Izumi didn't push Eriri any further. If she agreed, their team would reach the required number of members faster — that was all.And if she didn't?Well, it wasn't the end of the world.A world this large had no shortage of talented people, after all.
Worst case, he could secretly tinker around and "produce" someone like Illya or Irisviel!Or maybe create a cute little Gray-chan modeled after the Ahoge King and hand her a Holy Spear. That would also work!
Honestly, with the way his system behaved, who knew? Maybe one day he'd just randomly get a Summon Card and be able to summon a few retainers outright.
Lunch break ended, but it at least gave Eriri and Izumi a chance to get to know each other better.Izumi learned a surprising amount about Eriri — which, rather than scaring her off, only made Eriri even more curious about him.
Just what kind of person is this guy?The question loomed over her, increasing her desire to figure him out.
But there was still plenty of time ahead of them, so she wasn't in a hurry.
Still… being found out about her doujin artist identity was embarrassing beyond belief.For the sake of her perfect school persona, she forced herself to endure it without screaming.
After lunch came the afternoon classes — including P.E.Although "P.E. class" was really just a mandatory foundational training period for all awakened students.
Well… almost all.
Izumi and Koneko-chan immediately went to request leave.
The moment the sports teacher saw Izumi walk up, he didn't even bother pretending to think about it.
There was nothing he could teach that monster.Even he couldn't beat Izumi, so letting Izumi do her own training was the only logical choice.
Just say a few words of formality and that was that.
Izumi and Koneko-chan took Megumi and Asia along, submitted their leave request, and headed straight for the old school building's training grounds.
Eriri wanted to follow… but she didn't have the courage to fake a reason for leave.So she decided she would go meet them after finishing class properly.
When the four of them reached the area Koneko-chan usually used for training, she looked straight at Izumi.
"Izumi-kun, if you have any specific training plans, you can tell me," she said with serious eyes."Or… should we just start with sparring?"
Izumi rubbed his chin and thought for a moment before answering:
"Alright then — 100 push-ups, 100 sit-ups, 100 squats, and a 10-kilometer run."
Koneko-chan stared at him with a face that clearly said Are you making fun of me?
"You're joking… right?""You seriously think that works?"
She wasn't illiterate.Every awakened person in the academy could easily do that kind of training.Was he messing with her?
Izumi laughed awkwardly.
"I'm kidding, I'm kidding! Think of it as a warm-up.""We'll spar afterward."
It was Saitama-sensei's legendary training routine — come on, you had to at least try it once after coming to the 2D world!What if it actually worked?
It wouldn't do anything for them at their current level, but as a warm-up it was perfect.
Koneko-chan still looked doubtful, but eventually nodded and dropped down to start her push-ups.
Izumi smiled at the sight.
Megumi, curious, asked:
"Um… should we do it too?""Will this really be effective?"
Her expression twisted slightly.Even as an F-rank weakling, this level of exercise was just… mildly tiring.
Could something so simple really make anyone stronger?
Izumi nodded seriously.
"Oh, it definitely works. Just remember: don't use air conditioning — not in spring, summer, autumn, or winter.""If you keep training no matter the weather for three years straight, you will get stronger.""When your hair starts thinning… when your hairline begins to recede… that's when you'll realize your power is awakening!"
Megumi froze.
Koneko-chan stopped mid push-up.Asia subconsciously touched her hair and shivered.
Izumi blinked, confused.
"H-Hey, I was joking! Joking! No one's going bald!""Hahaha… ha…"
He could feel their silent judgment stabbing into him.Some jokes really shouldn't be told to girls.
Koneko-chan coldly huffed.
"…Forget the warm-up. Let's fight."
She immediately got into a combat stance, clearly having zero patience left.
Megumi and Asia quickly retreated to a safe distance.
Izumi sighed.
Koneko, are you scared of the warm-up now? Seriously…?
But he didn't complain.He'd only meant it as a joke, after all.If she wanted to start right away, then so be it.
Before the match began, Izumi turned to Megumi and Asia.
"You two should run a few laps first. When we're done here, I'll teach you a magic spell."
He planned to teach them cursed bullets, a basic magic projectile.They both had magic in their bodies — learning it would give them a bit more self-defense.
Megumi and Asia exchanged a glance and nodded, beginning to jog around the field.
Izumi then faced Koneko-chan.
"Alright. Let's begin.""This time, no weapons — just hand-to-hand."
The instant he finished speaking, Koneko-chan launched herself forward, tiny fist aimed directly at Izumi's handsome face —a punch that carried full I'm going to ruin your pretty face today energy.
Izumi almost wanted to cry.
But, of course, he stepped in to engage her.
Even without using magic, with his physical stats — all at C+ — he vastly outclassed Koneko-chan's E+ across the board.
Still, he held back, blocking and countering lightly.
With Infinite Martial Refinement, Izumi's close-quarters combat was terrifyingly polished.He could spar, restrain, teach, and bully all at once.
And so began a session where he guided Koneko-chan while simultaneously overwhelming her.