The first glimmer of light filtered through the window when William opened his eyes. His body still throbbed with the residual energy of the night's transformation. He felt every fiber tense, vibrant, like a newly tuned instrument. He slowly sat up, immediately noticing the difference: his arms were thicker, his chest felt wider, and his abdomen... defined, firm, like that of an athlete at his peak.
"Angel, current status," he murmured as he stretched.
"Strength increased by 0.1. Dexterity increased by 0.1. Vitality increased by 0.5. All values stabilized correctly. The body is in optimal condition for a new training phase."
William nodded and got up, walking with firm steps towards the showers. As he crossed the still sleepy hallways, a strange sensation accompanied him. His body was young, yes... 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 caused him some discomfort.
"I am not a damn pervert..." he thought, remembering the shy glances, and other not so shy ones, from some commoner maidens. One of them even bit her lip as she saw him pass. Another winked at him shamelessly.
And yet, his body reacted. Instinct did not understand ages or moralities. It was hard for him to remain indifferent. If William had not been carrying a towel in his hands, the tent in his pants would have been clearly noticeable, showing the dragon rising to the sky, ready to roar.
"God... This is going to be a problem," he thought with a mix of disappointment and resignation.
Upon reaching the bathing area, the other aspirants stopped when they saw him enter. Without needing to say a single word, several stepped aside and indicated his bathing area. The water was already ready. Hot. Just as he liked it. This was entirely due to the fact that the other students felt indebted and sought to express their support, even in minor things like this, so they had gotten up early and collected firewood to have everything prepared.
Even some of those who used to mock him now bowed subtly, as if they were unable to look him directly in the eyes. William entered his private cubicle and began to pour hot water over his body. He closed his eyes, feeling the steam envelop him as it seemed to take away all his burdens and worries, leaving only calm and ephemeral peace.
Little by little, his companions arrived. Dixon was the first, humming something as he undressed. Theo arrived later, accompanied by Cedric and Thom, all wearing the same look of tiredness and expectation. They greeted each other with knowing gestures, and after washing, they dressed in silence.
Upon leaving the pavilion, the sun showed its first rays in the sky. The training ground awaited them... empty.
"Where are the instructors?" Thom asked, scratching his head.
"There is no one. I thought that even if there were no more lessons, they would be here to give advice, but... nothing," Dixon growled, looking around.
William did not answer. He closed his eyes for a moment and Angel spoke immediately:
"I have designed an intensive routine for this day. Initiating protocol: Hell on Earth."
Without wasting time, William got into position and began. Push ups, sit ups, squats, explosive jumps... all with brutal intensity. His body was a machine and his mind, an unstoppable force. An hour later, he could barely move. His muscles trembled, muscles on the verge of collapse, clothes soaked in sweat, vision blurry. He dragged himself to a shadow, panting like an exhausted animal.
"Are you okay?" Cedric asked, extending a hand.
"Never better," William replied with a strained smile.
Between laughs, his companions helped him get up. Together, they headed to the cafeteria, where food already awaited them. Without a word, they fell upon it. William devoured his plate... and then another... and another.
"Angel, is this necessary?"
"To assimilate the changes, your body requires three times the usual caloric intake. Do not ignore this step if you wish to see continuous results."
While chewing, William noticed the nobles' stares. Some murmured among themselves. Others simply watched them with disdain or resentment.
"Look at those pigs," one whispered, barely audible.
"They think they can mock us..." another said.
William did not answer. He finished his meal in silence, but just as they were about to get up, the doors opened. It was time for the other commoners to enter, who had just come out of their classes.
A new tension settled in the air. The nobles straightened their backs, their eyes gleaming with malice. Some opened their mouths, ready to spit insults...
And then, the clang.
William lifted his tray and slammed it against a table with such force that he bent it in half. A deathly silence fell over the room. Everyone looked at him. But he did not say a word. He just threw his tray in the trash and began to walk, calmly, as if nothing had happened.
Just before crossing the door, he turned slightly. There was no need for words. His gaze said it all: "If you touch even one of them... it will be war."
The other aspiring knights, all commoners, stood up one by one. They imitated his gesture, firmly placing their trays down. Glances crossed like sharp blades. For a moment, it seemed that hell would break loose again.
But it did not happen.
Several nobles lowered their heads, powerless. Others stood up, muttering under their breath. They no longer had the strength or authority to impose their will, so they simply left, letting out annoyed huffs.
After leaving, Cassian Draymor and Vayne Redvale clenched their fists, furious. Their faces disfigured by humiliation burned with rage.
"Are you going to let them insult us like this?! Where is your pride?!" Cassian shouted at his own.
"We must kill him now, before it is too late!" Vayne roared.
But instead of support, they received pushes and harsh words.
"Then go and do it yourselves, you damn idiots!"
"Do you think you are better?!"
"In there, they kicked all our asses while you did not even dare to face him yesterday!"
Cassian and Vayne were speechless. In their homes, they were treated like princes. But here, they were little more than scum. Even the sons of the King of Virelia and Drakenwald had been beaten by that crazy bastard.
It was obvious that here their status was worth no more than a poorly fumbled fart.
Not against someone like William.