[03:30 – 05:30 pm] Combat Practice with our teacher, Sergeant O’riley.

First to come to mind was our location.

It was not the same place where we took the entrance exam for combat, instead this place was entirely built with the idea for training of all varieties thought to be useful in combat. From a physical track field that is filled with traps and obstacles, to a variety of test that serves to level one’s physical strength, to a ring in the center of the field where duels were held. This subject was ultimately one that would serve as the most physically tiring.

“Now, gather around so that I can start pairing you people up with those that match your level.” said Sergeant O’riley as he stood in front of all the C-class students who stood around blatantly in front of the field.

There, me and Jessica were simply hanging about as we waited for the class to start.

“Now I believe that for a man to grow in this world, he must be set up in the perfect environment. If one wants to grow in the aspects of magic, they can go to the magic library, if one wants to gain the perfect knowledge for alchemy and potion making they go to the laboratory, and if they want to improve in the physical aspects of themselves, they come here. Welcome to the Training centre fit for a First year student.” he said as he raised a flag signifying the academy’s insignia.

As we lined ourselves up to him, he then brings out a spread of paper that was printed with our names.

“Like I’ve said before, here are the list of people who will be your pair for the entire half semester of this class. I’ve categorized them and paired you people in a way that will surely maximize your output in training in this field. I won’t make the idiot’s choice to pair a weak man with a strong man…no, if that is allowed, nothing will come about in that option. Only failure will bloom…and I don’t want failure.” glaring his way to our direction, he then pulls out a stick and smacks it on the spread of paper.

*Whack!*

“Here! This is what I want all of you to achieve by the end of the half-semester.” there, he pointed to a specific number. One that made us all stare in a nervous fashion.

100%.

“100%…that’s how much I want all of you to grow by the end of mid semester.”

By that end, he then shows us all a container that was holding in equipment…a highly technological equipment.

A Hunter’s watch.

The one thing that keeps record of a student’s physical progress throughout his time undergoing his training from the dungeons to the training centre and even at home. This watch is grades a student in the combat practice subject.

“These are called the Hunter’s watch. You wear them with your designated ID numbers and there, the watch will keep record of your physical advancements.”

“From working out in gyms, in Dojos, or even fighting in Dungeons, the hunter’s watch will keep record of your growth. Your only objective is to reach a hundred percent of the required data needed by the watch. if we come at a point where the mid semester ends, the watch will be returned and no matter what degree of percentage you acquired, that will be your grade for this class.” he said.

“Umm, sergeant O’riley, I have a question.” asked one of my classmates.

“Ask away.” said the sergeant.

“On what ratio…or what scale does a 100% percent mean in terms of growth for a student?” asked the student.

“Reaching a 100% means that you have grown not just twice your power or your speed….but instead, it shows your 5 times the growth. Or so the theory goes…” said the sergeant.

“…Theory?” in the student’s curiosity, the explanation beyond the watch’s function and measurement method seemed lacking to him.

“I’m not a scientist…but as far as I’m concerned, the watch at its 100% will definitely show significance that you have grown more than just twice your current level. One example would be is that if you were to reach a new rank…From F rank to E rank, surely the watch will take notice of your growth and to it, you are at a point of reaching 75% of what the watch is recording.”

“I see…”

“Buts its purely based on potential…talent…drive…power…the genius of a student will determine just how much the watch will take notice of your growth. Slack off and you will definitely fail.” he said.

“…” the student was silent in that comment.

“Now then, lets proceed to your partners.”

“Before you complain over the reason that you are paired with another student, one must take note that growth is achieved by one’s environment…by one’s skill and ability to adapt. So to it, one of many ways for a student to grow is to pair them with the one that will surely rival their spirits…ergo, I will put you against a rival of your level. By the studies done by the last years student’s being paired with a rival, it did ultimately improve the percentage of the hunter watch’s  record growth. Trust me when I say that the one I pair you with, will be the one that will ultimately make you grow…make you adapt to the agile nature of life as a hunter. See to it that you see them as an enemy…not a friend.”

In that, he then flipped the spreaded paper and to it, we were shown our pairs. And just like what I imagined it to be, I was paired with the only person that was as strong as I was in terms of physicality.

“I’ll give you guys some time to settle with your pair, after that, we can move on with the activity made for today.” said the sergeant.

“…Hmm, looks like were paired up together.” said Jessica as she then looks to me with a smirk on her face.

“Hmm, yeah…but I kind of already figured that it would be like this.” I said as I turned back to her with the same smirk.

“You know, why not make things more interesting now that we’re paired up like this.” said Jessica, suggesting something as her smirk only grew more slyly.

“…and what’s that?”

“Seeing as how we get to compete each time we take this class…how about every time someone loses, the winner gets to make one order towards the loser and you can’t back out of that order. Either it be the most embarrassing things ever said, say wearing a bunny dress and running across the entire academy or something as simple as treating the winner to a lunch…what do you say?” she said.

“Hmm, that’s interesting.…Okay, sure why not.” I said as I hesitantly looked at her with a curious

To it, we both raised our hands and shook on one another.

“This is going to be a fun semester.” she said.

“Well…I hope so.” I said back to her.

The moment we let go of each other’s hand, that was when another class entered the training centre.

And that was Class-A.

