Chapter 12 - XII

A quiet room, heavy with silence, as the soft dawn light sneaks in through the tiny cracks in the curtains. Everything is meticulously arranged, as if time had frozen in that moment.

The silence was broken by the sound of the door slowly opening, followed by light footsteps on the wooden floor. Alex entered the room, exhausted, sweat trickling down his forehead, and his pale face reflecting the ordeal he'd been through. His fists clenched and unclenched nervously as he ran his fingers through his damp hair.

He took a deep breath before whispering to himself, "Today's training was tough, but it seems the effort is paying off."

His words were followed by a comforting silence, tinged with a hidden sense of satisfaction.

Alex began removing his sweat-soaked shirt, with drops falling to the floor beside the bed. He glanced at the mysterious tattoo on his arm, staring at it for a moment before muttering in frustration, "Why hasn't this damn tattoo rewarded me since that one time?"

He paused for a moment, thinking, realizing that the exercises had become easier lately and his body was responding better. Looking toward the large mirror, he slowly approached to observe his reflection.

In surprise, he stared at his body, which now appeared different. Muscles that had never been visible before were now clearly defined, his shoulders broader, and his stomach toned. The dawn light streaming through the windows made his body look as if it had been carefully sculpted.

He smirked sarcastically, "Is this really me?" he said aloud as if someone would answer. "I've changed so much... Is this real, or am I dreaming? Look at those abs!"

He moved closer to the mirror, exploring every detail of his new physique, then shook his head with a small laugh, "I never imagined the progress would be this clear and quick. Simon was right."

In a burst of excitement, he spontaneously jumped in the air before rushing towards the bathroom, muttering with a grin, "Time for a shower, Mr. Bodybuilder!"

He turned on the water without thinking, only to be hit by a sudden cold stream. He froze for a second, shivering, then laughed heartily, "Okay, maybe I got a little too excited."

After his shower, droplets of water glistened in his reddish-brown hair, and his hazel eyes sparkled with newfound vitality. His face looked brighter, as if the exhaustion of the past days had vanished. He ran his fingers through his damp hair with a contented smile.

Once dressed in his stylish clothes, he headed toward the university. The hallways buzzed with students hurrying to their classes. Alex, still lost in his reflection in the windows, bumped into a girl walking with her boyfriend.

"Oh! Watch out!" the girl said sarcastically, her eyes narrowing in disdain.

Her boyfriend chuckled mockingly, "Maybe you should look ahead instead of staring at your reflection!"

Alex paused for a moment, looked at them, but found that the irritation no longer controlled him as it once did. He took a deep breath and calmly said, "Sorry, I didn't mean to."

Then, without waiting for a response, he continued on his way. This morning felt different; his good mood shielded him from reacting with anger, and this was a new feeling for him.

As he walked away, the girl and her boyfriend couldn't hide their surprise. "Did you see that? He didn't complain!" the girl said, astonished.

Her boyfriend replied, equally puzzled, "Maybe he lost his tongue!"

Alex didn't care. A small smile formed on his face as he entered the classroom. He saw Simon waving at him excitedly from the right. He walked over and sat beside him.

"Good morning, how was your night?" Simon asked with a friendly smile.

Alex replied calmly, "It was good. I read some notes and went to bed early. I wanted to be ready for the training."

Simon smiled and nodded, "I did pretty much the same. Maybe I should adopt your early bedtime habit."

Alex chuckled slightly and answered, "Definitely, my day started off well because of it."

Simon looked at Alex with slight curiosity, "Good mood? Did something special happen today?"

Alex smiled lightly, without revealing more, "Nothing special,i just have a good feeling about it."

As soft conversations filled the hall, the door quietly opened, and a young woman entered. Her silver hair shimmered as it cascaded over her shoulders like strands of silk, swaying with each step she took. Her hazel eyes carried a gaze that blended warmth and firmness, and her face had an undeniable allure; her features were elegant and perfectly balanced.

