The sun had barely risen over the academy grounds, casting a soft, golden hue across the landscape, as Ethan and his friends arrived early for another grueling day of training. The academy, a blend of sleek futuristic architecture with hints of modern design, was already stirring with activity. Hovering vehicles zipped through the air, while students hurried to their morning routines.
Ethan, Clara, Emily, and Trevor walked together, their steps in sync. Dressed in their standard training attire—a black tracksuit with sleek, sci-fi designs and matching sneakers—they exuded a quiet confidence. The academy's vast training complex loomed ahead, a testament to the academy's rigorous standards.
As they approached the training grounds, Ethan glanced at his friends. "Ready?" he asked, his voice calm but carrying an edge of excitement.
Clara nodded, tightening her ponytail. "Born ready."
Trevor grinned, cracking his knuckles. "Let's show them how it's done."
Emily, ever the cold one, simply gave a thumbs-up.
The group entered the training complex, joining the gathering crowd of second years. The air was thick with anticipation. Everyone knew that today's session was going to be even more intense than yesterday.
Ethan wasted no time. The moment the clock struck six, he stepped forward, his presence commanding immediate attention. "Form up!" he barked, his voice cutting through the morning air like a blade. The second years quickly assembled into lines, their faces a mix of determination and nervous energy.
"Today, we're continuing with the Foundation Strengthening Stage," Ethan announced. "We'll start with the 10-kilometer circuit. Remember—no affinities allowed. This is purely about your physical strength and endurance."
With that, he turned on his heel and started jogging, setting the pace for everyone else. Clara, Emily, and Trevor quickly fell into step beside him, along with the other students. The track wound around the academy, offering a mix of terrains—gravel, grass, and even a few steep inclines.
Despite the early hour, the training was grueling. Sweat poured down their faces as they pushed themselves harder than they ever had. Ethan kept a close eye on everyone, his gaze sharp, noting those who struggled to keep up. His own breath was steady, his pace unwavering.
By the time they finished the circuit, some students were on the verge of collapse, gasping for air. Ethan, barely winded, turned to face the group. "Good. Now that you're warmed up, we move on to strength training."
He led them to the weight training area, where various equipment awaited. "Pair up," he ordered. "You're lifting double your body weight today. And I don't want to see anyone slacking."
Ethan joined in, grabbing weights alongside his peers. He wanted to set an example, to show them that he was not above the training he demanded from them. Clara, Emily, and Trevor matched him rep for rep, their camaraderie evident in the way they encouraged each other.
After a lunch break, during which everyone had rested well, Ethan gathered them for the next part of the training—Combat Techniques. The sun was now high in the sky, casting harsh shadows across the sparring grounds. Unlike in the first year, the upper years mostly consisted of training with teachers supervising the students. The number of times they spent in classroom was very small that they could train from morning till they drop. As a matter fact, they had a supervising teacher, who either coincidentally or rather not was Miss Beli or Miss Carmen. When Ethan informed her of the supervision, courtesy-wise, she gave an excuse that she will start supervising the following week. Ever since the episode with her, she had become a bit distant. Not like they were "really" close, at least not the principal but for the teacher version, they were kind of close making him wonder just how related she was with all this. He had some lingering thoughts, but he dared not believe them.
"Listen up!" Ethan's voice rang out as the students formed a circle around him. "This afternoon, we focus on hand-to-hand combat. No affinities. This is about skill, precision, and raw fighting ability. Pair up and begin sparring. I want to see aggression but control it. The first to land a clean hit wins."
The sound of fists hitting flesh, grunts, and the occasional cheer filled the air as the students threw themselves into the exercise. Ethan watched, correcting stances, pointing out weaknesses. He was demanding, but fair, his sharp eyes missing nothing.
At one point, Clara squared off against Emily, their movements a blur as they exchanged rapid strikes. Trevor, paired with another student, displayed surprising agility for his new size, dodging blows and countering with precise jabs. It must be known that he and Ethan were still doing their daily quests of walking in the sun without protection, so they weren't fighting at full power. In fact, they had been pushing their willpowers to the limit to keep themselves sane or else, half of the second years would've become blood banks by now.
Satisfied with their progress, Ethan joined in, sparring with different students, pushing them to their limits. His own movements were fluid, a mix of power and grace that left his opponents scrambling to keep up.
As the general sparring session wound down, Ethan turned his attention to the class monitors. These students, leaders in their own right, were expected to set an example for the rest. He gathered them on a separate part of the grounds.
"Your training is different," Ethan told them, his tone serious. "You are the ones others look up to. Your techniques, your discipline, must be flawless."
He led them through a series of advanced drills, focusing on combinations of martial arts techniques that emphasized both offense and defense. The intensity was dialed up, each mistake met with immediate correction. Sometimes, teaching them a bit of his martial arts. He was using this to upgrade his martial arts and other abilities like Master of Auras. Currently, his martial arts progress was 1%, pretty good.
It wasn't a joke or anything that Ethan was claimed the strongest second year. His friends weren't far behind either, especially Trevor.
As the sun began to dip, signaling the end of the afternoon session, the atmosphere suddenly shifted. A cold breeze swept through the grounds, and a hush fell over the students. Ethan turned, his eyes narrowing as Leon, the Tyrant of Ice, made his entrance.
Leon strolled onto the training grounds with an air of arrogance, his icy blue eyes locking onto Ethan. "I see you're playing drill sergeant, Ethan," he drawled, his voice dripping with disdain. "Do you really think this boot camp of yours will turn these weaklings into warriors?"
Ethan didn't rise to the bait, his expression remaining calm. "I believe in pushing them to their limits," he replied evenly. "Unlike some, I don't believe in spoon-feeding power."
Leon's eyes flashed with anger, and he stepped closer, the temperature around him dropping noticeably. "Careful, Ethan. You might find that your little games have consequences. You're not the only Tyrant around here."
A tense silence followed, the students watching the exchange with bated breath. Ethan, however, remained unphased. He took a step forward, closing the distance between them, adjusting his spectacles, his eyes steady and glowing a deep red. "If you're here to threaten me, Leon, you'll have to do better than that," he said quietly, but his voice carried a weight that made even Leon pause. "You may have seniority, but respect is earned, not given. I suggest you remember that."
For a moment, it seemed like Leon would lash out, but he merely scoffed, turning away. "Enjoy your training, Smith," he spat, before walking off.
As Leon departed, Ethan turned back to his mates. "Alright, break time is over!" he called out, dismissing the tension that had gripped the air. "Tomorrow, we push even harder. Get some rest. You'll need it."
As the sun set, Ethan, Clara, Emily, and Trevor made their way to the academy's locker rooms to change out of their training gear. The exhaustion was evident in their movements, but so was a sense of accomplishment.
Clara bumped her shoulder playfully against Ethan. "Not bad, boss. You really showed Leon up back there."
Ethan shrugged, a small smile playing on his lips. "He'll come around eventually," he replied, though he wasn't entirely convinced. The rivalry between them was far from over and it all started with the beautiful girl teasing him, Clara. But looking at Clara, her silvery blonde hair, blue eyes and sexy figure–the rivalry was worth it! It's not like Leon could ever win back Clara.... He had already marked her.
Talking of mark, it seems she needed a new mark and some punishments. You don't go round calling your boyfriend boss, whatever it meant.
Ethan grabbed her cheeks and pinched it lightly, making her give him a soul shattering pout. He could finish any mission the system gave him in 3 seconds.