At dawn Cyril woke up before the alarm, turned it off, and got up from the bed.
"Good morning, Cyril." Rhamn was still around.
He was half expecting to wake up and find out it was all a dream.
Good morning... I understand you are always here, but I hope you'll leave me at least some privacy.
He didn't like the idea of going to a bathroom with a guest like this.
"Of course! Don't worry about it." Rhamn was just as positive today.
After quickly washing up, Cyril dressed himself in the grey academy uniform and stood in front of the mirror.
"You look great. Come on, we are ready to go." With her approval, he left for his first lesson in Ailanthus.
...
Cyril was among the first to arrive in the auditorium. He casually picked a seat in the front and sat down, waiting for the lesson to begin.
As more and more people came in and took their places, the sound of chatter also became louder. Everyone was discussing the same thing.
"Did you hear about the 'Lapis' attack on the station? It took out power in some parts of the city."
"I've heard more than that! Did you know that the group wanted to deal even more damage, but they were stopped by a guy our age?"
"I even know that guy is going to enroll in Ailanthus too. We might study with a hero!"
"It's just some thugs. Anyone can do the same."
"If you say so..."
So it actually was because of Lapis... and they were stopped by someone my age.
I wonder how strong that guy is. Can I beat him?
With this slightly unusual thought, Cyril started paying attention to the students coming in. Since that hero-to-be was clearly competent, the chances of him being in this class were high.
Eventually, a good-looking young man with black hair and black eyes entered, and someone among the students near Cyril excitedly identified him as the person from the rumors.
He seemed cheerful, wearing a silly smile, like someone who wanted to be everyone's friend.
Looking at him, Cyril narrowed his eyes. In his mind he was measuring his fighting potential.
"You will absolutely destroy him! It's not even going to be a fight!" Rhamn suddenly exclaimed, full of arrogance.
Her raised chin and contemptuous eyes made her look like some third-rate villain from a storybook.
But, truth be told, Cyril had similar thoughts, and hearing them in such a way from another person made him feel a bit retrospective and mostly embarrassed.
Maybe I am too arrogant...
"Of course not! This 'arrogance' is just the overwhelming strength of your spirit shining through!"
For a moment, he wondered if she was mocking him, but her pure expression and shining red eyes showed nothing but earnest belief.
Cyril sighed, no longer in the mood to start trouble, and turned his attention elsewhere.
Instead, he decided to look around the half-full classroom.
I expected more people.
Upon observing the back rows, he discovered a strange girl with auburn hair staring at him intently.
Seeing him look over, she quickly averted her gaze, pretending nothing happened.
Something about her caught his attention. She looked average, with rough skin and a messy bob haircut. Her beauty was nothing compared to Rhamn's, but she still seemed almost special somehow.
Why am I like this recently? Everyone appears unusual. Don't tell me she is not real either...
"What are you saying!" Rhanm sat on the table in front of him, attracting his attention.
"First of all, I am real, and second of all, that ugly girl is not special in any way," she said with a raised index finger.
He didn't think much of it, ignored her outburst, and continued waiting for the beginning of the lesson.
...
Soon the bell rang, and a middle-aged man wearing a coat walked inside the classroom. Following him in the air was a big stack of books.
Arriving before the blackboard, he turned to the students and started speaking in a composed manner.
"Since some might have missed me yesterday, let me introduce myself again." He made a gesture in the air, and words made of light appeared in the air. It was his name.
"Good morning, everyone. My name is Richard, and I am your professor of Spellmaking. I will be in charge of your group, and if you have any questions regarding the academy, you may approach me after the lesson is over."
He then proceeded to do a roll call in which Cyril found out the names of his fellow students, taking note that the girl with auburn hair was called Myra, while the guy who stopped Lapis was called Cedric.
"I hope everyone here made sure their body is ready to start learning magic. We've had people in the past fabricating their age and paying for it. I repeat, only start using magic when your body has properly grown and is ready to handle the strain."
"Alright, since you people were good enough to enter class I, hopefully, you will not be too foolish..."
In Ailanthus, classes were decided based on the entrance results. From I with the best to V with the worst.
After saying this, the professor cast a spell with his hand, and one by one, the books following him slowly started to move towards the seated students.
The corners of the books were covered in crystal. It glowed when moving through the air.
"Open the textbook on page 4. We will start our lesson by studying Maze's pattern. I hope you can memorize it as soon as possible." The professor started the lengthy lesson.
Cyril found the lecture to be interesting. He could clearly follow it and found himself engrossed in gaining knowledge.
Rhamn was still sitting on the table, though she moved a bit to the side to let Cyril see the professor. She was also listening and didn't say much during this time.
After the bell rang, the professor quickly said goodbye and exited the classroom, leaving the students behind, who immediately began discussing the lesson.
Overall their response was good, and everyone was satisfied with the professor.
"Hope we will actually cast some spells next time."
Cyril was already getting used to her presence.
Next is combat training. Hope it's going to be good.
...
Mixed with the crowd, they soon arrived at their next destination.
