2:45 PM
After about ten minutes of walking, I arrive at the gym.
I didn't set foot in it last week, but from today onward, I'll have to train consistently.
I go through the revolving door and find myself in a large hall.
There are many cadets training, most of them from the second and third years.
The gym is truly massive, divided into sections: one for running, another for strength training, not to mention a room where you can practice your own art.
The last one is very specific; depending on the weapon you use, it gives you the opportunity to train accordingly.
For example, I am a swordsman. So, if I were to enter that room, monsters attacking at close range would appear.
If an archer were to enter, long-distance or flying monsters would appear.
Of course, it was designed with the essence of Technology demon.
As for me, I need to build muscle, so I'll go lift weights. And then, I'll do some running.
....
5:30 PM
I've just finished my running session, and surprisingly, I don't feel as tired as I expected.
If I had done these physical exercises in the real world, I'd probably be hospitalized by now.
I'm sitting on a bench, drinking water.
"Isn't there a way to get stronger without training?" I mutter to myself. But I guess that would be too easy...
What if I ate some demon flesh too? I've thought about it, but the side effects would be significant.
I think about Leya, and the Haruks in the future... Their lives decrease as they use those powers: the more they use them, the less vitality they have, until they eventually die.
This goes against my goal of living a long life in this world, even though it's fictional; it's still the one I live in.
"So, you like shortcuts..." A voice interrupts my thoughts.
It's Koto.
I didn't expect him to come talk to me. Okay, he's a good-hearted person, but from what I remember, he dedicated almost all his years at the academy to grow and become stronger. He never directly cared about anyone unless that someone needed help.
Wait... does he mean that the one who needs help is me?
After a moment of reflection, I reply: "I don't dislike shortcuts. If there were an easier and faster way to get strong, it would be foolish not to take advantage of it."
"You're not wrong... I just arrived. Would you like to train together?"
I look at him perplexed. He's suggesting this after I've already trained? Does he want to kill me?
Then... didn't I decide not to interact too much with the protagonists? It's fine to see them live, after reading their stories, but do I go beyond that? Although, I don't think training with him can change the future so much. I mean, maybe I've already saved Seyun from his tragic fate; this is nothing compared to that.
Besides, if I want to get stronger, Koto is the best person to ask.
If I become strong, I won't need to know the future anymore. So, even if I end up changing it, as long as I have the strength to counter the new events, I'm okay with that.
"Alright, but take it easy."
I stand up from the bench and pull out the sword from my phone, then we head to a training room, and I follow him.
....
5:45 PM
We've been fighting for about twenty minutes.
Well, more than fighting, I'd say he's assaulting me, forcing me into defense only.
Seeing him live is absolutely amazing, especially when his target is me.
I'm also quite sure he's holding back, both in terms of speed and strength. I realize this when our swords clash.
"Not bad. But so far, you've only defended." His words are calm and serene, hiding no malice.
"Be thankful I'm not unconscious yet." I wonder how I can be useful as a training partner.
He swings another strike, and I struggle to parry it with so much effort that it forces me to kneel.
At that moment, I lose my grip on the sword, and it slips away. Koto doesn't miss the opportunity and brings his long sword close to my throat.
"Okay, okay, you win." I surrender, raising my hands.
After the skirmish, he sheaths the sword and puts it back in its scabbard. Then he extends a hand to help me up.
"You're quite tenacious, but you lack technique."
I would have never guessed.
"I would have never guessed."
Oh, I actually said it.
"Do you want me to teach you how to duel?"
I look at him skeptically.
"No, too exhausting..."
"Pfft ahahah."
But thinking about it, it's still convenient to do these training sessions with a real swordsman.
"But I don't mind training with you, so I'll do it in the future if you want." I ask him, hoping he has no objections, even though the Koto from "The Courage of a Hero" would certainly refuse. He dueled with some cadets only on rare occasions because he spent every free moment studying or training alone, not having much time for anything else.
He nods, smiling, which leaves me a bit puzzled. So I ask him: "Why are you helping me?"
"You know... I made a bet..." He says thoughtfully.
Oh, I didn't know he was a gambler.
