Chapter 16 – Hellish Training
The first light of dawn slipped through the window as William opened his eyes. His body still pulsed with the residual energy of last night's transformation. He felt every fiber tense, vibrant, like a freshly tuned instrument. He slowly sat up, immediately noticing the difference: his arms were thicker, his chest broader, and his abdomen... defined, firm, like that of a peak-condition athlete.
"Angel, current status," he muttered while stretching.
"Strength increased by 0.1. Dexterity up by 0.1. Vitality increased by 0.5. All values stabilized properly. The body is in optimal condition for a new training phase."
William nodded and got up, walking steadily toward the showers. As he walked through the still sleepy corridors, a strange feeling accompanied him. His body was young, sure... but his mind was not. He was a man trapped in the flesh of a teenager, and although that renewed vitality had its charm, it also made him uneasy.
"I'm not some fucking pervert...," he thought, recalling the timid —and not so timid— glances from some of the plebeian girls. One even bit her lip as he passed by. Another winked at him, blatantly.
And yet, his body reacted. Instinct didn't care about age or morals. It was hard to stay indifferent. If William weren't holding a towel in his hands, the tent in his pants would've made it painfully obvious that the dragon was awake and ready to roar.
"Fuck... This is going to be a problem," he thought, half disappointed, half resigned.
Upon reaching the bathing area, the other trainees fell silent as he entered. Without a single word, several stepped aside and gestured toward his private shower area. The water was already warm. Just the way he liked it. This was entirely because the other students felt indebted and wanted to show support, even if just through small gestures like this, so they had gotten up early and gathered firewood to prepare everything.
Even some who used to mock him now subtly bowed their heads, as if unable to meet his gaze. William stepped into his private stall and poured hot water over his body. He closed his eyes, feeling the steam wrap around him, stripping away every burden and worry, leaving only calm and fleeting peace.