The pale light of dawn seeped into the castle’s stone corridors, dim and cold like a hesitant visitor. Outside, the training field lay shrouded in mist, the remnants of the previous night’s frost clinging stubbornly to the ground. The air was heavy, carrying a strange stillness that hinted at the rudra having another day as rough as day before

Rudra opened his eyes, his body aching from the relentless gravity he endured. He blinked at the ceiling, the dull gray stones above him feeling heavier than ever. The promise of another day under the crushing weight made him hesitate, his mind already calculating how much strength he had left.

“Ten days,” he murmured, his voice as lifeless as the room around him. “Nine more to go.”

With a groan, he pushed himself upright. His muscles screamed in protest, and even the act of sitting felt like lifting a boulder. For a moment, he simply sat there, his breathing labored, the oppressive silence of the morning broken only by the faint chirping of distant birds.

The door creaked open, and Ray stepped in, carrying a tray of bread and water. His usual carefree grin was subdued, replaced by a look of mild concern.

“Still alive?” Ray asked, setting the tray down on the bedside table.

“Barely,” Rudra replied, reaching for the water. The weight of the cup made his hand tremble, and he cursed under his breath.

Ray watched him with a mix of amusement and sympathy. “You’ll get used to it., you’ve got nine days to find out.”

Rudra shot him a glare but said nothing. He focused on eating, each bite a struggle as his body fought against the invisible force pressing down on him.

“Master Edhir’s cruel, but he’s not wrong,” Ray continued, leaning against the wall. “If you can survive this, your body will adapt. You’ll body physical ability will increase dreamistically

“That’s not saying much,” Rudra muttered, eliciting a chuckle from Ray.

Once the meal was finished, the two made their way to the training field. The mist clung to them like a second skin, and Rudra could feel the weight intensify with every step. By the time they reached the center of the field, his breathing was ragged, and sweat trickled down his face despite the cold Rudra had a question from the beginning of when master edhir put the gravity on him without wasting another second he asked

“Ray Is this the master edhirs keys ability ”

Rudra smiled a bit

“ yes it is ”

As they walked at the centre

Master Edhir was already there, his figure a dark silhouette against the rising sun. The black fog that always accompanied him swirled lazily at his feet, as if waiting for his command.

“You’re late,” Edhir said, his voice carrying an edge of irritation.

Rudra bowed slightly, though the movement felt like a Herculean task. “I had trouble standing,” he admitted.

Edhir’s piercing gaze bore into him, and for a moment, Rudra felt like the gravity was coming not from the ground but from those unrelenting eyes.

“No excuses,” Edhir said sharply. “Today, you’ll run without stopping until I say ”

Rudra’s stomach sank. Running was unthinkable under this weight. Walking had nearly killed him the day before.

Ray, sensing his hesitation, gave him a pat on the shoulder. “Don’t die out there,” he said with a grin before stepping back.

Rudra took his position at the edge of the circle. His legs felt like lead, and his heart pounded in anticipation.

“Begin,” Edhir commanded.

Rudra pushed off, his feet sinking into the frost-laden ground with each step. The air burned in his lungs, and his vision blurred as his body screamed in protest. His thoughts became a chaotic swirl of pain and determination.

"One step. Then another. Just one more."

The circle felt endless, the edges of his world reduced to the crushing weight of his body and the unyielding ground beneath him. Every muscle in his body strained, every breath a battle.

Somewhere in the distance, he heard Ray cheering him on, his voice a faint beacon in the suffocating fog of his mind.

“Keep moving, Rudra! Don’t stop!”

By the time he reached the halfway point, his legs were shaking uncontrollably. His vision tunneled, and the world seemed to tilt around him. But he didn’t stop. He couldn’t.

Stolen novel; please report.

When he finally crossed the finish line, his knees buckled, and he collapsed onto the ground. His body trembled violently, and his breaths came in shallow gasps.

Edhir approached, his expression unreadable. “Not bad,” he said, his tone devoid of praise yet not entirely dismissive. “You’ll do it again but . Faster.”

Rudra didn’t respond. He couldn’t. His body was too broken, his mind too clouded with exhaustion.

