"...You’re joking, right?" Miriel frowned as she looked at Elaine, Brenin, and Erwin. She had dressed up for this outing, excited to finally leave the confines of the academy and enjoy the company of some attractive peers.

She had been genuinely happy until a few moments ago, but her excitement dropped drastically when she saw the boys' outfits.

"Seriously... you really want to go out with ME dressed like that?" Miriel asked skeptically, looking her peers up and down repeatedly. None of them had changed out of their school uniforms, which were far from fashionable.

"Well, what's the problem? These clothes are great, aren't they?" Erwin asked, puzzled, firmly convinced of what he said.

"An outing is an outing. Regardless of what you wear..." Elaine responded almost irritably, already regretting having pandered to her "friend's" whims.

Brenin, on the other hand, said nothing, but his completely detached gaze made it clear that he cared less than nothing about the outing or his attire.

Miriel sighed in disappointment, shaking her head repeatedly. Despite this, she didn't want to cancel the outing. So, she decided to overlook their outfits.

"Fine, fine... Forget it!" Miriel exclaimed. "Let's go, a carriage is waiting for us!"

After some difficulties, the four students obtained an exit permit and finally headed toward the city of Veras. Erwin, who had always lived in the countryside, was fascinated by the idea of exploring Veras, the capital of the Republic of Mykotos. The city, with its blend of magic and advanced technology, was a new and captivating world for him, even though he had seen incredible things at the academy in recent weeks.

As soon as they arrived in Veras, Erwin was immediately enchanted by the city. Like a child, he started running around the capital, captivated by the mana-powered vehicles, the robotic horses, and the magical steam trains. Every corner of the city seemed to offer him a new wonder to discover. "Look at those vehicles!" he exclaimed, running toward a row of horseless carriages.

Miriel, on the other hand, was not fascinated by the technology but by the clothes. She dragged Elaine along, shopping for a myriad of outfits that, in all probability, Elaine observed, she would never wear.

Elaine felt like she was wasting time; before entering the academy, she had promised herself that she would spend these five years solely and exclusively on her revenge against Umarth, without wasting time on frivolous things like making friends. Shopping fell into that category of things she considered useless to her plan and wanted to avoid.

But she couldn't. She couldn't because she needed to integrate as much as possible into the group of elves at the academy to find allies most suited to her.

Thus, she was forced to be dragged from one high-end store to another by Miriel, who took her to the most fashionable shops in Veras.

Erwin, still captivated by everything he saw, couldn't help but notice what was happening, shocked by it all. He couldn't believe that a stubborn and "unfriendly" girl like the young elf could end up at the mercy of a single girl. Even he, not the sharpest tool in the shed, realized that the girl was plotting something. "It's the only plausible explanation..." the young boy muttered, looking skeptically at what was happening.

The only one who seemed completely detached from the group was Brenin, who followed without a word, his mind elsewhere. He had convinced himself that leaving the academy and getting some fresh air would give him a new perspective on what had happened. But his obsession with becoming stronger and defeating Gygas was greater than he could ever have imagined.

He had tried to push away the instinct to train until exhaustion, but as time passed, this feeling grew stronger, to the point that he had already decided in his mind to return to the academy.

Thus, the four students spent the day this way: Erwin and Miriel were enchanted by the various technologies and beauties passing before their eyes, while Brenin and Elaine were practically at the mercy of the two who behaved almost like five-year-olds in an amusement park.

Finally, evening came, and the students decided to return due to the academy’s curfew, except for Miriel, who chose to stay until half an hour before curfew, saying she hadn't had enough after all the frantic shopping. Their outing had been a fiasco, according to her, so she wanted to vent by buying as many clothes as possible.

Thus, the three students found themselves in a carriage heading back to the academy.

"Well, I did my part..." Erwin began, looking straight into Elaine's eyes, who had her gaze turned toward the landscape speeding by outside. "Now it's your turn."

"Tsk! Your part, huh?" the elf muttered, glaring at Erwin. "Don't talk like you didn't enjoy it at all, Erwin... Or have you forgotten how foolishly you behaved in front of those stupid machines?"

"...W-Well, yes... but I mainly did it because I want your help!" Erwin exclaimed, trying to maintain a firm stance.

"Yes, yes, I got it... but after this, I owe you nothing," Elaine replied, turning her gaze from Erwin, preferring to watch the landscape outside the carriage window, tired of the uninteresting day.

[So... it was all because of a pact...] thought Brenin, realizing why Erwin and Elaine had involved him. It didn't bother him too much since they were now heading back to their dormitories, though he was somewhat glad to have observed Elaine more closely.

For a while, silence reigned in the carriage until Erwin spoke again. "Anyway, I didn't think you'd make a friend... You know, with that nasty old maid personality of yours—"

"Choose your next words carefully if you don't want to find a stalactite up your a**..." Elaine threatened, irritated by the joke she didn't like at all.

Erwin was a bit taken aback by her menacing look, immediately covering his mouth with his hands. "S-Sorry..."

