The Test
As the fitness test continued, I could feel my heart rate rising as I struggled to keep up with the demands of the guild master.
"Prepare for jumping jacks," Wolfsbane bellowed, his voice echoing throughout the room.
Airi and I quickly took our positions and waited for the countdown to begin. "Start in... Three... Two... One... Go!" Wolfsbane shouted.
As we started jumping, I couldn't help but feel grateful for Airi's presence. Her rhythmic jumping was like...
"Hhe.. Hwa.. Hheh.. Hwahh.."
Mhmm music to my ears, it motivated me to keep going.
"Rest!" Wolfsbane yelled, giving us a brief moment to catch our breath.
"Hey, Mika! Stop looking at me while I do the exercise." Airi shouted while looking into my eyes with red all over her face.
"Prepare for mountain climbers," he announced, and we quickly got into position once again.
But with Airi by my side, I felt determined to push through the pain.
"Hhe.. Hwa.. Hheh.. Hwahh.." Airi moaned while doing the exercise.
Yes...
The determination...
As we moved onto the next set of exercises, including bicycle crunches, burpees, high knees, and tricep dips, I knew it was going to be a tough challenge. But with Airi's moaning sound, I felt like I could take on anything.
...
...
...
"Hwaaaaahhh..." Airi let out a deep sigh while resting on the ground.
I think I did pretty well on the physical fitness assessment.
"Alright, you guys have 30 minutes to rest and prepare for the next test." Said Wolfsbane.
Next is the knowledge test, this should be a cakewalk.
...
I just realize that this isn't my world.
"Sir Wolfsbane, can I ask for a book about what will be in the test in general?" I asked, hoping to gain some semblance of control over the situation.
Wolfsbane raised an eyebrow. "You didn't study before the test?" he asked incredulously.
I hesitated for a moment before responding. "Well, you could say that, but it's pretty complicated to explain," I replied, feeling slightly embarrassed.
Wolfsbane let out a hearty laugh. "Alright, little guy. You can get a book in the knowledge section of the library. But next time, make sure you come prepared," he said, still chuckling.
"Alright, I'll be right back before the test started," I replied.
As I close the door. I couldn't help but marvel at Airi's calm demeanor as she appeared to be sleeping just before the test.
It was as if she held the entire world's knowledge in her mind, and understanding everything was as easy as breathing for her.
Her closed eyes and peaceful expression concealed a mind brimming with intelligence and capability.
It was as though she was privy to secrets that no one else could comprehend.
I couldn't help but feel a sense of admiration mixed with a twinge of jealousy towards her seemingly effortless understanding of the world.
While I was walking down the stairs, I noticed an elf ascending toward me.
She carried a stack of books and her snow-white hair flowed down her back in gentle waves, accentuating her pointed ears.
Her movements were graceful, and her fluidity caught my attention.
As she passed me on the stairs, our eyes met, and her lips curved upwards in a brief smile.
It was a gentle expression that seemed to light up her whole face.
Her eyes sparkled with a hint of mischief, and her cheeks dimpled slightly, giving her an enchanting appearance.
Though it was just a fleeting moment, her smile left an indelible impression on me, like a ray of sunshine on a cloudy day.
It conveyed a sense of warmth and kindness, making me feel welcomed and accepted.
Her smile was as graceful and fluid as her movements, leaving me with a sense of longing for that brief connection we shared.
My mind wandered, and I couldn't help but wonder what kind of life she led.
I imagined a world where I could follow her up the stairs, offer to help with her books, strike up a conversation, and maybe even get into bed.
But alas, it was only a fleeting moment, and she continued on her way, disappearing from view as she climbed higher and higher.
As I continued my descent, a twinge of longing lingered within me for that imaginary life with the elf.
As I walked down the stairs and made my way through the guild hall, my mind still lingering on the elf's enchanting smile, I eventually reached the adventurers' guild library.
Pushing open the heavy oak doors, I was greeted by a rush of cool, musty air.
The scent of aged parchment and leather wafted toward me, beckoning me inside.
The room was dimly lit, and the flickering candlelight cast an eerie glow across the shelves of books and artifacts that filled the space.
I stepped inside, feeling like I had entered a secret world filled with knowledge and adventure.
The shelves stretched high towards the ceiling, stacked with books of all shapes and sizes.
Maps were tacked to the walls, and ancient artifacts were displayed in glass cases, each telling a story of past expeditions and quests.
I ventured into the guild library and my eyes fell upon a book titled "Geography, History, and Mythology for Dummies." The book looked old and worn, with yellowed pages and a musty smell, but I couldn't resist picking it up.
[System: Enable auto reading?]
< Yes / No >
Yes.
...
...
20 minutes have passed...
...
I see, so that's where I started...
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Aetheria - Aetheria is a fabled city that floats high above the clouds, accessible only by airship or magical means. It is said to be home to some of the greatest wizards and alchemists in the world, who use their knowledge to study the mysteries of the sky and the cosmos. Aetheria is also known for its advanced technology, which allows its citizens to harness the power of the winds and the clouds to create floating platforms, towers, and other structures.
Legend has it that Aetheria was founded by an ancient wizard named Alaric, who was said to possess the power to control the winds themselves. Alaric was a visionary thinker who believed that the key to unlocking the secrets of the universe lay in the study of the sky, and he spent his life building the city of Aetheria as a center for this research. He used his powers to create floating towers and platforms, which he then enchanted with powerful spells to keep them aloft.
Today, Aetheria is home to some of the greatest minds in the world, who continue to study the mysteries of the sky and the cosmos. Adventurers who seek to join their ranks often begin their journey in Aetheria, seeking out mentors and teachers who can help them master the arts of magic, science, and engineering. Some even come to Aetheria seeking to learn the secrets of flight, hoping to build their flying machines and soar into the clouds.
Alaric, the founder of Aetheria, is remembered as a visionary thinker and a great wizard. His legacy lives on in the city he built, and in the many wizards, alchemists, and engineers who continue to study the skies and push the boundaries of what is possible.
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Remembered? That old man is still alive and well.
Wait, how long has it been? I should probably go back to the test room.