The next day, Lennox woke up feeling strangely energized despite spending the previous night having fun with Theo and Kira. While last night she was already tired as he chatted with Kira for about half an hour,
While feeling strangely energized he attributed his sudden burst of energy to the Nexus Energy, which usually kicks in after a while, but this time it seemed stronger than usual, Lennox felt content about taking a break from practice before. However, he knew it was time to get back to business.
Glancing at the clock, Lennox realized he was already late. "Oh my god, I'm late," he muttered to himself. Lennox prided himself on punctuality, fearing he might miss something important if he were late. Yet, he acknowledged that sometimes unexpected things happen for the opposite.
'Maybe it's okay to cut myself some slack once in a while.'
Hurriedly shedding his clothes and taking a quick shower, Lennox rushed to Nadia's practice room, which doubled as his own room now. Upon entering, he noticed Nadia on the other side of the room. Something about her smile struck him as odd, it caused him to shiver from coldness but coldness that quickly disappeared when she saw him.
Lennox couldn't shake the feeling. 'What was that about?' he wondered. It was unlike Nadia to wear such an expression. Deciding not to dwell on it, he approached her with his usual easygoing demeanor. What he didn't know is that Nadia was cold to others, but their relationship had always been different.
Will she bring it up? is she angry about it? I hate feeling like I'm walking on eggshells around her.
"So, what's on the agenda for today's practice?" Lennox inquired softly, trying to suppress any worries about getting in trouble for last night's escapade. He was eager to learn and perhaps gain more strength from their session, especially since he hadn't practiced with Nadia in a while.
Nadia's silence was unsettling, as she usually responded promptly to Lennox's inquiries. He began to fell like she was really angry at him, so began debating whether he should apologize. Instead, she gently placing her hand against the wall, causing it to slowly part open. A rush of fresh air and the scent of trees greeted him as Nadia turned and walked inside.
As Lennox entered, he marveled at the unfamiliar surroundings. "Wow... I didn't know this place existed," he remarked, taken aback. "What is this place?"
"This is your new practice space," Nadia replied matter-of-factly. "It's equipped with everything you need to enhance your abilities."
Lennox raised an eyebrow. "Alright, but why didn't you show me this before?" he pondered, realizing almost instantly that Nadia likely had her reasons for keeping it hidden. 'She has her secrets,' he concluded silently, understanding her need for privacy.
Nadia didn't answer Lennox but led the way forward, explaining, "After a month of training here, you'll be ready to face higher-grade opponents. But first, you need to strengthen yourself, as they are much more formidable than anyone you've encountered."
"Why, then, was I able to hold my own against Theo and Kira in most fights? even Vorgor" Lennox questioned, his confidence in his abilities momentarily shaken by Nadia's words.
"They were instructed to hold back their strength to aid in your development," Nadia replied simply, without embellishment. 'I knew that wasn't very good to do but it was needed' she thought.
Lennox's mood soured as he processed her words. 'Was I merely holding them back from using there strength?' he mused, feeling a pang of guilt.
Am I really as strong as everyone thinks I am, or am I just fooling myself? What if I'm not good enough to face the challenges ahead?
"Why don't you start by stretching, and then I'll introduce you to the first piece of equipment for your workout," Nadia suggested, offering a practical way to refocus their attention.
Lennox nodded, diligently stretching his muscles to prepare for the upcoming practice. After a few minutes, he approached the array of metal blocks, varying in size.
Nadia gestured towards the largest block. "Start with that one."
Lennox arched an eyebrow. "Shouldn't the biggest block be the heaviest? Wouldn't it make more sense to begin with a smaller one?"
"The weight doesn't correspond to the size," Nadia explained matter-of-factly.
Lennox considered her words, eyeing the seemingly massive blocks before him. 'How heavy are these blocks really?' he wondered, knowing the academy's penchant for durable materials.
Taking a deep breath, Lennox positioned himself and grasped his hand at the side of the largest block, channeling his strength as he lifted it effortlessly. He marveled at the ease with which he handled the weight, thanks to his newfound Nexus rank.
"Keep going until you can't anymore," Nadia instructed with a hint of amusement.
Lennox's eyes widened in surprise. "Until I can't anymore? Doesn't that mean I'll pass out?" he exclaimed, but he dutifully continued his repetitions.
