The cold morning air swept in from the Espect Sea. I made my way across the empty hallway, each breath forming visible clouds in the crisp dawn air. Entering the gym felt like stepping into a freezer. The dim lighting barely illuminated the metal equipment, which seemed almost frosty under the early light.
As the doors slid shut behind me, the familiar beep of the system came to life, displaying the morning's task in a glowing blue hue. Today's reward was higher—85 Power Points. That meant the training would be even tougher than last night.
Objective: Complete all strength tasks within the time limit.
Time Limit: 60 minutes.
Reward: +85 Power Points.
Penalty: -10 Power Points if unfinished.
Mr. Justin, the gym's caretaker, was already inside, wiping down the equipment. He gave me a quick nod, acknowledging my arrival, but said nothing as I made my way to the first station. Three seniors from the advanced class passed by, their silent footsteps echoing as they headed to the high-ranking gym reserved for elite trainees. I was on my own in the main gym, facing what was sure to be a brutal session.
The Warm-Up (4:05 AM)
I approached the bench press, the cold steel of the bar biting into my hands. My muscles were still waking up, and the chilly air only made it harder. The system beeped again, starting the countdown for the first task.
Max Rep Challenge – Weight Lifting
Goal: Complete all rounds in 15 minutes.
Round 1: 60% of body weight.
My muscles tensed as I lifted the bar, the cold making each rep feel heavier than it should. The silence in the gym was broken only by the rhythmic clank of weights.
Beep.
+5 Power Points.
Time Left: 55 minutes.
Round 2: 75% of body weight.
The weight increased, and my pace slowed. My breaths became more deliberate as I focused on pushing through the strain.
Beep.
+5 Power Points.
Time Left: 52 minutes.
Round 3: 90% of body weight.
My arms quivered under the strain. Sweat began to bead on my forehead despite the cold as the reps tested my endurance.
Beep.
+5 Power Points.
Time Left: 49 minutes.
Final Round: Max body weight.
My entire body felt the impact of the weight as I pushed through the last reps. Each lift was a battle, but I finished with a sense of satisfaction.
Beep.
+10 Power Points.
Time Left: 45 minutes.
Scene 3: Tire Flip & Sledgehammer Smash (4:20 AM)
The next station greeted me with the familiar sight of the massive tire waiting to be flipped, its weight daunting in the cold air.
Task 2: Explosive Training – Tire Flip & Sledgehammer Smash
Goal: Complete 10 flips and 30 hammer strikes within 10 minutes.
Tire Flip: My hands stung as I gripped the cold rubber, flipping the tire with effort. Each flip sent a dull thud echoing through the gym, a reminder of the challenge ahead.
Beep.
+3 Power Points.
Time Left: 35 minutes.
Sledgehammer Smash: I grabbed the sledgehammer and swung with all my might. The repetitive slams against the tire broke the quiet of the gym.
Beep.
+3 Power Points.
Time Left: 32 minutes.
Bodyweight Strength Circuit (4:30 AM)
The next station was a bodyweight circuit, designed to push my endurance further. The screen flashed with the tasks, the time ticking away faster than expected.
Task 3: Bodyweight Strength Circuit
Goal: Complete the circuit without rest in 8 minutes.
Pull-ups: My arms burned from the bench press, but I gripped the bar tightly and pulled myself up. Each rep felt heavier than the last.
Beep.
+2 Power Points.
Time Left: 28 minutes.
Push-ups: The cold floor pressed against my palms as I powered through each push-up, my muscles screaming for a break.
Beep.
+2 Power Points.
Time Left: 25 minutes.
Pistol Squats: My legs wobbled as I performed the squats, fatigue setting in fast.
Beep.
+2 Power Points.
Time Left: 22 minutes.
Plank Hold: My core tightened as I held the plank position, counting each second as my arms and legs trembled.
Beep.
+2 Power Points.
Time Left: 20 minutes.
-Burpees: The final task in the circuit drained the last of my energy, but I forced myself to keep moving.
Beep.
+2 Power Points.
Completion Bonus: +10 Power Points for completing without rest.
Time Left: 18 minutes.
Scene 5: The Weighted Carry (4:40 AM)
I moved to the far side of the gym where the sandbags waited. The weight felt immense on my shoulders, and every step was a test of will.
Task 4: Weighted Carry
Goal: Complete three rounds within 10 minutes.
The first round felt manageable, but by the second, my legs were trembling. The third round nearly crushed me, but I pushed through, each step feeling like an eternity.
Beep.
+5 Power Points per round.
Time Left: 8 minutes.
Bonus Task – Max Time Hold (4:50 AM)
The final task was a test of endurance, a weighted plate hold that required me to lift the plate above my head and hold it for as long as possible.