As Edhir turned to leave, Ray helped Rudra to his feet. “You’re tougher than you look,” he said, his grin returning.

Rudra managed a weak smile. “I’ll take that as a compliment.”

The cold morning mist still clung to Rudra's skin, but his mind was focused, his steps rhythmic as he ran across the training field. Despite the suffocating pressure of the enhanced gravity, something had changed. Each stride felt lighter, the resistance that once crushed his spirit now a faint echo. Yet, before he could ponder the shift, the weight bore down on him again, like a cruel hand pushing him into the earth. Still, Rudra pressed on, his focus unwavering, the will to endure his only weapon against the torment.

When the round was complete, his legs trembled but held firm. Standing at the field's center, Master Edhir appeared, his silhouette sharp and commanding against the rising sun. The familiar black fog swirled around his feet like restless shadows. His eyes, cold and calculative, bore into Rudra with an intensity that could break lesser men.

Edhir raised his hand, his palm opening slowly to reveal a small, dull stone resting in his grasp. His gaze didn’t waver as he spoke, his voice steady and deliberate.

"Take it," he ordered, pausing for a moment.

Rudra’s eyes narrowed as he studied the object. The stone, though unremarkable at first glance, seemed to hum faintly, as though alive. Its surface shimmered subtly, hinting at power locked within. Guided by curiosity, or perhaps his nature to question, Rudra asked, “What is it?”

A flicker of amusement crossed Edhir's face before he replied. “This is the Stone of Mir.” He let the name linger in the air, as though its weight was enough to silence further questions. After a moment, he continued, “There are many types of Mir Stones, each with unique abilities. This one is a recovery stone with the added effect of enhancing physical strength.”

Without waiting for a response, Edhir commanded, “Eat it and continue running.” Then, like a shadow dispersing under sunlight, he vanished, leaving Rudra alone with the enigmatic gift.

Rudra hesitated, holding the stone in his hand. Doubt clouded his mind as he turned it over, inspecting every detail. It was unassuming, but something about it felt unnatural. He muttered under his breath, “Is this safe for me? They don’t seem to have ill intentions... at least not yet.”

The weight of his indecision bore down on him until, with a sigh of resignation, he placed the stone in his mouth. Its texture was rough, the taste metallic. Chewing felt strange, almost unnatural. For minutes, nothing happened, and frustration began to build.

“Was it all a farce?” he thought aloud, bitterness lacing his tone.

Then, like a spark igniting dry tinder, a sudden warmth spread through his body. The pain that had been his constant companion for days began to ebb, replaced by a soothing relief that radiated from within. His exhaustion dissipated as if washed away by an unseen force, and his body felt lighter, stronger, and rejuvenated.

Rudra’s amazement grew as he flexed his fingers, feeling the subtle yet undeniable change. The world of keys, with its secrets and dangers, had just revealed another layer of its mysteries.

The World of Keys was a place of unfathomable mysteries, where every corner whispered danger and every breath carried the weight of the unknown. Among its most coveted secrets were the Stones of Mir, treasures hidden within the living bodies of creatures that roamed its lands. The stones were more than mere objects; they were fragments of power, vessels of energy that could transform lives—or end them.

The Stones of Mir

The lore of the stones was simple yet daunting: to claim their power, one had to extract the stone while the creature was alive. If the creature was slain beforehand, the stone lost its unique properties, reduced to a mere artifact of material value. Even so, such stones were sought after for crafting potent weapons, alchemical wonders, or experimental tools.

But the true strength of the Mir Stones lay in their living essence. These stones were categorized by their abilities:

Physical Enhancement Stones: Amplified raw strength and endurance.

Recovery Stones: Healed wounds and revitalized energy.

Agility Stones: Sharpened reflexes and increased speed.

Sensory Enhancement Stones: Heightened perception and awareness.

Ability Holder Stones: Rare treasures granting unique abilities, often found only in the kings of their domains.

Yet, the challenge of obtaining a Mir Stone was immense. The creatures of the World of Keys were terrifyingly strong, most of them naturally four times as powerful as the average human. Few dared to risk their lives attempting to extract a stone from a living beast. It was a fool's errand unless one possessed extraordinary skill—or a death wish.

