ONE MONTH LATER
In the early morning, I stood in front of the tall mirror in my dorm room, staring at my reflection. The room was quiet, save for the distant hum of activity from the academy grounds outside. The first month of intense magical and physical training had taken its toll, but it had also brought visible changes. My muscles were much more defined, my shoulders broader, and my posture more upright. I could hardly believe the difference.
Is this really me? I thought, turning slightly to get a better view of my physique. It was hard to ignore the profound sense of pride that welled up inside me. I had pushed myself relentlessly, waking up before dawn each day for my grueling routine of push-ups and perimeter jogging, followed by endless hours of elemental casting. And now, the physical results were undeniable.
"This is what hard work looks like," I whispered to myself, a small, highly satisfied smile playing on my lips. But I can't stop here. There's still so much more to do before the trial ends.
My thoughts were interrupted by a sudden, familiar chime in my mind, and a translucent blue notification appeared in my field of vision. Curious, I focused on the screen and mentally brought up my status window.
[NOTIFICATION] [Exploration skill reached Level 98] [Assassin skill reached Level 95]
I grinned. "Finally, a new notification..."
[STATUS] Level: 83 Name: Kazu Gonomiya Age: 13 Job Class: God
Passive Skills:
Divine Knowledge
Infinite Mana
Maximized Self-Healing
Sword Play
Active Skills:
Blink
Explosive Blink
Bloodlust
Blood Steal
Rage (Locked)
Quick Wield
Whirlwind
Gale Force
Wind Slash
Fist Authority
Magic Spells:
Fire Pierce
Fire Spirit Flare
[???]
Unique Skills:
Exploration (Level 98)
Assassin (Level 95)
Cooking (Level 8)
Mining (Level 11)
Smithing (Level 1)
Strength (Level 50)
My eyes widened slightly as I took in the details. "Almost there," I murmured. My Exploration skill was just two points shy of maxing out completely at Level 100.
Just a little more, and I'll have it maxed, I thought, absolute determination flaring within me. I knew that my journey was far from over. In fact, it felt like it was just beginning. The academy had taught me so much about affinities already, but there was still more to learn, and infinitely more power to gain.
I clenched my fists, feeling the massive surge of energy coursing through my veins. "I've come this far," I said aloud, my voice firm with resolve. "I'm not stopping now."
I quickly slipped into my workout gear, feeling the fabric cling to my skin as I prepared for the morning ahead. The fresh air greeted me as I stepped outside the Scholar's Wing, and with a determined breath, I began my routine. My footsteps echoed softly as I jogged for ten minutes, warming up my body, my movements incredibly fluid and effortless.
When I dropped to the dew-covered ground and started my push-ups, my muscles engaged with perfect precision. One, two, three... the numbers climbed rapidly, but something was different this time. I reached a hundred push-ups, yet there was no familiar burn in my arms, no heavy ache in my chest. Instead, I felt a strange, boundless surge of energy coursing through me. My breath remained steady, my raw strength seemingly unyielding.
Why am I not getting tired? I wondered, a flicker of confusion crossing my mind. Testing my new physical limits, I pressed on, counting each rapid push-up as I reached another hundred, my body still brimming with power. Just as I finished, another notification flashed in my mind.
[NOTIFICATION] [Assassin skill reached Level 96]
Krisha's Perspective
Meanwhile, Krisha had been watching him from a safe distance, her silver eyes widening with each passing moment. She had noticed Kazu's unwavering dedication to his morning exercises over the last month, but today was different. There was a terrifying intensity to his movements, a stamina that seemed almost superhuman. She couldn't tear her eyes away from him, completely mesmerized by the way his body moved, how his muscles rippled effortlessly under his thin shirt with each rapid push-up.
Her heart skipped a beat as her gaze drifted lower, noticing how defined his abs had become, the sharp lines of his torso chiseled like a marble sculpture. A deep blush crept onto her pale cheeks, her thoughts racing.
Kazu's body... it's changed so much in just four weeks, she thought, her admiration growing with every breath. He looks amazing... stronger, more confident. He doesn't look like a commoner at all.
Krisha found herself drawn to him in a way she hadn't expected when the trial first began. Maybe I should actually join him in the mornings, she mused, feeling a strange flutter in her chest. Talk to him... get closer...
There was something highly magnetic about Kazu, a quiet intensity that pulled her in, and she realized with a soft, nervous smile that she was starting to develop genuine feelings for him.
