Lord Vernon, the Coach

Today school was closed for the weekend, out of habit I got up and went for a jog early in the morning.

Instead of jogging on my normal route, I headed to the gym on the next street.

Draven heaved and stopped, leaning against the brick wall. And took a break to catch his breath.

I didn't expect it to be this far! I could have easily gone to the nearest one... but no That big old idiot !

Vernon popped out of the bracelet in a green flash and said "Hey, quit whining! This is a good warm-up for you"

I said "I could have easily warmed up on the gym's treadmill."

Vernon replied "Running outside and inside aren't that different. But they make a big difference. Athletes of my generation, preferred training outdoors, making their bodies resistant to the temperature and the conditions of the track."

I just kept my mouth shut and walked to the gym.

Moments before daybreak, in a small corner of the street. People in their sports apparels went in and out of the building.

Draven entered the building, with a miniature sized Vernon hiding behind his ear.

I followed a group of people and got in the the elevator with them. Before the elevator closed, a girl in pink sweatshirt rushed to the elevator. I pressed the elevator door open and allowed her to enter.

In the elevator continued moving up,

she panted and pushed her stray hair behind her ear.

She smiled, showing her flawless teeth and said "Thank you, for holding the lift for me"

"Don't thank me, it wasn't a big deal" I said.

She removed her earpods and introduced herself "My name is Cecilia and you are?"

I said "I'm Draven. Are you heading to the gym?"

Cecilia replied "Yeah! Hmm... I have never seen you in this neighborhood. are you new here?"

"No, I live a couple of streets away." I said.

'Ting' the elevator stopped at the last floor. The gym complex was across the hall.

Cecilia said "Oh, we reached. If you need any help in the gym just let me known... I'll be training with my buddies in the VIP section."

I said "Sure, bye" she pushed through the glass door and hopped to a group of girls.They hugged.

I looked around the gym, it had a great atmosphere. There were multiple training grounds and arenas full of the latest fitness equipments and weights taking the whole floor. Each room had their own theme and training gears. It even had a battle simulator and fight bots tailored for martial artists and superhumans. This was definitely a high class gym. I wonder, if I can even afford it anyway let's see...

I entered the reception and asked the lady behind the counter, to show me their schemes and offers. The receptionist tapped the black table, it lit up and displayed all of their membership and packages.

I sat on a high chair and went through them, When Draven was busy reading, the receptionist scrutinised him in detail and found him devilishly handsome. She wished mentally that he wasn't underage to be her boyfriend.

She blushed and then asutely hid it behind her professional, poker face.

Vernon within his ear said "Take the premium membership. It offers a private room and your own personal trainer."

I said "But aren't you training me?

Vernon said " Yes I am, I can't wait to try all those fancy equipment... I feel young again"

I listened to Vernon and checked the one without a trainer option. What the heck?? that's way too expensive... after today I will be broke. I cried internally feeling my empty wallet.

The other gym's offer was way more affordable... $50,000 for a freaking gym membership, that's way too for a month. That is ten times more than my house rent.

The lady saw my expression and in concern said "Is there anything wrong? Sir.?"

I replied with a smile "It's nothing Ma'am. I want to take the premium offer without a trainer"

Surprised, she asked him "Are you sure can afford it?"

I replied "Yes, It may be above my budget but everything comes with a price"

She nodded, she said "Yes, so do you want to apply for a monthly, six months or year membership?"

I calculated the price in my mind and said "Is it possible to apply for a weekly membership?"

The receptionist replied "Yes it is possible, but most prefer monthly or yearly to save them from the hassle. Let me prepare it for you"

I signed the digital form and entered all of the required details. And swiped my com against the gym's scanner. A second later a bank notification popped... ring..

and showed I spent $10,500 instead of 11,600. I questioned her with my eyes.

The receptionist smiled and said in a soft voice "I gave you a discount, don't tell anyone ok?"

I brightened and thanked her.

The heavens are finally looking after me. I still have 1,200 left in the bank. From tommorow onwards, I will take two jobs and work overtime.

She chuckled behind the counter. She prepared a receipt and Draven's membership card.

With a professional smile she handed me a room pass and a silver card.

She said "Room no.8 in section B is free to use. Bye, have a good day!"

I thanked her and headed to the room, it wasn't hard to find the room as there were plenty of assistant bots to show the way.

Once I reached the room. I swiped my pass and entered a well, lit room with a city view.

Vernon jumped off my shoulder and grew into the size of an adult.

Vernon acted like a coach with a whistle. I did a few light exercise and stretches. As Vernon ordered, I started doing 4 sets of 50 pushups.

