Cohabitation with Lize has begun. Initially, I thought it was just a change of abode and housemate.
Lize ntioned she wouldn't intrude on my personal life and only aid to assist in building my character.
So, my plan was to live comfortably as I had been doing. First up was the morning.
"Brother Sivar, stretching in the morning is more effective than high-intensity or long-duration exercises."
"?"
Usually, my mornings consist of lounging around doing nothing. Breakfast with Rod, then off to classes, and that's it.
Like the proverbial early bird that catches the worm, I rise early.
Lize too gets up around the sa ti as . She brought up the stretching while I was idly standing by.
"There is a saying in the East: A healthy mind resides in a healthy body.' Without the shield of physical health, the mind is nothing but an empty shell."
"And?"
"Follow my movents. It's good for increasing flexibility. Of course, I respect your choice, so you can tend to your tasks if you prefer."
Lize started her exercise routine not in Saintess mode, but in Fist Saint mode, first performing 180-degree splits.
But it was by no ans a simple process. She placed two chairs on either side and mounted her legs on them.
Her legs split at an angle way beyond 180 degrees, her thighs reminiscent of logs, and her calves of bludgeons.
"Would you like to give it a try? It feels quite refreshing once you're used to it."
In that sa stance, Lize invited to join her. Her smile alone could change the genre of a situation.
If I follow Lize's exercise thod, would I end up like that? I was a bit curious.
"I'll do it."
"Good choice."
And so, I did it. There's nothing wrong with increasing flexibility.
Lize advised that increased flexibility would lead to better circulation of mana within the body.
When it cos to physical training, or Fist Saint skills, Lize has profound knowledge and expertise. It's like getting free training from a renowned instructor.
It would be foolish not to take this opportunity. During our cohabitation, I could improve not just my heart, but my body as well.
"As expected, you have high flexibility."
After mirroring Lize's actions, she complinted . This level of exercise was easy for .
I needed to compress my large fra as much as possible for stealth purposes.
Thanks to that, my flexibility had gradually improved, especially around the waist area.
Given the nature of hunting, having to stay low, it made sense that my flexibility increased as a natural consequence.
"Very good. Then, how about this?"
Lize moved on to the next phase after the splits. True to her appearance, she pulled the chairs, spread wide by her leg strength, back to the center with both legs.
As I admired her near freakish behavior, Lize dismounted the chairs and began her next move.
Swoosh-
The starting move was a gentle backbend. It looked utterly ordinary at first glance.
But she went beyond rely bending back, she folded in half and inserted her face between her legs.
It may sound bizarre, but everything I ntioned is truthfully what I saw.
She literally bent her waist in half and placed her face between her legs.
"Ha ha ha ha! How about this! When your flexibility is at its peak, even this becos possible!"
Lize laughed heartily as she proudly boasted.
I had noticed the day before when she admired herself in the mirror alone, she deeply prides herself on her body.
Even that grotesque display, which seed out of a freak show, she boldly showcased.
"Disgusting."
I honestly said what I felt. Its doubtful that's a human posture.
Even having touched all sorts of bugs in the forest, that was revolting. I would rather watch animal guts.
"Speaking like that hurts too, you know."
However, Lize seed unaffected and returned to her original stance, showing no sign of injury.
I never would have thought that she could be so flexible with her massive build. It's literally the result of carving flesh and blood from herself.
"It's about ti for breakfast. I will prepare it myself."
"For real?"
"Yes. Despite how I may appear, Im quite good at cooking."
That suits fine. Cooking was always a bother when I lived in the forest.
"Cooking in that state?"
"Is there a problem?"
The problem was her cooking in Fist Saint mode, and to top it off, she donned an apron.
The genre seed to be shifting in real-ti. I quietly embraced an internal chuckle, silently waiting for the al.
"How is it?"
"Delicious!"
But the al turned out to be truly delicious.
Who cares about muscles? As long as the food is good, that's all that matters.
"Brother Sivar."
"Hm?"
"Always keep in mind. What's important is your heart."
Of course, I don't really understand what she's talking about.
