The rest of the days passed like a blur and we finally crossed back into forests and more familiar grounds. Along the way, we fought more goblins, a few trolls, and verklings.

Vallachio kept us in check with his training, having us perform a lot of muscle building and endurance exercises. His reasoning was that the more ripped and fit we were, the easier it was to absorb damage and enhance our strength with magic.

Honestly, I'd rather be able to make blood rain like Violet. At a safe distance.

Another interesting trick he taught us was a way to disable magician opponents, a magic move called Mana Shock. It consisted of pushing all your mana into your foe, stunning his spirit temporarily, thus rendering him unable to conjure magic. The con is that it requires direct contact and can only be used on opponents whose mana strength is less than three times your own. And well, you'd be all out of mana.

As I feared, I had become Vallachio's favorite involuntary volunteer, in a crash-test dummy kind of way. Which meant a world of hurt for me when he needed to explain everyone how-to this and that. Every explanation started with me being treated like a punching bag. I only kept it together because we were getting close to home.

It's almost like these archmages are all out to get me...

Eventually, we saw Valarest rising on the horizon.

I barely could believe my eyes, I had almost started to think I would never go back. Forever stuck between battlefields and worse battlefields until I died by some stray arrow, stabbed to death, or killed in some creative way by Vallachio's shenanigans.

「Ferdis: We're finally back! It has been a very long month.」

Ferdis said putting his hand on his sides, smiling at the horizon.

「Allen: You can say that Farras.」

I purposefully mispronounced his name to aggravate him, a mocking smile painted on my lips.

Ferdis punched my shoulder hard, but I was ready for it and completely ignored the damage. I'm pretty sure I can even negate Namrick's friendly punches now if I expect them.

「Ferdis: FERDIS! FERDIS!!」

Ferdis overreacted screaming his name and flapping his arms like he was having an orgasm or something.

Man, this guy sure was charged today. Must be the excitement of reaching the safe ground after the hellish march our good instructor Vallachio put us through.

He could've made some effort to save that dude, though. Magicians are rare thanks to the high entry fee. But who am I to complain, I better keep my mouth shut lest he rips it off me.

If entering in his good graces meant being used as a punching bag, I didn't dare imagine what would happen otherwise.

「Vallachio: Hohohoh, finally we gaze upon our illustrious city, double up soldiers!」

Vallachio motioned us soliciting a cheer from our part. Just a little more.

After the final stretch, we crossed the city gates and got inside. We walked straight to the Academy where we dropped our equipment and got advanced medical treatment from the senior healers. We were all back in top shape!

Before we left Vallachio addressed us.

「Vallachio: Well done, everyone! Now you're no longer recruits but true mage soldiers. Stand proud!」

We straightened our backs. He looked at each of us in the eyes, nodding.

「Soldiers: Yes, sir!」

We saluted, thanked him and started leaving the premises. I too turned and begun walking away.

A strong hand grabbed my shoulder.

「Vallachio: Allen.」

Did you really think it would be that easy, Allen? I froze my face with an expression of serenity and turned around.

Vallachio smiling face filled me with dread. No more hurt please...

「Allen: Yes, sir?」

I replied with faked confidence.

「Vallachio: Follow me inside, if you would.」

He gestured and started moving, I had no choice but to follow. We walked inside the Academy, then upstairs and toward Violet's office.

Vallachio politely knocked the door announcing himself before entering the door.

「Violet: You're back. How did the recruits perform?」

She raised her eyes, her cold stare filled me with warmth. Her alluring figure restored some of my morale.

「Vallachio: Reasonably well, we only lost one. There are some promising ones among them. Alas, I fear we won't have enough time to polish their skills, but thanks to the practical approach they're ready to be an asset.」

Violet made no change to her expression at the mention we had lost one.

Why am I even here? I started looking left and right for possible escape routes.

「Violet: Very well. I trust your methods.」

I don't. Not at all.

She faced me. Uh oh.

「Violet: Allen Smith, you have carried out your part of the deal. You're now free to attend whatever magic class you wish. I'll inform the clerks as soon as possible.」

YES! RIGHT! All of this was for the sake of magic! I had almost forgotten!

I bowed down in gratitude.

「Allen: Thank, you ma'am!」

Finally! My lips curled upward more than usual.

「Vallachio: Ah... I would like to add, I have confirmed that Allen here is a battle rager.」

He said slapping his hand on my shoulder. Violet stared at me with her calculating ice-cold gaze.

「Violet: I see... that explains how he didn't lose consciousness from the demon's Pain Wave. A useful trait if controlled.」

She raised her chin just a little.

「Allen: Huh...」

I didn't know what to say but she kept talking anyway.

「Violet: Allen, I've taken the liberty of contacting one of my acquaintances. A mage called Grohm Khalkear whose expertise lies in the field of magic constructs and enchantment. His works vaguely remind me of what you did with your silver cube. I'd appreciate if you could both share your knowledge on the topic.」

A challenger appears!

Well, that's actually kind of nice. If I weren't alone I could make grander, better things.

「Allen: Yes, ma'am.」

She was tapping her fingers on the desk.

「Violet: That's all, you're dismissed.」

I bowed and turned to leave, but I was stopped.

「Vallachio: Allen, do not neglect your training. We may soon be faced with a large-scale conflict, you must be ready.」

I glanced back. He was not smiling. His face was dead serious.

「Allen: Yes, sir.」

I nodded.

Haha, as if I'd be so dumb to stay and fight! No fucking chance! I grinned when facing the door.

I left and closed the door behind me. Vallachio remained behind, discussing with Violet about something secretive. I didn't dare stop to eavesdrop.

The steps toward the exit seemed to never end, but eventually, I was outside.

I took a deep breath and smiled.

Free at last!

I set off on the road in high spirits.

I have survived the trials and I have gotten my free magic lessons pass. Finally a shine of light to wash away the last two months of dreadful suffering.

Time to get back in touch with my friends and celebrate.

I even hummed a tune without swearing.