Though Marcellus was absent from the castle, Alia wasted no time. She understood that this world was filled with unknown challenges. Whether it was facing potential enemies or protecting herself, she needed to remain vigilant. She channeled her focus into rigorous training, aiming to unleash the potential and flexibility of this new body.
In the early morning mist, Alia donned a lightweight training outfit and stood in the upgraded practice room she'd refurbished days prior. The room was spacious and bright, with a specially designed floor that absorbed shocks and facilitated agile movement. It had become her most frequented space of late.
At first, her movements had been stiff; after all, this body was different from her original one. But through relentless practice, she gradually adapted to its unique traits. While it lacked raw strength, it boasted exceptional agility, with natural advantages in flexibility and speed.
"One more time," she murmured, taking a deep breath as she assumed her starting stance. The short blade in her hand glimmered faintly under the sunlight.
This blade had arrived a few days ago, smuggled to her by Elias in a nondescript package. How he managed to bypass security checks to include a weapon remained a mystery. The package was marked simply with "For Livia only," and inside, besides the blade, was a single line: "I know you need this."
Reading those words, Alia couldn't decide whether to praise Elias for his perceptiveness or scold him for meddling. Did he deduce her increased security measures and decide to send her this dagger as support?
"If you're going to help, why not just send me a gun?" Alia muttered wryly. Yet she knew firearms were heavily regulated, and even if one were accessible, her unfamiliarity with them would make her more a danger to herself than any opponent. Plus, there was no safe way to practice with one inside the castle.
The dagger, however, had been her weapon of choice in her previous life—a tool she wielded with masterful ease. Perhaps Elias had remembered her "training room" from their last encounter and thought of this gift.
Examining the finely crafted blade, Alia could tell it was the work of a master.
Elias was meticulous and daring, while Marcellus, though warm and dependable, had never asked her about the security upgrades. Whether this was out of trust or indifference, she couldn't say.
"You're comparing them again," Alia chided herself, shaking her head to dismiss such unnecessary thoughts.
Focusing on the wooden dummy across the room, she leaped forward with explosive precision. The blade carved a swift arc through the air, landing perfectly on the "heart" target marked on the dummy. In the same fluid motion, she retreated and dropped low to the ground, twisting her body to slash at the dummy's base—a technique mimicking movements against a towering adversary.
Sweat dripped from her forehead, but her gaze only grew sharper. After countless repetitions, these actions were no longer conscious efforts but ingrained muscle memory.
"It's not enough. I need to be faster," she muttered under her breath.
She didn't stop at basic drills. She challenged herself with climbing, tumbling, and other advanced maneuvers. One corner of the practice room had been transformed into a complex obstacle course, simulating infiltration or escape scenarios. Sometimes, she even trained blindfolded, relying on instinct and memory to navigate the obstacles, sharpening her environmental awareness.
"This body has far more potential than I imagined," Alia mused during a brief rest, massaging her sore calves. Despite the fatigue, a hint of satisfaction shone in her eyes.
With each passing day, her coordination and agility reached new heights. She even discovered that this body was better suited for certain combat techniques than her previous one. Its nimble footwork and delicate precision made her blade strikes more fluid and stealthy.
The relentless training not only honed her physical skills but also fortified her resolve. This perseverance reassured her that, no matter the dangers ahead, she could face them head-on.
After a grueling morning session, Alia's body felt drained, yet her mind was invigorated. She wiped the sweat from her brow with a towel and headed to the bathroom. Warm water cascaded over her, washing away the soreness and exhaustion. She closed her eyes, savoring the relaxation as every muscle in her body unwound.
Once refreshed, she swiftly tied her hair into a neat style and slipped into a simple yet elegant dress. Standing before the mirror, she allowed herself a small smile. The reflection staring back at her was both capable and composed—exactly the image she wanted to project.
Settling by the window with a cup of tea, Alia allowed her thoughts to drift. Sunlight filtered through the curtains, casting a warm glow on her serene profile. Suddenly, she recalled a promise made days ago to meet Lianna for brunch—something her busy schedule had almost caused her to forget.
"I should reach out to her," Alia murmured, setting down her cup and picking up the phone.
The call connected quickly, and Lianna's familiar cheerful voice rang out, "Livia! It's been ages since I heard from you. How have you been?"
"I've been well, just caught up in a lot lately," Alia replied warmly, though tinged with a trace of apology. "Remember we talked about grabbing brunch together? Did you still want to go?"
"Of course, I do!" Lianna exclaimed excitedly. "I thought you might have forgotten!"
"How could I forget? Let's meet tomorrow at Central Square, at the place you suggested."
"Perfect! I'll be there early—don't you dare be late!"
"Don't worry, I'll be on time," Alia reassured her with a soft laugh before ending the call.
She hoped tomorrow would offer a rare moment of respite—a chance to enjoy a simple meal and a leisurely stroll with Lianna, easing her tense mind.
But in a world shrouded in mysteries, Alia knew she could never truly let her guard down.