"Please don't answer that, sir," Asahi begged Tenji, weary about Rumi taking his words literally.
Ignoring his words, Tenji gave a nod to her question. "Go overboard if you want to, I'd like to know your current progress and what's lacking."
Asahi took several steps back, disturbed by the approval.
"Just don't kill him, but anything other than that, he could survive. Just make sure it's either he is forced to submit or he pleads to be let off." Tenji went on with a thumbs-up.
"That isn't fair, professor Tenji." Asahi pouted, switching his gaze from Tenji and Rumi.
He was worried about how much damage Rumi might inflict upon him when she got angry enough. He didn't have any idea where to start training against someone so powerful.
His thoughts were interrupted as Rumi stood before him, smirking evilly.
"This should be fun, Asahi dear, don't you think?" Rumi asked teasingly, looking into his eyes.
Her smile grew wider as she took another step forward.
Her hands balled into tight fists; ready to strike again.
She took another step forward, closing the distance between them until she reached his chest height.
Her fist came crashing towards his jaw, aiming straight for his nose. The impact sent shockwaves throughout every part of his body. His vision blurred momentarily due to the force behind the blow.
It wasn't long after that he found himself lying flat on his stomach, staring blankly at the ceiling above.
*****
A few hours later...
After having been knocked unconscious twice during their sparring match, Asahi finally managed to regain consciousness after being healed by Tenji.
The first time he regained awareness, he realized he couldn't move an inch without feeling excruciating pains running through his entire body. It seemed as though everything hurt except for his arms which remained numb.
Wincing slightly, he slowly sits upright, wincing each second he did so.
Rumi sits beside him, watching intently as he struggles to stand. Her hand rested gently on his shoulder, offering support whenever needed.
Once standing fully erect, he turned to look at her, she looked sober compared to earlier. There are no traces of amusement or laughter present within those beautiful blue orbs. Instead, there lies something else entirely: concern.
"Did I do some serious harm? Or am I just imagining things?" Rumi asks quietly, not wanting anyone nearby to hear her voice.
Looking down, Asahi shakes his head lightly. "No, nothing major happened. Your punches may've landed harder than expected maybe because I was expecting some disappearing act," he said softly.
Tenji sits cross-legged next to both students, observing with a stoic face.
"You're lucky her magic isn't fully cultivated, otherwise you would probably be dead right now." Tenji points out with a smirk.
Rumi gets to her feet and turns her attention toward Tenji. "Professor Tenji! I think we both know what's next, correct?!"
'She doesn't seem to forget easily.' Tenji thinks to himself.
"Yes, Rumi, please continue," Tenji says calmly, giving a small wave of acknowledgement to Rumi.
With a grin plastered across her lips, Rumi walks to Tenji who sits proudly despite knowing full well what will happen once they begin.
Without further ado, Rumi places both palms onto his shoulders, whips her hair away from her neck then proceeds to lean closer to whisper directly into his ear.
"Tell me Professor Tenji, what could I ask for?" Rumi whispers seductively while leaning close to his ears.
"Something definitely out of my comfort zone..." Tenji replies honestly.
Rumi narrows her eyes playfully, tilting her chin upward ever so subtly.
Asahi watches silently, his fists clenched tightly together. 'how long can I endure this?' he thinks with a grim look.
Sitting on Tenji's lap, Rumi leans over to kiss him passionately. She wraps her hand around his neck, pulling herself even tighter against him.
Tenji gets to his feet with Rumi still clinging to his neck.
Letting out a sigh, he waits until she places her legs on the ground before releasing her grip.
She stares deeply into his eyes, not willing to break eye contact.
Pinching the bridge of his nose, Tenji lets out a deep breath. She was more of a pain in the ass than he thought possible.
Taking one last glance back at her, he takes hold of her wrist firmly and pulls her along.
"Asahi, come along too!" Tenji calls out loudly, making sure he heard it clearly.
"Where are we going?!!" Asahi hisses in anger, trying hard to keep up with Tenji's pace.
Stopping at the corner of his wall, Tenji spins around swiftly causing Rumi to fall backward. He quickly grabs her arm and helps her get to her feet.
He stands tall, facing off against Asahi whose face is redder than usual.
"That attitude won't give you the upper hand here, kiddo. You two can choose to walk away before anything happens or stay put if you're not up for it ." Tenji warns sternly.
His words were met with silence; neither party moved an inch further. They stand like statues waiting patiently for someone to make the first move.
"Is this the part where 'partly dangerous experience for us all' comes in?" Asahi grumbles as he makes air quotes using his fingers.
Tenji smirks knowingly. "What do you think?"
They turn towards Rumi who has yet to say a word since her initial embarrassment. After taking several seconds to gather her thoughts, she speaks up.
"I'm fine with whatever decision you take, but... my request should remain unchanged regardless of you turning me down."
Her tone remains calm and collected unlike how she acted moments ago when she tried to kiss Tenji.
"Really? Now? Why don't you two get a room already?" Asahi remarks sarcastically.
After staring each other down for another few minutes, Rumi finally breaks the ice between the three of them. "I have one question, though. What is your true specific ability? The one that allows you to use such powerful spells while flawlessly utilizing little to no mana whatsoever."
*****
A/N
¶ Any idea on what Tenji's ability might be?
Thank you [Twain] for your gift.
Damn! it's been a long while since I put this book on hiatus, but I'm thankful for those who still stuck by and waited for this rare moment.
Your response to my next question will determine if I should start daily publishing again (all I need is 10+ comments to convince me)
I would really appreciate your comments and support of this novel with your power stones on Webnovel. Your active comments would motivate me to write more chapters.