Dawn Runs, Sword Clashes, and a Promise of Torment
Training Ignildo had said the same thing. "If you poke around Ios's side too much, it could backfire. Push too hard and she'll bite back, so sometimes you need to lay low."
Even Sena had warned him. "What have you been up to lately?"
"Just handling that matter I mentioned before."
"I don't want to stop you outright, but if you go too far, you'll put yourself in danger. At least make sure you can protect your own body."
It was an early morning, earlier than usual. The sun hadn't risen yet, but the sky was already flushing blue. The ground was still shrouded in shadows, especially damp from the mist lingering in the air. That was the time when Lee Hyun was running, sweat pouring off him in rivers.
"Kuh-huhk... Huhk... Huhk... *Cough*! *Urk*!"
He'd lost count of how many laps he'd done around the academy's outer walls. If his foot slipped even slightly, he'd collapse limply and dry-heave for the umpteenth time.
Suddenly, the person running ahead of him whipped around. "Lee Hyun! What kind of man collapses from this? I'm perfectly fine!"
It was Grand, the type who assumed everyone was like him. Wearing full armor and carrying a sword, this guy was hopping in place like it was nothing. He was a monster. There was no way Lee Hyun could keep up.
"To be Sena's knight, you need to handle this kind of stamina with ease!"
"Kuhhh... E-even in the army, we didn't run this much..."
"Get up! Now!"
Still, Grand seemed pleased to have a training partner. He kicked Lee Hyun's butt enthusiastically to get him up, then pounded his back with fists to force him onward.
Thud- Thud-thud. Thud. Thud-thud-
"Ow! Ow! That hurts! Your gauntlets have knuckles just like brass knuckles!"
"Run! Run! Fall behind, and you'll get more!"
How long had they been running like madmen? Only when the sun finally peeked over the mountaintops did he get permission to collapse on the ground.
Grand said they'd circled the massive academy a whopping twelve times. Twelve laps? Good lord.
"From now on, twelve laps every single day."
"Just kill me!"
"You didn't take off your sword, did you?"
It wasn't just running. Lee Hyun showed him the sword hanging at his waist. This damned thing had completely thrown off his stride. Who knew how many blisters had formed on his soles.
"Good. Never take that sword off. Wherever you go, it has to become part of your soul now."
"I'm going to learn magic too, you know."
"Carry your staff too, then... Wait, are you trying to become a magic swordsman or something?"
Gasping for breath, Lee Hyun staggered to his feet. His limbs were trembling like jelly.
"Yeah. Magic swordsman."
"Greedy bastard. Learning magic and swordsmanship, on top of your instructor duties. Got enough body to go around?"
"Will I? Last night before bed, I was so fatigued I even got a nosebleed."
"A nosebleed's nothing. Anyway, sword training after lunch. Sena said to work you to the bone and teach you properly in a short time."
Sena had said that? She pretended not to care but took care of everything behind the scenes. Such a tsundere.
"But why a magic swordsman? Magic or swordsmanship alone is plenty."
Still wobbling as he stood, Grand grabbed his arm and steadied him. As his breathing finally evened out, Lee Hyun could speak properly.
"I can learn magic and swordsmanship. There's no rule saying I have to pick just one."
"It'll be brutal. Magic and swordsmanship don't mix well by nature. Hard to blend them."
"Hmph. That's exactly why I'm doing it."
He clenched his fist tight.
"It's fucking badass."
"......Go wash up and wake Sena."
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"Lee Hyun. What's wrong with your hands?"
It was while she was buttoning his shirt. He deftly dodged the question.
"What? Oh, this. Got it during training."
"Not that. Why are your hands shaking?"
Was he shaking? Oh, yeah. They were shaking. His own hands felt like they didn't belong to him. Trembling this badly just buttoning a shirt. He'd overdone it with the morning stamina and strength training. It had been ages since he'd worked out properly since coming to this world.
"It'll be like this until my body adjusts for a while."
"You think you can punish me tonight with those shaky hands?"
"That's why I'm saying... give me a little vacation..."
"Denied."
They were heading to the dorm exit. He followed behind, smoothing her hair, and kept chattering nonstop.
"Come on... at least a vacation."
"You'll still train on vacation."
