The afternoon sun bathed the academy grounds in warm golden light as streams of students headed toward the Central Training Grounds.
Ethan walked beside Rowan and Oliver, still trying to process what he'd just heard.
"We're really sharing the training grounds?"
"Only the warm-up area," Rowan reminded him.
"The Magic Department trains on the eastern side. The Swordsmanship Department uses the western side. There are barriers between them."
Oliver stretched his arms over his head.
"I heard the physical conditioning instructor is terrifying."
"Who told you that?"
"My cousin."
Rowan looked at him knowingly.
"The same cousin who said first-years burn down classrooms every year?"
"…Maybe."
Ethan smiled.
"I'm starting to question your sources."
"You wound me."
The Central Training Grounds were enormous.
A massive open field stretched farther than Ethan could see.
The eastern half contained magical targets, obstacle courses, and circles engraved with glowing runes.
The western half was filled with sparring arenas, weapon racks, and wooden training dummies.
A shimmering blue barrier divided the two sections.
It was transparent enough for both sides to see each other.
"So that's the Swordsmanship Department…"
Ethan murmured.
Dozens of students were already warming up.
Some practiced footwork.
Others stretched or swung wooden practice swords.
Among them…
He immediately spotted Adrian.
The Hero stood beside Caleb, calmly fastening leather guards around his wrists.
Caleb was talking animatedly about something.
Adrian listened with the faintest hint of amusement on his face.
"He smiles more than the novel ever showed…"
Maybe…
The novel had simply focused too much on Adrian's suffering.
There had been happy moments, too.
They just hadn't lasted.
A whistle echoed across the field.
"Magic Department!"
Everyone turned.
A tall woman with short dark hair strode toward them.
Unlike Professor Marianne's elegant robes, she wore a fitted training uniform with light leather armor over her shoulders.
"My name is Instructor Helena Graves. I'll be overseeing your physical conditioning."
She crossed her arms.
"I've already heard what some of you are thinking."
Several students looked away guiltily.
"'I'm a mage. Why do I need exercise?'"
She smiled.
"It'll become obvious soon enough."
Without another word, she pointed toward the running track.
"Five laps."
Silence.
"…Five?" Oliver squeaked.
"Yes."
"No magic. No shortcuts. Run."
A collective groan spread across the Magic Department.
Helena raised an eyebrow.
"Would anyone like to make it six?"
Everyone immediately started running.
By the second lap…
Oliver was already regretting every decision he'd ever made.
"…I…can't…feel…my…legs…"
Rowan jogged beside him without much difficulty.
"We're only halfway."
"Don't…say…that…"
Ethan wasn't in much better shape.
Lucien's body was healthier than Ethan's original one had been…
But it definitely wasn't athletic.
His breathing grew heavier with every lap.
As they rounded the final corner, cheering erupted from the Swordsmanship side.
Ethan glanced across the barrier.
Several Swordsmanship students were sparring with wooden swords.
Fast.
Precise.
The sound of wood clashing echoed through the training grounds.
Adrian and Caleb had just finished their own warm-up.
Now they stood facing each other with practice swords in hand.
An instructor signaled the start.
The two rushed forward.
Clack!
Their wooden swords collided.
Caleb attacked aggressively.
Adrian moved with calm efficiency.
Every step was controlled.
Every block economical.
He never wasted movement.
Ethan found himself slowing down to watch.
"Eyes forward!" Instructor Helena shouted.
Startled, Ethan quickly looked ahead again.
"…Right."
After the run, the Magic students gathered near a rack filled with weighted sandbags.
Oliver stared at them in horror "…Those aren't for us."
"They are," Helena replied.
"You're going to carry them."
Oliver looked ready to negotiate with fate itself.
Meanwhile, on the other side of the barrier… The Swordsmanship students finished their sparring matches.
The instructors dismissed them for a short water break.
Adrian rested his wooden sword against a rack before walking toward a water barrel near the barrier separating the two departments.
Almost at the same time…
Instructor Helena addressed the Magic students.
"Hydration break. Five minutes."
The exhausted first-years scattered toward the water stations.
Ethan grabbed a wooden cup and filled it from the nearest barrel.
He took a long drink.
"…Much better."
As he lowered the cup…
A sudden gust of wind swept across the training grounds.
One of the empty practice dummies, which hadn't been secured properly after the previous class, tipped over.
It rolled down a slight slope.
Straight toward the barrier gate that had been left open for instructors.
At the same moment…
Adrian stepped through the gate after refilling his water.
He didn't notice the rolling dummy.
"Look out!" someone shouted.
Both Ethan and Adrian turned toward the voice.
The dummy was already almost on top of them.
Without thinking…
Ethan lunged forward and shoved the heavy dummy sideways with both hands.
It changed direction just enough.
Instead of crashing into Adrian, it slammed harmlessly into a stack of hay bales.
Thud!
Silence fell over the nearby students.
Ethan stumbled backward from the force.
Before he lost his balance completely—A hand caught his forearm.
"Careful."
The familiar calm voice made Ethan look up.
Gray eyes met his.
Adrian had grabbed his arm to steady him.
"You alright?"
Ethan blinked.
"…Yeah. I think so."
Adrian let go once Ethan regained his footing.
"You reacted quickly."
Ethan scratched the back of his neck awkwardly.
"So did you."
"If you hadn't pushed it…"
Adrian glanced at the toppled dummy.
"…That would've hurt."
Caleb jogged over from the Swordsmanship side.
"Everyone okay?"
"We're fine," Adrian answered.
Instructor Helena and one of the Swordsmanship instructors arrived moments later.
After confirming no one was injured, Helena turned toward the students.
"Who secured that dummy?"
An embarrassed second-year slowly raised his hand.
"…I forgot."
"You'll remember next time."
"…Yes, Instructor."
The situation ended as quickly as it had begun.
Students gradually returned to their own training areas.
Ethan let out a quiet breath.
"That…was definitely an accident."
Exactly the kind of natural opportunity he'd been waiting for.
As Adrian turned to leave, he paused.
Looking back at Ethan, he gave a small nod.
"…Thanks."
This time…
There was no awkward silence.
"No problem," Ethan replied with a genuine smile.
Adrian returned the smallest hint of one before heading back toward the Swordsmanship Department.
A cheerful chime echoed in Ethan's mind.
[Side Quest Completed
Complete: Introduce yourself to Adrian Ashbourne
Reward: 100 System Points
Current Hero Recognition: Increased
Current Trust: 2%]
Ethan blinked.
"…Wait…I never even told him my name."
[Correction.
A meaningful first interaction has been established.
Formal introductions are no longer required for quest completion.]
Ethan laughed under his breath.
"I'll take it."
From across the barrier, Adrian glanced back one last time.
Not out of suspicion.
Simply because he had finally remembered the red-haired noble who kept crossing paths with him.