Training with Pauline

Levin and Pauline met at the training grounds early in the morning. The sun was just beginning to rise, casting a golden glow over the academy.

"Are you ready for this?" Levin asked, stretching his arms.

Pauline nodded, though her eyes betrayed a hint of nervousness. "I am. But I have to warn you, I'm not very strong."

"That's okay," Levin said with a reassuring smile. "We'll start with the basics and go from there."

They began with simple exercises. Levin demonstrated each one, making sure Pauline understood the movements. They did push-ups, squats, and lunges. Pauline struggled at first, her movements shaky and unsteady.

"Keep going," Levin encouraged. "You're doing great."

Pauline pushed herself, determination shining in her emerald-green eyes. She completed the exercises, albeit slowly, and Levin couldn't help but admire her tenacity.

"Let's move on to some endurance training," Levin suggested. "We'll run a few laps around the field."

Pauline groaned but nodded. They started jogging, Levin keeping pace with her. He noticed her breathing was labored after the first lap.

"Take deep breaths," he advised. "In through your nose, out through your mouth."

Pauline followed his instructions, her breathing gradually becoming more controlled. They finished the laps, and she collapsed onto the grass, panting heavily.

"I feel like I'm dying," she gasped.

Levin chuckled, sitting down beside her. "You're doing better than you think. Endurance takes time to build."

After a short break, they moved on to strength training. Levin handed Pauline a set of small weights. "Let's work on your upper body strength."

Pauline grimaced but took the weights. They did bicep curls, shoulder presses, and tricep dips. Pauline's arms trembled with effort, but she refused to give up.

"Remember, it's all about consistency," Levin said, watching her closely. "You'll get stronger with each session."

"Easy for you to say," Pauline muttered, wiping sweat from her forehead.

Levin grinned. "I used to be just as weak. It's all about perseverance."

As the training continued, Levin noticed Pauline's form improving. She was pushing herself harder than he had expected. When they finally finished, she was exhausted but smiling.

"That was intense," she said, catching her breath.

"You did amazing," Levin replied, genuinely impressed. "You're stronger than you think."

Pauline blushed at the compliment. "Thanks, Levin. I couldn't have done it without you."

"Anytime," Levin said, giving her a warm smile. "We'll keep training, and you'll be ready for those upcoming tasks in no time."

They sat in comfortable silence for a while, enjoying the early morning air. Levin felt a sense of satisfaction. Helping Pauline had been rewarding, and he was glad to see her improving.

As they prepared to leave, Pauline turned to him. "Levin, why are you helping me so much?"

Levin paused, then shrugged. "Because we're friends. And friends support each other."

Pauline's eyes softened. "Thank you. That means a lot to me."

They walked back to the academy together, chatting and laughing.

Levin woke up the next morning, his muscles still sore from the intense training session with Pauline. He dressed quickly, eager to meet her for another round of exercises. As he walked towards the training grounds, he noticed something strange—Pauline wasn't there.

"Pauline?" Levin called out, looking around. The field was empty, the silence unsettling.

Maybe she's running late, he thought, trying to brush off the unease creeping into his mind. He waited for a while, but Pauline never showed up. After half an hour, Levin decided to look for her. He headed to her dormitory, knocking on her door.

No answer.

He knocked again, louder this time. Still nothing. Levin frowned and tried the handle, finding the door unlocked. He pushed it open and peered inside. The room was tidy, but it felt strangely devoid of life, as if Pauline had never been there.

Levin's heart raced. Where could she be? He checked the common areas, the library, and even the dining hall, but there was no sign of her. He asked a few students if they had seen Pauline, but they all shook their heads, some looking at him with confusion.

"Pauline? Who's that?" one student asked, genuinely puzzled.

"Are you kidding me?" Levin snapped, his frustration mounting. "She's in the Magic Class, emerald-green eyes, dark hair… you must have seen her!"

The student shrugged apologetically. "Sorry, man. Doesn't ring a bell."

Levin's anxiety turned to dread. It was as if Pauline had been erased from the academy. He refused to believe it. Determined to find her, he retraced their steps from the previous day.

As he walked through the schoolyard, something caught his eye—a small, leather-bound book lying in the grass. He picked it up, recognizing it immediately. It was Pauline's diary.

He opened it, skimming through the pages. Most of it was filled with her thoughts and observations about life at the academy, but one entry stood out:

*June 27th*

*I've been feeling uneasy lately. There's something off about the academy. I've noticed strange things happening, and I think someone is watching me. If anything happens to me, I hope someone finds this and understands that I didn't leave willingly.*

Levin's hands trembled as he read the entry. What had happened to Pauline? Who was watching her? He needed answers.

He continued to search the schoolyard, hoping for more clues. Near the edge of the field, he found a piece of torn fabric, the same color as Pauline's uniform. It was snagged on a branch, as if she had been dragged away.

Levin's mind raced. He had to find someone who could help. He approached Master Haldor, who was supervising a group of students.

"Master Haldor, I need to talk to you," Levin said urgently.

The teacher looked at him with mild concern. "What is it, Levin?"

"It's Pauline. She's missing. I found her diary, and it says she was feeling uneasy about the academy. I think something happened to her."

Master Haldor's expression darkened. "Pauline, you say? I don't recall a student by that name."

Levin's heart sank. "You have to remember her. We trained together yesterday. She's in the Magic Class."

Master Haldor shook his head slowly. "Levin, are you sure you're not mistaken? I don't know any Pauline."

Frustration and fear boiled inside Levin. How could everyone forget her? It didn't make sense. He clutched the diary tighter, his only link to Pauline.

"Something's not right," Levin muttered, more to himself than to Haldor. "I'll find out what happened to her."

He spent the rest of the day searching for clues, but no one seemed to remember Pauline. It was as if she had been wiped from existence. Exhausted and disheartened, Levin returned to his dorm, the diary his only solace.

Late at night, as he lay in bed, Levin couldn't shake the feeling that he was being watched. He glanced around the room, but saw nothing. The unease grew, and he knew he couldn't give up. He had to find out what happened to Pauline, no matter the cost.

His thoughts drifted to her last entry. There was something off about the academy. Levin's determination hardened. He would uncover the truth, and he would find Pauline, wherever she was.