I woke up just as the last note of the morning bell faded, my body sinking heavily back into the bed. It was Saturday, and thankfully, there were no classes today. But every muscle felt like it had been run through a grinder. I could feel the ache from the soles of my feet to my shoulders—all courtesy of the past five days of relentless running drills.
I let my mind drift back to Tuesday, the second day of our so-called "stamina-building lesson." Tyiyn, Cirris, and I, who had somehow managed to complete the dreaded 50 laps on the first day, were rewarded by having to run 40 laps. I chuckled at the memory, though it hurt to even laugh. It was clear that our victory on the first day was a fluke; by the time we hit lap ten that day, we were wiped out, stumbling and panting like zombies. The only comfort was that we weren't the only ones struggling. The poor souls who had to run 60 laps because they hadn't completed the 50 on the first day were faring even worse. Despite their best efforts, none of them made it close to the finish line.
That torturous regimen had continued every day that week, pushing us all to our limits. By Friday, everyone was stumbling through the last laps, and morale was in tatters. In the end, none of us managed to finish our assigned laps beyond that first day's miracle.
Now, I lay there, staring up at the ceiling as the morning sun crept across the room, filling it with a soft, warm glow. The bell had already rung for breakfast, but standing up seemed impossible. My bed felt like a sanctuary, and the idea of moving even a muscle seemed out of the question.
Just as I was deciding to skip breakfast and let my sore body rest, a voice shattered the peace.
"Everyone wake up! The bell already rang!" It was Tork, his loud voice echoing through the room. Tork, the one person who hadn't suffered through the week's training. He had no idea how we felt, and yet he stood there, the only one with the energy to be loud.
"Tork, please don't shout," Tyiyn grumbled from his bed, still lying on his back. "It's making my body feel even sorer."
Tork crossed his arms, completely unbothered. "Then stand up already, or all the tables in the cafeteria are going to get taken," he said, his tone slightly teasing. He was already dressed, looking fresh and ready for the day. His posture was relaxed, almost annoyingly so, given how miserable the rest of us felt.
Raiden groaned from the top bunk, his voice muffled as he tried to sit up. "So early, and you're so loud again, Tork. Can't you be quiet for a change? My body is screaming in pain."
"But they won't wake up if I don't do this much," Tork replied, gesturing toward Tyiyn and me as if we were hopeless cases.
Raiden climbed down from the top bunk, wincing with every movement. His usually composed expression was marred by fatigue, and he looked at the rest of us with a mix of amusement and sympathy. "Come on, you two. Let's go have breakfast. There are no classes today, so we don't have to worry about running for once," he said, trying to rally us.
"Well, it can't be helped," Tyiyn sighed. With a determined look, he rolled over and tried to climb down from his bunk. But halfway down, he slipped, his foot catching awkwardly on the edge, and he tumbled onto the floor with a loud thud.
"Ouch!" he yelped, clutching his side as he lay sprawled out, grimacing in pain. The rest of us froze for a moment before the absurdity of the situation hit us, and we all burst into laughter. Tyiyn scowled, his face flushed with embarrassment, which only made us laugh harder.
"Why are you laughing?" he groaned, propping himself up on his elbows, his face twisted in a mix of annoyance and pain. "My body's already sore, and now this… Ah, it hurts."
"That's what you get for trying to get out of bed while still half asleep," I teased, finally gathering the willpower to sit up. I swung my legs over the side of the bed, wincing as my muscles protested the movement. But the laughter had helped somehow, giving me just enough energy to get moving.
Tyiyn shot me a glare, though it lacked any real malice. "I'm not half asleep!" he retorted, his tone defensive, though he couldn't hide the faint smile tugging at the corner of his mouth.
"Sure, you're wide awake," I replied with a grin, shaking my head.
With a final groan, Tyiyn pushed himself off the floor, dusting off his clothes. "Alright, let's go," he muttered, the fight still lingering in his voice despite the obvious discomfort.
After finally convincing ourselves, the four of us shuffled our way to the cafeteria for breakfast. The smell of freshly baked bread and warm porridge greeted us as we entered, making our stomachs rumble louder than any of us would have admitted. It was a little busier than usual, with students chatting over their trays and moving from table to table, the buzz of weekend excitement filling the room. I scanned the tables and immediately spotted Chris, sitting with Lana and Lucia. Oddly enough, Crestia wasn't with them, and it felt strange to see them without their usual fourth member.
Chris noticed me first, her eyes catching my sluggish movements as I approached. She grinned and waved me over, her face lit with amusement.
"Your body's still sore?" she asked, smirking slightly as I finally reached their table. Her knowing look told me she was fully aware of the answer.
