Beyond Phantasia

Instructor…Weak? Alright then, I thought.

"Now, listen here, cadets. You’re here for one reason and one reason only: to train and kill evil. Technomancy requires more than just waving your hands. It requires strength, stamina, the ability to adapt, basic knowledge of your arsenal, and unwavering determination.”

Instructor Weak glanced at all of us.

"Here, we will train the mind and the body to their strongest capabilities. Not only will it benefit you now, but it will also benefit you during the Socrilium Trials, where your mental strength is needed."

“But Instructor, didn’t you just say we needed to train our mind and body?” One of the students asked. "So, why are we not training just the mind if the trials require mental strength?"

“Yes, a healthy mind requires a healthy body and so forth. Now run.”

“What?” The same student asked.

“Ten laps around the field, all of you. Move! Move! Move!”

All the students, including myself, ran to the track and began our laps.

Halfway through the first lap, my body wanted to give out.

This body…is so weak…

If I was in my original body, this would’ve been much easier. Unfortunately, the only thing going for me right now is my good looks.

Focus. I need to focus.

I paced myself, steadying my breathing. The size of the track was equivalent to nearly two, almost three, soccer fields. I needed to take my time whether I finished last or not.

It really is nice to be the main characters.

Way ahead were the top four ranking students. Novian led the class, with the other three interchanging positions behind him.

Iris and some of the other students weren't participating due to "health reasons." In reality, it was more about their abuse of power due to their lineage. Iris might be one of the main characters, but her personality was something else when it came to getting her way.

Hah…hah…ha…h…

Push. I can do this. Keep moving!

By the time I reached my third lap, Novian and many other students had already passed me.

Keep…going…this is nothing compared to training or back then.

My body moved, functioning like a zombie.

By the fifth lap, I collapsed to the ground.

Get up! Get up! Move! Move, damn legs! Work!

I got up.

By the seventh lap, I wanted to die.

My chest heaved with each gasping breath, my lungs burning as if on fire. Every inhale felt like trying to suck air through a straw, and my legs felt like they were made of concrete. My heartbeat pounded relentlessly like drums in my ears, growing louder with each step I took. The world around me blurred, and a wave of dizziness threatened to pull me under.

Why…why do I force myself to keep going?

What was stopping me from giving up completely? Was it my own determination? A second chance at life? No, it felt like someone was whispering in the back of my mind — River. I’d already run so far; what did a few more laps matter?

“Compared to back then, this is nothing.”

Each step is a struggle, my muscles trembling and aching. My mind is a mix of frustration and determination. The pain is overwhelming, but I can’t stop now. I gritted my teeth, focusing on putting one foot in front of the other, and moved.

River…ha..h…I miss you man…hah…

My vision became extremely blurred.

I want to give up. I want to lay down. I want to collapse. I want to disappear. It should’ve been me.

Hah…ha…h…hah…

I clutched onto my heart.

How long has it been? I must look pathetic.

Once more, I collapsed.

Get up!

Get…up!

Move!

Fucking move!

You stupid legs, get up!

MOVE!

With one last push, I stumbled to my feet and moved forward.

Hah…hah..ha..h..h…

I tripped; my legs gave out on me.

Dammit....

“I’ve got you. Very well done, cadet! Very well done!” Instructor Weak said joyously.

I gave him a puzzled look.

“Yes, you’ve completed all ten laps!”

With the last of my strength, I nodded with a satisfied smile and closed my eyes.

<><><><><>

Elara’s POV

The run was relatively easy.

“Good run, princess,” Songstar said to me.

“Likewise, but while I am at the academy, please address me as any other classmate. There’s no need for ‘princess.’”

“Understood. It was a close race, no?”

I pondered for a moment.

“Indeed. While the Songstars are known for their proficiency in technomancy, the Von Castilles are renowned for their strength. Naturally, I had the upper hand, but you’re strong, Songstar.”

“...Elara, since I’m able to address you by your first name, I think it’s only fair you do the same for me.”

“Denied.”

The conversation with Songstar was cut short as I glanced at the track. A single silhouette was running across the distance.

There was someone still running?

“Instructor Cefin, who is that?”

“Rank 4000: Lucien Crow, Ms. Von Castille.”

A name I didn’t bother to learn about.

“How is it possible for someone ranked last to be here in S-class?”

“Well, Ms. Von Castille, how about you watch? Maybe you’ll see something interesting.”

As Instructor Cerfin advised, I focused on the last remaining student on the field.

Weak.

I don’t understand. He barely managed to make it to the fifth lap. It was a pathetic sight for someone of S-class.

What was there to even watch?

He continued to run.

Why hasn’t he given up? His body looks like it’s about to collapse on him.

He continued to run, pushing through to his seventh lap.

“Instructor Cefin, shouldn’t you stop him? His body is about to give out.”

“No.”

“But why? Isn’t this against school regulations?”

“Look at his eyes.”

His purple amethyst eyes glowed with an unwavering intensity. Despite the exhaustion etched across his face, they seemed to pierce through the fatigue, radiating an inner strength that drove him to want to finish the race against all odds.

“Will?” I asked the instructor.

“Correct. His determination is strong. I would argue stronger than most cadets here,” Instructor Cefin replied.

“Now, that is a man!” Instructor Weak exclaimed. "Can you see it, Cefin? The passion!"

After about another hour he finished his tenth lap passing out with a satisfied look.

He’s weak, but he has some strength. However, you need more than that to succeed here.

<><><><><>

I woke up in what looked to be a medical facility.

I must’ve passed out from exhaustion.

I checked my datachron. Class had already ended, marking my first day at Silvion.

“Hah…This is tiring. I need to start working out.”

The nurse came to check up on me. There seemed to be no issues with my body; I just needed more rest.

“You’re free to leave whenever you’re ready,” the nurse said.

“Thank you.”

As I was about to leave, a pointed ear poked into the room. Aurelia walked in with the same stoic expression she always carries.

“Can I help you?”

…

…..

A brief silence ensued like last time.

“Notes...class.”

She then pointed to my datachron.

“Share,” she said.

“Okay.”

I think this is her way of calling it even since I shared my notebook with her. I pointed my datachron towards hers, and a popup appeared on my screen with an ‘accept’ button that I clicked.

“Thanks," I said.

With a bow, she left the room, only to peek her head in one more time before fully exiting.

“You…” She paused for a moment. “...weak.”

She left, leaving me speechless.

"…"

Tsk.

I really am.