"So why didn't you do anything? And how come Kevin is the only one who came out of all this unscathed?" Anna asked Jake after he, Kevin and Smith returned to the training room and explained why they hadn't returned sooner.
Smith had already recovered enough mana to heal himself, the blow he received from Duke gave him an injury that bled profusely but it wasn't critical. Jake had also stopped bleeding from the injuries Duke's cronies had given him. His health points were used to heal the injuries and stop the pain he was feeling but his clothes were still stained with blood.
"I didn't feel like doing anything." Jake answered Miss Anna.
"And what do you mean I'm the only one who came out of all this unscathed?" Kevin asked. "Did you want them to beat me up as well?"
"No, but they beat two out of all three of you, so why didn't they beat you?" Anna asked.
"Because I don't stick my nose where it doesn't belong."
"Alright. Jake, what do you mean you didn't feel like doing anything?"
"I mean I didn't feel like fighting back." Jake said.
"That's why you let more than six guys beat you up? Because you didn't feel like fighting back?" Anna asked.
"Yeah. I'm going to the restroom, I want to change into these clothes I got from my locker."
"Need any help?" Anna asked.
"I think I'll do just fine by myself."
"I need help Miss Anna." Kevin said as he moved to her front. "Let's go to the female restroom, I don't think there's anyone in there right now."
"Can you give it a rest Kevin?" Jake asked as he opened the door to the restroom and went in.
Looking at himself in the mirror, Jake could see his clothes were really stained and close to being tattered. 'Please tell me I completed that stupid quest you gave me.'
Checking his system screen, Jake saw the new messages he had gotten.
[Quest Completed: Get beaten up by three or more people]
[Endurance +3 received]
[Endurance: 29]
'This set of quests suck, none of them even has exp as a reward. How am I meant to level up and get stronger if the quests don't give me exp. No point complaining about it now, I can only hope the next set of quests gives exp as a reward.'
When he was done taking off his clothes and putting on the new ones he brought with him, Jake went back to the others in the training room.
Seeing what Jake was wearing after he left the restroom, Kevin asked him "Jake why are you wearing this? Are you trying to outshine the rest of us?"
Jake was wearing a pair of jeans and a sleeveless top which clung to his body showing the shape of his chest and the abs on his abdomen, it also showed his slightly toned arms.
"Relax man. This is the only thing I could find in my locker."
"What was THIS doing in your locker in the first place?" Kevin asked.
"Wasn't it you who forced me to buy it the day we went to the mall together?"
"I think it looks great on him." Anna said, walking over. "Doesn't it look great on him girls?"
A few girls were staring at Jake, some were looking away, while some replied "It does."
"You see Kevin, even the girls agree." Anna said.
"Yeah no kidding."
Looking at Jake's body, Anna said "Jake, I have to say I'm impressed. I didn't know you work out, maybe you can join me when I go for my workout sessions."
"I appreciate the offer, but I don't workout."
"Then how did you get a body this shredded?"
Quickly answering the question so the others don't get suspicious, Jake told Miss Anna "Uh, I mean I don't workout anymore. I used to, but not anymore."
"That's a shame, a workout partner would have been nice."
"I can go with you Miss Anna." Kevin said from behind her.
"That's sweet Kevin, when can you start?" Anna asked.
"Anytime you want, I can even start right now."
"Kevin you're overdoing it man. Why don't you see the other boys throwing their selves at Miss Anna?" Jake asked.
"I don't care."
"I'll tell you why, it's because they have self-respect and dignity. They aren't shameless like you. So why don't you try being more like them and less like your actual self?"
Bringing out fake tears from his eyes and feigning sobs, Kevin said to Jake "That was a really beautiful speech. And now that you told me all that, it changes... Nothing." Laughing and walking over to Jake, Kevin bopped him on his shoulder. "No hard feelings bro, your speech really was beautiful."
"But you know he's right, don't you?" Smith asked. "Miss Anna isn't interested in this your perverted or shameless behavior?"
"Why don't you let her speak for herself Smith." Kevin said.
