The practical exams for second-year students and above were regarded as one of the most dangerous events held at the academy.
Designed to evaluate a student's overall capabilities in real-world conditions, the system didn't shy away from simulating unpredictable dangers-sotis pushing students to the very brink.
The risks were so severe that death was considered a real possibility, leading many to believe that the academy's trials were even more perilous than those faced by rcenaries or adventurers in the field.
However, ever since Principal Leilah took charge and led the academy for the past few decades, the number of casualties during these practicals had significantly decreased.
Thanks to her reforms and stringent safety asures, what was once an infamous bloodbath had beco a more controlled-though still brutal-assessnt of strength and survival skills.
"Huff!-Huff!"
Heavy, rhythmic breathing echoed through the air as a massive figure powered through his morning jog.
His towering, muscular fra was hard to ignore, his broad shoulders and well-defined arms making him appear more like a walking fortress than a student.
The sharpness in his eyes, combined with his iconic buzz-cut hairstyle, gave him an even more imposing presence.
As he ran, students who passed by instinctively stiffened, either shrinking back or making an effort to avoid crossing his path.
So whispered in hushed voices, while others simply averted their gazes.
Kagami, fully aware of the fear his presence invoked, rely scoffed. He had long since grown used to it.
"It's been a while since we last saw each other, but... what's up with you?" Kagami asked, glancing at the young man beside him.
Despite matching his pace perfectly, Riley looked completely unbothered-his expression as calm as ever, his breathing steady and controlled.
It was quite the contrast to Kagami, who was already feeling the burn of their intense jog.
"Hm? What do you an?" Riley responded, his tone casual, as if he wasn't pushing himself at all.
"Tsk, don't play dumb now," Kagami muttered, narrowing his eyes. "I knew you were secretly strong, but not to this level... Was the last ti we jogged together just an act?"
He couldn't help but recall their runs during the previous sester.
Back then, Riley had always been a capable guy, but stamina-wise, he wasn't on this level. Kagami distinctly rembered him sweating, even stopping to catch his breath a few tis. But now? Not a single drop of sweat. He was keeping up effortlessly-without using mana, no less.
At this point, Kagami was tempted to start using mana himself, if only to win the unspoken race that had ford in his head.
"I don't know what you're talking about, bro," Riley said, a small smirk tugging at his lips. "Maybe you're just getting tired. Need so rest, perhaps?"
"...You're joking, right?" Kagami's eye twitched, a vein popping on his forehead.
Annoyed by Riley's teasing, he suddenly pushed himself forward, increasing his speed as he sprinted ahead.
In re monts, he was weaving through the other joggers, leaving them in the dust. Watching his friend take off, Riley let out a small chuckle, shaking his head.
'He's so easy to rile up.'
With a small amused smile, he picked up his pace, subtly increasing his speed as he chased after Kagami.
....
"Haah...! Haaa!"
Slumped on a bench, Kagami gasped for breath, his chest rising and falling rapidly.
His entire body felt like it was on fire, and his legs ached like hell.
Worse yet, a wave of nausea threatened to overtake him.
He hadn't eaten breakfast that morning, and now, with nothing but stomach acid swirling in his gut, the burning sensation in his throat was even more unbearable.
"You shouldn't have run off like that..."
A familiar voice reached his ears, steady and unhurried.
Riley had finally caught up, looking as composed as ever, without even the slightest sign of exhaustion.
As he approached, he casually held out a canteen in front of Kagami.
Without hesitation, Kagami grabbed it and chugged down the water, gulping greedily. The cool liquid soothed his throat, washing away the bitterness of bile threatening to rise.
"Tsk... It's a matter of pride..." he muttered in between deep breaths.
"I didn't think you'd be one to care about such things," Riley remarked with a light chuckle.
"I wouldn't have... if the one I was running with wasn't you."
"Hm?" Riley tilted his head in mild confusion, but Kagami just scoffed, waving him off.
"Forget it..."
Riley was already a fine warrior-a damn good one at that. He was strong, powerful, and good-looking to boot.
No matter how one looked at him, he was the perfect representation of a top student at the academy.
He excelled in combat, stood out among his peers, and, to top it all off, he was incredibly
popular with the girls.
And not just any girls.
The kind of girls who were the very definition of beauty-goddesses among the academy's students.
The kind of girls who wouldn't even spare most guys a second glance, yet sohow, they all seed to gravitate toward Riley.
Kagami had never been the type to be jealous, nor did he care much about things outside of
combat.
