Getting into trouble

As the supernatural show had opened a new gate in Auric's mind, the sheer display of refined swordsmanship and the precision in each cut through the air were unlike anything he had ever witnessed on Earth. One could only see such extraordinary feats in movies or anime.

The cut in the air sent shivers down Auric's spine, and goosebumps erupted all over his body. 'Reading about it and witnessing it with my own eyes are entirely different experiences'.

The logic here undoubtedly differed from what he knew on Earth. That cut defied the laws of physics as he understood them. Perhaps, this was what they meant when they talked about the laws of nature varying in every dimension.

'I want to do it too! It looks so sick!!!' Auric's mind raced with excitement. As a guy ofcourse one would be amazed to do things like this. No guy is different, everyone wants a gun or a katana.

"Now, as you have all seen, you will be practicing to master these moves," the instructor said, his voice commanding and full of authority.

The trainees, including Auric, sat in rapt attention, eager to learn from the experienced instructor. Grodt stepped forward, his eyes scanning the room, and he began to explain the intricacies of the Sword Cut technique.

"Alright, everyone, let's start by understanding the foundation of the Sword Cut," Grodt began. "It's not about slashing wildly. It's a controlled and precise movement that requires not only physical skill but also mental focus."

He demonstrated the proper stance, holding the sword firmly yet with flexibility. "Your grip should be strong, but not too tense. Allow the sword to become an extension of your arm, an extension of your will," he explained.

Auric and the other trainees watched closely, studying every move and trying to grasp the essence of Grodt's teachings.

"Now, visualize your target," Grodt continued. "Focus on the precise point where you want your blade to connect. In your mind's eye, see the trajectory of your strike, the path the blade will take through the air."

He then demonstrated the flow of movement, stepping forward and fluidly cutting the air with the sword. The motion was almost hypnotic, and Auric couldn't help but feel captivated by the instructor's grace and mastery.

"Timing is crucial," Grodt emphasized. "You must synchronize your body's movements with the strike, channeling your energy into that singular moment when the sword connects with the target."

"Now, get your swords and pair up," he instructed the trainees.

Auric seemed to be alone, but Samuel approached him with a half-smile. "You better be thankful I am helping you so much," he said.

"Yea, thanks," Auric replied with a smile, though thoughts churned in his mind. He couldn't help but wonder if Samuel was genuinely trying to be helpful or if he had some ulterior motive. After all, almost the whole batch was hating him, and Samuel's chummy behavior stood out.

"Ah, so you are just starting your swordsmanship journey? Well, Sam, partner with someone else. I will be teaching him one-on-one. He needs a solid foundation," Grodt's authoritative voice interrupted their conversation.

"Yes, Instructor," Sam nodded, then left to join others.

Meanwhile, Auric overheard the murmurs about him circulating in the class.

"Ugh, what a bastard."

"Yeah, hogging the instructor all to himself!"

"I bet he doesn't have any talent in the sword."

"Hah, typical."

But he chose to ignore their barks.

"Now, focus," Grodt said, his demeanor changing to a serious and attentive one.

Auric straightened, gripping the sword with newfound determination. He could feel Grodt's penetrating gaze, urging him to concentrate entirely on the technique he was about to learn.

The instructor stepped closer to Auric, guiding him through the proper stance and grip. "Remember what I showed you earlier," Grodt reminded him. "Visualize your target, the trajectory of your strike, and feel the energy within you flowing through the sword."

Auric took a deep breath, trying to clear his mind of any distractions. He pictured the cut he had witnessed earlier, the brilliance of the technique etched vividly in his memory.

"Now, when you make the Sword Cut, focus on the connection between your mind, body, and the sword," Grodt instructed. "Channel your energy into that single moment when your strike reaches its climax."

With each step, Auric immersed himself deeper into the training, feeling the blade respond to his will. He began to practice the motion, stepping forward, and with a swift yet controlled movement, he sliced through the air.

"Good," Grodt praised him. "But remember, precision is the key. Your movements should flow smoothly, with no wasted effort."

Auric nodded, determined to refine his technique. He repeated the motion again and again, listening intently to Grodt's feedback and making necessary adjustments.

As the training session progressed, Auric's body ached from the repetitive movements, but he persevered. His focus intensified, and the world around him seemed to fade away. There was only the sword, the technique, and the desire to master it.

Time seemed to lose its hold on Auric as he continued practicing under Grodt's guidance.

After the one-on-one training session with Grodt, Auric felt exhausted.

He appreciated Grodt's no-nonsense approach to teaching and knew that he had a long way to go before mastering the Sword Cut. Still, he was determined to put in the effort and prove himself.

As the evening progressed, Auric joined the other trainees for the Monster Pedia class. He followed Samuel to the next classroom, which, to his surprise, resembled the classrooms he knew from Earth.

Entering the room, Auric noticed that all the seats in the back were empty. With a hint of mischief in his mind, he decided to take the last seat by the window—the infamous main character seat.

"Now, this is perfect," Auric thought to himself, a small grin forming on his lips, trying to inject a touch of humor into the tension that had surrounded him since his arrival.