"Sena, you said it yourself. I need to be able to take care of my own body. That's why I need the vacation to—"
"Then who'll train me?"
Sena stopped on the path to the academy and turned with pouting eyes. Fists on hips, looking up at him cutely.
"Your training matters, but so does mine. You don't assist me except mornings and evenings anyway."
"......Then just masturbate."
Thwack.
"Kik!"
He clutched his shin and hopped around. Sena, thoroughly pissed, flushed her cheeks faintly.
"You dare say that?"
"I wasn't teasing—that was a sincere recommendation."
"Is there anyone else who can punish me besides you?"
He pondered with lips almost touching her nose, then ventured, "Julia... maybe?"
"What?"
"Or Grand or Leden..."
"I want you to do it!"
She burst out, and passing students glanced their way. He stood there like a mute honey-eater, then murmured.
"Sena. Do you like me that much?"
Slap— Wait, no need to slap his cheek. He made a wounded face. He hadn't said anything bad. Even he felt hurt by this.
But Sena's expression was one he'd never seen. Sure, her face turned beet red every night. But this was different. Her usual impassive, cold mask—always so emotionless you wondered if she even had expressions. Now she looked like a startled, flustered schoolgirl hit with an unexpected confession.
"Wh-what are you talking about—!"
And that rare high-pitched voice to boot.
"Wh-why would I like you?"
"......You could."
"No! A-anyway, no vacation!"
She huffed and stormed into the academy. He rubbed his slapped cheek and muttered.
"Last time she said she loved all her servants. What's her deal with 'like'?"
Standing there like a lost kid, late-sleeping Julia caught up, kicked his ankle, and yelled about what he'd done to Sena.
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Crack- Thwack- Clap, clap, crack- Thud!
Lee Hyun had a real sword; Grand had a wooden one. Despite being the only one with a proper blade, Grand just flicked his wrists and parried every attack, even landing a hit on Lee Hyun's head.
"Kuhk!"
"You really suck with a sword."
He collapsed limply on the ground. Panting nonstop, he rubbed his crown.
"I've never handled a sword this heavy in my life!"
"Train with it every day for a week, and you'll start getting the hang of it."
Grand shrugged and waved his wooden sword's tip, signaling him to get up.
"Up. I'm using a blunt practice sword with no edge. You think a man with a real sword can't beat me?"
"Winning would be weirder!"
He charged boldly again. Grand swept his leg expertly while twisting the wrist thrusting at him, slamming him down.
Crash-
"Kwehk!"
"Remember the self-defense I taught you?"
"Damn it! One more time!"
He tried five more times but couldn't even scratch Grand's armor. Sprawled like a frog, someone splashed water on his face. It was Sena.
Splash—
A bit startled, but the cool water felt refreshing.
"You're working hard."
"Gotta do something. Otherwise, who'll notice?"
He wiped his face and opened his eyes. Sena stood by his head, her white panties fully visible.
What a view.
"What're you staring at?"
"Just contemplating my harsh future."
As he ogled, Julia showed up too. Standing by Sena, she ignored him completely.
"Miss Sena. I got some specialties from the main house. Want to share?"
"Sure. I'll come to your room tonight."
"Mm. Red."
Splat. Julia's shoe hit his face. He staggered up, finishing lunch training. A sudden thought hit him, so he called out.
"Sena."
"Yeah."
"The Intensive Punishment Room will be done soon."
Sena froze. Her gaze blurred briefly, then she bit her lip tensely.
"Remember our promise? You said I'd get first use. So, asking again."
He approached with heavy steps, grabbed her shoulders from behind. He brought his lips to her ear, whispering like a sleazy pervert blackmailer.
"That room's for punishing problem students. You sure you won't regret it?"
"Lee Hyun. I've endured far worse than you know. I've been prepared for that long ago."
Determined eyes? Nah, to him, they just looked like a pervert thrilled at upcoming intense SM.
"I'll endure any torment. For the Realm of Magic."
A thought struck him. Was he really helping her reach the Realm—or corrupting her?
"One week."
Sena swallowed dryly.
"See you in one week."
"Call me whenever you're ready."
"In that case, just one week vacation. Please......"
"Shut up. And be ready tonight too."