A New Light

Chapter 16

The sun was now at the highest point and Mr. Ruthlock had declared that all the student present would be the ones in this class. However, after that he made no move to take any action. We waited once more. To those who were not able to get under the shade of the trees, I give pity for they had to have the sweltering sun on their backs. The ones who still had mana and some energy left to be able to get under to the shade were doing exceedingly well compared to those who had depleted their power and left to bake in the heat.

They sun had fallen considerably. Mr. Ruthlock stretched his arm a bit and made a count of everyone. I noticed, and of course Mister noticed due to the obvious reason that he had counted, that there were some who got up, left, and came back, and there were others who were not so fortunate to be able to accomplish the final task of returning.

Meeting my gaze, he motioned for me to join the crowd. Understanding that he was about to give instructions, I nodded and stealthily made my way across the trees and down a trunk blending into the shadows. When Mr. Ruthlock saw that I was with the group, he made a very dramatic entrance.

The wind circled around him as he crashed down. When the dust cleared, you could see a small crater and imaginary wind blowing his long golden hair. In a powerful voice that had no room for argument he said, " Tie two weights around your ankles, wrist, and waist." He pointed to a heavily shadowed area that actually hid five wagons of weights. While everyone was plodding towards the weights, not wanting to put them one, I swiftly grabbed the weights I needed. Going back to where I original was in the shadows I put them on. I immediately felt the weight, as if I was lifting feathers. Sighing I take out several anklets, bracelets, belts, and necklaces out of my pouch. All of the accessories together weighed about 3 tons. Feeling like there was actually weight on my body now I smile to myself.

The was an abundance of complaints lagging around the air. Mr. Ruthlock must have gotten irritated at the kvetching and bellowed," Run 50 laps! If you don't make it you are not need and dismissed." This must have been a very good class, otherwise I don't think that the people who were one lying on the ground half dead would have been able to get the energy to strap on weight and start running. The trail that Mister pointed out was supposed to have a barrier to keep out beasts. Most people wouldn't complain, but I was feeling very vexed that the adorable and huggable wolves running along side me had to stay outside the track. Becoming motivated to quickly finish up the 50 laps I take out a few toys for them to play with, and ask for them to wait for me to finish.

When finishing my lap, I literally jumped at the sound ringing out, " Aliria Charlante, first to finish 50 laps."

It was because I started running the earliest that all the others didn't get the chance to see me, so when they heard my name they started mumbling among themselves. Figuring that it wouldn't be wise to dawdle around and wait to be discovered, I promptly took of the provided weights and gently set them down. After that I sprang towards the area that the wolves were waiting at. When they caught sight of me, they instantly raced to me. It was like a immense compliment that they were so eager to play with me.

Kana, a pup, wasn't the first to meet me, she was the first to bounce into my arms. She kept on nudging my arm until I figured to pet her. Stroking her soft grey fur was like a kind of therapy itself. Eventually the other wolf pups got peeved at the lack of attention they were receiving started wailing and pushing for Kana to get off me. It was very adorable to watch. Not sure what to do, I sat down and watched them solve the issue themselves. Apparently their rules were that everyone got to sit in my lap while there would be a cuddling rotation.

By the time I had to go back, my entire body was sore. I had never known before how much work it was to snuggle with wolves. 

Arriving back at the clearing, I noticed that there were less people. Looking back at the track in confusion, I was tempted to run another lap to see if there were still people on it. My puzzlement was quickly cleared when Mr. Ruthlock started to speak, " 45 of you made it here, so I congratulate you. However, only 28 of you are still here. The lucky ones were sent back. The not-so-fortunate have unknown whereabouts." He paused his speech and sharply stared everyone in their eyes. "This course you have been put in, is one of the toughest you will ever take. If you do not understand, I will help you. If you are feeble-minded, you better change, or start praying to whatever and whoever you can."  

Most of the people around me were slumped up against a tree or laying flat on the ground looking dead tired. They all jumped up alert though, when Mister started hollering at them, " Tomorrow you will show up on time and you will not show me this sad state of mind. If you show up tomorrow and not train till you faint, then you are not working hard enough." He slowed down his sentences, " Only one person out off all of you showed me that you have what it takes to be in this class. If any of you are going to still be as disappointing as you were today, you can show yourselves out and save some face." His gaze swept across the group once again before it stopped on me. " Dismissed."