CHAPTER 79: TRAINING BLADES AND EVENING SHOPPING

Chapter 79: Training Blades and Evening Shopping

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The academy’s first year’s training hall was filled with the sound of wood striking wood. The morning air was brisk, and the ground was still slightly damp from the dew. Students had gathered in pairs, each holding wooden blades handed out by the instructors. The session was meant to simulate close combat and give everyone a sense of practical swordsmanship, even if most of them were still more focused on their cultivation.

Arios stood near the edge of the field with Lucy and Liza, adjusting his grip on the wooden sword. It felt lighter, almost like a toy compared to the image of real mage knight weapons, but the instructor had emphasized that this was about movement and form, not just brute strength.

"Why do we even need to do this?" Lucy muttered. She gave the blade in her hand an unimpressed look. "We’re supposed to be cultivating, not swinging sticks."

"It’s part of the academy’s balance," Arios said simply. "Knights aren’t just mana cultivators. They’re supposed to know both."

Liza twirled hers once, smirking. "It’s not so bad. At least I get to hit something today."

A whistle cut through the field, drawing all attention to the instructor overseeing the session. He was a tall man with a scar running down his cheek, his voice gruff as he barked orders. "Pairs! Two by two! Form lines and face your partner. Basic strikes first. None of you are skilled enough for flourishes yet."

The group shuffled into position. Arios ended up paired with Lucy, while Liza had to face another girl from their class. Across the field, however, one pairing drew more attention than the others. Chase Weaverake stood casually with his wooden blade resting on his shoulder, a smug smile plastered on his face. At his side was Regulus, who wore the same confident sneer, though his body language was closer to that of a guard waiting for orders.

Their opponents were two weaker students from Class D, both visibly nervous. Chase didn’t even bother taking a proper stance.

"Go on," he said lazily, waving his free hand. "Make the first move."

The smaller boy across from him hesitated, then swung his wooden sword in a simple downward arc. Chase sidestepped with ease, barely moving his feet, and tapped the boy’s arm with his blade. "Too slow."

Meanwhile, Regulus didn’t hold back at all. The moment his opponent raised his weapon, Regulus lunged in, slamming his wooden sword against the boy’s side hard enough to knock him off balance. The crack of wood echoed across the field. The boy stumbled, clutching his ribs, and Regulus followed up with another strike to the leg, sending him to the ground.

The instructor barked, "Control your strength!"

Regulus didn’t respond, only looking down at the boy he had knocked over. Chase chuckled from the side. "Looks like you’ll need more practice if you want to stand on the same stage as us."

The other students shifted uncomfortably. It was clear that Regulus wasn’t just sparring—he was bullying. But the instructor, though frowning, didn’t intervene further. Perhaps he thought it was part of teaching resilience, or perhaps he simply didn’t care.

Arios noticed Lucy’s grip tighten on her sword as she glanced in Chase’s direction. "They’re just showing off," she muttered under her breath.

Their own sparring was much more controlled. Arios guided Lucy through the basic forms, correcting her stance without striking too hard. Liza, on the other hand, was taking the session far more enthusiastically. Her partner kept stepping back, overwhelmed by the sheer energy in her swings. She wasn’t trying to injure, but she wasn’t pulling punches either.

The session continued like this for some time. Chase played with his opponent, dodging every swing and landing light taps that were humiliating rather than painful. Regulus, however, treated his fight like a chance to inflict damage, ignoring the balance of training and drilling strike after strike into his target. Every so often he glanced at Chase, as if waiting for approval, and every time Chase gave him a smirk or nod, he doubled down.

By the end of the training session, several weaker students were left limping or clutching bruises. The instructor dismissed the class with a curt wave. "Enough. Clean up and return the blades."

Chase stretched lazily, tossing his wooden sword aside like trash. "Well, that was boring. Let’s go, Regulus." Without waiting for a response, he walked off the field. Regulus followed immediately, trailing him like a pet.

Lucy scowled at their retreating backs. "I can’t stand them."

Liza crossed her arms. "Regulus is just pathetic. Following him around like a dog."

Arios wasn’t surprised or intrigued. He already knew the dynamic from the anime. Regulus had given up trying to stand as Class 1-C command or even as a person. He was Chase’s pawn now, nothing more.

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The day’s classes passed by without much incident after the training session. By evening, the academy grounds were quieter. The sun had dipped low, casting a warm glow over the buildings. Arios, Lucy, and Liza decided to head out toward the shopping district within the academy’s grounds. It wasn’t unusual for students to spend evenings there and also spend some points, as they picked up supplies, snacks, or simply wasting time in the cafés and small shops that lined the streets.

The shopping area was bustling with activity. Stalls and storefronts glowed with lantern light, merchants calling out to advertise their goods. There was everything from basic student supplies— quills, ink, and notebooks—to small luxuries like pastries, trinkets, and even low-grade enchanted treasures.

Lucy carried a small list in her hand. "We need ink, paper, and some herbs for tomorrow’s assignment."

"And food," Liza added quickly. "I’m tired of the cafeteria’s bland meals."

Arios nodded, following them through the crowd. The three of them stopped first at a general supply shop. Inside, shelves were neatly stacked with parchment, pens, and bottles of ink. Lucy took her time comparing prices, muttering under her breath about the academy trying to squeeze money out of students at every turn. Arios carried the items she handed him while Liza wandered off to inspect a shelf full of brightly colored candies.

"Look at this," Liza said when she returned, holding up a small wrapped sweet. "Five points each. I’m buying some."

Lucy rolled her eyes. "We came here for supplies, not sugar."

"Supplies for my happiness," Liza shot back, already paying the shopkeeper.

After leaving the supply shop, they headed toward the small open-air market where herbs were sold. The scent of dried leaves and spices filled the air. Lucy carefully examined bundles of mint and sage, checking quality before making her selections. Arios helped carry the paper-wrapped herbs while Liza tried to haggle over a bag of roasted nuts from a different stall.

By the time they had finished their shopping, the sun had dipped further, and the lanterns burned brighter across the district. The three of them paused by a small food stall selling skewered meat, the smell too tempting to ignore. Liza immediately insisted they buy some, and even Lucy gave in after a moment of hesitation.

They sat at a bench nearby, eating quietly. The atmosphere was peaceful, a sharp contrast to the tension of the training field earlier that day. Arios listened to the chatter around them—students laughing, merchants calling out, the occasional clatter of dishes from a café nearby. For a moment, the academy felt almost normal, like a place where people simply lived their lives instead of constantly fighting for survival or prestige.

Lucy finished her skewer and stood, brushing off her hands. "We should head back before it gets too late."

Liza groaned but stood as well. "Fine. But next time, we’re trying that bakery we passed earlier."

Arios didn’t respond, simply falling into step beside them as they made their way back toward the dorms. The night air was cool, carrying the faint scent of roasted food from the market. The lanterns lit their path, casting long shadows as they walked.

For now, it was enough. The day had been rough for some, but for Arios, Lucy, and Liza, it ended on a quiet, ordinary note.