I opened my eyes and for the first time in a few hours, I was back in the real world. I got out of the virtual pod, and I immediately realized its effects. My body felt refreshed, almost as if I had just slept for hours. I didn't feel any kind of aching.
However, just like I had suspected beforehand, my physical body wouldn't become stronger by training in those games. Training in real life was still as important.
'To think that such a technology exists...' I thought to myself as I continued to glance at the gaming capsule. 'Still, it's strange.'
The fact that my appearance was completely transferred along with everything I had on me, such as the training dagger. There was also the fact that GoldenLineage seemed to know who I was; my data might not be as private as it seems.
The person who built those machines can probably access the data of each account.
'They could technically find me through this.'
However, the chances of that happening were slim. I had a strange feeling that the person who had made this machine was somehow related to GoldenLineage. That was the only logical reason why she could know my identity.
'Based on who I met since entering the academy, it could be one of the other top five students, Amelia, or Ivy.' I shook my head when thinking of Amelia. 'It's definitely not her. GoldenLineage's character didn't resemble those who were part of that family. They would have never agreed to a fight against me.'
I tried to give it some more thought. But I knew it was pointless. Instead, I decided to try and go to sleep.
Minutes passed and I still couldn't fall asleep.
I sighed and got up again.
This was a common occurrence back in the camp. Whenever it happened, I'd head to the training grounds and train until I could no longer form a thought.
I thought I would arrive at an empty training ground. However, there was already someone training there, swinging her sword around with seemingly great difficulty. With a glance, I could already tell who it was.
Hannah, the Royal Princess, the one who acted like she knew me.
She still hadn't noticed me as I continued to stare at her in the distance.
I decided to analyze her movements and compare them to GoldenLineage's. There was a chance the two of them were somehow related, and if that were the case, their fighting styles might share some similarities.
However, the more I watched her, the less that theory seemed likely.
GoldenLineage had fought with an almost unnatural elegance. Every movement had been precise, calculated, and perfectly efficient, as if she had already predicted the outcome of every possible action before it even happened.
Hannah was nothing like that.
Her movements were far more brutal.
She swung her blade with raw force, her strikes powerful and direct, as if she were trying to overwhelm her opponent rather than outthink them. There was no elegance in the way she fought, no graceful transitions between attacks. Each motion felt heavy, aggressive, almost savage.
It was the complete opposite of the calm, lifeless composure she had shown earlier during the Entrance Ceremony.
Watching her now, it was hard to believe she was the same person.
Another minute or so passed by, and I decided to finally enter the training grounds.
Hannah immediately noticed my presence, her eyes widening, changing from their usual dullness.
"Where have we met before?" I suddenly asked.
This was as good an opportunity as any to learn more about her comment from earlier.
Instead of answering, she began walking toward me, sword in hand. She placed her hand on my right shoulder and leaned forward, whispering, "Where do you think?"
I felt her hot breath brushing against my face and neck. However, it didn't affect me for a single moment. I wasn't sure why she had gotten so close to me, but... I wouldn't let it distract me.
She smirked, noticing my non-reaction. "You know, most people would dream of having me so close to them. But you don't care at all. It's like you're not attracted to me."
Hannah stepped away from me as she began walking around me.
"Don't you know who I am? With a single word, I could give you whatever you want. The best tutors, the best training methods, the best skill books, anything."
"I know, but why would you give me those things?"
Things were never free. I had learned that the hard way.
"Would you like to have those things?"
I thought for a moment and shook my head.
My goal, right now, wasn't to become stronger. I just didn't want to return to the camp.
Anything but that.
All my decisions revolved around that single purpose.
"Why?" Hannah sighed. "The strong rule over the rest. As long as you're powerful enough, you can do whatever you want in life. No one will ever be able to control you again."
I frowned.
The more she spoke, the more she seemed to know about me.
'Have we really met before? Does she know about the camp?'
I couldn't be certain, but it all pointed in that direction. Still, I couldn't ask her; I couldn't blow her cover.
Noticing my silence, she smiled at me.
"Don't worry, I like you. I won't say anything about you."
However, when I looked at her growing smile, I knew she hadn't finished speaking. She wanted something from me.
"In exchange, I want us to fight once."
"How will I know you'll keep your word?"
"I'm royalty. I never lie."
I frowned.
"Can't you trust me?" She smiled. "If I wanted to hurt you, I would have already done so."
I was annoyed. However, I knew I had no choice but to go along with what she wanted. She had something on me. I also couldn't kill her; otherwise, I would become the enemy of the Royal Family and then I'd be dead for sure.
I had no choice but to do whatever she wanted... for now.
"You want us to fight right now?" I asked again.
She shook her head. "Not now. You wouldn't even be a challenge for me. However, one day, when I decide, we'll fight."
"And in the meantime?"
"Just make sure to be as powerful as possible."
She walked past me as she tapped on my shoulder, leaving me all alone in the training grounds.