Chapter 8: No kean, i am weak.
I roused from sleep, greeted by the stillness of the early morning. A brisk cold shower jolted me awake, and I dedicated extra attention to brushing my teeth, my reflection revealing the gradual transformation of my stomach into the coveted six-pack I'd dreamt about in my past life. My gaze shifted to my mobile phone; it was 6 am, leaving me with ample time for training. There was no room for slacking off.
While on my way to the training room, my thoughts turned to the future and my allowance. It occurred to me that investing wisely now would be a prudent decision, given my knowledge of future financial concerns. A question lingered, however: who had paid for my academy tuition? The notion of directly asking such a question felt risky, potentially raising eyebrows and inviting speculation. The last thing I needed was undue attention. Besides, I had more pressing matters on my agenda—securing the elusive soulbinder was paramount.
Stepping into the training room, I noticed its emptiness, a rare solitude that appealed to the daredevil within me. I was the only one crazy enough to undertake such an early training regimen. Resuming my routine, I focused intently on strengthening my legs and hands, my determination unwavering. Amidst my physical exertions, a fleeting thought crossed my mind: when would my astral profile become available? The prospect both excited and worried me. While I knew my stats wouldn't be extraordinary, I hoped they wouldn't be abysmal either.
A curious itch in my mind prompted me to test my nexus affinity, if only once. Clad in protective gloves, I approached the training dummy, channeling mana into my right hand. A slight miscalculation led to a surge of mana, engulfing my hand in an expansive pool of white flames. Panic set in as I realized the potential danger; I needed to act fast lest I lose control and potentially an arm. Swiftly adopting a stance, I lunged at the dummy, an explosion of immensely destructive mana erupting from my hand and reducing the dummy to ash.
Amidst the aftermath, an unexpected sound reached my ears, prompting me to turn my gaze toward the entrance. Kael stood there, his jaw agape as he took in the spectacle before him. My body couldn't contain the shock any longer, and I quietly succumbed to unconsciousness, falling into a realm where consciousness and dreams blurred together.
Awakening in the midst of a sterile white room, I struggled to rise from the bed, only to discover that my upper body refused to cooperate, eliciting a series of involuntary grunts. Panic surged within me as I contemplated the urgency of not missing my class. My gaze flickered to my mobile phone, the time awaiting my confirmation. But my arms betrayed my intention, and I realized I needed assistance.
In that moment, the entrance swung open, and a nurse with ebony hair entered the room. She looked at me with a mixture of concern and professionalism, her gaze sympathetic. "Good, you're awake," she said softly, approaching me. "How are you feeling?"
My feeble attempt to move my upper body resulted in a grimace of discomfort. "I can't move my upper body," I managed to convey, my voice tinged with frustration. "It's like something's gnawing at me from the inside. Could it be because I used too much mana at once?"
With gentle empathy, the nurse extended her hand towards my forehead. A sensation of soothing warmth emanated from her palm, easing a significant portion of my pain. My astonishment must have been palpable, because the nurse gave a reassuring smile, almost as if she had grown accustomed to such reactions. "It's an affinity I possess," she explained, as if it was an everyday occurrence. "I'm ranked A."
My jaw figuratively dropped. An A rank awakener working as a nurse here—it was a revelation that stretched the limits of my belief. I couldn't help but express my surprise. "An A rank awakener... working as a nurse?"
She nodded, her expression modest yet proud. "Indeed. Now, let me help you sit up more comfortably."
As I adjusted my position, curiosity burning within me, I couldn't help but inquire further. "By the way, how did I end up here?"
The nurse's response held a mix of surprise and understanding. "A young boy with striking blue hair and deep black eyes brought you in. He looked rather concerned about your well-being."
I wasn't surprised by her answer; it was just the confirmation I needed. However, I was eager to change the topic, sensing the need to seize the day. Gazing at my mobile phone once again, I noted the time: 7 pm. I mentally resolved that I wouldn't allow any more time to slip away. Though my initial inclination was to rush to the training room, the nurse's next words tempered my enthusiasm.
"Be cautious not to overexert yourself," she advised kindly, as if reading my intentions. "While we've healed your physical injuries, the mental strain persists."
Appreciating her concern, I expressed my gratitude and exited the room, leaving behind the pristine, white environment. Walking through the hallway, my thoughts were already racing with plans. Today, I had decided to prioritize rest, but also to focus on more strategic ways to achieve my goals. Creating a chess game to upload seemed like a quick avenue to earn money, while the idea of demonstrating mana theories loomed tantalizingly on the horizon. However, the risk of revealing my identity and the potential effort required cast a shadow of doubt. Nonetheless, as I ventured forward, the possibilities expanded before me, each decision guiding me closer to my ambitions.
kaen's pov
I made my way to the training room earlier than usual, wanting to make the most of the solitary training time. As I entered, the room was empty, except for number 1568, who was engrossed in their routine. I recalled their ranking as I watched them. Their right fist was enveloped in a radiant blaze of white flames, signaling their control over mana. I assumed it was just another training session for them, not expecting the incredible display that was about to unfold.
Number 1568 seemed to hesitate, as if contemplating the outcome of their actions. They seemed to dismiss any doubts and took a deep breath. The next instant, their mana surged, channeling into their hand with astonishing intensity. The sudden explosion of power that followed left me speechless, my jaw dropping in disbelief. The training dummy, once a sturdy object, was reduced to mere ashes by the sheer force of their attack.
I stood at the entrance, unable to tear my gaze away from the spectacle. The room echoed with the sound of destruction, and I felt a mixture of awe and amazement. Who would have thought that number 1568 possessed such immense power? The energy radiating from them was overwhelming, and I found myself questioning the very foundations of what I knew about mana and its capabilities.
As number 1568 collapsed, exhausted by the surge of power they had just unleashed, I felt a rush of emotions. The power they had displayed was both astonishing and unsettling. Imagining being on the receiving end of that kind of attack sent a chill down my spine. The sight of their right fist enveloped in white fire lingered in my mind, leaving me contemplating the depths of their abilities.
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