Once he had finished thinking about the slow integration of his powers, Maximilian resumed walking through the Jade Palace. He heard a song he never thought he would hear again.
"You've been hit by
"You've been struck by
"A smooth criminal"
The nostalgic melody sent a shiver down Maximillian's spine and he immediately started following the voice, his heart pounding in disbelief.
He maneuvered through alleyways, and dodged past busy corridors, even had to double back a few times due to dead ends. Every turn seemed to bring him closer, yet the singer remained unseen as he could only hear the voice of the singer.
Finally, he reached a small courtyard bathed in warm sunlight.
There, standing atop a stone fountain, was a squirrel dressed in a loose, flowing robe. its tail was wild but well-kept, and it swayed with effortless rhythm as it sang, completely absorbed in its performance. its voice was rich and melodic, blending perfectly with the atmosphere of the palace.
Maximilian couldn't help but stare. Seeing a squirrel sing was already surreal, but hearing it perform a song from his old world? That was beyond explanation.
Gathering his thoughts, Maximilian called out, "Hey! You! stop right their, Where did you learn that song?"
The moment the squirrel saw him, its golden eyes widened in surprise, and then, without hesitation, it took off in a sprint.
Maximilian cursed under his breath and immediately gave chase. "Oh no, you're not getting away that easily!"
The squirrel was fast—faster than any normal creature should be. It darted through the marketplace, weaving between stalls and startled passersby with incredible agility.
Maximilian pushed himself harder, leaping over crates and dodging carts as he pursued it through the winding paths of the Jade Palace. He was gaining on it, but every time he thought he had it within reach, the creature slipped through an impossibly narrow gap or took an unexpected turn.
Sweat beaded on his forehead. His heart pounded as his muscles burned from the effort. He was faster than most humans, but this was something else entirely. The squirrel turned sharply into an alleyway, its robe billowing behind it, and for a split second, Maximilian thought he had it cornered.
But as he turned into the alley himself, he skidded to a halt. The alley was empty. The squirrel had vanished.
Panting, Maximilian scanned his surroundings, eyes darting from shadow to shadow. There was no way it could have just disappeared. Had it climbed up? Hidden in a crevice? Or was it something… more?
A gust of wind swept through the alley, carrying with it the faint echo of laughter. Not mocking, but amused. The kind of laugh that told him this wasn't the last time he would see that mysterious singer..
Feeling disappointed Maximillian started to walk toward the main road, taking a few steps before he heard something, and this time, it wasn't music—it was the sounds of grunts and groans.
Curious, he followed the sounds, his footsteps echoing softly through the grand halls. The noise grew louder, guiding him to a large building with an enormous wooden door. Above it, a sign bore the words: "Soldiers' Training Site."
With a hint of confusion and intrigue, he pushed the doors open and stepped inside. The first thing that hit him was the overwhelming smell of sweat and exertion, followed by the sight of warriors sprawled across the floor, their chests rising and falling rapidly as if they had just finished running a marathon. The room was filled with exhausted figures—some clutching their sides, others barely able to push themselves upright.
In the midst of the chaos, standing tall and unyielding, was a massive bull dressed in a robe adorned with intricate embroidery, a clear mark of his status as a master of martial arts. His powerful frame exuded authority, and his sharp, piercing eyes surveyed the room with a mixture of disappointment and expectation.
His voice boomed through the training hall. "Is that all? I was given runts that can't even do the bare minimum! You all should be disappointed!" He crossed his arms, shaking his head. "A warrior does not rest when his body is tired—he rests when his enemy is defeated!"
Maximilian took a step forward, observing the intensity of the scene. The bull's words struck a chord, igniting a fire in the warriors who still had the strength to move. A few pushed themselves to their feet, fists clenched, determination flickering in their eyes despite the exhaustion.
The bull's gaze then shifted, locking onto Maximilian. "You! You're new here, aren't you? What are you standing around for? Get in line!"
Maximilian hesitated. He wasn't sure if he was ready for this. With his abilities in flux and the system still dormant, he felt more vulnerable than ever. But something deep inside him—perhaps pride, or maybe a desperate need to prove himself—urged him forward.
Taking a deep breath, he stepped onto the training floor, positioning himself alongside the other warriors. The bull master strode toward him, his hooves echoing with every step.
"Let's see what you're made of, newcomer," the bull said, cracking his knuckles. "You think you can survive here? Show me."
.....
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