(DRIIIINNNGGGGG)

(SMACK)

Reaching out lazily, Arvell smacked the annoying alarm clock on his dresser to make it shut up.

'Augh… I hate this hunk of junk so much.'

Getting up out of bed, Arvell got ready and put on a new, freshly cleaned uniform set.

As he was putting on his shoes, a familiar black fox took that chance to jump onto his shoulder.

A place which it marked as its special spot.

'Arv, let's get going! HURRY, HURRY!'

'Yeah, yeah, Aug. Give me a second.'

Arvell pulled out a burlap sack and began to fill it with additional uniform sets, bread, and dried meat wrapped in large leaves and twine.

After throwing in a waterskin made from beast hides, Arvell sealed the bag and threw it onto his other shoulder.

'Today's breakfast is omelets made from rainbow chicken eggs! If we don't hurry, they might run out!'

Arvell let out a sigh as he stepped out of his room.

'This is a prestigious academy, so I highly doubt they would run out of food for the students.'

'Even so, I'm starving!'

'Fine, fine, I'll pick up the pace. Just make sure to hold on tight, okay?'

Noticing that there wasn't anyone nearby to spot them, Arvell activated temporal manipulation and raced down the stairs at top speed, heading straight for the cafeteria, only stopping when he picked up the sounds of a nearby student.

Stopping in front of the lunch lady, Arvell picked up two sets of breakfasts and balanced them as he carried them to a nearby table.

'Here, eat up.'

Eyeing his long-waited prize, August jumped off Arvell's shoulder and sat in the seat next to him, greedily devouring his breakfast.

Watching this, A small smile formed on Arvell's lips.

It had been around one month since Arvell entered Skysword Academy, and he had more or less grown accustomed to his average day-to-day life.

While he was still unable to talk with Lily or reconcile with Kaera, he'd used this time to train both his body and mind.

While the teachings of his professors couldn't really hold a candle to Lykos's, they provided him with a better insight into the uses of magic.

Even if he couldn't use it himself, Arvell could gain a glimpse into the potential of magic and the possible powers of future enemies.

While Arvell wouldn't say he underestimated the power of magic, he naturally felt some kind of superiority when knowing that he would evidently transcend everything that magicians could do.

For Arvell, there were only two types of human mages: those he was stronger than and those he would eventually get stronger.

It wasn't to the level where he would grow complacent against magicians, but it was an idea that had come from a deeply rooted sense of bitterness from not being able to wield magic.

He was abandoned for not being able to use magic, which was inherently inferior to his current self.

After all, he could take down a grown man at age 13.

Although they were bandits inherently considered weak in the current society, defeating them had skewed Arvell's perception of mages.

However, his views shifted slightly after sitting through Professor Orfina's lectures and Professor Lorine's practical training.

While it wasn't to the level where his subconscious feeling of superiority disappeared, he began to acknowledge that while he would eventually surpass magicians, that day was still a ways off.

For now, magic users were a real threat to him, especially stronger mages like the Vispian royal family, namely his father…

Remembering his so-called father's cold gaze, Arvell clenched his fist in anger.

'Arv, you're getting heated up again.'

Feeling a furry paw on his hand, Arvell took a deep breath and composed himself.

'Thanks, Aug.'

Arvell turned to August with a thankful smile.

In a short month, Lykos instilled the ability to speak into the young dragon, so now August was fully capable of conversing with Arvell.

Lykos wasn't joking about a dragon's learning capacity. It was far, far faster than the average human.

The time when August could only communicate in various 'kyu' noises felt almost like it was from another lifetime.

Frankly, Arvell kind of missed it. However, he knew it was only a matter of time.

While Arvell was growing, August was as well.

Both of them had their enemies, and the only way they could continue to survive in this world was to get stronger.

'As long as the two of us are together, there's nobody we can't beat!' August proclaimed with a smug grin.

'You forget someone. If you forget me this quickly, I need to make a bigger contribution to the 'team.' Hmm… How about increasing your training regimens?' Lykos chimed in.

Hearing the words of their mentor, both pupils felt a cold sweat form on their backs.

'You just had to say that, didn't you…' Arvell threw August a piercing look.

'It was an accident, Lykos. I naturally meant the three of us!'

August looked at Lykos with pleading eyes, desperately trying to make his mentor rescind his decision.

'I'll think about it.' Lykos replied with a teasing grin.

'This sadist,' Arvell shook his head with an exasperated sigh.

Before Lykos could retort Arvell's words, a nearby voice cut him off.

"Hey, Arvell!"

Turning his head, Arvell looked at the black-haired youth walking over to their group with a breakfast plate in his hands.

"Good morning, Zen."

Dropping his food tray on the seat facing Arvell's, Zen sat with an energetic smile.

"Are you excited for today? I know how much you must have been looking forward to today's outing. After all, you like to fight, right?"

Arvell smiled lightly at Zen's words.

"Am I that transparent?"

"Of course! Everyone can see just how much you and Marcus love to fight. It's obvious from those crazed grins you two show when you fight."

Arvell sat back in his chair and looked up at the ceiling.

"You're not wrong. But, to be honest, I have been awaiting this day for quite a while. After all, I haven't fought a beast in over a month."

After spending months fighting beasts and bandits while living a solitary life in the wilderness, not having battled to the death in a while felt kind of weird for Arvell.

It was almost like he could feel himself getting rusty in real-time.

He longed to experience a proper fight to the death, which he felt would help him get back into shape.

"Well, since today's trip will last a few days, we should try to eat a full meal first. After all, who knows when we're going to be able to eat next," Zen replied as he elegantly cut a slice of omelet and put it into his mouth.

Arvell nodded outwardly but didn't heed Zen's words much.

Due to his inventory skill, he could pull out some of his previously stored food whenever he wanted, so it wasn't really a concern for Arvell.

Finishing their meals, the three of them headed off to the front gates, where a row of carriages were awaiting them.

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