Kaiden's body ached from the intensity of the past three months. Every muscle, every bone had been pushed to its limit. His eyes wandered over to the training area just outside his window, where the morning sunlight spilled across the ground. Today was the start of his final push—the last four days before the exam.
He ran a hand through his hair, a few strands stuck to his forehead, sweat dripping as his mind went back to the beginning of his training.
The First Steps
It all started three months ago when he first saw the "transparent world" in his vision. The strange, vivid clarity had revealed more than just the Flow running through his veins—it showed the imperfections of his own body, the areas where his muscles were either underdeveloped or uneven.
At first, Kaiden had no idea what to do with the information. He'd been focusing on honing his control of Flow, yet that focus had led to unintended consequences. He had used too much of his Flow in certain areas, focusing on techniques and training that drained his muscle mass instead of building it.
It wasn't until that moment—seeing his own body laid bare in the transparent world—that he realized he needed to correct the imbalances. He could see how his left arm had more muscle mass than his right, and how his calves were visibly weaker than his thighs. His posture had become slightly off due to an underdeveloped core. It was like a map laid out before him, showing the parts of his body that had been neglected.
The Plan for Recovery
Kaiden had always known that control of Flow was key to his progress, but now he understood how deep that control needed to go. It wasn't just about techniques or the energy that ran through his body. It was about balancing the internal and external forces. The Flow needed to be redirected, focused in the right places.
He began practicing his control, using Flow to enhance his physical movements, but with an emphasis on rehabilitation—on gaining back the muscle mass he had lost and more. He had spent hours at a time studying his anatomy, paying careful attention to each muscle group and bone structure, mapping out where the weaknesses were and how to fix them.
The Transparent World
Kaiden stood in front of the training area now, mentally preparing himself. He closed his eyes, reaching for his Flow and calling on it, tapping into the power that ran through his veins. Slowly, his vision began to distort, the edges of reality softening. The world around him became clearer, more defined, until everything took on a surreal transparency.
He could see it all—the veins under his skin, the Flow that pulsed through him, the shifting muscles as they reacted to the Flow coursing through his limbs. He focused on the spots where his body was uneven.
First, his legs. His calves were smaller than they should have been for his size, and the muscle definition was noticeably lacking. He could see the imbalance in the size of his thighs compared to his calves. Kaiden frowned and nodded to himself. Time to fix that.
His left arm was also more developed than his right. The muscle density in the biceps and triceps was greater on his dominant side, something he had never really noticed before. He needed to balance this out. And his core? It was weaker than he'd expected, something he hadn't realized until now. His lower back muscles weren't developed enough to give him a strong, stable base, and it was throwing off his posture.
With a sharp inhale, Kaiden focused his Flow on these problem areas. He could see his muscles subtly shifting as he adjusted the Flow to stimulate muscle growth in these weak spots. He could see the imbalance correcting itself, the muscle fibers growing stronger, denser.
The Training Plan
Kaiden had already begun his training to fix these imbalances over the past few days. He had focused on low-impact strength exercises, using Flow to enhance his movements while keeping the strain on his body manageable. Now, with his time running short, he had devised a more intense plan.
For the next four days, Kaiden would spend hours targeting his weak areas. His training would be divided into three key sections:
Core Stabilization
He would begin with exercises focused on strengthening his core. He needed to develop his abs, obliques, and lower back muscles to support his upper body. Planks, leg raises, and rotational exercises would be his foundation. He would use his Flow to stabilize and strengthen the muscles in his lower back, gradually building endurance and power.
Lower Body Strengthening
Next, he would focus on his calves and thighs. Squats, lunges, and calf raises, all done while channeling Flow through his legs, would help develop the muscle mass he needed. For the next four days, he would push his body to its limits, using Flow to ensure he was targeting the right muscles and maximizing each rep. The goal wasn't just strength—it was mass and balance.
Arm Symmetry
Finally, Kaiden would focus on his arms, targeting his weaker right arm. His workouts would consist of basic lifts—bicep curls, tricep dips, and push-ups—focusing solely on building the muscle density in his right arm to match his left. By carefully channeling Flow into his right side, he would stimulate growth, working to bring both arms into balance.
Flow Control and Application
Throughout all of this, Kaiden would continue to practice his Flow control. It wasn't just about using Flow to strengthen his muscles; it was about making sure the Flow was efficient. He couldn't afford to waste energy. Kaiden had learned that the key to Flow wasn't about raw power—it was about precision, about using just enough Flow to get the desired effect without overloading his body.
He would also integrate Flow into his daily routines, like running and sparring, so that his body would become accustomed to working with Flow, making the muscle-building process faster and more natural.
But more than anything, Kaiden needed rest. Recovery was just as important as training, so he planned his routine with enough downtime to allow his body to rebuild without overtaxing it.
The Four Days
The next four days passed in a blur of sweat, blood, and determination. Kaiden trained relentlessly, focusing on every detail, every movement. The strain was brutal, but he pushed through it. His body screamed for rest, but he didn't relent.
Every morning, he would activate his Flow and enter the transparent world, checking for progress. The imbalances were slowly disappearing. His legs began to look more proportional, his arms began to feel stronger, and his core grew tighter, more supportive.
The Exam Day
Finally, the day arrived. Kaiden stood before the mirror once more, taking a long look at himself. His body had changed, visibly stronger and more balanced. The muscles he had worked so hard to build were now more defined, his posture better. His Flow felt stronger too—more controlled, more powerful.
He clenched his fists, ready. He had worked for this. The next few days would test him in ways he couldn't predict, but Kaiden felt confident. He had trained, prepared, and adapted. Now it was time to prove it.
With a deep breath, Kaiden walked toward the door, feeling the weight of the upcoming examination cycle pressing on him. But there was something else too. A sense of purpose. A sense that no matter what happened, he was ready for whatever challenge lay ahead.
End of Chapter 42
Kaiden's body had transformed, his control over his Flow had reached new heights, and he stood ready to face the challenges ahead. The examination cycle was only the beginning of his journey, but it was the first step toward his true goal.