Mike folded the schedule and slipped it into his pocket. Three hours was more than enough time.

He left his room and walked down the hallway. Other doors were opening too. Students stepped out—some alone, some chatting in small groups. Most of them looked nervous or excited. A few already acted confident, like they owned the place.

Mike kept his head low and just observed.

The academy grounds were large. Training fields lay to the east, with practice dummies and weapon racks. To the west were lecture buildings and dorm blocks. In the center stood a wide courtyard where students gathered, talking and exchanging information.

Mike walked through the courtyard slowly.

"So groups are already forming," he thought. "Just like the story."

He noticed Elina not far away. She was talking to a few students who looked like commoners—simple clothes, no flashy gear. She spoke calmly, giving directions. They listened to her seriously.

"Yep. She's already leading," Mike muttered.

Most likely, those commoners approached her after learning she was also from a village, since no other groups invited them, Mike thought as he looked at them. They were all class awakeners of A-rank and above, but their foundation was very weak.

So even with powerful classes, they were on the weaker side in the academy.

He didn't approach her. Not yet.

Instead, he moved toward the training field. Some students were already practicing. Swords clashed, magic sparks flew, and instructors watched from a distance without interfering.

Mike picked up a practice sword from a rack and moved to an empty spot.

He didn't activate Sword Saint fully—just enough to feel it.

He swung a few times, slow and controlled. His movements were clean. Too clean. A nearby student paused and stared for a second before going back to training.

Did he sense something? Mike wondered, but he continued to practice.

This feels like Sword Saint is also fixing my swordsmanship, Mike thought, pleased as he continued.

I wasn't mistaken. That aura… it's certainly like my master's Saint Aura.

The earlier student who had briefly glanced at Mike was now observing him from a distance, watching carefully.

But didn't he use Golden Fairy magic in the tournament? So what is this sword aura now?Benjamin couldn't wrap his head around Mike's situation as he watched him.

His class is Tamer, and by taming a fairy he gained Golden Fairy magic, which leaves his talent…Benjamin continued observing before understanding.

His talent must be sword-related, and judging by the aura, his sword talent is above S-rank.

After a few more minutes of observing, he left.

Mike Vester… I guess this boring academy is not going to be that boring after all.

As class time got closer, bells rang across the academy. Students started moving toward different buildings.

Mike followed the signs to Room 9.

Inside, the room was simple. Wooden benches, a wide open space in the middle, and weapon racks along the wall. About thirty students were already there.

Mike took a seat near the back.

A few minutes later, an instructor entered. He was tall, with short gray hair and a calm but strict expression.

"I am Instructor Hale," he said. "This is Combat Basics. I don't care about your background. Noble or commoner, talent or none—here, effort decides everything."

He scanned the room.

"Today is simple. I want to see how you move, how you hold a weapon, and how you think in a fight."

Weapons were handed out. Wooden swords for everyone.

Mike stood with the others.

"Pair up," Hale said.

Students quickly formed pairs. Mike ended up facing a boy his age with a nervous look.

They bowed lightly.

The match started.

Mike kept it simple. No Sword Saint. No Beast Overlord. Just basic skill and control. He blocked, stepped in, tapped his opponent's shoulder, and stepped back.

The instructor nodded slightly.

After Mike's match, the other students continued fighting. Instructor Hale walked between the pairs, stopping often to correct them.

"Your stance is too wide."

"Don't lock your elbow."

"You're thinking too slow—move your feet first."

Some students struggled. Some did well. A few were clearly talented but sloppy.

After all the matches ended, Hale clapped his hands once.

"That's enough."

The students lined up.

Hale crossed his arms and looked at them one by one.

"None of you were using your mana properly," he said bluntly. "Most of you rely too much on your class and forget your basics."

Some students looked embarrassed.

Then his gaze stopped on Mike.

"Your control is good," Hale said. "Your movements are clean."

Mike stayed silent.

"But more importantly," Hale continued, "you were only fighting at about fifty percent of your real strength."

A few students turned to look at Mike in surprise.

Mike blinked. Fifty percent? he thought. I was sure I was using everything.

"And it was not only him but all of you were just fighting at your 50 percent"

Everyone looked confused as Hale nodded.

Hale raised his hand.

"Let me show you something," he said.

He stepped into the center of the room.

"At first, I will fight like you—using only the body. No aura."

He threw a simple punch into the air.

The sound was sharp, but nothing special.

Then he pulled his hand back.

"This," Hale said, "is what you call aura."

A faint pressure spread as a thin layer of energy wrapped around his arm.

He punched again.

The air cracked loudly. Several students flinched.

"But this," Hale continued, "is still not my full power."

He relaxed his arm. The aura vanished.

Then, without any visible energy, he stepped forward and threw another punch.

The floor beneath his foot cracked slightly. A shockwave rushed through the room.

The students froze.

"No visible aura," Hale said calmly. "Yet the power is far greater."

He looked back at Mike.

"You are doing the opposite," he said. "Your body is moving correctly, but your power is restrained. Your aura isn't flowing naturally yet."

Mike listened carefully.

"Learn this," Hale said to the whole class. "True strength is not about showing power. It's about using exactly what you need—and knowing how to release more when the time comes."

"It's called Mana Fusion, or Aura Fusion, if you prefer," Hale added, looking at all of them.

"In this state, you don't use mana or aura only to activate skills or techniques," Hale continued. "Instead, you let it flow continuously through your body, perfectly integrating it with your physical movements."

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