The large conference room buzzed with excitement as the professors gathered to discuss the new students who had arrived at the academy the day before. High, arched windows let in a golden glow that illuminated the grand wooden table, which was strewn with maps, parchments, and magical trinkets representing the diverse expertise of the academy's staff.
The door creaked open, and Jodi strode in, her sharp eyes immediately locking onto Paul. Without hesitation, she flicked her wrist, and her bladed whip snapped forward, expertly wrapping around his neck. The other professors chuckled, clearly amused by the familiar display of dominance.
"Alright, Jodi," one of them said with a grin. "You can torment Paul after the meeting."
"Fine," Jodi muttered, releasing Paul but keeping her eyes fixed on him a moment longer.
Once seated, the professors began reviewing the entrance exam results. Their discussions focused on matching the new students with the right professors, aiming to develop their skills to their fullest potential.
Paul leaned forward, rubbing his neck where the whip had caught him. "What do you think of Nathaniel Cromwell?" he asked, directing the question at Jodi. "I sent him your way, thinking you'd be able to help him... develop."
Jodi's lips curled slightly as she recalled her encounter with Nate. "He's got some raw potential, but his illusion magic is weak, and his stealth? Practically non-existent," she replied with a smirk. "Still, I believe there's something untapped in him. With the right motivation, we could bring it out."
Garret, the academy's most rigorous combat instructor, chimed in. "I saw him attempt dagger work during the trials. It was pathetic. I'll take him on as well. Between Jodi and me, we'll see what he's really made of."
Several professors exchanged knowing glances. With Jodi and Garret both taking an interest in Nate, many silently questioned whether the boy would survive the term.
As the meeting wrapped up, Jodi glanced back at Paul, her whip coiling in her hand once more. "Now, where were we?"
Nate woke to the soft morning light filtering through the curtains of his small inn room. His body ached slightly from the previous day's trials, the entrance exam still fresh in his mind. He quickly dressed and gathered his belongings, mentally preparing himself for the day ahead. Today, he would officially begin his training.
As he stepped outside, the fresh air greeted him, and he soon met up with Gwen, who seemed equally nervous yet excited. "Ready for this?" she asked, her sea-blue eyes gleaming with anticipation.
Nate gave her a wry smile. "As ready as I'll ever be." He couldn't help but notice how his new "Smooth Criminal" title seemed to subtly affect their interaction. There was a slight shift in Gwen's demeanor, her eyes lingering on him a moment longer than usual.
Together, they walked toward the academy, joining the throng of students. After receiving their dorm keys and schedules, Nate scanned his own. His stomach sank as he saw the names listed prominently—Professor Jodi and Professor Garret.
[New Quest: Hell Training]
Description: Survive the initial training with two of the academy's most notorious professors.
Reward: +3 levels, Special Class Option.
Penalty: Crippled for life.
Nate swallowed hard. A quest with such high stakes was never a good sign. Glancing at Gwen, who seemed equally engrossed in her schedule, he forced a smile. "Looks like we're in for an interesting ride."
"What do you mean?" Gwen asked, peering at his schedule. Her eyes widened. "Jodi and Garret? Nate, those are two of the toughest professors here. How did you end up with both of them?"
Nate shrugged, trying to appear nonchalant despite the knot forming in his stomach. "Lucky, I guess. What about you?"
Gwen's schedule seemed far less daunting, filled with names Nate didn't recognize. As they compared notes, Nate couldn't help but wonder why he'd been singled out for such intense training.
After parting ways with Gwen, Nate made his way to the training room where Jodi awaited him. The memory of her whip was fresh, and his nerves spiked as he pushed open the door.
Jodi stood in the center of the room, her presence commanding as always. Her leather bodysuit glistened in the light, and the whip she held loosely in her hand seemed more like an extension of her will than a mere weapon.
"You're late," she said coldly, her eyes narrowing.
Nate quickly stepped inside, resisting the urge to flee. "Sorry, ma'am."
"Let's see if you're as pathetic as you were yesterday," she said with a smirk, her voice dripping with cruelty. "Illusions. Show me something that's actually worth my time."
Nate swallowed, focusing hard on the images he conjured in his mind. With effort, he willed two birds to appear, their wings flapping weakly. Jodi scoffed, unimpressed.
"You call that an illusion?" she mocked. "I've seen children do better."
Nate gritted his teeth and tried again, but his concentration faltered under her sharp gaze. The whip cracked through the air, striking him across the legs. Pain jolted through his body, but he forced himself to stand, his pride stinging more than the whip.
"Again," she ordered, her tone harsh. "Focus. You're weak because your mind is weak. You can't even control a simple illusion. Pathetic."
Hours passed in a blur of pain and frustration. Every failed attempt was met with a lash of Jodi's whip. Every small success was swiftly torn apart by her biting remarks. Sweat dripped down Nate's face, mixing with dirt and blood as his body ached under the relentless strain.
But he wouldn't give up. He couldn't give up. With each failed illusion, he felt a flicker of determination ignite in his chest. He gritted his teeth and kept going, refusing to let Jodi break him. Thoughts of his village, of Sam, of his promise to become stronger fueled his resolve.
'I didn't come this far to fail now,' Nate thought, pushing through the pain. 'I have to prove I belong here, that I can become someone worthy of Sam, of this opportunity.'
[New Title: Masochistic Learner]
Description: After enduring painful and grueling training from a ruthless mentor, you have developed an unusual resistance to pain and a stubborn determination to succeed. Grants +3 to Pain Endurance, +2 to Magic Control, and a 5% reduction in physical damage.
As the notification flashed before him, Nate barely registered it through the haze of exhaustion and pain. But even through the fog, a small sense of triumph filled him. He had earned something from this torment.
Eventually, Jodi stopped, her whip coiling back into her hand. "That's enough for today," she said, her voice softening just slightly. "I'll admit, you lasted longer than I expected. But you're still far from ready."
She gestured toward the door, and Nate staggered out, barely able to stand. He made his way to the infirmary, where a nurse quickly attended to his wounds. As he lay there, staring at the ceiling, a faint smile tugged at his lips before he fell into a state of unconsciousness.