But if there was one thing he could silently take pride in when standing next to Riley, it was
his speed and stamina.
That was why he couldn't afford to lose.
Even if it was stupid.
Even if it was childish.
To Kagami, this was his last source of manly pride when competing against his friend.
'I'm definitely not doing this just to feel better because I'm jealous of this guy's life...'
Kagami stubbornly reaffird his own thoughts, though even he wasn't entirely convinced by his own reasoning.
Unaware of Kagami's internal struggle, Riley sat down beside him, completely at ease.
The bench was spacious enough to accommodate three to four people, so despite Kagami's slightly broader fra, there was still plenty of room.
Kagami gave Riley a sidelong glance before voicing the question that had been nagging at
him since this morning.
"By the way, I've been aning to ask... are you even allowed to be out like this? I figured the academy staff would've restricted your movents after that whole incident you caused."
Riley humd thoughtfully before responding. "Ah, well, while I can still see so bad blood in the eyes of so of them, most don't really care anymore. The matter was settled peacefully thanks to the deal Principal Leilah made with both and Snow, so you don't have
to worry about it."
"Is that so?" Kagami muttered, rubbing the back of his head. "Well, I can't say I believe it, but damn, too bad you couldn't have stayed out until after the practicals. Would've been a perfect
excuse to skip."
"I'm not exactly a fan of running from exams, so I don't really mind."
Kagami clicked his tongue. "Tch. Feelings mutual, then."
After a refreshing sigh, Kagami tilted his head back and downed the last few drops of water from the canteen before glancing over at Riley, who was casually stretching his arms.
"The fact that you suddenly invited out for a jog like this... ans you want to do sothing, right?" Kagami asked, narrowing his eyes.
Riley paused mid-stretch before letting out a small chuckle. "Was it that obvious?"
"Totally."
"Well, that makes things easier then," Riley said, straightening up. "Kagami, you don't have
a party for the practicals yet, right? Co along with . Let's clear a dungeon together with
a few others."
Kagami exhaled sharply through his nose before shaking his head. "That's true-I don't have
a party-but I was actually planning to go solo and just hunt monsters." He leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees. "My hotown, back in the Eastern Empire, has quite a few monsters that fetch a high price. Not to ntion, I can also help out so of the territories my family controls while I'm at it."
Kagami turned to face Riley, his tone firm but appreciative. "Sorry, Riley. I get that this ans a lot to you, and I appreciate the thought, but giving up a chance like that just to clear a dungeon...? It's not really beneficial for right now."
What he didn't ntion, though, was the real reason. His younger siblings were waiting for
him back ho.
While Kagami looked every bit the part of a fierce and intimidating warrior, he had a soft spot for his family—especially his younger siblings.
His older brothers and sisters were also eager to train and hunt together again, and he wasn't
about to let them down.
"Hm? Is that so...?" Riley mused, stretching his arms behind his head. "So you're saying you won't co even if the dungeon I'm planning to clear has a Heavenly Divine Pill in its treasury
"Heavenly Divine Pill???!?!??"
"Hey, don't shout, man," Riley winced, rubbing his ears.
"But... are you sure it's the Heavenly Divine Pill? Where'd you even get that information from?" Kagami asked, his eyes wide with both skepticism and barely contained excitent. Riley flashed a knowing smile. "That, my friend, is a trade secret. Just co along, don't ask too many questions, and the divine pill will be yours. Oh, and to top it off, from what I've heard, there's a whole box of them packed in there..."
Kagami gulped.
Once again, this bastard in front of him was keeping everything to himself—just like last
ti.
No explanations.
No details.
Just a vague yet enticing promise.
And yet... for so damn reason, Kagami couldn't help but trust Riley. After all, if there was
one thing to describe him, it wasn't liar.
The Heavenly Divine Pill was an elixir-like pill capable of expanding one's mana veins to their
absolute limits.
For martial artists, it was a treasure beyond asure-sothing that could help push them past the so-called inner walls that bound their growth.
Even a fraction of a pill could enhance soone's martial prowess to unimaginable levels.
It was a treasure that Kagami couldn't afford to ignore.
But-
"Sorry, Riley, but I made a promise to my family to visit—"
"Even if I were to tell you what that certain senior you've been eyeing likes?"
Kagami froze.
Riley grinned.
A beat of silence passed.
Then, Kagami suddenly burst into laughter.
"Hahaha! Buddy, I don't know where you got that information from... but count in."
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