She wore a sleek blouse that highlighted her slim, athletic figure, paired with formal trousers that hugged her well-proportioned body. Her narrow waist was evident beneath the blouse, and the curves of her body were sculpted with precision, from her broad shoulders to her perfectly shaped hips. Her steps were light yet strong, as if she exuded complete confidence. Everyone was captivated by her presence, with students' eyes following her admiringly, as though her mere presence commanded attention without her asking for it.

Whispers of admiration echoed through the hall:

"Did you see her?... She's truly stunning."

"I've never seen a professor this attractive before."

Even Alex and Simon couldn't help but be impressed. Simon glanced at Alex and whispered with a sly grin, "I think I won't miss any class from now on."

The professor moved toward the front of the hall, standing confidently as she quickly scanned the students with a brief glance. Her soft murmur quieted the room, drawing everyone's full attention.

"Good morning, students," she said in a voice that was soft yet firm, reverberating through the hall. "I am Professor Emily Randolph, and I'm honored to be here, replacing your former professor who was recently injured in a dungeon incident."

She added with a gentle smile, "I am a rank 6 hunter, and I have enough experience that I will share with you to make the most of this class."

The announcement of her rank caused shock among the students, who exchanged looks of astonishment and surprise. The clarity in her voice and demeanor commanded extraordinary attention, giving a strong impression of her status and refined style.

Emily continued confidently, "I look forward to working with all of you and providing the knowledge and experience needed to enhance your skills. Let's begin this class with success."

As Professor Emily finished introducing herself, one of the students raised his hand and curiously asked, "What is your ability, Professor Emily?"

Emily smiled lightly, then responded in a calm voice, "My ability is ice control. I can create and manipulate ice in various ways, which helps me in battles and securing the environment around me. I can form large ice blocks, freeze enemies, and even create ice barriers to protect my team."

Another student, speaking mockingly, said, "Professor Emily, can I get your number?"

She froze for a moment and looked at the student with a sharp, cold stare. The expression on her face conveyed clear disapproval of the question, causing the student to fall silent immediately. Whispers spread among the students, exchanging curious and amazed looks at her mysterious reaction.

The hall buzzed with murmurs as the students shared quiet remarks about their new professor, who had made a significant impression with her commanding presence.

Emily then addressed the entire class with confidence, adding, "Today, we'll be facing a team from the third division in a one-on-one combat session. Don't worry, the other team will go easy on you, so know that you won't be facing a very difficult challenge. The goal is to test your skills and assess your current level, so take this opportunity to learn as much as you can."

The students showed a mix of tension and excitement, exchanging glances and talking about the challenge awaiting them. Emily's clear tone and reassurance about the allowances they'd be given eased some of their nerves, preparing them mentally for the experience ahead.

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As the students entered the training hall, they were greeted by a wide, open space specifically designed for sparring matches. The arena, covered with a soft, rubbery surface, was surrounded by low safety barriers and adorned with small flags representing different training schools. The atmosphere was calm and relaxing, not suggesting any intense pressure.

On the opposite side, the senior group awaited them with a quiet sense of anticipation. The students from that group were casually warming up, exchanging smiles and friendly chatter, giving the atmosphere an informal and relaxed tone. Everyone seemed ready for a friendly match aimed at fostering interaction and cooperation between the divisions.

The students lined up Infront of their professor, Emily, looking eager, and gave her a respectful bow. Emily, with her charming and elegant presence, smiled reassuringly and directed her gaze at the students. "As I mentioned earlier, today you will engage in a friendly duel. There's no need to worry; we're here to support and guide you through this experience."

After her introduction, Emily said clearly, "Only a few of you will face the other team. I'll select five students at random."

She pulled out the student list and read the names aloud: "Jennifer, Sam, Adam, Tom, and finally, Jessica."

Four of them stepped forward, but it was clear that one student was missing. After a brief moment of thought, Emily calmly said, "Alright, Alex Müller, step forward, please."

To be continued...