"If you can't handle it, we can always switch to a smaller block," Nadia offered.
"No, I've got this," Lennox insisted, pushing himself to his limits. As time passed and the sun set, he lost track of the repetitions, amazed at his increasing strength. With each set, his Nexus energy surged, making the task easier. Eventually, after what felt like an eternity, the block became too light to challenge him further. He dropped it, feeling a sense of accomplishment.
Nadia interrupted Lennox's thoughts with a mischievous grin. "Strength isn't always about size, Lennox. It's about endurance, resilience, and pushing your limits. Now, get into a push-up position on the third block."
Positioning himself on the side of the heavy block, he prepared himself, while Nadia walked to the side of him, But to his surprise, she effortlessly lifted the block with one hand and placed it on his back, adding an unexpected weight to his burden almost slamming him into the ground.
As Lennox began his push-ups, he felt the icy chill seep through the surface of the block, intensifying with each repetition. The cold sensation made the exercise even more grueling.
Midway through, Nadia, seizing the opportunity to increase the intensity, leaped onto the block, further adding to Lennox's struggle. The sudden weight on his back amplified the challenge, causing his muscles to strain under the pressure.
Lennox couldn't help but grunt in pain and wonder if Nadia's actions were a form of payback for sneaking out. As he pushed through the pain, he felt a tear in his muscles, causing his hand and biceps to twinge. He struggled to maintain his strength, feeling his muscles falter.
But then, a strange sensation washed over him. His muscles began to heal at an astonishing rate, much faster than any normal human could manage. It dawned on him that he had unlocked a new Nexus body function when he ranked up: the Nexus of Vitality (Sacrum). This enhancement promoted rapid healing and vitality, allowing him to recover from fatigue and injuries with incredible speed. It's usually the case that without exerting any extra effort, using nexus energy like Kira does to heal herself, it inadvertently heals. However, this time he seemed to be healing much faster than usual, even without the infusion of energy.
Lennox pushed through the pain, as he gritted his teeth, determined to prove himself. He pushed through the biting cold and Nadia's added weight, fueled by the combination of her taunts and the desire to conquer the challenge.
Nadia's voice, now a mix of cold mockery and subtle motivation, spurred him on. "You want to be strong? Prove it, Lennox. The is nothing compared to what you're truly capable of."
Amidst the barrage of taunts, Lennox persisted, shouldering Nadia's challenge while his muscles continued to heal effortlessly after each tear. Over the next few days, he gradually lifted heavier metal blocks, finding them challenging but manageable with practice.
After finishing with the metal blocks, Lennox spent the next couple of days exploring his surroundings, seeking out new places to exercise. Standing beneath the powerful cascade of a nearby waterfall, a determined expression adorned his face. The thunderous rush of water surrounded him, drowning out all other noise. Despite the overwhelming force of the waterfall pounding against him, Lennox remained resolute.
Feeling the relentless assault of the water, Lennox decided to test himself against it, reminiscent of his previous trials. The waterfall became a test of his focus and composure. Amidst the chaos, Lennox summoned his inner strength, a flicker of flames dancing around him. The clash of water and fire created a mesmerizing display of steam and resistance. He sought to challenge his resistance to water with his fire, perhaps even building a newfound resilience against water.
...
In a secluded clearing, sunlight filtered through the dense foliage above, casting a warm glow over Lennox as he stood in a battle-ready stance.
"I want to develop new attacks and defenses, maybe even figure out what's been going on with my body, why everything feels so different," he said aloud.
With a swift motion, Lennox conjured controlled flames in each palm. The flickering fire danced in sync with his movements as he began a series of precise punches, the flames trailing behind his clenched fists. Each punch sliced through the air with a rhythmic whoosh.
Transitioning seamlessly, Lennox shifted into a display of swift kicks, flames now engulfing his feet. Each kick was executed with precision, leaving fleeting fiery trails in the air.
Lennox moved with a seamless blend of fluidity and controlled aggression, the fire responding to every twist and turn of his body. The ground absorbed the energy of each strike, causing leaves to rustle in response to the controlled force generated.
"In the heat of battle, focus becomes my most valuable weapon, honed to a razor-sharp edge. With every strike, I cut through distractions and doubts, channeling my energy towards victory."