The next few days followed a similar rhythm.
I woke at what I now knew was four in the morning, training with Nyx until 9:40. After breakfast and washing up, it was already close to eleven by the time I reached the library, where I stayed with Seris until five in the evening sometimes later.
He had started assigning me work to complete on my own. Most of it involved translating chapters from older texts or reading portions of the books the duke had purchased for me, then explaining their contents in my own words. I got a lot wrong during the first few days, but I was steadily improving. He also made sure I was prepared for subjects beyond language—math, social structures, and other academic foundations I'd never formally learned.
I noticed something else about him, too.
Unlike his father, the chill radiating from Seris felt almost… friendly. Controlled. As if he was aware that his mana carried a cold edge and actively restrained it so those around him wouldn't freeze. It made studying with him easier—comfortable, even.
Still, today might be different.
Maybe today I could finally land consecutive hits on Nyx.
I'd adjusted to the reduced strength of my mana in this world, and by my estimation, that put me on par with others my age. That was good. It meant I could blend in—for now. Once I understood this world well enough, then I could push past everyone else.
With that thought in mind, I headed straight for the training courtyard.
Nyx was already there.
She had been steadily increasing the length of our runs and the number of repetitions for every exercise—push-ups, squats, planks, sit-ups. By the time sparring began, my legs barely responded, but I was determined.
Nyx had been teasing me nonstop about only landing a couple of hits during our previous spars.
"They don't even hurt," she'd said—to her friends.
Infuriating.
"Alright," Nyx said, lowering into her familiar defensive stance. Her right arm tucked slightly closer to her body—she was right-handed, preparing for a heavier strike if needed.
I mirrored her stance and picked up the wooden practice sword. I used to hate the thing, but I'd come to understand its value. Maybe that was why lower-ranked goblins favored them—it taught discipline, control.
I opened with a feint, a head-on attack I usually followed through with. Nyx read it immediately—she always did—so I adjusted, shifting into a variation I'd studied from the books Seris recommended.
I had to think three moves ahead, reading her posture, her balance, the tension in her shoulders.
I swung.
The blade struck her forearm—blocked by her guards. Not ideal.
Before I could recover, she stepped onto my sword, balancing effortlessly as if it were solid ground. Her agility was unreal.
I barely managed to raise my arm in time to block a kick aimed at my head. She flipped over me, landing behind.
I spun and forced mana into the ground, binding her feet—just for a moment. That was all I needed.
I hurled the wooden sword straight at her and dropped low, charging in with my fist drawn back.
She deflected the sword—
—but my punch landed.
Finally.
Nyx slid back a few feet, boots scraping against stone. Her grin widened.
Then she came at me fast.
Before I could react, my own shadow betrayed me, twisting at her command. In an instant, she had me locked in a crushing grip, coiled tight like a serpent.
"You win," I gasped. "I—can't—breathe."
Nyx laughed, releasing me immediately and pulling me to my feet. I sucked in air desperately, lungs burning, but smiling despite myself.
Still lost.
But not by much.
"You finally started thinking about your movements beyond pure instinct. That's good."
Nyx's tone was approving, but firm. "Unlike most of the monsters you've fought, the intelligent species up here—people included—adapt mid-fight. They change patterns, exploit habits, and look for openings. If you don't evolve with them, they'll take you down."
I couldn't argue with that.
Back in Eldraxis, most of my opponents had been C-rank or lower. Clever, maybe—but not truly adaptive. Not like the people I'd face here. Nyx's experience showed in every word she spoke.
She told me she'd reserve a few books in the library that went deeper into combat theory, fighting styles, and battlefield strategy. The way she said it, I almost felt like she was training me to become a commander rather than a student.
"Alright," I said, nodding. "I'll grab them while I'm studying with Seris. He can probably help me understand what I'm looking at. But first—baths before breakfast."
Nyx smiled, and we headed off together.
Sunlight glinted off her glossy black fur as we walked, her tail swaying with an easy rhythm. Her build was lean and powerful, every movement efficient and controlled. Watching her made me wonder what my own body might be like once I finished growing—whether all this training would shape me in the same way.
The baths were already lively when we arrived.
Different races really were blessed in different ways. Elves carried an almost ethereal grace, vampires a quiet, moonlit elegance. Dwarves were compact and sturdy, radiating warmth and presence despite their size. It was fascinating to see so many peoples sharing the same space so naturally.
I sat beneath the shower as Nyx scrubbed my back, and that was when she struck up a conversation with another beast-kin girl nearby.
Lucy.
She was a white fox beast-kin, her features closer to human than Nyx's, though soft fur still covered her forearms and lower legs. Two tails swished lazily behind her as her fox ears perked up, vermilion eyes bright with curiosity.
"Would you believe my little newbie finally landed a solid hit on me?" Nyx said with a laugh. "Started thinking ahead—mixing instinct with knowledge."
Lucy giggled softly. "Oh? That's impressive."
Then she leaned over and gently ruffled my hair. "So you finally stopped fighting like a wild beast, Syl?"
Heat rushed to my face.
I rinsed off quickly and all but fled toward the baths, leaving the two of them laughing behind me. Absolutely unfair.
Afterward, we dressed, shared breakfast together, and then—just like every other day—I headed for the library to meet Seris.