Sylvie was initially surprised seeing how things were unfolding right before her eyes. Suddenly, immense amounts of mana appeared in the environment, and seeing that blue and red mana clashing was an overwhelming sight.
It was as if a natural disaster was occurring, and even that might be an understatement.
“Stay low and quiet.”
However, his words calmed her down. In a situation where she suddenly felt the abundant amounts of mana, his words brought her back to the real world.
‘That’s right.’
She gulped, trying to calm herself down.
‘I shouldn’t show weakness.’
She needed to become strong…. Stronger than she used to be. She didn’t know why, but she could innately feel that she needed to change.
It started after her awakening. From the moment she had awakened that power, she knew the world would change, and a sense of urgency was always lying within her. She couldn’t even sleep properly the rest of the week since she always dreamt about weird things whenever she fell asleep.
“Seraphina.”
Hearing the cold voice of her leader, she turned her eyes towards the newcomer. It was a girl she didn’t know; however, looking at the emotions welling inside Irina’s heart, it was evident that they didn’t share a good history.
Irina’s anger and annoyance levels were rising with each second, and Sylvie could see that she was slowly becoming a volcano ready to erupt.
But the weird one wasn’t Irina, but the girl right before her.
“Isn’t it a surprise to find you in our little territory, Irina?” Seraphina’s voice was as composed as ever, her words carrying a subtle chill. “I was just having a discussion with my group about the prowess of Emberheart’s best.”
Even though her words were clearly poisonous and were targeted at Irina, the important thing was the feelings inside.
‘She is clearly enjoying it.’
With each word the newcomer girl spoke, her joy grew as if she liked messing with Irina. Aside from that, under her cold face, a simple grey color covered her palette, suppressing her feelings, just like a certain someone.
“This is troublesome.”
And that certain someone was now making an annoyed face.
“Sylvie, are you ready?”
“What?” She asked, looking at his face. What was going to happen anyway? They could see Seraphina around.
However, her question was soon answered.
CLANK!
The sudden metallic sound echoed through the tense atmosphere, cutting through the verbal sparring between Seraphina and Irina.
Sylvie’s eyes widened as she followed the trajectory of the arrow that had been deflected with astonishing precision. The arrow clattered to the ground, leaving a momentary silence in its wake.
In that brief pause, Sylvie’s gaze shifted to him beside her, the one who had skillfully intercepted the projectile.
His expression was focused, and the air around him seemed to ripple with an unspoken coldness. His purple eyes were locked on the trees around the place as if he were tracing back the arrow.
‘There was another person.’ At that moment, everything made sense. Since that girl was in this place, that meant she was here with her group, and there needed to be at least three people.
‘Then the other one…..’
CLANK!
Before she could even think further, another sword-clashing sound echoed. The dagger met with the sword, creating sparks around the place.
This time, it was another student with a sword raised in his hands.
However, weirdly enough, in a matter of seconds, he deflected the swordsman back as if it was easy. And then, taking advantage of the brief second, he grabbed his bow and attacked the archer who had attacked them at the start.
‘Wow.’
She couldn’t help but look in awe. She couldn’t tell if the arrow hit or not, but she could feel the energy it contained.
After that, the clash of metal against metal continued, creating a chaotic symphony in the clearing.
Sylvie watched the fight, as it was the first time she had witnessed a real fight between cadets. She had seen fights against monsters, but this was a new experience.
lightsΝοvel ‘Thrilling….’
And somehow, it was thrilling.
At first, it seemed like the swordsman had the upper hand. The rapid exchange of blows had the boy on the defensive, his movements graceful but defensive, like a skilled dancer evading an aggressive partner.
Sylvie’s heart raced as she observed the intensity of the battle unfolding before her.
“Kurgh….” The frustrated grunt of the swordsman filled the air, determination, and annoyance etched across his face. Sylvie felt a strange mix of nervousness and excitement, unsure of what was unfolding before her.
‘Is he okay? I should be ready to help if needed.’
His dagger clashed with the swordsman’s blade once again, but this time, he was forced back. The transition back to his dagger seemed to take a moment, and Sylvie sensed a subtle imperfection in his posture.
‘He’s struggling. I need to be ready.’
SWOOSH!
He evaded with a dancer’s grace, blocking and dodging with agility. Yet, the swordsman’s speed seemed to increase, making it progressively difficult for him to fend off the strikes.
“I thought you were something, but I guess I was mistaken.”
The words of the swordsman pierced the air with contempt, revealing a momentary vulnerability in his defenses.
‘What do you even know about him?’
