Tuesday had gone by extremely fast because of the book I found.
During the entire day of classes, my mind was only focused on that book, and I was sure it was the one, since I had seen it in DMC 5 and DMC 5: Visions of V. That alone proved to me that this world had truly changed.
I kept asking myself multiple questions while writing down what was happening in class.
"What else has changed?" "Will DMC's enemies be here?" "Will Temen-ni-gru be here?" "If it is, does that mean demons could escape earlier?" "Does Mundus exist?" Many things made me consider the possibilities, but I couldn't just know that—not yet.
"I should try the training hall to get these ideas out of my head."
I was overwhelming myself thinking about things I couldn't confirm, so I needed something to distract me… for now. The only thing that came to mind was to go test out the training hall.
The Training Hall, unlike the specialized rooms for each team role—which focused on strengthening those specific areas—was open for everyone to train in.
When I entered, white was once again the dominant color, and there were plenty of exercise machines. They were almost identical to those from normal Earth gyms.
"I could start with something basic… but I should think this through."
[Lucien Cross]
→ Stats
[Strength 6.65]
[Stamina 6.43]
[Speed 9.9111]
[Perception 9.2111]
[Vitality 6.52]
[Magic Power 6.6]
"Speed and Perception are already high enough. Magic Power can wait—let's work on the rest."
The exercise machines were practically the same as on Earth, except they had more weight or moved faster depending on the type.
I started with dumbbells since they were the easiest to begin with.
There were several weight options, so I went for the 100 kg one.
In my previous life, there's no way I could have lifted that weight—but now...
"This is pretty easy."
I could lift a 100 kg dumbbell with no problem. That made me wonder how much weight each Strength stat point equaled in kilograms.
I began doing repetitions as quickly as I could to see how long it would take me to get tired—or if I'd even get tired at all with that weight.
As I exercised, more people began to arrive, so I looked around to see if I recognized anyone.
"I guess not everyone would come here."
I kept training until I felt a strange sensation around me, prompting me to look in every direction.
"That felt… nauseating."
The nauseating sensation vanished instantly. I tried to see if it was caused by a cadet, but everyone looked normal.
I had to get back to my workout, but when I did, I used too much force, accidentally breaking the dumbbell.
"Crap."
*****
In the end, that strange feeling didn't return, so I kept working out.
The next day, I woke up early to go to Morning Training, as it was the only viable way for now to increase my Magic Power.
At first, I thought it would be like the other training grounds, a simple building, but this one was different—it was an open field a bit removed from the rest of the training rooms.
"Wow… this air really is pure."
The air at that hour felt fresher, and just breathing made me feel like something was filling me from within.
I tried meditating like I had seen in fiction, but I didn't feel any change.
"Why do mangas make this look so easy?"
I tried practicing different postures, but nothing worked, so I eventually just lay down on the grass.
"Even the grass is softer."
The moment I closed my eyes, I fell asleep.
I woke up at 8 AM, so I got up and left Morning Training. I hadn't figured out how to increase my Magic Power, but I did feel different, so I'd have to check my stats after classes.
The first class was Anti-personnel Training, which made me both excited and worried.
I could fight someone who knew how to fight, but I was also concerned I might actually hurt them—remembering what I had done to that dumbbell.
It would be a two-hour class where two cadets would pair up and fight each other.
The weapons used would be training weapons to make the fights less painful and easier to evaluate.
Pairs formed quickly: Kim Suho with Yi Yeonghan, Shin Jonghak with Kim Horak, Kim Hajin was training with an instructor, and Chae Nayun and Yoo Yeonha were training with people I didn't know.
I ended up paired with Demian. Since we were on the same team, it was easier and gave me a chance to see his abilities.
"So, shall we start?"
I got into position, holding the katana's sheath in my left hand and the hilt in my right.
He held his zweihander with both hands, ready.
[Lucien Cross – Demian Walter]
[0 – 0]
Before I could move, Demian came straight at me, so I quickly drew my sword and with a single slash, disarmed him, sheathing my weapon instantly.
[1 – 0]
We both stood there staring at what just happened until Demian spoke.
"W-What just happened?"
"Well… I hit the tip of your sword and it went flying."
"But I was holding it with both hands!"
"Maybe I hit it too hard? Whatever… Second round?"
"Yeah."
We kept sparring for another 30 minutes, during which Demian grew increasingly dejected.
[13 – 1]
"I don't want to keep training with you. I want someone else."
"S-Sorry."
I felt a little bad for beating him so many times.
I patted him on the back a few times to cheer him up.
"I'll try not to move so it's fairer."
"THAT DOESN'T MAKE ME FEEL BETTER!"
Just then, we heard a shout and turned toward the sound.
"Ah! What are you doing?! 934… Ack! Let go! Let go! Let go!"
Kim Hajin was biting the instructor's hair.
"HAHAHAHA, WHAT AN IDIOT."
Demian burst out laughing at Hajin's situation.
I found it strange, though, since I didn't remember this happening.
"I said let go!"
The instructor had enough and punched Hajin in the face, sending him flying backward.
Demian kept laughing, but then I noticed the instructor looking our way, so I quickly stepped back, sensing what was about to happen.
"Can you believe this gu—"
I looked back and saw the instructor standing right behind Demian.
"Rest in peace."
What happened to Demian after that was indescribable, leaving him even more depressed.
--
--
I'm writing this because I saw something interesting that someone wrote.
They asked me if they could give me an idea for a character, and I found that interesting.
So I'll do this: since the story is just beginning, I'll give you the chance to come up with ideas for original characters to include in the story.
You can tell me how you want them to be—the fighting style, appearance, the Gift (if you don't have one, I can try creating one myself)—and then I'll decide whether to include them as an ally or an enemy.