Infinite Undying [Post-Apocalypse LitRPG]

It was still incredibly early. The sun had only just begun to peek over the horizon, almost as if it was still hesitant to rise. By the time the morning light slowly spread across the sky, Zeph had already returned to his room after finishing the daily running target assigned by their homeroom instructor.

It had been almost two weeks since he started following this routine every single day. Running itself had never been anything unusual for him. The only real difference now was the insane pace requirement that came with it. He had to complete that marathon along with all the other physical training within six months, eventually bringing his finishing time down to just two hours.

It sounded completely insane, even if it was not impossible. At the very least, he had already managed to finish the run in under three hours. That alone was an achievement that would have been unbelievable not long ago.

Zeph stepped into his room completely soaked in sweat. He immediately took his usual cold shower, then leaned back inside the bathtub as the cold water slowly calmed his exhausted body. He sat there quietly, letting his thoughts wander.

"I still haven't leveled up again," he murmured to himself.

There were three fundamental things that had to be practiced with complete discipline in order to increase one's level and eventually rank up. Meditation, practicing Core Ability and Sigil mastery, and real combat experience.

Did that mean he needed to spend even more time fighting in actual battles?

The last time he entered a Rift, he had gained two levels in a single run. Even so, that was hardly something he could simply expect to happen again.

He leaned back once more and slowly closed his eyes.

Maybe leveling up too quickly wasn't always a good thing if your overall foundation was weak. That was probably why people joined the Hunter Academy in the first place. It lets their growth be monitored properly while helping them build the right skills and develop in the right direction.

If he had never enrolled in this academy, he probably would not have had the slightest idea how he was supposed to continue improving himself. Especially when the time eventually came for him to rank up into a Rank Two Guardian.

"But there's no way I can openly reveal my Core Ability to anyone," he muttered again.

If Zeph wanted the full support and guidance he truly needed, then the people he sought advice from, would naturally have to know every detail of his Core Ability as well as his Sigil Ability.

His Sigil was still relatively safe to reveal to others. Whether he wanted it or not, people would eventually see it whenever he activated it. Even so, its grade would remain hidden, especially because his first Sigil appeared on his upper back, making it impossible for anyone watching from the front to notice.

He needed to speak with Instructor Elaine about this as soon as possible.

A short while later, Zeph stepped out of his room and closed the door behind him. He was about to continue with his schedule at the academy for the day when he suddenly paused and glanced toward the hallway leading to the elevators.

Someone was walking in the opposite direction.

Zeph did not pay much attention to the person's face. Judging from the uniform, he looked like a higher-year student. Just as Zeph started walking toward the elevator, their paths lined up almost perfectly, making it seem inevitable that they would run into each other.

It was not as though Zeph had intentionally tried to block his way. The other boy simply happened to be walking unusually close to the row of room entrances.

Zeph did not really care if they ended up bumping shoulders. If it happened, then it happened. Right before they actually collided, however, both of them came to a stop at almost the exact same moment.

The boy had crimson red hair and stood slightly taller than Zeph. He looked around seventeen or eighteen years old, roughly the same age as Madou.

"You little insect. Move out of my way. Now," the boy said coldly.

"I already moved to the side. I'm pretty sure you're the one who should do the same," Zeph replied without hesitation.

"You clearly have no idea who you're standing in front of."

"Just another arrogant brat who thinks the world revolves around him?"

Zeph met the boy's eyes without backing down.

At that very moment, a faint layer of dark energy slowly began to gather around Zeph's body. The red-haired boy continued staring back at him, his expression growing noticeably colder.

Before either of them could make another move, someone suddenly wrapped an arm around Zeph's shoulder from the side.

"Zeph, hurry up. I'm starving. Let's go grab breakfast."

It was Madou.

Without giving Zeph a chance to respond, Madou pulled him aside and kept walking, practically dragging him away from the confrontation while leaving the red-haired boy standing where he was.

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Madou continued walking at a hurried pace until they stepped inside the elevator. The moment the doors opened, he quickly pulled Zeph in and immediately pressed the button to close them.

Zeph glanced at him with a frown.

"Why?"

"I'm hungry. Let's hurry. Hehe," Madou answered with a forced grin, although his face looked slightly pale.

"Who was that guy?"

"That's... a second-year student. Nobody important. I don't really know him."

The answer was far from convincing.

Still, Zeph decided to let it go for now. It was already annoying enough knowing they lived on the same floor. If they happened to cross paths again under the same circumstances, there was no telling how that encounter would end.

Maybe he should try to show a little more restraint in situations like that.

Not because he had a short temper. Far from it. He simply refused to bow his head to anyone who believed they had the right to look down on others because of their status, authority, or power.

Just like that red-haired boy, who acted as though everyone else was supposed to step aside whenever he walked by.

As if the entire academy belonged to his family.

**

Later that afternoon, Zeph knocked on the office door in front of him. After receiving permission to enter, he stepped inside and found someone already waiting behind the large desk.

"Good afternoon, Instructor Elaine. Thank you for allowing me to come in," he said before walking farther into the room.

"Take a seat," she replied in her usual flat tone.

