Parallel Memory

Hiro, Sylvia, and Lisa also could not help but look toward Zero. The gossip surrounding Zero had become the most talked about topic in the entire Ace Academy.

Everyone, from students to professors, everybody was talking about Zero.

The main characters were no exceptions. Though they don't engage in gossip like other students. But Zero was a different thing for them. They each had some remarkable encounters with Zero.

They each had different feelings toward Zero.

Sylvia was the least surprised of them when Zero defeated Lyon. She had already witnessed Zero's might from the beginning of school. She already saw Zero as someone who is as talented as Hiro.

Zero saved her life at the beginning of school and she considered him someone to whom she is indebted.

Lisa seemed to have complicated emotions towards Zero. As someone who was once chased by him, it felt weird to see Zero as someone who could shock even the S Rank Professors.

He was always goofy and funny in front of her. Always citing some poem to tell her she was beautiful. He received a lot of hate due to that.

But he seemed like someone who would not give up on her no matter what the other students did. However, he did leave her after some time.

Now, the same coward which many people believed he was, is able to shock the world with his power. She just could not see the two of them as the same person.

Zero seems different from the time when he flirted with her, not just in terms of power, but also in terms of aura and disposition.

Hiro was the least person among the three to have any kind of interaction with Zero. But he did know the existence of Zero, as Zero made his name famous by openly chasing after Lisa.

It left a deep impression on Hiro as he had never seen someone who could blatantly chase someone like Zero.

He admired Zero's guts and bravery. Not everyone can do that, at least not to Lisa who had many admirers.

Then he and Zero were constantly harassed by the seniors. The conflict got so big that he had to accept the challenge and fight the two seniors with Zero as his partner.

Hiro felt guilty for dragging Zero into the fight with the seniors. Lucas and Rowan were both weaker than him, and he knew he could easily take care of them.

But he didn't think they would resort to cheating. It could have been his loss if not for Zero helping him at that time.

Then he began noticing Zero's power. During the training, mid-term test, and finally the selection fight, Hiro had ample opportunity to confirm Zero's power.

Hiro thinks of Zero as someone he needs to surpass.

Zion was absent that day. Looks like he still didn't get over his defeat.

*****

[ Zero's POV]

We had Theory class until lunch. After that, I was going to train with Professor Mia.

As usual Professor Mia entered the class at exactly 8:00 am. She took attendance and left the classroom.

"ARGH!"

I groaned as I stretched my arms.

It looked like the training in the morning really took a toll on my body.

As soon as Professor Mia stepped outside the class, I started to doze off.

The professor teaching the class came and noticed that Zero was sleeping.

He thought Zero was disregarding his authority but he didn't say anything to him. Zero had become one of the most talented students in the Ace Academy, to criticize him was inappropriate.

Unless Zero did something outrageous, even a professor would not say anything about what he does. This was his privilege as one of the strongest students in the Ace Academy.

Another professor who later showed up for the next class also didn't say anything about Zero sleeping in class. However, his reason was different from the first professor.

He was aware of the fact that Professor Mia is Zero's mentor. Due to Professor Mia's personality, the professor believed that she must have trained Zero inhumanely.

He has personally witnessed Professor Mia training the students and knows how tough it is to train under her.

The professor could only show sympathy and let Zero rest during his period. He only hopes that this young man could endure until he is finally able to enjoy his youth again.

"UGH!…"

Waking me up was the sound of students chatting and walking. It looks like it was time for lunch.

I also went to the School Cafeteria to eat something. Though the crowd inside the Cafeteria had made me feel quite awkward. There was a large number of students in the cafeteria and when they noticed me, they would stare at me like I was a rare specimen.

I quickly ate the sandwich that I ordered and left that awkward place.

The training once again started with Professor Mia repeating the training that I did in the morning. It appears that she is focusing on enhancing my physical body right now.

The training didn't feel as overbearing as in the morning but it was still tough. After running and lifting a 200 kg barbell, Professor Mia continued my training by letting me run while attaching a bracelet around my arms and legs which weigh 25 kg each. So in total, I had 100 kg added to my body and was to run in a room where the gravity was 5 times more.

It wasn't until 30 minutes later that I fell down due to exhaustion.

"Huff…huff…"

Even with strong stamina, it seems that running in a 5-times gravity room with 100 kg of weight is too much for my body to handle. I have never thought that one day I will fall down due to running.

"Take this!"

Professor Mia suddenly threw a potion in my direction. I immediately knew what kind of potion it was. The potion that Professor Mia gave me was the Recovery potion which is pretty recognizable by its green color.

"We will continue the training after you have rested for 10 minutes."

Professor Mia said as she began jotting down notes in her small notebook. I don't know what that notebook contains but she would now and then write something down.

-GULP! -GULP!

I took the potion and lay on the ground for another 5 minutes before springing back on my feet.

'Time for round 2'