"Do you always wake up this early?" Kael asked as we walked back to the cafeteria.
"I do," I replied.
"Do you not sleep?" he inquired further.
"I do," I said simply, not bothering to elaborate.
Kael chuckled. "You're a man of few words, Astron."
Lyra, bouncing along beside us, chimed in. "He's probably just focused, right? Always thinking about the next step."
Though it seemed like she had misunderstood something, I decided not to elaborate. I could not say when I slept; I remembered certain things, could I?
"Something like that."
As we entered the cafeteria, the smell of freshly prepared food filled the air. The place was already bustling with trainees, each one readying themselves for the day ahead.
Lyra and Kael joined the line with me, grabbing trays and selecting their breakfast. I opted for a balanced meal, focusing on protein and vegetables to replenish the energy I'd expended during my early training.
"You must have had an intense session with Dakota," Kael commented as we found a table and sat down.
"….." I looked at him as he said those words. How did this guy know?
"Don't look at me like that. The word has already gotten out."
"The word?"
"Yes. Miss Dakota had announced that she would be taking you as her disciple. I never knew you were a [Martial Artist] as well."
"I see." It seemed that people did not have many secrets in this place. Well, considering what type of organization they were, it made sense. I assumed that these guys would be sent to missions together sometimes. Thus, they need to trust each other.
And from how it looked, the other trainees here did not look at me with weird gazes either. Even though some of them were discerning, it was not because they were looking down on me. They were just seizing a newcomer, and it was a pretty normal thing to do.
I decided not to delve too deeply into my occupation. "I could have become a [Martial Artist], but I never had the time or anyone to teach me."
Kael nodded, understanding. "That makes sense. It's not something you can just pick up without proper guidance."
Lyra chimed in, "Well, you're in good hands now. Dakota is one of the best. You'll learn a lot from her."
"I believe so," I replied, focusing on my food.
We continued eating in a comfortable silence, each of us lost in our thoughts. The cafeteria buzzed with the energy of trainees readying themselves for the day. It was a reminder of the rigorous schedule and the constant push to improve.
After we finished our breakfast, we stood up to leave. Lyra and Kael headed off to their respective training areas while I made my way to the physical training section to continue my regimen.
"Catch you later," Kael said, giving a small wave.
Lyra smiled brightly. "Good luck with your training, Astron!"
"Thanks. You too."
After separating from them, I pondered.
"I have two hours until the next training," I muttered to myself.
It was acrobatics, a part of my training regimen, that the analysis team had decided I needed to improve. Reflecting on my recent mission, where I had infiltrated the facility, it was clear that my acrobatics and body agility were not up to par.
Even though I had trained in acrobatics and combat to improve my body, I hadn't placed much importance on it, only occasionally practicing. It made sense that I looked lacking in that area.
The fluidity and precision required for such movements were crucial for someone in my position, especially with my [Weapon Master] class. My lack of focus on acrobatics had become a noticeable weakness.
"Instructor Tianna, huh?"
I heard about this person from Kael and Lyra. She trained them both in acrobatics.
'It seems this place puts a lot more importance on flexibility. Even a mage like Lyra was not exempted from the training.'
"I need to visit the bath section," I muttered to myself.
I had decided to rest my body in the bath section, a special area designed for trainees to recuperate after intense sessions. Dakota had instructed me to visit this place, which explained the two-hour break in my schedule.
Making my way to the bath section, I noticed how the facility was meticulously organized to ensure the trainees could optimize their performance. The path to the bath section was serene, with soft lighting and a calming ambiance.
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