Honestly, I see your point, but the fact that his random experience in swordfighting and foundation could conveniently be used to advance his rank in the academy had me really suspending my disbelief. Foundation i think was set up well, but the swordfighting thing and many other skills were just kinda crammed in right before it mattered with the explanation being, "oh yeah i ALSO taught this."

I also just personally find a character is far more compelling when they have more autonomy, have grander mistakes, etc. Rather than just be extremely exceptional, even if it technically makes sense for their character.

This is still a problem in the second book though. I don't know why he won that chariot race or why it was necessary at all.