Monday morning was supposed to be ordinary.
But, of course, it wasn't.
Even at the training grounds, I noticed the looks. Quick, fleeting glances—but there were too many of them to ignore. Some people simply stared, others whispered. It was tolerable… for now.
After training, I headed to the cafeteria as usual.
And that's where it became impossible to ignore.
— He defeated a cultist…
— No way. That's nonsense. Just another attempt to boost that bastard's reputation.
Similar conversations were happening at nearly every table.
I pretended not to hear anything, took my usual seat, and calmly started eating.
Five minutes later, as always, Eleris and Cecilia joined me.
Everything seemed the same.
But the feeling was different.
— Morning, Viren. Is it true? Did you really kill that cultist?
Eleris looked straight at me, without doubt—only pure curiosity.
— Morning. Yes, I did.
She narrowed her eyes slightly.
— And how exactly?
I paused for a moment.
Cultists were rarely weak, even within their rank. Should I really explain everything?
But I had already exposed my magic too many times. There was no real point in hiding it anymore.
Besides… I could trust these two.
— Fine.
I described the fight—briefly, but without leaving anything out.
Eleris listened carefully. When I finished, a slow smile appeared on her face.
— So you're a mage.
There was clear excitement in her voice.
— That's what you were hiding… Then let's fight later. At full strength.
Even Cecilia's expression shifted slightly—barely noticeable, but the interest was there.
— Sure. I'll use magic today.
I agreed without hesitation.
I didn't care if everyone found out anymore. Fighting someone like her would help me find my weaknesses faster.
And that… was worth it.
— Then it's settled.
Eleris looked genuinely pleased.
This time, Cecilia spoke:
— Why did you hide your magic in the first place?
That was what she truly cared about.
— It's always useful to have a trump card no one knows about.
I answered shortly.
Kind of ironic. Not even a month had passed, and I had already revealed everything.
How do those "main characters" even manage to hide things like this for half the story?
The rest of breakfast passed in silence.
After that, classes began.
Nothing unusual happened.
And for some reason… that was reassuring.
---
After classes, Professor Margaret called me.
Finally.
My reward.
As we walked to her office, I found myself running through possibilities in my head.
---
In her office:
Margaret got straight to the point.
— Viren, your reward has already been decided.
Her tone was calm and even.
— First: 300 academy credits.
— Second: this mission counts as three E-rank missions toward your promotion.
— Third: your request for magic training has been approved. Two sessions per week, one hour each, for two weeks. Four lessons total. I will personally teach them.
I smiled.
This was… better than I expected.
— Thank you, Professor. When do the lessons start?
— Monday and Thursday. Thirty minutes after your regular classes. We'll begin today.
---
And then it started.
An hour.
An hour of absolute mental torture.
It felt like my head was being torn apart.
But…
I was starting to understand.
Just a little. At a very basic level.
But it was progress.
At the end of the lesson, the professor handed me a sheet of paper.
A list of books. Five of them.
— You need to study these before Thursday.
I took the list.
— Understood. Thank you. Goodbye, Professor.
I left the office exhausted… but satisfied.
Now I at least had a foundation in wind magic.
But I couldn't relax.
Before the midterms, I needed to create my own spell.
---
I decided: a short training session today, then full focus on studying magic.
---
The training hall was as lively as ever.
Noise. Steel clashing. Constant movement.
There were many people, but the area was too large to see everyone at once.
— Finally, you're here, Viren. I've been waiting.
Eleris appeared in front of me almost immediately.
Judging by her expression, she really had been waiting.
— Yeah, sorry. I had things to take care of.
— It happens.
She stepped back, already shifting into a combat stance.
— Then let's go. Full strength.
— Of course.
I nodded.
We stepped onto the training ground.
This time… without holding back.