"...Anyway... Miriel is not my friend..." Elaine murmured, having calmed down in the meantime.

"Then why—"

"I owe her a debt. Don't ask me any more, it's none of your business," Elaine asserted. If they had been alone, they might have continued the conversation. No, even if they had been alone, Elaine wouldn't have said much more. But the fact that Brenin was there with them was a "problem" and another reason to stop talking.

"Okay..." Erwin muttered, hoping to break down the barriers between them, achieving little result. [Maybe... I shouldn't have called her an old maid...] the boy reflected.

For several more minutes, silence reigned again until Brenin spoke up a few minutes before their arrival.

He had hoped that leaving the academy walls would change something in him, that maybe his mindset would shift. But nothing of the sort happened. In fact, his mood had worsened since he hadn't found answers to any of his problems.

"What does it mean to be strong?"

A sudden question from him, after hours of silence. A simple question with an easy answer, yet one that could have different interpretations depending on the person.

[Why this question?] wondered Erwin, who didn't expect the first thing to come out of Brenin's mouth to be such a question.

This story is posted elsewhere by the author. Help them out by reading the authentic version.

Elaine remained silent, her gaze still on the landscape, but her ears listening to everything.

Erwin remained silent, and after a few moments of thinking about what to say, he was the first to respond to the question posed by his roommate.

“Becoming strong... what does it mean to become strong? To become better than you are? I don't think there are any other interpretations,” Erwin replied confidently to what seemed like a simple yet foolish question.

Brenin listened attentively, but the answer was not new to him. Like Erwin, he believed that becoming strong meant becoming better than you were yesterday, a week ago, or a month ago. For them, the meaning of becoming strong was synonymous with progress.

“Why do you ask?” Erwin inquired, curious about the question.

“Nothing, I just wanted to check something...” Brenin replied in a flat voice.

“That sounds like something only a mind clogged with foolishness would say,” Elaine interjected suddenly, clearly disagreeing with Erwin's viewpoint.

“I don’t think I said anything wrong,” Erwin frowned, feeling insulted by what he believed was a correct answer.

Elaine observed Erwin for a few seconds before sighing and shaking her head. “See? That’s why you’re foolish. Your mind is too ‘simple.’ Listen to me. Becoming strong doesn’t just mean improving yourself; it means much more. It means being strong in body, mind, and spirit. Being strong means having the strength to move forward, to not give up, to fight for your beliefs. It means having the strength to make sacrifices, to start over, and to be humble. Being strong means facing adversities and traumas with determination, having the courage to confront your fears. It means facing hardships and pains... the strength to...”

As she spoke, Elaine’s voice grew increasingly tremulous until she abruptly fell silent. That simple question had many meanings, many answers. The answers she gave reminded her of her traumas, fears, and goals.

In her mind, she believed she had the strength to do all that. The strength to move forward, to fight against stronger enemies, and the strength to never give up. Everything she needed to carry out her revenge, even at the cost of her life, or taking the lives of others. Yet, in her complex and unpredictable mind, another answer to Brenin's complex question had matured: the strength to forgive.

This is why she suddenly fell silent. It was a spontaneous thought, one her mind formed on its own. But it was a contradiction for her, because she could not forgive what had happened. She could not possibly do so.

So was she not strong? Not strong enough to forgive Umarth? Why had she thought of something like that? These were the questions that invaded her mind immediately afterward, questions she believed she always had an answer to, but now realized she did not.

“Damn it...” Elaine hissed, averting her gaze from the two boys again. She would never forgive Umarth and his followers, yet that night, for the first time, something in her mind planted small doubts she did not know she had.

While Elaine was overwhelmed with unanswered questions, Erwin and Brenin felt as if they had received a sort of enlightenment. For Erwin, Elaine’s words perfectly reflected a strong point he had unconsciously believed he lacked—the strength to move forward despite everything. Many times he had wavered, many times he had wanted to give up. Yet, somehow, Erwin always managed to keep going, often surprising everyone, like when he defeated Rudolf in a battle that seemed entirely against him.

At that moment, Erwin realized for the first time that his mind was strong, strong enough to overcome various traumas and still fight for his dreams. Brenin, on the other hand, realized what he was missing: mental and spiritual strength. Unlike Erwin, Brenin believed his mind was strong, and for many years, no one had managed to make him waver. But at the first major obstacle, Brenin fell, lacking the strength to get back up.

It was still the case, to the point of drastically changing his character from indifferent to combative and hateful towards others. His proud mind, in that moment, experienced a shock hearing Elaine's words. The arrogant boy who thought he was strong received another answer he had sought but avoided: he was not strong, not at all.

Strangely, hearing it from Elaine did not hurt him. In fact, it was almost like a spell that shattered his stubbornness. For the first time, Brenin understood what he needed to do, what he lacked, and what his biggest mistake was. And it all stemmed from a simple question that had been troubling him for days. A simple and foolish question.

