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Chapter 158  Determination

Pulling myself to the metal bar above, I let out a long exhale, feeling my muscles strain with the effort.

"47..."

I muttered under my breath, raising my chin above the bar before going for another rep.

"48..."

Sweat dripped from my brow, blurring my vision with each glistening drop.

However, I merely closed my eyes and carried on, gripping the bar tighter so it wouldn\'t slip from my grasp.

"49..."

My arms quivered with extreme exertion, slow and controlled movements becoming more challenging with every repetition.

\'The last one...\'

Clinging on the thought, I let out a guttural growl, summoning one final burst of strength to push myself upward.

"50!"

I dropped to the ground, savoring the satisfying burn in my muscles as the adrenaline coursed through my body.

Thud...

However, before I started to rest, I quickly untied the weight vest and tossed it aside, letting out a relieved sigh.

Losing the weight vest felt like shedding a burden I had carried for too long.

"I don\'t feel my arms..."

I sighed, allowing Mana to massage my aching muscles as if soothing the fire that had burnt me during the pull-up session.

Why wasn\'t I using Mana to help me with the pull-ups before?

Well, it was because I wanted to train my strength and not Mana control.

My strength was already lacking compared to other attributes, so I wanted to focus on improving through physical training.

Using Mana efficiently was also crucial, but pure strength was also very important.

Anyways, since I was done with training for the day, I quickly picked up my stuff and headed toward the shower.

Along the way, I could feel countless stares from the other students in the facility.

"..."

Although they didn\'t speak, I could feel their gazes judge me in silence.

A week has already passed since the Demon attack was repelled and all the classes in the Mage Academy were temporarily suspended.

Even a mid-term exam was pushed back to make way for the recovery of the city and its people.

As to why the other students were staring at me...

The girls that I saved from the Demon Attack since they were Rose\'s friends, told everyone the story and, of course, it didn\'t paint me in the best light.

Oscar even told me that the rumors got so bad that it seemed as if I killed one of the girls during the Demon attack.

\'Ungrateful bastards...\'

Cursing under my breath, I put my head under the cold water, quickly refreshing myself and washing away the sweat and grime from my intense workout.

After the invigorating shower, I dressed in fresh clothes and left the facility, putting on a hood to hide my face.

During this week, I\'ve been challenged by various \'Heroes\' that wanted to beat me up for my supposed wrongdoings.

On average I had been challenged more than a dozen times every day, which made me quite annoyed.

Even the Academy had heard of these rumors and brought me in for questioning but within minutes of investigation, they realized that the rumors were baseless.

At least some are not quick to jump to conclusions.

"..."

Also, Rose and I haven\'t met up since that day, which was...

Fortunate?

Walking through the campus, I breathed a sigh of relief.

This was for the better...

***

Sitting on a secluded bench in the Garden, a young man with golden hair and deep green eyes sat lost in thought.

Lost in the tranquility of the garden, the gentle breeze ruffled Drake\'s golden locks as he gazed absently at the surrounding beauty. The sun-dappled path seemed a world away from the weighty matters that occupied his mind.

The recent Demon attack lingered like a shadow, its echoes reverberating through his thoughts. He couldn\'t shake the memory of the chaotic scene, the fear in the eyes of the innocent, the palpable malevolence of the otherworldly invaders. In that dire moment, he had acted instinctively, driven by a desire to protect, to shield those who couldn\'t defend themselves.

"..."

His fingers idly traced the intricate patterns of the bench, his mind wandering further down memory lane. He had trained for years, and became one of the strongest First-year Students, however, upon seeing the devastation caused by the Demon attack, Drake couldn\'t help but question his own strength.

His doubts lingered, flickers of uncertainty in his normally steadfast resolve. He wondered if his strength was enough if his physical prowess could truly make a difference against the otherworldly horrors that might assail their world again. He had seen the destructive might of the Demons, the raw power that defied comprehension. A gnawing question echoed within him: Could he truly measure up?

"Hahh..."

