The swordsmanship class started being filled with blue robed students. Today was the first day of school for these blue robed students, so their eyes continued bouncing everywhere as if everything they saw was an interesting find.

As soon as those walked through the entrance to the swordsmanship classroom, they immediately noticed the azure robed elder who sat at the front of the class who was flanked on both sides by two red robed youths. The two red robed youths seemed to not be too much older than the students, but there was an air of strength and majesty around them, especially the burly, muscular youth who carried a large broadsword, as for the other red robed youth, aside from his pale complexion and dark scar on his neck, he was simply unimpressive.

As for the elder, he sat casually on his chair and had an amiable and sincere smile on his face that caused those who saw to want to great him.However, none of the students approached him, in fact most of the students had a fearful look on their faces, as if they couldn’t trust anyone who wore the elder's uniform regardless of how welcoming or amiable they appear.

Seeing this sight, Wesley couldn’t help but sigh. It seems that letting all the students taste the pressure of the elders is a common practice in this academy, he only experienced it a little earlier. In a school filled by snot nosed nobles such this academy, it was imperative tat all the students learn early on to fear these elder.

After almost five minutes, the bell that signified that start of the period rung throughout the academy. As soon as the bell rung, the second elder immediately got up from his seat and walked a little bit forward. Then he immediately clapped his hands together once to get the attention of the students.

"Hello students. I am the second elder, you might remember me from the reception after you finished your admission examination. I will be your swordsmanship instructor. Swordsmanship is not like other classes, there is no one thing you'll all learn since each of you has their own style, so this class will focus on building and improving your physical foundations."

The elder paused for a short while to let the students soak up his words a little, then he immediately continued:

"Now, your methods of training will differ based on what type of swordsmanship you practice. Please divide yourselves into two group. To my left will be those who practice strength based techniques, and to the right will be those who practice agility based techniques."

The students started scrambling into their respective groups. As expected, the strength based students were almost double those agility based ones. This is only normal since strength is the prototype for swordsmen, if you ask someone to describe a swordsman, they will describe a strongly, built muscular man rushing headfirst into battle.

After the students were formed into their two groups, the elder continued his speaking:

"Good. The way you practice and train depends on what you want to achieve. If you want speed then you'll train accordingly and if you want strength you'll do the same. Wesley!, Kellan!"

"Yes Elder." Wesley and Kellan said together.

"Introduce them to the training armors they be receiving later."

"Yes Elder."

Wesley and Kellan immediately walked in front of their respective groups. Wesley's agility based group had about twelve people while Kellan's had upward of thirty. As soon as Wesley was within five feet of the group, he stopped and started speaking:

"Hello, My name is Wesley. Just like you, I practice in an agility based sword style. Agility based swordsmen rely on speed, precision and maneuverability, so we have no need for bulging muscles. These vests you'll receive will enable you to improve your respective styles while adhering to this principle. Each of you will take a vest with you, wear it whenever you train or practice. Any questions."

Wesley's words were spoken all in one breath, while his face didn’t change a single time throughout his speaking. The blue-robed students simply stood there listening, and as soon as Wesley asked for questions, a hand shot up. Wesley immediately spoke as he saw the hand:

"Yes?"

"Do we have to use these things."

Wesley looked at the youth who spoke. The youth had neatly cut golden hair and his face was pale, however, unlike Wesley's sickly paleness, his was that of a healthy jade, hinting at his status. As he spoke, the student showed clear disgust and disdain, only one couldn’t tell if he dislike the armor or Wesley.

"No you don't have to use them, but it is strongly recommended. The armor not only helps you improve your body, it also enables you to improve your overall techniques."

"I still think that those things are as useless as they are inelegant."

Wesley couldn’t help but sigh at this students words. He immediately recognized that this youth is some sort of noble, and Wesley simply could not abide by nobles and their air of superiority that caused to disdain many things including people. Wesley spoke again, his voice showing hints of irritation:

"Like I said, you are not required to use them. Since there are no more questions..."

Wesley was about to walk away when a voice from behind him stopped him in his tracks:

"Wesley, stop being so unsociable. Youngster, what is your name?"

