My Second Chance in Life in Another World-Chapter 58: REVELATIONS OVER LUNCH

I collapsed onto the ground, my legs trembling uncontrollably after running 30 laps. My lungs burned, and my chest heaved with every breath, sweat dripping down my face and soaking through my uniform. The midday sun bore down mercilessly, making the already unbearable physical exertion feel like pure torture.

Leonardo, standing a short distance away, glanced back at me. His expression was as unreadable as ever—calm, collected, and annoyingly unaffected by the grueling punishment. He had been intent on making me run 50 laps out of sheer spite for reasons only he understood, but seeing that I could barely move anymore, he finally relented.

"You’re done for now," he said with a hint of impatience. "Rest."

And with that, he returned to his own task: completing his self-imposed 100 laps.

I watched in disbelief as he continued to sprint around the track, his movements fluid and steady, as if exhaustion was a foreign concept to him. It was maddening to see someone so unaffected by the grueling exercise that had left me sprawled on the ground like a discarded rag doll.

By the time he finished his 100th lap, the sharp sound of the bell cut through the air, signaling the start of the lunch break. Relief washed over me. At least I could focus on something far more enjoyable—food.

Food would be my revenge.

I was determined to order the most extravagant meal I could find in the cafeteria, both to fill the empty void in my stomach and to make up for the sheer injustice of being forced to run like that.

Before heading off, I spotted Raiden and Tyiyn hanging out nearby and decided to invite them to lunch. They were my closest friends, even if their tendency to overthink every situation often made things more complicated than they needed to be.

"Hey, I’m having lunch with Leonardo today. Wanna join us?" I offered, casually brushing the sweat from my forehead.

Their reaction was immediate and synchronized. "We’ll pass," they said in unison, almost as if they had rehearsed it.

Raiden looked at me with wide eyes, his tone tinged with disbelief. "First Miss Fia, now Mr. Leonardo. Why are all the high-rankers so interested in you?"

I shrugged, trying to seem nonchalant even as I felt a little embarrassed. "It’s not like that at all."

Tyiyn rubbed his chin thoughtfully, his expression bordering on conspiratorial. "Maybe you’re someone special, Will."

I groaned, rolling my eyes at the ridiculous notion. "I’m just me, okay? Stop overthinking it. Anyway, why are you two declining? Wouldn’t it be a good chance to get to know him?"

Tyiyn shook his head vehemently, his eyes wide with something between fear and admiration. "We don’t want to embarrass ourselves in front of him."

Raiden nodded in agreement, looking pained. "We look up to him too much. If we mess up, we’ll never live it down."

"Seriously?" I asked, raising an eyebrow. "Are you sure? I won’t force you, but—"

A sudden presence behind me made me stop mid-sentence. A chill ran down my spine, and I turned around to find Leonardo standing there, his usual calm and slightly intimidating demeanor firmly in place.

"Let’s go," he said simply, his tone leaving no room for argument.

"Understood," I replied, quickly bidding farewell to Raiden and Tyiyn, who both looked relieved that they didn’t have to face Leonardo themselves.

As we made our way to the cafeteria, I couldn’t help but steal glances at Leonardo. Everything about him screamed discipline and authority, from the way he carried himself to the sharp precision in his every movement. It was easy to see why people like Raiden and Tyiyn admired him so much, but to me, he was just...Leonardo. Stubborn, aloof, and slightly insufferable.

The cafeteria was bustling with activity, students crowding the long tables and chatting loudly over their meals. Despite the chaos, finding an empty table wasn’t difficult—one stern glance from Leonardo, and anyone occupying a table he was heading toward quickly vacated it.

I took a seat across from him, already plotting my next move. If I was going to get back at him for those laps, I’d do it with food. When the waiter came to take our order, I didn’t hold back.

"I’ll have the most expensive dish you’ve got," I said, my voice casual but deliberate. "Five servings."

The waiter blinked, clearly taken aback by the audacity of my order. "That’ll be two silver coins per serving, sir," he said, his tone cautious.

"That’s fine," I replied, glancing at Leonardo with a smirk. "Put it on his tab."

To my surprise, Leonardo didn’t even flinch. He nodded to the waiter, as if spending one gold coin on a single meal was an everyday occurrence for him.

Once my order was in, Leonardo placed his own, opting for something far less extravagant, and we began eating in silence. The food was, as expected, absolutely divine, each bite a testament to the academy’s exorbitant meal prices.

As I savored the taste, I couldn’t help but wonder just how rich Leonardo’s family was. Being the principal’s son certainly came with perks, but casually dropping two gold coins for a lunch? That was a whole other level.

The silence between us stretched on until Leonardo broke it with a question that caught me completely off guard.

"Your name," he said abruptly.

I paused mid-bite, staring at him in confusion. "Huh?"

"Your name," he repeated, his tone slightly sharper this time.

"Oh," I said, still trying to process the sudden shift in conversation. "It’s Will. I’m Will. But...why now? Why are you asking me this all of a sudden?"

