Following the session, the funding members, seemingly satisfied with the entertainment Seiya provided, departed. Seiya was promptly healed and sent back to his room.
Collapsing onto his bed, Seiya exhaled deeply, a sigh of relief escaping his lips. Despite the healing process, the accumulated fatigue lingered, and the pain remained a constant companion. Having not eaten all day, he felt weak and drowsy and his body and legs trembled from the brutal ordeal he endured.
Without wasting time, he succumbed to the overwhelming exhaustion and swiftly drifted into sleep.
_ _
In the confines of his office, Seiya's father gripped his computer mouse tightly, his expression dark with fury. His brows knitted together as he scowled.
"Damn that Suhei! I completely forgot about his troublesome ability. To think he broadcasted Seiya's session to everyone! And he's been secretly recording and storing them all along!" he growled, his voice filled with frustration.
"This throws a wrench into all my plans!" He pounded his fist on the desk in a fit of anger.
"How did the children react to watching Seiya's session? What do you think they feel about him now that they know the truth?" he asked, turning to his secretary, who stood quietly in the corner.
"They were shocked. Most were horrified. I believe they're feeling guilty. Their relationship with Seiya will likely change moving forward" she responded, giving an honest outlook.
"All of this because of that fool!" he spat venomously.
"Well, since the pretense is no longer necessary, have Seiya move to the children's dormitory and share a room like the others" he ordered curtly.
"Yes, sir" his secretary replied with a slight bow.
"And as for Suhei, lock him up in the basement for five days without food or water. Chain him standing, and ensure he undergoes every scheduled experiment for the second floor for a month" he added coldly.
"Understood" she acknowledged before exiting the room.
The next morning, Seiya's alarm buzzed at 5:00 a.m. It had been a short sleep due to the late session, leaving him still burdened with fatigue. Coupled with his empty stomach from the previous day, he felt too weak to rise from bed.
His stomach growled loudly as he struggled to get up. He washed his face and drank copious amounts of water from the faucet, trying to stave off the hunger. Then, he headed out to begin his day.
Miss Onoya, his assistant, waited at his door, and together they proceeded to the yard for Seiya's sprinting exercises. Though designed to resemble an outdoor space with its expansive field and artificial sky, the yard was entirely enclosed within the facility.
Seiya completed his laps and sprints before moving to the training hall, a large space resembling a sparring area where he conducted various exercises. As he began his push-ups, Miss Onoya initiated a conversation.
"Starting today, you'll be moving to the children's dormitory and sharing a room with the others" she informed him, causing Seiya to pause mid-push-up.
"Why?" he inquired softly, maintaining his posture.
He didn't mind sharing a room with the other children but felt uneasy. Knowing they disliked him and considering his own social ineptitude, he feared it would be an inconvenience for everyone.
"Start over from zero" Miss Onoya instructed when she noticed he had halted his exercise halfway.
Seiya sighed, resuming his push-ups, counting from the beginning again. His routine started each day with multiple sets of 100 push-ups, followed by other exercises.
"You're unaware, but a boy from the second floor with a vision weave ability broadcasted your session yesterday to everyone" Miss Onoya revealed.
A heavy weight settled on Seiya's chest, like a sledgehammer blow. His limbs gave out, and he collapsed onto the floor, paralyzed by the realization. The thought of everyone witnessing his suffering filled him with shame and fear—fear that they would see his failures and blame him more for the children's deaths—though no one died during the session yesterday.
"The boss ordered your relocation to the dorms. The children already know about your sessions because that boy not only showed yesterday's session but also a few from the past. He holds you in high regard and was outraged upon learning of your bullying" Miss Onoya paused, glancing down at Seiya's expressionless face.
"He decided to let them see for themselves what you're put through. He even cried and scolded the others on your behalf" she added.
Seiya's eyes widened, his heart swelling with mixed emotions. The idea that someone in the facility would cry for him was both astonishing and heartwarming.
"Well, it was a foolish move on his part. He's now locked in the basement, set to undergo every experiment scheduled for the second floor for a month as punishment" she remarked nonchalantly.
Guilt surged within Seiya, his eyes downcast.
"Due to this, the children's attitude toward you might change for the better. You won't know until you face them" she concluded.
"C-can I move at night?" Seiya asked hesitantly.
"You mean after they've gone to bed?"
"Mn. I don't want to disturb them" he nodded.
"That could work. For now, restart your push-ups from zero" Miss Onoya commanded sternly.
"Yes. I'm sorry" Seiya apologized, resuming his exercise.
After completing his basic exercises—back extensions, push-ups, squats, sprints, and more—it was time to train his fists.
Miss Onoya led Seiya to the hall where the boulder was kept. She stood silently in a corner, observing as Seiya prepared to train. A female healer remained on standby to heal him whenever his hands were crushed or dislocated. Seiya was required to strike the boulder with full force until his bones shattered repeatedly or until he succeeded in cracking the boulder.
Failure to do this would result in the loss of lives. Every action was meticulously recorded and monitored, with Miss Onoya reporting any deviations.
Seiya began with arm-stretching warm-ups before proceeding. The boulder served as his punching bag, and even as his knuckles bled and his fingers dislocated, he didn't stop. He pushed himself relentlessly, enduring the pain, landing heavier blows until the bones in his arms broke from his palms to his elbows. Only then was he healed and asked to resume.
His training continued until lunchtime, but he refused to eat, opting to train further. It wasn't because he wasn't hungry or tired but because he wasn't ready to face the others.
After his fist training, he moved on to pushing the boulder with all his might. This rigorous session persisted until it was time for his next training activity.
Seiya's day was filled with exercises, training, and a session with his father until his schedule concluded.
During dinner, Seiya requested to have his meal in his room, avoiding the others. Miss Onoya agreed, understanding his reluctance to face them after causing trouble for Suhei.
After dinner, Seiya waited till the kids all retired to their dorms and slept before packing his necessities, not that he had much—just his toothbrush, soap, towel, and extra uniform.
Miss Onoya quietly escorted him to the dorm he was assigned to. However, Seiya hesitated at the door, unable to muster the courage to enter.
"I'll leave you here. Make sure you get enough sleep and don't stand there all night" Miss Onoya advised before leaving.
Seiya's heart pounded in his chest as he stared at the door, too apprehensive to step inside.