Chapter 22
Being physically frail, Sigrin had spent more time alone reading books indoors than other children.
As a result, I developed exceptional speed-reading skills and outstanding comprehension.
Sigrin stayed up all night reading through the cheat sheets in Angel’s hideout.
During practical classes, I’d have to hunt magical beasts, and since my body was weak, I needed more information than others.
“Okay, get ready for sit-ups~!”
Dungeon Studies professor Marcus Steelheart shouted, fumbling to pull out a timer.
Today was basic fitness test day.
The students paired up, holding each other’s legs to do sit-ups.
Sigrin’s partner was Luca.
“Sixty seconds, start!”
As soon as Professor Marcus pressed the timer button, the students frantically bent their bodies, pulling themselves up.
For Core holders, sit-ups were an easy exercise, so everyone participated eagerly without slacking.
And here was Sigrin Ebenkera, a high school freshman.
“Urgh…”
“…”
Sigrin twisted her body, trying to use momentum to pull herself up. But her body barely made it halfway.
“Princess… what’s with the act?”
Luca, holding Sigrin’s calves, stared blankly at her desperate attempts. Her body still only made it halfway.
“Grr!”
“…”
“Urgh!”
“…”
“Huff…!”
“…”
Luca, expecting Sigrin to shoot up faster than anyone, held her legs tightly while leaning back, but he was clearly disappointed. Luca leaned forward, resting his chin on Sigrin’s knees.
“How many did I do?”
“Why ask? You didn’t even do one.”
Argh!! Crazy, I give up!!
Sigrin, who had been wriggling near the floor, flopped down comfortably.
Swish. Swish. Swish. Swish.
Next to her, Apple was doing sit-ups at an incredible speed. While Sigrin barely managed half a rep, Apple had already surpassed 20.
Before she could be shocked, the minute was up, and they switched places with their partners.
Every time Luca did one, his body floated. Avoiding awkward eye contact with Luca, the event changed.
Vaulting horse.
“Student!! You’re supposed to jump over the vault, not stand there staring!”
Push-ups.
“Hey, student!! What’s her name? Oh, Sigrin? That’s Sigrin? Sigrin, student!! Your stomach shouldn’t touch the floor!!”
Standing long jump.
Boing!
“Ebenkera!! It’s a standing ‘long’ jump!!”
Hurdle running.
“No, argh!! You’re supposed to jump over the hurdles, not step over them one leg at a time!!”
Professor Marcus shouted so loudly the veins in his neck stood out.
But Sigrin stubbornly crossed them slowly and safely.
‘If I trip while trying too hard, I won’t even make it to the finish line. Father said safety first.’
All the students in the grade had already finished and were resting on the ground, but Sigrin was still running on the track.
Apple and Luca, who had far exceeded the average, alternated between watching Sigrin, who was running as if strolling, and the professor yelling.
“It seems Miss has a talent for getting under the professors’ skin. But is it really necessary to pick fights with them…?”
Luca nodded.
“Professors don’t like it when you don’t grovel. It’s that princess mindset.”
“Oh… is that so…?”
Luca, resting his chin in his hand, looked at Sigrin, who was running with the expression of someone facing death.
Her face was bright red, looking like she might pass out any moment, making those watching her unnecessarily anxious.
“…She could be an actress. Her acting skills are no joke.”
“I… I think so too… I should go get some cold water.”
“Lukewarm water’s better.”
✦ ✦ ✦
Finished!
Sigrin raised both arms to the sky like someone who had just completed a 42km marathon.
Her expression was full of accomplishment, while Professor Marcus' face was clouded with frustration.
She was rumored to be a high school freshman ace even more promising than Luca, yet she deliberately botched the most basic fitness training like this.
It must be because it doesn’t affect grades. How infuriating.
With her strength already the talk of the town, she’s probably advertising herself as an underachiever to avoid troublesome situations later.
“Basic fitness training exists to give out easy points, and you messed it up like this… You’re not expecting a good grade, are you?”
“Lies, you said it doesn’t affect grades… Haa, I knew that, huff, anyway. Still, I, huff, finished… I was too, huff… too slow…”
“Miss!!”
At that moment, Apple hurriedly supported Sigrin, pouring lukewarm water into her mouth.
Luca brought a paper folder and fanned Sigrin’s flushed face.
“Miss, Miss, I brought lukewarm water…!”
“Catch your breath. You’re going to pass out.”
Professor Marcus let out a hollow laugh at the sight of her classmates treating Sigrin like royalty.
“Oh my, Sigrin. You’ll collapse at this rate. Why don’t you head to the nurse’s office?”
“Huff, r-really… huff, is that okay? I do have a nurse’s office pass…”
Sigrin, who looked like she might collapse any moment, held out the nurse’s office pass to Professor Marcus.
It was the pass Angel had given her before.
‘She’s throwing a tantrum just to rest whenever she wants.’
Professor Marcus clicked his tongue as Sigrin pulled out the nurse’s office pass as if she’d been waiting for the chance.
✦ ✦ ✦
Since today was entirely dedicated to basic fitness testing, Sigrin came to the nurse’s office alone.
Various healing potions were displayed on the nurse’s office walls.
They seemed too expensive to use, as dust had accumulated on the bottles.
Sigrin dragged her trembling, frail legs and threw herself onto a bed.
‘Ugh, if I’m already falling behind like this, what’ll I do during practical classes?’
I memorized all the dungeon and hunting ground strategies in advance, but if my body doesn’t cooperate, it’s useless.
Fortunately, the basic fitness test doesn’t affect grades, but the practical exam has a significant impact.
‘I’ve always scored near-perfect on written exams, so even if I mess up the practical, I’ll barely avoid failing.’
Sigrin, who had optimistically assumed she’d be an honor student, let out a sigh.
At the sound of her sigh, a male student lying on the next bed turned his head.
Her eyes met those of a boy with yellow eyes wearing a mask.
‘Huh, that’s…?’
A familiar face.