"Yeah, my body is screaming in pain," I said, letting out an exaggerated sigh and rubbing the back of my neck. I felt like a walking bruise.
"Oh, good morning, Lana and Lucia," I greeted Chris's friends, managing a tired smile.
"Yeah, good morning, Will," Lana replied, her voice calm and measured, as it usually was.
"Good morning, Will!" Lucia chimed in cheerfully, giving me a little wave. Her bright-eyed enthusiasm made me feel a little less like I'd been trampled by a herd of animals this past week.
I glanced around. "Crestia isn't with you?" I asked, noting the empty space at the table.
Chris shook her head. "Nope. She said she needed to do something this morning and left pretty early. Didn't even tell us what it was." Her expression shifted slightly, a curious glint in her eyes.
I raised an eyebrow, a bit surprised. Crestia was almost always with them; she didn't usually disappear without notice. "Wonder what she's up to… Not that I'd care," I said with a shrug, more to myself than anyone else. We weren't that close, and it wasn't like it was any of my business, but the thought lingered for a moment.
After a bit more chatting, I gave them a quick wave. "Alright, I'm heading over to sit with the others. See you later."
As I turned around, I noticed Raiden and the others had found a table nearby. I walked over to join them, trying not to wince with each step.
"Done greeting your girlfriend?" Raiden asked as I sat down, a mischievous grin spreading across his face. Tyiyn was already chuckling, clearly enjoying this.
I rolled my eyes, though I could feel my cheeks heat up. "I've said it so many times already—she's not my girlfriend!" I replied, shaking my head in exasperation. But my tone did nothing to stop their laughter; they were clearly loving every second of this.
Eventually, after a few more jokes at my expense, we settled into our breakfast. Tork practically inhaled his food, and it wasn't long before he leaned back, patting his stomach contentedly. "Alright, I've got some plans today to train with my classmates," he said, already standing up and stretching. "See you guys later!" With a wave, he left, leaving the three of us to finish our meal.
As we wrapped up, I couldn't shake the strange urge bubbling up inside me. Despite the soreness, there was this restless energy urging me to get up and move. Five minutes after Tork left, we decided to head out too. I had a rough plan forming in my mind for the day—maybe I could finally find a secret spot to train my magic undisturbed. After all, no one could know that I'd already mastered the beginner spells in both my elements. That would raise way too many questions.
"Then I'm running for a bit," I said suddenly, the decision taking me by surprise as much as it did them. "You two can go ahead back to the room."
Raiden looked at me, clearly baffled. "Wait, didn't you just say your body was screaming in pain?" He raised an eyebrow, giving me a skeptical once-over.
I scratched the back of my head. "Yeah, I don't really get it either, but I feel like I need to run today. It's like… like it's become a habit or something, and I won't be able to relax if I don't." I shrugged, trying to explain this weird impulse.
Raiden shook his head in disbelief. "Alright, but don't expect us to join you. We don't want to die yet, right, Tyiyn?" He looked over at Tyiyn, who gave an exaggerated nod of agreement, grinning.
"That's right! I think I've had enough laps for a lifetime," Tyiyn said, dramatically clutching his chest as if even the thought of running again pained him.
I laughed. "Alright, suit yourselves. I'll see you guys later." I gave them a mock salute, then turned on my heel and made my way toward the training field.
As I walked outside, the early morning sun bathed the grounds in a soft, golden light, and the crisp, cool air brushed against my skin, waking me up a bit more. Despite the fatigue still lurking in my muscles, my steps felt lighter as I headed toward the field. There was a strange sense of calm that came over me, like I was slipping into a familiar rhythm. This past week had been rough, sure, but there was something oddly satisfying about testing my limits, about feeling myself improve bit by bit.
When I reached the training field, I took a deep breath and looked around. There were a few students scattered around, some practicing basic forms, others chatting and stretching. But the field itself was mostly empty—perfect. I felt my heart beat a little faster in anticipation. This time, I wasn't running because Instructor Gord was yelling at me to keep going; I was running because I wanted to.
With that thought, I started jogging, feeling the ground beneath my feet, my pace steady as I fell into a rhythm. The aches in my muscles started to fade as I focused on the sound of my footsteps and the steady rise and fall of my breath. One lap turned into two, then three, and before I knew it, I'd hit the halfway mark.
It felt good to just move, to let go of everything else for a little while and just run. The soreness was still there, lingering in the background, but I barely noticed it as the endorphins kicked in, lifting my spirits. There was a sense of freedom here, a sense of progress. It was like all the struggles of the past week had led me to this moment, where I could push myself just for the sake of it.
