
Thanks to the vast expanse of the training area, there was no overlap in activity zones.
Professor Senna stood before the students, who were gathered on the dusty ground.
Hallind observed Senna’s class from the rear.
“In Combat Studies, we aim to train you in the application of your abilities. Any questions from the students?”
Iliana raised her hand.
“Yes, Iliana.”
“What exactly do you mean by ‘ability application training’? Is it different from what we do in our major subjects?”
“It is indeed different. Let’s take magic as an example, shall we? Iliana, please conjure a fireball.”
Iliana, aspiring to be a dual-class mage-swordsman, effortlessly created a fireball the size of her fist.
“Excellent! How will you apply this fireball to maximize its effectiveness, Iliana?”
“Um! First, I’ll infuse more mana into the spell formula. Then, I’ll incorporate damage enhancement and spell duplication!”
Whoosh! Whoosh!
The fireball expanded in size and then replicated itself.
“This way, I can optimize the fireball’s efficiency!”
“Is that all?”
“Huh? Uh… so, which spell should I add next…”
As Iliana looked puzzled, Professor Senna offered a warm smile.
“Don’t worry. Next is Chelsea?”
“Yes, Professor.”
“What other methods can you think of to further enhance the fireball’s efficiency?”
“I’m sorry, I can’t think of anything else beyond what Iliana mentioned.”
“Alright then, next is…”
The students majoring in magic awkwardly avoided making eye contact.
How could they know what even the top magic student in the class couldn’t answer?
“Leo?”
“Yes.”
“What is the key to maximizing the efficiency of the fireball?”
“It’s control. Even if the power is increased, it must hit the target to be efficient.”
“Correct! 5 points for Leo.”
The students appeared disappointed with the straightforward response.
“Many of you tend to prioritize increasing power over control in your ability training. That’s why most students struggle with ability control.”
The students appeared perplexed by the idea of being deficient in control.
They used their abilities daily, so how could they struggle with control?
“Here’s a challenge,” Professor Senna announced, conjuring a wind spirit named Sylph.
“If anyone among you can capture this Sylph, you’ll earn extra points. You may utilize all your abilities.”
Eagerly, students attempted to capture the Sylph. However, no one could catch it. It neither unleashed strong winds nor moved at a remarkable speed. It simply eluded their attempts with its agile evasive maneuvers.
Some students attempted to surround it, but their efforts were in vain.
“Ugh! That might not even be a Sylph!” Karl exclaimed, lying flat on the ground and gasping for air.
“What else could it be then?”
“How should I know?!”
Just then, the floating Sylph placed its hand on its waist and cleared its throat.
Whoosh!
A flame aura surged.
Leo, who had been standing still, charged at the Sylph.
The Sylph tried to leisurely escape, but Leo increased his speed, closed the distance, and reached out his hand.
The Sylph swiftly dodged.
Flames surged from the back of Leo’s hand and blocked the Sylph’s path.
The Sylph seemed to have anticipated this and turned in mid-air.
However, the wall-shaped aura quickly transformed into a rope that followed the Sylph.
The Sylph, taken aback by this unexpected turn, looked puzzled.
Then, it suddenly accelerated, soaring high into the sky in an attempt to evade the flame rope.
“Hey, Sylph! That’s cheating!” Senna exclaimed.
In response to Senna’s words, the Sylph appeared apologetic, evidently having expended more power than allowed in its surprise.
“Regardless, well done, Leo,” Senna commended, clapping her hands. “As you’ve just witnessed, student Leo didn’t exert excessive force. Combat Studies involves training to apply such tactics in real combat scenarios.”
The students of Class 5 now grasped Senna’s point about the importance of control.
Professor Hallind, observing the class from behind, chuckled softly.
“Indeed, Ain must be envious of this.”
If only aura control abilities were considered, he was expected to be the top among the first-years.
“Heh heh, not very graceful.”
Sizzle-!
With a spark, a golden aura flashed and enveloped the Sylph.
Thud-!
The Sylph was captured in one hand before it could react.
Thump-!
Duran, a male student who had landed on the floor, glared at Leo.
Clap! Clap! Clap!
“Excellent, student Duran! Truly the skills befitting a top student!”
“You flatter me,” Duran replied to the middle-aged teacher.
“Oh? That’s peculiar. In Hallind’s class, nobody has managed to catch a Sylph, yet a student from our Class 1 effortlessly did so.”
Hallind cast a weary glance at the flamboyantly dressed middle-aged teacher.
“Ah! I see that Class 5 is the lowest-performing class, isn’t it? Oops, my apologies. I shouldn’t have said that.”
