章 322: Gym

"Not bad, Elena," Professor Valenti said, his tone noticeably softer. "It seems you haven't entirely neglected your training, despite your absence."

A wave of relief washed over me, though I tried to keep my composure. It was as much praise as I could expect from someone like him, and I wasn't going to let it go to waste. I nodded in acknowledgment, grateful that the first hurdle of the day was over.

The class continued, focusing on different techniques: posing, turns, and perfecting our posture. Each movement felt familiar, like slipping into an old routine.

The rhythm of walking, turning, and striking a pose came back to me, muscle memory kicking in. For the first time in a while, I felt grounded and in control. But as the class went on, my thoughts drifted toward the afternoon gym session. Physical activity had never been my favorite, and I hadn't done much exercise recently.