Leon spent the next half a day, going to work. He had a lot of hard work ahead of him if he wanted to get anywhere close to his level of strength in his previous life.
But one thing that kept him going was the feeling of despair he felt in his final fight against the elder's association.
[If I can't beat them when I was at my peak form then that only means I have to grow stronger in this life. If I worked until I was sweating and exhausted, then now I'll push myself past those limits and reach new heights!]
Ren watching the young master show so much grit and determination in his first workout session, surprised him a lot. To the point where he couldn't help but put it down to Leon awaking his inner beast.
After all, a tiger's son is still a tiger...
"Leon, don't push yourself too hard. Although you might not be feeling it now, this will completely exhaust your body like never before. Adding to that, you have just consumed something that was harmful to your body, even though you did it intentionally, there could be hidden complications. The doctor did warn us..." Ren spoke worriedly but he still maintained his distance, feeling it was better to just watch at the moment.
"Don't worry Ren, I know my body best. I can handle this much!" Leon replied still focusing on his workout.
What was Leon actually doing to increase his strength?
He was following a routine from his master. He started off with a horse stance to improve his core strength, then followed that by completing a strange set of yoga movements. This was mainly to improve the control he had over his body and to improve his own flexibility.
In his past life, his master had called this the 12 poses of Bahamut. Named after the famous legendary dragon, that was seen as a godly beast to many in the world of Terra.
His master always spoke about how just staying consistent with this workout could shape any normal man into a hidden dragon if done correctly.
The poses also helped reshape his body as they focused on opening up the 12 pathways inside the body for mana later on. These pathways were referred to as meridians and they helped normalise mana in humans. The stronger and larger they were generally meant a person could hold a higher and denser quality of mana, which led to them being stronger than others. These meridians were almost always blocked from birth and opening them and filling them with mana would symbolise an increase in rank.
Currently, through performing these poses, Leon was unblocking those clogged up pathways, slowly but surely and then taking it one step further than normal knights, he was strengthening them and widening them.
Then Leon finished off his workout routine with a high-intensity body tempering art passed down from his master. He didn't actually have a name for the art but since it was given by his master and produced an excellent result in his past life he stuck with it.
The art forced Leon to punch out many times in a set standard. Using all different types of muscle groups across his body. And since this was the first time some of the muscles were even being used and strained so much, his actions looked pitiful.
Yet Ren watching over was amazed, muttering to himself in delight "Although crude, this art is by no means ordinary... It's as if he has conjured a dragon in his movements!"
*****
He must have given his all for close to 6 hours, an unbelievable feat for his first time. Truthfully, Leon had expected to crumble due to his weak body but he managed to stick through to the end, relying purely on his hardened will.
Slumping to the ground, Ren brought a ball of water from the side and handed it to Leon. "You did well, seriously!"
"Thanks... Ren..." He spoke two words before demolishing the water inside the bowl. It was safe to say he was dehydrated right now.
"Ahhhh, that is the good stuff right there. There is nothing better than a drink after a workout."
"Hahaha, alright, alright, don't get carried away just yet young master. This was your first time after all!" Ren laughed at Leon's antics but Leon just smiled at Ren.
[Oh boy, if you knew what I have been through hah!]
"Well, I guess you must be hungry after that intense workout and maybe tired. Either way, we should probably get back to the palace." Ren suggested and Leon nodded in agreement.
Right now, his entire body was screaming out to Leon in pain. He didn't actually know if he would be able to move if he carried on for too long.
"You bet you, I need to eat and then sleep for a little while. Let's go!"
Leon made his way back with the help of Ren. Towards the end, he was complaining like a tired child that was dragged shopping by his mother but Ren just ignored him for the most part or replied back with a cold "This was your idea remember!"
After that Leon couldn't help but shut up...
He ate a full meal of meat and even had the kitchen bring him a second serving as he refilled his energy. The kitchen had been sending him nothing but high-quality food since the incident, which Leon was thankful about.
Right now he couldn't be bothered to have Ren spend his own money to find food from the markets in the capital.
[Looks like I'm going to have to sort out the hidden problems in the palace without the Empress finding out if I want to develop myself effectively!]
Leon didn't think too deeply into the passing thought as he was too tired and slept for the remainder of the day. He didn't even bother washing up and left it till the next morning.
*****
-Next day-
Leon woke up still slightly sore but this was something he was all too familiar with from his past life and it didn't inconvenience him too much.
He washed and had a filling breakfast while taking in the scenery from his open window in his room. He had received good news this morning that his sister had managed to send a reply to his letter.
Which he was about to open.
Leon made sure to be careful with it as if it was a message from God himself. That was how much he valued his sister's words. Taking it out of the envelope he placed it to the side.
"Dear brother,"
"I hope you are well as am I. I haven't heard from you in a while and was hoping you are in good spirits!"
[It seems someone is reading her letters and she is aware of this fact!]
"I am enjoying my time in the academy, I get to learn all types of fun things and some boring things of course but I am happy. They also have the best strawberry cake there too, you have to try it when you turn 14 and join me here too."
[She likes strawberry cake, noted!] Leon thought seriously, remembering to get her some as a present the next time they came face to face!
"Your big sister, who loves you to the stars and back!"
"Rosie!"
Leon smiled blissfully. Even though the letter had to be one of interest instead of her actual reply she was smart enough to still alert Leon of her situation. Right now, she was at the academy and she was eating well. And for now, Leon could settle his impatience with that fact.
"Ah Rosie, I'm glad you're ok right now..." Leon muttered to himself with a smile of relief on his face.
"It won't be long before you can speak freely without the constant worry of someone hearing you and using it against you!"
"Until then just stay safe..."
As for the rest of the few days up until the Empress's banquet, Leon spent it in peace. He didn't have any visitors and he didn't go out into the capital since he had taken care of his attire a few days ago.
Speaking of which, Ren had snuck out and picked up his clothes and Leon had to say that the end result was remarkable.
He stuck with his daily training and even added in a long run around the forest in the backyard. This way he could build up the necessary stamina that he was currently lacking.
And before he knew it the day of the banquet had come...