Part XV Control Ball

Following introductions on the first day, classes commenced in Dragoon Academy's curved classroom. The room featured long tables seating three, a large board, and a mana crystal lamp. Entering, Lazuro found students already grouped as they had been in the cafeteria. He spotted Aicelia waving and joined her and Tristan at their table.

"Hurry and sit here." Aicelia shifted in her seat.

"That's a bit…" Lazuro rubbed the back of his head.

"Just sit!" Aicelia pulled Lazuro to sit.

A young man with sleek blond hair and blue eyes got up from his chair and walked over to Lazuro's desk.

"So... who might be this great person who has caught the attention of the Princess of Fiore?" The blond man crossed his arms.

The intimidating gaze from the blond youth frightened Lazuro. He lowered his head, refusing to answer the young man's question.

“Stop it, Julian. You can't bother Lazuro. He's new here.” said Aicelia

“New, what do you mean?” Julian asked.

“Yes, he is—”

“Aicelia!”

Tristan's shout made Aicelia stand on tiptoe and silence herself.

“Listen, sleek blonde. Don't cause trouble here. We're here to learn and become great hunters. Not to make more enemies,” Tristan said.

“Then… who are you to speak like that? I'm Julian Mavin. You should know that the Mavin family's wealth could buy this entire kingdom. The chairs you're sitting on, that lamp, and this large blackboard used for studying are all the work of our fam

“Stop it, Julian. He's Tristan Draco, the new owner of the Flambreaker. You should know that your family exists thanks to the hero's services. Even if it's just a little, at least show some respect for the heir to Lord Alaire's Flamebreaker,” said Selene, who had just entered the classroom.

“So you’re Tristan Draco. I heard your father was a crazy loser who tried to get to the Tree of World. I’m sure he’s frozen to death in the belly of a beast by now.”

“You!”

Tristan stood up from the table and leaped toward Julian. However, Aaron suddenly came and hit Tristan. The blow sent him crashing into the chair beneath his desk.

“Aaron, stay out of this!” Tristan shouted.

“Loser, you shouldn’t be making enemies with the nobles. Trash like you should be getting along with Lord Julian. Don’t create unnecessary enmity with the eastern clans.” Aaron say.

“It seems the people of the north aren’t completely stupid.” Julian patted Aaron on the shoulder.

“Wait a minute.” Selene stood in front of Aaron. “Did you just say that the owner of Flamebreaker is trash?”

Aaron stepped back and stared at Julian. Julian grinned and nodded, signaling that he would help Aaron if anything happened. "Indeed, in our clan, he's a loser. No Mythbreaker chose him, and his idiot father—"

Selene grabbed Aaron's neck, stopping the burly young man from speaking. Aaron didn't stay still and tried to break free from Selene's grip. However, Aaron felt incredible strength as he gripped Selene's arms with both hands.

"I'm so happy to see the enthusiasm of the young men. But… wouldn't it be a shame if you were expelled from the academy on your first day?"

The words of a newly admitted male teacher shocked everyone. The crowd at Lazuro's table finally returned to their seats.

"You're a smart kid. You know where to stand." Julian whispered.

"Alright, let me introduce myself. I'm Robert. I'll be teaching you history. As you know, the history of us Turtelians is inextricably linked to Alaire Ignis. It's said that the angry gods unleashed beasts that nearly wiped out humanity. One of the strongest was The Calamity of Sograt, a demon that nearly wiped out humanity. At that time, Lord Alaire received the first Mythbreaker blessing and successfully defeated that terrifying beast. I heard that someone was ultimately chosen by the Flamebreaker. May I know who that is?"

Tristan's face flushed red after hearing Robert's statement. Tristan finally raised his hand slowly, making everyone look at him.

"For hundreds of years, the flamebreaker has been sleeping in the sacred fire created by Lord Alaire. We should welcome this news. It seems humanity will find its place again." Robert is smiling.

Robert continued his story, telling the story from the beginning until the end, only for Alaire to die of an incurable disease. Before he died, Alaire sealed the Flamebreaker with sacred fire so that no one would dare steal it. Finally, history class ended, and the students had recess. The cafeteria atmosphere was no different from yesterday. After ordering their food, Lazuro sat at a table and read a book from the library. The book Lazuro had borrowed was titled "Basic Magic According to the Mythbreaker Element." Lazuro began flipping through the pages and discovered a wealth of magic, from fireballs to flight magic, which only air-type Mythbreakers could perform. Lazuro was pleased that his efforts to learn the language of this world had not been in vain.

"Do you think you can become an expert just by reading books?"

Lazuro was so engrossed in his reading that he didn't notice Fiore sitting beside him. At the same time, Lazuro could feel the murderous gazes from all over the table directed at him.

"Are you going to keep sitting here every time I'm in the cafeteria?" Lazuro asked.

"Why, as long as you know there are so many people who want to sit at my table." Fiore looked up haughtily.

"I'm sorry, but I'm not a man who likes to cause trouble."

"What do you mean, do you think I'm a problem?"

"That..."

"Forget it, then. What about the offer to join my party?"

"Well, I guess I can't refuse. You said you'd kill me if I joined another group." Lazuro sighed.

"Then meet me tonight at the back wall of the academy. I have something more to tell you. Be careful if you don't come."

Fiore stood up from the table and finally gave Lazuro his composure. After finishing his meal and completing his second lesson, the beast in Gatewood, Lazuro, headed to the principal's office. After knocking several times, Djuana invited him in. Inside, he saw two large, white sofas with black motifs facing each other, a desk filled with stacks of parchment, and a portrait of Djuana behind the desk.

“So you’re finally here. Take a seat on that sofa. I still have some documents to review. Being the principal and juggling paperwork isn’t easy, especially when you only have one arm. By the way, how was your second day at school?” asked Djuana, still busy reviewing parchments.

“Yes, I think I like this academy.” Lazuro sat down awkwardly.

“I heard you caught the eye of Princess Fiore. You’re truly quite bold. To marry a princess, you must have achieved something significant.”

“I—I didn’t mean to approach her. It’s just that she keeps coming to me and forcing me to do strange things. Rather than liking me, I think the princess just wants to play with me.” Lazuro dropped his shoulders with a sigh.

“I don’t want to interfere with your vague problems. How about we start our training now?” Djuana stood up from her chair. “From what I see, it seems you can only use mana when connected to your mythbreaker. Furthermore, you can’t control the energy output, which makes your body tire quickly.”

Djuana threw a white rubber ball the size of a ping-pong ball to Lazuro.

"What's this?" Lazuro twirled the ball in his hand.

"That's a control ball. It will grow and change color if you infuse mana energy into it. Now make a blood pact with your mythbreaker and infuse mana energy into it!" Djuana ordered.

Lazuro did as Djuana instructed and began infusing mana energy into the ball. The ping-pong ball-sized ball he was holding enlarged slightly and changed color to yellow, then red. It grew even larger, then suddenly shrank and turned white.

"Wow, this is amazing. It really does change color and size." Lazuro made an interested expression.

"Yes, the ball will change color to red and finally back to white if you infuse too much energy. Your task is simple. When you're fused with your mythbreaker, you must keep the ball yellow. Conversely, when you're in your normal state, you must be able to change the ball to red. Come back here when you can do that." Djuana sat back in her chair.