CHAPTER 217: CHAPTER 217 - COMING OUT

"As expected, she really has become powerful. I wonder how much strength she has gained from this. Will she be able to defeat you?"

Max directed this question at David. Unfortunately, David did not know the answer either.

"I don’t know, either. We can only find out after a match. But right now, I’m not interested in testing it."

Hearing this, Max could only shake his head. Usually, David had no problem fighting others, but when he was engaged with his games or training, he declined challenges outright.

So, Max was not surprised, but it was clear he remained intensely curious.

All the teachers observing the training room congratulated Teacher Alexa. She now had a promising student—one with the potential to become a future powerhouse.

"Compared to him, I feel David hasn’t gained as much power. I think she might be able to beat him," one teacher remarked, prompting many others to agree. Unfortunately, even Alexa did not know if that was possible.

Previously, she had realized there was a significant gap between David and Aurora. Moreover, David’s potential had been considered below average at that time.

How much David had gained after entering the spirit pond remained a mystery to Alexa.

’But I can tell he is much happier after entering the spirit pond. It seems this experience has helped him focus on training instead of his games. That, at least, is a good thing.’

Alexa did not care about the rivalry between her students, nor was she surprised by Aurora’s improvement. She was simply glad that, finally, David was prioritizing his training over gaming.

David began his training with fire spells, relentlessly attacking the training robots. He only stopped when his spiritual energy was completely exhausted.

This was an extremely tough way to train, as it would take him time to recover his spiritual energy, and the process also placed mental strain on him. But David seemed unfazed.

He used each of his techniques until his energy was depleted, after which he refrained from using spirit potions. Instead, he recovered his spiritual energy manually through a recovery technique before returning to his training.

Importantly, he did not neglect physical training. Mages like him usually struggle in close combat, but David had overcome that weakness.

He could fight up close, and six hours into his regimen, he shifted focus to close combat techniques.

"I think you should teach him your sword technique. Watching him, I believe he has the potential to become an excellent swordsman," one of Alexa’s friends said. Alexa agreed.

It was not that she had never considered teaching him; rather, until now, she had focused on helping him master his current techniques and shorten the time needed to activate them.

This is not as easy as it might seem: mastering techniques requires rigorous practice, unlike games where powers are used instantly.

"I think he’s ready for it. Actually, not just David—Aurora is ready as well. I don’t want my students to fall victim to common weaknesses or become laughingstocks."

*****

Thirteen hours later, David returned to his room and collapsed onto his bed. It had been a long time since he trained that hard; he was utterly exhausted.

It was already 2:00 a.m., and he was very sleepy. At 10:00 a.m. the next day, he would enter the spirit pond again before returning to training.

For the next seven days, he and all the other students in that place would follow the same routine in order to improve themselves.

One thing worth noting is that the spirit pond not only increases overall power, but also helps simulate technique proficiency. Much like in a game, one could gain experience points and level up techniques.

During this time, students not selected for the experience regretted their choices. At least, their disappointment and sadness did not prevent them from training.

Instead, they decided to train even harder until their classmates emerged from the cave. It seemed they wished to make up for their mistakes.

This marked a promising beginning for all first-year students. Even Principal Aditya was pleased. He had already decided that everyone would receive rewards during the upcoming monster hunt, regardless of their results.

The next day,

Principal Aditya, the Vice Principal, and all the teachers gathered in the meeting room.

"Good morning, everyone. I appreciate your attendance despite your busy schedules.

As you know, after this month, there are just five more months before the monster hunt competition. We need to prepare thoroughly.

All of our students will participate, and we must ensure nothing goes wrong. Also, remind all the fourth-year students to be present at the designated time.

This time, I have chosen a new location for the competition. What are your thoughts on this spot?"

With that, Principal Aditya revealed a picture of a site near Border City Z—a danger zone he had selected.

From first to third years, all students would participate in the monster hunt.

For those wondering, the competition allows every teacher to assess how much progress their students have made over six months.

Based on performance, rewards will be distributed. Any student, from the Warrior class to the General class, may participate.

Everyone must adhere to rules established by Principal Aditya. During the competition, he, the teachers, and the fourth-year students would ensure that no second- or third-year students bullied the younger participants.

Though the competition would be held on the same day, students would hunt monsters in different zones.

Because of this, Principal Aditya enlisted help from the Warrior Association.

After reviewing the details, the teachers discussed the location. Typical monsters in that region included slimes and wild wolves.

On occasion, rare monsters like elephant beetles could appear. Naturally, teachers had to ensure students were not confronted by monsters beyond their abilities.

They also had to prevent outside organizations from disrupting the event—groups like the Dark Association that sought only chaos.

Such interference would harm both the reputation of Golden Dawn Academy and the morale of its students.

"Well, I think it’s a good choice. Since it’s far from Border City D, we don’t have to worry about those ghost monsters or spirits," the Vice Principal said. Everyone agreed: the danger zone’s monsters that could possess or control minds weren’t suitable for first-years.

Even David and his friends weren’t ready for that. First, they had to develop mental resilience.

Students also needed to prepare for poisons and other hazards in the area.

"Sir, do you think any illegal organizations will try to interfere in the competition? We can’t forget that last year, Royal Academy faced similar trouble," one teacher asked.

"Don’t worry about that. I have complete confidence in all of you, and I have already informed the Warrior Association. So, we don’t need to worry about illegal groups or the Dark Association. That said, it’s impossible to be 100% sure they won’t attempt something.

Therefore, I will be present throughout to ensure nothing out of the ordinary occurs in the danger zone."

Relieved, the teachers sighed. They had full faith in their principal; should something happen, he would act at once.

David and his friends remained unaware that the teachers were busy planning for the monster hunt.

Just like the previous day, they spent thirty minutes in the spirit pond before shifting their full attention to training.

Once again, David focused on attacking the robots. In this way, for seven days, he and all the other students spent their time inside the cave, fully concentrating on their training.

During those seven days, all the students who did not get the chance to enter that place were extremely curious to know how much David and the others had improved.

More importantly, they also wanted to learn about the spirit pond. Unfortunately, unless they were selected to enter, they would not receive any information from those who had experienced it.

Finally, after seven days had passed, David and the rest of the students began to emerge from the cave one by one, following Teacher Alexa.

Outside the cave, not only Principal Aditya but almost all the teachers and first-year students were present.

Immediately, the first-year students fell silent as they sensed the powerful aura radiating from the returning group. Even the students from the general class now possessed a noticeably stronger presence.

’Just how much have they improved inside that place?’

Everyone was eager to find out, and even more curious about the secret of the spirit pond.

Unfortunately, David and the others who had entered the cave were bound by strict rules, and could not reveal any details to those who had not been chosen.

Many students were already preparing to challenge the ones who had trained in the cave.

It seemed the students were intent on measuring exactly how much improvement had been made.

"Hehe... Do you think anyone will dare challenge you? I doubt anyone will after this. But honestly, I wish I could fight a powerful opponent right now.

Facing those training robots isn’t easy, but still, I’d rather fight a human—or even a monster.

Sigh, but we don’t really get a chance to enter the danger zone or even leave the academy."

Kevin said this with a tone of quiet disappointment.