Chương 36: Training and Promises

Adam entered the dining room after changing into fresh clothes.

He still bore faint signs of the intense night, but he tried to mask his fatigue, putting on a calm expression as he joined his parents at the table.

His mother, Rachel, looked up and smiled warmly, a mix of relief and concern in her eyes.

"Adam, you're late today. Is everything alright?" she asked, her tone gentle yet probing.

As Rachel spoke, Adam's father, Ricky, who had just sat down at the table for dinner, glanced over with curiosity.

Adam, quick to respond, put on a reassuring smile. "We're preparing for the Annual Sports Festival at school," he explained. "I thought I'd help organize it with my friends and make sure everything runs smoothly."

At this, Rachel's face lit up, and she exchanged a proud look with Ricky. "That's wonderful, right, dear?" she said, turning to Ricky, who nodded, smiling at Adam.

"Yes, that's a great initiative, Adam. We're really proud of you," Ricky added, giving Adam an encouraging nod.

Rachel, now filled with excitement, leaned closer to Adam. "So, does this mean you're actually going to participate this year?"

For a moment, she recalled past years when Adam had declined participation in the festival, usually preferring solo activities or games that didn't involve much physical exertion.

Yet, to her surprise, Adam's eyes held a newfound resolve.

"Yes, I'm participating this year," he said firmly. "And I plan to win."

A glimmer of pride filled Rachel's eyes. She clasped her hands together, genuinely thrilled. "I believe in you, Adam. I know you'll come out on top," she said, beaming.

Adam smiled at her enthusiasm. "By the way, the school is inviting parents this year. So, you both have to come," he added, his gaze moving between his parents.

Rachel's joy was boundless, and she glanced at Ricky, who nodded in agreement. "We'll be there to support you," she promised, "and capture every moment as you take down the competition."

At this, Ricky chuckled softly, looking at his wife with amusement. "Don't get too excited now. We need to save some energy to cheer for him during the event," he teased.

The three shared a warm laugh, the room filled with the quiet harmony of family. They finished their dinner, the atmosphere lighter and more hopeful than it had been in a long time.

---

After dinner, Adam headed upstairs to his room. The moment he closed the door, Mikasa's voice echoed in his earpiece. "Lord Adam, I've completed the initial investigation into the organization behind the recent events."

Adam tensed, listening intently as Mikasa continued. "This organization spans across the country. They're backed by powerful individuals, with immense financial resources and legal protection. The man who ordered the attack on Ani is only a regional operator—a small piece in a much larger structure."

Adam's mind raced as he processed the information. "How much have you uncovered about them, Mikasa?" he asked, his voice calm but with a hint of urgency.

Mikasa hesitated, a rare tone of frustration in her voice. "Despite my efforts, they maintain a minimal digital footprint. They rarely use the internet, relying instead on satellite phones for high-level communication. So far, I've only been able to identify three regional operators, one of whom was responsible for ordering Ani's abduction."

Adam's gaze darkened. "Do you have his location?"

"I've been monitoring him 24x7, tracking every detail," Mikasa confirmed. Her voice was calm, yet Adam could sense the seriousness in her tone.

Taking a deep breath, Adam replied, "Keep watching him. We won't strike just yet. I need more information on how they operate and any physical contacts they might have. Divert attention if needed, but keep him under close surveillance."

He paused, letting Mikasa understand the gravity of his words, then switched off his mobile for the night. Adam lay down, his mind racing as he prepared for tomorrow's challenges.

---

At precisely 6:00 a.m., Adam's alarm blared. He groggily reached over and silenced it. Before Pratham could even begin to speak, Adam muttered, "I know what you're going to say, Pratham."

Pratham chuckled in Adam's ear. "Very well, Lord Adam. I'll give you ten minutes to get ready."

A short while later, Adam was dressed and downstairs, greeting his parents with a quick "Good morning" before stepping outside.

Once he was in the fresh morning air, he stretched and looked up at the sky, his breath fogging in the chill.

"So, Pratham," he said, "what's on the agenda today?"

Pratham's voice sounded pleased. "Based on your body's growth and progress, I believe you're ready for Level 1 training."

Adam raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "Level 1 training? Sounds interesting. What does it involve?"

Pratham began to explain the routine in detail. "First, a high-speed run from your house to the town park. Once there, zigzag running to increase agility, followed by a sequence of jumping and bouncing exercises. Then, 50 push-ups, tree-branch pull-ups—where you'll perform pull-ups using a tree branch in the park—and five minutes of frog jumps. The final exercise is squats, 20 repetitions."

Adam was impressed. "Quite an upgrade from my usual workout," he remarked, feeling a surge of excitement.

Pratham continued, "And once you've completed the exercises, I recommend a meditation session. Focusing on your inner energy will help you gain better control over it, allowing you to push your limits further."

Adam nodded, motivated. "Good job, Pratham," he said, earning a pleased response from the AI.

Without hesitation, Adam set off at a fast pace toward the park, feeling the cool morning air rush past him.

His stamina and speed had increased significantly, allowing him to reach the park faster than ever.

There, he wasted no time, diving straight into the zigzag running. His breathing grew heavier with each exercise, but he pushed himself further, savoring the challenge.

When it came time for push-ups, Adam lowered himself to the ground. While he once struggled to do even ten, he now managed forty with relative ease, pushing himself to hit fifty, though his arms trembled by the end.

He collapsed onto the ground, gasping, before pulling himself up for the next task.

Approaching a sturdy tree, Adam grabbed a low-hanging branch and hoisted himself up. Pull-ups had always been his weak point, but he was determined to conquer this exercise.

Despite his arms screaming in protest, he managed to do half the pull-ups, promising himself he would complete the full count next time.

After completing the frog jumps and squats, he moved to a secluded grassy spot in the park.

Settling into a lotus position, Adam closed his eyes, letting his breathing slow as he sank into meditation.

Gradually, he focused inward, trying to tap into the faint energy that pulsed within him. It was a strange, elusive force, like a warm current flowing through his veins.

He couldn't fully grasp it, but the sensation reassured him. This was his potential, his inner power, lying dormant yet ready to awaken when need.

After finishing his meditation, Adam rose, feeling centered and recharged.

He made his way home, the early morning sun casting a golden hue over the town.

As he walked, his mind lingered on the festival, the training, and the looming threat of the organization targeting Ani.

Each piece of his life seemed to be converging, forming a path he hadn't yet fully comprehended.

But whatever lay ahead, Adam felt ready to face it head-on.