When I started, Vernon strapped a few bands on my neck, arms, back and my legs. I heard a tapping electronic sound. Suddenly the pressure increased, digging my nails to the floor... I paused and shouted "What the heck?"

Vernon calmly said "I m doing all of this to push your body, to greater heights besides It's just 100kg more, it's no big deal for you"

Vernon then smugly looked down and said "What? Is it too hard for you?"

He continued taunting me. I just ignored and swallowed my complains. I was able to complete the sets without any breaks.

I took a break before doing my pull-ups and asked "Do I really have to wear these weights?" Vernon nodded.

I grunted and did my pullups. It was hard moving with the extra weight but I did it.

Vernon decided my training regiment for today.

I worked out my chest and shoulders using the +dumbbells and the training machines.

While I worked out Vernon acted like a coach spewing curses and encouragement. I don't know whether that old fool is trying to help me or not?

The +dumbbells were adjustable weights, which the user can increase or decrease accordingly to their preference.

After working out, I was drenched with sweat and rested on the bench to cool down.

It been some time since I last trained like this.

The last time was when I was five, Grandpa with a stern rod, used to force me to practice martial arts. He was such a dictator...

I really hate that bastard... once he figured I had no powers, he quickly threw me out like trash. Does my ability really matter to you? aren't we a family? Does my blood not count?

Vernon shook him from his thoughts. He said "Now it's time for battle simulation. Let's go!"

I entered a dark room and closed the door behind me. On the wall, was a control panel and shelf full of weapons under it.

Vernon played with the settings while I choose my weapons. I chose a long, spikey whip, a short sword and a couple of daggers.

The only reason I chose a whip because I thought, it would pair nicely with my fire manipulation. And use less energy to coat fire on objects, than to create an object.

I never held a whip before but as a descendant of the Castel Clan, I was trained in all kinds of weapons and skills when I was younger.

I headed to the center of the room and the dark room turned into a tropical forest.

I was amazed by the realistic holographics. It was my first time, trying something like this.

As this technology was released a year after I was outcasted so, I never got the chance to try one.

I touched a few tress and leaves, it was almost real. Vernon then warned me "Take this seriously, get ready!"

The room glowed and counted 3...2...1 Go!

I ran and climbed up, waiting within the tree leaves.

A couple of robots armed to the teeth, scanned the place and pointed their guns. They followed my footprint. Before they realized where I was. I jumped to the next tree and threw a dagger at a robot using my Misdirection skill. It turned invisible and hit the bot. On alert, the bot looked around frantically.

Another robot in the sky, saw me and fired, the rest on the ground followed. Under their heavy artillery, I retreated twenty meters forward.

I took out my sword and hid in the bushes, waiting for my prey. I remembered about the drone, using my fire skills I created a bullet.

In the mean time, hundreds of bullets floated mid-air, waiting for their target.

I split the bullets into three parts and hid them separately. I walked out boldly and shook my whip on fire. A moment later, a drone from a above fired.. I waved my finger controlling the fire bullets and a wave of bullets cut through the air, battering the drone into pieces. It exploded attracting the others.

One bot came from the left and another from the right.

I swayed the whip around me, turing it into a fire shield. The incoming bullets melted before they reached me. I jumped up under their barrage and swung my whip with great power in my wrists. And split the robot into two and exploded with a boom scattering whatever was left.

Feeling the adrenaline rush, I deactivated my fire shield and ran with a sword in my hand.

It was easy to confuse the robot with my speed. I moved forward and dodged the bullets. A few strays hit my arm but I didn't care... My heart beats for violence, for the carnage. I wanted to slaughter that shit... brutally destroy it.

Once I reached within combat range, I enlarged my sword with flames and swung it across the bot's arsenal. Then slashed it the bot into pieces. I pulled out the dagger from the bot's chest and walked away. It exploded signaling the end of the match. The room darkened again.

I closed my eyes to calm down my inner self.

I walked to Vernon and said "That was fun! not even my virtual gaming console was as exciting as this!"

I said "More, one more time. and this time make it harder! It was too easy hahah'"

Vernon shocked seeing Draven's change of attitude. He thought to himself 'Just a second ago I saw him ripping a robot with pleasure! what a maniac!'

Vernon said "Ok, super hard coming right up"

Vernon internally said to himself 'This idiot is growing strong way to fast! Sure I want him to be a villain but not into a psycho ... They are always hard to deal with! I need to make sure he doesn't lose his morals. No one wants a crazy person to be their disciple'

Draven unknown to Vernon's thoughts waited in the center. Swinging his whip ready for another round.