MTLNOVEL Chapter 158: Mentorship Begins
---
The morning sunlight gently streamed through the academy's tall windows, illuminating the corridors as Dabi made his way to the training grounds.
It wasn't his usual routine, but today marked the beginning of a new challenge. Headmaster Raghnall had given him a unique task in place of his third-semester exams.
He has missed the final exam of third semester cause of Orck kingdom dimension gate.
It wasn't just a test of his combat skills it was a test of his leadership, his ability to inspire, and his readiness to mentor.
This was the first time he was stepping into a role beyond himself, and he felt both the weight and thrill of the responsibility.
As he approached, a group of first-year students waited for him on the training grounds, whispering and exchanging curious glances.
Some of them had seen him around the academy or had heard of his impressive skills, but now they had a chance to be taught directly by one of the academy's top students.
Dabi quickly recognized a few familiar faces among them from the entrance exam. Kiba, especially, stood out.
He remembered sensing Kiba's potential a hidden depth of power that seemed untapped, like a well waiting to overflow.
Kiba stood quietly to the side, his posture tense but his gaze steady, showing he was serious about the training.
Dabi stepped forward and cleared his throat, immediately quieting the students' chatter. "Alright, everyone," he began, his voice firm but calm.
"My name is Dabi, and I'll be your mentor for today. We're not here to waste time, so let's get down to business.
Today, we'll focus on the fundamentals of combat and strategy. By the end of this session,
I want each of you to understand not just how to fight, but how to think, plan, and control your movements. Remember, combat is as much mental as it is physical."
The students straightened, some with excitement and others with nervousness, realizing that training with someone as experienced as Dabi was a rare opportunity. They didn't want to waste it.
Dabi gestured toward the sparring circle, a familiar area of the grounds surrounded by worn-down grass and marks from past battles.
"Let's start with a simple exercise," he said, his voice carrying a hint of challenge. "Form pairs and show me what you've got."
The students quickly grouped into pairs, each one eager to impress. As they began their practice spars, Dabi watched them closely, analyzing their movements and making mental notes.
Most were stiff, with jerky movements that showed their inexperience. A few, on the other hand, tried to showcase flashy techniques they hadn't mastered, leaving themselves wide open to counters.
Dabi noticed some potential in the group, but their control and precision left much to be desired.
And then there was Kiba. Even among the unrefined techniques and clumsy movements of his peers, Kiba's agility and focus shone.
His stance was solid, his movements sharp, and he displayed an awareness of his opponent's attacks that few first-years had.
But Dabi could see that he was holding back, throwing half-hearted punches and restrained kicks as if afraid to unleash his full power.
"Kiba," Dabi called out, interrupting the practice match. Kiba looked up, surprised but attentive. "Why are you holding back?"
Kiba hesitated, glancing at his sparring partner before answering, "I… I don't want to hurt my partner. I feel like I have more strength than I should, and it feels wrong to let it all out."
Dabi nodded thoughtfully. "That's a good instinct. But learning to control your strength is as important as using it.
Suppressing your power out of fear won't help you improve. Think of it like water in a river you control the flow, guiding it where it needs to go without flooding."
Dabi stepped into the sparring circle, gesturing for Kiba to face him. "Watch me carefully," he instructed, showing Kiba how to throw a precise, controlled punch.
It was powerful but not excessive, a balance of strength and restraint. "This is what I mean by controlled power. Use your energy efficiently without wasting it or holding back completely."
Kiba watched with keen interest, then imitated the punch. He started slow, feeling the flow of energy through his arm, and with each try, his movements became smoother and more controlled.
Dabi caught his next punch, nodding with approval as he felt the focused force behind it. "Good, Kiba," he said, releasing the younger student's fist.
"Keep practicing. With enough control, you'll be able to handle your strength without fear."
The sparring session continued with Dabi walking among the pairs, correcting stances, adjusting techniques, and offering advice.
Occasionally, he'd step in to demonstrate a move or explain a concept, all the while observing each student's progress.
As the students gained confidence, their movements became more natural and effective.
After the sparring rounds, Dabi gathered the group in a circle, preparing them for the next phase of training. "Now, let's talk about strategy," he said.
"In real combat, you won't always face a single opponent. You might be outnumbered, or your opponent might have abilities you don't know. That's why strategy, adaptability, and teamwork are essential."
He divided them into small groups, creating mock scenarios where they had to work together to defeat a stronger opponent.
Kiba's group quickly emerged as one of the strongest, with Kiba taking the lead and guiding his teammates with quick thinking and precise instructions.
Dabi watched with pride, seeing the potential he had sensed in Kiba come to life. The young student was a natural strategist, reading his team's strengths and weaknesses and adapting his approach to match.
As the session wound down, Jeni, who had been watching from the sidelines, approached with a bright smile.
She had been observing Dabi's training style with rapt attention, and now she walked over, her eyes sparkling.
"Dabi, that was incredible!" she exclaimed, her cheeks slightly flushed. "I've never seen anyone teach like that before. The way you helped Kiba control his power was amazing."
Dabi chuckled, a bit taken aback by her enthusiasm. "It's just basic training. Kiba's got potential, and I wanted to make sure he doesn't waste it," he replied, trying to keep the focus on the training.
Jeni looked at him with admiration, her gaze lingering longer than necessary. "Well, I think he's lucky to have you as a mentor," she said softly, a slight blush coloring her cheeks.
Dabi noticed but chose not to comment, aware that Jeni's attention was friendly, if a bit flustered.
As they resumed training, Dabi continued guiding Kiba through more advanced techniques. After another practice round, he pulled Kiba aside for a private word of encouragement.
"You're doing great," he said. "But remember, the key to mastering combat isn't just about skill or strength. It's about knowing your own limits and understanding your weaknesses.
If you can learn that, you'll surpass not only your peers but maybe even your seniors."
Kiba's eyes sparkled with determination. "I'll work hard, Dabi. I want to reach the highest rank possible maybe even become a Saint someday."
Dabi's expression softened, recognizing the fire that had once driven him. "Then don't waste any opportunity.
Talent only takes you so far; it's your resilience and dedication that will push you to greatness."
They trained well into the afternoon, Dabi pushing each student to their limits while providing the support and guidance they needed.
By the end of the session, the students were exhausted but exhilarated, looking at him with respect and admiration.
On the other side of the training hall, Professor Farak Ferrin was watching Dabi teaching new students from the balcony.
He thinks Dabi could became a great teacher. I will ask him to join the academy as apprentice teacher after we graduate.
The student could tell they were learning from someone who not only understood combat but also the importance of discipline and growth.
As the session ended, Dabi gathered them in a circle one last time.
"Remember," he said, his voice calm but firm, "combat isn't just about winning or showing off your power.
It's about understanding yourself, pushing your limits, and protecting the people who matter to you. Keep that in mind, and you'll be strong not just in battle, but in life."
The students nodded, his words resonating with them as they headed back to their dorms, exchanging excited chatter about the training session.
Kiba lingered a moment longer, giving Dabi a grateful smile. "Thank you, Dabi," he said quietly. "For everything."
Dabi returned the smile. "Keep working hard, Kiba. You have a lot of potential. Don't waste it."
As the students dispersed, Dabi stood alone on the training grounds, feeling a sense of satisfaction he hadn't expected.
Guiding these young students, especially Kiba, had given him a new perspective.
For the first time, he felt that he was part of something bigger than his own journey.
Looking out over the empty training grounds, Dabi realized that maybe this role of mentor and leader was a part of his path, a new beginning on the long road to the challenges that awaited him.
----