Four days later, I lay sprawled on the training hall floor like a discarded ragdoll, staring at the ceiling with dead eyes.
My arms splayed wide, fingers twitching occasionally—the only proof I wasn’t actually a corpse. The weight of Echo of Remorse still pressed against my right palm, its faint hum syncing with my ragged breathing.
Not far away, the turtle brothers huddled in their usual post-beating conference. Their voices carried just enough for me to hear—no doubt intentionally.
"His persistence time increased by 23% today," Dono mused, tapping his staff against his shell. "At this rate, we’ll need to adjust tactics by next week."
Mike spun his nunchaku with a grin. "Ooooor we could just hit harder now! Remember that combo move we used on the sewer kraken?"
Leon’s katana shinged as he sheathed it. "Idiot. We’re supposed to train him, not pulp him again." A pause. "...Yet."
Ralph cracked his knuckles. "But he’s getting funner to fight! Like a squeaky toy that learned to bite back!"
You all really want to beat me to death, huh.
My lips twitched on the side.
Yet despite their sadistic tendencies, Dono’s data didn’t lie—my learning curve was steepening. Where I’d once lasted mere seconds against their assaults, now I could hold out for minutes.
I had begun predicting their patterns with the help of Observant Eye and my brilliant mind, and of course, Echo of Life also played a role by mapping their movements like sonar pulses. Even Echo of Remorse seemed to grow sharper with each clash, its vibrations syncing with my stubborn refusal to stay down.
On the other side, Virion’s latest whim had me alternating weapons daily - dagger one day, sword the next.
I think it is probably the next level of the compatibility test.
Or maybe the winged sadist just enjoyed watching me fumble with different weapons.
Just as I debated the merits of playing dead forever, Echo of Life pinged—a new presence entering the training grounds. It was eerily familiar, but due to my already low stamina and mental strength, I couldn’t exactly pinpoint it, so I could only guess.
Thankfully, the turtles’ greetings confirmed it:
"Oi, tough boy!" Mike chirped.
"Got new ideas to discuss, friend?" Dono actually sounded eager.
"Saber guy," Leon acknowledged curtly.
"Hmph, unfunny guy is here~" Ralph sang-songed.
I lifted my head with monumental effort.
Zephyr stood at the hall’s edge, arms crossed, his usual ’Ready to die?’ expression in place.
After a long moment, he spoke, his voice cutting through the training hall’s heavy air like a winter wind.
"Are you free after this?" A pause. "Blink once for yes, twice for no."
I blinked twice, then rasped, "Why?"
He didn’t flinch at my pathetic state. Instead, his gaze flicked over the bruises, the sweat-soaked clothes, the way my fingers still trembled around the hilt of Echo of Remorse.
Maybe he is seeing his past in me, considering he is Virion’s student too.
...Wait, does that make him my senior brother?!
"...I prepared a training plan for you."
A flicker of something—gratitude, maybe—warmed my chest. I managed a weak nod. "Thank ..u."
Zephyr gave a single, curt nod in return. "Meet me after you finish everything. I’ll be in the library."
Then, before I could even process the implications of Zephyr of all people voluntarily planning something for me, he turned on his heel. A portal ripped open beside him, swirling with his aura. Without another word, he stepped through—vanishing as abruptly as he’d arrived.
The training hall fell silent.
"...Huh," Mike said, breaking the quiet. "Did tough guy just—?"
"Offer help?" Dono finished, tapping his chin. "Unprecedented indeed."
Leon’s eyes narrowed. "...Suspicious."
Ralph grinned. "Or maybe he is just happy to see this guy getting beaten too!"
...I was right about that.
I groaned, letting my head thunk back against the floor.
Great. Now even Zephyr’s in on torturing me.
But despite the exhaustion, a small part of me—the part that wasn’t currently a bruised, aching mess—was weirdly... touched. Zephyr didn’t do unnecessary things. If he’d gone out of his way to prepare a training plan for me, it meant he’d actually thought about it.
Which was either terrifying or flattering.
Before I could dwell further, Virion’s voice echoed from above, dripping with amusement.
"Alright, alright~ Today’s show ends here!" His serpentine form coiled lazily in midair. "I’ll send you to your room. Get some rest, cause you’ll definitely need it."
The last words curled with ominous promise.
Then, before I could protest, the world lurched.
A familiar pop of displaced air later, I found myself sprawled on the cold tiles of my bathroom floor, just like the past three days.
At least he’s consistent.
Thankfully, I’d learned my lesson after the first time and stashed clean clothes in here beforehand. Pushing myself up with a groan, I peeled off my sweat-soaked, dirt-streaked training gear and dumped it in the hamper.
The bath was already drawn—steam curling invitingly over the rim. Another small mercy.
I sank into the hot water with a hiss, the heat seeping into my battered muscles. Leaning back, I let my eyes drift shut, the day’s events replaying in my mind.
The turtles’ relentless assault. The way Echo of Remorse had steadied my strikes. The flicker of approval in Leon’s eyes when I’d actually managed to counter and somehow copy him.
And now... Zephyr’s unexpected offer.
What kind of training plan did he even make?
Knowing him, it was either genius or brutal. Probably both.
A smirk tugged at my lips despite the ache in my ribs.
Guess I’ll find out soon enough.
I sank deeper into the water, exhaling slowly.
Rest. While I still can.
And I also have to visit the shop and bid farewell to Cassandra and the princess. And of course do my job as the manager, though I have to finish early if I want to hear Zephyr’s plan.
They said they would leave after lunch, and it’s probably 9 a.m. now, I can take a quick nap and easily get there before that.
Yeah... I’ll take a quick nap...
The warm water lapped at my shoulders as I sank deeper into the bath, the heat coaxing my exhausted muscles into reluctant relaxation. My eyelids grew heavy, the steam curling around my face like a comforting blanket.
Just a few minutes...
But the moment my head started to loll forward, I jerked upright with a sharp inhale.
Sleeping in the bathtub was a rookie mistake—one that would leave me with wrinkled fingers and possibly a crick in my neck. And right now, I didn’t have the luxury of time.
Gritting my teeth, I forced myself to sit up, water sloshing as I dragged a hand down my face.
Who knows when I’ll see them again?
Cassandra, the princess—this might be my last chance to properly say goodbye.
Sleep can wait. I’m already used to it.
With renewed determination, I hauled myself out of the bath, water cascading off my skin as I reached for a towel. The cool air prickled against my damp body, but the briskness helped shake off the lingering drowsiness.
After drying my hair and face, I paused in front of the mirror, studying my reflection. Dark circles still lingered under my eyes, but the bruises from training had faded thanks to Virion’s "recovery soup" and his domain’s healing effect.
My frame, once lean and unremarkable, now carried the subtle definition of someone who’d been repeatedly pummeled into improvement.
Though still far from a perfect six pack.
Shaking off the thought, I turned to the fresh set of clothes laid out on the counter—my manager’s attire, crisp and formal. The dark fabric was tailored, the silver embroidery along the cuffs catching the light as I dressed. A final glance in the mirror confirmed I looked presentable—professional, even.
Taking a deep breath, I squared my shoulders and stepped out of the bathroom.
The bedroom was quiet, sunlight streaming through the curtains. My gaze lingered on the bed for a moment—so tempting—but I pushed the thought aside.
With that, I strode out the door, leaving exhaustion behind—for now.