“Aren’t you here to teach, Sedgen?”
Hallind sighed as he observed Sedgen, who was making an exaggerated apology.
“I came here to teach, of course!”
Sedgen spread his arms wide.
“I challenge Classes 1 and 5 to a competition! You’re not going to back down, are you? We have three top students in our elegant Class 1! Hahahahaha!”
Pointing towards the three students at the front, including Duran, Sedgen laughed heartily.
“Hello, esteemed and splendid students of Class 1.”
Selia and Chloe, who had been bowing their heads, shot Leo with menacing glares.
However, Leo remained unruffled.
“Professor Senna, what’s his deal?”
Chelsea asked with a puzzled expression.
“That’s Professor Sedgen, a colleague of Professor Hallind.”
“Is Professor Sedgen as renowned as Professor Hallind?”
“He’s a distinguished professor at Lumeren.”
Senna explained that while Hallind had a notorious reputation, Sedgen was a highly sought-after teacher by many students.
“Professor Sedgen. Since today is the first class, suggesting a competition out of the blue is a bit…”
“Oh! Senna Tilia, no, Assistant Professor Senna!”
Sedgen approached Senna with open arms.
“It’s been so long! I’ve been worried about you! Seeing you become an assistant professor warms my heart!”
“Thank you for your concern.”
Senna awkwardly smiled.
“Anyway, Assistant Professor Senna! It doesn’t matter that it’s the first class! Unexpected things can happen at Lumeren!”
“Still…”
“Our esteemed Class 1 students are always prepared for a competition, right?”
“Yes!”
“Truly elegant!”
Delighted, Sedgen moved toward Class 1, chuckling.
Senna, unable to tolerate it any longer, inquired, “What kind of competition are we talking about?”
“Ha ha ha! As I expected, you’re not backing down! Are you truly okay with this? It’s quite certain that Class 5 students will lose!”
“I have no vested interest in winning or losing,” Hallind stated in a dry tone.
“What’s significant is that, regardless of the outcome, the students will learn something.”
“Even if they learn defeat, I’ll teach them how to rise again. And also…”
Hallind curled the corners of his lips.
“They might also learn the grace of being a victor.”
Impressed by Hallind’s words, the students of Class 5 displayed touched expressions.
“Professor Senna was right!”
“Even though he may appear tough, our homeroom teacher clearly cares deeply for us!”
“We look up to you, Professor!”
Sedgen wore a sly smile.
“Very well. Let’s place a wager then. The losing class will be responsible for cleaning the first-year bathrooms for a month as a penalty. Additionally, the professor from the losing side will treat the winning class to drinks!”
“I have no objections.”
Upon hearing that response, Class 5 erupted into screams.
“Aaah!”
“Why would you agree so easily!”
“Hey there, ladies?”
Karl, now sweating nervously after the bold declaration, attempted to negotiate.
“You’ll go easy on me, right? We’re friends after all. Maybe we can aim for a draw?”
“I intend to win decisively.”
“That’s the spirit, elegantly.”
Selia offered a cold smile as she brushed her hair back, while Chloe cracked her knuckles with a mischievous grin.
“Leo! Chelsea! We’re counting on you two! Save our class!”
Karl clung to Leo and Chelsea, wearing a tearful expression.
The only students who could contend with the top students in Class 5 were the grade representative Leo and the runner-up in the Western exams, Chelsea.
“I don’t plan on losing.”
“Exactly. A wizard from Lewalin would never taste defeat.”
Leo spoke with a calm demeanor, and Chelsea snorted as she crossed her arms.
“So, what’s the game that will determine the outcome?”
“Ha ha ha! Don’t we have a traditional game in Lumeren Combat Studies?”
In response to Hallind’s question, Sedgen wore a meaningful smile.
“I see, it’s that, then.”
Hallind sighed softly.
Tension began to build between Classes 1 and 5.
“Could it be… that?”
“We’re actually going to do it.”
“I’ve played it before.”
The students swallowed hard.
Only Leo seemed puzzled.
“Is it a rather intense game?”
“It’s no joke. It’s an official event even during exchange matches with other hero academies.”
Chelsea also spoke with a sense of tension.
If it was an official game for exchange matches, it must be quite intense.
Clap!
Professor Sedgen clapped his hands, and the assistant homeroom teacher of Class 1 handed him something.
It was a transparent ball about the size of a fist.
“One of the Lumeren Combat Studies traditions! We will settle this with a game of Bastelaro!”
‘After creating such a serious atmosphere, we’re going to play ball games?’
Leo couldn’t help but wear an incredulous expression.
Cliche Novel 