This was one of their one-on-one discussions, one that Zeph had been expecting. He quietly took the seat across from her.

Elaine continued looking at the tablet resting on her desk before speaking without even lifting her eyes toward him.

"How do you want to grow in this academy? The easy way, the balanced way, or the hardest way possible?"

Zeph swallowed and unconsciously clenched his fists.

"The hardest way possible, Instructor."

She remained silent for a moment before placing the tablet on the desk and finally looking directly at him.

"I wasn't expecting a joke when I asked that question."

Zeph swallowed once more, his gaze sharpening.

"I'm prepared to do whatever it takes. I'll use every hour I can to train and study. The only time I won't be training is when I have to eat or sleep so my body can recover. And if sleeping less would truly help me grow stronger, I'd be willing to do that too."

"It's very easy to say things like that before you've actually experienced what that level of training demands," Elaine replied.

"I'm serious, Instructor."

Elaine let out a quiet breath before crossing her legs and folding her hands together.

"What's your current marathon record?"

"Two hours and fifty-seven minutes."

"Not bad. Bring it down to two hours within the next month."

The words hit Zeph like a heavy punch to the chest.

"Run every day if possible. Your body is awakened. You’re not an ordinary human anymore. Training is just as effective as the quality of your recovery."

"Yes, Instructor."

Even after everything he had already pushed himself through, it seemed none of it was enough for this woman.

"I'll do it every single day without fail."

"Good," Elaine said without changing her expression. "I'll only give you one chance to disappoint me."

Elaine picked up the tablet on her desk again before continuing the discussion.

"Your Core's ability is tied to regeneration, while your first Sigil is a Transformation-type ability," she said. "The more you push your body to its limits and force it to break down, the more effectively you'll train both your physical body and the regenerative properties of your Core."

"Yes, Instructor."

"Building a strong foundation is just as important as planning your future progression. While you're still a Rank 1 Apprentice, every improvement you make to your body, your soul, and your mind will increase the vessel you're building. The larger that vessel becomes, the greater your future potential will be. That's especially important because Transformation-type Sigils are considerably more complex than most others."

"Yes, Instructor."

Elaine gave a small nod.

"Have you decided which club activity you'll join during your time at the academy?"

"Not yet, Instructor. I'm planning to visit one today and see if it's a good fit. Do you have any recommendations?"

"Not really. As long as you use your time to study and train as much as possible, that's enough for me."

The conversation remained as straightforward as ever.

Not once did Elaine's expression soften. Not once had Zeph ever seen even the slightest smile on her face throughout all of their meetings.

Even so, if he was being fair, she cared about her students far more than she let on. She had an impressive ability to understand and evaluate every student in her class, including Zeph himself. The way she constantly pushed him to keep training was proof of that.

The harder he pushed his body until it nearly broke, the stronger he became.

In reality, the truth was even more extreme than that.

If Instructor Elaine ever learned that every time Zeph died he came back even stronger than before, she would probably push him far beyond the limits she was demanding now.

That was exactly why he had to keep that secret to himself.

Zeph stepped out of the office and let out a long sigh of relief.

"Whew... that's finally over."

Somehow, that had felt even more exhausting than running for hours earlier that morning.

It was only now that he realized how tense he had been inside. Even though the room had been cool, it somehow felt unbearably hot under Elaine's gaze.

After that, Zeph headed downstairs and made his way across the academy grounds. There was one more thing he wanted to take care of that day.

He walked toward another building and took the elevator to one of the upper floors. There was a particular club that had caught his interest for quite some time.

He knocked on the door before stepping inside.

The sharp sound of metal striking metal echoed throughout the room, and a wave of hot air immediately washed over his face.

A student was sitting behind the reception desk near the entrance. She looked like a third-year, with shoulder-length black hair.

"Hi! Welcome! Is there anything I can help you with?" the girl asked with a friendly smile.

Zeph walked over to the desk.

"I'd like to join the Smithing Club. I'm a first-year student, Rank 1 Apprentice. My name is Zephion."

"Oh, finally!" the girl exclaimed with a laugh. "A first-year actually decided to join us!"

She immediately stepped out from behind the desk, enthusiastically grabbed Zeph's hand, and shook it with both of hers.

"Nice to meet you! I'm Misty, a third-year student and a Rank 3 Master. Come on, I'll introduce you to everyone. We're really happy to have a new member."

A Rank 3 Master while still only a third-year student.

That was probably considered fairly normal at the academy, but Zeph still found it impressive.

The girl led him farther inside the workshop.

Rows of workstations stretched across the room. Along one side stood furnaces, anvils, and all kinds of forging equipment. Several students wearing heavy leather aprons were busy hammering glowing pieces of metal.

Still, the club did not seem particularly popular.

From what Zeph could see, there were fewer than twenty people in the entire workshop.

"Everyone!" Misty called out loudly. "We've got a new member!"

The sound of hammering gradually stopped as every pair of eyes in the room turned toward Zeph.

"A first-year?" one of the students asked, clearly sounding doubtful.

"What's wrong with being a first-year?" Zeph replied without missing a beat.