The second elder seemed to have caught whiff of Wesley's exchange with the student and was hoping to fan the fires a little. Seeing this, Wesley couldn’t help but frown, this elder seems intent on making everything twice as complicated for Wesley.

"My name is Eltier Fellar."

The youth's voice held a hint of pride as he spoke his name.

"Oh, Fellar. I knew a swordsman named Jay Fellar long time ago. His techniques was rather impressive."

"Oh, that was my grandfather."

"Is that so, hahaha. Well Eltier, Let me tell you that that armor is extremely important, If you don't believe me, you can test yourself against Wesley. He has used the armor for a year, so he is a testament to its proficiency."

Hearing this the golden haired youth was excited beyond words, as for Wesley, he couldn’t help but roll his eyes. It was clear that this elder simply didn’t want Wesley to have an easy time. He could so easily ignore this Eltier, but this elder is fanning the fire and throwing Wesley in it. Wesley immediately turned to the elder and spoke:

"Elder, is that really necessary. This junior clearly doesn’t want to use the armor, there is no point in convincing him."

Hearing Wesley's words, Eltier took it as Wesley not wanting to face him and be embarrased. This caused him to be more emboldened and he spoke again:

"Haha, I think this elder is worried I might hurt him elder. I don't feel like bullying this senior."

"If you hurt him, then that’s because of his weakness and lack of skill, no need to worry about it."

"Well put elder."

Wesley was feeling a headache as he listened to the exchange between the elder and Eltier. Eltier walked forward and stood ten feet from Wesley. He immediately unsheathed his sword which was a long, thin Foil with a highly decorative hilt and wrist guard.

Wesley immediately recognized that this was a fencing sword, a sword technique preferred by nobles. Compared to the dazzling and elegant foil of his opponent, Wesley's dark replica sword was simply too common. Wesley only unholstered his sword from his hib without unsheathing it and spoke as he shook his head in resignation:

"You may begin."

Seeing that Wesley didn’t even unsheath his sword to face him, Eltier felt some anger, but his angered paled in comparison to his disdain; this second year who failed the class is facing him and is even doing so without unsheathing his sword. He believed that Wesley simply gave up on this fight.

"hmph."

After a single snort, Eltier slowly inched towards Wesley. As soon as he was within three feet, he immediately lunged forward, the tip of his Foil heading directly for Wesley right shoulder. Normally, one would aim for the center of the chest to minimize the chances of being parried, but Eltier believed that Wesley had no such capability, he also didn’t want to kill Wesley.

The sword tip rushed towards Wesley in an astonishing speed. Wesley, however, simply stood there unalarmed. The moment the sword was within half a feet of Wesley's shoulder, Wesley immediately raised his right hand which held his sword up.

As soon as Wesley's right hand reached his shoulder level, the foil reached the sword's hilt. Wesley then simply swiped his right hand to the side causing the foil to completely swipe past him.

Eltier was slightly startles at how easily Wesley parried his lunge, but he didn’t pay it too much mind; any idiot can parry by luck. He immediately pulled his sword hand back, and then performed another lunge, this time aiming for the center of Wesley's chest.

Seeing the foil fly towards him, Wesley couldn’t help but feel extremely disdainful of this entire style. Fencing was a nobleman's style because of it's elegance. But Wesley immediately noticed that its practicality is almost none-existent. Continuing to send your sword in a straight line, regardless of how fast, is simply too predictable.

Wesley once again waited until the tip of the foil was within half a feet, then he raised his sword hand to his chest. A soft ringing later, everyone noticed that the tip of the foil didn’t hit Wesley, rather it only hit the hilt of Wesley's sword.

Eltier was instantly dumbfounded. If the first was luck, then could the second be luck as well. How could someone count on luck when failure would lead to their injury. He simply couldn’t believe that he was blocked twice by a repeater. He immediately fumed and shouted towards Wesley with irritation:

"Is defending all you're capable of."

Eltier's words were tantamount to a childish tantrum, it was clear to everyone present that Wesley was far above him, yet he simply wasn’t willing to accept.