By the time I'd finished my tenth lap, I was breathing heavily, but a satisfied grin stretched across my face. It wasn't much, but it felt like a victory all the same.
***
After finishing my ten laps, I finally feel the restlessness ebbing away. My muscles still burn, every step a reminder of yesterday's aches, but it's a strange, almost satisfying ache—the kind that says my body is satisfied. Not that it stops me from wincing with each movement, though.
I glance around, catching my breath, and find myself wandering toward the back of the fourth-year students' building. This spot has become a bit of a haven; it's always deserted and hidden beneath a thick canopy of trees that provides a cooling shade even on the hottest days. It's perfect, a quiet place where I can train my magic in secret without prying eyes. After all, I can't let anyone find out that I've already mastered the beginner spells for two elements.
The silence feels almost sacred, interrupted only by the rustling of leaves and the distant hum of students elsewhere on campus. I move quietly, searching for a spot secluded enough, tucked between the trees and the shadowed corners of the building.
But then, voices—muffled, tense—catch my attention from somewhere deeper among the trees. I freeze, instinctively stepping back and hiding behind the nearest trunk, my heart quickening. Just what I needed: a potential confrontation in my quiet hideout. I lean closer, careful to keep out of sight, straining to hear what's going on. Maybe it's nothing. Maybe they'll finish and leave before they realize I'm here.
"So? I don't care if you lost or not. Hand over the money. Now," a harsh male voice demands, each word sharp and commanding.
I frown. That voice sounds cold, almost sinister. My gut tells me this isn't just a friendly disagreement.
"I'm really sorry, Alad... I don't have the exact amount you asked for, so I... I tried betting to earn it, but I lost," a girl's voice responds, shaky, almost pleading.
There's something familiar about her voice, though I can't place it. I lean forward slightly, but still keep myself hidden behind the thick tree trunk. I don't want to get involved in whatever this is. The last thing I need is to get tangled in some mess that isn't mine.
"How many times am I going to repeat myself?" the guy named Alad snaps. "Either hand over the money, or I'm going to beat the crap out of you right here."
A pit forms in my stomach. The girl's stammering, almost crying now. "I'm really sorry... Please, just give me one more chance... I'll double it next time... Just don't hurt me."
Her voice pulls at something in me, but I shake it off. This isn't my problem. She got herself into this; if she has a debt to them, then there's nothing I can do. I tell myself that over and over.
"No. I'm tired of your promises," Alad's voice is ruthless. "You're getting punished, right here. Werk, take care of it."
"Yes, sir!" a second male voice, Werk, answers, sounding all too eager.
I clench my fists, my stomach churning. Even though it's clear that they're bullying her, I keep reminding myself that it's their business. Not mine. This girl isn't someone I know well. I don't even know what kind of trouble she's gotten herself into with them. It's not my place to interfere.
"For her punishment," Alad continues with a disturbing calmness, "she's going to need some discipline. Werk, give her five vertical slashes with your wooden sword."
The words echo in my head, each syllable more chilling than the last. I can almost hear the wicked grin on Werk's face as he replies, "Understood!"
I press my back against the tree, squeezing my eyes shut. My mind races, my conscience arguing with my desire to stay uninvolved.
"Excuses…" A voice whispers, cold and sharp, cutting through the chaotic noise in my head.
I freeze, my eyes snapping open. The word hangs there, resonating. Did I just imagine that?
"Excuses…" it says again, louder this time.
I shake my head, unnerved. I must be losing it. No one else is here, yet the word echoes, persistent, gnawing at me.
"You can spout any excuses you want," the voice sneers, "but the truth is, you're just afraid. You're afraid of them. You're afraid of bullying."
"N-no… I'm not afraid!" I shout before I can stop myself. The words burst out, loud and defiant. Too loud.
A sudden, sickening realization hits me. I've just shouted. They must've heard me. I spin around, eyes wide, expecting to see Alad and Werk charging toward me.
But when I look up, my surroundings are different. Gone is the shaded grove by the fourth-year building. Instead, I'm standing in a blindingly white, empty space—stark, infinite, surreal. The air here feels heavy, pressing down on me like a weight.
It's the same place. The place I'd been after I died. The same strange, white-encased world.
And standing before me is… him. My heart stumbles over itself in shock.
There he is, with that casual, almost smug expression, the face I thought I'd left behind. My former self—the part of me I've worked so hard to forget.
"Yo, Will," he says, lifting a hand in a lazy wave, a mocking smile curling on his lips.
"What… what's happening?" The words tumble out, my voice barely a whisper.
The sight of him stirs something dark and bitter inside me. It's like looking into a mirror I'd rather shatter, a mirror that refuses to let me hide.