He leaned back slightly, his gaze steady and unwavering. "It’s hard calling you ’you’ all the time," he explained, his tone as matter-of-fact as ever.

For a moment, I just stared at him, unsure whether to laugh or be annoyed. Typical Leonardo—straight to the point, no regard for how strange or abrupt his questions might seem. Still, there was something almost endearing about his bluntness, even if I’d never admit it out loud.

"Well," I said finally, "now you know. I’m Will. Don’t forget it."

Leonardo nodded, as if committing the name to memory, and returned to his meal.

"Then can I ask a question too?" I inquired, breaking the brief silence that had settled between us.

Leonardo looked up from his meal, his expression calm but curious. "Yeah, go ahead," he replied, his tone as even as ever.

I hesitated for a moment, gathering my thoughts. "Why did you choose me as your partner? Is it because you saw that I didn’t want to pair with Alad?"

His fork paused midway to his mouth. "Huh? No, it’s nothing like that," he responded, sounding almost offended by the suggestion.

"Then why?" I pressed, leaning forward slightly.

Leonardo placed his fork down, his sharp gaze locking onto mine. "Because I’m interested in you," he admitted bluntly.

The words hit me like a bolt out of the blue. "Huh?" I blurted out, my unease bubbling to the surface.

Realizing how his words could be interpreted, Leonardo immediately waved his hands in front of him, looking surprisingly flustered. "No, it’s not like that!" he clarified quickly, his voice tinged with panic. "It’s because you and Fia seem so close, so I just want to know your relationship."

"Wait," I said, narrowing my eyes at him. "Do you like Miss Fia?"

His eyes widened in shock, and he recoiled as if I had just thrown something at him. "Huuuuhhhhh? Where did that come from?" he exclaimed, his face now a shade redder.

"So you do like her, huh?" I teased, unable to resist poking fun at him.

"Hey! Don’t jump to conclusions like that!" he shouted, his voice booming across the cafeteria. Heads turned in our direction, curious students whispering among themselves about the commotion.

Realizing the scene he had just caused, Leonardo straightened up and cleared his throat. "I apologize. Please continue eating," he said, addressing the onlookers before slumping back into his seat.

I chuckled softly, enjoying how easy it was to fluster him. We returned to our meals, the earlier tension gradually dissipating. However, Leonardo wasn’t done with the topic.

"Yes, I like her," he admitted softly, his voice barely audible over the background chatter. His eyes remained fixed on his plate, and for the first time since I’d met him, he seemed genuinely vulnerable.

I smiled, deciding not to tease him further. "Well, you don’t have to worry about me. Our relationship is merely that of a student and a teacher. She’s my instructor in earth magic, so there’s nothing more to it."

Leonardo’s shoulders relaxed, and he let out a breath he must have been holding. "Eh? Is that so? I guess my guess was wrong," he said, his voice tinged with relief.

But something clicked in my mind, and I narrowed my eyes at him. "Wait a second," I said slowly. "Is that why you were so harsh on me earlier? Is that why you chose me as your partner, just to be tough on me? That’s mean!"

His eyes widened in alarm as he realized I had connected the dots. "I’m sorry for that," he said earnestly, his tone genuinely apologetic.

"Do you think sorry would suffice?" I asked, crossing my arms and giving him a pointed look.

"Then what do you want?" he asked, tilting his head slightly as he waited for my answer.

I smirked, deciding to make the most of the situation. "You owe me one. When I need your help, please assist me."

Leonardo considered my request for a moment before nodding firmly. "Is that it? Then I understand. I’ll return the favor when you need help," he agreed.

With that settled, we returned to our meals, the tension between us finally easing into something resembling camaraderie.

Just as I was starting to think the conversation was over, Leonardo spoke up again. "Can I ask another question?"

I glanced at him, my curiosity piqued. "Yeah, go ahead."

"Do you know anything about a place called the Fighting Ground?" he asked, his tone taking on a more serious edge.

His question caught me off guard, and I paused, my fork hovering over my plate. The Fighting Ground. I wasn’t surprised that he was investigating it—it was a place shrouded in mystery, known only to a select few. Sharing what I knew could potentially deepen his curiosity, but revealing too much might lead to unintended consequences, especially for Crestia.

Weighing my options carefully, I decided to stick to the same explanation I had given Miss Fia. After all, it was the safest course of action.

"Yeah, I think I’ve heard of it before, but I can’t recall where or when," I answered, keeping my tone neutral while trying to mask any hint of hesitation.

Leonardo studied me for a moment, his piercing gaze searching for any signs of deception. Eventually, he nodded. "Is that so? Then forget I asked anything," he said, his voice taking on an air of finality.

"I understand," I replied, maintaining a calm demeanor even as my mind raced.

The rest of the meal passed in relative silence. We focused on our food, the earlier conversation lingering in the air but left unaddressed. By the time we finished, the bell rang, signaling the end of lunch break.

Leonardo wiped his mouth with a napkin and leaned back slightly. "You attend magic class every afternoon, right?" he asked, breaking the silence.

"Yes," I confirmed, wondering where this line of questioning was going.

