After finishing our stretches, Elis and I listened as Namyl provided a more detailed walkthrough of the equipment.
"I'll give you a brief overview of how things work here," Namyl explained. "First, I’d like you to try the machines in this room without using any Physical Enhancement Magic. Since many within Humankind cannot use magic, we’ve calibrated the resistance in this area for a standard, unenhanced physique. The equipment in the far room, however, is specifically designed to be used while your Physical Enhancement Magic is active. We usually recommend that visitors start here before moving on to the higher-intensity gear."
It was only natural that the use of Physical Enhancement Magic would radically alter one's physical capabilities. For example, if Hina used her magic, she could shatter a boulder with her bare hands, yet if we were to arm-wrestle without any magic involved, I would probably be the one to come out on top.
The gap created by such magic was that immense. It made perfect sense to separate the equipment based on exercise intensity. Flare had clearly done her homework, even taking the varying levels of magical proficiency in the Human Realm into account.
"I'll be standing by to assist you during the trial," Namyl continued. "If anything looks dangerous, I’ll step in immediately, so don't worry. If you don't have any questions, I’d like to start you off with a light run on that machine over there."
"I'm ready when you are," I said.
"I have no objections," Elis added.
"Then, please, follow me. Once you step onto the platform and activate the Magic Tool, the floor beneath your feet will begin to move. All you have to do is match its pace. If you touch this red Magic Crystal, you'll speed up. The blue one slows you down. If you need to stop, just tap the crystal labeled 'Stop' at the front."
Our first stop was a Magic Tool that functioned almost exactly like a treadmill. Elis and I shared a quick nod of agreement before starting it up and settling into a light jogging pace.
Since I regularly jogged with Hina, I was quite accustomed to the motion. We kept the speed low, making the exercise feel effortless.
"How does it feel so far?" Namyl asked.
"It’s good," I replied. "The footing is stable and the pace is easy to maintain. If I had to suggest one thing, though, I think adding handrails to the sides would be a good idea. That way, someone could catch themselves if they lose their balance."
"Understood. I'll take that into consideration. What about you, Lady Elis?"
"I have used similar Magic Tools in the past," Elis said, "but this one is much easier to adjust. I particularly like how it gradually slows down rather than stopping abruptly. It’s a wonderful safety feature. If I were to offer a suggestion, I expect most users will spend a fair amount of time on these machines, so having a way to keep track of the time—perhaps a clock on the wall over there—would be quite helpful."
We offered our feedback while maintaining our stride. Based on Elis's comments, it sounded like treadmill-like Magic Tools already existed in some form, and these were specialized versions for the Gym.
It really was quite well-made. I didn't personally need one for my house since I jogged outdoors with Hina, but having one at home could be a great way to stay active. My parents had mentioned feeling a bit out of shape lately; maybe I should look into getting one for them.
My house certainly had enough space for it.
After about fifteen minutes of jogging, I stopped the device and stepped off. The slow pace meant I wasn't exhausted, but I’d still worked up a light sweat. Namyl handed me a towel to wipe my face, and I reached into my Magic Box to pull out two wooden cups and a sports drink.
"Elis, would you like something to drink? I have straws if you’d prefer one."
"Thank you... What is this?"
"It’s called a sports drink. It’s designed to efficiently replenish fluids and nutrients after a workout. Alice created it. It’s being sold commercially now, and it’s apparently become a hit with adventurers."
"A sports drink? I must admit I was unaware of such a beverage. It has a very refreshing flavor—it’s quite easy to drink."
"I believe it only hit the market very recently," I noted.
The sports drink Alice had made at Hina's request had received high marks from Lilia and the others. Seeing an opportunity, Alice had leveraged her connections to start selling it to the public, where it quickly became a staple for the adventuring crowd.
Since the rollout was still fresh, it was no surprise Elis hadn't encountered it yet.
"Flare seemed to be quite fond of it as well, didn't she?" I asked Namyl.
"Indeed! We plan to stock the sports drink at the shop inside the Gym once we officially open. Our Anego went directly to the Phantasm King to negotiate the contract personally. Because of that, we’ve secured a steady supply. All of us here have been drinking it during our own training sessions, too! I hear it’s also a favorite among the War King's subordinates, so it’s actually getting a bit hard to find lately. Fortunately, Anego moved so fast that we’re near the top of the priority list for shipments!"
It seemed Alice had managed to land a massive account. I could almost see her grinning over the profits. She’d looked so incredibly put-out when Hina first begged her to make it, though...
Serious-senpai: "W-Wait, this isn't right... Elis is actually having a nice, heartwarming time with Kaito instead of suffering from a stomach ache. S-She's acting just like a proper heroine!"
???: "Don't 'Stomach Pain Warriors' usually have high heroine aptitude to begin with? I mean, think about it—Kaito-san usually only gives stomach aches to the people he really cares about..."