Task 5: Max Time Hold
Goal: Hold the plate above your head for 5 minutes.
By now, my arms were on fire. I could barely lift the plate, but I managed to raise it above my head. The seconds ticked by agonizingly slow as the system beeped a countdown in my ear. At the two-minute mark, my muscles screamed for relief, but I held on.
Beep.
+10 Power Points.
Time Left: 1 minute.
Completion (4:55 AM)
The last beep rang through signaling the end of the session. I dropped to the floor, completely spent, but satisfied. The system flashed my completion reward across my vision.
Daily Morning session completed
Total Power Points Earned: 85
I breathe heavily as I try to control my breath.
You have made it through the morning training… You have greatly improved master….
ELL sounded different like she was praising me.
Is it me or do you sound more human-like today?.....
That is your imagination master… am just the way I have been…..
Is that so? Then why are you calling me master?...
Because you are…
Huh… Just call me Lex, I feel more comfortable that way…..
****
"Can you believe that?" Marc exclaims, handing me a glass of milk, his voice full of disbelief.
"What's her name again?" I ask, still trying to process what he's saying.
"Jules," he replies.
"Jules!" I repeat, almost shouting in confusion. "I don't know anyone named Jules."
Everyone stares at me, their expressions a mixture of curiosity and concern. I was already thrown off when they mentioned a female recruit had joined. We've never had female recruits—or trainers, for that matter. How could this even be possible?
Answer: Since your return, you've set a new timeline, which means you might encounter events that didn't happen in your previous one.
What? But what about my...
Your objective remains the same: protect Isabella and stop the Malin family. The key events that led you here haven't changed.
I groaned internally, overwhelmed by the gravity of the revelation.
God help me.
I sighed loudly, the weight of it all pressing down on me.
"What's with you lately?" Vin asks, his voice cutting through the tension.
"What do you mean?" I respond, though I already know what he's getting at.
"You've been off. Your concentration's slipping, and you look pale—like something's eating away at you," he says, clearly frustrated.
I laugh it off, trying to shake the uneasy feeling gnawing at me. "It's nothing. I just haven't been sticking to my diet."
The room falls into an awkward silence. We exchange glances, a few nervous chuckles breaking through, but the tension is still there, thick in the air. I lean forward, elbows on my knees, staring at the floor.
"Hey, Marc... Vin..." I start slowly, my voice barely above a whisper. "Do you two still remember what you told me your dreams were when we first met?"
"Yeah!" Marc replies without hesitation. "I said I wanted to be a cyber tech hacker, and Vincent wanted to be a doctor."
His enthusiasm, as usual, is infectious. But Vincent, ever perceptive, is already catching on.
"Why do you ask?" Vincent says, his voice edged with suspicion. He knows. He knows what I'm about to say.
"I think you both should drop out of the academy and chase those dreams," I say, my words heavy, burdened with the truth.
"What?!" Vincent explodes, his face contorting with shock and anger. "Are you serious?"
"Vin, relax, give him a moment to—" Marc tries to interject, but Vincent's anger boils over.
"Don't you get it?" Vincent snaps, shoving Marc aside. "He's finally making progress, and now he thinks we're just dead weight. Something that holding him back."
Vincent steps forward, eyes ablaze with fury. "You think I don't know about your secret training sessions? I've seen you sneaking around since yesterday."
"Vin, calm down—" Marc pleads, trying to defuse the situation.
"It's not that," I say calmly, though inside, I can feel my chest tightening. "But once they're back from suspension, what do you think they'll do to us?"
"They'll come for us," Vincent snaps. "So what?! We stick together, that's the rule!"
"Grow up, Vincent!" I roar, standing abruptly. "Sticking together isn't enough anymore. Those guys are monsters, and when it comes to running, I can't drag both of you along."
"Just say it!" Vincent shouts, charging at me, grabbing my collar in a fit of rage. "Say you think we're holding you back!"
Our eyes lock, burning with anger, the heat between us like a furnace ready to explode.
"Yes!" I shout back, the words cutting through the air like a knife. "Right now, I can handle them on my own. But with you guys... you'll be a liability."
"Fuck you!" Vincent spits, his fist flying towards me. His punch lands hard, sending me crashing to the floor.
"Go to hell!" he snarls, storming out of the room, his anger trailing behind him.
"Lex?" Marc's voice is soft, uncertain, trying to reach me.
"Get out!" I scream, shoving him away with my feet. "Just leave and become a damn good hacker!"
I don't look at him as he backs away. I can't. It's for the best—better than when he gets hurt, like the time his leg was broken. Go make a life for yourself, brother. Tears sting my eyes as I pull my legs to my chest, curling into myself.
Beep!
Not now, ELL. I just want to be alone.