Chapter 22: The Weight of Training
By the time Fate and his friends entered the classroom, most of the students had already taken their seats.
Small clusters of conversation filled the room, overlapping chatter echoing softly.
Fate, however, was seated beside Lisa.
"Good morning," he said gently.
Lisa flinched slightly before replying in a quiet, shy voice.
"Morning…"
Kyle noticed the two talking and leaned over from his desk.
"Hey, Fate."
Fate turned toward him.
"Hm?"
Kyle tilted his head toward Lisa.
"Shouldn't you introduce us to your new friend?"
Fate blinked, then chuckled lightly.
"Ah— you're right."
He turned back to Lisa.
"Lisa, these are my friends. Kyle, Chloe, and Isabelle."
Kyle raised a hand casually.
"Yo."
Chloe waved politely, her tone soft.
"Nice to meet you, Lisa."
Isabelle smiled faintly.
"I'm happy to meet you… the prodigy of the Astryx Family."
Lisa stiffened at the title but still nodded, lifting her hand in a small wave.
She didn't speak, her introverted nature keeping her silent.
Fate then gestured toward her.
"And everyone, this is Lisa. A friend I made just yesterday."
The group chatted for a short while, though Lisa mostly listened, her eyes darting around whenever attention fell on her.
Soon, the bell rang.
Chairs scraped lightly as students returned to their desks.
Moments later, Professor Sirius entered the classroom.
"Good morning, everyone."
He picked up a piece of chalk and turned toward the massive blackboard, writing carefully.
Once finished, he stepped aside.
"This will be your daily school schedule. Make sure you follow it."
Written clearly on the board:
«Martial Ascension Studies – 8:00 am — 10:00 am
Arcane Theoretical Arts – 10:00 am — 12:00 pm
Break Time – 12:00 pm — 1:00 pm
Beast Dominion Studies – 1:00 pm — 3:00 pm»
Some students—Fate included—copied it down diligently.
Others, like Jake and his companions, leaned back lazily, uninterested.
After a short pause, Professor Sirius spoke again.
"All of you, change into your P.E. uniforms and head outside the school building."
The classroom erupted into movement.
Just as Fate stood up, Professor Sirius called out sharply.
"Fate Kindspring."
Fate turned.
"Yes, Professor Sirius?"
Professor Sirius spoke to Fate.
"You stay behind. I have something to discuss with you first."
Fate glanced at his friends.
"You all go ahead. I'll follow in a moment."
Lisa nodded quietly, and the others headed for the changing rooms.
Professor Sirius approached Fate.
"I was informed that you and some of your friends nearly broke into a fight with classmates yesterday. I want to hear your side."
"Yes, Professor."
Fate calmly explained everything—from the insults, to the tension, to Professor Dylan's proposed game.
Professor Sirius listened without interrupting.
"A game, huh…" he muttered.
"Very well. You're dismissed."
Fate bowed to Professor Sirius.
"Thank you, Professor."
Fate hurried to the changing room, but as he was putting on his uniform—
"Hey, lizard…"
The voice was familiar. Irritating.
Fate turned.
Jake sat casually on a bench, watching him.
"It's you… Jake."
Jake grinned.
"You should back down while I still have a bit of kindness left."
Fate stared at him for a moment—
Then burst out laughing.
"HAHAHAHAHA—"
Jake scowled.
"Have you gone crazy? Or do you just have loose screws?"
Fate wiped a tear from his eye.
"You waited here just to say that nonsense?"
He smirked.
"I think you're the one with loose screws."
Jake's face darkened.
"I gave you a chance. You wasted it. I'll make you suffer."
He stormed out.
Fate finished changing and headed outside.
Professor Sirius stood waiting.
"All of you will train your bodies to their limits."
He began jogging immediately.
"You'll keep up with me. I won't tell you when we stop."
Students scrambled after him.
They ran through the Academy grounds—training fields, gardens, libraries—until legs trembled and breaths turned ragged.
Kyle, Lisa, Kara, even Princess Caelira were visibly exhausted.
But Fate?
(This is normal for me.)
Professor Sirius stopped abruptly.
"We still have one hour before the next period. Fifty sit-ups."
Groans echoed.
Afterward—
Professor Sirius said.
"Twenty-five squats."
Sweat poured. Muscles screamed.
Fate moved smoothly, unbothered.
"…Hey," Fate murmured to Kyle mid-rep.
"You good?"
Kyle huffed.
"Yeah… we do this daily in my family."
"Same," Fate replied.
"I've been doing similar training even before enrolling."
No rest.
"Thirty-five push-ups! Last exercise!"
Students collapsed afterward.
Whispers spread.
"Monsters…"
"Especially Fate Kindspring…"
Professor Sirius nodded.
"Good work. Twenty minutes to rest."
Most students collapsed into the shade.
Fate walked to a washing area and splashed water on his face.
"Phew… that was a good workout."
"Fate…"
Fate turned.
Chloe stood there, sunlight reflecting off her blonde hair.
Then Chloe spoke.
"Do you need healing?"
Fate blinked.
"Healing treats injuries, not fatigue—"
"I know," Chloe said.
"My familiar can treat mental fatigue too."
She summoned her familiar.
"Snow."
A magic circle formed.
A white rabbit appeared, yellow markings running from its ears down its back.
Fate used his skill Dragon Eyes.
(Dragon Eyes)
Snow
Race: Lunelle
Skills:
– Divine Heal
– Spirit Buff
– Light Shield
Basic Info: A passive holy beast associated with protection and belief.
"Snow," Chloe said softly.
"Please help him."
Snow leapt toward Fate.
Fate caught her instinctively.
A warm aura spread.
Spirit Buff
Rarity: Legendary
– Removes fatigue and increases stats by ten for ten minutes.
Fate opened his Status Window.
(Status Window)
Status Window
Name: Fate Kindspring
Race: Dragon (Crystal Dragon)
Level: 30
Class: Warrior
Unique Skill: Memory of the World
Skills:
– Flowing Butterfly Sword
– Gluttonous Aegis,
– Barrier Creation
– Heal
– Tame
– Crystal Spikes
– Swift Wind Steps
Passives:
– Magic Circuits
– Pain Resistance
– Poison Resistance
– Pain Reduction
– Venom Resistance
Stats:
Strength: 55 (Colorless) (+10)
Agility: 65 (Colorless) (+10)
Endurance: 55 (Colorless) (+10)
Intelligence: 55 (Colorless) (+10)
Mana: 65 (Colorless) (+10)
Fate thanked Chloe sincerely.
"…Thank you, Chloe."
She smiled.
"It was Snow."
Fate gently stroked Snow's head.
Soon, everyone returned to class—waiting for the next lesson.
Chapter 22 end