[Daily Quest:
Push-ups: 50/50
Pull-ups: 50/50
Jumping jacks: 30/30
Running: 7km/7km]
[Ding! The host has maintained a streak of five days]
[Reward: Mid-rank Healing Potion x1
Camouflage Potion x1
Low-rank Recovery Potion x1]
Kyle smiled faintly as he ca to a stop after finishing his run.
It had only been a little over a week since he started his routine, yet his body already felt far better than it did during that sluggish period where he only did one thing without fail.
Cry over his situation.
The system had begun adding variety to his workouts, helping him strengthen his core. Still, he knew he needed more balanced training. Maybe he will join a gym after returning.
He wasn’t very fond of gyms because of how crowded they all are but his room was too small to think of buying a few equipnt as well.
For now, he decided to head back ho and prepare for the trip.
Students were supposed to report at seven, and it was only half past five, so there was no need to rush.
Back in his room, he checked his phone. There were a few ssages from his mother, one from his brother, and several from Veronica, who said she couldn’t join the livestream despite trying multiple tis.
"Hm?" Kyle frowned. That shouldn’t have happened. He had sent her the link while he was live, so she should have been able to join.
"Well, I’ll send her the ID once I’m back," he muttered, shaking his head as he stepped into the bathroom.
After taking off his clothes, he paused. Not to admire the slight flab on his stomach or the stubborn love handles, but to think.
Instead of turning the right nozzle for cold water, he twisted the left.
"Sss—" A sharp hiss escaped him as scalding water poured over his bare body, burning like he was being boiled alive.
Yet he didn’t move.
He stood there, fists clenched, teeth grinding against each other.
The heat cascaded over his head, down his neck, across his back and chest. It didn’t take long for his skin to turn red, a clear reminder of how precise he always had to be when adjusting the temperature.
A full minute passed before he finally stepped in front of the mirror.
His shoulders were flushed, parts of his neck raw and heated. His body still radiated warmth, but he remained still, watching.
Then, slowly, a faint golden glow spread across his skin.
The heat began to fade. Not like it was being cooled by water, but as if sothing was pulling it out of him, draining it away. The sensation was strange, yet undeniably soothing.
Within seconds, the redness vanished. The burn was gone.
His skin looked untouched.
"Sick..." Kyle muttered under his breath. The Golden Limb was just absurdly overpowered.
Then, he turned the hot water on again and stepped beneath it.
The burning sensation returned, but this ti it felt... slightly weaker.
Kyle shut his eyes and clenched his fists as the heat washed over him. His skin burned again, but he didn’t step away. He endured it longer than before, and soon enough, the Golden Limb began to respond even under the constant stream.
It felt like standing between two opposing forces.
The water tried to scald him, but faster than the damage could settle, the golden radiance healed it away. The pain never fully disappeared, yet it never overwheld him either.
And because of that balance, Kyle began to notice sothing.
He was getting used to it.
Of course, this wasn’t enough to make him immune to heat. The water wasn’t nearly intense enough for that. But still... it revealed sothing new.
A different use of the Golden Limb.
Adaptability.
....
Wasting twenty minutes in the bathroom, he finally stepped out and wore a lose fitting t-shirt and shots since he had so cooking to do.
They were asked to bring sothing to eat on the way since the journey would stretch for seven hours.
Kyle had fortunately thought about what he must cook which could be eaten during the trip without causing too much ss.
Sandwiches.
He first took four breads, intending to make two sandwiches for himself.
However then he paused.
He thought for a few seconds...Amanda loved his sandwiches.
Yes, he might not be able to talk to her during the journey....but still, he decided to make so.
Now, there was just so hope that they would end up sitting together on the bus.
.....
SPISH
The whip struck his reddened skin again, carving another harsh mark across his back.
The one being punished didn’t move. He stood there, calm, as if his body and mind existed separately.
Breathing heavily, the woman holding the whip spoke, "Ethan... Do you know why I ca to greet you like this early in the morning?" The elder Lockhart’s voice was sharp.
Ethan replied in his usual tone, as if he hadn’t been lashed and slapped for the past hour. "No, Mother."
Thalia tossed the whip aside and picked up a tube from the table. As she applied the gel onto his wounds, she said, "So you rember your duty on this trip. You’ve failed more than enough tis, but this is your chance to make up for it."
Ethan stayed silent as the cool gel spread over his burning skin.
Thalia leaned closer, her voice dropping to a whisper near his ear. "During this trip, you will repair your relationship with that girl. When you return, I expect an invitation from the Maylith family. Do you understand?"
Amanda’s father’s birthday was only a few days away. As things stood, there was a high chance they wouldn’t be invited. The Maylith family only invited those they were close to, not out of courtesy. And given how strained things had beco, there was every chance Amanda wouldn’t even consider Ethan as a guest.
Ethan nodded. "I understand. I’ll do sothing."
Thalia humd, leaning back. "You said that last ti too, and you failed. These little punishnts don’t seem to be working anymore."
Ethan flinched for a fraction of a second but forced his expression to remain calm. He wouldn’t give her the satisfaction of seeing his fear.
Thalia tapped a finger against her chin. "What about that girl who used to lead before you? The one working with you... what was her na? Layena, right?"
Ethan’s entire body stiffened. He turned toward her, his eyes darkening. "Mother... there’s no need to involve her. I promise I’ll handle Amanda during this trip. I swear, I will."
Everyone had a line they couldn’t allow to be crossed.
Ethan could endure anything from this woman, any punishnt, any cruelty... but when it ca to Layena, he couldn’t just stand there and watch.
Thalia grinned before saying, "Well, I don’t trust you at all, dear son so keep it in mind. If you failed this ti, not only you but soone else would get dragged into your ss too." Patting his cheek, she added, "Now, stop making faces and get up already. You have a girl to seduce~"
Leaving those words behind, the woman left the room.
°°°°°°°°°°
A/N:- Thanks for reading. Drop a comnt.
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