The first class with Sir Bernard Carp was held in the expansive training hall, a space that seemed built to test the limits of physical endurance. The walls were lined with various types of training equipment: weights, climbing ropes, obstacle courses, and even some magical contraptions for advanced practice. The atmosphere buzzed with the tension of anticipation as the students filed in, unsure of what to expect.
The moment Sir Bernard Carp entered, the room fell silent.
Towering over everyone with a physique that rivalled a seasoned warrior, he commanded attention. His spandex jacket clung tightly to his muscles, which rippled with every movement, and his booming voice was a force all its own.
"Welcome to Physical Education!" he barked, striding to the front of the hall. "My name is Sir Bernard Carp, you already know. I'm here to make sure that each and every one of you is capable of wielding your power without breaking like a twig in a storm. Because let me tell you something: power without discipline is nothing. And discipline comes from this!" He flexed his biceps dramatically.
The students exchanged nervous glances, some stifling laughs while others shifted uncomfortably under his intense gaze.
"Magic? Skills? Talents?" he continued, pointing to the class. "All useless if your body can't keep up. Your mind may be sharp, but if your body is weak, you're a liability—not only to yourself but to everyone around you. Here, we build strength, endurance, and the will to push past your limits!"
Aiden shot Adrian a sideways glance, and Adrian smirked, mouthing, "This guy's serious."
Sir Bernard noticed the exchange and slammed his hand against a nearby table, startling everyone. "Focus! You think the world out there will let you slack off? Out there, the weak get left behind. Here, you'll learn to survive. And the first step? Pushups!"
He clapped his hands together, gesturing for everyone to drop to the floor. "Fifty pushups. Now!"
The room erupted in groans, but Sir Bernard's glare silenced them quickly. The students got into position, some clearly unsure if they could manage even ten.
Aiden braced himself, stealing a glance at his classmates. Beside him, Emmeranne lowered herself to the floor, her expression as stoic as ever, while Adrian stretched lazily before getting into position.
"Begin!" Sir Bernard roared, pacing the room like a drill sergeant.
It became clear within seconds who was struggling and who wasn't. By the twentieth pushup, most of the class had slowed down or collapsed entirely, their arms trembling as they tried to keep up.
Sir Bernard barked orders, shouting, "Keep going! No one stops until I say so!"
Only a few students seemed completely unfazed. Jarek, a tall but bulky boy with dyed hair, powered through the pushups with ease, his movements fluid and confident.
Beside him, Rupert Lons Dalate—a blonde-haired boy with a tattoo on his bicep that seemed to glow faintly—matched his pace, his jaw set in determination. And then there was Emmeranne, her wavy black hair tied back, her face calm as if the exercise was nothing more than a minor inconvenience.
"Look at these three!" Sir Bernard shouted, gesturing to Jarek, Rupert, and Emmeranne. "This is what I'm talking about! Strength. Dedication. Discipline. The rest of you should be taking notes instead of falling on your faces!"
Aiden managed to push himself up one more time before collapsing, panting heavily. Adrian flopped down beside him, grinning despite the sweat dripping down his face.
"Not bad for a first attempt," Adrian muttered, his voice laced with sarcasm.
"I think I'm dying," Aiden replied, glaring at Sir Bernard, who seemed to be enjoying their collective misery.
After what felt like an eternity, Sir Bernard finally called an end to the exercise. Most of the students lay sprawled on the floor, gasping for air, while the few who had completed the challenge stood tall, their confidence radiating.
"Good effort," Sir Bernard said, though his tone made it clear he wasn't impressed. "But good isn't good enough. You're here to become exceptional. Remember that. Now, let's talk about motivation."
He folded his massive arms across his chest, his voice softening slightly. "Why are you here? Is it to become the best? To protect someone you love? To prove something to yourself? Whatever your reason, hold on to it. Because when things get tough—and they will—that reason will be the only thing keeping you from giving up."
The students listened intently, his words resonating even with those who had struggled through the pushups.
"Today was a wake-up call," Sir Bernard concluded. "Some of you have potential, and some of you don't. But potential means nothing if you don't put in the work. So, here's your homework: figure out why you're here. And tomorrow, when we meet again, come prepared to prove it."
With that, he dismissed the class, leaving the students to shuffle out of the hall, sore and exhausted but strangely motivated.
As they walked back to their dorms, Aiden and Adrian trailed behind the group, grumbling about the class.
"I think my arms are going to fall off," Aiden muttered, rubbing his shoulder.
"I don't think that guy knows the meaning of mercy," Adrian replied with a laugh.
From up ahead, Sevan glanced back at them, a book in his hand. "You'll live," he said, his tone annoyingly cheerful. "Though I'm not sure about tomorrow."
"If he tells me to do one more push-up, I'm throwing a dagger at him."
Aiden chuckled weakly, his arms still shaking from the exertion. "I don't think he'd even notice. He's like a brick wall."
As they passed Jarek and Rupert in the hallway, Rupert flashed them a grin. "Better start training, boys. You don't want to fall behind."
Jarek laughed. "You must be Aiden and Adrian, right? I'm part of the Top 10."
"Yes, that's us. The guy holding a book looking like a nerd is Sevan. He's also from the Top 10."
Sevan nodded before resuming his walk. "Oh, I see," Jarek smirked, "So you're the guys Shiloh was talking about."
Aiden raised an eyebrow. "What did he say?"
"He was sulking about not getting his way. I fell asleep mid-conversation."
Adrian laughed at Jarek and Rupert added, "No wonder you guys wouldn't want him to be your roommate..."
"You should've known," Adrian snorted. "The guy exudes that kind of attitude. But don't tell him I told you, though..."