6 PM.
I had dinner with Noctar at the hero department student cafeteria.
It was rare for people of different races to socialize outside the classroom, even among classmates.
Humans stayed with humans.
Beastmen stayed with beastmen.Orcs stayed with orcs.
Lizardmen stayed with lizardmen.
Elves without peers, stayed alone with pride.
But having dinner with an orc, just the two of us, attracted countless curious gazes.
Ugh...
I endured the sharp pain in my body. Noctar had offered to teach me martial arts in return for teaching him to study.
Currently, Noctar was ranked 71st among the 200 first-year students. However, if we only considered raw strength, he was among the top 10 in the first year.Just like how Neike, the protagonist of the original story, gained insight from a master's teachings, there was a high chance that Noctar's help would be beneficial. Even if that wasn't the case, training together would make me work harder, if only to avoid looking bad.
After finishing our meal, we headed to the hero department's exclusive training hall.
This place was on a different level from the training hall used by all departments, where Neike and Piel had been yesterday.
There were individual cabinets for personal use, as well as areas to practice magical and close combat. They even had training for dealing with assassins targeting you.
The general training hall couldn't compare to this one. That's why most students took a break from training on Sundays when this hall was closed.
Neike and Piel were exceptional, as they visited the general training hall on Sundays.
Among the numerous practice rooms, we moved to the sparring hall. Although it was called a sparring hall, it was essentially an arena.
Duels were prohibited within the academy.
However, the sparring hall was an exception.
The academy actually encouraged duels among students to stimulate competition.
In other words, it was a legal fighting venue.
Noctar stretched his arms and legs wide and said, "Let's warm up first."
I nodded and followed his movements.
After finishing the last move, which involved pressing our forearms against a large pillar and stretching our chest muscles, Noctar grabbed a wooden sword.
"Let's start by sparring."
"I'm not confident."
"I need to know your skill level first to teach you. There's a saying, right?"
Noctar pointed to a framed phrase on the wall above. It read, "Overcome. Surpass."
Sigh, sparring with an orc battle race. I'd be lucky if I survived.
"Wait a moment."
I quickly scanned the weapon rack for sparring.
There were various weapons like katanas, rapiers, two-handed swords, longswords, daggers, spears, axes, polearms, bows, and shields.
Since they were for sparring, all the weapons were made of wood.
I had used countless types of weapons in the game, but this was my first time in reality.
I picked up a longsword and a shield. The longsword was Theo's main weapon in the original story.
And the shield, a beginner like me with no practical experience, would find it useful in various ways.
I opened the information window.
●Practice Longsword [Grade: Normal]
: A wooden practice longsword.
It's hard to expect any lethality.
●Practice Shield [Grade: Normal]
: A wooden practice shield.
It's hard to withstand strong impacts.
As expected from practice equipment, they aren't anything special.
I firmly attached the shield to my left wrist.
Just having a shield gives me a sense of psychological stability.
It makes me feel less intimidated.
Equipped with my gear, I stood in front of Noctar.
Noctar's eyes sharpened.
"Shall we begin?"
"Sure."
"Come at me."
Noctar waved his hand.
I immediately charged at him.
***
About an hour had passed since the start of the practice.
"Huff, huff, huff..."
I lay on the floor, catching my breath.
...I was completely defeated.
Noctar had used various weapons against me, including a sword, spear, dagger, and polearm.
I was able to handle the sword, spear, dagger, and polearm to some extent.
They were familiar techniques from the original game.
I could naturally use Theo's techniques as well.
I managed to hold out for nearly 10 minutes against the polearm.
However, I couldn't last even 30 seconds against the one-handed axe.
This is the strength of the top 10.
Noctar, laughing heartily, placed the one-handed axe on the weapon rack.
"Your swordsmanship is a bit clumsy, but it's not bad."
"...Is that so."
I answered, still lying down.
Although lacking practice, Theo is the son of a renowned hero family.
He received early education in his childhood.
If we only consider swordsmanship, I was actually better than Noctar.
However, my height, strength, stamina, and speed were far inferior.
[Name: Noctar Hermod]
Gender: Male
Age: 11
Race: Orc
Affiliation: Elinia Academy Hero Department / Ashen Desert Tribe
Strength 12
Stamina 12
Mana 5
Tenacity 12
Traits:
Battle Instinct (Passive Effect / Bloodline Ability)
Excluding mana, his stats are the same as Neike's.
