Progression

It was great that the whole thing worked out.

It has been 2 weeks since I started to train Xerc. I decided to call him with that because it was easier.

"You're doing great, Xerc! Keep going! Raise your legs more!" I yelled at him as he ran around the

As I was training him, I could see big improvements in his physique in just a short amount of time. It's as if he's absorbing my lessons like a sponge. His stamina and endurance exploded just two weeks after training. I don't know how to describe this talent, no one would ever believe me that the frail kid back then is now running while carrying a bag weighing 20 kilograms. This is certainly due to their superior physique.

"Good, it's almost evening so let's make it a day!"

"Alright," Xercus responded while dropping down the bag and stretched for a while.

He went back inside albeit with slightly rough breathing. It looks like I need to level up things higher next time, he's already adapting to the current regime.

After a little while, I also went back inside and went directly to my room. Just imagining how strong he'll become in the future makes the blood on my veins pump.

°°°

For the past weeks, I have realized that this body is extraordinary. It develops faster than an average human and its rejuvenation capabilities are remarkable. Just a few hours of sleep could heal my body back to its perfect state.

I have decided to take my training with Gulliver seriously because I needed to get stronger so I would be able to protect myself. Well, the cool stuff he said to teach we're just some kind of enhancing the body through magic spells. However, I have no—

I was mulling over when someone spoke to me.

"Hey Xerc, you're food will get cold," said Sean, who was sitting beside me while eating.

"Ah, yeah," I responded and started to eat albeit slowly.

They started calling me Xerc which didn't bother me. After finishing my dinner, I went back to my room to rest but I met Mairade when I was on my way.

"Oh, hello Xerc. How was your training this time? said Mairade with the same relaxed smile she always wears.

"It was fine," I responded with no interest.

"Oh, I see. You must be tired, so rest well okay?"

I walked past her after slightly nodding my head and arrived at my room after a while. I stood in front of the window that could reflect my body from head to toe. I slowly stripped off my clothes except for my underwear.

I've made a lot of progress since the day I've started working out. Muscles on my chest, biceps, and shoulders are visible and well-defined. Not just that, my face also changed slightly, I don't know how people differentiate between handsome or not but at least my face is symmetrical. Well, I still have my growth spurt, so still have some hopes left. Not that I care anyway.

By the way, I now have some clothes for myself. I asked Ailey if she could buy me some and she actually bought it for me the next day. And I also added some of the things I needed.

I wore the new pajamas that have been bought for me and after a few minutes of waiting, the person I've been waiting for had finally arrived.

"Why are you calling me this time? What the hell do you want?" said Ailey, not hiding the fact that she's irritated by calling.

"There are just some things I want to clarify. Is that alright,?" I responded while signaling her to sit at Sean's bed.

"You're asking me that after making me come all the way here? Just hurry up say it before I leave." she spat those words and sat despite the fact she didn't want to be in the same room with me.

"Just relax, all I want from you is to know about the Rotherham Military Academy," I said, staring at her eyes directly.

"Is that it? Didn't you know about it when you were in the library?" she said, sending a dubious gaze at me.

"Yeah I've read about them, but I want to know if what the books had written and what you know about is the same. Maybe something had changed from what was written in the book.," I responded.

"You're going that far? Ugh! Fine, you see the—"

As she was busy explaining the details of what she knows, I barely listened to her. What I have said before is not a lie. However, there was no need for me to go this far.

The real purpose I did this is to maintain the connection between her and me. Meeting her like this will determine whether I could still make use of her or not. Because the moment she becomes useless to me, I need to cut her off from everything I need to work on from now. I didn't forget to nod sometimes, so she won't be dubious of me for not listening.

"So? Is that what everything you need?" after several minutes of explanation, she asked me again.

"Yeah, there really was no need for you to tell me all of that after all. Everything you've said so far matches what was written in the book." I said, slowly closing my eyes.

I could clearly see the furrowing of her eyebrows while simultaneously clenching her fists tightly.

"Huh?! That's all you have to say after making me explain all of that?" she stood up aggressively while stomping her feet. "You really are the worst!"

She slammed the door right in front of my face. Leaving only a trail of heavy footsteps fading away.

Well, at least she's knowledgeable enough, she must be doing good in her studies.

°°°

Almost a week after, there seems to be a commotion in the hall early in the morning. I went there and noticed that there were four people whom I didn't know that was from the orphanage.

From the outfits they're wearing, it looks like they were nobles or successful commoners.

"Oh, good day to you Sir and Madame. May I ask what reason you may have to visit this Orphanage?" said one of the caretakers, slightly lowering her head in front of them.

So they're nobles. There's no need to pay respect this much to commoners.