Like everything in this place, the training hall was massive, with plenty of space for thousands of people.
Their combat instructor had a mean face, with a distinct scar over his left eye. His voice was appropriately rough and unfriendly.
He quickly introduced himself, then immediately started the lesson. "You will begin by doing three laps around the hall."
Filled with indignation, everyone began running.
Clearly not all here were physically fit. Some students switched to walking after only one lap, and it took quite some time until everyone was finished.
The combat instructor was not happy with this outcome. "I am surprised this many of you are so feeble. Mages need to have great stamina if they want to survive on the battlefield."
He then looked at the remaining people who were not lying on the ground from exhaustion. "Anyone with prior combat training, step forward now."
Cyril, along with a few others, came forward, ready for his next words.
"At least I have you lot. While we still have time, go grab a weapon you are familiar with, choose a sparring partner, and let me see what you have. The others can rest."
"Finally, something exciting. You have to fight that guy! It's a perfect opportunity." Rhamn, who didn't have to run before, was filled with anticipation.
Cyril agreed with her on this one. He always took pride in his martial prowess, and testing his strength against someone of similar age was an interesting idea to him.
I am not being arrogant. I am just trying to test my skill, he tried to convince himself.
So Cyril moved to the weapon rack near the wall.
He just picked up a wooden spear when he noticed someone else had chosen the same weapon.
It was that girl with auburn hair. She familiarly grabbed a wooden spear and twirled it before shooting him a confident look.
"Cyril, right? How about we have a duel?" Her tone was friendly. In her eyes, not a single shred of hostility.
"Myra." He carefull said her name, it felt familiar somehow. Cyril stared at her for a few seconds.
The girl stiffened, almost letting go of her weapon. "What?" She replied after a pause.
"Nothing, sorry. Let's duel," Cyril guiltily replied.
Recently he felt that the world around him had changed. Not in any obvious way, but somehow unseen.
It looked the same as it ever had, yet something was very different. Or maybe it was only how he felt that changed?
"I am sure it changed for the better ever since yesterday," Rhamn, standing to his side, replied with a confident nod.
Cyril ignored her theatrics and moved to the arena for duels, Myra following after him in silence.
Her gaze seemed to pierce his back as the grip on her spear became tighter.
...
Cyril and Myra were the first students in this class to enter the arena.
Their professor eagerly walked in closer to observe. All the other students, even those that were dead tired, stood near him as well.
Observing a duel was a pretty novel experience for them.
Under the expectant eyes around them, Cyril and Myra bowed to each other and readied for battle.
Soon the professor screamed loudly for them to "Begin!"
Cyril shot forward immediately and attacked with a flurry of thrusts. Each strike was fast with great force behind it, but Myra, with minimal movement, dodged all of it and responded back.
There was some weight behind her confidence. She was experienced and calm.
Cyril was surprised to find out that in their exchanges, he was inferior when it came to skill. The only advantage he had was strength.
As the fight continued, it became clear that he was losing. He has yet to land a solid strike, while Myra has already landed several.
Pain clouded his judgment, and his attacks became more desperate. which only seemed to aid Myra, as she continued to dodge his attacks.
"Stop!" Soon the booming voice of the professor signaled the end of the duel.
The surrounding students exclaimed as well, some even starting to clap.
"I'm glad to find out we have some good students here. This fight was exceptional. Myra's skill with a spear is that of a future knight. Cyril is pretty good too, and he has the spirit of a warrior. I hope the rest will not fall too far behind." The professor's loud voice was tinged with satisfaction.
The announcement brought Cyril back to reality, and he sat down on the floor from exhaustion.
I can't believe I lost so easily and to someone wielding a spear too... While the professor didn't announce the outcome, he felt this was a loss for him.
Cyril had a feeling she would be strong, but not to this extent. She saw through his every move as if she knew them all beforehand.
"It's only a temporary setback, Cyril. You'll surpass her in no time!" Rhamn crouched down beside him, raising a fist in the air with burning eyes.
I am fine. No need to say things like that.
Cyril got up from the ground like nothing happened, gave a nod to Myra, and headed to the bench to rest.
She soon joined him and sat not too far away. They watched the rest of the duels together.
"You fought well. If I relaxed for even a second, you would've won. How did you learn to fight like that?" Myra tried to initiate a conversation.
"I trained," Cyril said flatly.
Myra's face turned blank, then after a second she made a forced laugh.
Though he tried to stay rational about his loss, Cyril still felt a somewhat embarrassing sense of frustration at the moment.
"Then don't talk to this ugly thing. How dare she act so friendly towards you? She must have cheated in that fight somehow as well... I refuse to believe someone who looks like that is actually competent." Rhamn glared at Myra sitting nearby.
Don't slander other people for no reason. She fought fair. Cyril couldn't help but think to her.
Her unreasonably harsh words happened to help Cyril calm down somewhat.
He quietly took a breath and turned towards the awkward-looking Myra. "Sorry, I learned under a teacher back home," Cyril replied normally.
