As Leon made his way to the meeting spot, where he had planned to meet Aaron and Reinhart, he walked leisurely, his thoughts drifting toward the subjects he had selected during class.
1. Fundamentals of Swordsmanship
A core subject for those who want to wield blades with precision. It focuses on stances, basic forms, guard techniques, and reading an opponent's intent in combat.
2. Unarmed Combat and Mana Reinforcement
This course teaches close-quarter fighting techniques and how to reinforce one's body with mana to increase strength, speed, and durability during physical combat.
3. Mana Control and Efficiency
Essential for any aspiring mage or warrior. It teaches how to regulate the flow of mana within the body to maximize output and minimize waste.
4. Healing Magic Fundamentals
A support-type course focused on basic healing spells, understanding mana pathways in the body, and how to stabilize injuries through magical means.
5. Item Appraisal and Mana Imbuement
Trains students in recognizing magical artifacts, their properties, and how to imbue items with basic enchantments using their own mana.
6. Introduction to Summoning Circles
Provides foundational knowledge of summoning theory, runic circle creation, binding principles, and safety measures when dealing with summoned creatures.
7. Monster Biology and Weakness Analysis
Focuses on the anatomy, habits, and weaknesses of common and uncommon magical beasts. It's especially useful for adventurers and monster hunters.
8. Magic Smithing and Gear Creation
A blend of craftsmanship and magic. Students learn how to forge weapons and armor, and how to integrate magic runes or elements into gear.
9. Meditation and Mana Recovery Techniques
Teaches techniques to accelerate natural mana regeneration, improve focus, and enter deeper states of magical clarity through breathing and posture training.
Thinking over his chosen subjects, Leon gave a small nod, satisfied with the balance between combat, magic, and utility. "This should round me out nicely," he muttered to himself.
As he reached the stone-paved garden courtyard near the central fountain, he spotted Aaron and Reinhart chatting with a new face.
A tall male elf stood with them, calm and composed, his long silver hair catching the sunlight.
Aaron's voice lit up as soon as he saw Leon. "Leon! Come here quickly!"
Leon walked over, curious about the new addition. The elf turned slightly toward him with a polite expression.
Aaron, ever the enthusiastic one, did the introductions. "Leon, meet Caelir. He's our neighbor in the dorms!"
Aaron then placed a hand on Leon's shoulder with a grin. "And Caelir, this is Leon—my childhood friend and partner-in-chaos."
Caelir gave a small nod and a subtle smile. "We're in the same class, right? 1-D?"
Leon nodded, recognizing him now. "Yeah, you're the only elf in the class. Hard to miss."
Caelir chuckled lightly. "I suppose that makes me stand out more than I intended."
Leon smiled faintly, already sensing the elf was more easygoing than most of his kind
They were only chatting for a few minutes when the topic of subjects came up.
Aaron was the first to puff up like a proud peacock. "You guys won't believe it—but I checked every subject on the list. Every. Single. One. Why limit yourself, right? Knowledge is power, baby!"
Leon blinked. "Wait, really?"
"Yep!" Aaron grinned like he just solved world hunger. "The more I learn, the stronger I become. I'll be a mage, a swordsman, a healer, and maybe even start a blacksmithing business on the side. I'll open Aaron's All-in-One Adventurer Shop!"
Leon nodded thoughtfully. "I picked nine. I figured I could become a swordmaster. Or a healer. Or a blacksmith."
Reinhart slowly turned to stare at them like they just confessed to eating soup with a fork.
"…You do realize the academy tests you on every subject you choose, right?"
Leon and Aaron froze.
Aaron's eye twitched. "Tests…?"
Leon stared at the ground like it had personally betrayed him. "…They never mentioned tests in the Class."
Reinhart raised a brow. "Obviously, you two aren't that dumb, right?"
Puff.
That sentence hit harder than a critical spell to the soul. Leon and Aaron clutched their chests like they'd been stabbed with a dagger made of academic regret.
Aaron laughed nervously, sweat already pouring down his forehead. "Haha! Me? Dumb? Come on! You know me, Reinhart. I was just—uh—stress-testing the system! Yeah! Seeing how much I could handle!"
Reinhart stared.
Aaron's laugh died.
Then he noticed the smug twinkle in Reinhart's eyes.
"You… you tricked me! You let me walk into the trap! You—YOU KNEW I'D PICK THEM ALL!"
͡° ͜ʖ ͡ – ✧
Reinhart gave a slow, exaggerated wink that practically screamed "gotcha."
Meanwhile, Caelir—who had been quiet up to now—rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly. "Uhh… I also picked eight. They all sounded interesting, and, well… the descriptions had fancy fonts."
Aaron's confidence instantly rebooted. He pointed at Caelir like a man finding salvation.
"SEE?! I'm not alone! We all got carried away! The real villain here is Reinhart, with his 'I actually read the instructions' attitude. Cold-blooded planner. Black-hearted schemer!"
Reinhart smirked, unfazed. "At least Caelir and Leon had some restraint. You? You clicked everything like you were ordering the whole menu at a magic buffet."
"What did you say?!"
The tension reached dangerous levels. Mana in the air. Death glares exchanged. Leon swore a dramatic background OST was starting to play.
Before someone summoned a weapon, Leon jumped in. "Alright, alright! Break it up, you lunatics!"
Aaron and Reinhart kept grumbling like grumpy geese, but backed down.
Leon sighed, rubbing his temples. "We're not here to fight over subject lists…"
Then, thinking quickly, he grinned. "Hey… you guys wanna see my room?"
The trio paused.
After Leon casually asked if they wanted to see his room, everyone agreed right away.
The four made their way through the academy grounds, eventually approaching the general dormitory building.
It wasn't exactly shabby, but it certainly lacked the glitter and polish of the royal dorms. Reinhart squinted suspiciously at the signs.
"Leon… your room's in the general dormitory?" Reinhart asked like he just heard a curse word.
Leon nodded. "Yeah. What's the matter?"
Aaron looked equally confused. "Well, we thought you were placed in the royal dormitory like us. Just, y'know… in another block."
"Ah. Nope. I was assigned here."
Reinhart and Aaron fell silent, clearly trying to comprehend this grave injustice.
Leon had walked out of the entrance exam before the second site like it was a speedrun.
They both assumed he was some secret elite with connections or talent that put him above the rest—someone obviously meant for the royal dorms.
Caelir, on the other hand, didn't react much.
He simply nodded, unfazed.
He didn't know much about Leon. As far as he was concerned, Leon looked like someone who belonged in the general dorms.
But then…
They reached Room No. 1.
Leon pulled out a key and unlocked the door.
The door creaked open.
The others peered in.
And then—
Silence.
A deep, emotional silence filled with existential dread.
The room was gorgeous.
Spacious. Well-lit. Comfortable. A bed that looked like it gave free back massages. Furniture that didn't wobble. A bookshelf, Even the air smelled better.
Reinhart, Aaron, and even Caelir froze.
Aaron's jaw dropped. Reinhart blinked rapidly like he was experiencing a simulation error.
And Caelir… Caelir, who had been totally fine before, twitched.
His mouth moved slightly, his expression betrayed just a hint of betrayal from the universe.
> "Wait. THIS is a general dorm room?"
The realization hit him just as hard. He'd been tricked too.They all had.
Leon casually walked in and sat at his desk like it was just another day.
"So? What do you guys think?"
Reinhart gave a tired thumbs-up. "It's illegally good."
Leon laughed.
And just as Aaron began swiping Leon's pillow, Leon leaned back in his chair and grinned.
"Hey… you guys wanna see the rest of the room?"