The academy grounds were quiet at night—too quiet for most students, but perfect for someone who needed to disappear.
Zayle slipped into the abandoned auxiliary training yard behind the old arena, the one with cracked stone tiles and half-broken dummies. No instructors. No students. No eyes watching.
Only the moon, and the system.
The moment he stepped inside, the familiar chime echoed in his mind.
[System Task Active: "Push the Limits"]Progress: 0 / 6 hours of solo training
Zayle cracked his knuckles, exhaled, and began.
He started with agility drills—footwork across uneven tiles, silent steps, explosive direction changes. Sweat dripped down his back, but his movements grew sharper, lighter.
His newly increased agility made him feel like he was slicing through the air.
After nearly an hour of relentless movement, he shifted to strength practice.Punches. Kicks. Elbow strikes.Each blow sent vibrations through the old dummies, dust shaking loose with every impact.
His stamina didn't drop as quickly as it used to.
The increase from 18 to 20 wasn't huge, but it pushed his limit enough to keep going without panting.
Halfway through the second hour, the system chimed again.
[Training Efficiency Detected]Small stamina consumption reduced for the next 30 minutes.
Zayle smirked.Even the system wanted him to succeed.
He swapped into perception drills next—eyes closed, listening to the faintest noises around him: a leaf brushing stone, a small animal scurrying through grass, the distant hum of the academy's mana barrier.
Then—A footstep.
Light. Controlled.
Someone was here.
Zayle snapped his eyes open, muscles tensed. "Who's there?"
A figure stepped into the moonlight.
Lyla.
Her expression tightened when she saw the sweat soaking his clothes. "You're training? At this hour?"
Zayle wiped his forehead casually. "Couldn't sleep."
"That's not it." She walked closer, her gaze sharp. "You're pushing yourself again, aren't you? After today's fight?"
He didn't respond.
She sighed, almost annoyed. "You know, normal people rest after getting slammed into the ground."
He gave her a flat look. "Do I look normal?"
Lyla narrowed her eyes. "No. But that's not a compliment."
She tossed him a small vial.A basic energy restorer.
He stared at it. "Why?"
"Because if you collapse here and someone finds you, we all get punished for unauthorized training," she muttered. "I'm protecting myself, not you."
Zayle snorted.Even her lies were transparent.
Still—he pocketed the vial.
Lyla crossed her arms. "How long are you planning to stay out here?"
"Until I'm done."
She hesitated. "...Then I'll help."
Zayle blinked. "What?"
"Don't misunderstand." She looked away, cheeks slightly red in the moonlight. "Your footwork earlier was sloppy. I'm only making sure tomorrow's assignment doesn't become a disaster."
Zayle's lips curved. "Sure. Fix me."
Her jaw tightened. "Don't say it like that."
But she stepped forward anyway.
The next hour passed with Lyla correcting his posture, forcing him into faster and harder drills. She didn't go easy. She didn't soften her words. She pushed him as fiercely as he pushed himself.
And the system recognized it.
[System Task: Progress Updated]Solo Training: 3 / 6 hours completedStrike Requirement: Pending
Zayle didn't complain.He only trained harder.
By the time Lyla finally called it a night and left, he was exhausted but satisfied.
Three hours done.Three hours left.And one clean strike needed on someone stronger.
He stretched his fingers, feeling the faint ache.
Tomorrow would give him the perfect target.
He turned toward the moon, eyes calm and unwavering.
"I'll complete it," he murmured.
And the system hummed in agreement.