He stood up, straightening his uniform with a practiced motion. "Then I’ll take my leave here," he said, his voice returning to its usual commanding tone. But then, he fixed me with a sharp look, his eyes narrowing. "Don’t ever dare tell anyone what we talked about today, or I’ll chase you to the end of this world."

The weight of his words hung in the air, but I didn’t flinch. "I understand," I said simply.

Satisfied, Leonardo gave a curt nod and walked away, his confident strides drawing the attention of several students as he exited the cafeteria.

As for me, I lingered for a moment before gathering my things and heading out. My next class was in the magic wing, so I made my way there, weaving through the throngs of students.

On the way, I spotted Chris and his group walking a short distance ahead. Picking up my pace, I caught up with them.

"Good afternoon, everyone," I greeted, my voice carrying over the chatter.

"Good afternoon, Will," Lana and Lucia replied in unison, their smiles as bright as ever.

Chris turned to me, his brow furrowed slightly in concern. "Will, you’re not with your friends today. Did something happen?"

I shook my head, offering a reassuring smile. "No, it’s just that I got a free lunch from a senior, so I accepted it and ate with him," I explained, keeping my tone light.

Chris seemed to relax at my response, though curiosity flickered in his eyes. "I see. That’s good, then."

As I glanced around, my gaze landed on Crestia, who was walking quietly alongside the group. Her brown eyes met mine for a fleeting moment before she quickly averted her gaze.

"Good afternoon, Crestia," I said, addressing her directly.

To my surprise, she responded softly, "Good afternoon."

The air around us shifted as everyone turned to stare at Crestia, their expressions a mix of shock and curiosity. It seemed her reply had caught them off guard.

Before anyone could comment, we arrived at the magic classrooms. The group dispersed, each member heading to their respective rooms without further discussion.

I entered the earth magic classroom, scanning the room briefly. My attention was immediately drawn to a dark-haired guy with glasses who was seated near the back. His eyes met mine, and I could feel the hostility radiating from him. It was obvious he still held a grudge from yesterday.

Ignoring his glare, I made my way to my seat and sat down, placing my bag on the desk. The room buzzed with low murmurs as students chatted among themselves, but I remained quiet, waiting for Miss Fia and the other classmates to arrive.

After a few minutes, the door opened, and Miss Fia strode in with her usual air of elegance. Her presence commanded attention, and the room fell silent as everyone turned to her.

"Good afternoon, everyone," she greeted, her voice carrying a calm authority. "As you recall, yesterday we began practicing the rock bullet spell. Today, we will continue with the same exercise. Please pair up with the same partners as yesterday and gather behind the fifth-year dormitory."

Her instructions were met with a chorus of murmured acknowledgments as students began to rise from their seats. I followed suit, falling in line with the others as we made our way to the designated location.

The area behind the dormitory was a spacious open field, bordered by tall trees that swayed gently in the afternoon breeze. The ground was marked with faint marks and divots from previous lessons, a testament to the challenges of mastering magic.

Miss Fia addressed the group once more, her tone firm but encouraging. "Remember, do not stray too far from your designated areas. Focus on improving your control and aim. The lesson will conclude when the bell rings."

With that, she dismissed us to our respective locations. I followed her to the spot we had practiced at yesterday, a small clearing near the edge of the field.

"Let’s pick up where we left off," she said, her voice calm but expectant. "Show me what you’ve learned so far."

Nodding, I stepped forward and assumed the stance she had taught me. I focused my energy, channeling it into the earth beneath my feet. My hands moved in deliberate motions, shaping the magic as Miss Fia had instructed.

But no matter how hard I tried, the spell refused to take form. The earth beneath me shifted slightly, but the rock bullet never materialized. I already did it yesterday, so why can’t I do it again? Frustration gnawed at me as I repeated the process over and over, each attempt ending in failure.

Miss Fia observed my efforts silently, her sharp eyes taking in every detail. Finally, she stepped closer, her voice calm but firm. "You’re overthinking it, Will. Magic isn’t just about following steps; it’s about feeling the flow of energy and guiding it naturally. Relax and try again."

Taking a deep breath, I nodded and closed my eyes, trying to clear my mind. I visualized the earth responding to my commands, the energy flowing smoothly from my core to the ground.

Time seemed to blur as I continued practicing, Miss Fia offering occasional pointers and corrections. The sun dipped lower in the sky, casting long shadows across the field. Despite my efforts, the rock bullet remained elusive.

Finally, the bell rang, signaling the end of the lesson. I let out a sigh, my shoulders slumping in defeat. Earth magic was proving to be far more challenging than I had anticipated.

Miss Fia gave me a small, encouraging smile. "You’ve made progress, even if it doesn’t feel like it. Keep practicing, and you’ll get there."

I nodded, appreciating her words even if I didn’t fully believe them. Together, we returned to the meeting point, where the rest of the class was already gathering.

Miss Fia addressed the group once more, dismissing us for the day. As we dispersed, I couldn’t shake the feeling of disappointment. But deep down, I knew I couldn’t give up.