episode_0014

How many people in this world have not run throughout their lives?

Unless they are born with leg problems, those who possess bodies that fall within the “average” range in society have naturally tried running with two legs at least once.

I, too, have naturally tried it.

And I am still running.

“Huff, hoo…”

Since my eyes were closed, I couldn’t see the sun. But I knew there was sunlight pouring down on the ground.

I couldn’t see the clouds floating in the sky, but I could tell there were clouds through the cloud-shaped shadows etched on the ground.

I’m sprinting on a huge, wide track that defies comparison with a typical sports field.

A regular school sports field might be about 200 to 300 meters for one lap…

Here, it seems like it would be in kilometers.

Subjectively, it feels more like running a marathon than running around a sports field.

“Heh, ehek… Heh, uheuk…”

I moved both legs. While supporting myself on one foot, I moved the other foot forward.

Compared to the simple and unfair competition, a lot of stamina was consumed.

“How many laps have I done?”

As I ran, struggling, Professor Atla, who had been standing with his arms crossed, said.

“Six laps.”

Even in my exhausted state, those words stuck in my ears.

While I was struggling, Professor Atla was leaning against a tree on the outskirts of the sports field, looking this way.

I didn’t think about why he was resting while I was working hard.

After all, this kind of running meant nothing to a skilled instructor teaching combat in Siyorum.

For him, this kind of running would probably be a piece of cake.

So, I just ran.

Running as if I could collapse any moment, a sudden hollow laugh escaped me.

It was because I remembered myself admiring the surrounding training facilities. At that time, I wondered how to use these facilities, but now it was just a useless thought.

“Six laps…”

Six laps. It’s quite an achievement.

Roughly estimating the size of the sports field, I thought I might collapse around the third lap, but I’m still holding on even after twice that.

There was still a faint strength left. He gnashed his teeth, controlling the breath bursting from his chest.

“Seven laps.”

Sensation faded in his legs. He thought it fortunate that he couldn’t see ahead for the first time. If he had been looking, his vision would have blurred, and he would have eventually fallen.

“Eight laps… Stop.”

“Cough.”

The moment he heard ‘th-‘, his legs gave out. His collapsed lower body crumbled like a punctured balloon, and his body rolled on the ground.

“Heuk… Heuk… Huh…”

He turned over his collapsed body. His heart felt like it was thumping right next to his ear. As he lay on the ground panting, Professor Artra, who had been leaning against a tree, approached.

“Eight laps. Overall physical ability is at its lowest.”

Professor Artra, who gave a composed evaluation, rummaged through his pockets.

“It’s understandable as you’ve just awakened, but you won’t be able to use that excuse in the future.”

What came out of his pocket was a water bottle. A bottle of water, with condensation as if it were enchanted, was placed beside my head.

“I will focus on improving physical abilities rather than applying innate abilities or manipulating magic, setting aside simple skills.”

Though his mind was wavering, the direction of future training made his ears perk up.

With trembling fingers, he tapped the smartwatch.

[Body? What is this??]

“…Just listen if it’s difficult.”

His finger couldn’t press properly due to exhaustion. Professor Artra glanced at the hologram and told him to just listen, shaking his head.

“Magic will be taught by another professor later, so I won’t concern myself with that part. I will teach you combat based on your body. To do that…”

Tap-

Bowing his waist, Professor Artra pressed firmly on my forehead with his index finger.

“Naturally, your physical abilities must support this. In other words, before creating fighting techniques, you must create a body capable of fighting. Do you understand?”

[Me-]

“…Yes.”

Straightening his waist, Professor Artra checked the time.

“It took a long time to run eight laps. That’s it for today. From tomorrow, we’ll start in earnest, so prepare yourself mentally.”

Professor Art, who had been talking until then, turned around without hesitation. He disappeared beyond the range of spatial perception and absentmindedly regulated his breathing for a while.

It seemed like nearly 10 minutes had passed, but he was still out of breath. He reached out with trembling hands and grabbed a water bottle.

“Vee…”

He poured half of it into his throat while lying down. The taste was not good, but he felt refreshed by the intense coolness that pierced his throat.

He poured the remaining half over his head. Sweating profusely, his overheated body cooled down slightly.

“It’s tough…”

Strength was needed to release the constraints. He made up his mind and anticipated the pain that would come with the process.

But once the pain actually hit, there was nothing he could do about how difficult it was.

“It ended early.”

Looking at his smartwatch, only a little over two hours had passed.

No, had it really been two hours? It took two hours to run eight laps around the track field. Each lap took almost 20 minutes?

Of course, the speed decreased significantly after the first lap… It took an incredibly long time.

He raised his upper body, sticking out his tongue at the time spent.

“Phew…”

Unintentionally, he almost let out a groan. As he lifted his upper body, he thought it might break because his whole body felt stiff.

Carefully supporting his upper body with his arms, he planted his feet on the ground.

