Morning came early.
Before the sun had fully risen, the training grounds were already filled.
Students stood in loose formations.
Some alert.
Some still waking up.
Adrian exhaled lightly as he stepped onto the field.
Cold air.
Firm ground.
"…Feels different," he muttered.
This wasn't a place for appearances.
This was where they would be measured.
The Gathering
More students arrived.
Groups formed naturally.
Some nobles stood together.
Others stayed alone.
Nearby—
A familiar voice complained loudly.
"Why do we have to be here this early?"
Adrian glanced sideways.
A slightly overweight boy stretched awkwardly, clearly annoyed.
"…You'll find out soon enough," another student replied dryly.
"…Tch."
Not far from them—
A tall, quiet student stood still.
Eyes forward.
Focused.
No wasted movement.
Adrian noted him briefly.
"…Serious type."
Instructor's Arrival
Silence fell again.
Darius Varn stepped forward.
Same calm presence.
Same quiet pressure.
"…Today, you begin."
No greetings.
No unnecessary words.
"…You will train your bodies."
"…Before you control anything…"
"…you must endure it."
Physical Training Begins
"Run."
That was it.
No explanation.
Students hesitated—
Then started moving.
The field was large.
Larger than expected.
One lap turned into two.
Two into five.
Breathing grew heavier.
Footsteps slowed.
"Are you serious…?"
The complaining boy from earlier was already struggling.
"…This isn't normal…"
Someone else fell behind.
Another stopped completely.
Adrian's Pace
Adrian kept running.
Not fast.
Not slow.
Controlled.
His breathing remained steady.
His steps consistent.
"…Don't waste movement," he thought.
"…Keep it efficient."
The system remained silent—
But something felt… aligned.
Others
Ahead—
Cedric ran without effort.
His pace never broke.
As if this was nothing.
Not far behind—
The quiet student from before kept up.
No expression.
Just movement.
Adrian's eyes shifted briefly.
"…Not bad."
Pressure Builds
Minutes passed.
Then more.
The sun rose higher.
Sweat.
Fatigue.
Students began to drop.
One by one.
"Enough…" someone muttered, slowing down.
"…Pathetic."
A sharp voice cut in.
The arrogant noble from yesterday.
He still ran—
But barely.
"…If you can't even run, you don't belong here."
Adrian ignored him.
Talking wasted energy.
End of Running
"Stop."
Darius' voice cut through everything.
Immediately—
Everyone stopped.
Some collapsed.
Some stood, barely.
Adrian remained upright.
Breathing steady.
Darius' gaze swept across the field.
No praise.
No reaction.
Next Phase
"…Now."
"…Sit."
Confusion flickered—
But students obeyed.
"…Close your eyes."
"…Control your breathing."
Adrian sat down slowly.
"…Aura isn't strength."
"…It's control."
Silence followed.
"…Feel your body."
"…Not the outside."
"…The inside."
Students tried.
Most failed immediately.
"…What am I even supposed to feel?" someone muttered.
"…This makes no sense."
The complaining boy groaned again.
"…I'd rather run…"
Adrian Focuses
Adrian closed his eyes.
Breathing slowed.
"…Not force…"
"…Control."
His posture adjusted slightly.
His breathing evened out.
Then—
A faint sensation.
Barely noticeable.
Like a ripple.
Gone the next moment.
Adrian's eyes opened slightly.
"…So that's it."
Not mastery.
Not awakening.
But—
A start.
Observation
From the front—
Darius watched silently.
His gaze paused.
For just a moment.
On Adrian.
Not approval.
Not interest.
Just… acknowledgment.
Nearby—
Seraphina opened her eyes briefly.
Her gaze shifted.
Then returned forward.
No words.
But she had noticed.
After Training
"Dismissed."
Just one word.
Students stood slowly.
Some exhausted.
Some frustrated.
"…This is insane," the complaining boy muttered.
"…This is just the beginning," the quiet student replied.
Adrian stood up.
His body was tired.
But his mind—
Clear.
"…So this is how it starts."
Dorm – Later
Back in his room—
Adrian sat on his bed.
Silence.
Then—
[System Notification]
Physical Training Efficiency Increased
Stamina +1
Adrian looked at the message.
A faint smile appeared.
"…Not bad."
He leaned back slightly.
"…Aura… rank… competition…"
His eyes closed briefly.
"…This might actually be interesting."