Academy Life at its Finest

"Huff...huff..."

The faintest sound of breathing escaped my mouth as I stood perfectly still in the middle of a pitch-black room. Although things seemed peaceful, inwardly, I was fighting a battle against myself.

My body relentlessly urged me to move forward, to give in to the impulses of my brain. My senses were out of control, telling me that I would die if I linger any longer.

However, I stood rooted to the spot, observing my surroundings.

Making a move when he is not striking would waste precious seconds —seconds that enable him to kill me if he wanted to. Not that he would actually do it since this is only training.

!!!

Instantaneously, I took a step to the side as seemingly nothing happened in the room. But I knew better than that. Just now, a blade was heading straight for my skull.

After continuous practice, Professor Mistscribe went from subtle indications such as pitch, volume, and fluctuations to no cues whatsoever.

Of course, even for him it is impossible to strike without affecting anything, but he is as close as you can get.

"You impress me time and time again Noah. Even I couldn't improve as fast as you have in my youth." Professor Mistscribe spoke, content with my progress.

"All thanks to you teach." I replied humbly.

Throughout the last two days, he opened up quite a bit to me. This was mainly due to him questioning my motives and values after exhausting me.

Professor Mistcribe probably thought that I couldn't form any coherent lies with a tired mind, so he decided to pry information out of me.

He made it very clear time and time again that he isn't fond of my father so I decided to fabricate a story about not liking the ways of my father of exploiting everyone around him and despising him for doing it.

Trying to align my interests with his, I also added how I want to take revenge for my sister.

It was a truth mixed with lies, but it sounded convincing enough to make Professor Mistscribe believe me.

Although I honestly don't like Adelio Hazecrest's way of conducting business, I can't complain since I have done the same.

After telling Professor Mistscribe the made up story, he eagerly decided to train me. It seems he always wanted to have a student but could never find anyone who would accept his teachings.

Coupled with the fact that even the academy didn't want to acknowledge his teachings, it was understandable why he couldn't find anyone up till now.

"Let's stop here for now. The academy is already quite angry that you skipped lectures and just disappeared" Professor Mistscribe said. "Come back tomorrow and we will continue."

"Okay." I nodded.

Obviously, the academy noticed that I sneaked out of the infirmary. Fortunately, they can't do much more than reprimand me since I'm under the protection of Adelio Hazecrest.

He is known for how much he cares about his children so he is forced to step in lest he will ruin his image and create a scandal.

In reality, he is everything other than that but if people find out, he will be ruined.

Should I already write an anonymous letter to the royal family, revealing his true nature? No, I still need his fortune and connections if things turn for the worst.

I left Professor Mistscribe behind and left the dojo. A bright light assaulted my eyes as soon as I stepped outside the building. The lectures should begin soon.

As I walked through the academy, I took a quick detour to get breakfast. Elite Haven provides us students with scrumptious and nutritious meals throughout the whole day.

While ordering my food, I couldn't help but notice the constant stares directed at me. There seemed to be a few rumors going on about me.

Sitting at an empty table near the window, I munched on my meal while watching the scenery pass by. It was a peaceful morning, with the sun shining bright and a gentle breeze blowing.

It reminded me of my past life. Spending mornings like these with my comrades, laughing and having fun together before embarking on a new journey. It all feels like a distant dream now...

"Excuse me, can we join you? Hah, who am I kidding, your answer doesn't matter anyways." A very familiar voice called out to me.

Of course, it was none other than Luna, smiling brightly as she urged the still stoic Roy to finally sit down. By now, her arm has been reattached with only a little scarring left.

"Noah, where have you been all this time? Do you know how boring the lectures were? And if that wasn't enough, all our classmates are so dull and stale. Why am I always together with the weirdos..." She complained.

This girl...

How can someone be so delusional and estranged from reality?

"I was injured and in the infirmary until now." I responded flatly.

"Yeah, no shit you were injured. I have already seen the footage of the fight and I'm sure it was a quite thrilling experience. I must admit I'm a bit envious."

She really needs some serious therapy. There isn't even any meaning in actively seeking danger. If she would at least achieve something worthwhile, like I will but no, she is just a slave to her desire.

While she relentlessly continued to talk nonsense, I silently ate my breakfast. It was delicious and incomparable to anything made in my previous world. This is mainly due to the traces of mana inside of it.

Mana-infused foods taste far better than their non-mana counterparts. Not only does the flavor linger longer in the mouth but it also tastes richer and fuller.

As I chewed on my food, giving Luna occasionally a nod signifying that I'm still listening, another girl approached us and politely asked if she can join.

The person in question was Isabella Glorydrifter.

A forced smile formed across her lips when she greeted me. Her expression told me that there is nothing pleasant or happy happening within those walls of hers.

"Hello Noah, how nice to see you again after such a long time!" She said.

Her greeting came off as insincere and false. Of course, I knew what was bothering her.

"Hello Isabella, it's good to see you too." I replied calmly, ignoring the underlying tension in her voice. She probably wants to talk with me about her sister.

"Wait, Isabella? Aren't you the girl that got selected for the excursion just because you stole all the glory by eliminating the weak fries? You didn't even try to challenge yourself during the fight at Orion's Ring." Luna interrupted, obviously not content.

"Luna Emberwing, I believe? Regarding your accusation, Luna, I utilized my intelligence and strategic thinking to secure my spot. It's not about seeking danger or glory, but rather about accomplishing the objective with the least amount of effort and risk involved." Isabella retorted calmly, her voice laced with a hint of annoyance.

It was clear that their ways of thinking clashed completely.

While Isabella used her intellect and wit to gain victory over others, Luna was the type of individual that seeks thrill and excitement above all else.

"That is so lame." Luna snapped back, "If you want to have a boring, uneventful life where you already know the outcome of your actions then go ahead and settle for mediocrity. But why bother living then if you don't seek adventure and thrills? Isn't life supposed to be exciting?"

Isabella sighed loudly, clearly annoyed by Luna's words.

"Yeah, yeah whatever. You're right." Isabella shrugged and turned away.

This nonchalant attitude of her infuriated Luna to no end but she couldn't do anything about that since Isabella kept agreeing with everything she had to say, uninterested in escalating matters further.

Meanwhile Roy just silently watched them argue. He looked extremely bored and disinterested in his surroundings, which is understandable considering his personality.

"Hey Noah, do you perhaps still remember the deal we struck? You know, I really want you to hurry up and uphold your end of the bargain." Isabella suddenly spoke up.

"Oh yes, of course I remember." I answered casually. I still have no idea where her sister could be.

I should probably ask Adeline about it. Maybe she knows a few places that the previous Noah could have used as a hiding place.

"What deal? Tell me what's between you two." Luna chimed in.

"That's none of your concern miss danger seeker." Isabella coldly rebuffed her.

"Oh? Is it that important that you two need to keep it a secret? I didn't know you two were already so intimate with each other." Luna smirked. " Are you perhaps already in a special relationship or something?"

Isabella's face flushed red at the insinuation.

"S-shut up!" She exclaimed.

It was a weird contrast that she suddenly got so flustered and embarrassed while she seemed to be calm and collected until this moment. Did she never experience romantic relationships before?