Everyone watched as Professor Ferlin stood before a wooden dummy. There were 2 wooden dummies, with the other one being in the back.
Professor Ferlin stood for a while before speaking. He then said in a casual tone.
"I'm sure you are all wondering why there are two dummies in front of me. Well, the answer is pretty simple. All you need to do is cast any offensive spells and hit the wooden dummy behind the front dummy."
He paused once again before continuing to speak. As he paused for a while, everyone started to mumble something.
"Huh? Wait, how am I supposed to do that?"
"I think I get it. We basically need to change the projectile of our spell once it gets close enough to the wooden dummy. But I don't think anyone here can do that at all."
"What even is the purpose of this training?"
As Professor Ferlin heard this, he finally broke his silence and spoke again.
"I know many of you are confused. Now, allow me to explain. The purpose of this training is to train yourself how to hit an enemy when he is holding a hostage. In this world, monsters aren't the only creatures who are going to devour you. I'm sure you all know this. In this training, you will learn how to hit a target hiding behind an innocent person. You are all allowed to do whatever you want, as long as the results are what I am expecting."
As soon as Professor Ferlin finished speaking, the silence broke once again. Everyone started to mumble about something again.
"Seriously? What does he expect from a D-Class?"
"I expected things to be hard, but this is on another level!"
Professor Ferlin was standing at a far distance from the wooden dummy. He looked towards the students; he then said.
"Watch me."
Right after saying that, he looked towards the wooden dummy. Then, suddenly. He disappeared from the shadows; he then appeared behind the wooden dummy and sliced it in half with his sword.
He was fast; although he tried to slow down a bit for the students to see, he was still too fast for the eyes of a human. They couldn't even see him slashing the wooden dummy down.
They stared at Shadow Blade with a shocked face. Even Zane and Vale couldn't believe how fast he was.
The training hall became quiet. Not until Shadow Blade spoke again.
"Who would like to volunteer? Come up here and show it to the rest of the class."
Everyone froze. Nobody raised a hand or said anything. Simply because they didn't know how to, I mean, it was pretty much expected to a D-Class. It's not that they were really just that weak; it's that they had never really thought of a situation like this; therefore, they were unprepared.
They didn't have an ability that could make them teleport through shadows, and most of the spells that D-Class uses are projectiles. There are also weapon users, but they don't have the same ability as Ferlin does, who can leap through shadows and as fast as the eye can see.
...
This world is full of monsters, and monsters are like wild beasts; they are mindless and simply rely on their own instincts. Obviously, nobody would think that a monster would hold someone hostage, which is also one of the reasons they came unprepared for this.
Well, either way. The reason for this training and lesson is for them to think of a way how they can kill the target without hitting the hostage.
They are allowed to use any spells or tricks they want. However, they must be swift and fast with the process. I mean, if you are too slow to even kill the target with them noticing you, you'll die first.
Since everyone in this academy has different types of affinity and fighting styles, they can't really teach them the same type of spells; that is why they create a situation where students can think outside of the box.
Of course, they also teach the fundamentals of magic, which can help students with their casting and with how they learn magic spells.
They basically teach many things in this academy, well, except for a magic spell. Everyone must basically learn all on their own.
...
Professor Ferlin stood still, waiting for anyone to volunteer.
The wooden dummy has now regenerated and gone back to its original shape.
Students glanced at each other, trying to see who would volunteer first.
After minutes of waiting, Professor Ferlin spoke.
"No one?"
Right after Professor Ferlin said something, someone raised a hand.
He had red hair, red eyes, and a handsome appearance. It was Zeph Grinthorne, a person who belongs to the Grinthorne family known for their fire affinity.
Many wondered why he was in D-Class, even though he is technically above anyone else here.
Everyone looked towards Zeph as he raised his hand.
"If it's Zeph, he might actually be able to do it!"
"Yeah! I totally agree!"
Right after Zeph raised his hand, he said in a relaxed tone.
"I volunteer."
Professor Ferlin's focus shifted to Zeph. He looked at Zeph for a while before saying anything.
Zeph's face was fierce as the crowd looked at him.
Finally, Professor Ferlin spoke. His tone was relaxed as he said.
"Alright, come here."
Zeph nodded; he then walked towards where Ferlin was standing before. The crowd cheered for him as he stood before the wooden dummies from a far distance.
Zane and Vale were focused on Zeph as well.
