When the morning sunlight spilled through the gaps in the curtains and into the dorm room, Victoria opened her eyes right on time.
She had never been one to linger in bed. As soon as she woke, she briskly sat up, washed, and changed into a set of fitted workout clothes. Then, out of habit, she walked to the room next door and knocked.
"Sylvia, time to get up. Let's go for a run."
But there was no answer.
Victoria knocked twice more, but there was still no response.
Only then did she suddenly remember that, since Sylvia's identity as a Candidate Saintess had been exposed, she had been obliged to handle official duties at the Church of Light's branch in the City of Honor ever since the vacation began.
So it seemed she could no longer join Victoria for a morning run every day.
"It's all that damned Veronica's fault!"
After muttering under her breath, Victoria turned and left the dorm building alone.
The morning air carried the fresh scent of grass and trees, invigorating her with every breath.
Since it was vacation, there were far fewer people at the Academy than usual, with only a handful of figures scattered along the broad Tree-Lined Avenue.
Victoria began jogging along the familiar path, her steps light and rhythmic. Her high gray ponytail swished behind her, gleaming softly in the morning light.
But after running for a while, she noticed more and more eyes turning toward her.
Some boys who were also out exercising had spotted Victoria, and their gazes lingered on her.
Although Victoria was admittedly rather flat-chested, her tight workout clothes showed off every advantage the rest of her figure had to offer.
Beneath her fitted shorts stretched a pair of practically perfect long legs, beautiful in their health