So he tried to break through to the fifth movement during the third week of training.
But like the first attempt, he ended up on his knees on the floor and sweating, waiting for the pain to pass.
On the plus side, it hurt a little less than the last time.
And fortunately, he had tried again at night, otherwise his parents and brother would have been very worried about him.
Between each session, he took good care of his body, observing rigorous rest periods and making sure he kept well hydrated and ate enough to keep his body healthy.
For he had to eat more calories than he burned, if he wanted to strengthen his body.
Just as the simulator had mentioned, diet was very important in building a strong physique.
In the evenings, he immersed himself in his textbooks, studying monster flaws, combat strategies, the principles of ancient martial arts and other contest-related subjects.
Of course, he also took time to chat with his parents and play with his brother.
He had a family now, so he intended to make the most of it.
As part of this, he took a day off to go with them to an amusement park and have some fun together.
And by the time he got home, he was feeling particularly relaxed and cheerful, just like his parents and brother, who were all wearing smiles.
His brother even asked impatiently when they could go back.
The next day, he noticed that his training was about 30% more effective than usual.
And even over the next 2 days, his training was still more effective.
This was proof that taking rest days was not only important for the mind, but also for the body.
As the days went by, Adam noticed more and more progress.
Not so much in his body-forging technique - he hadn't even improved at all - but he could clearly feel his muscles getting firmer.
He had also made significant progress in various school subjects.
His brain was now full of information about this new world, unlike when he first arrived.
He knew no less than a native now, if not more.
After all, he was learning from high school textbooks.
So those younger than him didn't know, and those older might not remember.
In the evenings, he usually found a moment to look up at the stars, giving himself a rare pause to remember why he was fighting. Each time, it gave him a new dose of energy to carry on.
After a month, Adam stood in front of his mirror.
His reflection had changed completely: his once frail body showed muscles shaped by effort and discipline.
His posture was more confident, his gaze more determined.
He hadn't become much stronger, but he had gained self-confidence.
That evening, Adam was at dinner with his parents, Eva and Eric, and his little brother Léo.
The atmosphere was warm and welcoming, and the tantalizing smells of Eric's dishes filled the room.
At the center of the table was a spicy meat stew accompanied by fresh vegetables, a rare commodity in the Kingdom of Keria where harvests often depended on monster attacks.
But her parents could still afford this kind of pleasure from time to time.
"Léo, don't play with your bread, and eat it before I put it in your mouth myself," Eva scolded gently as she filled her youngest son's glass with water.
Léo pouted, but finally obeyed and took a mouthful.
Adam watched his little brother with a smile. Despite the grueling workouts, these family moments allowed him to relax both physically and mentally.
"So, Adam." began Eric, the father, putting down his knife.
"You're getting fitter by the minute, aren't you? Looks like your training's paying off."
"You'll soon be stronger than me," he finally said, laughing.
Of course, Adam didn't take him seriously at all.
For the past month, he'd also been trying to guess his parents' strength and status, but it really seemed that his mother was a schoolteacher, and his father a mechanic.
However, since they'd gone to the city wall to fight, whatever their profession, they must really be strong.
But how strong, that was the question Adam asked himself every day.
"Training's going pretty well yes." Adam replied with a slight smile.
"But there's still a lot to do. I'm only at the beginning of the road." he continued.
Eric nodded in understanding.
"The most important thing is stability. If you feel you're struggling to keep up, then cut back a little on your workouts."
"Otherwise, if you crack, then you could completely lose your routine, and by then, even training for an hour or two will become difficult."
Adam listened attentively to his father's advice, and continued to discuss various things.
At the end of the meal, Eva looked at her two sons.
"Ah by the way Adam, Leo, I almost forgot."
Adam looked at his mother curiously, while Léo didn't really seem interested in what his mother was going to say.
"I received some news today. The school has just announced that it has been completely rebuilt. Classes resume tomorrow morning."
Adam raised his head, slightly surprised.
Leo, for his part, immediately cried out as if the world were falling apart:
"No! Not yet! It was so nice to stay home!"
Everyone burst out laughing, except of course Léo, who ended up crossing his arms and frowning, clearly not happy at all.
"That's good news, especially for you Adam." Eric declared with a satisfied smile.
"You'll be able to stop this somewhat boring daily routine, learn more quickly and easily from the teachers and you'll also be able to ask them questions." he continued.
Adam nodded, sharing his father's enthusiasm.
Of course he'd already tried to ask his parents about these textbooks, from time to time they actually had answers, but most of the time they answered awkwardly:
"We don't know, you'll have to ask your teachers that question, they know a lot more about it than we do."
Just then, Adam looked at his little brother.
"Leo, if you want to become a great warrior like me, you need to go to school and learn to read and write." Adam teased.
"But me, I just want to kill monsters! Not learn boring stuff!" retorted Leo fiercely.
Eva, feigning indignation, put her hands on her hips.
"Killing monsters? Little brat, first you'll learn to obey your mother, otherwise no dessert!"
The threat had its effect. Léo wisely resumed eating under the family's amused gaze.
Soon the meal was over, Adam went upstairs to wash up and then, as usual, went to his desk to learn.
But this time something wasn't quite right.
"Ah, damn it, I can't do this!"
He wasn't concentrating as usual.
So he got up, took his chair and positioned himself at his window as usual.
At the same time, he waited quietly for something in particular.
Normally this was a very pleasant moment for him, but this time he was finding it hard to maintain his patience as he gazed at the stars.
Finally, after an hour, he heard what he'd been wanting to hear for a while.
[The free opportunity to simulate every month is available, would you like to use it?]