A Treadmill Almost Kills Me

Captain Sparks was discharged later that day.

"I had a good time talking to you, Your Highness.", she said with a smile as she put on her jacket.

"You are a good listener and didn't distance yourself from me even when you heard my past."

I smiled back, "Well, you are a good person, Captain Sparks."

"But I-"

"What you did is unforgivable.", I said.

"But you realized your actions and had remorse. You didn't run from the consequences and you chose the painful and bloody path to death rather than the peaceful way.", I spoke calmly.

"You are a brave person and you're not talentless. Your skills that I saw on the battlefield? Now that is some real talent.", I remarked.

She stared at me in amazement, "I can't believe I'm getting motivation from a thirteen-year-old."

I know. I am a fantastic guy.

I just shrugged at her response, "Sometimes wisdom can come from strange places."

She laughed, "You can say that again."

Her laughter was so sincere and pleasant that I almost forgot she was a murderer guilty of familicide.

"Thanks, your Highness.", she wiped the tears from her eyes as she chuckled.

"Will I see you again?", I asked.

She shrugged, "I doubt it. The captains of the newbie unit change for every battle. By the time I'll be in charge of the newbies, you'll probably be out of the unit, either as a full-fledged Deathwalker or a dead body."

She didn't have to add that last part but hey, at least she's honest. 

"Then I guess this is goodbye.", I held out my hand, "Thanks for saving me, Captain Sparks. It was great to meet you."

"Likewise.", she shook my hand, "I am honored to have met, your Highness."

With a smile, she turned around.

"Oh yeah. A word of advice, Your Highness.", she glanced back with a cool expression.

"Please be careful in the Shield. Not all the criminals here are chill like me."

"Goodbye, Your Highness. I look forward to seeing where you will reach."

With those words, Captain Sparks left the infirmary and I returned to enjoying the usual bleak sights of Althea.

Ah. Nothing beats watching the sufferings of the wounded.

I chuckled. I am still the same sadistic bastard of Camelot.

I am glad to see that some things haven't changed.

*******

"Just what are kids nowadays made of?"

Dr. Haytham grumbled as he examined my body.

"Don't underestimate the durability of a determined kid, Doc.", Felix grinned as his eyes fell on the scar on my arm as my bandages fell off.

"I thought one thirteen-year-old was enough trouble. Is that Kay trying to stress me to death?", Dr. Haytham narrowed his dark pink eyes as he examined my body for any other unhealed injuries.

According to Felix, Dr. Casper Haytham is one of the best healers in the Kingdom and is the Chief Healer of Althea.

His powerful healing skills and his revolutionary method of using ardor in surgery have saved the lives of thousands of Deathwalkers, nobles, and common people.

He sees every patient in Althea and is so busy that he barely has time to sleep and runs on copious amounts of coffee.

His sleep schedule was so bad that he mastered the art of taking short naps to make up for lost sleep. So he does not look like the sleep-deprived zombie doctor I expected to see.

He's popularly known as The Doc in Necropolis and is quite the handsome doctor in his late twenties with his tall athletic build and long teal hair tied in a ponytail.

"Any problems with your arm?", he asked as he examined my reattached arm, his tanned complexion a huge contrast against my snow-white skin.

I shook my head, "No doctor. I feel fine."

He was the one who reattached my forearm and fixed my blood vessels that burst when I used blood acceleration way past the limit.

After Captain Sparks left, I spent two more days in the ward resting and recovering after my second battle.

During that time, Felix visited me whenever he was free. He brought my daggers that the Scavengers recovered on the battlefield to my relief.

I was worried they might be lost since Moonsilver weapons are quite the temptation for a Deathwalker.

"Don't worry about having your weapons stolen. Minerva knows which weapons you are using so it is quite impossible for anyone to steal it unless they want to face the consequences."

Felix told me when I voiced my concerns.

Soon, All my bandages were removed, and the Doc did a final check-up before discharging me.

I just gained new scars on my arm and abdomen.

Doc finished examining my body and nodded in satisfaction, "You have recovered both physically and mentally."

