Everyone in Basara's class, without exception, was stunned. Their eyes were wide. Each of his classmates was still processing what had just happened. That absurd distance of 372 meters was the longest ever achieved by a first-year student. He didn't know that; he'd just tried a little harder to get a good score and stand a chance of being allowed to go to the dungeons, but his thought was instantaneous:
'I'm no longer as strong as I once was. Still, in a magic school like this, that might be enough... at least for now. But how on earth am I supposed to reach the level of a god...?'
However, he wasn't happy with that result. A long time ago, he would have laughed at such an achievement, considering it a mediocre mark. He had once been much stronger and much faster. Still, for the others, it was unprecedented.
"Basara... that was incredible!" Moka exclaimed.
Basara put a hand to the back of his head and thanked her as a few people surrounded him with beaming expressions. They congratulated him, asked what kind of training he did, etc.
In the end, Professor Kirisu dispersed them from their surroundings and gave a motivational speech, encouraging everyone to keep trying harder to improve their physical abilities. She also mentioned that they would analyze the results of these physical tests along with the magical ability tests scheduled for next week. Only after that they would release the list of students permitted to enter the dungeons.
"You two," said Kirisu, turning to Basara and Moka Akashiya. "Please take the balls and other equipment to the sports storage room. Since you're rookies, you haven't done this yet this year, right? Do this favor for me."
"Yes, sensei," Moka said.
Basara did the same, following the instructions with a nod. It wasn't a surprise. As new students, they needed to learn to do the manual labor while the veterans rested.
The others didn't have to wait for them. Everyone went to the changing rooms to change and return to the classroom.
Together, Basara and Moka collected the balls and equipment scattered around the pitch. The sports equipment store, as indicated by Kirisu-sensei, was near to where they were taking the test. While Moka carried the bag of baseballs, Basara carried some metal hurdles that had been used in the athletics test.
He glanced at Moka. He knew her first and last name and had that little connection between being the two new students in the class, but he still knew little about her. However, more than before, he suspected she was no ordinary human.
'That strength she showed doesn't match her slim body. Has she had any training?' Basara wondered, looking her over from head to toe.
"Impressive throwing skills, Basara-kun. You seem to have a lot of strength." she commented, and Basara immediately looked straight ahead again.
"Thank you. You were impressive too."
Moka smiled a little, but didn't say anything else. It didn't take them much longer to reach the warehouse, which was close to some trees and the forest. They pushed open the wooden door, which creaked as it opened, revealing the dark interior of the warehouse. There were tatami mats stacked in one corner, more running obstacles thrown in another, and several boxes of training equipment lined up on the sides with some lockers. Without haste, they put the equipment they were carrying in its proper place. However, just as they were ready to leave, the iron door of the warehouse slammed shut behind them with a bang.
"What?" Moka turned and looked at the door.
Basara also turned quickly to face the heavy door. Moka's expression mirrored his surprise.
"Don't worry, Moka-san. It's probably just the wind. I'll open the door," he said.
Wind? There didn't seem to be enough wind to cause that. Nevertheless, Basara said it to keep Moka calm.
Moka watched as Basara walked up to the door and tried to pull it with both hands, confident that this would be enough to open it. However, even with the tug, the sliding door didn't move on its track. Basara frowned, trying harder. Nothing. The door was locked from the outside.
"Hm... it looks like the outside latch may have closed when the door slammed."
He applied more force. However, the door resisted bravely. While he was still applying force, something appeared before his eyes.
'Huh? A magic circle?'
In the next instant, Basara's eyes caught a blinding flash, temporarily blurring his vision. The deafening sound of an explosion echoed in his ears, causing his head to ring. A force pushed his body backwards, making him crash onto the ground with a bone-shaking thud.
"Basara!" Moka shouted, rushing forward.
Her eyes were wide, but not in surprise. She knelt beside him on the floor, her expression becoming strangely serene, as if she understood what was happening.
"W-what happened?" He blinked a few times, feeling his head spin a little from the impact.
"You're in a magic school, Basara-kun. It's natural for doors that are locked to be protected by a type of magic." She looked at the door with a more serious expression. "Magic like that is not forgiving of those who try to force their way in or out of a place."
"So... are we really stuck?" Basara asked as he sat down on the floor.
"It would seem so. And from what I can imagine, the spell on that door won't be broken easily. We'll need to wait for someone to come and get us out of here."
"Do you think... someone might have done this on purpose?" he asked.
Moka sighed, smoothing a lock of hair that fell slightly over her shoulder. "It could be. But honestly, Basara-kun, it doesn't make much difference now, does it? Even if it's a prank by one of the other students, what can we do? Getting nervous or angry won't open that door. Besides... I don't mind being trapped here that much if it's with someone like you, Basara-kun."
"You don't mind?"
"No, you seem like a nice person to me."
Basara's words died in his throat. Moka was calm and cute enough to leave him at a loss for words. He crossed his arms over his chest and remained serious.
'What Moka said makes total sense. We're stuck. It doesn't make much difference if we're in a hurry.'
However, they were wrong. Over the next few minutes, the heat inside the warehouse began to increase as the sun became higher and more prominent in the sky. Even with the wind coming in through the small windows near the ceiling, the place quickly became an oven.
"Looks like it'll be a while before anyone realizes we're here..." Moka said, a little breathless from the heat.
The heat was starting to get more uncomfortable. Basara's shirt was sticking to his body, and he could feel the sweat running down the back of his neck, making his skin sticky.
Moka lay down on the cold floor to get some relief. She was using a mat as a headrest and had her eyes closed as if she were simply relaxing.
Basara's eyes roamed over her, unconsciously admiring her while her eyes were closed. It was then that he noticed that Moka's clothes were as drenched in sweat as her own, perhaps even more so. The white T-shirt she was wearing was sticking too and, because of this, he could see the outline of her pink bra through the thin fabric. His heart leapt, and out of politeness, he glanced away.
[You saw the bra of a shirt through her sweaty shirt.]
[You've earned +15 Naughty Points.]
'What the hell is that again?'
[Generating response...]
[Response Generated!]
[Skill: Naughty System
Description: This ability comes from your unique blend of God, Demon and Hero blood. The awakening of this ability was supposed to happen when your virility was no longer at its peak, in old age, but unknown forces forced the awakening.
Effects: Each time you, Basara Toujou, feel aroused or sexually stimulated, you will gain an amount of points equivalent to the size, quality and intensity of the stimulation. The Naughty Points you receive will allow you to create, change and evolve skills.
Rating: Unique.
Requirement: Harmful actions.
Evolution: It is not possible to evolve or alter the characteristics or prerequisites of this skill.]