Human Ambition(1)
"Today, you will be learning the Explosive Power Art. This art is the culmination of the ancient martial arts that we have researched around the world, and is probably the best technique for a human to grow in speed." The division leader sat on a metal throne, while Herbert looked at her with his eyes half closed.
After Herbert had known more details about his training yesterday, he had went to sleep directly, as his body and mind had needed to recover from the abuse that he had taken. Who would have known that the division leader would drag him out while he was sleeping?
"Here is your food. After eating it, you should feel more refreshed." A peach liquid flowed out from a bottle that the division leader had attached to her waist. It directly passed through Herbert's skin and was absorbed by him.
Herbert's eyes shot open, as he felt pain coursing through every part of his body. This felt like he was experiencing paper cuts everywhere, as his whole body exploded with limitless energy.
"This is the best supplement for your training regime. Since we can't use Grand energy to not contaminate you, we could only use the most primitive method. Now, follow my actions if you don't want to die!"
Herbert had no doubt that he would seriously die if he did not copy the division's leader actions. The pain was simply too much for him to bear, so he might die from shock at any moment.
"Straighten your body! Stretch your legs wide open! Then, do as many punches as you can!" Herbert heard all the instructions clearly, but he frowned in midst of all the pain. Shouldn't he be assuming a horse stance? What was this weird training method?
Nevertheless, he assumed this position, before punching out rapidly in the air, if flailing arms could be called punching.
"What I want you to concentrate! Keep your punches straight! Do you want to get rid of that extra nutrition or not?" Herbert could feel his form being adjusted by the division leader into the position she wanted.
As Herbert tried to let off more punches, he seemed to have grasped something, as all his punches started to straighten itself. The effect was small at first, but with more and more punches, Herbert could feel that the punches had some form to them.
The energy that he was containing were spent at an increasing rate over time, nullifying the pain that was in his body. The speed of his subsequent punches were at least four times faster, not to mention that he haven't even tested the power level of these punches yet.
"HA! HA! HA!" Herbert yelled out at the top of his lungs, as he finally got rid of all the pent up energy with a volley of punches that seemed to be interconnected. The punches created a small current of air, a testimony to the power exerted by the punches.
A pleasant feeling went through Herbert's body, as his body slowly adapted to his new found strength. He clenched and unclenched his hand, unwilling to believe that he had achieved this weird level of strength.
"Good! Good! Your power level is satisfactory for the first stage of upper body strength, so you should be able to undertake the lower body strength now." The division leader smiled sadistically, as she shot another stream of the peach liquid into Herbert's body.
Herbert's body began to feel pain again, although it was much milder than last time. His body could tolerate more energy this time, and he prepared to execute a few punching moves to get rid of the pain.
"I'm an alien, but I think I can understand your language better than you. I said lower body strength. The true purpose of this skill is to build up your stamina for the rescue. So, go on and run!" Herbert stopped in time, but he looked unwilling to practice running.
When compared with increasing one's strength or stamina, most people would choose strength, since they had the subconscious view that strength would attract fame, partners, and more. It was the same reasoning behind how sprinters were more celebrated than long distance runners.
However, the division leader was ready to slap some sense into the fool who wanted to be strong. "Even if you can fight, you will still die easily to a random mutant. So come along now and do your exercises, or I will deal with you." Her eyes started glowing golden, and Herbert could feel the physical pressure that she was putting on him.
That's right. I'm still a dog. Herbert reminded himself that he was going to be experiencing a life threatening experience in two days. He did not have time or the authority to argue with the division leader.
Following the orders of the Illuminati and staying here was likely one of the safest ways to survive in this world with humans evolving into monsters, since he was the only one who could not rely on this "Grand energy" everyone kept mentioning.
Herbert started to run with all his strength, as the energy was constantly fuelling his every move. The peach coloured liquid was simply too effective, as he did not have to overcome any mental barrier at all like in a normal exercise. The pain came before, not after, which was effective to motivate a normal person like him.
"So, these are the effects of the Explosive Power Art? For a human based technique, it's not too bad." The division leader judged Herbert's progress from the sidelines. From a scrawny person, his body was slowly bulking up, forming bulging muscles at certain parts of his body.
As Herbert slowed to a stop after exhausting all his energy once more, the division leader started clapping. "Congratulations, recruit. You have just passed your basic training test. Keep it up, and you might be able to break through to the second stage soon."
As Herbert laid onto the metal floor, he inquired, "Do you have more of the peach coloured liquid? I want to see if I can improve more."
"No. The Human Polishing Liquid would destroy your body potential if used more than twice in 24 hours." The division leader straight out rejected Herbert, before using her powers to throw him out of the door.
However, Herbert did not feel dejected. On the contrary, he felt crazily excited. When he was a hotel clerk, he was constantly getting picked on by ignorant and shrewd customers, having to cater to their needs, creating a resentful attitude inside of him.
Now? Even though he was still a weakling, and could potentially become one forever, the strength that he felt was real. Perhaps he could find ways to augment his strength to higher levels. The flames of desire within Herbert was stoked, and he could not wait to see what else this new world would have.
CREATORS' THOUGHTS 
Shifty_DaoistMage
Shifty_DaoistMage Dumb author forgets about upload schedule
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone