-1357- Try to endure
"Sorry, I'm late."
Rozen appeared in front of everyone, looking like he had accidentally overslept and didn't arouse any suspicion.
Just as Stella and the others were about to say something to Rozen, Edelweiss spoke up first.
"You're still so laid-back. I thought becoming a student at Hagun Academy would make your life a bit more orderly."
Edelweiss spoke, but her tone didn't sound accusatory; instead, it seemed nostalgic.
Rozen shrugged at her words.
"I think I'm already quite orderly."
"Really?"
"At least I haven't skipped any classes, probably."
"What do you mean, 'probably'? Shouldn't you be saying you definitely haven't skipped any classes?"
"The problem is I can't be sure myself."
"Honestly..."
Rozen and Edelweiss had this conversation as if no one else was around.
Their familiar attitude, practiced tone, and completely natural atmosphere left everyone else exchanging glances.
"Hey, Stella." Ikki asked Stella in a slightly sneaky manner, "Are those two really that close?"
"Yeah." Shizuku also said suspiciously, "They've hardly ever spoken directly before, right?"
In fact, before this, Rozen and Edelweiss had only spoken once, in a family restaurant, where Edelweiss mentioned Rozen reminded her of someone she knew, and Rozen denied it.
Other than that, Rozen and Edelweiss hadn't conversed at all, leading everyone to believe Rozen didn't want to deal with Edelweiss.
But now, seeing their unreserved conversation, everyone was both surprised and puzzled.
What is going on?
Everyone thought about this question, even asking Stella, who was usually closest to Rozen.
Unfortunately...
"I don't know anything about that."
Stella turned her head away, looking completely uninterested in the matter.
"I... see?"
Ikki nodded, but he still looked somewhat unconvinced.
Everyone else was the same, watching Rozen and Edelweiss with puzzled expressions, trying to figure out their relationship.
Only Alice's eyes flickered slightly as she watched the scene.
Rozen and Edelweiss, however, had no intention of explaining their relationship.
At this moment...
"From the looks of you all, you haven't lost confidence after yesterday and are ready for training."
Rozen then turned his gaze to everyone.
"In that case, this training camp will be arranged by Edel and me. Any objections?"
Hearing this, everyone immediately reacted and shook their heads in unison.
"We're in your care!"
The students bowed in unison, not noticing Rozen's casual way of addressing Edelweiss.
However, there was one problem.
"Setting aside the representatives, Misogi senpai, Tomaru senpai, Saijou senpai, are you also participating in the training?"
Rozen asked the three from the student council.
This training camp was mainly for the six representatives, with the student council members primarily handling daily tasks and assisting with training, like being sparring partners.
But now, it seemed these three were not just planning to be sparring partners.
Obviously, after experiencing Edelweiss's sword aura, each of them had their own thoughts.
"We want to get stronger too!"
"Please let us join!"
Tomaru Renren and Saijou Ikazuchi insisted, bowing again.
"As for me, I'll just watch and help out."
Misogi Utakata straightforwardly backed out.
Rozen glanced at Edelweiss, who gave a slight nod.
"Alright." Rozen announced, "You can join the training."
However...
"How should we train?"
As the representative, Todo Touka asked on behalf of everyone.
Regarding this question...
"We've already discussed it."
Edelweiss explained to everyone like Rozen's assistant.
"Your training is divided into two parts."
"The first part is from morning until noon, with Rozen in charge of your training."
"The second part is after lunch until evening, where I'll evaluate your training results."
"As for the nighttime, it's your free time."
"That's basically how the training schedule is arranged."
Edelweiss first informed everyone of the daily schedule.
Then...
"So, for now, I'll start your training."
Rozen smiled at everyone.
"...!"
For some reason, seeing Rozen's smile, everyone felt a chill down their spines.
Especially Stella, Rozen's disciple, who immediately became very alert.
"What are you planning?"
Stella seemed to want to question him, but her tone sounded somewhat apprehensive.
"Nothing." Rozen remained calm, "Don't worry, you'll get used to it soon."
Saying this, Rozen extended a hand.
More precisely, he extended a finger.
Then, he began drawing runes in the air, which turned into streams of light and flew rapidly towards Stella and the others.
In the blink of an eye, the runes imprinted on everyone, emitting a glow.
"What is this...!?"
"So heavy...!"
"Whoa!"
"Wait...!"
One after another, everyone let out cries of distress.
Because the moment the runes imprinted, they felt their bodies becoming extremely heavy, as if they were sinking, making movement difficult.
Seeing them like this, Rozen spoke.
"In any training, weight training is very effective. The runes on you can apply gravity, making it hard to move, and they affect not only your body but also your magical power. You should feel that your magical power is harder to control and use."
Hearing Rozen's explanation, everyone realized their magical power was indeed difficult to manipulate and use.
"This is your training. Fighting in this hindered state to hone your physical and combat abilities while improving your mana control. Keep this up for ten days; that's your training."
Rozen casually stated.
"As for your sparring partners..."
Rozen snapped his fingers.
"Buzz!"
With a hum in the air, magic circles appeared before Rozen.
The next moment, large figures made of stone and metal emerged from the circles.
"Those are...!?"
Everyone was stunned.
What appeared from the circles were large stone golems made of rock and metal.
"Summon Golem!"
Eight golems emerged from the circles.
Just enough for the eight trainees.
"These are your opponents."
Rozen smiled.
"Try to endure."
With that, Rozen snapped his fingers again.
The golems' eyes lit up, and they started moving towards everyone with heavy steps.