He looked at me, "Your mental fortitude is unyielding, Your Highness. I had seen grown men reduced to sniveling husks after they experienced a day with the bloody daemons."

"Heck. You are faring better than the Fairy during her first battles."

I looked at him in confusion, "The Fairy?"

He nodded, "She is a Deathwalker of your age."

Suddenly the blue-eyed girl I saw in my first battle entered my mind.

"The Fairy of Tenebris.", Felix said and smiled, "I'll tell you about her. But first, let's get out of here."

I agreed with him. The general ward of Althea is quite gloomy for a casual conversation with him.

I and Felix looked at the Doc. He just shrugged, "His Highness is well enough to be discharged. Go on."

"Can I do training after getting discharged?", I asked.

"As long as you don't push your body too hard.", Dr. Haytham crossed his arms, "And please be careful when using your strand, especially blood acceleration. If you go over the limit of your body, the damage can even be fatal."

I stared at him, "How did you -"

He scoffed, "Please. You are looking at one of the greatest healers in the history of the world. I am well aware of your strand and its huge potential."

"But blood acceleration?", he looked impressed, "You are one insane kid. That method is effective as long as you are aware of the risks and have an insane amount of ardor control."

"So be careful. Your Highness.", he warned me, his pink eyes gazing into my soul.

I gulped and nodded, "Understood, Doctor."

"Good. Now scram. I have a Deathwalker who is still alive despite a daemon arrowhead lodged in his cerebral noodle."

I didn't want to know the details so after quickly dressing up, I followed Felix out of the ward.

 Soon we were out of Althea and walking over the phoenix design in Central Plaza.

"Why didn't you tell me?", I looked at Felix accusingly, breaking the silence between us.

He frowned, "Tell you what?"

"That about half of the Deathwalkers are criminals? Isn't that crucial information?"

"Oh yeah.", he gave me a sheepish smile, "Sorry about that. I forgot to tell you that."

I stared at him in disbelief, "You forgot? How do you forget something that important? What if I accidentally bumped into the wrong person?"

"Oh you'll be fine.", he reassured with a casual wave, "The presence of Minerva and the commander keeps those guys in check. One wrong move and you'll be a daemon's straw dummy."

"And what about you? Are you one as well?", I asked. We stopped under the huge tree and the shadows of the leaves hid Felix's expression.

He chuckled, "Nah. I don't have what it takes to be a criminal. I'm more of an exile looking forward to the day I'll be meeting my fiancee."

"An exile?"

"You want to hear another backstory?", he asked.

"Well, I am curious."

Felix thought about what to say. A mischievous smile appeared on his face.

"How about this? I'll tell you my past after you finish your seventh battle."

After considering his proposal, I nodded, "Very well. It's a deal."

He grinned, "Sweet. Now, you were curious about the Fairy of Tenebris?"

Ah yes. I almost forgot.

"Who is she?", asked, genuinely curious about this mysterious person.

"She's the vice-captain of the unit I am in. Probably the youngest vice-captain in the Shield currently. She's your age."

"Whoa.", I then blinked, "Wait. You're in a unit?"

Felix nodded, "Yeah. Unit 21. After leaving the newbie unit, you can either join another unit or go solo."

"There are some benefits to being in a unit. Your unit can book a slot for the battle with Minerva. It's much better than being randomly teleported to the battlefield."

"But your unit must fight the daemons at least once a week otherwise it's the random selection. Isn't it better to know when you will be deployed so that you can prepare in advance?"

"You will also have reliable teammates who will watch your back and there are certain discounts for equipment when you are part of a unit."

"Well, except in Lorvar's.", his face turned sour, "Don't know if Dorothy hates me but her shop is the only place that doesn't give a discount."

"Maybe it's because you are always using discount coupons?", I suggested in an innocent voice.

He looked scandalized, "No way! Master Lorvar gives them to me every time we go for a drink."

"Exactly.", I gave him a meaningful look.

He sighed, "Anyway. The Fairy of Tenebris is the vice-captain of our unit. It's crazy how it has only been a year since she stepped into the Shield."

