Lyra’s Suspension

Learning about what happened to me helped to explain why I was feeling so dizzy. It seemed strange that a bloody nose would have such a strong effect on me.

"How long have I been out?" To me, everything happened in a matter of seconds, so I had no idea if the next class had started.

"It has only been a few minutes; you will make it to class if you leave now, but only if you feel well enough... although Lyra, the headmaster has requested you." The nurse turned her gaze to Lyra, who already seemed to know the reason why.

"Tch, I know."

I looked curiously as I had no idea, but then it flashed in my head what Lyra did in the classroom.

"I feel fine." I was fine physically, but in reality, I wasn't fine mentally. I didn't want to return to class only to get hurt again, but what could I do? My mother from a different timeline got me into the most prestigious academy, and the last thing I want to do is disappoint her… not again.

'I don't want to make the same mistake again.' I felt my body tremble thinking about the past, but I tried to stay stoic, trying not to show any emotion.

"Okay, if you feel anything, Saki, don't hesitate to come straight back." The nurse gave her a warning and moved out of the way, allowing me to get out of bed. I looked back at Lyra to see if she had something to say, but I could see that she was not in the best of moods. She was looking down at herself, and with the slight shakes in her hands, I could tell she was holding back.

"I'll see you later, Lyra." After saying my goodbyes, I got up and left the ward. I didn't get a response from Lyra, but I half expected it. She is in this mess because of me, so I wouldn't blame her if she hates me now.

Anyway, enough about that. I make my way towards class, and thankfully there is a 15-minute breathing period to get there.

Reaching the arena, I find my class and walk inside to see all the students already there standing around. The teacher hadn't arrived yet, so I knew I wasn't late.

Finding myself on the outside edge of all the students, I keep to myself, hoping no one will bother me.

[Did you hear Lyra almost kill a student for the peasant?]

[Yeah, it was also one of the grandmaster's relatives, so no doubt she will get a suspension.]

[It's only the first day too.]

[Fufu, that only means the peasant won't have her guardian angel anymore.]

[Perfect, maybe we can drive her out.]

I could easily hear the whispers of the other students as per usual, but what I would have usually filtered out turned out to be terrifying.

'Lyra… suspended.' Just like one of the girls said, she had been my only form of protection outside of class. I knew I didn't want to rely on her, but hearing that she probably wouldn't be at the academy for at least a week scared me.

For what has already happened in a day even with Lyra around, I couldn't imagine how much worse it will be without her.

'Breathe, Saki, just breathe. I got through it back then, and I can get through it again.' I felt my heart rate accelerate from thinking about all the possibilities, which put me on the verge of having a panic attack.

"Alright everyone! It's time for your practical class for the day." A rather hearty-sounding man came barging through. Despite being a world full of magic, it clearly did not stop this teacher from skipping leg day. His body was extremely muscular, to the point that the clothes he wore barely contained his muscles.

[Oh wow, he's hot.]

It didn't even take a second for some of the girls to comment on the teacher's appearance.

"I hope you are ready because even if you are wizards and witches, there will be times when magic can't solve it. So for today's class, we will be getting them GAINS!" The teacher stomped his foot on the ground, causing it to shake violently before suddenly weights made of rocks appeared.

'He literally means doing some lifting…' It wasn't the kind of class I expected, but it definitely wouldn't hurt to build a little muscle, especially since it was quite an inconvenience in my old body.

However, everyone else around me groaned and moaned at the sight of the weights.

"Now that isn't the attitude; get lifting; otherwise, I fail you!" The teacher let out a loud chuckle as he threatened to fail every student there. I didn't waste any time and started to lift some of the weights, which were surprisingly lighter than I thought. It seemed that the teacher gauged all of our strengths and gave us the appropriate weights.

Some of the other students did as well and were thoroughly surprised, but there were some that struggled.

"Good, now go until your arms can no longer be felt!" Suddenly the teacher stomped down on the ground and the lighter weights everyone picked up crumbled being replaced by heavier ones.

"Come on, you don't think it will be that easy." The teacher had a menacing grimace as he saw the dread on all the student's faces, but I didn't let up. I needed to get stronger to defend myself, so I stood up to the weight and squatted down. Gripping the stone bars, I tried to lift it with the very little strength I have.

Surprisingly, I managed to lift it, but my arms shook like crazy as I felt the muscles in my arm tear. Everyone looked at me like I was crazy, but right now I didn't care. The teacher gave me an encouraging look and expected the rest of the students to do the same.

[Tch, we can't let the poor show us up.]

Scrowls could be heard from some of the students as they tried to lift the weights, with some even trying to use magic to help them.

"Who said magic was allowed?" The teacher moved in an instant, standing over a male student who tried to use a bit of wind to lift the weight. His presence was deafening as if he would kill the student right then and there.

"No, sir, no magic is allowed." The student shivered in fear and dropped the weight right away.

"Good." The pressure that filled the room instantly disappeared, allowing everyone to breathe. It was safe to say that no one would dare attempt to use any form of magic from then on.

**

As time went on, students began to fall one by one, unable to even lift their arms anymore. The teacher grinned happily while waiting until one was left standing, and to everyone's surprise, I was still going. Despite being notoriously weak in my old body, I have a surprising amount of strength now.

No doubt it still hurt like a bitch to stand there, but I was able to hold the weights until my hands gave out. Falling to the floor, I tried to brace my fall with my arms, but they too couldn't even support my weight.

"ARGHHAHAHA, that's what I'm talking about, missy; you outdid most of the boys." The teacher was quick to congratulate me, which felt nice, but his comment generated extremely resentful looks from the boys who failed early on.

Some of the girls were impressed, but at the same time were angry as their pride was shot from me, lasting longer than them.

"Now that you can't use your arms, it is time to give your legs some work." A mischievous grin appeared on the teacher's face as he did another stomp on the ground. The ground shook as a massive part of the arena suddenly shot up, forming whwaat seemed to be stairs.

The arenas themselves seemed to have an endless roof, so it was impossible to even see where the stairs ended. Everyone looked in horror, already knowing they had to climb them.

**

Beginning the climb, students slowly began to collapse, and as they stopped climbing, the stairs under them would turn into a slide, returning them back to the bottom.

Just like before, I did better than most, but this time the students were too exhausted to even harass me, which was nice.

"Great work everyone! Now rest for the remainder of class and be ready for even harder challenges next week." The teacher gave out a loud guttural laugh, and at the mention of next week, every student paled. It could only get worse from here, already marking this class as the worst for many.

I sit down on the floor completely exhausted, not even able to move any of my limbs. However, just as I thought I wouldn't make it to the next class, the same elf who healed me came into the arena.

*Sigh* "That damn muscle freak never knows how to hold back." The elf held her forehead as she walked over to the students who were aching in pain. Each of the students that noticed her had their faces lit up, knowing that they would finally be saved.