Weirdly enough, she found herself cursing the swordsman. She felt annoyed at the fact that the swordsman was openly disrespecting him. As a person who knew his struggles from the start, she knew what kind of things he had experienced.
[Tch…..Humans are really simple.]
At that second, she heard a bunch of words in her mind. The voice was also a bit familiar.
What?
It was as if she had heard his thoughts. As she focused more, Sylvie could see the struggle in his movements, but she also sensed an underlying confidence.
SWOOSH!
Suddenly, he activated a skill, a burst of speed that caught the swordsman off guard. The tables turned, and Sylvie couldn’t help but feel a surge of relief.
Wow….
It was a clean move coming from him as she watched in a daze. She could see how he manipulated his mana around his body with her eyes. It was a new and weirdly enchanting experience as rather than seeing overwhelming amounts of mana, what she had seen was an experienced control.
“Sylvie.”
However, at that moment, his urgent call snapped her back to reality. Their eyes met, and Sylvie could see that even underneath those purple eyes, there was a small trust in her skills. Of course, a little annoyance was also there.
He needs me. I have to do my part.
“….S-sorry.”
She acknowledged his unspoken request, realizing the importance of her role in this fight.
‘I need to concentrate. He’s counting on me.’
It might be weird to say, but this was the first time in her life that she felt like someone was counting on her. In the dungeons before, even though her party members were healed by her, she inwardly knew none of them actually relied on her.
It was as if she was just there to fill the party, and she was even useless most of the time because of her trauma against fighting.
“I-I will try.”
Her hands moved instinctively, weaving through the air to channel mana. The intricacies of her supportive skill flowed from her, enveloping him in a subtle glow.
SWOOSH!
As the opponent recognized Sylvie’s supportive role, a renewed vigor surged within him. His movements became more fluid and precise, shedding any prior restraint.
‘He’s showing his full strength now.’
The clash of blades intensified, leaving Sylvie torn between anxiety and fascination. Each strike and parry tested the boy’s defenses, and she found herself silently cheering for his success.
‘He’s so fast. Is he okay?’
The revelation of the opponent’s ability to manipulate Earth for defense added a layer of complexity to the fight. Sylvie realized that it wasn’t merely about brute force but also a strategic approach.
‘This is getting dangerous.’
As the opponent gathered mana, Sylvie sensed an impending seismic attack. Reacting swiftly, the boy leaped backward, narrowly avoiding the eruption of force.
‘He’s quick on his feet.’
WHOOSH!
Tossed into the air by a forceful shockwave, the boy showcased acrobatic skills. Sylvie marveled at his ability to maneuver mid-air, realizing that his training extended beyond standard combat.
‘He’s more than just strong.’
It was a little cool to see him move in such a manner. She even momentarily thought that he could become a part of [Awakened Olympic Games].
However, at that momentarily distraction, she made a crucial mistake. She wasn’t able to notice the ranger approaching behind her, and because of that, she ended up in a hostage situation.
“Drop your weapons, or the healer gets hurt,” the archer threatened, a forced smile playing on her lips.
‘This is…..’
The tension in the air heightened as the boy remained composed, refusing to comply with the archer’s demands.
‘This is just like him.’
Knowing the boy, she knew this was just kind of his response, and it even made it weirder.
“I won’t warn you again.”
In that moment of understanding, a strange calmness washed over Sylvie, if only for a fleeting second. The situation was still dire, but at least she sensed an absence of immediate harm.
‘I hope he knows what he’s doing.’
Just as the standoff reached its peak, Sylvie noticed a change in the boy’s expression. His eyes, initially reflecting annoyance, seemed to intensify with a hint of anger. It was as if he was upset, not at the archer girl, but at Sylvie herself for letting this happen.
‘Right…..’
It might have been a while, but she knew what he had advised her at the start.
Even though she herself was trying her best, she was avoiding one important thing. Her fear of pain was still holding her back, and she realized it just like that.
After that, just like in a second, she was rescued thanks to his actions. However, his words at the end just hit the nail at that very second.
The words he uttered, “Without a person to protect you, you are a liability,” echoed in her mind.
‘Liability.’
The word resonated deeply within her. It was a stark reminder of her vulnerability and the need to become stronger.
“If you’re not willing to confront your weaknesses head-on, then perhaps you should reconsider being a part of the academy,”
At that moment, a subtle determination ignited within Sylvie.
If this is what you want, then I am going to do it.
I won’t be a liability.
With that desire lit in heart, she looked at him with a fiery gaze.
*******
“Please, teach me how to fight.”
That was what she said in the middle of the classroom…..