DAWN - Magrehergard Academy, Part I

Magrehergard Academy of Magic and Swordsmanship.

This prestigious academy had stood since the first Great War of Sorcery. Originally established to bolster the war effort, it later transformed into a beacon of learning, welcoming individuals who sought mastery in the arts of both swordsmanship and magic.

Within its walls, a caste system prevailed. The first caste was reserved for the noble families of the kingdom and the imperial bloodline. The second caste belonged to prodigies and scholarship recipients, those whose talents shone bright. The third caste consisted of esteemed nobles, while the fourth and final caste welcomed individuals from all walks of life.

Students of the academy were presented with a choice, a path to follow in their pursuit of knowledge. The first path was the study of magic, an essential foundation upon which their education was built. Regardless of their innate abilities, all students were required to delve into the mystical arts, immersing themselves in the fundamental principles of the magical world.

The second path offered the secrets of the sword. Swordsmanship was divided into distinct disciplines:

- The first discipline, Royal Swordsmanship, was an exclusive art passed down solely to those of royal and imperial lineage.

- The second discipline, Sky King Swordsmanship, was a rare and revered form taught only to those who demonstrated unparalleled mastery over the entire spectrum of sword techniques. In the annals of the academy’s history, only a select few had reached the pinnacle of this extraordinary discipline.

- The final discipline, Knight Swordsmanship, served as the bedrock of the academy’s sword training, nurturing the fundamental skills of aspiring swordsmen.

Amidst the stratified structure of the academy, discrimination and bullying found no sanctuary. The institution staunchly opposed such mistreatment, well-aware of the diverse student body it encompassed. However, despite the concerted efforts of academy leaders and the kingdom’s authorities, the blight of bullying persisted, often eluding detection and allowing its perpetrators to evade justice.

Nestled within the heart of the prosperous and tranquil Dendoregina Kingdom, the academy bore witness to the birth of two consecutive heroes who had etched their names in the annals of history during the Great War of Sorcery. Knight Doni and Sorcerer Mikhail, both esteemed graduates of Magrehergard Academy, had bravely triumphed on the battlefield, embodying the pinnacle of skill and dedication.

Within the academy’s hallowed halls, countless races, noble lineages, and even members of the imperial family converged, seeking enlightenment and growth. Admittance was granted through a variety of means, be it through invitations, rigorous entrance examinations, or coveted scholarships.

If one were to inquire about my own entry into the academy, I would proudly proclaim that I gained admission through unwavering diligence and relentless dedication, triumphing in the crucible of the entrance examination.

“Hehehe... Behold me, consumed by a sense of self-importance, simply because I entered through the crucible of the entrance examination...”

Most of the inhabitants of the Dendoregina Kingdom had a substantial amount of mana.

At Magrehergard Academy, nearly 70% of the students hailed from the kingdom of Dendoregina, comprising 50% commoners and 20% noble families. The remaining 30% of the academy’s student body was divided into two groups: 15% from the royal family and 15% from the imperial family.

I entered as a commoner. Each year, only a few commoners managed to gain admission through the entrance examination, unless they secured scholarships or received invitations. The invitation route was reserved for those displaying exceptional talent.

The entrance examination was arduous, presenting numerous challenges, including battling numerous monsters to survive and progress to the next stage. The most challenging test was crossing the scorching Sahara Desert, where I was forced to traverse the dunes in search of water, only to be instructed not to drink until sunset. For a 15-year-old like me, it was an immense ordeal.

The magical test was equally demanding, as we were required to memorize and recite spells flawlessly, without a single mispronunciation. It might sound easy, but it proved to be incredibly difficult when put into practice.

Fortunately, I managed to overcome all of these trials and finally gained entry into the academy. Oh, a little update: I’m currently in my first semester. And do you know what makes me swell with pride? Hehe, in just six months, I’ve mastered the techniques of a second-level knight swordsman!

Let me tell you, mastering swordsmanship is no easy feat! Many knights can only reach the fifth level of sword techniques. So, for a 15-year-old like me to almost reach the third level, it’s quite an achievement.

However, behind this great accomplishment, I have a significant disadvantage that puts me at a disadvantage. My deficiency lies in the ability to cast spells. After half a year of studying, I’ve realized that my magical abilities are below average, which is rather unfortunate.

“Sigh... Never mind...”

——— § ———

The clash of swords reverberated through the air, accompanied by occasional sparks of fire. Simultaneously, the sound of footsteps echoed, stirring up clouds of dust and sand.

Two swordsmen were seen practicing their skills with their blades—a man and a woman. The man thrust his sword forward, only to be perfectly parried by the woman. In retaliation, the woman swung her sword in a graceful arc.

And finally, the man fell to the ground, leaving the woman standing victoriously, her grip on the sword elegant.

“Sheesh... How many times have I lost now?” the man exclaimed.

“...You’ve lost 99 times, Vond.”

“Oh, tartar sauce.”

Yep, that’s me. Defeated 99 times by this remarkable woman. It’s not easy to wield my sword flawlessly when my opponent is a woman. There are too many distractions that prevent me from focusing.

Starting with her ample bosom, constantly bouncing up and down. Her smooth thighs when I try to duck under her sword strikes. And not to mention, her well-rounded buttocks, always plush and visible when she parries my attacks.

“What an extraordinary experience...”

“...Hm? What do you mean by that?”

“I will take my defeats as learning experiences to become better.”

“...Hm...”

She is Miranda Kaqileus. A woman one year older than me, which makes her my senior in class. As a prodigy, she managed to reach the fourth level of swordsmanship in just one year. And now she’s aiming for the fifth level.

Her long, flowing red hair reaches her shoulders. Although her assets are not as pronounced as Sylvanna’s, she has a fairly strong physique, though not excessively muscular like a bodybuilder.

Her serious demeanor and occasional innocence captivate me. Although sometimes, she can be quite childish.

“But still, this time you held back, Mira.”

Miranda merely snorted upon hearing my complaint. She then reached out her hand, which I gladly accepted.

“It’s just your imagination. I didn’t hold back.”

Okay, she’s lying again.

“...I’ve heard those words from you 99 times, you know?” I said, scratching my nape.

“...I’m not lying.”

“With you always being so serious, it turns out you can joke too, huh?”

“What?!” she retorted, looking at me with a sarcastic glare. Her orange eyes pierced through me sharply.

“Ahaha... I’m just kidding, Mira.”

Miranda then turned her face away. It seemed like she whispered something to someone else, but before I could ask what it was, she pushed me and said, “You’ll be late for your magic class, Vond.”

In an instant, I glanced at the clock and realized Miranda was right. I was late. Damn, I cursed inwardly while tidying up my clothes, now dirtied from our training. However, the more I tried to clean them, the more rumpled they became.

“...Tch, not like this... Come here!”

Miranda pulled me and instructed me to remove my robe. She then recited a cleaning spell. Once she finished, she handed it back to me.

“Hehe, I thought a cleaning spell only cleans. Turns out it can also straighten things out...”

“That just shows your knowledge of magic is below average,” she said with a small laugh before quickly turning away from me.

“If you put it that way, I can only accept it…”