Lying on the plush bed in my grand chamber, I couldn't shake the thoughts running through my mind. "The skills are great," I murmured to myself.
"but how do I actually get stronger?" My eyes drifted to the faint shimmer of moonlight filtering in through the silken curtains, illuminating the carved symbols on the walls.
The purified body skill I had selected seemed simple enough on the surface, but the description had been frustratingly vague.
"It just says I need to exercise during the initial stage," I muttered. "But the others don't give any guidance at all."
A plan started to form in my head, however incomplete it might be. "I'll start with that tonight and figure out the rest tomorrow"
A curious question lingered 'I wonder how much exercise it takes to affect my body'.
Was it a few push-ups, or would I need to train like a seasoned athlete?
Sitting up, I swung my legs off the bed, feeling the day's tension clinging to my muscles. A sense of determination flooded through me.
If getting stronger was the key to surviving and thriving in this world, then I'd need to start somewhere—even if it was as simple as a few late-night exercises.
The rest of the skills could wait, but this one, this purified body skill, was something I could work on immediately.
I stood up and clenched my fists, feeling the weight of my choices and the potential that lay ahead. Tonight, I would test the waters of this new strength, and tomorrow, I would dive deeper into understanding my abilities.
"Haaaa," I sighed.
"Alright," I murmured to myself.
"let's see what kind of clothes they've stocked in this place, if any."
Walking over to the massive closet that loomed in one corner of the room, I pulled open the intricately carved doors.
Inside, I was met with an array of clothing options, from formal attire worthy of royalty to simple and practical garments.
My eyes landed on a set of sports clothes—breathable and perfect for a late-night workout. Grabbing the athletic wear, I quickly changed the comfort of the fabric a pleasant surprise.
Dressed and ready, I left my room and made my way back down the elegant, moonlit walkway. The marble floors were cool beneath my feet, and the golden sconces cast a warm glow along the walls.
The hall had quieted, save for a few maids and butlers on night duty. They nodded respectfully as I passed, and I returned their gestures, still adjusting to the reality of being treated with such deference.
I approached one of the maids, a young woman who seemed startled yet attentive as I turned to her. "Hey, sorry," I said, trying not to sound too out of place, "is there anywhere I could exercise outside?"
Her eyes lit up with polite attentiveness.
"No need to be so polite, sir," she replied with a gentle smile. "Yes, allow me to lead you there."
I followed as she guided me through the hall and into the cool night air.
Once again, as I stepped outside, I was hit with the invigorating freshness of the night air, an undeniable sense of connection to the surroundings coursing through me.
The breeze felt almost alive, carrying a purity that I had never experienced back on Earth. It made me pause, closing my eyes for a moment to savor the sensation, letting it wash over me.
The maid, noticing my sudden halt, turned back with a hint of concern. "Is something the matter, sir?" she asked, her voice gentle but curious.
I let out a small laugh. "Haha, sorry, quite the opposite, actually," I said, smiling. "It's just... the air here is amazing compared to where I'm from."
She tilted her head slightly, her expression tinged with a bit of confusion.
"Is that so?" she replied thoughtfully.
"I've always found the air in the capital quite suffocating, if I'm to be completely honest."
I scratched my chin, intrigued. "Interesting," I mused.
"So it gets even better elsewhere?"
The maid gave a slight bow. "Apologies for being blunt, sir," she said, resuming her polite demeanor.
"The training area is this way."
I waved off her apology, smiling warmly.
"There's no need to apologize to me for that," I assured her.
"In fact, I'd appreciate it if you and the rest of the staff were more blunt and comfortable around me. Honestly, I'd prefer that."
The maid straightened, a touch of surprise flickering in her eyes before she nodded. "Understood," she replied, her tone a bit less formal and more genuine.
As we continued along the cobblestone path, the building ahead loomed larger, revealing itself to be a massive, medieval training center. Stone archways framed the wide, open gates, and sturdy wooden beams supported the roof that covered part of the training area.
Inside, racks of well-crafted swords, spears, and shields lined the walls, and straw dummies stood ready for combat practice.
The ground was packed with hard, reddish clay, worn smooth in places by years of relentless training.
Stepping onto the clay surface, I felt an immediate discomfort, like a disconnect from the natural energy I had felt so strongly before.
The packed earth beneath my feet felt sterile, lacking the vibrant life I had just been reveling in moments ago. A slight frown creased my brow.
Turning to the maid, I asked, "Sorry, but is there somewhere more natural than here?"
She seemed to consider my request for a moment before gesturing to a nearby gate. "Through that gate to your left and up that hill, there's a nice spot," she offered.
"Thank you I'm sure I can find my way from here"
"Very well, it was a pleasure guiding you"
As I stepped out of the gate, an immediate sense of relief washed over me, and I couldn't help but let out a breath.
