Chapter 7: Beyond the Breaking Point

Three days.

It's almost astonishing how those days simply passed by in a blur, yet the effects lingered from our military-like training disguised as remedial lessons.

Every waking moment, my body ached all over, prompting me to groan constantly—but I stifled it as best I could, hoping not to draw the wrath of the man from last time.

I'm pretty sure he'll kill me if this training regime doesn't.

With no rest days, our bodies were forced to exert more energy than we had.

On the first day, we were ordered to perform 50 push-ups, 100 squats, and a 10-kilometer run—all without a break.

Of course, not everyone passed, effectively cutting out five more from our group, which made me extremely worried.

Had it not been for Finley motivating me along the way, I would've dipped and forgotten my real objective—but that was most likely due to exhaustion clouding my judgment.

A tired mind is vulnerable to the tempting allure of rest, after all.

After that day, I tried searching for Ysinia, but I couldn't find her. I wasn't able to move my body from where it slumped over the bed.

Maybe she waited for me there. I don't know. I don't even know where else to find her.

And I definitely don't have the balls to wander into the Northern Wing, especially not with Voswick on my tail.

The second day was just as brutal since we repeated the same run as before, effectively singling out the obvious failures.

This time, one of the noble brats that was singled out by Voswick tried to complain but was immediately shut down, his parents even tried to reach out to the headmaster but they couldn't even get past the first layer of the Disciplinary Department.

Nor were they able to contact Voswick.

This man will surely be the end of me should I make any fatal mistakes or oversights.

After that day, I tried looking for any place in the dorms but not so much that I'll be labeled as a peeking creep. No signs of her.

I'll just have to give it up, she must've been extremely upset. I should be rejoicing right now that she's gone but her existence is full of questions that I want to be answered.

What did she mean by helping me raise it??

Why have I never heard of her in my past life if she's that strong?

Why is her sense of direction so bad?

It almost feels like her existence is a question in itself.

On the third day, we were brought into a workshop to practice magic under the supervision of Voswick which also came with his own rules and regulations.

Which I did very well at! Just kidding, I was extremely bad at it—Finley had to jump in for me just to save my butt from getting nearly expelled.

I'll never forget my former captain's kindness, don't worry! I'll definitely help you in the future when I get the money!

We can drink all the booze we want during those days!

But seriously, I don't think I would make it out of next week if this kept up.

My body's at the verge of breaking already.

On the fourth day however...

Voswick called for us, and we were all definitely expecting another round of ruthless training to the point I could feel that most of us are thinking of creative but deadly ways that he'll put us under.

It didn't come.

Instead, he seemed rather calm about it—his eyes counting us in numbers without the menacing aura that usually came with it.

And what he said surprised us instead.

"Ahem. Due to multiple reasons, the headmaster decided that today will be an early dismissal."

Multiple reasons?

What even kind of vague excuse is that?

We clearly weren't buying it just from our skeptical looks and Voswick noticed it too.

Because in no way that Voswick will let us rest. He's bluffing. Maybe he's going to make us run the whole mountain. Or maybe fight a bear.

"Those with training injuries, leave now. I won't repeat myself again, the rest of you—dismissed."

Never once in my life have I expected to hear those words but something's off. He sounded a bit tense.

And as usual, this is odd.

There's no such event that'll prompt an early dismissal in the first week, unless it's about an internal issue which is less likely.

It couldn't be the parents of the noble brats either.

Both Finley and I met eye to eye hoping the other one has an answer, but it seems that neither of us had any.

"Save the chit-chats and get going already!" Voswick roared.

The rest of the group scattered like cockroaches, each bolting like their lives depended on it.

Although, as much as I wanted to investigate and see for myself what's happening with Finley, he's not available for he has to help with his family's workshop.

And there's absolutely no way I'm taking chances especially with Voswick's warning.

I heard that some rumors say that it might be two Divine Crowns fighting but that's just simply impossible.

Even if the events in the academy might've changed for the better or the worse—those guys are probably the least affected by it.

They're on a league on their own.

Plus, I have more important matters to focus on.

How could I possibly change or turn my life around when I couldn't properly predict the future especially with my knowledge of it just thrown out of the window.

Maybe it's time to properly relearn the breathing technique taught to me by those in the past.

After arriving in my dorm to change into casual clothes, I headed for the isolated woods not far from the academy.

The walk there wasn't that long so it's rather easy for my young body's stamina.

Upon arrival, I looked for the nearest tree before leaning against it as I sat.

I closed my eyes trying to recall what was taught to me, trying to recall the deepest memories I have of it.

*Just keep calm and focus.*

*Ignore the outside noises and become one with the earth.*

*Lift the mental weight off your shoulders.*

Meditating like this is nice, now I'm starting to regret that I haven't done it that often back then.

