I've been making excuses for a while now, putting it off again and again, but it's time I admit it—I need to start training again.
Honestly, before I got into the academy, I underestimated it. But now that I've seen it firsthand, the students here are no joke. Of course, Griffin Academy gathers the best of the best, but they've far exceeded my expectations.
Just looking at Annie and Cillian shows how incredibly strong they are, despite their age. I've heard rumors that there's another monster in Swordsmanship Class 2, too.
If I want to secure that scholarship, I'll need to surpass them all. It's not like I'm confident in my written exams, so I'll have to excel in the practical tests.
So, starting today, it's time to get back into shape!
* * * *
I headed to the academy's general training facility. Most of the students around were from the swordsmanship department, though there were others here for general fitness from different departments as well.
The facility is fully equipped, with everything from light dumbbells to machines that can adjust to hundreds of kilograms. Some of the equipment looked completely foreign to me—a country bumpkin through and through.
There's also space for sparring, running tracks, and even a swimming pool. Of course, I don't have the money to buy a swimsuit, so I decided to stick to running today. Besides, even the workout clothes I'm wearing are just old assassin gear I tailored myself...
Back when I was an assassin, one of the outfits I used was a black, skin-tight suit—basically a full-body spandex suit. It was stretchy, breathable, and practical, even if it didn't look great.
Since the material was flexible, I was able to make a few adjustments so it fit my smaller, female frame. I couldn't afford to get it professionally altered, so I did it myself. Maybe I've got a hidden talent for sewing?
Admittedly, wearing it now as a woman feels a little embarrassing, given how it shows off my body's curves. It almost feels... inappropriate.
But I heard from somewhere, and confirmed on our last trip into the city, that women often wear leggings—similar to what I'm wearing—for exercise. So as long as I can deal with my personal discomfort, there shouldn't be any problems.
With that in mind, I threw on one of the few shirts I had left and came out to train in my makeshift leggings.
Before running, I did a quick warm-up, stretching my arms, wrists, and legs. Then I bent forward, touching the ground with ease.
As expected, I'm more flexible than I used to be. Not only can I touch the ground easily, but I can even press my palms flat against it.
I'll have to keep this in mind when practicing swordsmanship—it'll help.
After finishing my stretches, I started jogging.
I took it slow at first, doing a few laps around the facility's track. Gradually, I increased my pace.
Sweat started to form, but I wasn't feeling too strained yet. If I had been struggling at this point, my old body would've been ashamed of me.
After another lap, I picked up speed, pushing myself closer to a sprint.
Despite the strain, I felt good. My new body wasn't weak, after all. Sure, the bouncing was uncomfortable, but it wasn't unbearable.
One lap, two laps, three laps... ten laps...
Finally, I started to feel my breath growing heavy. Time for one last push—a full sprint.
There was no time to catch my breath. I ignored the strain, pushing my body as hard as I could until I finished the lap.
I gradually slowed down, shifting from a run to a brisk walk. As much as I wanted to collapse, I knew I had to finish properly.
I glanced over my shoulder occasionally to avoid bumping into anyone behind me as I made my way off the track.
?
Since when did so many people get on the track?
I hadn't noticed while I was focused on my run, but now there were significantly more students running than when I started.
Running might be basic, but it's essential for maintaining fitness. I guess that's why even the academy's best students take it seriously.
Not that it matters to me. Other people's training is their own business.
I found a bench off to the side and collapsed onto it, completely spent. At this point, I couldn't care less about sitting properly like a noble lady. It's not like someone's going to suspect I'm a man just because I'm sitting a little sloppily. Besides, I'm wearing pants, not a skirt.
I stretched out my legs, catching my breath, and took a swig of water from the bottle I brought. Some of it dribbled down my chin, but I didn't care—I was drenched in sweat anyway. The cold water actually felt refreshing.
Sweating from the heat is annoying, but the sweat from a good workout feels satisfying. A drop of sweat ran into my eye, stinging.
I made a mental note to bring a towel next time.
Just as I stood up from the bench, wiping my face—
"Elysia~!"
I heard Annie's voice calling out from a distance. With her short stature and fiery red hair, she was easy to spot as she ran toward me.
Of course, Annie is the type to never skip training. She must be here for her own workout.
I raised my hand to greet her—
Slap!
"You're crazy, you know that?"
She smacked my sweat-drenched arm.
Wait... Hold on a second!
With my heightened senses and the sweat clinging to me, that really hurt! I mean, really hurt—I might cry...
"Heyak!"
I let out a small cry of pain, and thankfully, she stopped smacking me.
Oh, come on... Even during the torture training I had as an assassin, I never shed a tear. I feel like my past self is rolling over in shame right now.
"Come with me!"
Completely ignoring my suffering, Annie grabbed my hand and, with a determined glare, dragged me to the locker room.
Now, it's one thing to end up in the locker room with her, but...
Why am I kneeling in front of Annie?
"Uh... Annie?"
I hesitantly raised my head to look at her face. She was glaring down at me like a wrathful demon. It was honestly terrifying.
"What were you thinking, wearing something like that?!"
What? My outfit? What's wrong with it?
"Is it the puppy design you don't like?"
I was crushed. This was one of my favorite shirts—a white t-shirt with an adorable puppy on it.
Look at it! Isn't it cute, with its tongue out and that innocent smile?
"It's not the design! Why are you working out in that t-shirt? No, forget the t-shirt—why the pants?!"
Oh, good. It's not the puppy design after all. For a second, I thought my fashion sense was under attack.
"These? They're leggings."
I glanced down at the leggings I was wearing. Sure, they were altered assassin gear, but I'd checked them against real leggings when we went out, and they weren't that different. So what's the issue?
"The leggings themselves aren't the problem... Ugh..."
Annie let out a deep sigh, rubbing her forehead in frustration.
"I knew you were a bit out of it, but I didn't realize you were this clueless. You can't wear those to exercise anymore. In fact, I'm confiscating them."
With that, she lunged at me, forcibly stripping off my leggings.
"Wait, stop! You're going to tear them!"
But Annie didn't seem to care, yanking the leggings away with enough force to rip them.
"I had no idea you were this hopeless. From now on, you're exercising with me. Every. Time."
Annie put her hands on her hips, staring down at me as if declaring my fate. It wasn't a suggestion—it was a command.
"Answer me!"
"Yes, ma'am!"
I hope I can afford proper workout clothes with the little money I have left... I really need to save...