The phone alarm went off at six in the morning, playing an upbeat and energetic song, a burst of energy in sound waves meant to wake anyone up. However, the bed was already empty. The lights were on, and the view of the sunrise looked like a huge painting on the floor-to-ceiling glass window in the room. The music continued to play, and faint thuds could be heard from beyond the open door.

She focused every movement on her punches, her eyes fixed on the punching bag. Her fists threw right hooks, lefts, and then a right again. Sweat dripped from her forehead as the large punching bag took the hits, moving slightly on its ceiling track from the impact.

She breathed through her mouth, panting, her red hair tied back in a ponytail. In her ears, in-ear headphones played an immersive composition, notes weaving into a sonic tapestry of melancholy and hope dancing in perfect harmony.

Right punch, left punch, dodge, and finally a spinning kick. The punching bag shifted slightly out of place. “Damn it!”

Her voice was soft but irritated; she remained focused on the punching bag; her fists clenched. She relaxed her stance for a moment and looked at the boxing gloves resting on a backpack on a nearby bench. “It’s my fault for being so impulsive…”

She walked over to the gloves, staring at them for a moment before slipping them on and returning to face the bag.

– I need to learn to control my emotions…

She closed her eyes, pursing her lips, drawing air into her lungs, and letting it out slowly through her nose. Her white shirt was already soaked with sweat, revealing a bit of her snug sports bra, while her black and red leggings showed the muscle in her thighs.

She positioned her arms in front of her face; her muscles tensed, and the sweat trickled down quickly before evaporating. Her pupils flickered with a faint supernatural glow of light blue, and a slight vapor formed around her.

Then she advanced again, faster this time: right punch, left punch, circular dodge. The punching bag moved more freely now; small sparks flew as her strikes hit it.

– I must improve... be stronger!

She followed with a low kick and then quickly stepped back. Then she jumped, spinning in the air as flames emerged behind her right foot, propelling her with speed.

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When it hit, the punching bag flew up, held only by the ceiling chains that directed it until it collided heavily with other bags stacked a few meters away. The glow in her pupils faded slowly, her eyelids lowered, and she looked again at the gloves that protected her hands.

– I won’t disappoint you… father.

She spoke in a sad tone, walking over to the bench. The space was a well-equipped gym with weight machines, free weights, yoga mats, and large mirrors. She approached one of the mirrors, observing her reflection for a moment, taking a deep breath, and forcing a smile that didn’t last very long.

– Mom… how I wish you were here…

The whisper left her lips, which trembled slightly, until she heard a notification sound coming from her backpack. She went over to it and pulled out a device resembling a smartphone, though it was sturdier.

‘Ms. Crawford, could you come to our headquarters this morning? I have matters to discuss with you.’

She read the message, raising both eyebrows, and then locked the device.

– Tyx...? Why does he want to meet with me?

She murmured to herself, looking at the device in her hand, which now reflected her face on the screen. Then, she put it back in her backpack and left the gym with her belongings.

As she entered the living room of her apartment, which was spacious with luxurious furniture and high-end appliances, decorated simply but elegantly, she heard the pleasant voice of a woman echoing from the speakers in the room's corners.

– Mr. Conrad Crawford left a voice message for you. Would you like to hear it?

– Yes, Lumi, go ahead. –said Karoline, grabbing a bottle of water and drinking from it.

– Karoline, I won’t be able to come home this week either; however, I’ve already arranged for an employee to restock the necessary supplies.

The young woman slowly stopped drinking from the bottle, bowing her head as she looked at a picture of a large man and a beautiful red-haired woman in a large portrait; both were smiling and holding a baby.

– Don’t forget to stay focused on your training and studies. See you.

At the end of the message, the female voice spoke again: –Would you like to reply to Mr. Conrad Crawford’s message?

– No, Lumi. He’s probably too busy to talk to me. – Karoline replied with a sad smile, finishing her water and discarding the bottle in an empty trash bin.

– Lumi, I’m going to take a hot shower. Put on some music for me.

– Would you like to hear the most-played songs again?

– Yes, anything to distract my mind. –said Karoline, grabbing a towel from her backpack and heading away from the room.

– Would you like me to inform an employee that you’d like breakfast?

– No, today I want to make it with my own hands.

She said this while taking off her shirt and heading to the bathroom. At that moment, a fast and energetic song began to play, contrasting with the atmosphere, especially with the photo of the couple hanging in the center of the room.