Ajax was shocked by the request. It was at once both something rather basic as well as something annoying. The idea that he would be hounded for duels from people looking to prove they had improved sounded tiring, at the same time having a few well placed noble houses owe him a favor or two wouldn’t be the worst thing in the world.

“Don’t look all that pleased.” Stonewall said when he examined Ajax’s face. “While most noble houses wouldn’t bother with it or would just accept the outcome of a fight in the tournament there are two other options in the minority that remain. The first is the one my grandfather has chosen but the second would be to return the perceived humiliation in kind.”

Ajax silently cursed at that. Despite knowing that almost all noble houses tried their best to have the most capable heir take over the position as house head there would always be some that were starved for a good choice. These people sometimes also ended up with a lot of power depending on how their ancestored ruled.

Ajax and his classmate went their separate ways as they approached the training fields. Much like their homeroom classes their afternoon combat training was done in their respective classes. Not only that but it also seemed that their instructors hadn’t changed from the previous year.

As Ajax stepped onto the training field for the second year he could clearly see the difference in set-up between their new field and the first year one. Where they had previously been given a lot of open space, targets and a robust selection of weaponry, their new training grounds were very different.

The large selection of weapons and targets had remained, their open space however had been replaced by a small firing range as well as a tiny dueling circle, a large part of the area was taken up by a small forest that measured a little more than the size of a football field.

“Going forward your training field will change daily.” instructor Gatecrasher's voice resounded once everyone had arrived. “There are a few specific biomes that have been carefully nurtured on the grounds of the academy and you will be using them.”

As Ajax listened he also noticed that a few of his classmates already had a few scuffs and scratches on their gear, not only that but they also had built up a bit of sweat, most notable of them the prince who’s blade even looked to have drawn a sliver of blood as well as Benedict. They must be the ones who chose to forgo a crafting profession in exchange for more combat training.

“Going forward your training will be focused more on group tactics compared to individual operations.” Instructor Gatecrasher continued. “And no this is not to prepare you for future delves.”

Ajax seemed surprised by that. Why would you have them prioritizing group combat as well as well as different biomes if not to prepare them for dungeon delves.

“Your dungeon training will mostly be happening inside the Goldmine, with all delves happening on the second floor of the dungeon this year you will have the chance to experience the randomness of a dungeon floor at that time.” The instructor explained have seen some skeptical looks at his previous announcement.

“The different biomes you will be training on have been carefully created to resemble the biomes from every single battle this kingdom has fought in the last thousand years with the exception of open fields.” the instructor ignored the looks of understanding that dawned on the faces of some of the students. “For the next five years all of you will be training to survive and thrive on a battlefield.”

“Instructor Gatecrasher, is it true that we will have wargames against the third years?” one of the students asked excitedly.

“That is correct.” the instructor confirmed. “Unlike in your first year your cycle will no longer be a ten day academy, ten day delve and ten day free time. Moving forward you will have three different types of cycles one after the other : one will be the same as your first years giving you at least ten open days to get anything you need done.”

“The other two however will have that free time replaced with a deep chaperoned delve as deep as the sixth floor of the dungeon with the specific intent of having you craft or they will have the free time replaced with a delve to the first floor of the hillside dungeon.” the instructor explained “ That delve will see the floor quickly cleared by the instructors of the second and third years before a small war simulation will follow. Do keep in mind that each simulation will be given a scenario that won’t always be a straight forward clash.”

“We may end up being the first second year class to clean sweep the third years.” Ajax heard one of his classmates whisper.

As if having heard the whisper their magic instructor was quick to cut that idea down. “In order to maintain a balanced field the third years will be given a level sixty asset during these simulations, not only that but Ajax will also not be allowed to take a main or secondary leadership role.”

Ajax frowned at that, not because he disagreed with what they were doing. He knew very well just how unfair it would be to have the third years go up against him without anything to keep him in check, he was glad that they were letting him participate. The part that Ajax had a problem with was that the third years were given a level sixty asset, sure that might be close enough to match him as he was now but Ajax very much expected them to need a level sixty-five by the time half the school year had gone by at the latest.

“I suppose I should mention that while all crafting classes will have the option of joining the crafting delve, only students that actively practice dungeon crafting will be allowed to attend.” the instructor said.

“What?”

“Why?”

“How is that fair?”

A few of the students were quick to take issue with the last second announcement. Dungeon crafting was much more difficult than regular crafting, at least without a skill to make up for it and even then it was still harder. Depending on the profession the number of crafters who could do it varied between one in ten and one in a hundred.

“This decision was made years ago.” the professor continued raising his voice over the protests “It was made to ensure sufficient crafting ingredients for the students who actively pursue dungeon crafting. The rest of you will be offered extended lessons during these delves from your professors.”

“Won’t the professors be delving?” was a question that quickly came.

“No.” The response didn’t come with any explanation.

Ajax, of course, knew the exact reason why there would be no professor. Dungeon crafters needed to be creative and be able to make the best with what they could find and adapt, it was better for them to go through the process without an experienced teacher that would be nothing more than a crutch.

For the remainder of the class the instructors had them practice small squad movements throughout the forest biome. While the students had little issue keeping in formation for basic marching as soon as some speed was added in their formations quickly broke down.

After finishing his combat training Ajax took his time getting himself cleaned up before heading for the library. Despite the time he had spent up there during the break Ajax had done so alone on the fact that Balthazar had returned to his estate.

“You sure took your time getting up here.” the old librarian taunted Ajax as soon as he stepped in.

“Next time I’ll make my way here right after combat training.” Ajax quickly responded with a malicious smile.

“On second thought you’re not that late you can take the time to clean yourself first.” The old man quickly backtracked, Ajax had figured out that while old age had diminished the old man’s sight and hearing a little he still got the full effect of his Perception when it came to smell. After a few thousand years, even with mostly forcibly increasing the stat it had to be up there.

“What is this?” Ajax asked as he looked at the sole scroll sitting on the librarians desk.

“This is a very basic curse.” the old man said. “The first that you will learn.”

Ajax was ecstatic to hear that. Right now his [Cursed Slash] simply generated cursed mana, but with training he should be able to learn some non-complex curses to channel that mana into. This would not only make the curses more efficient that basic curse mana infusion but it would also allow him to specialize them. Applying a curse of reduced speed to one arm and reduced strength to the other could ruin a two handed weapon wielder style completely compared to just having both arms hurt while moving and be a little bit slower and weaker.