Working hard

All the students had finished eating their lunch and started to create conversations while waiting for the teachers to bring them back to class.

Nessia was sitting still, thinking about the levitation spell. Maybe... she could spin the feather by imagining a feather spinning...

Principal Gloria clapped loudly to get the students' attention and cleared her throat, ''Now, students, some of you will head back to classes while others will go to the big field beside the garden.''

Excited squels sounded as the class professors brought the classes to different locations.

Professor Lora went through the hallway with the class and entered the garden. They walked through beautiful flowers to the empty grass field.

''Alright, class. Magic does not only require knowledge, it also requires physical strength to do certain spells. For example, the lifting spell. The heavier the object, the more strength you need to lift it up,'' she explained.

The class nodded. ''Well, then. Run 3 laps around the field,'' the teacher instructed.

There were some whining but they eventually got to work.

Like what Professor Lora said, the heavier the object, the more strength you'll need.

It also applies to shield spells. That is why knights are trained physically. The more powerful the spell you need to block is, the more strength you'll need.

Out of everybody in the class, Nessia was the slowest. ''Nessia, you really need to train yourself. Meet me after school here and I'll train you more,'' Professor Lora sighed with disappointment.

Nessia panted, and collasped onto the floor. She tried to catch her breath as the rest of the class ran their 2nd lap.

''Um... Don't let others step on you while they're running and your resting. Middle of the field, please,'' the teacher kindly said.

Instead of walking, Nessia crawled to the teacher. Some of the running students giggled at Nessia, but she didn't care.

She could really use a rest right now.

She lied down on the grass. She wouldn't dare move but breath. Later, she fell unconcious.

A few moments had passed since Nessia closed her eyes and the students had completed their laps.

Nessia woke up to the sounds of the teacher instructing the class.

Professor Lora clapped, ''Well done, class! Unfortunately, we have somebody who is easily exhausted, so please be mindful of her, okay?'' The students cried out, ''We will!''

Ledia was sitting on the grass, cross - legged, staring at Nessia without any emotion.

''Class, continue running laps while I bring Nessia to the infirmary. I will reward you for how many laps you run while I am gone,'' Professor Lora placed a small machine at the starting point to keep track of the laps the class ran.

She held Nessia by the hands and let her rest on her back. Professor Lora then slowly walked to the infirmary.

Meanwhile...

''Hehe, I'll ran faster than all of you!'' A conpetitive boy announced arrogantly. ''You wish,'' Ledia went against him.

''So what, little girl? Let's race while others are resting!'' He suggested with confidence. Ledia walked nearer to the boy and whispered, ''Let's see.''

Both of them positioned themselves into a crouch - start position. ''Ready...'' the boy said.

''Get set...''

...

''GO!'' he shouted as he started running. Ledia sprinted until she overtook him and slowed down into a jog to recover some stanima.

''What the...'' he ran slower and slower as he was shocked and tired at the same time.

Ledia jogged halfway and later sprinted again. He picked up speed and quickly ran to try to catch up with her.

However, Ledia's sprints were unstopable.

''Ugh! How can a girl have so much more stanima than me?'' the boy complained to himself.

And... Ledia reached the starting point again!

The boy glared at Ledia, hissing, ''I'll come back at you,'' and went to drink some water.

The class had only ran 5 laps before resting, while the boy and Ledia ran 6 laps.

* * *

The nurse let Nessia onto the infirmary bed and did some body and temperature checks.

''How is she?'' Professor Lora asked worriedly. ''Just exhaustion, nothing additional,'' the nurse replied.

''Alright, thank you. Please take care of her until she recovers. I need to check on my class now,'' the teacher thanked. The nurse nodded and allowed her to leave.

''Nessia,'' a stern but gentle voice was heard in Nessia's head. ''Nessia, look at me,'' the voice sounded again but louder.

''Huh? What happened?'' Nessia could only see 4 pillars around her in a black void.

A strange light appeared and formed into a woman with a long, big gown and an elegant look.

''Hello, Nessia. I am part of you. You are unconcious right now. So, I take this as an opportunity to talk to you,'' she smiled brightly. ''I am Aslena Baston. Just call me Aslena.'' Nessia gasped. It was the knight who fought the Corruption Queen!

''Your majesty...'' Nessia kneeled with respect. ''Oh, you don't have to. I just wanted to talk to you about something before the time you are supposed to wake up arrives. Clock is ticking,'' Aslena explained.

Nessia nodded, ''I'm all ears.''

''I passes away when I was poisoned in the Royal Dinner that occurs every month,'' the woman started, ''And it might be evidence that the Corruption Queen hasn't disappeared yet. You, are the only one who can stop her. I will lend you my power in times you need it urgently.''

Nessia gasped once again, ''But... I'm not good at fighting with magic yet...'' ''It's okay, there are still no signs of her, but best you learn to fight with magic very often *lest she comes back early. It might be anytime,'' Aslena sighed.

''I will try my best!'' Nessia nodded with courage. ''Very well. It is time for me to get you back to the real world,'' Aslena smiled and chanted a spell to make Nessia wake up.

''Oh, you're awake. Please rest in bed while I call the teacher to come here to pick you up,'' the nurse noticed Nessia opening her eyes with confusion. ''You fainted after running, right?'' the nurse asked. 

  Nessia nodded.

  ''Okay... Professor Lora told me to let you go to the classroom upstairs on your own,'' she read the text message the teacher sent. Nessia got up from the bed and went upstairs to the classroom. 

  When she opened the door, she saw magical dusts flying everywhere. She missed the important lessons of spell casting.

  ''Nessia! Please take a seat and I'll explain to you privately about what we're doing now,'' the teacher welcomed.

*lest means 'in case'