A quiet sigh escaped his lips as he contemplated this internal struggle.

As his thoughts danced like leaves on the wind, he replayed the moments of the Demon attack in his mind\'s eye. The clash of magic, the acrid scent of burning debris, the cries of defiance – they were all etched into his memory. He recalled some old couple he had saved.

Lost in his reverie, Drake\'s fingers traced the grooves of the bench as if seeking answers from its worn surface. The weight of his doubts pressed upon him like a heavy cloak, suffocating and unrelenting. Could he really make a difference? His gaze drifted to a delicate butterfly that flitted by, its fragile wings a stark contrast to the turmoil within him.

He couldn\'t shake the image of the elderly couple he had rescued during the attack. Their trembling hands and tear-filled eyes, as they clung to each other, had been both heart-wrenching and heartwarming. It was moments like those that fueled his determination to protect, to stand as a bastion against the darkness that threatened their realm.

But as the vivid memories played out before him, he found himself wrestling with a surge of self-doubt. The golden strands of his hair caught the sunlight as he leaned back, his mind a tempest of conflicting thoughts. What if he faltered next time? What if his strength wasn\'t enough to shield the innocent from harm?

A breeze whispered through the garden, carrying with it the distant sound of laughter – a stark reminder of the world\'s vibrancy that stood in stark contrast to the darkness he had witnessed. He clenched his fist, his nails digging into his palm as if trying to anchor himself to reality.

"Resting?"

Kai\'s voice cut through the web of Drake\'s thoughts, a lazy yet familiar tone that pulled him from his introspection.

Drake blinked, momentarily disoriented as his mind shifted from the depths of contemplation to the present moment. He turned his gaze to the side, finding his friend Kai settled onto the bench beside him. The sight of Kai\'s perpetually drowsy expression and unruly brown hair was oddly comforting, a reminder of the steadying presence amidst the chaos.

A small smile tugged at Drake\'s lips.

"Mind if I sit here?"

Kai\'s question was posed with the casualness that Drake had come to expect from him, a laid-back demeanor that often contrasted with the weight of Drake\'s own thoughts.

"Go ahead."

Drake replied, his voice carrying a touch of gratitude. He shifted over slightly to make more space on the bench, his golden hair catching the sunlight as he did so.

Kai settled in, letting out a contented sigh as he leaned back against the bench. His tired eyes scanned the tranquil surroundings, seemingly unaffected by the residual tension that had been clinging to Drake\'s shoulders.

"Nice day, huh?"

Kai mused, his tone carrying a hint of nonchalance.

Drake nodded, his gaze drifting to the azure sky framed by the lush foliage of the garden. The gentle rustle of leaves and the distant hum of activity within the Academy grounds provided a soothing backdrop to their conversation.

"Yeah."

Drake agreed, his voice quieter now as if the serene atmosphere had encouraged a more subdued demeanor.

"It\'s a welcome change from everything that\'s been happening."

Kai hummed in agreement, his fingers absentmindedly tracing patterns on the bench\'s surface.

"Can\'t argue with that. Things have been... intense."

A silence settled between them, comfortable and unstrained. Drake found solace in the presence of his friend, a sense of camaraderie that required no words.

As they sat there, the warmth of the sunlight seemed to melt away some of the weight that had been pressing on Drake\'s chest. The garden was alive with colors – vibrant petals that swayed in the breeze, and the soothing babble of a nearby fountain added a gentle melody to the moment.

"So... why aren\'t you sleeping?"

Drake spoke, disrupting the silence and making Kai groan as if he was awoken from sleep.

"Your girlfriend said to me that you are sad and needed company."

Kai responded, without even flinching, which almost made Drake choke.

"Tess is not my girlfriend!"

Drake exclaimed, not being able to control his surprise, but Kai merely raised his eyebrow in amusement.

"I didn\'t say anything about Tess, though?"

Drake shut his mouth instantly, glaring at Kai with a look that signaled that he wanted his death, however, Kai merely yawned.