Day 2 began with strain.
The forest no longer felt neutral.
Mist still hung low between the trees, but it was thicker now, clinging to boots and cloaks as if reluctant to let Class 1-C pass. The ground sloped upward in uneven stretches, roots jutting out like traps waiting for a careless step.
Hiko Shinoegami felt it in his legs almost immediately.
Every muscle protested as the group resumed marching at dawn. Yesterday's exhaustion hadn't faded; it had only settled deeper, becoming a dull, constant ache.
"Fifteen kilometers today," Rougen announced calmly as they moved. "We've already fallen behind ideal pace."
Rex Calder groaned loudly. "Fifteen?! That's insane!"
Kai Rendor smirked. "You say that every time."
Aren Valis didn't comment. He simply leaned forward and kept moving, earth reinforcement magic pulsing faintly through his legs, stabilizing every step.
Near Hiko, Hinata Kiyomi walked quietly.
She carried her pack carefully, hands gripping the straps, pinkish-brown hair tied neatly back. Her expression was gentle as always, but there was effort in her breathing. Still, she smiled when she noticed Hiko glancing her way.
"Good morning, Hiko," Hinata said softly.
"Morning," Hiko replied. "You okay?"
Hinata nodded. "A little tired. But… it's kind of beautiful out here."
Hiko followed her gaze. Sunlight broke through the canopy in golden lines, illuminating drifting leaves and motes of mana in the air. For a moment, it really was beautiful.
Behind them, Daizen lagged.
His fists were clenched so tightly that his knuckles were white. His jaw was set, teeth grinding. Every step he took was sharp, aggressive, as if he were marching against an invisible enemy.
Dain Kroft noticed first.
"He's unstable," Dain said quietly to Varek Nox.
Varek's dark eyes flicked toward Daizen. "Rage makes noise. Noise attracts death."
Daizen didn't care.
Images of Hinorami Higuko's smug expression replayed endlessly in his mind. The afterimages. The humiliation. Being beaten, tossed aside, powerless.
And then… Hinorami's death.
Not by Gold Prasso's hand.
By his master's.
Daizen's chest burned.
I was weak.
He stopped suddenly, stepping off the path.
Earth cracked beneath his feet.
Bran Holt turned. "Oi. What are you doing?"
Daizen didn't answer.
He slammed his fist into a tree.
The trunk split with a loud crack, bark exploding outward. Birds scattered violently from the canopy.
"Daizen!" Rougen snapped.
Daizen turned, eyes wild. "I won't be weak again."
Gold Prasso looked at him then. Truly looked.
"Control yourself," Gold Prasso said. His voice wasn't loud, but it carried weight. "Or you will endanger your class."
Daizen breathed hard, chest heaving.
"…Understood," Daizen muttered, though the anger didn't fade.
As the march continued, the terrain grew harsher.
By noon, they had already covered nearly ten kilometers.
Sweat soaked clothing. Boots were caked with mud. Toma Grell nearly collapsed once before Yuna Kirei steadied him, healing magic restoring his stamina.
"Thank you," Toma said shakily.
Yuna smiled gently. "Please pace yourself."
Hinata Kiyomi helped Rina Solis adjust her pack straps.
Mae Lin used illusion magic to distract exhausted students with playful visuals.
Sora Tyl sent low-frequency vibrations ahead to scout terrain.
They moved as a class.
By late afternoon, Rougen raised his hand.
"Fifteen kilometers," Rougen said. "We stop here."
Groans turned into relief.
They set camp quickly.
Some students collapsed into their tents the moment fabric was up. Noel Aster didn't even bother removing his boots before lying down. Selene Mora sat quietly near her tent entrance, ice magic cooling her sore muscles.
But a group gathered around the campfire.
Hiko sat beside Goru, Hinata Kiyomi, Rina Solis, and Lio Fenris. The fire crackled warmly, pushing back the forest's chill.
"That was brutal," Lio said, staring into the flames. "But… kind of satisfying."
Rina nodded. "Yeah. We actually did it."
Hinata smiled softly. "Everyone worked so hard."
Hiko looked around.
Aren Valis sat sharpening his weapon.
Mira Lune quietly analyzed a map.
Elric Dawn adjusted mana compression seals.
Iris Vane watched the darkness beyond the fire, poison mist coiled subtly around her feet.
And Daizen—
Daizen was training.
Alone.
Far from the firelight, he struck at empty air, fists reinforced with raw mana. Each punch cracked the ground. Each kick tore through brush and stone. His breathing was ragged, sweat pouring down his face.
Gold Prasso watched from afar.
Rougen stood beside him. "He'll break himself."
"Or rebuild himself," Gold Prasso replied. "That depends on his resolve."
Hiko felt something twist in his chest.
Inside his mind, the devil spoke.
Rage is a dangerous fuel. But powerful.
"Will he be okay?" Hiko asked silently.
If he survives himself.
The campfire burned lower.
Some students drifted to sleep mid-conversation. Others remained awake, staring into flames, listening to the forest.
Hiko sat quietly.
Hinata Kiyomi leaned slightly closer to the fire, hugging her knees.
"…Hiko?" she said softly.
"Yes?"
"I'm glad you're here."
Hiko blinked. "I am?"
Hinata nodded. "Things feel… safer. When you're around."
Hiko didn't know what to say.
So he smiled.
The fire crackled.
The forest watched.
Day 2 ended—not with disaster, but with endurance.
And far away, Daizen continued to train, fists bleeding, eyes burning with a single vow:
Never again.