"Yes, is defending all you're capable of. Haha"

The second elder's words also came after Eltier's. Wesley was continuously sighing at this hateful second elder efforts to escalate this joke.

Eltier immediately withdrew his foil and then lunged once again, this time much faster than before.

Eltier's foil was exceedingly fast, causing it to be hard to follow. But Wesley couldn’t help but shake his head at how simple this fencing was. Regardless of the speed of the lunge, it can be easily seen through. All one has to do is look a the wielder's arm, figure out his target, then prepare accordingly.

Eltier's target this time was Wesley's head. This time, Wesley didn’t parry, rather he simply leaned slightly to the left causing the foil to buzz beside him. Then he simply moved forward and casually swung his sword towards Eltier.

Wesley's sheathed sword struck against Eltier's sword arm causing him to drop his foil, and then Wesley used his shoulder to lightly push against Eltier's chest. Eltier immediately fell on his butt, since Eltier was mid-lunge, he was easily toppled by Wesley's shoulder charge.

Eltier couldn't believe what just happened, But before he could even collect his thoughts, a voice broke him from his thoughts:

"Elder, Are we done. This is somewhat pointless."

Eltier immediately looked up and saw that Wesley still had his uninterested, emotionless face and was not even looking at him, rather he was looking at the elder. The second elder gave off a hearty laugh and spoke:

"Yes, that is enough."

Wesley immediately withdrew his sword and looked at the Eltier who was still staring at him with a surprised face. He then shook his head and spoke:

"You should maybe consider rethinking your........."

Wesley wanted to tell him the deficiency in his style, but stopped halfway as he realized that he really didn’t care. He laughed inwardly then walked back towards his position behind the elder's seat. As for Eltier, he simply sat there unable to understand what just happened, he was certain that this Wesley was a simple failure, yet here he was toying with him like he was an infant. How could he have failed if he was this skilled.

The second elder immediately spoke towards Eltier and those other students:

"Don't be too discouraged, these two are a year older than you, it Is only natural that they are more experienced. Young Eltier, Fencing is generally too weak a style when you're younger, your grandfather's fencing was as profound and deep as the sea, yours is simply too superficial. You'll need to train harder, that also applies to the rest of you."

"Now, there are a few things you need to know about this class...."

The second elder then proceeded to tell the students about always carrying their swords and attending class everyday. He also spoke about the different ways class would be conducted and what they should expect. Before long, the class period was over and the students were dismissed.

................................................................................................................................

The entire classroom was soon emptied of students leaving on Wesley, Kellan and the second elder behind. The time has finally come for the elder's so called special lessons. As soon as everyone was gone, the elder waved his hand and two golden colored armors appeared out of thin air. One of the armors was made completely of Golden Springs, while the other was far thicker and heavier than the other and was like a solid block with iron joints.

"Wesley, Kellan, put on those armors. Then immediately start sparring."

Wesley and Kellan looked at each and nodded. Then they immediately put on their respective armors. These armors, although similar to the ones they were assigned were both heavier and harder to move in. In fact, it is safe to say that Kellan's is three times heavier, as for Wesley's armor, it was simply incomparable to his old one; the joints were harder, and there were more springs causing even the smallest of movement to be a strain.

Wesley and Kellan immediately started sparing, only they moved so slow that one might suspect that they were doing a dance rather than a spar, however, both Wesley and Kellan were giving their very most.

"Wesley, don't evade him. Face his sword head on."

The second elder would shout instructions at the two of them ever so often, as the two continued sparring. The elder wouldn’t let Wesley use his superior speed to run away, he also prevented Kellan from turtling up and fighting defensively, causing the two to continuously class. Fortunately, they were so encumbered by their armors that their clashes held very little power.

Their spar went on for an entire hour, at which point, bth Wesley and Kellan were exhausted beyond words and were sitting down lifelessly on the floor. The second elder simply sat on his seat looking at the two sitting on the ground, and after letting them catch their breath, he immediately walked towards them:

"That's enough lazing around. Sit cross legged."