Samuel chuckled as he took the seat next to Auric. "Noice choice," he remarked. "Though I have to warn you, sitting there might attract a bit more attention."

Auric grinned, feeling a bit more at ease with Samuel's camaraderie. "Well, if I'm going to stand out, might as well embrace it, right?" he replied.

As the teacher entered the class, Auric observed her with curiosity. Her long, silver hair cascaded down her back, and her eyes sparkled with intelligence. Clad in a flowing robe adorned with intricate mystical symbols, she exuded an aura of authority and knowledge.

"Good morning, students," the teacher greeted warmly, her voice carrying a melodic tone. "It seems we have a new cadet in the training regime, so allow me to introduce myself again." She said as she looked towards Auric, the new face in the class. "I am Professor Selene, and I will be your guide through the realm of monsters. Today, we will be learning about Ogres."

'Ah, the one I encountered during my travels,' Auric thought as he listened to the teacher's instruction.

"Now, ogres are formidable creatures, often found in the depths of ancient forests or secluded mountain caves," Professor Selene began. "They are known for their immense size, strength, and fierce appetite for flesh."

Auric listened intently as the professor unfurled a vivid picture from a scroll. She explained how ogres had sharp claws and fangs, capable of tearing through the toughest of armor, and how their thick, leathery skin acted as natural armor, making them difficult to defeat in close combat.

"Ogres possess a cunning intelligence," Professor Selene continued. "They may appear brutish, but they are not to be underestimated. They have a keen sense of smell, able to detect even the faintest scent of humans from miles away."

Throughout the lecture, Professor Selene engaged with the students, encouraging questions and fostering an open discussion. Her passion for the subject was evident in the way she brought the creatures to life with vivid descriptions and enthralling tales.

"Professor Selene, are there any ways to defend against an ogre attack?" one student asked, looking genuinely concerned.

"Ah, an excellent question," the professor replied with a smile. "While ogres are formidable opponents, they do have their weaknesses. One way to defend against them is to utilize powerful enchantments and wards. These can help create barriers that deter ogres from approaching certain areas."

Another student raised their hand, curiosity gleaming in their eyes. "Is there any way to negotiate with ogres peacefully?"

Professor Selene nodded thoughtfully. "Yes, it is possible to communicate with ogres, but it requires great skill and understanding of their language and culture. Offering valuable gifts or showing respect for their territory can sometimes lead to peaceful interactions."

Auric found himself captivated by Professor Selene's knowledge and her ability to engage with the students. Her calm and patient demeanor encouraged even the most reserved students to participate in the discussion.

"Now let me ask a question, what rank is an Ogres?" Professor Selene inquired, and the class turned silent. No one had any idea. They had never been to the outside world to learn about monsters beyond what they were taught by the teachers and books, which they rarely opened.

"So, new student?" she asked Auric, who was seated quietly at the back.

Every student in the class looked at Auric. Some wore mocking smiles, others seemed curious, while a few acted as if to say there was no way a country bumpkin like him would know anything about monsters.

Under those eyes, ignoring them, he casually answered, "Rank D."

"Correct!"

"Ogres are mostly rank D monsters. The ones found in the outskirts of Drakoria are mid to low-rank D ogres. There are some anomalies or variants that may be of higher levels. Generally--"

"Madam Selene!" as the teacher was explaining, she was cut off by a person calling her out of the classroom.

Hearing what he had said, she entered the classroom, saying, "Trainees, I have to go out for some time. Another instructor will carry on the class. Please keep quiet in the meantime."

As soon as she left the classroom, a buzzing sound erupted, and everyone started talking. Some girls complained about how their hands had become rough because of the training, while boys discussed unrelated matters.

However, a particular conversation caught Auric's ear.

"Just who does he think he is? First, hogging Instructor Grodt all to himself, now catching the attention of our beautiful Miss Selene," a boy said to another.

"Yeah, he's just too full of himself."

"What do you think about his mother?"

"The one who was banished? Or rather thrown out? Hahaha."

"Yeah. Didn't a girl also come with him? Who might she be? I heard from my mother that he is the only son, though."

"Hah? You don't know? I heard she is his step-sister. It must be the case that his mother must have had relations wit-"

BOOOM!

A few seconds earlier:

As initially, Auric was listening to their talk about how he was too much of himself, he simply ignored them.

But then the moment they mentioned his mother and sister, rage started building up, and veins popped on his forehead.

'Calm down... I can't get into trouble on my first day here. Let's just ignore those people and focus. I'll take care of them in the future.'

But then they said something that made something snap.

Without even thinking, he activated his lightning steps, reaching the guy. He gathered mana to create a dark orb, striked and caught the back of the guy's head, and slammed it on the table with all his strength, breaking the table with the same force and smashing the guy's face onto the floor.

The table crushed and broken, lay on the ground. The classroom turned silent as they looked at the booming source, and then they heard, "You never talk about my family," and everyone who heard him felt their hair stand on end as they heard his chilling voice.

{ A/N- this chapter was quite long, eh? }