Then he continues: "You surprised me during the last test. Considering your low rank, I knew you weren't very skilled in combat, so I wanted to see what your mentality was like. I had evaluated various hypotheses: if you were a coward, you would never have fought against me; during the fight, I pushed you on the defensive the whole time, and you never gave up, except in the end; finally, instead of making excuses, you accepted the outcome and suggested continuing training. This means you're not stupid..."
"Thanks...?" Did he just compliment me or insult me? The way he talks makes it sound like before this duel, he considered me just an ordinary Toki.
It's 6:00 PM, and for some reason, I imagine my room in flames.
"So, see you here tomorrow at the same time?" He asks in a friendly tone.
"For me, it's okay. See you tomorrow." I greet him and leave the gym.
....
6:15 PM
I've arrived in my room, and strangely, I don't see any flames, nor do I smell burning. I don't hear any noises, so the TV should be off. Well, broken at worst.
However, something catches my attention. Lowering my gaze, I notice a small cylindrical container by the side of the door. Who could have left it? I pick it up and decide to open it once inside. So, after some hesitation, I decide to enter.
"I'm back."
She's not in the living room, so I go to the bedroom. And indeed, Leya is sleeping here.
Does she have a fever? I approach and use the most effective temperature gauge ever created: I put one hand on her forehead while placing the other on mine.
Fortunately, she doesn't seem to have one. When I withdraw my hand, I notice she's awake.
"Yo!" I greet her with a wave.
Without responding, she hugs me, taking me a bit by surprise.
"What's happening? Did you break the TV again?"
"Not yet... no."
Not yet? Does she plan to?
"Okay, but let me go now... I need to go wash up. . Without releasing her grip, I playfully tap her back, simulating the surrender of a boxer.
"I trust you too."
She refers to what I said today. Hmm...
"I'm glad, but can you let go now?" I don't mind her display of affection, but after what she told me last night, I can't help but feel a bit uneasy.
Noticing that she doesn't let go, I have no choice but to use my secret technique:
"If you don't let go now, I won't give you anything for dinner tonight."
"You'd never do that." She retorts promptly, showing signs of becoming more assertive despite knowing me for a very short time.
"How can you say that? You've known me for a couple of days; I could be a criminal for all you know!" I say, thinking about the invaluable item I still need to return.
"Because I trust you!" She declares happily.
Finally, she releases her grip, and I step back. Looking at her, my heart warms seeing the huge smile on her face.
"You can go to the living room to watch TV. After I wash up, we'll eat..." I don't finish speaking as a bit of saliva falls to the floor. With my hand, I wipe the one remaining on my lips.
"...pizza?" Leya finishes the sentence.
"Yeah..."
....
11:30 PM
We've had dinner, and after watching TV, we both went to bed.
Lying on my side, I look in her direction.
She not only gained demon abilities but also some of their constitution.
Ignoring the variable strength, demons have a much stronger constitution than humans: physically more powerful, much faster regeneration rate, and even smarter.
Considering this, she should be able to recover within a month at most.
"Ban, are you watching me?" She speaks, facing away, so she couldn't have seen me looking.
"Do you have eyes behind your back? Anyway, it's nothing; I just thought you might get bored being alone here all day."
After a moment, she speaks serenely, 'Don't worry, I'm used to it."
This just keeps increasing my bitterness.
At that moment, I remember the object I picked up in front of the door. I forgot to open it; perhaps it's something important. I get up and briefly go to the living room where I left it.
I turn on the lights and notice I left it on a small cabinet near the entrance. I open it, and inside is a sheet of paper, probably with something written on it. After taking it, I realize it's a handwritten letter, so I start reading: 'If you don't want the girl to die, give her one pill every day.'
This leaves me bewildered and surprised. Have we been observed?
I take the pills left in the box. Now I remember, the author discussed this with the Haruks. To resist the demon's influence, they had to ingest a kind of antidote once a day.
But can I trust this note? Who wrote it? What are their intentions? Why are they helping us? I don't know... It's impossible that it was Dr. Marco. It must have been someone within this academy.
In any case, if Leya doesn't take this pill, she would die in five days.
What a situation!
It's better to give it to her tomorrow morning as soon as possible.
Afterward, I go back to bed, and despite the oddity of this recent event, I quickly fall asleep.