When the ranking was out and announced, everyone was free to head back to their rooms, but Michael was sure about something. A war was brewing, and even the academy had changed.
"Hey, are you hungry?" Nick asked Michael. "And then there’s this guy. How strong is he?" Michael thought before nodding and deciding to head to the cafeteria with him.
After finding a table to sit down, Michael decided to question him. "Hey Nick, what’s your ability?" Nick raised his head and smiled at him. "I told you I can control space... and time. No biggie," he said, grabbing another bite from his food. "What about you?"
"Lightning and shadow," Michael answered. "That’s kind of cool. I’ve never seen a shadow user before."
"So, Nick, tell me how strong you are," Michael asked, raising the bar a little. "I would say I’m pretty strong, seeing as I’m one of the heirs of the Alister," he answered. "You didn’t tell me you came from a rich family."
"You don’t know about the legacy families?" Nick said, shocked. "What are the legacy families? Are they something big?" Michael replied, eager to know more about them.
"The legacy families are ancient families with a powerful history, known for their unique abilities and influence over the world. Each family carries a distinct gift passed down through generations, making them both respected and feared. The Alister family, my family, is one of these legacies, wealthy and strong. Their heirs possess the ability to control space. Being part of a legacy family means living with the weight of tradition and expectations. Unlike you guys from normal families, children born from legacy families are trained to shoulder responsibilities, so don’t mess with a legacy heir because they’re a bunch of egotistical rich kids," Nick explained.
By the end of the explanation, Michael had learned a lot but also had more questions about the legacy families. He decided to ask another question. "So, those new students are all..." Michael asked, and Nick nodded at him. "They are all legacy like me, but that’s weird. The legacy families don’t usually make their heirs come to the academy. Looks like times are changing, I guess," Nick replied before grabbing a drink from the table.
"So, each of those kids is like the best of the best?" Michael asked, and Nick just nodded, too busy with his food to reply. "Hey, do you think I’m strong enough to compete with any of them?" Michael asked, but before he could finish, Nick’s eyes widened, and before he could react, he spat out his drink, droplets splattering everywhere.
"I know you’re strong, Michael, but one of the legacy kids is trained to be a fighting machine of mass destruction. So, if you think you can beat them in a fight, then you have to train hard for it," Nick said with a serious look on his face.
Michael blinked, absorbing Nick’s words. The weight of the challenge settled heavy on his shoulders. This wasn’t just any fight it was a battle against legends born and bred for war. "Alright," Michael said, determination flickering in his eyes. "Then I’ll train harder than ever." He clenched his fists, ready to prove himself.
As they finished their meals, they headed back to their dorm to sleep before classes. Michael woke up early and went to the training center to exercise a little before going back to prepare for class.
Michael and Nick walked together to class, getting there they noticed how different the atmosphere of the class was, and why wouldn’t it be when the legacy heirs were in class, which caused many students to whisper. Clearly, everyone knew about the legacy families except Michael. Nick and Michael found a seat near the window, allowing them a front-row view of outside since there was still time, and Instructor Keal hadn’t arrived yet.
Michael didn’t bother joining the other students in their gossiping as he still had a lot of techniques he was planning to learn. He was planning on creating his own skill set from scratch, something that would represent the family of Arden, and he had a lot of ideas but still hadn’t tested them out yet.
Just then, Instructor Keal walked in as calm and graceful as ever. He walked to his seat and then asked everyone to quiet down and turn their textbooks to "Dungeon Defense." Then he started.
Instructor Keal stood firmly at the front of the classroom, his eyes sharp behind his glasses. "Dodging in dungeon defense isn’t just about quick reflexes," he said firmly. "It’s about reading your enemy’s patterns before they strike."
The class continued, and Michael learned a lot about dungeon defense. After the lecture, Keal led the class to a simulated dungeon room set up nearby.
The exercise continued, and each student grew sharper, already learning that in dungeon defense, survival depended on outthinking the enemy. Just then, the bell rang.
The bell rang, indicating the end of the class. Michael had stealth class next, so he headed for his next class after grabbing his stuff.
Michael got to the classroom, but it wasn’t full, as not that many aspects specialized in stealth. Michael found a seat in the back, and since he didn’t know anyone, he decided to keep planning out his skill list. By now, he already had a note filled with lightning techniques that he could try out.
The classroom door slid open quietly, and Instructor Mira Greenheart entered, her calm gaze sweeping the room. "Welcome to your first stealth lesson," she began, her voice low and steady. "Stealth isn’t just about moving quietly or hiding in shadows it’s an art of patience, control, and total awareness of your surroundings." Content originally comes from NovєlFіre.net
She moved to the projector and clicked it on, revealing images of shadowy figures slipping silently through dense forests, winding dungeon corridors, and rocky ravines. "First, understand that true stealth starts with your body. Balance is key—you must maintain stability even on uneven or treacherous ground. Your muscles need to be trained to move deliberately but silently."
Mira paced slowly. "Think about how every step connects to the next. If your foot falls too hard or lands wrong, it can betray your position. So, practice controlling weight distribution, landing softly on the balls of your feet."
She changed the slide to close-ups of opponents, eyes darting, small muscle twitches. "Next, watch your enemy carefully. Their smallest tells hesitation before a strike, a shift in balance, even a blink—can signal their next move. Learning to recognize these cues lets you avoid detection or prepare to strike."
"Use your environment wisely," she continued. "Walls, rocks, debris, and even natural sounds can mask your movements if you time them right. For example, moving with a nearby gust of wind or during background noises can give you the perfect cover."
Mira paused, looking around. "Stealth is also mental. It requires patience knowing when to move and when to freeze, blending your breathing with your surroundings, and avoiding unnecessary motions that draw attention."
She unveiled diagrams of a dungeon map, marked with potential hiding spots, escape routes, and choke points. "Planning your path is essential. Imagine where you can pause unseen, where you can slip past unnoticed, and how to retreat if needed. This foresight keeps you one step ahead."
"Finally," Mira concluded, "stealth demands the strengthening of your core and legs. Muscles that brace and control tension allow you to move silently over long periods. Exercises like planks, squats, and lunges build the control your body needs."
Her voice softened. "Mastering these basics won’t make you invisible, but it will allow you to slip through shadows, avoid danger, and strike when least expected." She switched off the projector and nodded. "That’s your foundation. When you’re ready, practice these elements in small, controlled steps. The shadows will become your allies."
The class seemed to absorb her words, and Michael felt a surge of excitement. He was eager to learn more about stealth and how to apply it in the dungeon. With a newfound sense of determination, he leaned forward, ready to take on the challenge of mastering stealth.
" I think that would all for today you can all leave" she said dismissing everyone.
Michael was quite happy with everything he learned today but he still had a lot to train for so decided to visit the training center to see if any of his ideas was good enough.
Michael pushed open the heavy door to the training center, expecting an empty room to test out his lightning and shadow techniques. Instead, his breath caught there, in the center, a lone woman moved with astonishing speed and grace, sword flashing like a silver streak in the dim light. Each strike was precise, effortless, fluid a deadly dance of elegance.
Mesmerized, Michael stepped back silently and watched, noting how her feet barely touched the ground, how her body twisted and turned with perfect balance. The rapid parries and counterattacks blurred together, beyond what Michael imagined possible.
As Michael’s eyes tracked every move, the swordswoman’s gaze suddenly flicked to the shadows where he stood. A calm, amused voice broke the silence: "Are you done watching? You can come out now."
Michael swallowed, heart pounding, caught between awe and curiosity.