Chapter 13: 'If it helps me grow, there’s no reason I wouldn’t feel happy.'

After resting briefly, Kael began physical conditioning: Running, push-ups, squats, and any sorts of core exercises.

Everything the original Kael had neglected.

Body refinement wasn’t simply about breathing. It demanded discipline. The notebook of Professor Aldrin repeatedly emphasized that even the greatest cultivation technique couldn’t strengthen a lazy body.

As the morning progressed, his muscles burned fiercely. His legs became heavier with every lap around the field.

Still...

He refused to stop.

By the time the academy bell rang, his uniform was soaked with sweat.

...

"You’re unbelievable."

Kael turned around.

Elias stood several meters away, holding his bow over one shoulder. His mouth was slightly open as he stared at Kael.

"Were you really here before sunrise again?"

Kael nodded while drinking from his waterskin.

"Wasting time is not my cup of tea."

Elias stared at him.

"That sounds like something an old man would say."

Kael chuckled.

"Perhap’s I have an old man’s soul."

"I think you’re secretly possessed."

"Hopefully by something hardworking."

Elias laughed and shook his head.

"You’re strange."

He glanced toward the training field.

"I only practised archery for two hours, and I already feel like I’ve done enough for today."

Kael raised an eyebrow.

"But you’ve already been training longer than that."

"That’s different."

"How?"

"Archery is fun."

Elias suddenly pointed at Kael.

"But what you’re doing looks painful."

Kael smiled faintly.

"Everyone grows differently."

Elias scratched his cheek.

"You know..."

His expression became slightly serious.

"I’ve been thinking."

"About what?"

"I want to train with you."

Kael looked slightly surprised.

"With me?"

Elias nodded enthusiastically.

"I don’t mean swordsmanship."

"I mean the way you train."

Elias glanced at the empty training field.

"You don’t waste time. You always seem to have something you’re working toward."

He hesitated before continuing.

"I feel like I’d improve if I followed your schedule."

Kael considered his words.

Having a training partner wasn’t a bad idea. More importantly, their survival examination was approaching. Training together would give them a better understanding of each other’s strengths and weaknesses. That could become extremely important once they entered the wilderness.

"Alright."

Elias’ eyes widened.

"Really?"

"Yes."

Elias smiled.

"We’ll start tomorrow before sunrise."

"..."

Elias’ smile immediately froze.

"Before sunrise?"

Kael nodded.

"You wanted to train."

"I suddenly remembered I enjoy sleeping."

Kael laughed.

"So much for determination."

Elias sighed dramatically.

"I’ll come."

He pointed a finger at Kael.

"But if I collapse, I’m haunting your dreams."

Kael chuckled.

"I’ll take that risk."

Their conversation was interrupted by another familiar voice.

"Good morning."

Both of them turned.

Mira approached while carrying several books against her chest. A small basket hung from one arm.

She smiled politely when she reached them.

"I made some extra sandwiches."

She lifted the basket slightly.

"I wasn’t sure if either of you had breakfast."

Elias’ eyes immediately lit up.

"Mira! You’re amazing!"

Before she could respond, Elias had already accepted one of the sandwiches.

Kael couldn’t help laughing.

Mira’s cheeks reddened slightly.

"I made a few extra, so..."

Kael accepted one as well.

"Thank you."

"You’re welcome."

The three eventually settled beneath a large tree near the training field.

The morning breeze carried the faint scent of grass across the academy grounds. Students gradually began filling the surrounding paths as the first classes approached.

Elias happily ate his sandwich while complaining about the early morning training. Mira listened with an amused smile. Kael remained mostly quiet, but he found himself enjoying the conversation. He couldn’t help noticing how different everything already felt. The original Team Thirty Seven barely spoke outside official exercises.

They had trained together because they were assigned to the same team, but there had been little genuine connection between them.

Now...

They ate breakfast together, laughed together, and made plans together.

Kael lowered his gaze toward the half-eaten sandwich in his hand. For the first time since reincarnating, he realized something.

He wasn’t merely trying to survive anymore. He was making friends. The realization brought a faint smile to his face.

It felt...

Warm.

...

Later that afternoon, Kael and the other students gathered inside the combat classroom.

The door opened.

Professor Magnus entered the combat classroom carrying several wooden boxes. Without saying a word, he placed one box on every table.

Inside each rested a plain black bracelet.

"Starting today, you will wear these."

Confused murmurs spread throughout the room.

A student raised his hand.

"What are they, Professor?"

"Training Limiters."

Magnus answered.

"They suppress approximately twenty percent of your physical strength."

The classroom immediately erupted.

"What?"

"That sounds terrible."

"Why would we weaken ourselves?"

Magnus remained expressionless.

"Because weakness teaches efficiency."

"If you become accustomed to fighting while restricted..."

"Removing the limiter later will naturally increase your performance."

He picked up one bracelet.

"Failure to wear it outside sleeping hours will reduce your practical evaluation."

Students immediately began complaining. On the contrary, Kael quietly examined his bracelet.

Then...

He smiled.

I remembered this.

The limiter arc had been surprisingly popular among players. Many heroines and important characters experienced rapid growth during this training period.

Most students hated the bracelets. But they were eventually one of the academy’s most effective training tools.

However, this limiter arc should have happened later in the story. Kael frowned. Another deviation happened again. Perhaps the reason why it came earlier was because of yesterday’s event.

Without hesitation, Kael fastened it around his wrist. A faint pressure spread throughout his body. It felt as though someone had placed a heavy backpack on his shoulders.

His movements immediately became slower and his muscles felt heavier.

"So this is twenty percent."

Interesting.

Instead of feeling discouraged, Kael became excited. Training while limited would only improve the effects of his Body Refinement. The two methods complemented each other perfectly.

Professor Magnus noticed Kael’s expression.

"...You seem pleased."

Kael nodded honestly.

"If it helps me grow, there’s no reason I wouldn’t feel happy."

The classroom fell silent. Several students looked at him as though he had gone mad.

Victor Hale snorted.

"You’re the only person happy about getting weaker."

Kael just calmly shrugged his shoulders. He didn’t want to waste saliva arguing with Victor.

Professor Magnus, however, allowed the corner of his mouth to rise ever so slightly.

For the first time in many years, a student had understood the true purpose of the limiters immediately.

Kael Grayford really had changed. And this time, his growth would come from relentless effort, one sunrise at a time.

"Oh, by the way, those limiter bracelets are under our monitor, so we’ll know if you take them off. Expect some point deductions and punishments if you do," Professor Magnus warned firmly.

After class, most of the students moved like golems. Every step was heavy and stiff. Their bodies struggle to keep up with their intentions. Even Victor was grumbling under his breath as he dragged himself along.

There were a few exceptions, however.

Exceptional students like Seraphina, Lilith, and Leon moved almost normally, as though the twenty percent deduction had barely affected them at all.