Chapter 71 - 70: Burnt Muscles and Cold Reality
After exercising for what he felt a long time, even though he was tired like a dog, the feeling of fulfillment was something he hadn’t felt in all those days.
Even when it seemed like he had reached his limit, when his body screamed at him to stop, Rex gritted his teeth and pushed forward. Kaelan, standing nearby, couldn’t help but be quietly impressed by the boy’s unyielding tenacity. Even Victor, who had been observing from a distance with his arms crossed, gave a small nod of approval.
Still, it was enough for today. Kaelan finally called out, "Okay, that’s enough for today. We’ll continue tomorrow."
"But I can still go," Rex replied, but his trembling legs betrayed him. Sweat dripped from his hair, stinging his eyes, and his breathing was ragged.
Kaelan walked over, "It’s good to have determination," Kaelan said, his voice low, "but sometimes, to achieve something, you have to learn when to let go and take a step back. If you keep blindly rushing forward, even if you manage to push through today, you won’t be able to bear the accumulated strain in the long run—you’ll eventually break."
There was a quiet gravity to his words, his voice tinged with something deeper—regret perhaps and tone laced with melancholy. It felt like he wasn’t just giving advice but speaking from personal experience. His eyes grew distant, as if he was recalling something buried deep in the past.
Rex was momentarily taken aback. It was the first time he’d heard Kaelan speak so much, especially with such emotion. He didn’t know how to respond.
Just then, Victor casually draped an arm around Kaelan’s shoulders and said, "Alright, that’s enough heavy talk. Let’s wrap up for today and continue tomorrow."
"Okay," Rex nodded. He was a little curious about Kaelan’s past but didn’t pry. They weren’t close enough yet—and besides, they had plenty of time ahead together.
Gathering their things, they returned home.
The moment Rex stepped inside, he headed straight to the bathroom. A cold shower helped wash away the sweat and fatigue, jolting his senses back to life.