Chapter 22: Hardest training of my life.
I groan for the umpteenth time as I step out of the school and into the empty sports field. It's not even bright outside yet, and the cold morning air manages to get through the red tracksuit I chose to wear for this. Oh, how I wished I could have stayed in my comfy, warm bed instead! But I promised Croix I would do this, so…
Besides, I do want to learn combat magic. It's very useful, despite the dangers.
"You're late." Croix says as she comes hovering on her broom, with her arms crossed over her chest. "But if I'm being honest, I expected you to arrive even later than this."
"I hate mornings!" I complain, stifling a yawn.
"Me too, but hey, someone has to stop you from foolishly putting your life at risk every two seconds." She answers coldly.
"Croix." I pout. "You said you wouldn't be mean about it."
"I made no promises." She shrugs, a mischievous smile appearing on her face. "Plus, after reading a bit more about the subject, it seems like I'll have to be pretty mean if we want you to learn fast."
"Great." I sigh in resignation. "Should I go get my broom then?"
"Oh no, you're not flying; you're running."
"How come you get to fly?" I say, pouting.
"I'm not the one who wants to learn strengthening magic." She deadpans.
"Still. It's called solidarity." I protest.
"Something I've never had." Croix says in her usual disregarding tone. "And anyways, if you want to keep being a whiny baby, you better find someone else to teach you."
"Croix." I pout.
"Come on. Start running."
And so, I run all the way from the main building to the New Moon tower, and then to a secluded area in the forest near the North Campus, where Croix says we'll be able to train undisturbed. And, I mean, I consider myself fit. Even strong, compared with most girls, but… gosh was I not prepared to run that much! I have to slow down and even stop several times to catch my breath (and Croix of course yells at me every time, and even threatens me with spells so I keep running), and by the time we arrive to our destination, I'm all sweaty and agitated, and in desperate need of water. Thankfully, Croix was thoughtful enough to bring a bottle.
As I sit down in the grass (more like, ungracefully drop on it), my friend gets out a book and starts reading from it, scanning a few pages before looking up at me and smiling maliciously. I immediately tense, knowing that whatever she's planned, I'm already too exhausted to do it.
"Come on, get up. Stop being lazy." She says, closing the book and getting off her broom.
"I'm tired! Can't I rest 5 minutes, at least?" I plead, but by her downright evil expression, I can already tell it's useless.
"Oh, sure! Let's rest and let all the warming up you just did go to waste so you have to do it again!" She answers, being her usual sarcastic self. I can only pout in response. "Come on, you lazy little shit! Get on your feet now or I will fucking make you."
Ah, yes. She's been like this all morning. Insulting me, threatening me, and generally just being a big, big meanie. And like, I know that's just her way of being strict and pushing me, but… a part of me wonders if she's not enjoying this a little too much. Like she's taking out all the resentments she's had towards me since that fateful day at the Arcturus forest, and using them to train me.
But then again, I can't really get mad at her for that, can I? After all, she is training me, despite still being somewhat mad. Plus, if that's really what's making her so sadistic, she'll probably carry on with her threat, so…
"Ugh." I groan as I reluctantly get up, already starting to regret my decision of accepting Croix's offer to train me.
"Okay. Good. Now, the first exercise is quite simple." She says as she gets out her wand and points it towards the floor. Then, once she pronounces a spell, the Earth itself answers to her magic, making a dozen rock columns surge from the ground, creating a long row. "You need to run to the other side of the field, zigzagging between them as fast as you can."
"Oh. Cool. Sounds easy." I smile. Honestly, I thought this would be a lot more extreme! Didn't she say many witches have died doing it? I'm glad it's not though.
"Not so fast." Croix smirks, again pointing with her wand towards the columns. Two rivers of freaking lava then appear on either side, barely leaving enough space for me to walk between them and the columns. "The path will become narrower the longer you take, so you better hurry."
"H-huh?" Okay. Not gonna lie; I wasn't expecting that. But I think that's still somewhat manageable.
