"Haa!", shouted Josh and Kazuya as they waved their practice swords. Not like their first day, they now have a practice sword, with different weights as well. The sword Josh wielded is 5 kilograms, while Kazuya is 20.
This made them sore like no other day, especially Josh whose not use from the pain. Kazuya even exhausted, just shrug when they asked, heck! He even looked refreshed, they even secretly nicknamed him 'monster'.
One time, Josh talked about Kazuya having a great amount of stamina, he can even move when exhausted. This made Scarlett's thoughts wander, like what other activities would his stamina be useful? That night, she couldn't sleep at all. Too embarrassed about her own thoughts.
Anyway, this is already the hour 6 of their training. It was almost midnight, when Kazuya said Josh would double his training, he also meant his. This made Josh unable to surrender, especially when his girlfriend is watching.
And thanks to his pride, he persevered. Finally, at exact midnight the routine finished and he laid on the ground, exhausted.
Kazuya looked at him and chuckled. His face looks exhausted but he pushed his body to its limit, he ignored the pain like it was nothing at all. Thanks to this, the butlers looked at him and gulped.
The training is much hellish than their training before, saying it was hellish might even be an understatement. At first, they thought that Kazuya's stamina is good. Considering the 6 hour training, both swinging sword and basic stances.
But the moment he put down the sword, it sounded like it weight more than it looks. When they tried to check it, it was indeed a 20-kilogram sword. Then Kazuya put his arm and ankle guard, it made almost the same sound. Checking it again, it was also 20-kilogram each.
Overall its a hundred-kilogram weights, moving with it for six long hours, vigorously at that. It was unbelievable. Seeing their expression, Scarlett couldn't help but smirk. They would be much surprised if they knew that Kazuya always wear that under his sleeves. Only taking it off when sleeping.
Princess Summer looked at them with admiration especially to Kazuya that seemed to not bother his exhaustion. She then looked at Josh and cheered him, " Josh that was good, I never thought you could keep up with your brother."
This made Josh smile and proudly stood up, also ignoring his pain. Princess Summer surely didn't check the weights that was attached to Kazuya, thus she thought they had the same intensity.
"Yes, Josh that was great. You just have to endure for a month before we increase the intensity and finally teaching you a suitable sword art.", Kazuya also praised.
Hearing the first sentence he felt that the training is just the entrance of hell, it was not hell yet. But hearing the last part, he kept his proud smile and looked forward for the sword art.
Kazuya looked at the butlers, their expression couldn't be better. Frightened old men. Their gazes connected, seeing the smirk on Kazuya's face they shivered.
They're already surprised about the bloodlust that even Cosmos couldn't match, now seeing the most intense training they could only shiver.
Though they could endure training as well, they are of course a tier above this guy. He was a monster on their eyes.
"Butler Rio, Butler Cosmos, are you sure about your decision?", he said to the butlers.
The two gulped and smiled wryly, Cosmos replied, "Young Master, the two of us are truly awed about your sword. Especially when I saw the video, though in a life-and-death battle I could still beat you, I wouldn't be leaving unscathed. As much as we want to learn the way of the sword, we're too old. The time we master it may be the time we die out of old age."
Kazuya nodded and looked at Rio, "What he said Master. But you can still expect that I will put my life and all of my efforts to be of any help.".
"Well then, can you please take care of our mess. I can hardly move my body, since I put it on this morning it has been straining my arms and ankles.", he said feigning a pained expression.
"Yes, Master.", Rio nodded and went to clear the weights. Then suddenly he realized something, something's wrong! He turned to his master and asked, " Master, did you just said that you equipped this since morning?"
Kazuya didn't reply and just smiled mysteriously at them, he then teasingly winked before turning around to go to where the others are sitting.
The two realized that when Butler Rio and Kazuya fought, even with the weights he still managed to defeat the butler. Though Butler Rio purposely did not intend to kill which lowered his guard as well as the pressure, he still fought seriously.
If Kazuya took of the weights and fight him, even with just swordsmanship he may find himself on the losing side again. He also remembered that Kazuya didn't use his ability at all.
Scarlett looked at their expression from far with a satisfied smile. Kazuya is really good at showing off, an expert at that! He can even leave old elites at awe.
...
The morning went as fast as they closed their eyes. Scarlett woke up in Kazuya's embraced wearing her usual goddess-like smile. Summer on the other hand is on the guess room, she woke up early and prepared some coffee for Josh. Very unusual for a princess.
At 7 am, they met at the dining table. They had small talks and a hearty meal. Then Scarlett and Kazuya prepared for the Entrance Exam.
Kazuya equipped an item called Weight Bracelets, it was as the name suggest. He bought it yesterday but it only came this morning. He activated it and set the weight to 30-kilograms. Each week he would add 10-kilograms on it.
