Arthur spends six days training before the battle. Follow the events of his preparation.
[Day 2]
Arthur activates the gravity machine at the first level.
{Ugh, this weight... But I can't give up so easily. I need to at least lift my sword at this level before thinking about increasing it further.}
{Strength, strength… I must not give up. I may not have magic, but at the very least, I will strengthen myself physically and learn everything I can in class about magic. I can't disgrace myself in the competition. Charles told me to give it my all. He said my life depends on this and that the king and he have high expectations for me.}
Arthur focuses, slowly lifting his wooden sword. He feels something strangely familiar within the gravitational magic. A few strands of his hair begin turning slightly red, and suddenly, he starts moving more fluidly within the gravity.
Determined, he decides to increase the gravity to level 2. It takes him a brief moment, but he adapts once more to the increased pressure.
{This is so strange. Yesterday, I couldn't even lift myself off the ground. But now, I can actually train here with a certain ease.}
More strands of his hair turn red, reacting to the increase in gravity, but Arthur continues his usual sword training, now under heightened conditions.
[Day 3]
Arthur raises the gravity to level 3, increasing his body's weight further. Despite the strain, he resists and continues his training.
[Day 4]
Arthur pushes the gravity to level 4. Moving becomes extremely difficult, yet he refuses to give up.
However, he senses his limit approaching.
{This gravity... Agh! I don't think I can go any higher than this. Training is becoming way too difficult.} — he thought.
[Day 5]
Arthur makes no progress and remains at level 4. Despite his efforts, he struggles to gather the courage and determination to raise the gravity further.
[Day 6] [Final Day Before the Battle]
— Damn it, damn it! At this rate, I won't get anywhere. Why can't I just go over there and increase this stupid gravity level?! — Arthur shouted, frustrated.
— The answer is simple, weakling. You can't handle it and never will. You have no magic, and even if you build physical strength, you certainly won't last long. The only thing you should be doing is leaving this academy! Hahahahahaha! — Kidero mocked, standing outside the chamber.
— Hey, you idiots, give me mana. I'll show this weakling how to stand in gravity level 7! — Kidero commanded Sanzu and Shirō.
— K-Kidero, don't you think this is too much for him? — Shirō asked, hesitating.
— Doesn't matter. Just obey. — Kidero ordered.
— Kidero, please don't do this. I'm not ready for that level of gravity. — Arthur protested.
— Silence! I will show you the true power of a noble. — Kidero declared.
Kidero activates gravity level 7, the absolute maximum the chamber allows. The weight is so immense that Arthur instantly collapses to the ground. Even his vision blurs under the overwhelming gravitational force.
Normally, the permitted maximum level for the gravity chamber is level 6, but Kidero, wanting to assert dominance, pushed it to level 7—ten times stronger than level 6.
Encasing himself in magic, Kidero creates a protective barrier against the gravity's pressure. However, maintaining this drains his mana rapidly, forcing his two friends to supply him with mana constantly.
— See the difference between us, weakling? You can't even stand up in here! — Kidero taunted, stepping closer to Arthur.
Kidero steps on Arthur's head and says:
— So, do you finally accept your defeat? Are you ready to quit?
Kidero's friends call out to him from outside, warning that they're about to run out of mana—but their voices fail to reach him. The gravity is so intense that no sound can penetrate the chamber, and the lack of light inside makes visibility extremely poor.
Arthur grits his teeth, pushing himself to his limit.
— R-R-R-R-R... — He forces his body up.
Kidero stomps harder, pressing him back down.
— Hey, are you even listening? I told you to give up!
A lock of Arthur's hair turns a deep crimson red. He places both hands on the ground, his iris glowing red, along with more strands of his hair.
— You really don't quit, do you? Then I'll teach you a lesson! — Kidero snapped.
Due to poor lighting and the extreme gravitational pull, Kidero fails to notice Arthur's glowing eyes and hair color change.
He grabs Arthur's training sword and enchants it with fire magic, his primary ability.
— Now you'll learn your lesson! — Kidero shouted.
At that moment, he failed to realize something—Arthur was no longer lying on the ground.
[Arthur's Dream...]
Arthur sees himself in a kingdom beyond space, gazing at thousands of galaxies. It's a magnificent sight, yet something is wrong—
The galaxies are darkening, as if being consumed by a sinister energy.
This realm above space belongs to beings known as the Primordials. The inhabitants of this kingdom are devoured by an army led by a shadow-like creature with a purple core in its chest.
The shadows multiply every time they consume a person, forming four more with each victim.
Seeing this horror, warriors fight desperately to protect their realm.
The shadow leader departs, leaving his subordinates behind to consume everything, heading toward a planet at full speed.
The General of the Primordials commands his four strongest soldiers—
— Go after him! You four are the only hope of this kingdom. If you defeat that entity, all his subordinates will vanish—GO!
The four warriors envelop themselves in magic and race toward the creature—
When suddenly—
— Arthur! Arthur, wake up! — Mia calls.
Arthur opens his eyes, seeing Mia's concerned face.
He notices he's comfortable—she had placed his head on her lap.
He sits up abruptly.
— O-oh, Mia, what happened? — Arthur asked.
— I should be asking you that! I was passing by and saw the chamber at its max level. It looked like something was inside. I checked and found you unconscious! — Mia said, worried.
Arthur rubs his head, struggling to remember.
— I don't really know what happened… But I need to focus on my training. The battle is tomorrow, right?
— You never stop thinking about training, do you? Just don't overdo it! — Mia said, walking away from the chamber.
— I won't, promise! — Arthur replied, waving as she left.
After Mia left, Arthur looked at his hands, deep in thought.
{What just happened? Anyone would have died after being exposed to gravity level 7 without any protection.}
{And that strange dream…? Ah, whatever. For now, I need to focus on my training.}
He stood up, looking at the gravity chamber's panel, and whispered to himself:
— I think I'll turn the chamber to level 7 again… Just to see what happens.