After struggling for a while, he managed to stand up from his seat. Taking a short break improved his condition. Previously, it felt like his legs would break immediately, but now they were just a bit wobbly.

He considered going back to the dormitory, but shook his head inwardly. His body was in pain and exhausted, that was true. The desire to lie down in bed and sleep immediately arose, but the truth was that he had some leeway.

Precisely, his body had its limits, but his mind was quite lively.

Dragging his trembling legs, he headed towards the library.

Having just rolled his body, this time he planned to roll his mind by reading magical books.

It was still too early for the sun to set.

.

.

.

He had worried that his body might ache terribly the next day, but unexpectedly, it wasn’t that painful. Of course, his whole body was sore, but it was bearable.

The next day went similarly to the day before.

In the morning, there is a theory-based public lecture. In the afternoon, I take major-specific lectures by grade.

I got my attendance stamped at the beginning of the day and received candy from Hong Yeon-hwa again.

I attended the morning lecture after Professor Riana’s morning announcement.

I had lunch with Hong Yeon-hwa again. The problem was that I couldn’t bring up the topic of tongues again this time. It was a difficult subject to seize an opportunity for.

After that, I parted ways with Hong Yeon-hwa for the major lecture.

I receive one-on-one lessons from Professor Atra during the major class.

The content was similar to the first day. In the end, it’s about running.

“Today, the goal is ten laps.”

“……”

The hurdles are higher than yesterday. This side still hasn’t shaken off yesterday’s wounds.

Can I not see my stumbling legs even now? I sent an earnest gaze. Please review it.

“Well, let’s begin.”

Unfortunately, it seems my earnest gaze didn’t reach as I had my eyes closed.

I sighed inwardly, almost stumbled as I pounded the ground, and then ran on relieved.

One lap, two laps, three laps…

“Oh?”

While running absentmindedly, at the point of surpassing three laps, I felt discomfort.

It’s tough. My legs hurt. My breathing becomes rough, and my heart pounds as if it will burst.

But it’s better than yesterday. I’m feeling the pain I used to feel at the second lap now at the third lap.

“Ten laps… stop.”

Finally, ten laps. As soon as I heard “stop,” I collapsed onto the ground.

– Thud, thud.

Footsteps approached my head. Professor Atra looked down at me.

“Have you realized?”

“Heuk… Heuk…”

It was a sudden question, but I nodded my head. I also wondered inwardly, but I caught a clue.

“A divine blessing of growth allows a disciple to grow at a different speed than before, compared to others.”

One of the big reasons why all kinds of geniuses desperately want to come into the world, a ridiculous effect that amplifies growth in all positive aspects. Even the scale is tremendously high.

“Perhaps your growth scale is set higher than other disciples.”

A special admission student. I remember that in the original work, the protagonist had a higher scale than the other main characters.

“Thanks to that, my body has grown noticeably in just one night. Have you understood this much?”

– Nod

So, I have superior conditions compared to others.

“Well, although I feel it more because my physical level is at rock bottom right now, still, it can’t be denied that Gaho’s performance is good.”

Professor Atra placed a water bottle next to my head.

After emptying the water bottle, I took a short break and lay down.

“So, even in simple running, your physical abilities can explosively grow. So, run with all your might. Have you understood?”

– Nod

“Yes. Then, get up now.”

It seems like the words “prepare properly from today” were not just empty talk. Yesterday ended with running.

Struggling to get up, Professor Atra handed me something long that was hanging from his waist.

When I took it, I felt quite a weight. It was a Western-style sword commonly seen on the internet.

“From today, I will also teach you swordsmanship. Judging by the growth rate, I decided that there should be no problem starting today.”

As I looked at the sword in the scabbard, he then drew out a wooden sword.

“Let me tell you in advance, I don’t do systematic education or anything like that.”

“?”

“Swing the sword as much as you want. There’s no need to hesitate since I won’t get hurt.”

Something sounds strange?

Not a systematic education? Swing the sword as much as I want? Don’t worry because you won’t get hurt? What does this mean?

Feeling a chill creeping over me.

– Shiver

“…!!”

My hair stood on end. In an instant, due to the subsequent accident, I swung the sword out of its scabbard.

Clang! My arm shook roughly. I tightly gripped the trembling handle of the sword. I almost dropped the sword. My body, unable to shake off the shock, was pushed backward.

“Hmm?”

Professor Atra let out a puzzled sound. He adjusted his posture after swinging the sword and narrowed his eyes.

“Have you ever held a sword before?”

A sudden question.

In a flustered state, I tapped my smartwatch.

[What? No]

“…Indeed.”

Professor Atra nodded his head as if he had understood something from my answer.

I had a bad feeling.

Before asking what he had understood, Professor Atra grasped the wooden sword.

“Alright, then. Let’s begin.”

‘Don’t come.’

I couldn’t say anything. I didn’t even have time to tap my smartwatch. Professor Atla’s new model was imminent.

The sound of the approaching wind made the future predict itself.

It’s going to be very difficult from now on.