"Uhm, actually we want to adopt a child from this orphanage. We couldn't bear a child you see, even after 10 years of marriage." said a man in his 30's wearing a beret and a black long coat with a smile.

This is the first time I've seen a noble. Taking a closer look they're outfits isn't what medieval outfits look like. Come to think of it, I didn't get to know about the fashion of this era. Well, it's not that important to know them anyway. Though, I should better study them up even later

"Yes, we have the same case as well." said another man who also didn't wear any lavish clothes. He looks about the same age as the first one and wears a black suit.

From what I see, they look very similar to the suits most men on my homeworld wear during the late Victorian Era.

"Oh, by the way! I am Derek Elwyne and my wife, Fayre Elwyne. We are from the Baron Elwyne Household." Derek Elwyne slowly removed the beret showing his silky blonde hair and formally introduced himself and his wife.

"I am Graham Waller and my wife Averil Waller, we are from the Baron Waller Household," said Graham Waller who came with Derek Elwyne. Most people here commonly have blonde, brown, and black hair.

I guess all those egocentric depictions of nobles in the novels aren't true. Well, I'm sure some of them are like that. Still, not all nobles would be like these two. That's just what humans are.

While the two men were busy talking with the caretakers, their wives were getting along well with the kids.

Of course, I don't want any variables to be added to my plans so I have hidden myself thus I won't be seen.

And after several minutes of deliberations, they chose two of the top excellent kids. The two were Sean and Shannon.

Even though I'm from afar, I could recognize the sadness in Sean's eyes. He was here in the orphanage since he was a baby, so, understandably, he'll miss his friends and his home.

They left the next day after, we hadn't been together that much but we were roommates so we exchanged a few conversations. His face was somehow funny as we talked, tears and snot were flowing down like a waterfall.

In contrast, Shannon seems fine and cool about everything. From the beginning, she was a girl that doesn't care that much about her surroundings. So events like this didn't matter that much to her.

After all the things ended, everything went back to normal. Except, I have my room all by myself. Well, it's a little bit lonely without Sean rumbling about almost everything. And just a week after, Gulliver returned to his service in the military. Mairade also returned, they seemed to be inseparable ever since then.

As for me, I continued to study and train by myself while waiting for an instructor. I don't really need one but I could also use that to avoid unnecessary skepticisms.

After a few months, an instructor arrived and started to teach me. He was a professor whom Mrs. Mailon knew of and was chosen to be my tutor instructor.

Just like what I've always been doing before, I answered every given test with slightly above the passing scores.

This way, they'll realize that I'm a fast learner or a kid having average talents. Showing my cards this early would make me stand out and I'll be vulnerable to the eyes of the public so it's natural that my actions will reach several people.

I studied more every day and learned more than I was supposed to learn. I requested Ailey to buy me some books but most of the time I always ask her for money so I would buy them myself. Well, it felt like I'm always blackmailing her, but let's skip that topic.

A year later, Ailey received her Knighthood and became an upstanding knight serving the Kingdom.

As for me, I just continued with what I do every day, attending my tutor and reading books. The only thing that changed was I have no one to finance my needs anymore, which was a little disappointing. I'll just try asking Mairade and Gulliver the next time they'll visit.

I forgot to tell them but, Mairade asked me once when was my birthday. I didn't manage to answer that time because we were suddenly interrupted by Gulliver who wanted to tour me in the City.

Two years later, I've realized that no matter how much I struggle, I won't be able to cast spells or use magic.

If I'm being honest with myself, I was looking forward to doing things that only happen in fantasy. This is the first time I felt so much disappointment in my abilities.

However, I still have some hope left. I know, since this body isn't suited for magic.

The only way to find that out is to train this body to the extreme. I need to control my body perfectly without any flaws. For that, I need to reach a state in which only those who have opened the door to enter the higher realms.

One would say, to become one with the body and mind. Another would say to become one with the sword, spear, or bow.

Only those who manage to achieve a realm is where they can take their first step to manifest Ki Energy. Not many can achieve it. Nevertheless, only those people who had the tenacity and patience to endure the process became worthy of it.

Those who pass the trials and hardships will obtain transcendence that'll allow them to take a step on the higher realms.

I have only two years left. Escalating things quickly won't work. What I need to do is gradually enhancing my senses, body, and mind to the extreme. Only when I can finally grab the tip then I can finally start on manifesting Ki Energy, or rather, becoming a Pugilist.

"I might replace the term they use, it's making me uncomfortable," I muttered through the empty air.

I have no plans on making a career as a combatant anyway. What I want is to become an officer at the Strategic HQ, that way, my life will be peaceful and easy away from the frontlines.