Back at the mansion, Eva clutched her stomach and waddled inside, barely able to walk straight. Her hands held a fur bag stuffed with at.
Ethan and Julian exchanged a glance, both numb to her wormhole of a stomach. They had just watched three trays of food- enough to feed five grown n- vanish without a trace.
Julian’s eyes flicked to her flat stomach, and they wondered where all the at had gone. There wasn’t even a slight bulge to show she ate.
Eva handed the fur bag to Blaine. "Please store this carefully. I’ll eat it tomorrow."
Blaine accepted the bag without a word, though its weight made his arms dip slightly. He opened his mouth to ask what they wanted for dinner, but Julian cut in.
"Tell the kitchen we’re skipping dinner. We ate out.’’ with that, Julian climbed the stairs, Ethan following as well.
"Rest up, Eva,’’ Ethan called over his shoulder. "Tomorrow, we’re going hunting."
Eva froze mid-step. "Hunting? Is there anything specific I need to pack?"
She turned serious when it ca to important matters. And following them would an high-level floors and monsters.
"Your sword, armour, and potions," Julian said with a yawn. "Blaine will handle the rest."
Eva nodded and resud her climb. But Julian’s next words made her stumble on the last step.
"Oh, and rember- training starts at five!" he added, his tone teasing.
Eva gripped the railing and forced a smile before bolting upstairs.
Eva glanced at him with a forced smile and quickly ran upstairs. ’I need my beauty sleep. Tomorrow, she’s entering the dungeon.’ for so reason, she had a feeling that tomorrow was going to be a hellish day.
Freshening up, she unpacked the things they brought and made sure everything she needed was in her space bag.
Falling freely on the bed, a happy smile crossed her lips. ’I can eat, walk normally, talk, and live. Whoever brought here, thank you.’
Her last thought before she drifted to sleep; the room was quiet, but the tattoo repeated its actions. Her back pulsed with two teardrop tattoos.
Only ti would tell what would happen to Eva when the pearl had fully absorbed enough energy.
*****
"Knock, Knock!"
"Get up. Ti for training!" Julian’s voice jolted Eva awake. Her heart raced before her brain caught up. "Ugh...I’m awake!" She groaned into her pillow.
She was about to turn over when pain zapped through her body and the knock ca again.
"Ow!! Stop knocking already I’m awake!" Eva scread at the door, his continuous knock was adding to her pain.
As if hearing her words the knock stopped, "Be down in five minutes!" Julian left these words and left.
’What the hell is wrong with this body?! Is it damaged or sothing? I can’t keep waking up to this pain.’ her mind raced with thoughts, but no answer could co to mind.
She could only absorb the energy in the air before she felt better. Rembering she had to be down in five, she quickly went into the bathroom and washed her face and mouth before changing into a tube top and leggings.
Leaving the room, she tied her hair in a bun. Passing by the kitchen, her nose caught the aroma of freshly baked bread, and her legs moved backwards.
Glancing around and seeing nobody, she snuck quietly into the kitchen. The chef’s back was faced away from her. Her hands grabbed three slices of bread and crept away from the kitchen.
Her elbows bumped a spoon, and it rolled off the counter.
Eva reacted quickly and caught the spoon. The edges were almost touching the ground; she let out a relieved breath. The sound echoed, and the chef caught the sound.
Turning back, he found nothing and shook his head, feeling it was the breeze. Eva’s heart was beating fast as she rushed towards the living room.
She quickly ate the bread, patting her lips for crumbs before walking in. Julian was standing, waiting for her patiently.
"You’re right on ti," Julian muttered, sounding almost disappointed as he checked the tir. Eva felt his tone was wrong but she shook it off.
"Let’s go outside today I will teach you the basics." He said as he walked out, Eva following along.
Reaching the training area, there was already a dummy set in the middle. The aura around Julian changed.
"Bring out your wooden sword," Julian commanded. Eva brought it out obediently.
"Today you learn how to grip a sword and stance," Julian said, showing her the way to grip a sword.
Eva looked carefully and followed but was wrong.
"Tighten your grip. It has to be strong but not too tight. Like this." Julian said as he demonstrated again.
Eva nodded and gripped her sword. "Not your whole finger. Your thumb and index finger guide the blade; the others are for support." He instructed her from the side, correcting and explaining.
Eva felt her fingers grow numb before Julian was barely satisfied with her grip. He showed her a hamr grip, which he said was easier for beginners.
’future self, never believe Julian’s words, ever.’ Eva grumbled in her mind, her shoulder aching.
When it went to the stance stage, she received a hit from Julian’s sword to keep her balance in place.
"Wrong! Do it again!"
"Why are you distracted? Your knees aren’t slightly bent."
"Wrong! Hold your sword to your chest and move with your dominant foot."
Julian’s stern voice echoed through the clearing as tapping sounds were held. Eva was soaked in sweat, her temper almost flaring up but she held herself back.
Gritting her teeth, she went through the steps again; and wondered where the playful Julian had gone; she missed him compared to this devilish instructor.
After an hour, the morning light had increased its glow, their training finally ca to a stop.
"We’ll stop here for today. You did well." Julian praised her at his last sentence, but Eva’s legs shook badly; she slumped to the ground, sweat soaking her body and dripping to the ground.
"C-can Ethan teach next ti," Eva asked weakly, not knowing what she was asking for.
Julian glanced at her with pity when he heard her request. He was about to dissuade her, but it was too late. Ethan, who had been observing, walked up to them.
"Alright, we’ll do it by turn." Ethan agreed and Eva felt relief unknown to the start of her hellish training.
Julian saw her relieved expression and couldn’t look her in the eyes. He only hoped she could endure the training ahead.
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