I nodded and began to lift the weights, focusing on maintaining proper posture and engaging the correct muscles.
I focused on my reflection in the mirror, raising the dumbbells in a steady rhythm. But as I increased the pace, Dove's expression changed. Her brow furrowed, and a hint of concern flickered across her face.
"Whoa there, slow down! You're moving too fast. Take it slow and steady, with controlled movements... how about we do half and half movement."
I stopped, a bit embarrassed by my overzealousness.
"Half and half?" I asked, unsure of what she meant.
"Exactly, Divide the movement into two parts. Let's say you have three points in the movement: point one is your arms fully extended, point two is halfway up, and point three is the peak of the curl. Do ten repetitions from point one to point two, then ten repetitions from point two to point three. Got it?"
"Okay, I'll try," I replied, determined to get it right this time.
I started again, following her instructions carefully. As I lifted the weights, I focused on the contraction of my biceps, feeling the burn as the muscles worked. I counted each repetition, making sure to maintain a slow, controlled pace.
One... two... three...
The weight felt heavier than I expected, but I pushed through, determined to prove myself.
Four... five... six...
My arms began to tremble, but I kept going, fueled by the encouragement in Dove's eyes.
Seven... eight... nine... ten.
I lowered the weights, my arms shaking with exhaustion. I had completed the first set of ten repetitions from point one to point two.
"Good, Now, ten more from point two to point three." Dove said, a hint of pride in her voice.
I nodded, taking a deep breath and preparing for the next set. This time, I focused on squeezing my biceps at the top of each repetition, feeling the muscles contract and burn.
One... two... three...
Sweat trickled down my forehead, but I refused to give up.
Four... five... six...
I gritted my teeth, pushing through the pain.
Seven... eight... nine... ten.
I lowered the weights, my arms feeling like lead.
"Excellent work, Xian, You're a natural." Dove said, a smile on her face.
I lowered the weights back to the floor, my chest heaving with exertion.
"I don't think I'm a natural at this," I admitted, wiping the sweat from my brow.
A brief silence hung in the air before Dove burst into laughter. "Of course you're not!" she exclaimed, still chuckling. "You just got a dose of Irune's super steroids!"
"You guys kind of forced me into this."
"Haha, it's for your own good! It'll make you stronger faster!"
I shook my head with a smile, accepting the absurdity of the situation.
"Alright, now that you've got the hang of it, let's move on to the next phase of your training. We'll focus on your core strength and agility."
She led me to a different section of the gym, equipped with an assortment of equipment designed to challenge balance and coordination. There were balance boards, agility ladders, and even a miniature obstacle course.
"This might look silly, but it's crucial for developing your reflexes and spatial awareness. These skills will be invaluable when you're facing... unexpected situations."
I nodded, understanding the importance of honing my physical abilities.
The training session continued for hours, each exercise pushing me to my limits. My muscles burned, my lungs ached, and sweat poured off me like a torrential downpour. But I refused to give up. I pushed through the pain, fueled by the encouragement of my family and the determination to fulfill my destiny.
Everyone in gym stares at us, they probably think why they using this thing?
By the time we finished, I was exhausted but exhilarated. I had never pushed myself so hard before, and the feeling of accomplishment was intoxicating.
As we left the gym, the night air felt cool against my sweat-drenched skin.
"What time is it...?" I asked as we walked side-by-side, my legs still trembling from the intense workout. I clutched my helmet tightly, my fingers still tingling from the exertion.
"It's almost 9:30 PM," Dove replied, glancing at her watch.
"I should probably head home," I said, a yawn escaping my lips.
"Yeah, I know… How did you get here?"
"I rode my mom's bike," I replied, pointing towards the parking lot.
"Can you give me a ride home?" she asked, a hopeful look in her eyes.
"... Sure, how did you get here?" I replied, surprised but not entirely opposed to the idea
"I took a online driver, Come on, let's go!"
I led the way to the parking lot, a newfound sense of camaraderie filling me.
The cool night air whipped past us as we sped through the streets, Dove's arms wrapped tightly around my waist. I couldn't help but smile at the thought that my life wouldn't be entirely consumed by battling supernatural creatures. There would be moments of normalcy, of shared experiences with my newfound family.
"Dove!" I shouted over the roar of the engine, my voice barely audible against the wind.
"Yeah?!" she yelled back, leaning closer.
"Why doesn't my life feel like those action movies?" I asked, a chuckle escaping my lips.
"What do you mean?!"
"Like, I haven't been in a single fight since discovering my powers!"
She squeezed my waist playfully. "You will! Just wait! It's all part of your destiny!"
Her laughter filled the air, a bright sound that seemed to dispel some of the lingering unease from the day's events. "Trust me, you'll get your chance. There's a whole world of trouble out there just waiting for us to tackle."
I couldn't help but smile back. It was true; as Unveiled, our destinies were intertwined with the supernatural, and danger was an inevitable part of our lives.
We continued our ride, the cityscape a blur of lights and shadows.
The excitement of the evening, the knowledge that I was part of something extraordinary, filled me with a newfound sense of purpose.
< Chapter 031 > Fin.