It wasn't the whole story, but it was true enough to tell a stranger.
Getting a normal reply, Myra's face noticeably and very quickly brightened.
Sitting there, they talked a bit about themselves and discussed the other duels taking place.
She explained that she was from outside the city, which surprised Cyril somewhat, as such people were incredibly rare in the first place, and to find one worthy of enrolling here was even rarer.
"So she is not even from a civilized place? I guess I should've expected that."
Stop it already...
...
In total there were two other fights. The first one went through steadily with a clear winner after an energetic fight.
The last one was between the young man Cyril wanted to fight earlier, whose name was Cedric, and another student.
The difference in skill was too much, so Cyril was not able to properly rate his strength, but he was not too concerned with that right now.
After some additional speeches and exercises from the instructor, they were done with the lesson.
Most of the students were too tired already and whined about how they just wanted to go to bed now.
Cyril didn't linger and try to talk with them. He only quickly said goodbye to Myra, who stuck close to him for the whole lesson, and left after changing into the uniform in the changing room.
Right now he wanted to deal with his mysterious new friend. A healer here didn't work, but maybe one from outside the academy would do well.
Preferably someone I don't know... I should ask Ed. Thought Cyril as he walked towards his friend's dormitory.
Edmund was a pretty outgoing person, one who earnestly loved the various noble parties.
And according to his words, a good party requires a good healer to be on-site as well, so he might know of some competent ones not far from the academy.
He made a brief stop home to store his spell-making book, then went to find his friend.
...
After a bit of a process, he entered the dormitory. He had to go after another random student since he didn't have the keys.
The staff at the entrance shot him a piercing stare but didn't do anything else.
Cyril knocked on the door of his friend and soon saw him again.
Edmund looked tired as usual, with a rare hint of annoyance on his face. That soon changed as he noticed his guest.
"Cyril! You actually visited me! I am truly touched that someone as proud as you took the initiative to find his longtime friend. So, what do you need?" He said with some sarcasm.
Looks like he is holding on alright.
"It's nothing big. I wanted to ask if you know any good healers in the city. I plan to visit one," said Cyril.
He didn't stand on ceremony and went straight to the point, but Edmund was used to it.
"What's wrong with the one here? ...If you don't want to answer, then never mind. I do know a few. It's not a problem to tell you, Just come find me sometime to hang out." Edmund quickly replied.
They talked for a while. Edmund shared with him everything he knew, then whined about how difficult all this was for him. Cyril could only nod and tell him to stay strong.
After some time he left, followed by Rhamn, who was sitting with them this whole time listening to their conversation.
"It's a bit too late now. How about going there tomorrow? Today we can take a relaxing walk in the local park. Aren't you curious about it?" Rhamn proposed with enthusiasm.
I have better things to do. Cyril shook his head on the way.
If I want to get stronger, I can't slack off. We are going to the training grounds.
Cyril felt he still had a lot of energy left. And his recent defeat was still stuck in his head. In some ways it even concerned him more than Rhamn's presence.
So Rhamn spent the rest of the day watching Cyril train with a spear in the training hall. She didn't complain much.
...
The next day began peacefully. The first lesson was Spellmaking again, where they still didn't cast a single spell.
Under the students' protest, the professor promised that next time they will try it for sure.
Of course some students disregarded this and risked being caught by trying to cast spells on their own. Cyril didn't mind waiting a bit himself.
The next lesson after that was demonology. The purpose of this class was to educate the people on all the demons one needs to be wary of and their weaknesses.
After all, the Empire had a problem with frequent attacks by demons, and, even though with the latest advances in magic fighting them off was becoming easier and easier, soldiers capable of battling demons were always required.
It was a useful thing for Cyril, so he listened patiently to the beautiful and comparatively young professor standing before the blackboard with something projected on it.
"As I hope you are all aware, this is how a ghoul, the most common demon, looks: a deformed humanoid creature with sharp claws and reddish skin. Some have feathers, horns, tails, or other animal characteristics. Alone they don't pose much of a threat to a soldier of the empire, but their kind always comes in great numbers. Don't get careless when fighting them. They can be a tricky enemy to deal with."
With a wave of her hand, she changed the image on the board into different examples of ghouls.
All of them were quite ugly, and some of the more softhearted students struggled to keep looking at them.
"Despite their somewhat humanoid appearance, they behave more like beasts, and you must approach them as such." The rest of the lesson was dedicated to describing their weaknesses and common tactics one could use against them.
"What a disgusting creature. Looking at them makes me even a bit sad. How can something like this exist?"
After the end of the lesson, Rhamn immediately began sharing her impressions.
Demons are all weird like this. I don't think anyone knows why they appeared. Though there are quite a few theories about it.
Thinking this, Cyril calmly went to the next lesson of the day: history
This one wasn't anything special, only the usual constant praise of the Empire or criticism of the neighboring Kingdom.
Still, they had to learn it, so Cyril went through the motions.
After the sound of the bell, he went back to his dorm to store all of his study materials and quickly prepared to head into the city.