Standing concealed within the shadows of the night, a woman emerged into view. Even through the darkness, I could make out the distinct features of her outfit, my mind instantly drawing a connection to this person's identity and status.

I long since guessed it was a woman. She had dark hair, that seemed darker under the veil of darkness. As our eyes met, her rich, brown eyes conveyed a mix of confusion and surprise. "Arata?" she questioned, the uncertainty evident in her voice as she sought answers.

"Professor Amber?" I spoke, my expression mirroring hers, added with a tiny hint of alarm.

Her face remained frozen with the same expression of shock. After a moment of silence, she let out a small groan out of disbelief and asked, "What are you doing?"

My figure shivered as I shrunk and took a step back. A small, uncertain smile crossed my face. "I was just leaving, actually." Following my words I turned around and intended to speed-walk my way out of this whole situation.

"Hold it!" Professor Amber's firm voice rang through the air, reaching my ears and resounding through my head, causing a shiver to run down my spine. Instantly, I came to a stop and slowly turned around. "Arata..." she breathed with a sigh of disbelief. "I never thought you'd be the type of kid to break the rules."

"Sorry," I mumbled, an apologetic smile reaching its way across my lips. I took a moment before hesitantly uttering my following words. "If you would be so kind to let me go."

"Hah! Nice try," the professor replied, half amused by my actions. Judging by her behavior, she seemed to be in a far better mood than she was this morning. Just as I came to that realization, Professor Amber's eyes narrowed, her face suddenly becoming more serious. "Come with me, you won't get away with this so easily."

Without another word, she turned around and walked back toward the direction she came from, that is one of the entrances to the combat class arena. Along the way, we both remained silent. Her mood once again seemed to return to how it was this morning with each passing moment.

Once we reached the fighting area, she stopped by the center and stood there, facing away from me. I came to a stop as well a small distance away from her, patiently waiting for her word.

"You are... a good student, you've never given me any problems, so I imagine that you being outside the dorm past curfew hour is for a good reason. Normally, I'd look the other way and let you go just this one time but... do you have any idea why I decided to keep you here," she spoke, her tone conveying the sudden mantle of seriousness that fell upon her.

"I might have some idea..." I began, my mind recalling the moments that occurred earlier. "Is it about this morning? After our fight, you seemed upset... You said you were disappointed in me."

My words rang out with an unintended tinge of softness as I muttered that last sentence. I can't deny that I let those kinds of comments get to me and I end up putting myself down. Especially since it's coming from a strong, experienced teacher like her.

Placing her hands on her hips, she quickly spun around, her hair swishing in response. "You are strong." Under the faint glow of the moonlight, her words seemed to resonate within me, and, added with the silence, the only thing I could do was just stand there and listen closely to her every word.

"Possibly one of the strongest and most talented students in this school," she continued, her gaze narrowing. "That's what's so disappointing. The way I see it is, you have wasted potential." My face twitched slightly as I heard her words. It's not something I would want to hear but perhaps is something I need to hear. After a small pause, she continued, "During our fight do you know why you lost?"

Because you flashed me, was what immediately popped into my head, and a part of me was thinking that she was going to tell me something about it. However, a larger part of me thought that there was more to it than that. During the fight, I was showing signs of slowing down. Not because I was exhausted, but because deep within me, I was okay with losing to her.

With some intrigue, I replied, "No."

"Because you lack the essence of true battle," she answered, her words ringing in my mind. Essence of true battle? "A battle is an exchange of not just attacks but also unspoken words. Every step, every attack, every glance of the eye, and every other minor move can reveal the depth of your opponent's motivation, ambition, and skill."

A moment of silence settled in the air as she took a good look at me. "The signs are there you once did possess it. You possess incredible strength which speaks of the great battle ambition you used to have. But now, all I could get from you was an aimless blade swinging through empty air. It was as if you only battled me because I simply asked you to... no, it was exactly that."

After a breath, she continued, "I won't pry into your personal life but in any of your post battles has your mind ever been in a state of absolute clearness where nothing else matters other than you, your opponent, and the bloody battle ahead?"

Can't put my finger directly on that point. However, back when I was in Canavar, I was afraid to face my first real battle with the goblins. I wanted nothing more than to leave and choose a different lifestyle that didn't involve battle but I knew if I did that, I wouldn't be able to live with myself as the word quitter wouldn't leave my mind.