I should probably interpret it as advice not to cause any trouble.
******
After sorting out breakfast, I started preparing for classes.
The adaptation period isn't totally over, but it might as well be.
That ans starting today, I should wear the uniform to classes, which is quite uncomfortable.
At least a week ago, I began wearing the lax sumr uniform; if it had been the spring-autumn one, it mightve felt too snug.
"Do you know how to tie a necktie?"
"No."
"I don't either. Just tie it sohow and go."
Then why bother asking, woman.
I grumbled to myself and carelessly tied the necktie. After all, theres no deduction points for improper attire.
Beyond that, I don't care about points. My focus is on events or the various hidden routes.
What was the midterm content again?'
As a result, I have no clue what the midterms are about. They must have announced it last week, but I was inattentive.
Best guess its a practical exam. Hopefully, it's not written.
I might understand spoken language, but Im still illiterate. It may take a while to shake off being unlettered.
"Have a good day then."
"Ill be back later."
I left Lize, who waved off in Fist Saint mode, and headed out on my own.
The distance to the classroom isn't far, but going there alone feels strange.
Normally, I would have arrived there with either Luna or Kara. It's scary how quickly one becos accustod to things.
I know the way there. Still so ti before class, maybe pay a visit to Godin?'
During the adaptation period, I didn't et with Godin too often. Mostly, I would visit him in Rod's absence.
There were tis I visited him simply out of boredom, but beyond that, I had little contact with him.
I should visit him more often from now on. Now that I can start a conversation, learning magic from Godin seems like a good idea.
"Sivar!"
"?"
I was andering towards the classroom, lost in thought, when a familiar voice caught my attention.
Turning my head, I ca face to face with Kara in her sumr clothes. Her frank and refreshing smile is always striking.
"It really is Sivar. I was doubting because you were alone."
"Hi."
"Hey. Hi."
I waved casually in greeting, and Kara welcod warmly.
The sumr uniform made her skin tone stand out more compared to the spring-autumn attire.
A combination of fair and tanned skin. Although it seed improper, it also exuded a subtle charm.
In addition, with the thin sumr uniform, her figure couldnt be hidden. It strangely fit well.
"What did you have for breakfast?"
Kara casually walked up beside and asked, her green eyes etched with deep curiosity.
I fixed my gaze forward and answered in my characteristically blunt tone.
"Lize."
"What?"
My answer was as brief as it was profound. However, the implied aning was far from ordinary.
Kara shivered and her pace slowed after hearing my response.
"She made it."
"Ah. You startled ."
Following my clarification, Kara let out a sigh of relief. Her voice quivered slightly as if she really had been startled.
Everyone probably knows, it was just a joke. Despite the awkward phrasing, the language itself wasnt too challenging.
Is it an antiphrasis? It's a manner of speaking that could easily lead to misunderstandings.
"People say you should listen to soone's speech to the end; seems that's even truer for you. Still having trouble using language properly?"
"Yeah."
"It's much better now, though. Until last week, you almost had to be translated."
I've been working hard to gather faith, squeezing every bit out. My faith score is now close to 20.
It's still a long journey ahead. In Soul World, you need at least a score of 50 to play a proper faith ga.
Not that I'm specifically playing a faith ga, but there's no harm in considering it. It won't be bad to have it built up anyway.
"It's a sha, though. There was a flavor to interpreting your words."
"Shall I?"
"No, dont. Just talk comfortably."
"Yeah."
"You respond well."
Conversing with Kara about trivial matters, we soon arrived at the classroom.
Upon reaching the classroom, I saw that a considerable number of students had gathered.
"What, is he wearing a uniform now?"
"Looks like his adaptation period has ended. How did he pass? I heard he went around smashing buildings."
"Maybe because he didn't hit people?"
Normally, everyone would have been busy with their own business, but now they were whispering about my new uniform attire.
Its only natural since, until yesterday, I had been in casual clothes and now I had switched to a uniform.
Ignoring their murmurs, I moved to a seat with Kara.
This corner spot had beco our unofficial assigned seats.
"It doesnt feel like soone else's business. I got the sa reaction when I ca in a uniform."
