Morning arrived sluggishly, the faint light filtering through the training chamber’s artificial skylights. Echo and Rook stirred in their respective quarters, but the simple act of getting out of bed felt monumental.
Echo swung his legs over the edge of his cot, only to wince as a sharp ache radiated up from his feet. “What the...?” he muttered, rubbing his calves. The sensation wasn’t just soreness—it was as if his bones were denser, heavier than before.
In the adjacent room, Rook had similar troubles. He pushed himself upright, groaning. “Why does it feel like my legs weigh a ton?” he grumbled, attempting to stretch but finding his movements stiff and awkward.
They stumbled into the shared hallway, their sluggish gait almost comical. Rook leaned against the wall, his breathing heavier than usual. “Echo, what’s going on? Did they spike the Pyresalt baths or something?”
“I don’t think so,” Echo replied, grimacing as he tested his balance. “This has to be the training... the bone fortification, right? Gladiator and Sentinel warned us about changes, but this feels... extreme.”
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The Mentors’ Verdict
The sound of approaching footsteps echoed down the hall, and soon Gladiator and Sentinel appeared, their expressions a mix of approval and sternness.
“Well, well,” Gladiator said, crossing his arms as he studied the two struggling young men. “Looks like the Pyresalt is doing its job. Congratulations, boys—your bones are finally condensing.”
“Condensing?” Rook repeated, his voice strained as he tried to stand straighter.
Sentinel nodded, her tone measured and calm. “The process of strengthening your skeletal structure involves compacting and reinforcing the mineral density of your bones. It makes them harder, more resilient—but it also makes them heavier. Your body is adjusting to the added weight, which is why walking feels so difficult.”
Rook gave an incredulous laugh. “Difficult? I feel like my legs are made of stone!”
Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.
“Good,” Gladiator said bluntly, smirking. “That means it’s working. But don’t get cocky—this is only the beginning. You’ll need to endure this discomfort for a while.”
Echo frowned, his gaze shifting between the two mentors. “So... what’s the plan for today? More training?”
Sentinel shook her head. “No. Forcing your body to train in this state would be counterproductive. Today, you rest.”
“Rest?” Rook asked, raising an eyebrow. “Is that even allowed?”
Gladiator chuckled, clapping a heavy hand on Rook’s shoulder. “You’ll thank us later. Overworking yourself now would lead to fractures or worse. Take the day to let your body adjust to the changes. That’s an order.”
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A Day of Forced Stillness
Despite the mentors’ insistence on rest, Echo and Rook found it challenging to embrace the idea. They spent the morning awkwardly pacing their quarters, trying to adjust to the unfamiliar weight of their bodies. Every step felt deliberate, their movements slow and cumbersome.
“This is ridiculous,” Rook muttered, collapsing onto a bench in the common area. “I’m supposed to be getting stronger, not turning into a walking boulder.”
Echo sat beside him, rubbing his knees. “It’s progress, though, right? I mean, if our bones are tougher, that’s one step closer to surviving whatever comes next.”
Rook sighed. “I guess. Still, I’d rather be doing something. Anything. Sitting around makes me feel useless.”
The hours dragged on, with both young men alternating between short walks and long stretches of sitting. By mid-afternoon, they decided to distract themselves by exploring the AI interface, tweaking its settings and experimenting with new commands.
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Evening Insights
As the day wound down, the mentors returned to check on their progress. Gladiator gestured for Rook to stand, observing his posture. “Good. Your body’s adapting faster than I expected.”
Sentinel handed Echo a small wooden staff. “Try lifting this,” she instructed.
Echo grasped the staff, surprised at how light it felt in his hands. “It’s... easier than I thought it would be.”
“That’s the point,” Sentinel replied with a faint smile. “Your bones aren’t just heavier—they’re stronger. This is the foundation we’re building upon. By the end of Stage 1, your body will be capable of feats you can’t imagine right now.”
Rook grinned, despite his earlier complaints. “You mean we’ll be unbreakable, right?”
“Not quite,” Gladiator said with a smirk. “But you’ll be close enough.”
As the mentors left for the evening, Echo and Rook exchanged a glance. The day of rest had been unexpectedly enlightening. Though their bodies still felt foreign, they began to see the potential within themselves—the possibility of transformation.
“I guess this is what it takes,” Echo said quietly.
“Yeah,” Rook agreed, leaning back against the wall. “We’ll get through this. One day at a time.”