We were waiting in the big and empty room. There were more people besides us, but it was unusually quiet.
I decided to wait and see what would happen. Suddenly, everyone began to line up facing the entrance.
I did the same. The girl we met earlier came through the door. "Attention everyone!" she shouted. The atmosphere suddenly became tense.
"Since Boss is currently on a mission, he has asked me to be the one supervising your training today," she said, in a calm tone this time.
I turned towards Hboy. "Why is everyone..."
I couldn't finish my question, as Hana's voice rang like thunder. "Akira of team six! I see you are superior and therefore don't need this training! One hundred push-ups. Now!"
My heart froze. Her cuteness disappeared, and I could only see a monster that seemed happy to make me suffer.
"Eh, so you are superior?" I said under my breath, but unfortunately for me, she heard it.
"You are going to do them with Antonio on your back." I really wanted to tell her some stuff, but I thought it wasn't worth the trouble.
'That is probably why everybody here became so tense.'
I was wondering who that Antonio was. I was expecting him to be some overweight kid, that for some reason was getting special treatment, but I was wrong. In fact, he wasn't even a human.
I got ready, then I saw Hana bringing a big rock, with the name 'Antonio' scribbled on it.
Before I could ask any questions, the rock appeared on my back. I felt like my spinal cord was on the verge of being destroyed. I made exactly four push-ups before I fell down.
Hana looked at me and smirked. "Did someone tell you to stop?" she barked at me. 'How weird can Juta be to like this sadist.' I thought while barely being able to do six more. The rock was so heavy, I couldn't continue. 'From now on, I'll just have to keep my mouth shut.'
I fell down and was forced to continue over and over again. My arms felt like they were blown off, and I was surprised that I could still hold the rock on my back.
Meanwhile, the other teams that were gathered there started with some drills to improve mana control or something, then they started a couple of duels. Apparently, only teams five, six, and seven were present there, so I assumed that it was a kind of lower-level training.
I didn't think much about it as I wasn't doing well myself. At some point, I needed all my willpower and focus to be able to perform a single push-up. I had gone past my limits, and I was only at seventeen.
Suddenly, a guy entered the room. "Hello, Hana," he said in a friendly but polite tone. The girl looked at him, and I took this chance to rest, even if for a few seconds.
"What are you doing here?" she asked coldly.
The guy thought for a few seconds. "Why do you act like that? You scare them."
He was around the same age as me. He had long, black hair. By taking a look at his face, I could tell that he could probably get a girlfriend anywhere and anytime.
He looked back at me. His eyes weren't filled with hatred or superiority, but with worry and curiosity.
I instantly became interested in that guy. He seemed different.
"I will ask again. What do you want?" the girl told him, this time more menacing.
"I was just wondering if I could train with these guys."
"Listen, Rover. I understand you want to become as strong as possible, but a prodigy like you won't reach its full potential with this level of training."
The guy named Rover frowned. "I told you not to call me a prodigy. I swear it is annoying." Hana chuckled, then a second later became serious again. "Whatever."
'Looks like Juta has got some serious competition.' I genuinely felt bad for him. There was no way he would win against a guy that looked like a model.
"If you really wanna fight someone that badly, how about this guy?" said Hana, pointing at me.
"Shouldn't I just fight you? You know, give them a demonstration or something," said Rover timidly.
"You fight him or leave."
"Fine."
Antonio disappeared from my back, which almost made me too comfortable, despite the severe pain in my back and arms.
"What's your name?" Rover asked me as he was tying back his hair. "Akira," I replied, still happy that I had escaped the torture Hana made me go through. "Nice to meet you," he said, with a wide smile.
'Why is he smiling like that?'
"Stop, everyone!" the girl with dark and violet hair barked. Everyone instantly finished their duel and became silent. "This fight will be a demonstration for you. You will see what happens when you don't obey your superiors," she continued.
I gulped. I became sure that it would be worse for me to fight that guy than to do those push-ups, seeing how Hana decided to use me as a way to warn the others. Also, I was too tired to fight.
"And, start!"
I sighed, getting ready for the worst.
'Taking my opponent by surprise is my only chance,' I thought as I rushed forward.
Rover smoothly got out of the way of my punch and tapped me at the place where my gut was. "That's one. You shouldn't rush in like that," he said, smiling. I instantly pulled back. 'The prodigy' was staring at me, probably waiting for my next move.
This time I started to close the distance little by little, being careful not to get caught off guard. He wasn't doing anything, just standing there. 'Is he testing me?' That was a big possibility since it didn't seem like he was looking down on me or anything.
Then at one moment, he looked away. I took this chance and punched. He instantly caught my fist and looked at me. His eyes were black, and he had a mustache that was barely visible. He tapped me again. "That's two."
He let my fist go. I immediately tried to punch him again, except I did a feint. He saw right through it, and the next moment, he was behind me, and kicked my ankle in a graceful way, making me fall down.
"That's three." I was speechless. How could such a guy even exist? I couldn't do anything. He was probably stronger than the blond guy I fought at the academy. He looked at me thoughtfully.
"Here are a few tips. First, you should know opponents will try and trick you, just like I did when I looked away. Second, when you punch, use your full body, not just your arm. You gotta use your hips and legs to generate more power."
He held out his hand, helping me get back on my feet.
"And most importantly, you got four different elements at your disposal, each having different strengths and weaknesses. Why do you only use earth? On top of that, you only use it to punch, nothing else."
I couldn't reply. I hadn't even realized it. I had barely used anything else other than earth for strengthening my punch or my defense.
"Thank you," I replied quietly. "No problem," he smiled gently.
"Really? How is this motivating the other guys here to be obedient?" asked Hana, a little frustrated.
"Being obedient is not the way to become a strong mage, I am pretty sure. Plus, they all witnessed our fight and probably learned a thing or two," Rover replied. Nobody was saying anything.
"Alright. Today you are dismissed a little early. I need to have a talk with this smartass," said the girl. To be fair, I had some doubts that she said the truth, but I didn't fret over it.
Everyone started talking again and making plans with their friends. I wanted to be alone for a while, but I heard the soft voice behind me.
"That's how new people usually get treated the first time. But to have a fight with a team two member... It's a new thing. Even though he was going easy on you," said Hboy.
I agreed. "Listen, can I get some time for myself? I'll be there for lunch."
"Sure," said Hboy.
I also exchanged a quick look with Juta. I figured he also knew about Rover and Hana.
I still had two hours and a bit before lunch, so I decided to explore around the mansion.
I really needed some time to think.