The sun had already risen when Kael Ashford finally opened his eyes.
"Still here…"
Kael muttered, though he found it much easier to accept this time.
His body still ached from yesterday's excessive running, but it wasn't too bad—perhaps because he was still young.
He washed up quickly and headed to the Dining Hall for breakfast.
One thing he could genuinely appreciate about being transmigrated into this world was the food.
Maybe it was because he rarely cooked back in his previous life—living alone and surviving on instant meals—but the food here was leagues better than anything he'd had before.
After breakfast, he went to his first class, which, unfortunately, was the same as yesterday.
The expressions on the students' faces were filled with dread, their muscles still sore from yesterday's punishment.
Today, they were to complete the remaining laps from yesterday plus the 100 laps assigned for today.
If not, more punishment awaited them.
Fortunately for Kael, he had completed his punishment laps yesterday and didn't need to worry about the backlog—though 100 laps was still a daunting number to finish in just two hours.
Still, compared to yesterday, he felt better.
His body had adapted a little, even if completing all 100 laps was still out of reach.
The moment Professor Sylvia gave the signal, they began running.
For some students, it seemed like they were doing worse than yesterday—probably due to exhaustion that hadn't fully recovered after just one night of sleep.
Kael felt the same; his body still ached. However, he was getting used to this new body and no longer needed to constantly test its limits like yesterday.
By the end of the two hours, he had finished 74 laps—three more than yesterday.
It wasn't a huge difference, but it was progress nonetheless.
Many students complained, knowing they would need to complete the remaining laps plus an extra 50 in the evening.
And some still had leftover punishment laps from yesterday.
For them, it felt like the number of laps only increased day by day.
Professor Sylvia clapped her hands, grabbing the students' attention as they groaned in exhaustion.
"All of you, gather here! Your next class will also be taught by me: Combat Class."
She paused for a moment, then added, "Let's have some of you duel so the rest can learn from watching."
Her eyes swept over the group before she announced, "Today, let's have our top two students demonstrate their skills. Edwin and Elysia, step forward!"
"Elysia and Edwin?"
"Two of the top students going head-to-head?"
"This… this is going to be good."
"A top-tier swordsman's fight!"
Excitement rippled through the crowd the moment those two were chosen.
Edwin—the one who had broken all of Arcadia Academy's previous records—and Elysia, who might have done the same if Edwin hadn't set new ones.
Their entrance exam scores were in a league of their own.
Maybe that's why Professor Sylvia wanted them to fight—so others could learn from the clash of titans.
Kael remained silent but leaned forward. Even he couldn't deny his curiosity.
(However… I know how this ends.)
He remembered this scene from the novel—where they fought for the first time.
And the winner, of course, was the overpowered main character: Edwin Leonhart.
Both Edwin and Elysia stepped forward toward Professor Sylvia.
Edwin wore a nonchalant expression, as if the outcome was already obvious.
Elysia, however, looked excited and determined.
She had lived this moment before. Back then, she had lost.
But this time, she was determined to change the result.
(Hmph. He probably thinks this will be easy. But things aren't the same as before.)
The two stepped into the dueling circle, marked by Sylvia's magic.
Edwin Leonhart—tall, poised—rested one hand casually on the hilt of his training sword.
His presence was calm and confident, as always.
"Tsk."
Elysia clicked her tongue in irritation.
Even though she cared for Edwin, his younger, arrogant self always managed to get on her nerves.
Still, she smiled. She was confident this time.
Yes, she was physically weaker than Edwin—but she had something he didn't.
Experience. And memories from a past life.
She had fought Edwin thousands of times before.
Though she lost most of those fights, it didn't mean she was helpless.
Against the overconfident, less-experienced version of Edwin, she believed she had a real chance.
"Are you two ready?" Professor Sylvia asked.
They both nodded.
"Begin!"
With a sharp swing, Elysia slashed downward—
A blazing arc of compressed mana surged across the stage—fast, wide, meant to pressure her opponent.
Edwin dashed forward, weaving through the blast zone effortlessly.
His figure blurred—vanishing—and reappeared at her side.
He slashed—
Clang!
Elysia blocked the attack just in time.
Clang! Clang!
Their swords clashed again and again, Edwin staying on the offensive.
"Their level is… so far beyond mine. Is this what it means to be strong?"
"I can't even see their swings. Just how fast are they?"
"Damn. No wonder they're the top students."
The crowd whispered in awe.
Kael watched, stunned.
"So fast... I can't even follow their movements…"
For the first time, he glimpsed the kind of power that could be obtained in this world—something impossible in his previous one.
(Can I become that strong…?)
He wasn't sure. Right now, that level felt worlds away.
Clang! CLANG!
Edwin remained relaxed. His sword spun effortlessly in one hand. His eyes held only confidence.
Elysia, on the other hand, gripped her sword tightly, eyes sharp and focused. Mana burned in her veins.
They moved again.
Their swords collided—clash, clash, clash—each spark lighting up the arena.
But the difference was clear.
Edwin's movements were fluid, almost lazy. He dodged by inches, countered with pinpoint
precision, and smiled as if enjoying a dance.
Elysia was mostly on the defensive, constantly pushed back.
The murmurs from the crowd grew louder.
"Edwin is just too powerful. Even Elysia can't keep up."
"This isn't a fair fight. Edwin isn't even serious."
"She's going to lose before she even lands a hit."
…
In the crowd, Cecilia clasped her hands tightly.
"Elysia, you can do it," she whispered.
Kael stood in the front row, completely focused.
He remembered this moment well.
Edwin was supposed to win—overwhelmingly.
But something was different.
After a few more minutes, Edwin frowned.
The fight had lasted longer than he expected.
Though he remained confident, he was starting to get annoyed.
Every time he launched a decisive strike, Elysia dodged at the last moment—like she knew
what was coming.
(What is this…? Is she reading my moves?)
Frustrated, Edwin stepped forward—
"Lunar Fang!"
—a crescent shockwave ripped through the air toward her.
Gasps erupted.
"She's finished—!"
Even Professor Sylvia readied herself to intervene.
But Elysia's eyes sharpened.
She saw it—the faint twist of Edwin's wrist, the angle of the arc.
(Now!)
She stepped into the blast—and unleashed a massive, spine-like sword slash.
BOOM!
The explosion rocked the arena. Dust filled the air.
When it cleared…
"Did Elysia lose?"
The crowd murmured.
But then they saw it.
Edwin was on one knee. Elysia's blade rested at his neck.
Elysia had won!