Kanata had been watching all along.
From the mont Eiji entered the open square, spoke with Nene-sensei, and proceeded with his self-directed training, she had seen it all.
It truly exceeded her expectations.
She had originally thought that Eiji's laziness was due to the imnse suffering he experienced as a child, which led him to beco indolent in adulthood, averse to effort and pain, and indulgent in comfort.
But in reality, she had fundantally misunderstood her impression of Eiji.
His so-called laziness was rely her own wishful thinking. The reason he didn't attend classes was because he was undergoing special training with Nene-senei, and it was likely that what was taught in class simply wasn't suitable for him.
The folding fan she had previously seen at Eiji's waist now seed to be Nene-sensei's device. Given that Nene-sensei's ability was to manipulate gravity, it was probable that he carried it with him constantly, using gravity to exert pressure on himself.
This was far from laziness; it was a rare level of effort among student knights.
His thod of constantly pushing himself to the limit was much more extre than the average person's training regin, and it looked incredibly practiced. Just watching it made Kanata feel a sense of awe.
Her physical fitness was D-rank, slightly better than an average person but not on par with professional athletes. Since she rarely engaged in physical training, witnessing such intense exercise inevitably shook her.
Moreover, the most crucial point was—
"So hot."
Watching that slender body continuously rise and fall before her eyes, with glistening beads of sweat rolling down his skin, Kanata couldn't help but swallow hard.
She began to understand why Nene-sensei had left earlier.
It was simply unbearable!
"Gurgle~"
Unconsciously, Kanata had been watching for over twenty minutes.
It wasn't until the sound of hunger emanated from her stomach that Kanata snapped back to reality, sowhat embarrassed as she covered her belly.
She had thought Eiji would notice her and had prepared an excuse, but it seed Eiji hadn't noticed her at all. He was just gasping for breath, his eyes unfocused.
"Has his consciousness beco hazy…"
Kanata understood slightly.
In physical training, the most important thing is whether one can persist after reaching their limit. Only those with perseverance are worthy of growth afterward.
And this junior of Touka's undoubtedly possessed such steadfast determination.
"Eiji-kun, I've brought lunch!"
Soon, Kagami's voice ca from the path outside the forest.
Kanata took one last deep look at Eiji before turning and leaving the open square.
"Don't underestimate your junior, or you'll regret it."
Kanata was beginning to understand the aning behind Touka's words from yesterday.
At this point, if she still thought the outco of tomorrow's match was a foregone conclusion, she would be too naive.
By tomorrow, everything would beco clear.
"Shit!"
Kanata suddenly cursed under her breath.
She had forgotten to lift her skirt when leaving, causing it to tear on the bushes. Her long dress was now halved, revealing large patches of her fair, creamy skin on her legs.
***
Evening.
Eiji dragged his utterly exhausted body back to the dormitory.
"Junior brother, why are you only coming back now?"
By the ti Eiji returned, Touka had already changed into her pajamas and was waiting for him.
The dormitory's curfew was at 9 PM, and anyone arriving after that ti wouldn't be allowed in. Eiji had barely made it back in ti.
"...I got a little carried away."
Eiji forced a smile, one that was tired but genuinely happy.
Yes, genuinely happy.
He thoroughly enjoyed this process.
Amidst the constant fatigue and soreness, he found imnse joy in the feeling of pushing past his limits, reveling in the process of becoming stronger.
In the fitness world, so people refer to this condition as "gym addiction." Having tasted the changes and pleasures that co with fitness, they beco unable to stop exercising, eventually turning into bulky musclen. To such people, working out is more addictive than drugs.
Eiji was sowhat like these people, but his situation was different.
The reason he enjoyed the feeling of becoming stronger wasn't because he was addicted to fitness, but because it allowed him to clearly feel that weakness was steadily leaving him.
"Co in quickly, I'll help you take a bath. Let's sleep early tonight!"
Touka pushed her junior into the bathroom, naturally removing his clothes and wrapping herself in a towel as she began to wash his body.
This situation wasn't unfamiliar to either of them. Over the past few years, the two had shared countless monts of physical intimacy, none of which carried any erotic undertones. It was always just pure vulnerability and maternal care.
Utterly exhausted, Eiji didn't even have the energy for any inappropriate thoughts. He dozed off in the bathroom, completely spent.
"Junior? Junior?"
Touka gently shook her junior brother's body, but seeing that he remained unresponsive, she sighed with heartache, her gaze softening imnsely.
She dried both their bodies, dressed them, and carried Eiji out of the bathroom.
Soon after, the lights in the dormitory dimd.
***
The next morning.
Eiji opened his eyes on ti, greeted by a view of pure white.
It looked familiar.
Eiji tapped into his mory bank of "fate" and suddenly realized.
It was Touka's "fate"!
Thanks to his swordsmanship talent, his brain's simulation ability was incredibly strong, allowing him to rember every enemy and swordsmanship technique he had seen through his Insight Eye. "Fate" was no exception.
"Junior brother, you're awake?"
Just as Eiji was about to get up, the movent of the blanket woke Touka.
It seed they had shared a bed last night.
"Listen, junior brother. I won't stop you from training your body. It does hold extraordinary significance for you. But I will absolutely not stand by if you push yourself to the point you did yesterday!"
Touka, having just woken up and not yet having pulled up the clothes that had slipped off her shoulders, began lecturing Eiji with a serious and earnest expression.
"Don't worry, senior sister, I understand!"
Eiji nodded repeatedly, his gaze shifting up and down.
He also felt that he had overdone it with yesterday's training. It was his first ti trying to exercise in a multiple-gravity environnt, and he had been so determined that he lost control.
Even now, he could feel the faint ache in his muscles, leaving him feeling sowhat weak.
He would need to visit the infirmary later to have the water mage teacher help him treat the excess lactic acid secreted in his muscles. He should also take it easy in the morning. Balancing work and rest was the most suitable rhythm for training.
"It's good that you understand."
Seeing that Eiji seed to have taken her words to heart, Touka finally relaxed, then casually pulled up the clothes that had slipped off her shoulders.
Today's benifits for the junior brother ends here.
"By the way..."
"What is it, senior sister?"
Eiji looked up, his gaze eting Touka's.
"Good luck in the match!"
Touka raised her fist in a cheer, giving Eiji an encouraging smile.
"I look forward to facing you on the stage of the Seven Stars Sword-Art Festival!"
"Of course!"
Hearing this, Eiji couldn't help but smile as well.
"I have no intention of stopping here!"
***
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