Chapter 5: The Angle of Observation
The scrape of chairs against obsidian echoed through the lecture hall as Professor Hilde formally dismissed us. Instantly, the oppressive mana shifted from stagnant to chaotic. Hundreds of fierce predators surged toward the narrow exits, eager to trade their stiff formal coats for the freedom of the sparring pits.
I stayed in my seat for a moment longer, eyes fixed on the front row. Kaelith rose smoothly, her silver hair catching the dim light. Even among towering Orcs and massive Demons, she moved as if in her own space. No one dared bump into the Shadow-Knight.
"Come on, greenie," Rolf muttered, slinging his canvas pack over his shoulder. "If we're late to the pits, Hilde will use us for target practice."
"Go ahead, Rolf," I replied, fumbling with the leather straps of my bag. "I think my charcoal quill rolled under the bench. I'll catch up in the locker room."
Rolf groaned, amber eyes flicking toward the exit. "A quill? You're Rank 10, Grik, you can buy new carbon! Fine, but don't be late. I'm not doing burpees because my roommate is blind."
I waited until Rolf disappeared into the crowd, then stood up. I kept my head down, moving with the students funneling toward the steep, winding staircase that led down to the courtyard. The amphitheater was built for giants; each obsidian step was almost a foot tall, making the descent rough and jolting for anyone under six feet.
I positioned myself exactly two steps below Kaelith.
The air in the stairwell was thick with heat and tension. Above us, a massive Minotaur grunted in frustration, pushing past a group of lesser Vampires. The sudden surge rippled through the crowd, forcing everyone on the narrow steps to hold steady.
'Now.'
I reached into my bag and flicked my wrist, deliberately knocking my charcoal quill from its sheath. It clattered against the slick stone, tumbling down to rest just inches behind Kaelith's polished boots.
"Ah, damn it," I muttered, making sure my voice sounded genuinely flustered.
I dropped to one knee on the step below her. Because of the high steps and my short goblin frame, my line of sight tilted sharply upward.
Right then, the Minotaur pushed forward again. The crowd jolted. To keep her balance, Kaelith shifted her weight and lifted her leg to step up.
The pleated black fabric of her Academy skirt flared out.
For a moment, the shadows under her strict uniform disappeared. My breath caught. Beneath the cold, untouchable exterior of the Dark Elf knight was something surprisingly delicate. She wore tight, midnight-silk undergarments cut high and trimmed with intricate silver lace matching her hair color. The contrast between her deep twilight skin and the dark silk was captivating.
It was a brief look at the woman behind the blade.
I didn't linger. I grabbed the quill and quickly lowered my chin, shrinking into a weak, scared pose.
"Excuse me! S-sorry," I squeaked as Kaelith's boot landed on the step, her heel clicking right where my fingers had been.
She paused. I felt a sudden drop in temperature as she looked down. Her silver eyes, sharp and cold, peered through her hair. She didn't seem angry or upset—she looked like a queen who almost stepped on a roach.
"Control your footing, Goblin," she said softly, her voice low and melodic. It sent a shiver down my spine. "If you stumble like that in the pits, your opponent won't wait for you to pick up your toys."
"Yes… yes, Kaelith. Thank you," I whispered, eyes locked on the stone as she turned and moved down the stairs.
As her scent—a fresh mix of winter mint and ozone—faded, a bright crimson interface flashed in my vision, blocking out the dark stairwell.
[Domination Trial Complete!]
[Condition Met: Clear glimpse obtained. Intent remained entirely undetected.]
[Reward Applied: +20 LP (Total: 70 LP).]
[Skill Unlocked: Sharp Eye (Passive).]
[Description: Your visual processing speed has permanently increased by 20%. You can now more clearly spot subtle muscle twitches, hidden weapons, and weaknesses in defenses.]
I stood slowly, brushing dirt from my trouser knees. A slow, sharp grin curved my lips in the stairwell shadows. I had risked my permanent Agility stats on that moment—and I'd won.
'Logic, Hilde?' I thought, my mind racing as I headed for the changing rooms. 'You don't know how much data I just gathered.'
The locker rooms smelled of sweat, rusted iron, and raw mana. I quickly shed my formal coat and trousers, changing into the standard Combat Uniform: a loose dark-grey tunic and reinforced leather leggings for blunt force protection.
The moment I tied my boots, the effects of [Sharp Eye] hit me.
There was no magical glow or zoom; it was pure speed of processing. As I stepped into the bright sunlight of the sparring grounds, the world seemed to slow slightly. I spotted an Orc stretching near the weapon racks, noticing the tiny tremor in his left knee—an old injury. I saw a Vampire tightening her bracers with a concealed throwing knife strapped to her forearm.
I could read them all.
The sparring grounds stretched wide, baked granite and deep sand pits surrounded by tall obsidian walls. Professor Hilde stood at the center of the biggest pit, her white armor gleaming in the daylight. A heavy wooden practice claymore rested on her shoulder.
"Line up!" Hilde's voice cracked like thunder, silencing two hundred elite students. "In class, we talk history. Out here, we make it. Grab a training weapon. Today, we test your reflexes and limits."
Her piercing blue eyes scanned the crowd, pausing briefly on my scrawny Rank 10 frame.
"We start with close combat," Hilde said, a cruel smile on her lips. "Pair up. Don't hold back. The healing mages need the practice."
I grabbed a short, weighted wooden gladius from the rack, feeling its balance in my hand. I turned toward the crowd, my new sharp eyes searching for a flash of silver hair.
The hunt was moving from shadows into the light.