"Oh, and one more thing." Oh no. What now? "You're gonna need these." As she speaks, she raises her wand once more, only this time pointing towards me, and… huh. Four weird bracelets appear around my wrists and ankles. They're soft, kinda like they're made of cloth, and they're thin, but they feel heavy like metal.
"Uh… what's this?" I ask, eying carefully the little thingies.
"Magic weights." She answers. "They adjust their weight depending on how tired you feel; that way you'll always be at the edge of exhaustion."
"What?" I pale at this. She expects me to run between columns surrounded by lava as fast as I can while wearing these?! This is insane!
"Hey, you were the one who wanted to learn strengthening magic, right? Don't blame me."
"B-but… but- !"
"Start running, or you won't have enough time to reach the other side." She smirks, looking towards the columns. I follow her gaze and notice the path is already being consumed by lava. Instantly I set off, running like my life depends on it.
And geez, who would've thought a little extra weight could slow me down so much! Although I try my best, it feels like my limbs are made of lead, and I have to make a conscious effort every time I lift my feet off the ground. And the heat emanating from the lava really isn't helping! I need to go faster. But with each step I take I feel like I have less room to maneuver; the lava keeps getting closer, and closer, and closer, until the soles of my shoes start letting out smoke every time they touch the ground.
Faster! Faster! Come on, Chariot. You defeated a freaking rock monster and a giant spider. This should be easy! You are the owner of the Claiomh Solais, not a quitter!
Just then, I feel the floor under me starting to crumble because of the lava reaching it, beginning to melt it. There's only two columns left until the end, and merely a small patch of untouched earth, the width of a broom, between them. I know if I don't hurry up, I'll end up falling into the lava and getting seriously burned, but… I don't know if I can make it. Still, I have to try.
With the last of my strength, I jump between the two columns, feeling as the ground starts to disintegrate from under me as intense heat reaches my soles. I hiss in pain, but clench my teeth and steel myself in order to make the final jump. I feel my foot actually sinking a little into the lava as I propel myself forward and, with a cry of relief, I land on the solid ground, scrapping my hands and knees, but otherwise unharmed. Relatively. I'll need a new pair of tennis, that's for sure.
"Again." My head shots up in an instant to find Croix standing next to me, with a clock on her hand and a cold expression on her face.
"What?" I practically whimper.
"You were as slow as a slug. Do it again or this time I'll make the lava appear under you." She answers, a sadistic expression still clear on her face.
"B-but… but I don't think I can do it faster!" I protest. "I'm even more tired now, how can you expect me to- ?"
"Then quit." She shrugs, cutting me off. "After all, aren't you just the dunce of Luna Nova? What made you think you could learn something dozens of far better witches couldn't master? You can't do anything right, can you? I bet you winning the broom race was just a fluke, and the Claiomh Solais? Heh. Woodward probably just wanted to laugh at you when you inevitably fail."
Not gonna lie. That stings. Oh, boy, how it stings! Especially coming from my best friend. From the only person who's always supported me. From the person I care most about.
And I know she's just saying all of that to rile me up. To motivate me. To dare me to prove her wrong. But I just… I can't help wondering if a small part of her actually believes what she said. Especially that last bit about the Claiomh Solais. And especially because of that evil smile that hasn't left her face all this time.
Well, if that's the case, I'm going to prove her wrong! I'll show her I'm more capable than she thinks. I'll master strengthening magic and she's going to be so impressed she'll have to apologize and admit that I do have talent. You'll see, Croix. I'm more than you think!
I get up in one swift jump, feeling suddenly more energized, and fix Croix with a determined glare. Her eyes instantly widen, and she looks slightly impressed for a moment, but then quickly composes herself and adopts a colder façade once more.
"Ready? Let's see if you can do it in less than twenty seconds."
