The sound of steady breaths echoed through the courtyard. Ahmed stood at the edge of the training grounds, sweat dripping from his forehead as his body screamed for rest. But he wouldn't give in. Not yet. His body was his tool, and if he wanted to truly grow, he had to push it beyond its limits.
Today, it was push-ups. Simple, repetitive, yet effective. The ground beneath him had become a familiar enemy, one he sought to defeat through sheer willpower.
> [Skill Progression: Strength – +1 point (100 push-ups)]
With each push-up, his muscles burned, but the sensation only fueled his determination. As he neared the 1,000th repetition, his focus sharpened, and a strange surge of energy coursed through his veins. His body felt both lighter and stronger, as if the struggle itself had unlocked something deeper within.
> [Skill Progression: Physical Endurance – +1 point]
[Skill Progression: Physical Pain Tolerance – +1 point]
Ahmed's arms trembled as he pushed himself back up, but his resolve never wavered. He couldn't afford to slow down—not when there were so many enemies to face, so many battles to win.
After a long while, he finished the last push-up. His chest heaved as he collapsed onto the ground, panting heavily. His heart raced, but there was a satisfaction in the exhaustion. He had pushed his body to the limit and gained new strength in the process.
> [Skill Progression: Strength – 1 point (1000 push-ups)]
[Stat Increase: Strength – 50 points]
[Perk Unlocked: Strength Boost – Increases physical strength by 10%]
He smiled, his eyes narrowing with satisfaction. That was the first threshold crossed—50 points in strength. It wasn't much in the grand scheme of things, but it was a start.
> [Stat Progression: Luck – +1 point (from leveling up)]
As his body calmed, Ahmed glanced at his system and decided it was time to allocate his points to Luck. No matter how hard he trained, he knew that luck was a key factor in his success. He needed it if he wanted to truly rise to the top.
> [Stat Progression: Luck – 1 point (allocated)]
He clenched his fists, ready to continue. The process of training was far from glamorous, but every drop of sweat, every moment of agony, was leading him closer to his goal.
---
Koneko's Growing Respect
Koneko watched Ahmed from the shadows, her golden eyes following his every move. She had never seen someone push themselves so hard, so relentlessly. Her own training had been grueling, but nothing compared to the sheer determination she witnessed in Ahmed's eyes.
> "He never gives up," Koneko whispered to herself, impressed.
There were times when she doubted whether she had the strength to keep going. But watching him work, watching him rise again and again, stirred something inside her. Perhaps she had been wrong all along to close herself off from others.
Koneko stepped forward, her footsteps quiet against the stone floor. She had been avoiding him lately, but now something felt different. There was an unspoken bond forming between them—a bond built on strength, shared struggle, and quiet understanding.
> "Ahmed." She called out, her voice soft but steady.
He looked up, his face a picture of exhaustion, but his eyes were sharp.
> "You've been watching me?" He asked with a faint smirk, wiping the sweat from his brow.
> "I was," she admitted, not looking away. "You really push yourself, don't you?"
Ahmed chuckled softly.
> "I have to. If I don't, I'll never get any stronger."
Koneko stepped closer, her gaze never leaving his face. There was something raw and honest in his words that made her pause. For once, she didn't feel like the outsider.
> "I've been training too," she said, her voice almost a whisper.
Ahmed raised an eyebrow, clearly surprised.
> "You've been holding out on me, huh?" He teased.
Koneko gave a small, almost imperceptible smile, though it quickly vanished.
> "It's not about holding out," she said, her tone serious. "It's about doing what you have to, to survive."
She paused, her mind wandering for a moment.
> "Maybe… I could train with you more."
Her words were simple, but the gesture was a breakthrough. Ahmed didn't need to think twice. He nodded, a determined smile forming on his face.
> "I'd be honored."
---
A New Training Regimen
The next few weeks saw a significant change in Ahmed's training routine. No longer was he training alone. Koneko began to join him regularly, and their sessions became more intense as they pushed each other to greater heights.
Koneko, despite her initial reluctance, had begun to trust Ahmed—more than she had trusted anyone in a long time. The bond they were forging through sweat and effort was more than just physical; it was emotional as well. She could sense his determination, and in turn, it lit a fire within her own heart.
During their combined sessions, Ahmed gained new skills and unlocked new perks at an astonishing rate.
> [Skill Progression: Dash – +2 points (from sprinting and training with Koneko)]
[Skill Progression: Throwing – +1 point (from training with throwing targets)]
Each time they trained together, their skills grew exponentially. Ahmed noticed the improvements not only in his strength but in his ability to move faster, to think quicker, to act without hesitation. He was becoming a warrior—someone who could stand against any threat that came his way.
But even more importantly, he was starting to feel the true weight of his goals. The desire for power wasn't just a selfish wish anymore. It was a means to protect those he cared about, to protect Koneko and the others he had come to consider family.
> [Stat Increase: Strength – 60 points]
[Perk Unlocked: Strength Mastery – Increases physical strength by 20%]
---
The Road Ahead
As Ahmed sat on the edge of the training grounds, looking over the vast expanse of the Gremory estate, he couldn't help but feel a sense of peace.
He had come so far in such a short time. The path ahead was still long, filled with unknowns, but one thing was clear: He wasn't walking it alone.
Koneko approached him, her expression softer than it had ever been.
> "You've really changed."
Ahmed looked at her, his gaze steady.
> "I've always been this way. Just took a little time to realize it."
Koneko smiled faintly, nodding as she sat beside him.
> "Let's keep moving forward," she said.
Ahmed's eyes glinted with determination.
> "Together."
And as they sat together, their silent promise was stronger than ever. The road ahead was uncertain, but with each passing day, they were growing stronger, together.
---