There was only one path to victory as well as the freedom I sought.


    To be unparalleled and unrivaled, I needed more experience and knowledge. To get it, I needed higher qualifications which my Lower ss Status couldn’t get me.


    However, if there was one thing in Ainrk that hadn’t changed since its foundation, it would be the absolute factor that determined nearly everything for a student.


    This factor was even higher than the ss system that had been erected and the prejudice against the untalented. An immutable rule that had existed before I was born—and the only reason I was able to rise up to great heights despite being inept.


    Merit!


    Talent was worth a lot, but in the end, what everyone looked forward to was results. Results earned by pure merit was the deciding factor of anything in this world… and if I was confident about anything, it would be Merit-based results!


    ************************


    Neron gave us a couple of options—those who weren’t offering the Martial Arts Specialized course.


    We could choose to sit at the back of the Lecture Hall while the Martial Arts students were taught at the front of the ss, or we could leave.


    Those who left could go to the Library, the garden, the cafeteria, or whatever. It was their free period, after all. Due to Edward’s question and my little interference, only about five minutes were left before the ss began so a majority of the students poured out at once. I also stood from my front seat since it would be used by the Martial Arts students.


    ‘I should go to the Library to read up on some stuff…’


    While reasoning this, I made my way toward the exit. However, before Ipletely passed the door, I stopped dead in my tracks. A thought shed, causing me to reconsider my initial n.


    ‘I should stay here…’


    My head tilted toward the direction of the seats. Most of the students were already gone, leaving only the few Martial Arts students in the ss.


    A smile formed on my face as I returned to the seats and climbed the small steps that led to the seats behind. It was my first time doing such, so I stopped at the third row and had my seat there.


    I ensured I sat on the left side of the ssroom since the Martial Arts students sat on the right.


    ‘They’re just seven…’ Their small numbers made me slightly cringe.


    The total number of Lower ss students was thirty-eight.


    Eleven were Magic-Users.


    Seven were Martial Artists


    Twenty were Schrs.


    It was a little surprising to see the small number of Martials in our ss, but considering the state of decline the Art was, it was understandable. The ten front rows were nearly filled up by the seven students as they sometimes made nces behind them to look at me strangely.


    Everyone who wasn’t a Martial Arts student had left. Everyone except me… and for due reason.


    ‘I’ve been wondering why the Martial Arts Edward performed to me was so crude, yet everyone thought it was impressive. If I listen in on this Lecture, I could gain a thing or two…’


    A book would have done the trick, but I felt more inclined toward the teaching method given by the institute concerning Martial Arts. After this, I would research more on it in the library.


    I hated it when something festered in my mind for too long. If I was curious about something, I needed to find the answers. It was just a shame that I hadn’t studied Martial Arts sooner.


    ‘I was too focused on Magic, I guess…’


    Neron entered the Lecture Hall after leaving for only a few minutes. His eyes initially darted at me curiously, expressing slight surprise that I was still in the ss while everyone had left. I returned his puzzlement with a knowing grin.


    The young Lecturer gave a short smile, what seemed like a smirk, and faced his students. I had to admit, one of the reasons I remained in the ss was because I was also curious as to how Neron would manage to teach Martial Arts, Magic, and Schr Courses by himself. No matter how well diversified a person was, there existed no way they could be entirely proficient in everything.


    There was no way Neron could teach Martial Arts as well as he would teach Magic!


    ***************************


    I was wrong!


    Listening to his Lecture, I felt drawn in by the eloquence with which he spoke. It was as though Neron was a different being entirely,pared to the easygoing lecture he gave in the past.


    I could see a fire burning in the eyes of the students he taught as a result of his passionate words. The topic for discussion was something I had heard during my duel with Edward.


    The Martial School of Fundamental Sword Arts!


    He exined the six basic forms that existed in this school; Footwork, Mental Resilience, Muscle Alignment, Motion Control, Sensory Perception, and Sword Techniques.


    I listened attentively, as though I was also among the students he taught. The more he spoke, the more I understood. This school, same as four other fundamental schools which he mentioned briefly, were the core lessons these young Martials would learn in their first year.


    For now, he mulled over the theories, but they wouldmence practical sessions subsequently.


    “I see…” A whisper escaped from my lips.


    If I was confused before, that feeling hadpletely left me now. The reason Edward moved in such a crude manner that was regarded as Martial Arts, and thus Fundamental school, among the others—I slowly reached my conclusion on the matter.


    ‘Martial Art Techniques have really declined, uh?’


    It was theplete opposite of Magic!


    Magic had improved while Martial Arts had reduced. It made me wonder about something.


    “What really started this? Is it the reduction of talented and skilled martial artists that caused the decline of the Art, or was it the decline and disinterest of the Art that caused the reduction of talented and skilled Martial Artists?”


    It was like the chicken and egg scenario… which came first?