...

But of course, something will happen when you least expected it to.

My instincts were screaming at me prompting me to open my eyes and immediately enter a guarding.

Predators?

None. But what's this pressure?

It's frighteningly strong.

I could see few birds immediately scatter away from trees but I see no animal that could possibly emit that too strong of a pressure.

In addition, the academy wouldn't allow any dangerous animals roam around the vicinity so where?

And then—the ground trembled.

Surprising me for a bit but not enough to disorient me.

"What the..."

It was subtle at first, a light vibration beneath my feet similar to when someone dropped something heavy nearby.

But then it didn't stop.

It grew.

The tree behind me began to rattle causing it to shed leaves as the branches shook overhead.

I could feel the tension in the air vibrating.

My fingers were trembling and my instincts felt like they'll kill me if I didn't run away.

But how could I?

My legs were shaking.

A quake? No. This wasn't natural. The pressure it kept swelling.

Where and what on earth is causing this!?

Suddenly—

THUD!

Something dropped on me with all the grace of a collapsing wardrobe, knocking me flat and kicking up a cloud of dust and leaves.

"A-ack!"

On god, that's gonna cost me some bones. My body took more trauma than what it deserves from that fall.

Whatever it was, it was human, heavy, and apparently in no rush to apologize.

"Friend."

That voice, that monotone voice and aloof expression!

Laying on top of me, whose silver eyes are staring deep into my soul—

"Ysinia?"

I was shocked to see her here, but she didn't look upset at all.

"Hello, Friend. I was looking for you."

She added but how she's exactly gonna find up there?

"By climbing trees? What are you, a cat?"

I've only known her for a short time but I didn't expect to learn more things about her behavior.

She paused for a second looking to the side.

"…You were difficult to find."

"You don't say. I've been looking for you for days. Didn't you get lost in your own dorm hallway?"

I immediately fired back and For a split second, I think she actually flinched.

Was that embarrassment? Did I just witness the mythical emotion known as shame?

That's rich!

"…I used Mana Sense."

She didn't deny it. She's really bad at directions.

"Oh. So that's how you found me?"

Doesn't add up at all, how would you find me exactly by becoming a monkey?

"Barely. Your mana is so faint. Like trying to spot a speck of dust in a sandstorm."

Ouch. Just call me weak, no need to describe it that way.

Still, I appreciate the fact that she's actually trying to look for me. Even if she's weird, you couldn't help it.

"You should really learn social cues... and you can get off me now. I think I've broken a lot of bones."

She makes no move at all to do so making me raise an eyebrow.

"Too tired."

"You fell down on me while you're on a tree, what do you exactly mean by tired?"

"I was scouting."

"Yeah, not exactly a reason to crush my spleen."

"Which one?"

What do you mean by which one!?

Standing up with all of my remaining strength, I managed to get her off me with a groan.

The tremor had stopped long ago, thankfully but I still couldn't tell as to where it actually came from.

"Ysinia, were you perhaps..."

I turned my gaze towards her but before I could finish my sentence, she shook her head.

"Not mine."

She already knew what I was gonna ask her but if it wasn't hers, then...?

"The mana in the Academy earlier was high. Two powerful and bright manas were clashing, that's why I had a hard time finding Friend."

But whose? What kind of people were that strong enough to cause that kind of tremor that it spreads beyond the Academy?

If the professors were actually having an internal issue, it wouldn't be something like this?

Then what could it be?

But more importantly, how could Ysinia see that precisely without even being scared of it?

I don't sense the slightest hint of fear in her voice.

She tilted her head at me in wonder.

"Friend, is deep in thought again."

Still trying to process everything, I exhaled before looking at her straight in the eye.

I could investigate those matters later but now that Ysinia is here...

"Ysinia."

I said, glancing her way hoping that she wouldn't space out on me again.

"Back then... you said something about helping me raise it."

She nodded as if I'd just asked about the weather.

"What did you mean by that?"

With a deadpan expression and not a single hint of reluctance in her voice, she immediately answered.

"Your limiters."

Limiters?

Huh?

Instead of answering my questions, it simply just added more.

"What do you mean by limiters?"

Ysinia wasn't joking, I could tell if she's just spacing out or being aloof and it wasn't one of those.

"Each human has a limiter that can be broken."

She paused for a second before pulling her sleeves to show me six strange scars circling around her left arm.

"I broke my sixth limiter."

Wait, wait!

"You haven't elaborated on what exactly a limiter is!"

Ysinia's expression remained unchanged before she added.

"Friend, a limiter is a limiter. The definition is what it meant. And in order to raise you, I'll help you break it."

I didn't know what lay beyond her words, but I could feel it—this wasn't something I could brush off.

"Do you want me to?"