Repetitive Days

I sighed, a wave of frustration washing over me.

Of course.

I leaned back against the locked door, feeling a sense of déjà vu. Just like at the school gate, I was stranded, waiting for someone to come to my rescue.

"Ugh," I sighed, my shoulders slumping. "I'm still in my school uniform... If it weren't for that, I'd go straight to Dove's."

Silence. Only the rustling of leaves in the wind broke the stillness of the evening.

I stood up, a determined glint in my eye. "Harbinger!" I called out, my voice echoing in the empty yard.

A moment later, the shadowy figure materialized beside me. "What is it?" it asked, its voice a low rumble.

"Can you go inside the house and find the spare key?" I requested, a hopeful note in my voice.

Without hesitation, the Harbinger vanished through the wall.

Well, at least he's obedient, I thought with a wry smile.

Click!

The door unlocked, swinging inward.

"Already?" I asked, surprised by the Harbinger's swift return.

"I created a duplicate key," it explained simply, holding up a newly-formed metal key. "Now you can get in." With that, it vanished once again.

I nodded, a small smile playing on my lips. I had to admit, having a ghost as a personal assistant was pretty convenient.

I can see him more often now, Is it because of Irune's injection? I realized, pondering the Harbinger's increased presence.

I shrugged off the thought, kicking off my shoes and placing them on the rack.

Ting! My phone buzzed with a notification.

[Dove: Come on, we have gym time!]

Geez, I just got home.

[Me: Can you come pick me up? No one's home, and I need a ride.]

[Dove: 🤨🤨]

[Me: What?]

[Dove: Need a ride what?]

[Me: To the gym...?]

[Dove: Oh, okay. I'll come get you in the car. Just wait a few minutes.]

I sighed and headed upstairs to my room, a sense of anticipation building within me.

I quickly changed into fresh workout clothes, eager to start the training session. I threw on a pair of black shorts and a moisture-wicking T-shirt, then laced up my shoes.

As I waited for Dove, I couldn't help but feel a mix of excitement and apprehension. The night before had been a whirlwind of revelations, and I was still trying to process everything I had learned about my family and my own hidden abilities.

The thought of training with Dove, however, filled me with a sense of anticipation.

Meep! Meep! A few minutes later, I heard a car horn honking outside.

I grabbed small bag, then hurried downstairs and out the front door.

Dove was waiting for me in her SUV, a sleek black vehicle that looked more like a covert ops car than a family transport. She waved me over with a smile.

"Ready to go?" she asked as I climbed into the passenger seat.

"As ready as I'll ever be," I replied, my heart pounding with a mixture of excitement and trepidation.

The car remained parked, Dove's attention shifting to my attire.

"What are you wearing?" she asked, a hint of amusement in her voice. "Going to play football?"

I glanced down at my shorts and T-shirt, confused. "What? It's still sportswear, right?"

"Well, yeah, but... Forget about it."

My gaze drifted to the house, a sudden thought striking me. "Harbinger, can you lock the front door?" I asked aloud.

The Harbinger materialized beside the car, a silent acknowledgment in its eyes. It vanished through the wall, and a moment later, the sound of the lock clicking into place echoed through the air.

Dove stared at me, her eyes wide with surprise. "You can already control it?"

"Yeah, maybe," I replied, a thrill of excitement running through me.

"Irune's steroid must be working wonders," she mused, a hint of awe in her voice. "It's only been a day!"

Dove started the car, the engine purring to life. We sped through the city streets, leaving the familiar sights of City behind as we ventured towards the outskirts.

"So, what do you think of the gym?"

"It's impressive, but I'm still not sure what kind of training I need," I replied, recalling the state-of-the-art equipment and the sheer size of the facility.

"Don't worry, I've got a personalized schedule planned out for you. Today, we'll focus on your triceps, shoulders, and back."

"Okay, I'll follow your lead."

The drive to the gym was filled with a mix of anticipation and nervous energy. I couldn't help but feel a little self-conscious about my lack of experience with weightlifting. I had always been more of a bookworm than an athlete, but I was determined to prove to myself, and to my new family, that I was capable of more.

We arrived at the gym, the same sleek, modern building that had impressed me the night before. This time, however, the sight of the massive weightlifting equipment filled me with a sense of intimidation rather than excitement.

"Don't worry, We'll start with the basics and gradually increase the intensity as you get stronger."

She led me to the weightlifting area, where a variety of barbells, dumbbells, and machines awaited.

"Today, we'll focus on compound exercises that work multiple muscle groups at once, will help you build a solid foundation and maximize your gains."

She demonstrated each exercise, her movements smooth and precise. I watched intently, trying to memorize the proper form and technique.

We started with squats, a classic exercise that targets the legs and glutes. I struggled at first, my legs wobbling under the weight of the barbell. But with Dove's encouragement and guidance, I managed to complete a few repetitions.

Next, we moved on to bench presses, an exercise that primarily targets the chest muscles. I was surprised by how heavy the barbell felt, even with just a few plates on it. But I gritted my teeth and pushed through the set, determined to prove myself.

We continued with rows, deadlifts, and overhead presses, each exercise pushing my muscles to their limits. My body ached, my lungs burned, and sweat dripped down my face, but I refused to give up. I was fueled by a newfound determination, a desire to become stronger, both physically and mentally.

< Chapter 034 > Fin.