"Whoa. Seriously?.", I stared at him in disbelief.

He nodded, "Indeed. I believe that kid is a beginner A rank."

The world is a funny place. A girl of my age is an A ranker while I am a weak-ass E ranker.

Bruh.

"The Fairy of Tenebris. That's her nickname?"', I asked.

Felix nodded again, "Yep. She's a powerful Linker with the Tenebris strand. Her skills and her fairy-like beauty earned her that name."

He looked at me, "Are you familiar with Duke Adrian Karsus?"

I frowned and sifted through Mordred's memories. There was a mention of that name in one of the newspapers he read.

"The ruthless Axial Duke who killed his siblings for power?", I wondered aloud.

"Exactly.", Felix confirmed my answer, "The Fairy of Tenebris is his illegitimate daughter, Iris Karsus."

Iris Karsus. What a good name.

But when he mentioned an illegitimate daughter, it struck a chord in me. 

Why?

Perhaps it was because I was an illegitimate child as well in my past life. 

"You mean, she was sent to the Shield because she was the bastard child of the Duke?", I voiced my thoughts.

"That's part of the reason. Duke Karsus is not exactly father of the year but no. He sent her here for something else.", Felix replied.

"Then what is it?"

"Why don't you ask her yourself?"

"No way. You will introduce me to her?", I was surprised. Felix just shrugged.

"Why not? Both of you are the same age. I think it's a good idea."

That doesn't sound like a good idea.

"Let's leave that for later.", I crossed my arms and looked at him, "I have to get stronger. I doubt the Fairy would even look at me if I am this weak."

Felix tapped his chin, "Hm. That's true."

"Alright then! Let's get to the training center!", he grabbed my arm and dragged me away.

*******

According to Felix...

Floors three to six in Necropolis are dedicated to improving the strength and skills of Deathwalkers.

The third floor consists of an arena where Deathwalkers can battle out with each other in duels, the fourth floor consists of sparring courts and the fifth floor contains simulation rooms so that Deathwalkers can gain battle experience with simulated battles in a virtual environment.

We are currently on the sixth floor which is a gym that takes up the entire floor. It is more of a fitness city full of exercise equipment.

There is even a small shop that provides protein shakes, refreshments, and other gym supplies.

Felix was doing some pull-ups nearby while I was standing in front of one of the hundreds of treadmills in the gym, staring at it in wonder.

"Amazing.", I whispered, inspecting the machine that can enable one to run in one spot and in any inclination.

I gingerly stepped onto the belt and looked at the control panel. I searched Mordred's memories but unfortunately, there is not a single thing about how to operate a treadmill.

I took a deep breath. I can do this. Felix told me to improve my stamina first.

Okay. I can do this.

So this red button is the power switch? 

I pressed it and the treadmill came alive. Soon I was walking with the belt moving beneath my feet.

This is amazing! A grin appeared on my face as I slowly increased the speed and began to jog.

After ten minutes of jogging, I glanced at the control panel.

Huh. What is this? Awakened mode? Might as well try it.

"This is fun.", I said as I pressed the button.

Famous last words.

The next thing I remember, I was upside down against the opposite wall surrounded by a small crowd of Deathwalkers.

Among them, I noticed Felix approaching me.

"Dude! What happened?", he straightened me up.

"The treadmill almost killed me.", I said in a daze.

"The treadmill?", Felix was confused. He turned back and realization dawned on his face.

"Mordred. Did you activate Awakened Mode?"

"Yeah?", I said. The Deathwalkers around us started snickering.

Felix sighed, "Mordred. You only activate Awakened mode when you enhance your body with ardor and go superhuman. Otherwise, you will be launched like a human slingshot."

The Deathwalkers around us started to walk away, snickering with the odd laughing.

"I guess that is enough of the gym for today.", he helped me get up.

Noticing my sullen appearance, he smiled.

"How about we go for a spar? It will help us to see where you currently are in the power department."

I looked at his smile which brightened up the gloom in me and washed away my shame. I nodded.

"Alright. Let's do that."