Mind (2): Cohabitation with Lize Begins
I thought living with Lize would just mean a change of residence and roommate. She'd said she wouldn't interfere with my personal life and would only help with my personality development. So, I planned to carry on with my usual routine without any fuss.
First things first: morning.
"Brother Sivar, morning exercise is more effective with stretching rather than high-intensity or prolonged workouts."
"...?"
I usually just lounged around in the mornings without doing anything. I'd eat with Lord, head to class, and that was it. Plus, like the proverb about the early bird catching the worm, I woke up early. Lize got up around the same time as me. While I was standing there blankly, she said that.
"There's a saying in the East: A healthy body houses a healthy spirit. Without the shield of physical strength, the mind is nothing but an empty shell."
"...So?"
"Please follow my lead. It's great for improving flexibility. Of course, I'll respect your choice, so feel free to do your own thing."
With that, Lize switched from her saintly mode to her Kwonseong mode and began exercising. She started by splitting her legs 180 degrees. But the process was anything but ordinary. She placed two chairs on either side and propped her legs up on them. Her legs split at an angle far beyond 180 degrees—thighs like logs, calves like clubs.
"Would you like to try? It feels amazing once you get used to it."
She invited me while holding that pose. Just her smiling face alone shifted the genre. If I followed her exercise method, would I end up like that? I was a little curious.
"Sure."
"Excellent choice."
So I gave it a shot. Improving flexibility couldn't hurt. Lize even advised that it would smooth out mana circulation in the body. She's an expert on the body in Kwonseong form—better than anyone. Getting free training from a renowned trainer? Only an idiot would pass that up.
Living together could improve not just my mind, but my body too.
"As expected, your flexibility is impressive."
She praised me after I mimicked her perfectly. This much was easy. To sneak around, I had to crumple this big body of mine as small as possible. That must've gradually boosted my flexibility, especially around the waist. Hunting required crouching low, so it made sense.
"Good. How about this next?"
Lize moved on to the next stage after the split. True to her appearance, she pulled the chairs together in the middle using just her leg strength. As I marveled at the near-freakish feat, she stepped down from the chairs and got to work.
Swoosh—She arched her back flexibly backward to start. That alone seemed normal. But she bent at the waist beyond that, folding herself in half and shoving her face between her legs. It might sound weird, but everything I described is true. She literally folded her waist in half and stuck her face out between her legs.
"Hahaha! What do you think? When flexibility reaches its peak, even this is possible!"
Lize laughed heartily, proudly showing off. I'd noticed it yesterday when she admired herself in the mirror alone—she had deep pride in her body. She was flaunting even this bizarre stunt with total confidence.
"...Creepy."
So I said it straight. I seriously doubted if that was human. Even I'd handled all sorts of bugs in the forest, but this creeped me out. I'd rather watch animal guts.
"Such words hurt me too, you know."
But Lize didn't care at all and returned to her original pose without a hint of offense. No matter how I thought about it, I hadn't expected that musclebound frame to be so flexible. It must've been the result of literally carving away flesh and blood.
"It's about time for breakfast now. I'll prepare it myself."
"For real?"
"Yes. Don't let appearances fool you—my cooking skills are decent."
Sweet. Cooking was always a pain when I lived in the forest.
"...In that state? You're gonna cook?"
"Any problem?"
The problem was cooking while staying in Kwonseong mode. And she even tied on an apron. The genre was shifting in real time. I stifled a hollow laugh inside and quietly waited for the food.
"How is it?"
"Tasty!"
The food really was delicious, muscles or no muscles. As long as the meals were good, that was all that mattered.
"Brother Sivar."
"Yeah?"
"Always keep this in mind. The important thing is your heart."
I still had no clue what she meant. I'd just take it as advice not to cause trouble.
After breakfast, I got ready for class. The adaptation period wasn't fully over yet, but it might as well have been. Starting today, I had to wear the uniform to class—and it was annoyingly uncomfortable. Good thing I'd been wearing loose summer clothes for the past week; spring/fall attire would've been suffocating.
"Do you know how to tie a necktie?"
"Nope."
"Neither do I. Just wing it."
Then why ask, lady? I grumbled inwardly and tied it sloppily. No points deducted for dress code violations anyway. And I didn't care about points. What I focused on were events or various hidden routes.
What was the midterms about again?
I didn't even know the midterms content. It must've been announced last week, but it went in one ear and out the other. Probably some practical combat test. As long as it wasn't written, I'd be fine. I could ride horses but not read or write. Escaping illiteracy would take time.
"Then have a wonderful day."
"Back later."
I left alone, leaving Lize—who saw me off in Kwonseong mode—behind. The lecture hall wasn't far, but going solo felt odd. Normally, I'd arrive with Luna or Kara. Habits were scary.
I know the way. Class doesn't start for a bit—maybe visit Godin?
