,Present – Fruxiya's Room
Fruxiya: So... that's the whole story. Every single piece of it.
Mike: Whoa… you really went through all of that? That's beyond pain that's like… pure trauma.
Fruxiya: Heh… I know, right? It's something that never fades away, no matter how much time passes.
Mike: Still, compared to Flux's story, yours doesn't even match his level of torment.
Fruxiya: Yeah... Flux suffered more than anyone should.
Mike: Hmm… by the way, did you find that person who could… you know… revive your brother?
Fruxiya: I did find out who, but I can't tell you when. The time hasn't come yet. When it does... you'll know everything.
Mike: Huh… you always say that. Still, fine. I'll trust you on this.
Fruxiya: Good. Now go sleep before your mind explodes with questions.
Mike: Yeah, yeah… good night, Sis.
Fruxiya: Good night, Mike.
Mike laid down on his bed, staring at the ceiling.
Mike: (sighs) Who could even have the power to revive the dead? Even Lord White couldn't do it. That means… this person must be someone beyond the godly level. But who?
He turns on his side, eyes growing heavy.
Mike: Well… let's just sleep. I'll think about it tomorrow.
---
Next Morning
Fruxiya's voice echoes faintly.
Fruxiya: Wake up. Come on, wake up already.
Hidori: He won't wake up like that, Frux.
Fruxiya: Then how should I
BHDAAM!
Hidori's kick lands straight on Mike's side, sending him tumbling off the bed.
Mike: UGHHHHH! WHAT THE HELL, HIDORI?! Why'd you kick me like that?!
Hidori: Because you're being lazy! You wouldn't wake up otherwise!
Mike: groaning Damn… fine. What time is it anyway?
Fruxiya: It's already Ostriel.
Mike: stares wide-eyed Ostriel!? Why so early!? I only went to sleep at Yndoria! That's barely six hours!
Hidori: That's your fault for being a night owl.
Mike: Ughhh, fine… now what do you want me to do?
Hidori: Go wash your face. Don't take a full bath yet you'll be sweating soon anyway.
Mike: Yeah, yeah… I know that much.
---
Five Minutes Later
Fruxiya: Did you wash your face properly?
Mike: Yeah, I'm not a kid, you know.
Hidori: Good. Then we move on to your next training set. Remember, you still owe me a thousand push-ups.
Mike: rolls eyes I know, I know… just tell me what's next.
Hidori: This time it's an upper-body workout again pull-ups.
Mike: Great. And how many?
Hidori: Same number. One thousand.
Mike: facepalms You've gotta be kidding me. Where am I even supposed to do pull-ups? In the air?!
Hidori: Don't worry about that. Fruxiya's got you covered.
Fruxiya: Come on, I'll show you the gym.
Mike: grumbling Fine, Sis, lead the way.
---
Two Minutes Later
Mike: So… this is the gym?
Fruxiya: Yep.
Mike: Huh. It looks… normal. I thought it'd be glowing with holy symbols or floating dumbbells or something.
Fruxiya: giggles Why would it need to be godly? The gym doesn't make you divine the effort you put in does. You train here properly, you become godly yourself.
Mike: Heh… when you put it that way, makes sense.
Fruxiya: Exactly. Focus on the grind, not the shine. Anyway, I've got work to do good luck.
Mike: Thanks, Sis.
---
Three Hours Later – Near Feythra
Mike finally collapses to his knees after completing his push-ups.
Mike: Hah… hah… why does my body feel lighter now? I feel like I could even go for another 500 no, maybe a thousand more!
He grins and wipes his sweat.
Mike: Guess it's time for the pull-ups now.
---
Meanwhile – On the White Side
Vantres: Hey, White… isn't his growth getting a bit too fast?
White: I know. But it's fine. He needs this progress.
Vantres: You think Flux would be happy seeing him like this?
White: He would. In fact, I think this will give him more motivation to fight harder.
Vantres: Hmph. Fair enough.
---
Back to Mike
At Orivon, Mike's body starts feeling heavy, but he still pushes through.
Mike: Two hundred… ninety… eight… come on!
He reaches 198 pull-ups, his arms trembling.
At Thalorien, his body almost gives up but the fire in his eyes keeps him going. He hits 469.
At Zytheris, he collapses for a moment but stays conscious.
Mike: (panting) Finally… six hundred and ninety… almost there.
---
At Aurevyn
Fruxiya appears beside him, concern on her face.
Fruxiya: Hey! Are you all right?!
Mike: Yeah, Sis. Just a few more.
Fruxiya: frowns A few? How many?
Mike: I'm at six hundred and ninety now.
Fruxiya: That fast?! Wait
She looks closer and sees the glowing number 690 above his head something only she and Hidori can see.
Fruxiya: murmurs Impressive…
Mike: I'll rest a bit and start again at Velistra.
Fruxiya: Fine, but take this.
Mike: What's that?
Fruxiya: An Angel-Devinal Energy Bottle. It restores stamina and boosts recovery speed. Don't waste it.
Mike: Huh, thanks, Sis. You're a lifesaver.
Fruxiya: Don't push too hard, okay? Bye.
Mike: See ya!
---
At Velistra
Mike stretches and drinks half of the energy bottle.
Mike: Hah… let's do this again!
At Eranthis, he finally reaches his limits.
Mike: (gasping) F-finally… done!
He drops onto a chair nearby, body drenched in sweat.
Mike: Hah… (panting heavily) I can't believe I actually did it…
He notices the bottle still half-full.
Mike: Oh, right! I forgot to finish this earlier…
As he's about to drink it, a thought crosses his mind.
Mike: Wait… Sis also said she drinks this sometimes. Does that mean… she and I are kinda
WHACK!
Mike's head gets smacked by invisible force.
Mike: WHAT THE HELL!? I GOT HIT BY AIR AGAIN!?
White: It's me, you JACKASS!
Mike: Wha Lord White?! How did you
White: Don't even think about going down that road again! I can literally read your mind, you dumb mortal!
Mike: O-ohhh… so you're a godly mind reader now, huh?
White: SHUT IT!
Mike: Okay, okay, calm down, Mr. Almighty!
White: angrily She gave you that drink because she sees you as her brother, not your twisted imagination!
Mike: Yeah, yeah, got it, God! Chill!
White: grumbles Idiot…
Mike: chuckles nervously Heh… he's scary sometimes.
He drinks the rest of the bottle.
Mike: Whoa… this thing's actually really tasty. And… wow, my energy's coming back instantly. I could drink this forever…
He looks at the bottle and smiles faintly.
Mike: Sis… I'll make sure to surpass your expectations. Just wait and watch.