In the days that followed, Ryoji dedicated himself to rigorous training in the secluded forest clearing, focusing entirely on enhancing his physical strength.
The training regimen provided by the "legal loli"— the Jibakujin— was, without a doubt, the most effective method he had ever encountered. Even the renowned God of War had once said that if anyone could push him to new heights, it was her.
After just a few days of intense gravity training, Ryoji could already feel a noticeable increase in his physical capabilities. Compared to when he first entered Hagun Academy, his progress was staggering— far exceeding the results of the previous half-month of training.
During his morning runs, he tested his endurance and found that covering five kilometers in twenty minutes was now effortless. Pushing himself further, he reached six kilometers in the same timeframe, a remarkable improvement.
He had all but stopped attending his regular classes, spending every waking moment in the clearing.
Surprisingly, his homeroom teacher, Oreki Yuuri, didn't object. The moment he mentioned that the legal loli was supervising his training, she simply waved him off and gave her approval.
As for graduation concerns? There was no need to worry. If he performed well at the Seven Stars Sword-Art Festival, it would be absurd for Hagun Academy to deny him his diploma.
With terrorism on the rise worldwide, the League desperately needed powerful Blazers. The more top-tier combatants they could produce, the better.
If he managed to claim victory in the Seven Stars Sword-Art Festival and the academy still refused to let him graduate, it would be the League itself that would take issue with Hagun, not him.
---
"Seventeen, eighteen... nineteen, twenty..."
Ryoji gritted his teeth as he performed handstand push-ups against the wall.
Sweat streamed down his bare torso, dripping onto the stone floor beneath him. His arms— now visibly more defined— tensed like bowstrings, straining under the multiplied gravity.
Performing handstand push-ups under extreme gravitational force was an exercise that pushed the limits of his endurance. The pressure on his muscles was immense, and each movement felt like his arms might give out at any moment.
Completing his set, he collapsed onto the ground, shaking out his sore limbs with a grimace.
"Hah... muscle growth is on point!" he muttered, flexing slightly.
He glanced down and noticed the subtle yet clear definition forming along his chest and abs. Though he was still far from being truly strong, he had long left behind the frail form he had possessed just half a month ago.
There was a saying: "A bit of exercise attracts women, but too much attracts other men." Fortunately, he was still in the former category.
Ryoji had no concerns about turning into some oversized muscle-bound brute.
From a physiological standpoint, he still had room to grow at least ten more centimeters, and his broad shoulders would help maintain a balanced physique. With continued training, he would develop a lean, well-proportioned frame rather than an excessive bulk of muscle.
"Hmph! Don't get ahead of yourself! You've still got a long way to go before you meet my standards."
From the side, the legal loli lounged comfortably in a beach chair, a small pile of snacks within arm's reach.
She wore oversized sunglasses that concealed the upper half of her face, while a decorative folding fan obscured her expression from below. However, Ryoji could still feel the weight of her gaze on him— sharp, penetrating, and strangely assessing.
It was almost as if she were sizing him up like prey, waiting for the right moment to pounce.
"Care to give me a benchmark? What level do I need to reach to be considered one of the world's elite in terms of physical conditioning?"
Taking a moment to catch his breath, Ryoji posed the question to her.
"Simple. Move freely under a hundred times gravity, and then we can talk."
She answered nonchalantly, popping a piece of popcorn into her mouth.
"...Hiss!"
Ryoji inhaled sharply.
A hundred times gravity?!
If someone overheard this conversation, they might mistake it for a scene straight out of a battle manga!
At present, he was struggling under single-digit gravity multipliers, and even that was no small feat. The idea of reaching the point where he could move freely under one hundred times gravity was a goal so distant it felt surreal.
"Huh? Why are you stopping?" the legal loli asked as she saw him walking toward a nearby bench.
"I have a match this afternoon. I need to head back to the dorm and freshen up."
He wiped the sweat from his body with a towel before pulling his uniform from a plastic bag and getting dressed again.
Today was Saturday.
It had been three days since his match against Kanata, and now it was time for his second battle selection match.
His opponent was someone he had never heard of— supposedly ranked among the top ten in the academy.
True to her word, Kanata had ensured he wouldn't have to face anyone familiar in the selection process. Otherwise, knowing his luck, something troublesome would undoubtedly have happened.
"Hm? A message from Kanata?"
The student handbook showed an unread message from her.
"Today is the weekend, and since I have some free time, would you like to go on a date with me after your match?"
Ryoji blinked.
So bold! To ask him out within the first week of their relationship... She was truly a forward and alluring woman.
''It would be my honor.''
He typed his reply word for word before slinging his bag over his shoulder and making his way out of the forest.
By the way, the clothes in his bag? Borrowed from the legal loli. Since she had bought them for his training, he had simply started wearing them, and she never asked for them back.
Not that he was complaining— her taste in fashion was actually quite good.
"Hmm..."
Watching him leave, the legal loli removed her sunglasses, tapping a finger against her fan in thought.
"That smile just now... something about it irks me."
She couldn't quite put her finger on why, but it gave her the distinct urge to smack him.
---
''1:30 PM.''
''Ninth Training Ground.''
"And now, folks, we're back! I'm your announcer, Tsukuyomi, bringing you the fifth match of the afternoon here at the ninth training ground! Today, we have a special guest—our very own Oreki Yuuri-sensei as commentator! Let's give him a warm welcome!"
"...Cough, cough... Hello, everyone..."
"Uh-oh, looks like Oreki-sensei isn't feeling too well. Let's hope he doesn't start coughing up blood mid-commentary! Alright, let's introduce today's competitors!"
"First, stepping out from the red gate, we have Hagun Academy's rising star, the so-called 'Broken-Winged Angel'! Known for his upset victory against the former world's third-ranked Blazer before the school year even began, he shocked us all three days ago when he defeated 'Scharlach Frau,' proving himself as one of the strongest contenders in the battle selection! Though, uh... he does have a habit of looking like he's been through hell after every fight. Let's hope he takes better care of himself! Year 1, Class 1— contestant Nangou Ryoji!"
"...?!"
Ryoji walked onto the battlefield, veins nearly popping in frustration.
'Who the hell came up with that stupid nickname?!'
'Step forward and say it to my face— I swear I'll hit you with Lightning Flint ten times over!'
If you're going to give me a nickname, at least make it something cool like 'Aurora Swordsman,' which sounds impressive and reflects my abilities and combat style!
(End of Chapter)
You can read ahead up to 30 chapters on my Patreon, and I've also activated a (date-to-date) subscription model on my Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/darkshadow6395