And so, I keep practicing, doing the same exercise over and over again, to the point where I can hardly breathe anymore, I'm absolutely soaked in sweat, my limbs are trembling like jelly, I can barely keep standing, and the soles of my tennis shoes are pretty much non-existent. Oh, and I also have several three-degree burns, so there's that.
And yes. Croix was just as mean and cold the whole time.
I really, really, don't think I can actually keep doing this every single morning like I promised.
"Meiro soruaro." Upon hearing those words, I immediately feel relief. The pain dulls, the trembling stops and I'm finally able to breathe without feeling like I'm fighting for my life. When I look up, of course I find Croix with her wand raised, and a bottle of water in the other hand. A bottle I pretty much tear from her grip before swallowing down all the water in just a few big gulps.
I don't think water has ever tasted this good, honestly.
"Thanks." I say, handing Croix the now-empty bottle after I wipe my mouth using my sleeve.
"You're welcome." She says, but just keeps standing there awkwardly, like she wants to say something more, but is unable to. Of course, this peaks my curiosity and I end up asking.
"Is… everything alright?"
"A-ah… well, I…" She pauses, looking to the side with an almost guilty expression. "I just wanted to say that I… I'm sorry."
"Uh… what?" I don't get it. What is she sorry for?
"For earlier. All the mean comments and the attitude… I hope you know I didn't mean any of that."
"Oh." Croix, you big dummy. "Yeah, I know. No biggie." I assure her, using practically all of my energy to muster up a little smile.
"And also… I'll make sure to buy you a new pair of tennis, I promise." She says, looking down at my now-ruined pair.
"Don't worry about it. They were old anyways." I answer, not wanting her to feel bad for something like this.
"And… I'll prepare a potion to cure your burns."
"Croix, you really don't have to-"
"Yes, I do.." She cuts me off, still looking to my feet. "I'm impressed. You… you lasted way longer than I expected you to for your first time, and considering everything you did, it's really quite a feat that you can even keep standing." Finally, she looks up to my eyes, a small smile forming on her lips. "I have no doubt that, if you keep making an effort and working on this day after day, you will accomplish great things."
I feel my cheeks getting warm, and it's not exactly because of the exercise. I think that's the nicest thing Croix has ever said to me, really. And the way she said it… gosh. Maybe she's trying to melt me into a pool of lava.
"Thanks." I answer shyly. "But I don't think I could do this daily."
"You have to." She frowns. "That's how the training goes."
"But…"
"Chariot." She cuts me off firmly, placing her hands on my shoulders. "I know this is too hard. I know I was too hard. But… it has to be this way. To accomplish anything, you have to make an effort."
"I know, Croix. Believe me, I know. But I-I… I just…" I pause, and upon remembering all the pain I was feeling just minutes ago… all the pain I'm still feeling, the sensation of being absolutely drained, physically and emotionally… "I can't. Not daily. Croix, I-I..." I'm cut off a stifled sob, as tears also start to fall from my eyes in rivers. And I hate it. I don't like to appear weak in front of Croix! She was just saying she was proud of me, and now? What is she gonna think? That I'm just a whiny, stupid, crying piece of-
Huh.
She's... She's hugging me now.
That's new.
"You can, Cherry. I promise, I… I believe in you."
Croix… believes in me? But I thought she was still mad. I thought she was still resentful about the rod. But… I guess training isn't so bad after all. If it gives me a chance to earn Croix's respect and admiration, then I'll do it gladly.
Well, maybe not so gladly. And maybe not daily. But still.
"Thanks." I say, hugging her back as more tears pop out of my eyes. But they're happy tears this time. "Croix… "
"Oh, come on. Stop with the sappy stuff." She says, pretending like she's trying to push me off, but not applying nearly as much force as she usually does. "Besides, you stink. You need a shower right now."
"Croix!" Why does she always have to be mean right after being somewhat nice?
"What? It's true and you know it."
A/N: Well, I hope you liked this, as always! Thanks for reading and please leave a review/favorite/follow if you are enjoying this story so far. That'll help me write faster!
Thanks to my beta reader moonwatcher13.
