There was silence…

Then someone finally stepped forward.

It was Reinhardt.

His blond hair was fluttering in the wind as he adjusted his sleeves and narrowed his eyes.

The proud look on his face didn't change, not even when the other students stepped back slightly to give him space.

"I don't sense any magic from you," Reinhardt started with disbelief in his voice.

"That's right," Sebastian said, grinning wide enough for his sharp teeth to show. "I'm what you would call an Aura Practitioner."

He folded his arms, the thick veins across his shoulders tightening as he chuckled. "Is that a problem?"

Reinhardt's expression turned colder. "This Academy houses only the most prestigious of mages. How dare an aura scu—"

He didn't finish.

The moment the insult left his lips, Sebastian's arm moved so fast that the air itself cracked.

Reinhardt flew backward like a doll, crashing into one of the thick mana-reinforced walls with a loud boom.

The wall shook and dust rained down.

Gasps filled the field and every student froze.

'Right,' Azel thought. 'They disliked each other in the game too.'

Although he personally liked Sebastian, the professor had always hated Reinhardt's guts.

And for good reason… the protagonist had the bad habit of acting like an entitled child.

Sebastian dusted his hands off, smiling like he hadn't just sent a great clan heir through a wall.

"Right," he began casually, "I forgot to mention… the Academy has given me permission to drill combat into you."

He turned and pointed toward Reinhardt, who was currently half-buried in the wall like an unfortunate painting.

"So I'll be as physical as I need to be. Now," his grin widened, "does anyone else want to end up like him?"

No one spoke.

The silence stretched long enough for even the wind to feel uncomfortable.

"Great!" Sebastian clapped his hands once, and the sound echoed like a thunderclap. "Since today's our first class, we'll start easy."

Every student suddenly had a bad feeling.

"You'll be doing one hundred laps without mana or aura around this field!"

A collective groan rippled through the students. Some outright looked horrified.

"You're mages, after all," Sebastian continued, pacing casually across the dirt. "With every Rank-Up, your bodies get prettier and your lifespans longer. But what's the use of an elongated life if you can't even use it to survive a fist brawl?!"

He stopped and jabbed a thumb toward himself. "Don't worry… that's why I'm here!"

Azel could already tell this was going to be interesting.

"Now!" Sebastian barked suddenly. "Drop to the ground and give me twenty push-ups!"

No one dared hesitate.

Every student hit the floor immediately.

Azel moved smoothly into position.

His form was perfect… Steven had drilled this into him years ago long before he started the Academy.

He pressed himself down and up rhythmically.

Within seconds, the sound of groans filled the air.

The ground shook with uneven rhythm as some students struggled to even complete ten.

Elion, who was right beside Azel, was red-faced and panting by the time he hit twelve.

Then, out of the corner of his eye, he saw something blur.

Azel's hands moved so fast that they were a near invisible motion. In just a few moments, he'd finished.

He pushed himself back up to his feet, stretching casually like it had been nothing.

"Class Rep," Elion muttered weakly, still on the ground. "You monster…"

Azel just grinned, brushing dust off his palms.

He glanced around the field.

Flare was already done… she was stretching her arms with a calm look, pretending not to notice the envious gazes from the other girls.

Sylvia wasn't far behind, her movements were elegant even during something as simple as push-ups.

Rain, on the other hand, looked like she was regretting every life choice she'd ever made.

On the men's side, things weren't much better. Some were barely managing halfway before collapsing.

Sebastian, however, looked thrilled. He strolled between the rows of struggling students like a wolf among sheep.

At one point, he stopped beside a boy whose push-ups looked… wrong.

His hips were doing most of the work, making the motion look like he was trying to fuck the ground.

Sebastian's expression darkened.

He placed one foot on the student's back and pressed down firmly.

The poor guy squeaked.

"Don't dare use magic to make it easier," Sebastian said sharply. "I'll know."

Then, his gaze swept the field until it landed on Azel.

"As for those of you who're done…" He pointed. "Start your laps. I've marked the starting point already."

Azel didn't need to be told twice. He gave Elion a short look.

"Keep up," he said simply before jogging toward the start line.

It was marked by two massive boulders standing side by side. The moment he passed the boulders, his watch chimed.

[1]

'Oh so it's counting?' Azel thought, that was convenient.

The field stretched out endlessly before him, and the wind rushed across his face.

It was refreshing… until a familiar figure breezed right past him.

Flare.

She didn't even glance his way as she passed, her red hair fluttering like a flame behind her.

She ran with perfect rhythm and her focus was entirely ahead.

'She's competitive, that's for sure,' Azel thought with a smile.

He let her go, maintaining his pace. He wasn't here to show off… one hundred laps was going to be long, and pacing was key especially since they had to use pure physical power.

'I like the way the wind feels against my face—'

"Hello again, Mister Azel."

The voice came from beside him.

Sylvia had joined the run, her steps made her look as though she were gliding rather than running.

She looked completely at ease, not even breaking a sweat.

"What a delightful physical regimen," she said. "It is not as rigorous as my morning drills at the palace, but it has merit nonetheless."

Azel blinked, half tempted to laugh. "Of course it does."

"Now, if you will excuse me," Sylvia continued, giving him a polite nod as she began to pick up speed, "I would very much like to close the distance between myself and my new acquaintance."

She sprinted ahead effortlessly, her long blond hair fluttering behind her like a banner. Within moments, she was gone.

Azel stared after her, blinking once before exhaling slowly.

"Fucking Heroines…" he muttered under his breath as he jogged straight through the dust cloud she left behind.

[Author's Note]

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