Being proficient with weapons other than the one-handed axe is likely due to the Weapon Expert trait.
The Noctar I faced didn't activate his Battle Instinct, Bloodlust, or other traits.
If those traits had been activated, I wouldn't have lasted 10 seconds.
Nevertheless... it was a great gain.
I could apply my knowledge from the original game even in actual combat.
As I was organizing my thoughts, Noctar spoke.
"That's enough rest. Get up. Let's move on to the next exercise."
"Alright."
I followed Noctar to the physical training area.
"Theo, above all, you lack strength. Even more so compared to your human peers. Building strength should be your priority."
He's right.
In this world, there are no guns.
No matter the weapon, physical strength is essential.
Nodding, Noctar burst into laughter.
"Alright, let's overcome this. Let's start with this amount."
He then pointed at the barbell, which had many more plates than the one I lifted yesterday.
"Shouldn't we lower the weight a bit?"
I spoke honestly. It looked too challenging.
"No, you can lift it. I'll help you, so hurry up!"
I didn't have any other choice.
"Theo, just one more, one more! You can do it! With the hopes of the great War God in your left hand and the wishes of your people in your right, lift it all at once! That's it, Theo! Don't stop! You can do it, you can do it!"
After receiving a 2-hour, one-on-one training session from Noctar, I was finally able to return to the dormitory.
Before I knew it, it was past 10 p.m.
I looked at the dormitory entrance.
"Whew…"
My arrival didn't mark the end. My room was on the 20th floor.
I consoled my exhausted body and climbed the stairs.
Upon finally arriving at the 20th floor, as expected, Amy was standing in front of my room.
However,
"…!"
When our eyes met, Amy looked surprised, as if caught doing something wrong.
What's with her? Is there something on my face? I took a shower before coming.
"… You have returned, young master."
Amy approached and bowed her head like she did yesterday.
"Yes."
But how long had Amy been waiting here? She may be an assassin, but she shouldn't have been able to hear me coming from outside the door.
"Since when have you been standing here?"
"… Since 6 o'clock."
Over 4 hours of waiting. If I don't say anything, she'll continue doing this.
"There's no need to wait for me from tomorrow."
There's no need to earn more resentment.
In this route, I don't know why I die. It's best to reduce the chances of death as much as possible.
Moreover, I plan to come back late continuously.
Next Friday, there's a practical exam—duels between students. It's like a midterm exam at university, but of course, it's reflected in our grades.
My current ranking is 181st out of 200 students. The bottom 10%, from 181st to 200th, are all mediocre.
Being last is the same as being 181st. I'm only at 181st because I'm from a great family.
I need to train continuously, except for when I go to collect Hidden Pieces on weekends. Fortunately, Noctar agreed to help me train.
"…Waiting for you is still one of my duties."
Amy bowed her head apologetically.
"No, forget it. Don't wait."
"But–"
"Don't make me say it twice. If you wait like this again, I won't let it slide."
By the way,
"Did you fix the broken magic lamp?"
Amy hesitated before speaking.
"···Yes, Master. I replaced it with a new one."
"Good, you've worked hard."
"Thank you, young master. You've had a long day. Please hand me your bag."
"Wait a moment."
I took out the package I received from Noctar and handed Amy my briefcase.
Amy accepted my briefcase, giving the package in my hand a peculiar glance.
"Good night, young master. I will see you tomorrow morning. Sweet dreams."
Just like yesterday, the same robotic remark.
She's an emotionless woman, almost as if she's not an assassin.
"Right. You too, have sweet dreams, Amy."
I replied with the same words and immediately entered my room, lying down on the bed.
Fortunately, I hardly felt any pain.
It was a good decision to take a shower at the training ground.
The soft bed embraced me.
Fatigue washed over me like a tidal wave.
Ah, right.
I opened the package Noctar had given me.
Inside was a light brown, fine powder.
He said it was a traditional tribal potion, right?
Good for muscle development, and I should take it every three hours.
I scooped a bit of the powder, mixed it with water, and gulped it down.
"Ugh."
A wave of nausea hit me.
It tastes awful.
If I see no effects within two weeks, I won't take it anymore.
***
Four days had passed.
The last week of classes had arrived, and it was Friday.
***
I gotta say, this novel is growing on me especially the part I'm currently at. Haha still annoying to work on tho. Don't know what it is, author's writing style maybe?