With their ever so present presence, there was no effort to be made when gaining some sort of attraction from the lower classes. As each of my classmates looked to their direction with a rather starry expression. It was somewhat the same as admiration and envy.

“.…” but to me, I had an eye on one person who I was more curious about than any other students. And that was none other than Audrey Yagami herself…the grand niece of my own master.

‘Hnn…to think that my master’s sister would request that we be friends…I don’t think that’s ever going to be likely.’ I thought as I stared at the distance.

“…That Class-A students sure are different compared to us huh..” said Jessica as  she had this envious expression on her.

“Maybe, but that doesn’t really matter. Not everyone in that group is as impressive compared to me and you…some are just common…Don’t forget that your part of the top strongest first years in this batch.” I said as I tried to remind her of her position.

“…Right…your right! I’m sorry for feeling down like that.” said Jessica as she then tried to change her perspective.

“Good, now come on, lets get going with our first activity in this subject.”

“Right…but like shouldn’t you be worried?” asked Jessica.

“Worried? Worried about what?” I asked.

“The thing that happened at lunch…or more like you were threatened to do.” she said.

As she said this particular memory, I felt the glaring gaze of a particular hot-blooded genius across the training field. The person who’s talent in magic that completely dominates this year’s entire batch of students.

Jessabelle Morrison.

‘Ah…right.’

In that moment when I realized, we locked eyes with one another.

And to it, she made a gesture that left a chill on my spine.

With her thumb dragging across the skin of her neck, she looked at me as if I was prey…

But to it, I simply waved my hand…as if I could not care any less for it.

“.!?” and to her shock and awe, she suddenly made the impulse to start her magic, where to it, a magic spear was formed as it was directed at me…

“…wow.” I said, instinctively out of pure shock to her actions.

“…Miss Morrison!? What are you doing!?” shouted a teacher.

Where by the distance, leading the Class-A students, a woman who had braided brown hair and a tanned brown skin, with a rather soft and round face paired with hereyes as crystal as amber, she looked rather terrified as one of her students was activating their magic out of pure bloodlust.

She was none other than Miss Fien. With the position to teach combat theory and combat practice just like Sergeant O’riley, she was quite the beauty that thought the students of Class-A the manner of fighting. Although, she was quite the opposote of Sergeant O’riley who was simply just like that of a commanding teacher, she on the other hand was like a soft butterfly that teaches with care.

She quickly settled the hotblooded student’s rage and magic by interfering with her spell using her own.

She was ableto manifest a cuff made of magic and to it, she quickly placed it upon Jessabelle’s arms…

“!?” Jessabelle was shocked and quite taken aback by this…yet to it, she soon calmed down.

Although I could not hear her explanation, I can somewhat imagine the conversation that they were having. And lets just say I don’t want to involve myself with them anymore than I want to…no matter how It may be…

“Dude…that was crazy.” said Jessica as she looked just as surprised as I was.

“The Girl has some issues…that much is clear.” I said.

*Thud*

To that comment, Jessica elbowed me in the side and then proceeded to walk ahead.

“Ow..” I reacted.

“Don’t try to make this any worse than it is. You should try to befriend her rather than try to make her more angry than she already is… if you don’t, it might bite you in the butt one day.” she said.

“…fine, I’ll try to apologize.”

“Good.”

“…If she lets me.” I added.

“…”

****

Starting at our first activity of this class, Sgt. O’riley had most of our classmates undergo the obstacle track in front of them in their own time. The track was filled with traps and obstacles that would be categorized as dungeon specifically under the influence of a goblin’s nature. With spikes and slightly poisoned sharp edges, the field was mayhem for anyone to pass through it. It was the perfect track to study and learn the tactics and positions to tackle a dungeon made and filled with a goblin’s influence.

…and while they did do this, he had some of the pairs fight each other to see whether or not he made the right decision to pair these students with one another. He gave them three minutes to fight each other…and after that, he would give certain criticisms to their decisions in facing their own partners.

When it finally came to me and Jessica, Sgt. O’riley was extra attentive.

“…next.”

“i guess its our turn.” said Jessica nervously.

“Yeah…just remember that if you lose here, I can have a free lunch tomorrow. I’m thinking of steak if that’s even possible.” I said, Jokingly.

“Okay…just know that in this test, your not allowed to use magic…so I guess I get to have my free lunch with a personal butler tomorrow.” she said jokingly as well.

To it, we were simply having our usual friendly banter.

“Okay you two. You’re the strongest pair in this class…Know that if you disappoint me, I will come to not have any expectations to come from this class if you two don’t take this seriously.”

“…”

“…”

In that moment, warned by the sergeant, the two of us stared at each other the same way we did at our first fight…

Calm but focused…one that yells of pure instinct on the field…

To it, our gazes and our senses were as sharp and in perfect condition than ever before…

“Now…begin!”

In that start, we both felt no pressure or worry in harming the other…we both knew what was to come…our blades crossing…our blood spilling…simply put, we were out for each other’s neck.

And I couldn’t help but smile in the ecstasy of this moment.

We were going to fight.

And without warning, Jessica took the first step forward, I reacted a literal second later…

In the moment we called to our form of action, our blades met and echoed across the field and to it, immediately, our blood was spilled on the floor.

Nothing was more thrilling than what was happening today.

And to every action made, I could feel her tenacity growing as our blades clashed with one another.

I could tell that she was loving this…and so was I.