After the first two lessons were over, it was time for Physical Body Training. This time, however, the bald teacher decided to be extra hard on them. Or maybe he had just been going easy until now?
Nevertheless, after the usual half marathon, in which both Zaroth and Zack struggled as their bodies were too exhausted from yesterday's duels, they were made to do push-ups and pull-ups.
'I'm getting closer to 100,' Zaroth thought as he diligently did his reps.
Looking around, it seemed most of the students in A-class had finally begun to give it their all. Of course, Zaroth didn't compare himself to them, as some of them were knights, so their physical bodies were stronger than his own.
The only person he compared himself to was Zack, which was foolish in its own way, considering Zack was extraordinary even among the knight category.
After their training was finally over, the students took a quick shower and went to get lunch.
"So, do we have a plan?" Zaroth asked, currently sitting at a table with Zack, Roran, and Lily.
"Well, considering our abilities, I think we can push ourselves a little and try to hunt a Rare beast," Lily responded while drinking her coffee.
"I'm not sure…" Roran joined in. "It might be pushing it a little too much…"
"Well, maybe, but considering that second, third, and fourth-year students will be participating as well, I think we have to do at least this much to stand out," Zack said, crossing his arms and furrowing his brows, deep in thought.
"Considering that one Rare beast might not even be enough, we may have to hunt two or three," Lily agreed with him.
"Well, you might say that," Zaroth began, "but aren't beasts ranked higher than Uncommon hard to find? From what I remember in our lectures, the stronger the beast of a rank, the harder it is to find. Do we even know if the forest we're going to has Rare beasts?"
"Hm? You haven't heard the rumors?" Zack raised an eyebrow.
"What rumors?" Zaroth asked.
"Well," Zack began, "there's a rumor that the whole reason they're holding this hunting competition is because the beasts in the forest near the capital are acting strangely and threatening the city."
"So what you're saying is that they'll use the students' power to get rid of the upcoming danger by using the hunting competition as a pretext?" Zaroth asked.
"Pretty much."
"But why are they acting strange in the first place?"
"Well," Lily joined in, "the rumor is that there's something stronger deep in the forest, getting closer to the capital. As a result, it's scaring the weaker creatures towards the capital."
"Yeah, apparently the empire even sent a small army of seasoned fighters with a veteran as their leader, but they suddenly lost contact with them," Zack added.
Roran also seemed a bit surprised, likely because he didn't bother to listen to mindless rumors.
Shifting his gaze to Lily, he spoke coldly, "When the hunting begins, I want you to always be in my line of sight."
"Yeah, yeah," Lily replied casually, clearly unfazed by Roran's overprotective nature.
*****
After lunch, they went their separate ways to attend classes. After the Familiarization with Specific Classes, where Zaroth learned a few things, they were supposed to attend Live Combat Practice. But upon arriving, Roderic said to them,
"Due to the amount of overexertion you did yesterday, you will be forbidden from attending today's class."
So now, Zaroth was walking through the academy's facilities, thinking about what to do next. In the end, he decided to visit the library.
After spending about half an hour there, he picked up a few books,
Strengthening Your Body Using Martial Arts
The Art of Wielding a Sword
Magic Spells Explained for Dummies
After checking them out at the counter, he returned to his assigned apartment.
"Oh… How have I missed walking around freely!" Luna, who had spent more than 50 hours in Zaroth's soul, was now enjoying the ability to walk around, as he had summoned her.
Zaroth had decided to try reading the books, even though the academy was helpful. He wanted to learn skills and abilities outside of his own class. The more options he had, the better his position would be.
He usually didn't have a problem concentrating, but right now…
"Oh, how good it is to be alive!" Luna proclaimed happily, stretching her leg. She balanced effortlessly on one leg while stretching the other high overhead.
Just looking at her made Zaroth's body heat up, and he couldn't for the life of him break his gaze from her.
"Will you stop, please?! Someone's trying to concentrate here!" he cried, irritated, not shifting his gaze.
Placing her hand over her mouth, which had turned into a grin, she replied, "Oh? Does my body distract you?"
"Yes, very much so!"
"But… all I'm doing is stretching… It just seems your mind is that perverted, not allowing you to focus," she said, getting into a middle split.
Zaroth took a deep breath, trying to calm himself. He turned his back to her, attempting to read in peace.
His actions made Luna burst into laughter. He would have been angry if her laugh didn't sound as alluring as it did.
"This woman!" he cursed silently as he focused on the book.
'How does one strengthen their own body? Many would say that they have to train their muscles, and that is somewhat correct, but there is one thing that many people neglect.
There are situations where a person is able to achieve something they previously thought wasn't possible, like when you perform a spell more advanced than your current level or when you manage to create beautiful music using an instrument you haven't mastered yet.
In that moment, the individual has reached what we call their peak. The question is, can a person enter such a state at will, and for how long?
By the end of this book, you, the reader, will be able to enter this state anytime you wish, for as long as you wish.'
With Zaroth's interest piqued and no longer having any problem with concentration, he read further.