He looked at Zeph with an expressionless face. Zane didn't really hate Zeph, nor did he hold any grudges against him. He simply didn't care about him. In the end, they were both in the same position.
Zeph may appear to be prideful, but really. He acts this way because he is constantly judged by others from his family as well. He is also compared a lot by his older brother, who is one of the top students in the entire academy.
Vale looked at Zane; he then said.
"The crowd sure loves to cheer him on. But, no matter how strong he is, he is still in class D."
Zane responded without looking back at Vale. He then said in a casual tone.
"Well, his shitty personality is pretty reasonable. I understand him at least."
Zane and Vale focused on Zeph.
As Zeph took a stance, the crowd got even louder. Zeph raised his wand, aiming at the wooden dummy in front of him.
Zane and the others watched him tensely. This was no easy task for a class D student, for sure. Especially because they lack knowledge about magic, unlike the higher-class students.
They are also those who mainly use weapons, but it is even harder for them to do this task. After all, they don't have the ability to teleport behind the enemy, unlike Shadow Blade.
So seeing Zeph volunteering for this task was a surprise for the others. Even though he belongs to the Grinthorne clan, it was still surprising, considering he belongs in class D.
Zeph took a big sigh as he focused in front of him. Then finally, he began casting the spell.
At the tip of his wand, a fire started to form. It first looked small. Then it got larger and larger... Until it got as big as a person's head.
Preparing himself, he then shot the fireball at the wooden dummy in front of him.
However, as he shot the spell. Others began to wonder. Why is he casting a simple spell? And he is just shooting it straight at the hostage too.
"Well, I guess class D is class D. Even someone like Zane or Zeph, who belongs to a really strong clan, can't change their fates. They weren't put in class D without any reason after all."
"Excuse me! How dare you compare Zane to Zeph! They are not even a quarter inch close! They obviously put Zeph in class D as a mistake!"
Thud!
Suddenly, a strange sound erupted in front of them. Distracted by the sound, they focused on the spell cast by Zeph.
"N-no way!"
Everyone's eyes widened.
As soon as the fireball reached midway, it started to split apart, forming it into two fireballs. But that's not all. The two fireballs started to change their ways; they suddenly shifted their ways into the target.
Before the projectile was shooting straight at the hostage, now it started to bend and change direction, hitting the wooden dummy behind.
Everyone went quiet for a while. Even Zane and Vale were slightly shocked by the feat he pulled.
Shadow Blade also looked impressed.
The reason for this was because, once a magic spell had been cast. You will lose your connection to it. Meaning you won't be able to do anything to it as it flies away. But Zeph managed to change that.
Another reason is simply because this wasn't a feat a class D could pull. Well, even though he still belonged to a really strong clan, he was still a class D student, and no class D students became class D for no reason at all.
Because of that, everyone looked shocked and impressed; even Shadow Blade himself was smiling.
Shadow Blade started clapping his hands.
Everyone else started to clap their hands too.
"Amazing! I knew it; they really made a mistake putting him in class D!"
"Oh my glorious handsome, Zeph!"
Zane and Vale watched as the crowds cheered him on.
"Woah, I can't say I wasn't impressed."
Vale said in his playful tone.
Shadow Blade then stopped clapping his hands. Putting his hands down, he said in a casual tone.
"Good job."
However, even despite Zeph pulling such a feat and getting everyone's attention. His demeanor was still completely the same as before, or maybe even much fiercer.
Zeph was standing still, in the same spot. Suddenly, he looked towards where Zane was sitting.
His action caught the attention of every student in the training hall.
"Huh? Is he looking at Zane?"
"No way he isn't going to pick on him in front of the professor, is he?"
Zane was surprised by his sudden action. His eyes looked as if he completely wanted to devour him. Why is he like this? Zane never even did anything to him...
Vale looked towards Zane, looking at him for a bit; he then said.
"Hey, Zane! I think Zeph's looking at you!"
Without looking back at Vale, he responded with a relaxed tone.
"Yeah, I can tell. This guy's up to something again."
Everyone, even Shadow Blade, could tell he was looking at Zane. Suddenly, Zeph turned his head towards Professor Ferlin. Then, he said something that would send shivers down Zane's spine.
"Professor Ferlin, since I managed to get the task done, can I request something?"
Professor Ferlin furrowed his brows; he then said in a casual tone.
"Hmm? What is it?"
Zeph paused for a while before answering. Then, he said.
"...I want Zane to go next."