I hadn't seen Godin much during adaptation. I only visited when Lord was away. Occasionally when bored, but otherwise rarely. I'd go more often now. My speech had improved, and I could learn magic from him.
"Sivar!"
"?"
I was lost in thought, heading to class, when a familiar voice hit my ears. I turned to find Kara in summer uniform, right there.
Her refreshing smile was striking, as always.
"It really is you. Wasn't sure since you were alone."
"Hi."
"Hey."
I waved lightly in greeting, and she responded warmly. It hadn't shown in spring/fall clothes, but her summer outfit highlighted her tanned skin. White and bronze together—mismatched yet giving a rugged charm. And her figure, impossible to hide in the thin fabric. It suited her oddly well.
"What'd you have for breakfast?"
Kara sidled up naturally, her green eyes brimming with curiosity. I stared ahead and answered in my usual curt tone.
"Lize."
"...What?"
Short and sweet. But the implication was anything but ordinary. Kara flinched, her steps slowing.
"She made it."
"...Oh. Geez, you scared me."
She let out a relieved sigh. Her voice even shook a bit—she was really startled. As everyone knows, I was messing with her. The phrasing was ambiguous, but not hard. Inversion, I guess. Perfect for misunderstanding.
"They say listen to the end, but you especially. Still hard to speak properly, right?"
"Yeah."
"Way better though. Last week I had to translate everything."
I'd crammed faith stats lately. It was nearly 20 now. Still a long way to go. In Soul World, proper faith play needed at least 50. Not that I was doing a faith build—just raising it couldn't hurt.
"Kinda miss translating you though."
"Want me to?"
"No. Just talk normal."
"Yeah."
"Answers are spot on."
Chatting idly with Kara, we arrived at the lecture hall before I knew it. Plenty of students were already there.
"What? He's wearing uniform now?"
"Adaptation over? How'd he pass? Heard he wrecked buildings."
"Maybe 'cause he didn't hit people?"
Normally they'd mind their own business. But seeing me in uniform sparked whispers. I'd been in casuals yesterday, so fair reaction. I ignored them and headed to our spot in the corner with Kara—basically assigned seats now.
"Feels like yesterday for me. Same reaction when I first wore it."
"What'd they say about you?"
"Huh? Oh, basically 'How'd a brawler like her get in?' Apparently barely made it. Who knows."
We clicked so well from the start. Even my mangled speech, she got like it was perfect. No need for fancy words. And she liked translating, so I could relax.
"Hi, Kara sis. Sivar too."
Luna arrived soon after, taking her usual seat beside me. Even in summer uniform season, she stuck to spring/fall—long-sleeved shirt technically.
Wasn't she hot?
"Not hot in that? Always long sleeves."
"I hate sunburns. You don't burn, sis?"
"I do. Just doesn't show."
We bantered like that until Grace and Yeonju arrived, turning the hall lively. I stayed quiet amid the noise, only answering direct questions curtly.
No reason to speak up first without something to say.
Just listening.
"Oh, right. Are you all studying for the exam?"
Then Grace said something intriguing. The inevitable fate of students: exam week. Academy was no different. Tests lasted about a week, covering everything learned so far.
"Nah. Wasn't doing any. It's important?"
Kara answered boldly. Typical of her disinterest in academy life. Model students like Luna and Grace were probably on it. Points mattered.
"Important if you care. Lots of points on the line."
"Ah, points. Wasn't thinking about 'em. What can you do with 'em?"
"...Kara, you can ignore them."
Even info-savvy Grace didn't know the format. Probably based on class material, but details unknown. Sparring already done, so unlikely. Separate tests would just be review.
"Malboro prof'll tell us soon. You're fine, right Grace?"
"Maybe. Reviewed lectures, but... Oh, Luna."
"Yes?"
"What's Professor Godin like? Wanna study under him after midterms."
Midterms aside, Grace's words demanded attention. I pretended disinterest but perked my ears. A key branching point approached.
"I just know he's good... But is Delphoi prof bad?"
"No, just... uncomfortable? Maybe bias, but like Sivar said, he's burdensome."
She glanced at me, her deep purple eyes holding complex emotions. As a duke's daughter, she was sharp. She'd sniffed out Delphoi's sleazy intentions early. Normally it'd take longer; my warning sped it up.
"He do something weird? Should report it."
Kara scowled fiercely. She'd caught on. But Grace shook her head.
"Not that bad. Could be my imagination. Planning a talk to adjust."
"If so... Still, watch out. Snakes are everywhere."
"Will do. But he wouldn't really, right? I'm from a duke's house."
That's exactly what he targets. Her status was shield and sword, but also chains. Delphoi exploited it to prevent reports. By the time it's exposed, she'd be too deep. Then I'd never see her again. Tragic all around.
Time to put the leash on that beastly pup.
I thought that inwardly, waiting for class.
"As you all know, midterms start tomorrow. It's team battles."
And the midterms were...
"Note that Sivar can't attack directly."
"......"
At least to me, it felt highly discriminatory.