[Celestial Academy — Days 8 to 11]
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[Advanced Combat Class — Day 8 — 10:00 AM]
The advanced combat instructor's name was Herden.
Level 74.
Scars on his forearms that came from real work and not demonstrations.
The way he stood in front of a class said he had been in situations where what he taught was the difference between living and not living.
Competent.
Raven evaluated him in the first thirty seconds.
The day's exercise: control combat — neutralize the opponent without permanent damage.
Techniques that required more precision than power.
Raven went into the first exchange with her practice partner — a third‑year student, level 58, with solid technique and some real experience in minor dungeons.
Raven neutralized her in four seconds.
Three below what she could do.
The instructor watched.
He made a note.
Second exchange — different partner, level 62.
Raven in six seconds.
Four below what she could do.
Third exchange — the strongest student in the class.
