Next, she led him to a set of suspension rings. These weren't ordinary rings—they glowed faintly, the tension bands adjusting dynamically to his weight and strength. "Pull-ups. As many as you can manage," Amelia said, crossing her arms.
Lucian groaned, gripping the rings. His first attempt barely lifted him an inch off the ground. He tried again, his arms shaking with the effort. Amelia watched silently, her expression expectant but unyielding. Slowly, he found a rhythm, each pull burning his muscles but bringing a flicker of accomplishment.
"Good," she said as he finished a set. She then handed him an energy bar, its sleek wrapper glowing faintly. "Eat. It's packed with rapid-recovery nutrients."
Lucian unwrapped the bar and took a bite. The texture was dense, but the flavor—a mix of caramel and berries—was surprisingly good. Almost immediately, he felt his energy levels stabilize, the burning in his muscles dulling to a manageable ache.
"Now, the track," Amelia said, motioning toward the final challenge: a long, sloped track embedded with glowing lines. "It's designed to simulate running uphill with increasing resistance. The faster you run, the harder it gets. Push yourself."
Lucian staggered onto the track, his legs already screaming in protest. As he started running, the glowing lines beneath him pulsed faster, the resistance growing with every step. Each stride felt like wading through quicksand, but he gritted his teeth and pushed forward.
"Faster, Lucian," Amelia called out, her voice cutting through his exhaustion. "Don't stop now."
By the time he reached the end, he was drenched in sweat, his body trembling with exhaustion. He collapsed onto the ground, gasping for air, the cool surface of the floor a welcome relief.
"You survived," Amelia said, crouching beside him. Her tone held a trace of approval as she handed him another bottle, this one filled with a luminous green liquid. "Drink this. It will stabilize your muscle recovery."
Lucian took the bottle with a shaky hand, drinking deeply. The refreshing liquid sent a cooling sensation through his veins, easing the fatigue that weighed down his limbs.
"What's next?" he asked hoarsely, his voice tinged with both dread and determination.
Amelia's lips curved into a faint smirk. "Follow me."
She led him to a strange device at the far end of the room. It resembled a large, enclosed pod with sleek black plating and glowing runes etched across its surface. The air around it buzzed faintly with energy.
"What is this?" Lucian asked, his curiosity piqued.
"A medicated bath chamber," Amelia explained. "It uses a blend of nanotechnology and biochemical infusions to accelerate healing and enhance muscle regeneration. Step inside."
Lucian hesitated, eyeing the pod warily. "This isn't going to dissolve me, is it?"
Amelia's expression remained impassive. "Not unless you've been lying about your biology. Now, move."
With a resigned sigh, Lucian stepped into the pod. The interior was surprisingly spacious, the surfaces smooth and cool to the touch. As the door closed behind him, a soft, soothing light filled the chamber. Warm liquid began to rise around him, its consistency thicker than water but not unpleasant. The faint scent of herbs and minerals filled the air.
"Relax," Amelia's voice came through a hidden speaker. "The process takes ten minutes."
As the liquid enveloped him, Lucian felt a strange warmth spreading through his body, followed by a gentle tingling sensation. The aches and pains from his training began to fade, replaced by a sense of lightness and renewal. His mind drifted, the soothing environment lulling him into a calm he hadn't felt in days.
When the pod finally drained and the door opened, Lucian stepped out, his skin tingling and his body feeling lighter than it had in years.
Amelia handed him a towel, her expression neutral but watchful. "You're improving, Lucian. But this is just the beginning."
Despite his exhaustion, a flicker of determination burned in his chest. "I'll be ready for tomorrow."
Amelia's smirk returned, her sharp eyes gleaming. "We'll see, thief."
---
Lucian stepped out of the medicated bath chamber, his body feeling refreshed and oddly rejuvenated. The aches and exhaustion that had plagued him earlier seemed like a distant memory. His skin tingled faintly, as though the pod's nanotech-infused liquid had recharged him from the inside out. He dried himself off with a towel Amelia handed him, her sharp gaze studying him as always.
"You can go and rest now," she said, her tone neutral. She handed him a folded set of clothes—a comfortable outfit in a calming shade of blue. The material looked soft, almost luxurious.
Lucian raised an eyebrow, holding up the clothes. "Nice. But where am I supposed to wear these?"
Amelia's lips curved into the faintest smirk. "Of course, Lady Spectra's bedroom. She even chose clothes for her pet."
Lucian sighed dramatically but didn't argue. "Well, it's nice to know I'm being dressed with care. Shall we, Ironmaiden?"
Amelia ignored the jab, motioning for him to follow. As they walked through the labyrinthine halls of the Citadel, Lucian couldn't help but fill the silence with idle chatter.
"So, is this part of the job description?" he asked. "Escort duty for the pet?"
Amelia shot him a sideways glance. "Do you ever stop talking?"
"Not when I'm nervous," he admitted with a grin. "Besides, I like to think it adds charm to the whole 'being her pet' thing."
"Charm isn't going to save you," she retorted, though there was a trace of amusement in her tone.
When they finally reached Lady Spectra's quarters, Amelia stopped at the door, her gaze leveling with his. "Rest. You'll need it for tomorrow."
Lucian nodded, stepping inside. The door slid shut behind him with a soft hiss, leaving him alone in the grand, opulent space.