A fist strikes a three-meter metal cube. The fist wrapped in fire sinks into the block, and shortly afterward, several other punches begin denting the front of the cube.
"My physique is much better now."
[Also, if it didn't get better after the absurd training you do, it would mean it was better to give up.]
After the confrontation against Princess Elowyn, everyone was sent to rest in the infirmary. They even asked Enrico to stay and have a checkup, but he preferred to return to his room to train.
[So this is the fourth artifact.]
'Yes.'
The metal cube in front of him begins to disappear at the dented points, quickly returning to its original state. Its name was Erlo, an object created to store a large amount of magic. Originally, that object was only supposed to be used to create magic cannons, and bringing it here had been a problem, since some people had become suspicious. However, Enrico used the same excuse as always, mentioning his family.
[I can't believe that excuse works so well.]
Enrico's family was known for being obsessed with power, whether it was magical power, an item, or anything else that could be considered powerful. Everything that did not possess enough value or power was simply discarded.
Enrico places his hands on the cube and begins transferring all his magic into it. Little by little, a light smoke begins to come out of the object. After putting all his magic into the cube, Enrico sits down to rest. He would have to repeat that eleven more times.
The cube had an excellent regenerative capacity, so after transferring his magic, Enrico needed to hit it even harder. He begins by forming a large metal ball and then uses fire to heat it until the metal begins to melt. After all that, he would need to let his magic completely combine with the liquid metal and, finally, consume the result.
'To think that I'll have to drink this, and it will certainly be horrible.'
[Have you ever drunk alcohol before?]
'Never.'
[Well, I have, and I'll warn you that it should be worse than alcohol.]
'Thank you for stating the obvious.'
The system was trying new tactics to bother Enrico, but none of them seemed to work. So, the system disappears, grumbling. Enrico gets up and begins punching the cube again. That would be great training for him.
"It's simply amazing how resistant mages' bodies are."
Because of the magic circulating through the body, whenever a circle increased, the mage's physique also became stronger. That was very good because, when someone reached a certain circle, they could withstand attacks of that same level. That only made Enrico think more and more about how absurd Eighth Circle mages and above were.
For two hours, he trained in that room without stopping. Then, he stopped using magic in his fists. His hands were bleeding, so he decided to drink some water.
His hand was trembling not only because of the punches he had been throwing, but because he could feel that he was reaching the state of "limit break." He could feel his own body beginning to fail, which was dangerous. He had reached the point where continuing to force his body could cause him to die. After all, he was constantly surpassing his limits while remaining tired.
'I have to go further. Thanks to Elowyn, they must see me as a greater wall than they thought, and I need to keep it that way.'
He immediately returns to training after drinking water and resting for a while. After that, he spends several more hours training, forcing his body even further. When he finally finishes, he takes a shower and realizes that it was already night. So he leaves the room to talk to the girls who came with him and find out how the test had gone. However, as soon as he opens the door, he finds Yumeha kneeling outside, waiting for him in a very excited manner.
"Yumeha... how long have you been here?"
"Two hours."
"Since two hours?! And you stayed here all this time?"
"Yes."
"Why didn't you knock on the door?"
"I didn't want to interrupt the master's training."
Enrico knew how devoted Yumeha had become after that demon believed in her, but even so, it was still surprising to see such dedication.
"You could have called me. I wouldn't have gotten angry about it."
"But the master was training."
"Even so. Next time, knock on the door."
"Yes, master."
Enrico then looks at her for a moment before continuing.
"And how did the test go?"
"It was very easy."
"Very easy?"
"Yes. Since I went to Class A to accompany the master, I didn't find anyone who was really a challenge."
Yumeha says that with a calm expression, as if it were something completely normal.
"I wanted to challenge someone with a high rank, but they were injured."
"I understand. There's just one thing I want to make clear."
Yumeha tilts her head slightly, waiting for him to continue.
"The three people ranked below me are my friends. So you don't need to challenge any of them."
"You don't need to worry, master. I wouldn't do anything to the master's friends."
"Great."
Enrico becomes more relieved after her answer. He then continues talking with her for a few more minutes, until he discovers that Rina and Aoi had also chosen to go to Class A. That was a shame, since both of them were strong enough to try to enter Class S, but he knew exactly why they had done that.
"Thank you for the conversation, Yumeha, but it would be good to rest. We'll talk more tomorrow."
"Yes, master."
Enrico says goodbye and enters the room, but notices that Yumeha enters with him. She approaches the bed and kneels beside it.
"Yumeha."
Yumeha looked innocent, which left Enrico a little unsettled.
"Yes."
"What are you doing?"
"Serving the master's first night."
Enrico remains silent for a few seconds before sighing.
"Yumeha, we're in the boys' dormitory."
"I know."
"Then you can't stay here."
Her expression immediately changes, becoming a little disappointed.
"But I'm your Musubinin."
"I know that. And I'm not saying you can't stay with me. I'm just saying that now isn't the time."
"Then when will it be?"
Enrico thinks for a few seconds before answering.
"At eighteen, when we can officially get married. Then you won't need to keep waiting outside my room."
Yumeha's eyes shine again.
"Then the master promises?"
"I promise."
"Then I'll wait!"
She quickly stands up, now completely excited.
"Good night, master!"
"Good night, Yumeha."
She leaves the room with a smile on her face, leaving Enrico staring at the door for a few seconds.
[You rejected the girl, how could you?]
Enrico lies down on the bed to sleep his usual four hours.
'I prefer adults, but don't worry. I won't reject her when we're adults.'
[Wait, what? You're actually going to marry her?]
'Yes. I take responsibility. Of course, if I don't die first.'
The system begins making noise, completely incredulous at the answer, while Enrico, with a poker face, begins to sleep. However, his rest does not last long, as a knock on the door wakes him up. He gets up and opens it, finding Elian on the other side, breathing heavily.
"What happened?"
"Huff... Professor Virelle... huff... she asked a Class S teacher for a challenge."
That surprises Enrico. Then, together with Elian, he runs to the training field. Along the way, Elian explains that the teacher Virelle challenged was the same one who had lied about them having started fighting days ago. Enrico did not know about that last part, but that was not the most important thing. He knew that no first- or second-year teacher was at Virelle's level. Therefore, to him, the most important thing was that he would have the opportunity to watch a good massacre.
After all, Enrico did not like most of the Class S teachers.