After the end of a long yap session, the school day finally ended. The class will begin physical assessments on Friday. 3 days from now. That leaves me 2 days of training.
Walking through the halls with my backpack on, I notice one thing. This body, while lacking in literally everything, doesn't lack in looks whatsoever. Dark hair and shining ruby eyes. This body is a solid 9 out of 10, confusing me because why was such an attractive person so weird?
Even in this world where exotic looks were common and the average person looked no worse than supermodels from my past life. This guy would easily be unmatched by most in looks.
Shaking my head in contemplation, I follow my memories towards my dorm room. Astral Academy is simply massive in size. Roughly 45 acres of land. 2,500 registered students 500 combat course students and the rest fall under support or other things.
I fall into the combat course class. I've stopped referring to this body as Akiras as he is no longer with us. Even if he were, such trash doesn't deserve a body like this.
As I'm submerged in my thoughts, I look up and spot 5 students looking at me mockingly. All of them elder boys. Their faces were marred with mocking looks as they looked down upon me like I was no better than dirt under their shoes.
"Hmm?" I frown a bit as I walk through the group of 5. My face showed that I was unconcerned as I'd rather be honing this body for the next 2 days than dealing with others.
"Hold on a minute," the lead boy of the group says as I feel a hand on my shoulder. Instead of responding, I lash out immediately. Years of martial arts training took hold as my fist bloodied the dude's nose.
"Hey!"
"What the hell!"
"Bastard!"
"Dude!"
Ignoring the cronies, I look down at the now-fallen teenager. Roughly 17 years old, so a third year. Messing with a 14-year-old first-year? Sad.
"Hands off trash," I speak coldly. Letting the 4 goons be aware that I'm willing to defend myself. Turning on my heels, I leave at a controlled pace, my face once again returning to its stoic mask as I rummage through the now-dead Akira memories.
Unbeknownst to me, a familiar girl watched the entire thing.
****
Sighing in satisfaction as I exit the hot shower, I immediately get dressed in some casual clothing. I've already deduced and sorted the majority of Akira's memories.
I'm Akira Sunbringer Hernandez. 14-year-old born in the C district of Etrea. I was born 2341 December 22. My parents died when I was 10, and my elder sister has gone M-i-a for as long as Akira - no, my memories stretch.
During my shower, I managed to collect my thoughts and acknowledge that viewing me as a separate person could result in some sort of personality disorder or something.
Another weird thing I discovered is that my bold confession to the protagonist held some weight. Me and Angelina, the protagonist. We were childhood friends up until middle school when we lost all contact.
That confuses me as in the original novel, the Mcs childhood was well documented for 5 chapters, not once mentioning Akira.
It seems that some things have changed. A butterfly effect of sorts. Not that it matters at all.
Blinded by love the moment I saw Angelina, my past self confessed immediately, believing that Angelina held the same feelings despite them not seeing one another for 3 years.
From the memories, there was something more than a platonic relationship going on between the two. They were just too young to act on those feelings.
"Too bad, kid. Guess she didn't feel that way after all." I mock myself as I get dressed into sweatpants and a black T-shirt.
'First things first. I'm going to test the limits of this body by going on a ten-kilometer run around campus.' If my memories serve correctly, there's a path for more active students to take in the situation where they wish to run.
(Unknown pov)
What has happened to him over the years? Why did he suddenly ask me out in front of all those people? Why couldn't he do it in private? I would've said yes.
When I saw the group of boys approach him, I was going to intervene. No one will touch him in my presence. No one.
But surprisingly, he handled himself well. The way he spoke sent shivers down my spine. What happened to the boy who cried when I beat him in a game of tag?
Whatever brought about this change couldn't be good. I hope it wasn't my rejection. I didn't mean to sound so harsh. I just wish he would have asked me in private. Of course I would accept who wouldn't?
"Akira~" I mutter to myself as my hands grip my shoulders. I hope my rejection didn't change him in any way.
"When the moment is right, I will ask you to be my love." Smiling to myself, I stare longingly at the framed picture I took of him on our last day of hanging out.
(Mc pov)
I'm shivering a bit mid-run as I feel as if something crazy will happen soon. I push myself more. This body's overall endurance isn't as bad as I expected, but not bad isn't good.
In my other life, 10 kilometers wouldn't have even made me sweat. Hell. I ran 20 kilometers after not eating for 4 days to get away from that monster.
Frowning in annoyance at my legs aching after the first 5 kilometers, I push through the pain. It refuses to be so pathetic.
(Half an hour later)
Completing the run back to my dorm after a 20-kilometer run, I immediately collapse in exhaustion. Cursing this bodies lack of health as I clench my fist in frustration. Forcing myself onto my bed, I immediately go into a meditative state.
The key to increasing mana reserves in this world is exhausting it completely. Rarely do people exhausting their reserves.
From information the author provided in the auxiliary chapter. If one exhausts their reserves, they will experience an increase of 100%. The reason no one does this is because it's borderline suicidal.
Fortunately, I have a loophole around this. I'm dropping my mana reserves to 00.1 percent. I immediately groan in pain. My gut churns as I pass out.
(The next morning)
Waking up in a heap, I immediately notice a wave of energy grace me. Clenching my fist, I grin. Looks like my theory was correct. Dropping my mana to the last percentage won't put me at any risk and give me the benefits of mana exhaustion.
My mana has grown to a respectable amount. Before you could say that my mana reserves were tiny or miniscule. It's like a small puddle compared to a bathtub. Neither is anything impressive, but the bathtub still holds more water.
After cleaning myself up, I get to work. 1 thousand push-ups and sit-ups for the start of the day. Then another 10 kilometers sprint. This will be my routine until it's too easy. Then I will switch it up.
(2 hours later)
After more or less torturing myself, I head to class with sore mucles. Something I grew used to in my past life and a trait I carried on onto this one.
As I walk through the halls of school, I hear people murmur while looking in my direction.
"What a hottie."
"Did you hear? He broke Eduardo's nose yesterday. "
"He's scary,"
"How can someone so weird be so pretty?"
Ignoring the chitter chatter about myself, I enter class A-1 early by 30 minutes for a quick nap before class starts.
Sitting in the very back of class in my usual spot, I immediately close my eyes for a well-deserved nap. After the bell rings, I'm woken up by murmurs as I look up.
"Huh." I mutter in confusion as I look to my right. Noticing Angelina and her fangirl best friend Elise occupying the remaining two seats at my desk. The former seems rather unpleased to be sitting next to me, but I pay no mind.
Shaking my head as I spot Angelina's side eye, I turn to look forward. Everyone in class talks amongst themselves as the teacher walks in, holding a special orb.
I know exactly what this orb is. It's a scientific invention that tells first years what their gift is as the day you turn fourteen, you unlock your gift. It's is weirdly illegal for anyone to use their gift without registering it, so people tend to avoid using it until they get it evaluated in school.
This results in people not knowing what their gift is until they register it, so naturally, people begin to feel excited as the speaking ramps up a bit, and everyone inquiring on what their gift may be.