Tangled Emotions

"What are you all looking at? Somebody take them to the infirmary," Kayden said, seeing that everyone was still stunned.

Looking at him fearfully, they did what he had said.

'It seems that Grayson bullied quite a few of the people here,' Kayden thought, noticing how their frightened looks also showed traces of joy and relief.

He was about to resume the training when he realized his hands were covered with blood, so he went to the restroom first.

As he walked, he felt a mix of satisfaction and regret. He knew he had let his anger get the best of him, even though he intended to avoid fighting from the beginning.

However, he could not deny the ecstasy he felt when mercilessly defeating Grayson and his henchmen.

Washing away the blood from his hands, he could not shake off the unsettling feeling that lingered within him.

'I've always strived to act righteously, controlling my thoughts and emotions, but this fight has brought out the darker side of me that I refused to accept,' Kayden reflected.

He did not regret what he had done, but rather let himself be carried away by emotions.

Leaning against the sink, Kayden took a deep breath and looked at the mirror.

He stared at his bruised knuckles, his breath slowly steadying as he contemplated the consequences of his actions.

On the one hand, he was not worried about being punished by Captain Jake since he did not believe that what he had told Grayson about how the world now worked was incorrect. He had ensured not to inflict mortal wounds, so he would most likely receive a minor warning.

On the other hand, he was worried about the surge of conflicting emotions washing over him. Satisfaction, power, regret, and guilt were entwined in a complex web within his mind.

'To think that someone can feel guilty about not feeling guilty…' He thought.

That was true, his regret and guilt were not toward others but himself.

He felt regret about not being able to control himself, and he felt guilty about how thrilled he had felt during the fight.

Turning on the faucet, Kayden splashed cold water on his face, hoping to wash away not only the physical stains but also the turmoil within him.

The icy water refreshed his senses, grounding him in the present moment. He knew he needed to find a way to reconcile the darker aspects of his nature with the person he aspired to be, but for now, he was going to focus solely on his training.

Leaving the restroom, Kayden returned to the training area, where the other recruits had resumed their training.

As he glanced around the gym, Kayden noticed a mixture of awe, fear, and admiration could be found in their gazes.

Kayden wondered wryly if they saw him as a hero or a dangerous force to be reckoned with.

'Even if they see me as a dangerous person, it isn't a big deal. There is no point in making friends with ordinary people. Moreover, they aren't wrong, I'm indeed dangerous just because of my strength.'

After taking a deep breath, he began his strength training routine, focusing on compound exercises that engaged multiple muscle groups.

Kayden continued his training, pushing himself to his limits, the physical exertion serving as a temporary distraction from the internal conflict he was experiencing.

With each rep, he could feel the strain in his muscles, the burn becoming a cathartic release for the pent-up emotions swirling inside him.

Sweat pouring down his face, Kayden couldn't help but reflect on the events that had led him to this moment.

He had always believed that acting with righteousness and control was the best way to live, but the fight had shattered that illusion. It had unmasked a darker side of himself, a bloody one that reveled in the thrill of combat and wielded his strength without restraint.

A nagging sense of unease persisted within him, making him question whether he was losing touch with his principles, allowing his emotions to dictate his actions.

This inner turmoil fueled his determination to find a way to reconcile the conflicting aspects of his nature.

As he kept thinking, he performed squats, deadlifts, bench presses, and overhead presses, pushing himself to increase the weight with each set.

After completing his strength training, Kayden moved to the pull-up bar.

He put on a special vest with a hundred kilograms of ballast, before grasping the bar with a firm grip and starting to do sets of pull-ups, feeling the burn in his arms and back. He aimed to increase his pull-up count with each set, pushing himself to the limit.

Minutes passed, and Kayden could feel his muscles working and responding to the intense workout. Beads of sweat formed on his forehead, but he pushed through, motivated by the desire to become stronger.

'Just as Grayson was powerless against me, the same could happen to me someday,' Kayden thought, breathing heavily from the effort.

After three hours, the training finally came to an end.

Kayden took a moment to cool down and stretch his muscles, allowing his body to recover. He reflected on his progress so far and felt a sense of accomplishment.

The training with Connor and Hannah had already pushed his limits, and now the gym session had added another layer to his physical development.

Completely exhausted, he left the gym hall and headed for his bedroom to take a relaxing, cold shower before having dinner.

***

In a simple, minimalist-looking office, two men engaged in conversation.

Captain Jake maintained his usual unflappable expression as he addressed the topic at hand.

"So, you're telling me that he defeated Grayson and three recruits more in a one-sided fight, right?" Captain Jake inquired, his tone filled with curiosity.

"Yes, sir," Sergeant Lee confirmed, apparently amused by the situation the captain was talking about.

The captain couldn't contain his laughter, momentarily breaking his calm demeanor. "I knew we had several rough gems in this base, but it seems there are a few diamonds among them."

Agreeing with a nod, Sergeant Lee said, "Indeed, sir."

"Considering both his cultivation speed and his attitude toward training, I think this is the perfect moment to talk about some things, don't you think so, Sergeant Lee?" The captain uttered after a moment of contemplation.

"Certainly, sir, I think so too."

"Excellent, locate him and instruct him to come to my office as soon as possible," The captain commanded.

"As you say, Captain." Sergeant Lee replied before leaving the office.

***

Kayden stepped out of his bathroom, feeling the fatigue settle into his bones, water droplets still trickling down his skin.

After putting on a clean set of clothes, he left his bedroom. He was on his way to the canteen when a voice called out to him.