"Second Hellish Training: Unyielding Will"

Snake Calendar, Year 2025

12th Day of August, Tuesday Morning

Unity College of System Studies, Skill Gymnasium

The Skill Gymnasium hummed with an electric tension, a heavy mix of murmurings and anxious shuffling filled the air as over a thousand students gathered. They stood together in a sea of ambition and dread, faces glistening with perspiration and determination. Accel Winchester was in their midst, his heartbeat steady despite the daunting challenge ahead. The first Hellish Training had been an intense initiation, but today, the stakes felt higher—more personal, more defining.

As the last students shuffled in, a piercing whistle erupted through the cacophony, and all eyes turned to the figure that strode purposefully into the center of the gymnasium. Instructor Brax, a mountain of muscle with an intimidating presence, commanded the room with his booming voice.

"LISTEN UP, YOU LAZY LOT!" Brax roared, his sharp gaze sweeping over the crowd like a hawk scanning the ground for its next meal. "You survived the last session. Barely. Now let's see if you've got what it takes to call yourselves future System Users. START RUNNING!"

Without waiting for a response, the gymnasium erupted into motion. Students broke into a jog, the sound of resolute feet pounding against the track reverberating through the enclosed space. Accel kept pace, steady, and focused. Beside him, Ewan was already panting heavily, while Lila and Hannah pushed forward with grim determination etched on their expressions.

Thirty Minutes Later

The first tangible signs of fatigue crept in—faces flushed from exertion, cheeks slick with sweat, and breathing turning labored. Accel could feel the burn coursing through his legs, but he willed himself to push on, knowing his Archivist System could offer no reprieve from the sheer physical strain. 

"Don't slow down!" Brax thundered, his voice a relentless storm crashing over the collective effort of the students. "If you fall, you're OUT!"

Despite the dire warning, the first casualties began to surface. One by one, around 150 students collapsed, clutching their sides, some rolling on the ground in agony, while others were swiftly assisted off to the resting area by the gym staff. 

"WEAK!" Brax's voice cut through the air like a lash, merciless and unyielding. "If you're dropping out this early, you'll never survive!"

Accel could see the fallen students but forced himself to focus ahead. He refused to give Brax any excuse for deeming him weak. 

One Hour Later

The number of students still upright dwindled noticeably. Another hundred succumbed to the relentless pace, leaving approximately 750 still dependent on their will to continue. The gym buzzed with the sound of ragged breaths, shoes dragging against the track, and Brax's constant, thunderous encouragement—or intimidation, depending on how one viewed it.

Accel's legs felt like lead, screaming for relief, but he pushed through, muttering to himself, "Just keep going." He cast a glance at Lila and Hannah, who were just ahead, their fierce expressions unwavering.

"Don't you dare quit on me now!" Brax roared, stomping alongside the track like a battle-hardened sergeant, his tone drenched with ferocity. "The battlefield won't care if you're tired. Neither will I!"

Two Hours Later

The gymnasium resembled a battlefield, littered with the remnants of exhausted students. Another 300 had fallen, leaving only 450 trudging onwards, their movements becoming slower but still defined with a steely resolve.

Accel felt his energy waning, vision blurring at the edges. Clenching his fists, he fought off despair as the Archivist System chimed softly in his mind, providing an unwelcome reminder of his condition. 

Archivist System Warning: Physical Stamina at 35%. Risk of collapse imminent if pace is not adjusted.

"Shut up," Accel muttered under his breath, rage bubbling inside him. He refused to let the system dictate his limits. 

Ewan stumbled, nearly tipping over, but Accel quickly reached out to steady him. "You okay?" he gasped, fighting to keep his breath steady.

"Yeah," Ewan panted, sweat dripping from his forehead. "Just… gotta keep going."

Final Stretch: Till Noon

With each passing minute, the clock moved closer to noon, and students began dropping like flies, fatigue and dehydration taking their toll. Only around 200, including Accel, remained on their feet, locked in this torturous dance with endurance.

Brax's shouts escalated in intensity, targeting those who faltered even slightly. "PICK UP THE PACE! NO SLACKERS IN MY GYM!"

Accel's legs screamed in protest, protesting every agonizing step, but sheer willpower held him upright. The stinging pain coursing through his body seemed almost abstract against the backdrop of determination. Up ahead, he noticed Lila stumbling but managing to push through, her face drained yet resolute.

Finally, the piercing whistle blew, a signal punctuated by a collective sigh that echoed throughout the gym. Students collapsed, their bodies trembling with exhaustion, sinking onto the floor like fallen soldiers marked by battle.

Brax examined the fallen students with a twisted sense of satisfaction. "Congratulations, you made it. Barely. But don't get too comfortable," he warned, his voice cold as ice. "This was just the warm-up. Rest up and we will continue after lunch with an extended break of 1 hour, that is all. Come back here somewhere at 2 PM."

The members of the Health and Recovery Center a medical facility that specializes in treating injuries from system overuse or training mishaps. Staffed by healers and equipped with advanced recovery pods brought over 700 students to the medical ward including Accel and his friends. Even though they were given another 1-hour extended time break after lunch there will be not enough rest, so Unity College prepared that problem to solve by giving students free stamina potions.