The class ended shortly after noon. The students began to leave the room in small groups, chatting about the races and wars mentioned by the professor.
Draven walked alongside Zayra through the academy's corridors.
"So," she said, "what did you think of the class?"
Draven thought for a moment.
"Interesting. In the forest, I only needed to understand the monsters I faced. Here… there are many variables."
Zayra smiled.
"This is just the beginning."
They arrived at the main training field. The place was enormous, divided into several circular combat areas. Instructors observed the students as they organized the first exercises of the day.
A tall man, in light armor with a serious expression, walked to the center of the field.
"Attention!" his voice echoed through the courtyard.
All the students gathered.
"Today will be the first practical training for the new students. Nothing complicated. Just evaluation combat."
Draven crossed his arms, observing.
"You will fight in pairs. The objective is not to defeat your opponent at any cost, but to demonstrate control, technique, and adaptation."
The instructor began to form the pairs.
The first fight was between a human and an elf.
The human used a short sword, maintaining a defensive stance.
The elf held a light blade and moved with extreme speed.
The fight began.
The elf attacked first, advancing with two quick blows. The human blocked, taking a step back to maintain distance.
Draven observed every movement.
"The elf is faster," he murmured.
"Yes," replied Zayra, "but the human is waiting for a mistake."
A few seconds later, the elf attempted a side attack. The human dodged and responded with a direct blow that almost hit him.
The instructor raised his hand.
"Enough. Good control from both of you."
Now it was a dwarf's turn against a young demon.
The contrast was stark.
The dwarf was short, extremely robust, wielding a heavy training hammer.
The demon had a taller, leaner body, with small horns and dark energy enveloping his hands.
When the fight began, the demon attacked first, launching a small burst of energy.
The dwarf raised his hammer and partially blocked, advancing immediately afterward.
His blow struck the ground with such force that it kicked up dust.
"Absurd strength," said Draven.
"Dwarves are like that," replied Zayra. "Slow, but each blow can decide a fight."
The demon retreated quickly, avoiding another attack.
The instructor interrupted the fight.
Draven's Observation
While the combats continued, Draven carefully observed everything.
Each race fought differently:
Elves relied on speed and precision.
Dwarves used strength and endurance. Humans focused on strategy and defense.
Demons alternated between physical and energy attacks.
He began to notice patterns.
It reminded him of the forest.
The difference was that here the opponents thought.
Draven's name is called
— Draven Noctyros!
The instructor looked directly at him.
— Your turn.
The students began to observe.
Zayra
— Let's see how you do.
Draven walked to the center of the arena.
On the other side, a Beastikim, a monkey-man, entered the field. He was a little shorter than Draven, but his muscles were well-defined and his tail moved with a slight agitation.
The Beastikim smiled.
— So you're the new kid.
Draven simply stood in a fighting stance.
The instructor raised his hand.
— Begin.
The combat begins
The Beastikim attacked first.
With an impressive leap, he lunged forward with a spinning kick.
Draven blocked with his forearm and took a half-step back.
The force of the blow was real.
"Quick," he thought.
The Beastikim attacked again, now with a sequence of rapid punches.
Draven dodged two blows and blocked the third.
But he didn't counter-attack.
He was observing.
The Beastikim noticed.
"Studying me?"
Draven didn't answer.
He just waited for the next move.
The Beastikim lunged forward again, attempting a direct hit.
Draven finally reacted.
He dodged to the side and landed a quick blow to the Beastikim's torso.
It wasn't strong enough to knock him down, but it made his opponent take two steps back.
The students around began to murmur.
The instructor watched silently.
The Beastikim smiled again.
"Not bad."
End of the fight.
Before the fight continued, the instructor raised his hand.
"Enough."
Draven relaxed his stance.
"Good control," said the instructor. "You didn't attack without understanding your opponent first."
He looked at the Beastikim.
"And you showed good speed."
The two left the arena.
Zaya walked over to Draven.
"You were holding back your blows."
"Yes."
"
"
Draven looked at the training field.
Several fights continued to take place.
"I'm still learning how everyone fights here."
Zaya smiled.
"Good answer."
Draven took a deep breath.
The little academy was different from the forest.
But there was something about that place that he liked.
Each fight was an opportunity to learn.