Looking up from her phone, Miss Anna saw everybody staring at her, apparently waiting for her to say something. "What were you guys talking about?"
"Smith was just wonder..."
"Actually Miss Anna," Jake interrupted, "Smith was just wondering when we're going to continue focusing on the flow of magic in our body."
"What?"
"Oh right. Everyone, get back on the mats and keep learning how the magic flows through your body."
"How will you know if we aren't doing it?" Kevin asked.
"I won't know. But unless you want to increase the chances of dying when we start going on expeditions, I suggest you give it your all and learn how the magic flows through you."
"Chances of dying? Won't you and a bunch of guards follow us on the expeditions?" Kyle asked.
"Yes we will, but there's always a chance of dying. We might not be able to protect everyone from all sides at the same time. Besides, you should at least be able to protect yourself from low-level beasts and other things you will see out there."
"Things like what?"
"You'll know when it's time for your expeditions. Enough with the questions, sit down and practice."
After groaning and making more complaints, the students sat down on the mats to continue what they were doing before Miss Anna told them to take a break –concentrating on the magic flowing through them.
***
Now on the planet he had left to go to Veda –Derelis, Veer was giving an official and detailed report of what had happened on Veda to Kalvrie while on his knees with his head bowed.
"... that is why I did not kill or bring back subject 1."
After listening to everything Veer had told her, Kalvrie said to him "Get off the floor, it is not your fault. We didn't take into consideration the possibility of someone more powerful than you being present. Nevertheless, Sir Lumian will not be pleased to hear about this."
Standing up, Veer made a suggestion. "Permission to speak ma'am."
"Go on."
"I may be out of line, but perhaps you should not inform Sir Lumian about my failure yet."
"What do you mean?" Kalvrie asked.
"Ma'am, send a stronger person to complete the mission. In the meantime, if Sir Lumian inquires about the completion of the mission you can tell him the truth to avoid getting into deeper trouble with him."
"Or I can just inform him about all that happened and let him objurgate me for sending someone incompetent in the first place, then I will send someone competent to complete the mission. You are dismissed."
"I apologise for failing ma'am." Veer said then left the building.
Taking a deep breath and preparing herself for what was to come, Kalvrie also left the building and went to meet Sir Lumian.
***
Many hours had passed and the students were still sitting on the mats focusing on the magic flowing through their body. Some had fallen asleep while doing it but they had gotten a very painful knock on their head from Miss Anna, she made sure it was very painful to ensure the students won't be falling asleep any time soon.
"That's enough everyone, you can go home now." Miss Anna said to the students.
"HALLELUJAH!!!" the students yelled.
Rushing to get up in case Miss Anna changed her mind, the students ran out of the training room. They don't bring bags so they didn't have anything to take back with them.
Jake was also about to leave the training room when he was stopped by Miss Anna.
"Hold on Jake. Where are you going?"
"You said we could go home." Jake answered looking confused.
"Yes, they can go home. Not you, you have to start your official training."
"Official training?"
"Student-mentor training." Anna clarified.
"But... But it's already late." Jake complained.
"Well what did you think would happen when you asked me to be your mentor? Quit whining and get back in here."
Turning around, Jake went back into the room. Kevin and Smith had already gone so he shut the door after he went in.
"Can I at least check if Cat is still in school?" Jake asked.
"Sure go ahead."
Taking out his phone Jake messaged Cat.
Jake: Hey, you still in school?
Cat: No, we already left an hour ago. Are you still in school?
Jake: We just finished our training and now Anna's telling me to stay behind so she can train me as my mentor.
Cat: You're the one who wanted her as your mentor.
Jake: I know, I think I might be starting to regret it. And this is just the first day.
Cat: You can tell her you want to stop.
Jake: I won't do that. If I can learn from her for as long as possible, I'm going to be very good with magic.
"Cat: Okay, it's your choice.
"Hey, wrap it up, I don't plan to sleep here." Anna said to Jake. "Unless you'll join me."
"I'll pass." After saying bye to Cat, Jake dropped his phone and prepared to start his training.