I basically forced myself to charge in and fight the goblins. Not just because of my internal turmoil but due to being with the crowd that I was in. What would the others think? People like Diana, Luna, Felix, or worse, Leon.

After so many battles with dangerous monsters, that fear went away and I went into battle with a clear mind. Was that what helped me grow? Is that what I'm missing? Or rather, lost? The mentality I had back when I had to fight for my own survival. To force myself to grow stronger to face deadlier monsters.

The second came when I was separated from the adventuring party and was found by the three wondering Centaurs. I had to take it a notch higher while my mind was in shambles. Through it all, I tried to keep a clear mind and faced challenge after challenge without taking notice of my own growing strength.

"That is the essence of battle," Professor Amber continued, her gaze intensifying. With a resounding ring, she took out her blade from its sheath and pointed it towards me. "So fight me, fight as if your life depended on it. Because in a real battle, it does. This will be your punishment. Now ready yourself."

Replicating her actions, I took out my sword and did as she said. I lowered myself and faced my opponent ahead. Without a word, we both launched toward each other at the same time. Since there was little distance between us we met with a resounding clash.

I was never a fan of locking swords yet that outcome always seems inevitable. As we made contact, a sudden amount of unexpected force met me, causing pain to sting my hands and reverberate down my arms, and got pushed back from the overwhelming strength alone.

I let out a low grunt and took several steps back. Professor Amber moved quickly and followed behind me, swinging her blade at me. Each strike was as powerful as the last. My hands and arms were becoming shaky from the pain until my weapon slipped from my hands. In the next moment, Miss Amber kicked me on the stomach causing me to fall back on the floor.

Looking up, the professor's face contorted into one of dissatisfaction and slight disdain. "Is that really all it took? You're even more disappointing than I thought." I let out a breath and lowered my head, ashamed to look her in the eyes. "Your father and the director spoke so highly of you but now I see that you're nothing special."

When did it happen? When did I start feeling that every fight I've been in just doesn't matter? Have I lost the heart of battle? It must've been when I came to the capital, it all came crashing down once I got too comfortable and lazy. What was the purpose of all my training, all my struggles, just so it would be thrown down the drain?

Was that the answer? A scenario where nothing else matters other than you, your opponent, and the bloody battle ahead...

Do I have to discard the idea that I'm in a school? My opponent, who is my professor, do I view her as an enemy? Should I fight like I did back when I was in Canavar? Fight to survive? No... Fight to kill.

Without a word, I stood up and picked up my sword. With slow deliberate steps, I put some distance between the professor and I. Letting out a breath, I stared forward with resolve in my eyes. Resolve to seek out the answer I sought and regain what I had lost. My fondness, devotion, and ambition for the art of the sword.

I lowered my stance, the cool metal of my blade cutting through the air as I pointed it forward toward Professor Amber, who silently observed my every move. The intensity in her narrowed eyes mirrored my determination. In the tense moment of silence that lingered, we both propelled ourselves forward, the impending clash about to unfold.

Just as last time, the professor met me with overwhelming strength, not holding back even a little. However, this time, I held strong.

I had decided to reveal my affinity for lightning while hiding my strange connection to gravity. This was a good approach given my desire to hide it but now I realize I shouldn't discard it completely. Just like I use the Runes Of Essence in secret I should do the same with gravity.

Instead of using the destructive force to tear apart the ground or launch someone in the air. I should limit it to strengthening my physical strength and attacks. For example, right now, as I clash with the professor. I'm using gravity to exert force opposing that of Miss Amber's strength and more.

This time, I pushed her back. Professor Amber's eyes widened by the unexpected force of my strike. She took a step back with caution, taken aback at that moment. Without a second, I followed through with another swing. Professor Amber made a desperate move to defend.

As our weapons collided, her arms flew in the direction that I swung my blade in. My strike had the same amount of power as the previous one, causing her hold on her weapon to falter.

During the earlier fight, this morning, even though I felt bad about losing I was okay with it. I told myself that it was because the professor had more years ahead of me. Now I see, I was wrong. No matter who is my opponent. No matter how powerful they are. I will win.