"Whew," I sighed, feeling the vibrant energy of the natural world return to me.
"There was no way I could train there," I murmured to myself, marveling at how much better everything felt out here.
The air was alive, the ground seemed to hum with energy, and the breeze carried the whispers of leaves and the scent of wildflowers.
Walking up the hill, I found myself approaching a stunning sight. A large, lone tree stood majestically, its wide canopy spreading over part of a serene pond below.
The pond was crystalline, its surface reflecting the moonlight like a mirror. In the center of the water was a small island, lush with grasses and wildflowers, adding a magical touch to the landscape.
"Wow," I breathed, taking in the scene. "It's beautiful up here."
The tranquility and beauty of the place were almost surreal.
"Alright, enough gawking," I said to myself, snapping out of my reverie. "Time to get to work."
The beauty of the place had filled me with awe, but now it was time to channel that energy into something productive.
I rolled my shoulders, stretching my arms above my head, and took a few deep breaths to steady myself.
The purified body skill needed exercise to trigger its effects, and while the specifics of how much were still unclear, there was only one way to find out: start moving.
"Let's start with the basics," I said with determination. "A bunch of everything—push-ups, sit-ups, squats, and some running."
Dropping down onto the soft, grassy earth, I positioned myself for push-ups. The grass cushioned my palms, and as I began, the rhythmic motion helped me focus.
One, two, three… I counted under my breath, pushing through the repetitions and feeling my muscles start to work.
The night air kept me cool, the breeze brushing past as if cheering me on. A slight almost heartbeat sensation pulsing from the ground below.
After a set of push-ups, I flipped onto my back for sit-ups. The stars above twinkled brightly, and with each rise, I caught a glimpse of the sky through the branches of the massive tree, as if the universe itself was bearing witness to my effort.
The strain in my core was a welcome feeling—a reminder that my body, though altered, still operated under the rules of physical effort.
Next were squats. I planted my feet firmly in the soil, feeling connected to the ground as I lowered and lifted myself repeatedly.
The earth seemed to support me, and the pond beside me rippled gently, as if in response to the exertion. Each movement felt grounding, stabilizing, like a rhythm in tune with nature.
Finally, I broke into a run, circling the pond and weaving through the tall grass that covered the hill. My breath came in steady bursts, and my heart thumped in my chest.
It felt good—almost exhilarating—to push myself, to feel alive in a world that still seemed so unreal. The wind rushed past, carrying the scent of flowers and freshwater.
After finishing the run, I collapsed onto the soft grass, limbs heavy with exhaustion.
My chest rose and fell rapidly as I stared up at the expanse of the night sky, the stars twinkling above like scattered diamonds.
"Wheeow," I gasped, letting out a tired but satisfied chuckle. "That was more exercise than I've done in a while."
The serene beauty of the place made it hard to stay focused on how worn out I felt.
"I'll take some deep breaths," I said to myself,
"then walk back." Closing my eyes, I tried to steady my breathing, inhaling deeply and exhaling slowly.
My lower back, where my shirt had ridden up from the workout, pressed against the cool, dewy grass. With each slow inhale, I felt a refreshing, almost soothing sensation flow into my core.
It was like the earth itself was breathing life into me, a cool energy that seeped into my body, replenishing and revitalizing me.
As I exhaled, the heat, sweat, and fatigue seemed to drain from me, flowing out into the ground and carried away on the breeze that whispered past.
The sensation was calming, almost magical, as if the natural world was helping me recover, embracing me in its rhythm and energy.
Time slipped away as I lay there, my breaths falling into a slow, rhythmic pattern, each inhale and exhale connecting me more deeply to the magic of this world.
The soothing sensations, the cool energy of the earth mingling with my own, made everything feel dreamlike, and for a moment, I lost myself in that tranquility.
Then, a loud creak shattered the stillness, echoing through the air and breaking me out of my trance.
My eyes snapped open, and I quickly sat up, scanning the dark expanse around me. The sound came from somewhere in the distance, from the direction of the training center or perhaps beyond. 'Must be Alex and Elara getting back from their meeting'.
But as I pushed off the ground, an unfamiliar sensation coursed through me. My muscles felt... different. I jumped up with surprising ease, and my eyes widened in shock.
My body felt lighter, and stronger, as if the weariness from my workout had not only dissipated but left me more energized than before.
"What... what just happened?" I whispered to myself, bewildered. It was as if my brief connection to the elements had unlocked something deeper within me.
A soft smile spread across my face as I remained there. 'Seems like my skills have a surprising synergy' I thought.
Whatever it was, I felt at peace, more energized and stronger than before the workout.
"I feel like I could do another workout," I said clenching my fist feeling slightly stronger than before.
"Screw it may as well, it's not like I'm tired yet"