Wesley and Kellan had very little energy or willpower left, but they still listened and sat cross-legged. The elder then proceeded to sit cross-legged in front of them.

"I will teach you special breathing exercises. These exercises are similar to a mage's refining, only it is focused on strengthening our bodies and recovering from fatigue. Now relax your bodies and take deep breaths."

Wesley and Kellan both did as they were instructed. As Wesley did so, he started feeling his body be flushed by a cold feeling. Wesley instantly felt that this cold air poured into his mana pool giving him a deep feeling of comfort.

"Now, follow the cold air and try feeling your core, or mana pool as mages call It. It is the place where the cold air revolves around before you breathe out."

"Now, rather than breathing out, slowly try moving that air from your core and through your channels. It should be a little hard to effectively move the air but you can do it if you focus."

Wesley immediately moved the cold air to his channels. Wesley was familiar with his channels already since he's a mage, but he has never tried moving air through them, only mana. To be honest, he was a little skeptical that this would be useful, since when the air was sent through his channels, it would be sent to the different parts of his body, which is just like breathing, only more roundabout.

As soon as the air entered his channels, they were sent to every part of his body, the cold feeling of the air flushed through his entire body and continued spreading. Wesley immediately felt his body gulping up the air as if it were medicine.

Wesley instantly understood. Because the air was passed through his mana pool and circulated there, it mixed with some mana, and when that air was sent to the cells of his body. Naturally, the air was used by the cell as food, but the mana that was mixed in gave the cell further nourishment, increasing its recovery speed.

Normally, mana is used externally to stimulate the elements in the atmosphere, furthermore, mana is a neutral existence, without form, or nature, making it impossible for the cells to absorb it, but clearly, this was easily bypassed when air that was going to be used by the cells has some mixed in it.

"Good. Now, breath in, circulate, channel, then breath out. Keep doing this for another half hour."

After half an hour, Wesley and Kellan were still doing their breathing exercises while the elder quietly sat cross-legged in front of them.

"That's enough. Start sparring again."

Wesley and Kellan opened their eyes and immediately got to their feet, then they started exchanging blows again. Although their blows were still slow and looked strained, they both felt that it wasn’t as hard on their bodies as the first time.

They continued sparring for another hour. After the hour was up, the elder once more walked up to them and told them to do the breathing exercises, which they immediately did. After they got rid of most of their bodies' fatigue, the second elder spoke once again:

"That will be it for today. Both of you head back home and get some rest, your lessons will only get harder."

"Yes Elder." They both replied.

"Good good. Now get going."

Wesley and Kellan immediately bowed respectfully and left the classroom. As they walked towards the exit of the academy, Wesley couldn’t help but feel astonished at how marvelous the breathing technique was, although his muscles were somewhat sore, he felt like it was still manageable.

"Wesley, how are you feeling?"

Wesley who was deep in thought was pulled back by Kellan's words, he immediately turned his head and spoke while smiling:

"Not too bad actually. I never knew such a technique existed."

Kellan was surprised at Wesley words, and spoke with a voice full of question and curiosity:

"Are you saying that you’ve never done breathing exercises before?

"Nope, Never. Why do you ask?"

"Well, I was taught breathing exercises when I first started training five years ago. You're sword is so strong, i though you were the same."

"haha, Kellan. Maybe that's because you're just extraordinary."

"haha."

Although Wesley joked about how extraordinary Kellan was, he knew that this Kellan's background is deep and his skill is as deep. Wesley really admired this Kellan, who even while being so talented, never looked down on anyone.

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Okay guys. The responses for last chapter's unscientific poll were great.

After reading all the comments, and analyzing it with a group of well trained science monkeys i came to the conclusion:

The school arc is essential so well continue it, but not for so long that it'll feel like actual school, so i'll use with monthly to yearly time-skips, coupled with the famous recap.

As for age, it is the general consensus that it is ODD, especially Lane [damn you lane and your talent], so i'll throw in some childlike things for lane and his posse, as for Wesley, we'll keep our MC cool and aloof.

Thank you to theosewho responded, your feedback is much appreciated.

Ciao.