Pushing the Limits on Day One

After Yuria left the training grounds, Dante collapsed onto a bench alongside Lilia, both utterly drained.

"Lilia. You okay?"

"…Yeah. It was only tough at first, then it got better."

"Good."

"…Master's already seducing the saintess on top of everything. Scary, Master."

"No."

Seduce? What seduction. If anything, Lilia was the one getting tangled up… No, that wasn't it either. It wasn't Lilia's fault at all. Even knowing the saintess and the hero were at the academy, Dante hadn't anticipated this situation. It was his own oversight.

Honestly, I never thought it'd blow up like that.

No matter how skilled priests were at detecting demonic energy… He hadn't expected them to sense Lilia, who had lost nearly all her rank and demonic power. Even the 8th Circle mage and academy chairman, Hinisila Prihen, hadn't noticed.

No way she came to Class B specifically because of me, right?

The academy's class divisions didn't mean much anyway. Someone might think they were split by skill level… But if that were true, would Dante be in Class B? As the top entrant, he'd be in Class A.

In the original story, she was in Class A but deliberately transferred to B…

His head started to ache. ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠If the saintess had come because of him, she might ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠show up like this again.

…Still, we got past it for now. Time to breathe.

Even a saintess wouldn't stir up trouble once her suspicions were cleared. …Right? That look earlier made him doubt it.

"Haa… Afternoon classes left, and I'm beat."

"You sure you're okay, Master? Looked like it took a toll on you too."

"I'm fine. Plus, skipping class on the first day would look bad."

"Then let me help. Rest up properly now."

Ignoring Lilia's shoulder massage, Dante tilted his head back and stared blankly at the sky. Lunch break was almost over—he needed to rest as much as possible. Since breaking the curse, his recovery speed had improved, so it should be enough. Sure, it stung to waste precious rest time on prayer.

Ah… Guess it's time to head in.

He dragged his sluggish body up and slowly made his way toward the classroom. Afternoon classes were Basic Practical Magic and Basic Combat Studies, right? Having to sit through classes at his age. Hate it. Really.

The academy's first day flew by faster than expected. Probably because it was mostly orientation… Or maybe his Insight talent made it easy to grasp.

Luckily, no classes with Professor Barhen in the afternoon, so that helped.

With the monumental first day wrapped up, it was around 7 p.m. Most students were heading to dinner and rest. And what was Dante doing?

"Hoo… Seven, more!"

He was sweating it out in the dorm's physical training room.

"Master."

"I'm working out. Don't talk."

Maybe because his body had changed, but he was benching more than in his previous life.

"Can I ask something I'm curious about?"

"No. After this set."

Five sets of ten reps. When fatigue hit, drop sets.

"Master's a proper mage, right? Do you really need physical training…?"

"Nine, moooore…!"

Exhaling steadily, he slowly racked the bar. Five bench sets done. Sweat poured endlessly from his forehead.

"Does it help?"

"Yeah. You'd think practicing magic this time would be…"

"Don't you know how crucial stamina is for mages?"

Every spell drained mental and physical energy—not a little, either. And did mages just stand there dumbly casting? No. They'd get pummeled while the enemy closed in.

"Stamina's the foundation for magic or anything else."

Exercise boosted not just stamina but mental strength too. Even in games, training stats was essential.

"And you're misunderstanding something…"

"Misunderstanding?"

"I'm not a mage."

"………Huh?"

Lilia's eyes widened in genuine shock. Fair enough. Ever since summoning her, he'd focused solely on magic.

"Well, right now I'm mainly using magic. But that's just for now."

With Lilia as a high-grade asset and the circle cultivation method, magic was priority. But later, he'd wield swordsmanship and engraving arts too if opportunities arose.

Jack-of-all-trades are trash in most routes…

But not when you had top-tier talent in every field like him now. A character mastering both magic and sword at high levels? Total cheat.

"That's why stamina matters."

Slowly rising, he naturally grabbed the barbell on the floor. How much could he deadlift in this state?

Thanks to Heavenly Martial Body, workouts actually felt rewarding.

"Hoo… Let's do this."

As he loosened up to start his first deadlift set, a sharp voice cut in.

"Hey, you."

What? Me?

"Yeah, you looking around."

"………."

Straightening up, Dante slowly turned toward the voice. Three burly guys staring right at him.

Gotta be Combat or Knight Department guys.

The training room was practically their territory. Most from Holy or Magic Departments didn't bother with physical training. Were they about to throw their weight around?

"What."

Stretching as he approached slowly. They were taller and bulkier, but not overwhelmingly so. He was over 180 cm with a solid build himself.

No way I have to fight again on day one at the academy.

Frowning at the constant trouble, he heard:

"Been watching. You're lifting weights that don't suit your frame. How about adding more?"

"………Huh?"

What was this?

"Your form's a bit unstable too. Might cause asymmetry…"

"Oh! And no spotter. Mind if we help?"

He'd thought they were musclehead bullies, but they were just friendly gym bros?

"Ah… I'm new to working out, so…"

"What?! First time, and you handled that weight…"

"Form was solid for a beginner. Don't give up."

They patted his shoulder encouragingly up close. A bit awkward, but good vibes—he'd roll with it.

"You new Knight Department? Or Combat?"

They'd pegged him as a freshman from their side. Made sense from a senior's view—wanted to mentor a hardworking junior.

"Magic Department freshman."

"………What?! Magic Department training their body?"

"…Yeah. Seemed helpful."

"Impressive. Respect. Honing not just magic but physique too."

Their stares grew intense—especially after hearing Magic Department.

"Master charms women and men."

"…Shut up if I'm working out."

Ignoring the gym bros' heavy gazes and Lilia's smirk, Dante resumed training. No time to waste.

New student evaluation exam in two weeks.

The new student evaluation wasn't like midterms with grades, but no slacking either. It pre-assessed all departments' students—crucial.

Top entrant title only lasted until then. Fall behind, and it'd be stripped.

And that couldn't happen.

Top scholarship's too sweet… Can't give that up.

He'd thought it was decent, but seeing the amount today shut his mouth. Enough to cover a semester's tuition easily. Plus perks everywhere, including dorms…

"Master, aren't you overdoing it?"

"Nah? I'm good."

"But you did magic training till dinner."

Maybe sensing his sincerity toward workouts, worry crept into Lilia's voice from beside him.

Drip.

"Ah."

"Master! Nosebleed!?? Humans in danger from nosebleeds, right!?"

He was definitely pushing harder than before the academy. Magic and stamina both. Majors existed for a reason.

But I can't waste talent.

Having it and not using it was stupid.

No plans to play dumb. Not just academy-limited.

In this brutal world, to choose your path… You needed matching power.

Yeah. Gotta build strength first.

Workouts helped immensely there. The stares pinning him were burdensome, though.

"Ooh… Magic Department kid bleeding from ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠the nose while lifting."

"…Wanna force-feed him my signature white eggplant protein shake right now."

"That body… is beautiful."

Burden-some, teachers. And signature white eggplant protein shake… This guy's begging to die.