Gym

"Telekinesis seems easier than I thought," proudly exclaimed while lifting the dropped stone.

"Y-Yeah… It is…"

"What? Was it hard for you?"

"D-Did you already forget what I told you like a few minutes ago?"

"Your stutter says a lot."

"Yeah, yeah, whatever," then pointed at the flying stone, "Don't use it too much, though. You may get a headache and deplete your energy core."

"I know, I know. I've heard that a lot."

"Then you would know how to train, too."

"I have to do this every day and meditate right after it. Well, depending on the situation, before telekinesis training, either."

"Yes, but you should start with a knife first."

"Can't I just use that?" And pointed at the long and thick object in the corner of the room, lying beside the wardrobe.

Although he had lost his knife in the forest, he didn't come back empty-handed. His only loot, other than the stat-ups and new stats, was the sword.

A keepsake of his first kill was what he would have called it if he were a serial killer or maniac of some kind. Yet, he still returned here with it, literally held it throughout the entire ordeal.

Whatever the case, having a weapon in hand was useful. He, of course, couldn't walk with it on the streets without a license. And to get a license, he had to be a citizen first, not a watchless runaway.

Certainly, some high-IQ people chose to walk with a sword or spear on the streets. A good-old guitar case was their partner in crime. Yet, only fools or the bravest on the borderlines of idiocy would do that.

If you can think of hiding in guitar cases, so can God's Guards. They weren't morons. They, of course, were checking anyone they deemed suspicious.

"You can't lift it."

"Heh, let's try."

Confidence itself manifested on his face. Proudly lifted his hand towards the sword.

One second, two seconds and ten seconds passed.

"And? When will you try?"

"Haah… Another day."

"What about those sweats?" Shot a knowing grin.

"People can sweat, you know?"

"Sure, sure."

"Whatever."

Then, a momentary silence enveloped them. It was the juncture when the realization dawned upon them—a realization that they knew nothing about each other.

Despite Leon's brief three-day tenure since arriving, the trials he had undergone seemed to stretch across a year.

That is why Triss chose to turn the topic around to find their sole common point.

"Will you start your training today?"

"Yeah, I think it's high time for that."

"Absolutely. The earlier you start, the quicker you will reach other levels."

"Yeah, so, I won't do sit-ups here or something, right?"

"Of course not," cut her words for a second, "You will do that in somewhere else.

Added with a grin, "We have a gym here."

"Nice. Let's go then."

"After the breakfast."

---

On the ground level awaited a door, distinctive in both its height and width. If the other doors were mere children, this one stood as their imposing patriarch. Most Rebellious members, later in the day, found themselves drawn towards this monumental entrance.

"Are you ready?"

"Why wouldn't I be?"

"Heh, you will see," ended her words by pushing the door.

Booom!

"What's with that weak-a*s punch!? Will you kill Gods with that!?"

A pure red punch shot towards the wall.

Taking the red from what it's made of, the fire itself. Literally, a fist made of fire collided with a metallic wall, as though to greet Leon, while a tall woman shouted at the one responsible for the resounding impact.

After the first steps of the children, the woman slowly turned her gorgeous face to check on the newcomers. Her snow-like white hair on a picture-perfect face was more than enough to mesmerize eyes and hearts.

She was as tall as the volleyball or basketball players. Her height puts weight into her other aspect, tough looks.

She was the epitome of both beauty and power with killer abs, but not as muscular as to put her into the bodybuilder category. Aesthetically built abs and natural beauty were the true definition of allure. Her roughly big chest on her hourglass body was a killer of men and women alike.

Even Leon, who had seen many beautiful women on the internet, TV, or even in real life, tried hard to turn his eyes off of her.

Albeit, an utterly futile struggle, it was.

"What are you looking at, kid?"

"Nothing."

"Triss, who the hell is he?"

"He is the new member, Leon," happily introduced him.

Her neutral face transformed into a welcoming smile, "A fresh blood, huh?" Slowly approached Leon, the brown-eyed woman.

The height disparity between them was evident, but Leon found himself unperturbed, his attention momentarily captivated by the heavenly visual feast that unfolded before his eyes.

"Stop looking at me so intensely and punch here."

She didn't even care about his gaze since she must have been feeling similar gazes for quite a long time. Casually opened her right palm towards Leon and waited.

"I wasn't looking at anywhere."

"Are you lying now?"

"I mean…"

Then he felt an energy that of a sharpened knife, sharp to slit open his throat in a single cut. Although it didn't slit his throat, it managed to cut his words, making Leon gulp in fear.

This was the power difference between them. He could feel it even in the depths of his heart, just like the moment with his black-haired Aqrabian teacher from the school, that he didn't even gaze more than once. Her pressure wasn't as intense as hers, but intense nevertheless.

"I've asked a question."

Let out a sigh, maybe to relieve his pounding heart, "Yes, I was looking."

Pat!

"Ugh…"

"Hahaha, great," patted Leon's shoulder, "You don't have to lie. Just be honest in life and live like that. There's absolutely no need to live with lies since they will be found out, eventually."

Baffled for a second, Leon. Her words were completely unexpected compared to the killing pressure she had exuded moments ago. Regaining his composure, he responded with a nod of agreement, the heavenly nod of his that helped him out of problems.

"Alright, now, give me that punch."

'Do you want me to go hard on you? If I ask that, she may kill me. So, let's just punch and keep on living.'

Pow!

"Is that it?"

"I'm yet to start my training."

"I see," nodded, "Then, you are bound to get stronger in a short time. After that, your growth will slow down for a bit. Maybe more than a bit, depending on your talent."

"I doubt that," clenched his fist with a confident grin.

'I have a system. So, of course, I will be the strongest.'

"Heh, is that so? Then, you wouldn't want my guidance or anything either, right?"

A paper as blank as a newborn's life manifested on Leon's face. The realization dawned that this woman trainer of their base. He hadn't pondered on this fact before, caught up in the immediacy of the situation.

But, had he taken a moment to contemplate, he could have concluded that she was because she was the one screaming at the other guy's face, testing him. Yet, it was too late to ponder now.

"I don't need it. Thank you for your offer."

"We will see that," instead of a grin, this time a smile appeared on her tough and beautiful face, "What's your name?"

"Leon Rastia."

"Claire Scarlessclaw. And I'm from the strongest race in physical strength."

Out of reflex, Leon turned to look at her back. Aqrabians were renowned for their powerful fists, an attribute ingrained in their race.

Levels and powers played a significant role in determining the strongest fighters, but if a human were to engage in a fistfight with an Aqrabian of the same level, the outcome usually ended with the human's body being prepared for the coffin makers.

"Don't look that intensely. I don't have a tail or anything," stopped for a second to slowly add, "Well, at least not in this form."

"Not in that form?" Just looked into her eyes and dived into his thoughts, Leon. Albeit, it didn't take that long for him to come to a conclusion.

There was another race, once considered the strongest in physical power, native to Earth but dethroned by Aqrabians after the First God War.

One of the few races that can change their appearances. Not only that, boasting a total of three forms, including a human form.

"She is a werewolf."

"Now, that's great," exclaimed with a thumbs-up.

Werewolves were also one of the races, living out in the light. He also had seen werewolves in his daily life. It was completely normal to see one.

"Do you understand my power now?"

"You are absolutely perfect."

"Hehe, right?"

"Yes, yes. You are the best."

"Ehem! Let's do the training, alright?"

"Sure."