First lesson
1239 Words
Chapter 3
Liora stepped out from the crowd, the soft crunch of gravel beneath her boots breaking the silence. She stopped a few feet in front of the new instructor, keeping her back straight and her chin high.
Dozens of curious eyes followed her.
Lucien's gaze lingered on her for a moment, calm and unreadable.
"I've been watching you since I arrived," he said. "Your movements stood out from the others."
A flicker of surprise crossed Liora's face.
"You have solid combat fundamentals."
"Your footwork is disciplined. Your timing is good. Better than most first-year students."
She lowered her head slightly in respect.
"Thank you, sir. I still have a lot to learn."
A faint smile tugged at the corner of Lucien's lips.
"Do you?" he asked. "Then let's see how much."
He rolled his shoulders, the joints giving a quiet pop as he stretched his arms. Every movement was relaxed, almost lazy, yet there was something unsettling about the ease with which he carried himself.
"It's been a while since I had a proper warm-up."
He lifted one hand and curled a finger toward her.
"Come."
Liora inhaled slowly.
She slid one foot back, lowered her center of gravity, and raised her fists into a guarded stance. Every muscle in her body tightened.
"Understood."
Lucien remained exactly where he was.
His hands rested casually at his sides.
He didn't even bother taking a fighting stance.
The students exchanged uneasy glances.
"Is... is he really going to fight like that?"
"He isn't even guarding himself."
The whispers faded almost as quickly as they began.
A heavy silence settled over the training ground.
Everyone held their breath.
Liora narrowed her eyes.
He's leaving himself completely open... Is he underestimating me?
She pushed the thought aside.
In a real fight, hesitation could cost everything.
Her boots scraped across the training ground as she closed the distance in an instant.
She didn't throw a reckless punch.
Instead, she led with a quick jab toward Lucien's face—a feint.
The moment his eyes tracked it, she pivoted on her left foot and drove a roundhouse kick toward his ribs.
Whoosh!
Her leg sliced through the air.
Lucien simply leaned back.
The kick missed him by inches.
Without giving her time to recover, Liora planted her foot and spun into a backfist aimed at his jaw.
Again...
Nothing.
Lucien tilted his head just enough for her fist to brush past his cheek.
His expression remained calm.
No strain.
No urgency.
Almost... bored.
A murmur spread through the students.
"She's so fast..."
"Then why can't she touch him?"
Liora refused to panic.
She stepped in again, throwing a quick combination.
Left jab.
Right cross.
Left elbow.
Right knee.
Each strike flowed naturally into the next, forcing her opponent to defend from multiple angles.
But Lucien never blocked.
He simply moved.
A slight turn of his shoulders.
A single step to the side.
A small tilt of his neck.
It was as though he had already memorized every attack before she made it.
Liora frowned.
Impossible...
She changed tactics.
Dropping low, she swept her leg toward his ankles.
Lucien lifted one foot at the exact moment her sweep passed beneath him.
He landed lightly behind her.
Liora's eyes widened.
When did he...?
She spun around just in time.
Lucien was standing there with his hands still in his pockets.
The students stared in stunned silence.
"He hasn't thrown a single attack..."
"He's just dodging everything."
Liora steadied her breathing.
She could feel sweat beginning to form on her forehead.
For the first time in years...
She felt completely outmatched.
Lucien smiled faintly.
"Good."
His voice was calm.
"You adapt quickly."
Liora didn't answer.
Instead, she rushed in once more.
This time she aimed for his center, chaining together punches and kicks without leaving a pause between them.
The air echoed with every strike.
Yet none of them landed.
Finally...
Lucien moved.
His hand shot forward—not as a punch, but with two fingers.
Tap.
He gently pressed two fingers against the center of Liora's forehead.
The touch carried almost no force.
Yet the timing caught her completely off balance.
She stumbled backward three steps before regaining her footing.
Silence.
Lucien lowered his hand.
"If that had been a real fight," he said evenly, "you would've been eliminated the moment you overcommitted to your third strike."
No one spoke.
The students could only stare.
Liora looked at him, breathing heavily.
Not because she had been injured...
But because she had never met anyone who could make combat look so effortless.
Lucien dusted off his sleeves before glancing at the students.
"That's enough for today."
The murmurs died instantly.
His gaze shifted to Liora.
"I believe you've learned a thing or two."
Liora straightened and gave a respectful nod.
"Yes, sir."
"The entrance examination is tomorrow." His eyes swept across the training ground, lingering briefly on every student. "I'll be watching to see how each of you performs."
He turned toward the exit.
"For now, return to your training."
Without another word, Lucien walked away.
The moment he disappeared from sight, the training ground erupted.
"Oh my gosh! Did you all see that?"
"He didn't block a single attack!"
"He wasn't even trying! He just kept dodging everything."
"It looked like he already knew where every strike was going."
Another student looked toward Liora, who was wiping a bead of sweat from her forehead.
"Still... Liora is amazing."
"She ranked first in combat during the scholarship examination, didn't she?"
"Now I understand why."
"I couldn't even follow half of her attacks."
"If I were half as good as her, I'd be celebrating for a week."
Laughter rippled through the crowd.
"Liora!"
Two familiar voices called out at once.
Natasha and Tiana hurried over, their faces glowing with excitement.
"Oh my gosh, girl!" Tiana grabbed Liora's arm. "That was incredible!"
"I had no idea you could fight like that," Natasha said, shaking her head in disbelief. "You almost made me forget to breathe."
Liora laughed softly.
"I didn't even land a single hit."
"Against him?" Tiana snorted. "I don't think anyone here could."
Natasha folded her arms with a playful grin.
"Are you sure you weren't holding back?"
Liora rolled her eyes.
"You're giving me way too much credit."
The three girls laughed together.
"Anyway," Liora said, brushing the dust from her uniform, "I'm heading back to the dorm. I think I've had enough training for one day."
"Already?" Tiana teased.
"My arms are begging for mercy."
Natasha chuckled.
"Fair enough. We'll stay a little longer."
"See you later."
Liora waved and walked toward the academy buildings.
Not everyone watched her leave with admiration.
Near the edge of the training ground, Miranda stood frozen.
Her fingers curled tightly around the strap of her training bag.
She had arrived too late.
The spar was already over.
All she had seen was the students crowding around Liora, showering her with praise.
"...She fought Instructor Lucien?"
The words tasted bitter.
"So that's the famous new instructor..."
Miranda's eyes drifted toward the path where Lucien had disappeared.
Tall.
Composed.
Every student seemed captivated by him.
Then her gaze returned to Liora.
Her jaw tightened.
It should've been me.
She looked away before anyone noticed the frustration burning in her eyes.
Without another word, she turned and walked off, her footsteps a little heavier than before.
Next time, she wouldn't be late.
- Writer