Kazu's Perspective
I glanced up from the grass toward the tree line and immediately noticed Krisha watching me from a distance. I quickly looked away, choosing to ignore her intense gaze, and continued my push-ups.
Is that Krisha? She's probably just watching me do my morning routine to figure out my training methods... I guess there's nothing wrong with that, I thought to myself, trying to focus solely on my exercise.
After a few more minutes, I finished my workout, stood up, and headed back to my dorm to wash up. "Alright! I'm ready for the day!" I said to myself with a burst of energy. As I walked, my thoughts drifted back to my best friend. "I wonder what Nozue is up to right now."
Nozue's Perspective
For the past month, Nozue had been diligently sticking to the grueling daily routine he and Kazu had established—jogging around the entire Druzka region and doing heavy push-ups before lunch. His dedication hadn't gone unnoticed. Nanay Rosalia had definitely started to see the physical changes in his previously scrawny physique.
Rosalia caught him just as he was about to head out the door. "Oh, Nozue, are you going out jogging again?"
"Yes, Mom..." Nozue replied, his voice soft, as always.
Rosalia sighed affectionately, wiping her hands on her apron. "You're still so shy. After that, you'll be picking up a construction quest at the Guild, right?"
"It's not that I'm shy, Mom. I just don't like talking to people much. Kazu is the only one I really talk to. And yes, I'll be taking on a heavy lifting quest today."
Inwardly, Nozue reflected as he stepped out into the streets. Every morning, Kazu and I would jog this exact route together... It's been a whole month now, and I'm doing this entirely alone... When will he finally come back?
With that heavy thought lingering in his mind, Nozue pushed forward, continuing with his day, but the absolute absence of his best friend weighed on him far more than he wanted to admit.
Kazike's Perspective
Kazike was swaggering towards the Guild, determined to take on a highly profitable A-Rank hunting quest. He couldn't forget the harrowing, near-death experience from the last S-Rank dungeon quest he had tackled with Kazu; it had almost been an absolute disaster.
Maybe I'll just stick to A-Rank quests for now to keep all my limbs attached, he decided, preferring a slightly safer path.
When he arrived at the Guild hall, he immediately noticed Missy sitting alone behind the reception desk, looking highly dejected. Concerned, the towering warrior approached her.
"Missy, why the long face?" Kazike asked gently, leaning on the counter.
Missy looked up with a heavy sigh. "Why hasn't Kazu been coming to the Guild lately? I haven't seen him in weeks."
Kazike chuckled softly. "Don't you know? Kazu enrolled in the Magic Academy up on the hill! So don't be too sad. I bet you really miss him, don't you? Maybe it's time you told him how you feel before someone else up there does."
Missy's elven eyes widened in sheer surprise. "H-How did you know I have feelings for him?!"
"It's pretty clear to everyone," Kazike said with a massive grin. "You always blush when he's mentioned. And while Kazu's still young, he'll soon be at an age where you can talk to him about your feelings. It's better to express yourself sooner rather than later." He winked exaggeratedly.
Missy blushed deeply, looking down at her ledgers. "Really? I'll try... Maybe when Kazu comes back. I didn't realize he'd joined the academy. Is he an official scholar there?"
Kazike nodded. "Yes, but he's in a highly competitive special training program where only one out of five applicants will be selected to stay on as a full scholar. Only the most deserving will be chosen."
Missy looked incredibly worried. "Do you know how long this trial will take? I hope he gets chosen."
Kazike reassured her, "From what I understand, it will be decided in exactly one more month. I hope he's chosen too; it would be wonderful for him to further develop his ridiculous skills. Anyway, I'm off to take an A-Rank quest now. I'll catch up with you later, old elf."
As Kazike left for his quest, he felt a complex mix of nostalgia and hope for Kazu, who had always been like a little brother to him. He wished Kazu the absolute best in his new journey.
Kazu's Perspective
Hmm, I can't wait to see them again. I miss them all so much, I mused as I finished getting dressed for my classes.
I shook my head, clearing my thoughts. Maybe I should just concentrate on this scholar training for now and try to learn absolutely everything I can while I have access to these professors.
My mind drifted to the new passive skill I had unlocked during my manual labor quests, Sword Play, and I decided to mentally click on it to check the system details.
[SKILL DETAILS] Passive Skill: Sword Play Description: This passive combat skill allows the user to automatically adapt their muscle memory to any type of bladed weapon and wield it with absolute, master-level ease.
I grinned, incredibly satisfied. So that means I can finally use a longsword and handle it much more effectively than just swinging it around... This seems like a highly useful skill. I think I'd like to try it out soon.