"What was Kara's reaction like?"
"Huh? Oh, what did they say? Just that it's amazing I was admitted after getting into fights. I guess I just barely made it."
From the beginning, I had an easy rapport with Kara.
Even if I spoke nonsense, she would just get it, so there was no need for to use complicated language.
Even if I attempted a difficult phrase, she enjoyed translating it, which made it easier for to talk.
"Hello Kara, Sivar too."
After a short while, Luna also arrived at the classroom, taking the usual seat next to .
Even though it was the season for sumr uniforms, Luna was still in her spring-autumn clothes.
Strictly speaking, it's only her shirt that has long sleeves. Doesn't that get hot?
"Aren't you hot? You always wear long sleeves."
"I dont like getting my arms sunburnt. How about you, dont you burn?"
"I do get sunburnt. It just doesn't show."
As we chatted like this, Grace and Yeonhwa arrived, and the classroom quickly beca bustling.
I stayed quiet amidst the noise, just shutting up and listening.
Id respond firmly when occasionally soone would ask a question.
I need a reason to initiate conversation myself.'
For now, I didnt really have anything I wanted to discuss. I just kept my ears open.
"Oh yes. Is everyone studying for the exams?"
Then an interesting topic ca up from Grace.
The inevitable destiny of all students, the exam season. Being at the academy makes no difference.
The academy's exams last about a week, similar to university exams, testing whats been learned so far.
"Not at all. I haven't been studying, is that important?"
Kara responded very confidently. True to her carefree approach to academy life.
At least the conscientious students like Luna and Grace would have been steadily preparing. Points are important, after all.
"It's important if you wish to score a good amount of points."
"Ah, points. I wasn't thinking about them at all. What can you use them for?"
"It seems like Kara wont have to worry about that."
Grace, known for her wide network of information, had no idea what form the exams would take.
It would likely be based on what we've learned in class, but the exact format was still unknown.
We already had a combat test once, so the likelihood of another seems slim, and if done individually, it just boils down to revision.
"Marlboro will announce it soon, wont he? You don't have any problems, do you, Grace?"
"Well, I did review the material from the lessons, but Oh, by the way Luna."
"Yes?"
"Whats Godin like as a professor? Im thinking of studying under him after midterms."
Midterms aside, Grace's words were certainly not sothing that could be easily ignored.
Outwardly feigning disinterest, I opened my ears wide. It felt like an important crossroad was approaching.
"I only know he's a good person By the way, Delphoi isnt very pleasant, is he?"
"No, it's just a bit difficult? It might be a prejudice, but like Sivar said, there's just sothing uncomfortable about him."
Grace turned her gaze to as she spoke. Her deep violet eyes held complex emotions.
As a child of a ducal family, she has keen insight. She probably noticed Delphoi's insidious intentions early on.
If things were normal, she might have realized later, but she seems to have caught on sooner because of my warning.
"Did he do sothing weird? Shouldnt you report that?"
Kara asked aggressively, her face contorting. She seed to catch on to what Grace ant.
But Grace shook her head, indicating that things weren't severe enough to warrant concern.
"It's not quite to that extent. Besides, it could just be my misunderstanding. Thats why Im planning to consult and make adjustnts."
"Still, be careful. Snakes are everywhere."
"I'll keep that in mind. But surely he wouldn't do anything, right? Im a mber of a ducal family."
Thats exactly what they prey upon. Being of ducal status can be both a spear and shield, yet sotis it becos shackles that hold you.
Delphoi preys on this cunningly to ensure Grace cant report him, effectively blocking all avenues.
By the ti the cris end up exposed, it's like a river that cant be crossed back.
Then I'd never see Grace again. Its a sorrowful situation in many ways.
I need to keep a close eye.'
The ti seems to have co to put a leash on that beastly brat. I thought to myself as I waited for the class to start.
"As everyone knows, the midterms start tomorrow. The midterm will be a team battle."
And then, the content of the midterm.
"For your information, direct attacks by Sivar are prohibited."
" "
For , at least, this felt distinctly discriminatory.
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