Chapter 246: Pretend You Don't Know (4)
TL/Editor: Raei
Schedule: 5/Week Mon-Fri
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Upon entering Theo's room, Amy closed her eyes for a moment and firmly pressed her lips together before finally speaking in a calm voice.
"I will tell you everything, young master."
She began recounting her story from a few years back.
Her entry into the Waldeurk family was under the guise of a spy, instructed by her organization to monitor the Waldeurk main house.
She had been deceiving everyone about her background and purpose, and up until recently, she had continued to relay information about Theo to her organization.
The reason she had asked about his schedule on Friday was because a high-ranking member of Equilibrium wanted to meet Theo.
She disclosed everything to Theo, except for the part about Selena being held hostage by the organization.
She omitted this detail not wanting to appear as if she was playing on his emotions.
"That's all there is, young master."
After finishing her explanation, Amy slowly bowed her head.
In the corner of her eye, she could see Theo's knee as he sat in the chair.
He hadn't moved at all.
He remained just as he was at the beginning.
Amy's anxiety grew with Theo's strange demeanor.
Her lips became dry.
After a moment, Theo spoke abruptly.
"I see."
"..."
"I will meet with the executive of Equilibrium this Friday."
"?"
Amy looked up at Theo, puzzled.
He simply nodded his head, an unexpected reaction, not showing any signs of anger or disregard she had imagined in her head.
Silence filled the room.
Amy licked her dry lips.
"How can you be like this?"
She continued, looking straight at Theo, who was calmly gazing back at her.
"I have been deceiving you all this time. Our relationship started with a lie. How can you be like this?"
With those words, Amy bowed her head again.
This time, it wasn't due to anxiety.
She felt so emotionally drained that she was on the verge of tears.
Theo then spoke.
"I believe that in the face of the present, the past loses its color."
He placed his hands on Amy's shoulders.
Startled, Amy lifted her head.
Theo met her eyes and continued.
"Didn't I tell you? Amy, you are my secretary."
Amy remained silent.
"Stay by my side. From now on, too."
---
Raei Translations
---
Friday, morning.
At the Hero Department, team-based classes were proceeding as usual.
Students gathered in groups at the arena, chattering among themselves.
"Hey, what's today's class about?"
"I have no idea. But..."
"But what?"
"When I came in, the instructors looked really relaxed? Maybe it's going to be an easy class."
"Alright, I'll take your word for it. Let's gather around! When I say 'our team,' you all shout 'fighting,' okay? We may not be as good as Theo's team, but let's try to make it into the top 20!"
"Sounds good!"
"Alright, let's do it! Our team!"
"Fighting!"
"Hey! I've got good news! Today's class is a group physical training session!"
"Wow! That's awesome. Physical training means we'll probably just run around the arena, right?"
"I'm not sure about that. But, compared to the classes we've had before, it's a piece of cake!"
"Indeed!"
The cheerful atmosphere among the students didn't last long.
"What are you all doing? Is this all you can manage? And you call yourselves the future hero teams? It's already been 30 seconds, and no one has made it through! In my time, we would have climbed a wall of this height in under 30 seconds!"
"You fools! Do you think you could escape from armed intruders at this pace? Move until your legs are invisible! Imagine a robber holding a knife to your throat!"
"If you don't cross the starting line within 3 minutes, you're running another lap! No leniency for weak mages! If your teammate is struggling, carry them if you have to, but make sure you're in within 3 minutes!"
Instructors wearing sharp red hats yelled into their magical microphones.
The training session was brutally exhausting, allowing only 10 minutes of rest after 50 minutes of exercise.
Despite the large number of 1,000 students, no one dared to slack off, knowing the instructors and professors from various departments like the Knight and Exploration Departments were keenly observing them.
The students gritted their teeth as if they were about to burst.
"Damn it! You said it was going to be an easy class!"
"I, I didn't know it would be this tough! Stop talking, will you! It's killing me!"
"Damn... Let's keep going until we can't anymore. Don't give up in disgrace, everyone!"
"My legs are numb... Why did I even sign up for this... I want to go back to the peaceful Magic Department..."
The students' groans filled the air.
Rok observed the scene from a high vantage point in the arena.
"Hmm. It seems they're still alive. If it were really tough, they wouldn't even be able to make such noises. Maybe we should increase the intensity?"
He spoke to a professor from the Exploration Department standing next to him.
The professor nodded vigorously several times.
"I agree, Senior Professor! There's a saying that physical strength is all-around strength. There's nothing wrong with being physically fit! Whether it's for combat or exploration, you need stamina!"
"Right. Then instruct the trainers to increase the intensity, Professor Armstrong."
"Yes, yes! You're absolutely right, Senior Professor! Especially on Fridays, we can train them even harder! Those kids will likely be out meeting or partying on Saturdays and Sundays anyway!"
And so, the intensity of the training continued to escalate.
With 1,000 students, each had different levels of physical fitness.
A pace that might seem moderate for someone fit could feel like torture, pushing the limits every second for someone less fit.
"Ah, damn! This is unbearable! How can they expect us to run 30 laps without a break!"
Who's cursing over there? Still have some energy, I see? Everyone gets 3 more laps!
"Argh! You crazy bastard! Shut your mouth!"
What's that? You still have energy? Add another 3 laps!
The students, especially those less fit, were suffering terribly due to the curses inadvertently let out by the more physically robust students.
Of course, the instructors at Elinia Academy were not to be taken lightly.
"Ah, I'm going to die at this rate..."
Hey, at the back, the Magic Department! No special treatment for you! If you don't complete a lap in 1 minute, everyone gets 3 more laps!
"Ah, I can't take this anymore..."
And so, the hellish morning training session came to an end, and it was finally lunchtime.
The lunch menu consisted of boxed meals, all standardized.
"..."
No student spoke; they were all too exhausted.
Most students, who would usually finish their boxed meal in 5 minutes, took over 20 minutes to eat, picking at their food wearily.
Some students, instead of eating, just stared blankly into space, lost in thought.
Seria was among them.
"..."
"Seria, you should eat something other than air. You need to eat quickly, or you'll get side stitches when we run again."
Irene said this while gobbling down her own lunch.
Seria looked at Irene with a weary expression.
'She's like a monster...'
Irene had not only maintained the lead from the start but had also carried the exhausted Seria without slowing down.
Her overwhelming stamina seemed almost magical...
Seria gripped her fork, her hand trembling.
"Right. I need to eat..."
Then another 'monster' approached them.
This monster, too, had carried a fallen teammate without any change in speed, despite being smaller in stature than Irene.
This monster began speaking to Theo, who was quietly eating his meal.
"Hey, when are you coming to visit our family? My father asked me to invite you."
The monster was Piel.
After slowly chewing and swallowing a meatball, Theo replied.
"How about this weekend?"
"Ah, really? Okay. I'll check and give you a call."
Piel returned to her team, a smile she couldn't hide playing on her lips.
"?"
Irene and Seria narrowed their eyes at Theo.
Irene was the first to speak.
"Theo. What do you mean you're going to visit Piel's family?"
"I met Lord Maximin at the academic seminar. Want to come along?"
Irene and Seria's eyes widened.
"Of course, of course!"
"Heh, seems like today's not all about hardships. I've always wanted to visit the renowned Chalon family."
Alice and Alphs, who were quietly eating while listening in, nodded in agreement.
The day's training finally came to an end.
Due to the extended training caused by stragglers, it was past 6 PM when it finished.
'I won't be late.'
After showering, Theo left the arena.
...It was time to meet the executive of Equilibrium.
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