At the same time, Brenin had another realization as he watched Elaine, his heart fluttering every time he glanced at the elf: he was not just infatuated; he was in love with her, even though he did not know her well. He felt foolish, but as he had read in a book— the heart wants what it wants.

Erwin and Brenin did not yet know that the words spoken that evening would push them further than they could have ever imagined.

The carriage arrived at Veras; Elaine, without wasting any time, headed to her dormitory without even saying goodbye to the two boys, who went to their dormitory, each lost in their thoughts and doubts.

The two boys entered their dormitory after walking through all the academy streets, which, in the evening, with the faint light of the sun illuminating the sky and the academy, made the scenery even more beautiful than during the day.

When they both entered the room, after a moment of hesitation, Brenin approached his bedside table, carefully taking the pills that had tormented him for days, along with many other thoughts, and put them in his pocket. Then, without hesitation, he took his sword and strapped it to his belt.

“Hey... Don’t tell me you’re...” Erwin mumbled, looking skeptically at Brenin, who was heading towards the exit. He didn't want to ask Erwin for favors, but at that moment, he felt it might be better to prepare.

He hesitated again: was it the right thing to do? But then he shook his head: he had already decided and would not back down.

“...Erwin, can you do me a favor?”

----------------------------------------

*Brenin's P.O.V.*

I waited, sitting on one of the wooden benches scattered around the training hall. I waited and waited, staring fixedly at my wooden sword. I waited until it got dark. I wasn't sure he would come, but from the way he had spoken to me that night, it was obvious that if I showed up here, he might appear out of nowhere.

Hours passed, and it was almost midnight. I hadn’t eaten, but I wasn’t hungry because I wanted to resolve this as quickly as possible.

[Almost time...] I thought, now watching the training hall door attentively. Only when the clock struck midnight did the door slowly open. And who else could enter at this hour but that mysterious boy?

“Oh... I didn’t think you’d come back so soon...” the boy said with an amused smile. “So, did you enjoy... the candy?”

“You know, I’ve been looking for you for days, but there was no trace of you in the academy...” I began, standing up from my spot. “You’re not a student at this school, are you?”

“Uh, you’re quite sharp, I’d say!” the boy exclaimed, clapping his hands. “But what does it matter? Anyway—”

He stopped when I showed him the vial still full of those strange spheres. He fell silent, as if not expecting such a gesture.

“Surprised?” I taunted, tossing him the vial, which he caught easily. “Thanks for suggesting... ‘a helping hand,’ but I’m fine as is. I don’t need that stuff to become strong.”

The boy remained silent, staring at the vial. I didn’t know what he was thinking, but something in my mind told me he wasn’t happy about what had happened. His silence put me more on edge: he wasn’t a student, he sold strange substances, and as he had shown me last time, he must be damn strong, moving at a speed I couldn’t perceive.

[Shit... now what?] I thought, nervously gripping my sword.

“Don’t worry, I won’t tell anyone about what happened...” I said with a trembling voice, cautiously stepping towards the exit, which lay between him and me. Each step made my breath more labored, and his silence did nothing to help.

I had made it halfway when the mysterious boy finally spoke.

“Ahhh... you kids... always thinking you can say or do whatever you want without consequences...”

The boy scratched his head hard enough to risk tearing his skin with his nails. Then he stopped and looked at me with a menacing gaze. He’s gaze was so threatening that I immediately took a step back, sensing danger.

“Honestly, I don’t know how you did it... You should be... No, it doesn’t matter...” the mysterious boy muttered, crushing the vial with his hands.

“What’s this, you want to kill me? Assuming you manage, don’t you think—”

“Don’t worry, bastard...” the boy with purple hair interrupted abruptly, as two small scythes with violet blades appeared in his hands. “We’re not alone...”

“Uh? We’re not—?!”

Suddenly, behind me, I felt a cold, sinister aura. Having lived in the slums for years and already developed mana, I had met many dangerous people in my childhood. In that moment, I recognized that dark feeling. That was...

[Killing... intent?!]

Desperately, I turned around, positioning my sword in a defensive stance. Thanks to the sudden and rapid shadow obscuring my view, I determined where the blow would come from. Yes, but I couldn’t gauge the power.

Indeed, a large and heavy iron mace struck my training sword, shattering it instantly... or maybe even before.

The force of the blow was so great that it hurled me violently against the reinforced wall of the gym.

“Blargh!”

The impact was so severe that I vomited blood, my body wracked by the violent collision. I fell to one knee, gasping for breath.

I looked up and saw, next to that purple-haired bastard, a large man dressed entirely in black, wearing a completely white mask. But despite everything, I could see his eyes, hungry for blood and eager to kill me.

“You know, I liked you a lot, kid...” said the purple-haired boy, putting on a white mask. “But... I think we’ll have to kill you.”

At that moment, fear overwhelmed me. I couldn’t escape; I had no chance of fleeing from these two monsters. But... I couldn’t give up. Not now. Otherwise, I would have done all this for nothing.

“Try it, if you can!” I smiled, flipping him off.

END OF CHAPTER 51 – BEING STRONG