Rudra stood motionless for a moment, a soft, amazed expression spreading across his face as he processed the effects of the Stone of Mir. A quiet satisfaction bubbled up inside him as he marveled at the transformation his body was undergoing. He felt invigorated, as though his very cells had been reinvigorated by the stone’s power. The crushing weight of gravity that had once felt like an unyielding force was still there, but it no longer pressed down on him as it had before. It was as though his body had adapted to it, the change almost imperceptible yet unmistakable. It was a strange sensation—he could still feel the weight, but it no longer burdened him.

With a slight breath of relief, Rudra began to run again. This time, the effort felt different. His body, once fragile and trembling under the weight of gravity, now seemed to glide effortlessly, the pounding of his feet steady and strong. Hours passed, but Rudra did not falter. He ran on, his strides fluid and powerful, as the days blurred together in his relentless pursuit.

By the third day, Master Edhir appeared once again, his form standing resolutely in the distance. His piercing gaze was fixed upon Rudra, who hadn’t slowed a single step.

“From now on, add squats to your training,” Edhir instructed firmly, his voice echoing through the air. Rudra, already accustomed to the grueling regimen, nodded without hesitation. He welcomed the challenge. The cycle continued: running, push-ups, squats, pull-ups. Day after day, the same routine, the same unyielding drive. Each session was longer than the last, the time spent pushing his body to its limits and beyond. The stone’s power continued to course through him, making him stronger with every movement, every drop of sweat. His body, once weak and fragile, now rippled with strength.

By the end of ten days, Rudra stood before Master Edhir once more, his chest rising and falling in a steady rhythm. His breathing was calm, controlled—like he had been resting for hours instead of enduring hours of intense physical training. Edhir’s eyes widened as he took in the sight of Rudra. There was disbelief in his gaze, mixed with awe.

“Are you really a human child?” Edhir asked, his voice tinged with surprise. “Just ten days ago, your body was frail—like a delicate flower. And now, look at you... Have you realized it? The gravity you're under has increased to five times its normal weight. And yet, here you are, standing tall.”

Rudra, still catching his breath, didn’t quite understand the significance of Edhir’s words. He had been so focused on his physical transformation that the weight of the gravity hadn’t fully registered in his mind. Five times normal gravity? He’d been running under such pressure and still hadn’t buckled. The thought left him momentarily stunned.

In that brief pause, a whisper escaped Rudra’s lips, almost by accident. “Master, can you see these threads?”

Edhir’s brows furrowed. “What threads?” he asked, his voice tinged with confusion.

Rudra, suddenly realizing what he had said, nodded quickly, his face flushing slightly. “Nothing,” he muttered, shaking his head, trying to brush off the strange words.

Edhir, sensing the confusion in Rudra, softened his tone. As the days had passed, his voice had become warmer, more encouraging. He looked at Rudra with a sense of something akin to fondness, the sternness that had once characterized his demeanor now replaced by something gentler.

“Go rest,” Edhir said, his voice filled with a rare warmth. “It’s already late. Tomorrow is an important day for you. I will remove the gravity in the morning. So, take the night to relax, and enjoy the progress you’ve made.” With that, Edhir’s figure began to dissipate into the familiar black mist, his presence fading from sight.

Rudra, exhausted but strangely content, made his way back to his room. His body, though fatigued, no longer felt weak or fragile. After a long shower, he collapsed onto his bed, his muscles sore but his mind racing. He thought back to the last ten days—the trials, the unrelenting pressure, and the way his body had changed.

His thoughts wandered, drifting aimlessly as he stared out of his window, gazing up at the moon. Its soft light bathed the room, casting long shadows and lending the night a serene, almost dreamlike quality. Rudra’s tired eyes fixated on the moon, the beauty of it calming his racing thoughts. The moon, so distant and yet so close, seemed to offer him a moment of peace, a fleeting connection to something beyond all the chaos he had endured.

With his eyes growing heavy, Rudra whispered quietly to himself, his voice barely audible: “It’s beautiful.”

And as the words left his lips, his eyelids fluttered closed, and sleep slowly overtook him. Tomorrow would come soon enough.