The moon still hung in the sky when Kael Reyes slipped out of his house, his breath misting in the cool morning air. The streets were empty, silent except for the distant hum of the city slowly waking up. It had been a week since he started his secret training, and despite the soreness in his muscles, he felt more determined than ever.
After everything he had witnessed—the Black Gate, the massacre of S-rank hunters, and the monstrous presence of the Tyrant—he knew he couldn't stay the same. He had four months before Verdant High School was rebuilt. Four months to turn his weak body into something stronger.
And so, every morning, before the sun rose, Kael made his way to Iron Core Gym.
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#The Empty Gym – His Private Training Ground
Iron Core Gym wasn't flashy. It was an old-school facility, the kind with rusted dumbbells, worn-out punching bags, and the scent of sweat permanently soaked into the walls. But that didn't matter. It was cheap, and most importantly, it was empty at this hour.
Kael had expected to struggle. His body was still too skinny, his stamina too low. But surprisingly, his body adapted faster than he thought. The soreness faded quicker, and every day, he found himself lifting heavier weights and running longer distances.
He stuck to a simple routine:
- Cardio: Running on the treadmill until his lungs burned.
- Strength Training: Push-ups, pull-ups, squats, and deadlifts.
- Combat Basics: He didn't know how to fight, but he mimicked movements from old videos he had watched.
At first, his muscles protested. He felt like his limbs were filled with lead every time he walked back home. But over time, his movements became smoother, more controlled.
He was making progress.
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#The Feeling of Being Watched
By the end of the first week, a strange feeling settled in Kael's chest.
He couldn't explain it, but every time he stepped into the gym, he felt like someone was watching him.
At first, he thought it was paranoia. He glanced at the cameras mounted on the gym walls, but that was normal security. Yet, the feeling never went away. It was subtle, like an itch at the back of his mind.
One morning, as he finished his workout, he caught movement from the corner of his eye.
A shadow.
It was quick—just a figure standing on the upper floor, near the storage area. But the moment Kael turned his head, it was gone.
His grip on the dumbbell tightened.
I'm not imagining this… Someone's here.
But who?
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#The Revelation – Meeting the Owner
The next day, Kael deliberately slowed down his workout. He took his time between sets, stretching longer than usual, pretending to be tired.
Then, when the feeling returned, he acted.
In one swift motion, he turned towards the upper floor—this time catching the figure before it could disappear.
A tall man, built like a tank, stood there with arms crossed over his broad chest. His face was rugged, lined with years of experience, and his eyes—sharp like a predator's—locked onto Kael's.
"Not bad, kid," the man said, his voice deep and unhurried. "Most people wouldn't have noticed me."
Kael narrowed his eyes. "Who are you?"
The man let out a short chuckle before stepping forward.
"I'm Gustavo 'Gus' Valdez," he said. "Owner of this gym. And I've been watching you for the past two weeks."
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#A Simple Question – "Do You Want to Get Stronger?"
Kael's muscles tensed. The way Gus spoke—it wasn't casual small talk. This man had been studying him.
"Why?" Kael asked cautiously.
Gus shrugged. "Because it's rare to see a kid like you train alone, without anyone pushing them." His gaze swept over Kael's frame. "You're not doing this for fun. You've got a goal."
Kael remained silent.
Gus smirked. "Tell me, kid. Do you really want to get stronger?"
Kael inhaled slowly. He had already made his decision weeks ago. He didn't want to be helpless again. He didn't want to just watch while others fought and died.
Without hesitation, he nodded.
"I do."
Gus studied him for a long moment before nodding. "Good. Then I'll train you myself."
Kael's eyes widened slightly.
"But," Gus continued, "you should know—I don't do this for free. My training isn't like the soft crap they teach in gyms. If you're serious, you're going to suffer. You're going to hate me. But when it's over, you'll come out stronger than you ever thought possible."
Kael didn't flinch.
"Then let's do it."
Gus grinned. "I like your attitude, kid."
And just like that, Kael's training truly began.
---
#Four Months Later – A New Kael
Time passed in a blur of pain, exhaustion, and growth.
Under Gus's brutal training, Kael's body changed.
He learned how to fight—not just by watching videos but by sparring against Gus himself. Every time he got knocked down, he got back up. Every time he failed, he tried again.
By the time four months had passed, the Verdant High School reconstruction was finally complete.
And Kael... was no longer the same person.
He stood in front of the mirror, staring at his reflection.
His once thin arms were now firm with muscle. His shoulders broader, his stance more confident. Even his face looked different—sharper, more mature.
He had grown. Not just physically, but mentally.
Taking a deep breath, he grabbed his bag and walked out of his house.
---
#Returning to Verdant High – A New Beginning
As he approached the school gates, a sense of nostalgia crept over him.
The last time he was here, he had been a weak, untrained boy. Now, he was something more.
He could feel the stares of his classmates as he walked past.
But the only thought running through his mind was:
I wonder... do they still see me as the same weak Kael Reyes?
End of Chapter 7.