Chapter 68: Warming Up a Little. (1)
The class ended without need for a clear signal.
There was no bell, no formal goodbye. Simply, the atmosphere changed. The professor indicated the class had ended and the heroes there believed him.
After all, it’s not like he had a reason to lie about it.
The accumulated tension dissipated little by little, and the students began standing up, gathering their things in silence or commenting in low voices about what they had just heard.
Aku remained seated a few more seconds.
Not from doubt.
But because he was in no hurry.
He was still reflecting on what he had heard in class. Wondering what category defined him.
However, he identified most with the SSS classification. Before entering Alexander’s body, one could say he was an SSS-rank demon king.
And now? It was hard to say.
However, one thing was clear. Alexander had almost defeated an SSS-rank demon king alone.
He wasn’t insignificant either.
Not for nothing was he the most powerful hero in his world.
But even so, it wasn’t enough for him.
Finally, he stood up and began descending through the amphitheater’s steps, advancing among the crowd heading toward the exit. Bīng Xuě walked beside him, hands behind his head, clearly less affected by the class than most.
"How boring," he commented simply, while yawning with total naturalness. "Too many complex words. I don’t think I retained anything."
Aku didn’t respond immediately. He took time to think before speaking.
"Well, I found it instructive," he finally said.
His tone was flat, almost disinterested.
But it wasn’t entirely true.
It had been interesting.
More than he expected.
The information about demon kings, their origin, their nature... everything fit with certain questions he hadn’t yet formulated aloud. What it really meant to be one. What defined them beyond their role as enemies.
He didn’t express it.
It wasn’t necessary.
Upon leaving the classroom, the flow of students dispersed through the hallways, though many shared the same destination.
The combat courtyard.
Midway, a familiar voice caught up with them.
"Hey! Wait!"
Aku didn’t stop, but didn’t need to. Gerald appeared beside him, slightly agitated, adjusting his glasses with that almost automatic gesture he constantly repeated.
"What did you think of the first class? It was great, right?" he asked, looking from one to the other.
Bīng Xuě yawned.
"Nah, it was very boring."
Direct. That was him.
Gerald laughed a bit, uncomfortable.
"I liked it," he admitted. "That kind of thing... you know... interests me. I’ve read many light novels, so... all that about worlds, ranks, demon kings... sounded pretty cool actually. Though I don’t see myself capable of facing any."
He adjusted his glasses again.
"Well, whatever. The class coming now is going to be hell. At least for me."
Aku looked at him sideways.
He said nothing. He also didn’t know what to say in that situation.
Socialization wasn’t especially his strong point.
The group continued advancing until finally the space opened before them.
The combat courtyard.
Wide, clear, with a uniform floor that seemed designed to resist any impact. The lines marked on the surface glowed faintly, as if responding to something more than simple illumination.
And there she was.
Waiting for them.
Natasha.
She wore a tight suit of elastic material that adapted completely to her body without limiting her movements.
Her pink hair was pulled back in a high ponytail, leaving her face completely clear. Her posture was firm, relaxed, but with a latent tension that didn’t go unnoticed.
Her physique spoke for itself.
Defined musculature, evident, extremely pronounced, perfectly developed. And a presence that didn’t depend only on her appearance. Her strength was palpable.
Upon seeing her, Gerald couldn’t help staring at the woman’s "front." A generous chest, firm, round, whose contour was perfectly appreciable.
The boy adjusted his glasses shyly, believing that served to hide his gaze.
But it didn’t. Natasha noticed. But said nothing.
She only gave a look of disgust to the uncomfortable Gerald, who had started trembling upon seeing his gaze had been perceived.
"Well," the woman began when everyone was gathered. "It’s not the first time we’ve seen each other, but this time I’ll introduce myself. I’m Natasha Dragonclaw."
Her voice was direct and severe. But not cruel.
"And I’ll be in charge of your physical training. Training and that sort of thing."
There was no applause.
Nor was it needed.
Only a slight sigh from Gerald, who already foresaw he wasn’t going to like that class.
Just as he had never liked physical education.
"This is [Exercise I]," the pink-haired woman added. "Here you’ll learn something basic."
She made a brief pause.
"To use your body. Train it and strengthen it."
Some students tensed slightly. Not all were tanks, so to speak.
There were mages, alchemists, psychic inventors. Not all felt comfortable using their physique.
"Because right now..." she continued, "you’re useless without your abilities."
And then it happened.
Without warning, pressure fell on the place. Along with a roar of the air itself breaking.
It was instantaneous.
A reddish aura emerged from Natasha, expanding like an invisible wave that covered everything. The air became heavy, dense, as if each breath required more effort. The ground seemed firmer under their feet, as if gravity had increased without warning.
Some students stumbled.
Others gritted their teeth.
Aku on the other hand seemed calm. Apparently that body bore the pressure well.
"Try to use your powers," Natasha said calmly.
No one responded.
But several tried.
Nothing happened.
The sensation was clear.
Blockage.
Suppression.
Aku supposed so, though he already had his powers suppressed by the barrier.
Though he knew how to fight under those conditions.
But he wouldn’t invoke his powers. There was no need.
"You can’t," she added. "My aura nullifies all supernatural phenomena."
The pressure increased slightly.
Not enough to bring anyone down... but enough to make clear that wasn’t a demonstration.
It was a warning.
"Well, get used to it because here..." she continued, crossing her arms, "you’re not going to depend on tricks."
Her gaze swept the group.
"Here you’re going to learn to fight for real."