293… 294… 295… 296… 297… 298… 299… 300.
I collapsed onto the ground as soon as I finished my first set of push-ups.
Damn… why is this so exhausting?
Does he want me to turn into some muscular woman? I can't do this anymore.
As I lay there, staring up at the sky, a head suddenly blocked the view — Rein's, of course.
"Already tired after one set? Really?" he asked like it was no big deal.
I glared at him for a few seconds before asking, "Is this a piece of cake for you?"
"Compared to what Master Obrone used to give me? Yeah."
"How much workout did he make you do?"
"Well, five hundred reps per set. Five sets each. My list was way longer than yours, and you're dying here."
"Dude, you're a guy and I'm a girl. Don't compare yourself with me."
"Pffft—why would I? I already know I'm better."
He turned away and went back to training.
Right now, I was trying very hard not to break his nose.
---
That night, during dinner, we all gathered around the dining table.
There was something I'd been wanting to ask Master Obrone for a while — something that had been bothering me. Maybe now was the right time.
"Master Obrone, do you remember our first meeting at the dessert shop?"
"Yes, I do. Why?" His tone was calm but curious.
"You said you'd tell me more about yourself the next time we met, but… you never did."
"Oh? I see." He smiled faintly. "What do you want to know about me?"
"Basic things would do."
"Hm… I'm a mage — and a mage-scientist."
"What's your mage status?"
"My elements are fire, water, and wind."
"Three? How? I've never heard of someone being born with—"
"No," he interrupted gently. "My main element is fire. The main element comes from the primary mana core. The rest can be gained through long training and creating sub–mana cores."
"I see… Understood. But—why didn't you mention being a registered mage? Everyone else says that after graduating from the academy."
"Because," he said simply, "in my time, there was no academy."
I froze. That didn't make sense. The academy had been around for at least a hundred years.
"You're confused, right?" Rein cut in, smirking.
He looked like he was in his thirties at most.
"I'm a hundred and fifty," Obrone said calmly.
I paused mid-bite.
Did I hear that right?
"You heard right," Rein added dryly. "This old man's one hundred and fifty."
"How…?"
"Because I have a lot of mana."
"That's not what I meant. How do you have that much mana?"
He sighed softly. "I suppose there's no harm in telling you. Have you ever heard of the Veletez Clan?"
"Yes. They were incredibly powerful in history but went extinct long ago."
"Right — but you missed the important part. The Veletez Clan's power came from their heritage ability. They were born with enormous amounts of mana… and the ability to see others' mana cores."
Suddenly everything made sense — how he could see mine, how he survived so long.
"So your real name is… Eslante Veletez?"
"Yes. That's right."
"How did the Veletez Clan become extinct?"
"It's a long story," he said quietly. "I'll tell you another time."
"Okay… then the reason you stay away from people — it's related to that, isn't it?"
"You're sharp," he admitted. "Yes."
"But who would even recognize you?"
His expression darkened, eyes turning serious.
"There is one."
I didn't ask any further. But the question burned quietly in my mind — who could it be?
"Just know this," he said finally. "No one must know about my existence."
"Understood."
---
As we continued eating, another question popped into my head.
"Rein, what's your mage status?"
"Registered. B-rank. Fire element."
I almost dropped my spoon.
B-rank? That's only two steps below S-rank — the highest!
Do I keep underestimating him, or does he just not act like one? I couldn't tell anymore.
"Elvira," Master Obrone called suddenly.
"Yes?"
"I've decided to accelerate your training. After some calculations, I believe you'll need no more than two years."
"Two years? Is that enough time?"
"Perhaps even less. Who knows? Also, you'll be sparring with Rein again tomorrow — let's see how much you've improved."
"Tsk. Why me? Do it yourself," Rein grumbled.
"I trained you once, didn't I? You're free right now — be a proper assistant."
"Ugh… fine."
Watching him sulk was oddly satisfying.
"Will Tindra and Noomi come tomorrow?" Master Obrone asked, turning to me.
"Maybe."
"You should go out with them sometimes. Visit libraries, take a walk — in disguise, of course. You can't keep training nonstop without clearing your mind."
I blinked. "Really?"
"Yes. I'm not the type to keep my students confined."
A smile spread across my face. I wanted to see how everyone was doing — and I truly felt grateful to Master Obrone.
"Thank you so much, Master Obrone!"
He smiled softly. "No need to thank me. It's your right, after all."
Right… it is my right.
All this training — it's for the life I wasn't allowed to live before.
From now on, I'll keep pushing forward.
I'll earn the rights I once lost — and live without shame again.
--