Overall it weighted 120-kilograms, he moved slower than usual but after some light exercise he got used to it.
The strength training is recommended by the system itself. Kazuya asked if the two needs to do the same, but the system said that it would be best not. They could only decide when they start to learn their sword art. For now, they must first understand the sword.
A few minutes later the two left the house and headed to the Academy. It was in a city called Frame City, it's the biggest city in the capital.
The two arrived on the gate and the guard checked their identity. "Names, current rank, ability, and weapons."
Scarlett answered first, "Scarlett Haynes, Grade B- Tier 3, [Elemental - Shadow], Sword."
Then Kazuya followed, "Kazuya Red, Grade D- 3, [Dimensional Rift], Sword."
The guard nodded and printed an Examinees ID, with the expiration of a day only. It was just for the day, this shows how strict the Academy is.
Then the two headed inside, as they walked they encountered a lot of examinees as well. All of them was captured by them, their appearance to be exact.
Kazuya wore his white windbreaker, a black shirt under it, and a black jeans. He wore a warm smile and an unkempt hair that gave him a shower fresh look. Partnered with his adonis face, he was practically someone to be envied by boys.
Scarlett wore a tight black-armor, her black haired is kept on a neat ponytail, his lips as red as her name, and a body that curves made men gulped. Seeing this Kazuya sighed, he stripped his windbreaker and put it on Scarlett. Then he held her hands.
Possessiveness, classic possessiveness. The other men met Kazuya's eyes, Kazuya also intentionally leaked a bit of killing intent, making all of the men turn their head away as they shiver.
This made Scarlett ecstatic and she clinged to his arm, while muttering, 'I'm only yours.'. Though faint, it was enough for Kazuya to hear, satisfying his possessiveness.
After a while they arrived at a huge 'tournament' arena, they are already a lot of people talking at the sides of the ring. In the middle a bulky man stood with his eyes closed, seemingly waiting for everyone to gather.
Kazuya observed everyone with sharp eyes, eyeing people with no weapons. He also looked at the possible trouble makers such as the arrogant looking kid at his right. He's wearing a high class armor, it was silver colored, his hair is blue, and at the moment he is talking non-stop.
Probably boasting about his 'achievements', some girls that's awed by his face and richness listened there. Feigning interest to his words.
Along his line of sight, he saw a purple haired girl. The girl is also silently observing peole, she then met Kazuya's gaze and glared at him before turning her sight to others. Kazuya just frowned and continued observing.
"Hey! You guys, you're here for the test?", a blonde-haired guy approached them with smile.
Kazuya turned to him while Scarlett ignored him and kept her words. Kazuya smiled, it's a guy who's like him before, a happy-go-lucky guy. He matched his energy and smiled radiantly, catching the interest of nearby girls.
"Yes, of course. Why would we be here if not for it?", he said.
"Haha, of course. I'm Dalton West, I use lightning. I'm sorry about that, I'm not good at starting conversations."
"I'm Kazuya Red and this is Scarlett Haynes, we use swords I guess. It's okay really.", he replied and they shook his hands.
"Well, you came from the famous Red family. Your business is booming at the moment, you're even on newspapers."
"Well, not really. At most, it's just average. So, you have any clue about the test?", he replied.
" Yeah, they sai-", his sentence was cut off when a loud voice was heard. It was the bulky guy on the ring.
"Shut your trap people! We're gonna start the Entrance exam. You guys can call me Sir Mike, I'm Grade SS- 2. One of the first year's teacher.
The school will take 120 students minimum. But it looks like you're more than that so you will need to fight for the spots. For first years there would be 4 Sections. Class A, B, C and D.
Class Section doesn't mean anything actually, don't expect that if I put you on class A you're a strong one. I'm too lazy to arrange you by strength so I'll randomly put you anywhere I want.
Anyway, the Entrance Exam goes as this. You can win by either surviving 10 moves from me or you hit me once. I won't be using any abilities only my spear.
Oh- if you manage to make me use my ability you also win. Hmm, I think that's all, who wants to go first?"
Silence filled the arena, no one dared to be the first one to try it. They still don't know Sir Mike's prowess thus they are afraid to be the 'test subject'.
However, two people are unafraid. They both raised their hand and boldly shouted, "Me!"
Everyone looked to where the voice came from. It was black-haired girl with a goddess-like smile and an adonis faced man with a wavy brown hair.
The two jumped on the stage, unfazed by the gazes, Kazuya then said, "You go first babe. Beat him."
Scarlett gave another goddess-like smile that drew everyone's attention. She said, "Of course, I'm not going to lose in front of my lover.".
A loud sigh came from almost half of the people, they all thought, 'We don't have any chances, looking at the rival's appearance, we might pale in comparison.'.