The doors to the armory vault slid open.
From the mont Class E stepped inside, the sheer variety of weapons beca apparent; swords, spears, daggers, bows, staffs, crossbows, whips, glaives, halberds, warhamrs, throwing knives, chains, tonfas, scythes, and more.
All of them were here.
Velthia Academy spared no expense when it ca to its facilities, and even though these were only training weapons, the sheer variety was overwhelming.
Instructor Edvoss stepped forward, his hands tucked into the pockets of his coat.
"Any weapon you like should be here. These are for training purposes only, so don’t expect anything too special. Still, they’ll be sufficient for learning the fundantals."
As soon as he finished, the scholars spread out almost imdiately, drawn in by the armory’s dazzling assortnt.
So eyed the sharp glimr of swords, while others tested the weight of bows and arrows.
"Are we actually allowed to touch all of these?"
"I have never seen this many weapons in one place..."
"I want a bow, but I think my aim is terrible. Do I still pick a bow?"
"Pff, hey, look at that dagger, it’s smaller than your—."
Every part of the hall seed to echo with excitent, nervous energy, and a raw, searching curiosity.
So scholars hesitated, others reached too quickly, and a few simply stood there, stunned by the impossible number of choices laid before them.
But for certain individuals, especially in the higher classes, this selection ant nothing.
Many of the notable figures in the academy, which were the higher classes, already had their own weapons, artifacts, and custom-forged arms that far surpassed what the academy could offer.
Born into wealth, their families had long since provided them with treasured and rare equipnt.
For them, they wouldn’t need these standard-issue weapons when they already possessed equipnt that could define their legacy.
But for soone like Ruvian, this choice was everything. He had thought about this for a long ti, even before setting foot in the academy.
What weapon suited him?
What path would he take?
Although Ruvian had honed his swordsmanship in his previous life before transmigration, he felt that his body was still weak for that.
Weapons can be changed every sester, but it’s rarely done by the scholars. So, as for now, he thought he needed a weapon that doesn’t require any strength or skills, just for a temporary period until he builds enough strength.
Instructor Edvoss crossed his arms, his expression unreadable as he spoke once more.
"Choose wisely. Once you pick a weapon, you won’t be allowed to change it until the sester ends."
Ruvian’s steps were deliberate as he moved through the armory, weaving past scholars who were adjusting the grip of spears or testing the weight of swords.
He took a slight glance of disinterest; none of those weapons mattered to him.
His destination was clear. At the far end of the room, in a less crowded section, stood a simple wooden rack.
Unlike the extravagant weapons so scholars examined, these ones looked unassumingly plain, slender lengths, devoid of carvings or embedded with any colourful gemstones.
Ruvian reached out and wrapped his fingers around one. The mont he lifted it, he noted the weight, or rather, the lack of it.
It was very light.
A simple magic wand.
Truthfully, it wasn’t as if a mage truly needed a weapon to cast a spell. Spells could still be cast without one.
However, a wand or a staff served as more than just an accessory. They acted as focuses, stabilizing the mana flow, refining control, and in so other cases, enhancing the spell effects.
That was why he chose a wand.
And among the highest grade of them, certain wands or staffs carried enchantnts that could amplify the magic, reduce casting ti, or even bolstering the wielder’s stamina.
In theory, a staff could offer stronger enchantnts, but it was cumberso. Long, unwieldy, and impractical for quick movent; carrying one everywhere would be a hassle.
A wand, on the other hand, was compact. Easy to carry, easy to hide, and of course, easy to move with.
So, he had no doubts.
Ruvian gripped tightly onto his wand.
’Perfect, a wand would serve better for now.’
*****
After every scholar in Class E had selected the weapon they intended to train with for the remainder of the sester, their choices were recorded and linked directly to their scholar profiles through the assistance of the staff stationed throughout the hall.
The process had been conducted efficiently, allowing each scholar to confirm their selection and ensure it was officially recognized by the academy’s system.
The scholars were granted the entire week of orientation to test their chosen weapon, giving them ample ti to understand whether their pick suited their abilities or not.
This trial period existed precisely to prevent early mistakes and to provide a buffer before formal training began.
It was for that reason that Ruvian now found himself walking toward the facility designated for practical training, known among the academy grounds simply as the Training Ground.
The na sounds modest, but the reality is far from it.
Ruvian recalled that the Training Ground held a wide network of halls and arenas, each built for a different kind of combat or magical practice the academy expected its scholars to handle sooner or later.
There were open-air sparring fields where scholars engaged in close-quarters drills, reinforced ranges for archery and projectile magic, and enclosed chambers dedicated to elental manipulation.
Deeper inside, the academy also has illusion rooms capable of generating simulated battle scenarios and summoning simulated Voidspawns.
In other words, every hall and arena had a purpose, forming a complex ecosystem that supported the academy’s rigorous approach to practical training.
While he was walking toward the Training Ground, he was not walking alone though.
For the testing session, the academy proceeded according to Circle assignnts, grouping scholars with their respective supervisor units.
Ruvian was therefore accompanied by the four other individuals assigned to the Polaris Circle;
Noelle, Griffer, Corwin, and lia walked beside him, following the steady pace set by one of the academy staff who had been tasked with guiding their group through the corridors.
None of them spoke at first, still adjusting and trying to find a way to break through the awkwardness.
After a while, it was Noelle who broke the quiet first with her warm and gentle voice.
"Honestly, I am just glad we get a whole week to test things. It feels less stressful than choosing on the spot and hoping for the best."
Her long, wavy hair, a deep navy blue with a faint purple sheen, drifted lightly as she walked and fell in soft, flowing layers down to her waist.
Her calm, magenta eyes matched the steady composure in her expression as she clasped her hands behind her back, her slender, hourglass form moving with an effortless grace.
Griffer let out a laugh that rolled down the hall.
"Stressful? Ah, co on, it can’t be that stressful. I an, choosing a weapon is practically the easiest part of this whole academy thing. Anyone can do it. You just pick the one that feels right, no?"
Griffer nodded to himself.
"Still, having a whole week is nice, I won’t deny it. Gives everyone ti to experint properly. And, well, it gives a chance to give all the weapons a fair evaluation. I don’t want to be biased just because I’m already skilled with one." He joked.
"By the way, my na is Griffer."
Griffer, who walked ahead of Ruvian, had long auburn hair tied into a tail that fell down his back. His eyes were a clear shade of gold, and he stood slightly taller than Ruvian.
Noelle let out a soft giggle, then turned her head slightly.
"I see. That’s a great way to see it. Then, I’m Noelle."
"And... what about you?" Noelle politely asked in a gentle tone.
This ti, the question wasn’t directed at Griffer but at Ruvian, who had been walking a half-step behind them.
Ruvian blinked, caught off guard.
’Huh? ?’
What he didn’t realize was that Noelle’s attention had already been drifting toward him long before she spoke.
Her gaze had slipped his way more than once, subtle and just enough to suggest that.... whether he noticed or not, she had been quietly taking asure of his face all along.
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[Chapter 39: First Day of Orientation (4)]
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