The Training Hall felt fundamentally different on the second day of the new term.
The heavy, metallic scent of the 5x gravity field had become a permanent fixture.
Rows of "Gravity-Plates"—dense, black discs adjustable via a neural link—sat waiting for the students.
To supplement this, the Academy installed an Industrial-Grade Hybrid Tower at the back of each student's private lane.
These massive stations, forged from Obsidian-Neutronium Alloy, were engineered to handle a staggering 10,000 kg of structural load.
Attached to each machine were several Gravity-Plates, allowing students to digitally calibrate resistance through their neural link.
Professor Andrew's Master Training Circuit
Professor Andrew walked to the lead machine, his Level 195 presence making the heavy frame hum with a low frequency.
"A ribbon cultivator does not just lift," Andrew barked. "You must master the six pillars of the physical vessel. Watch."
1. The Foundation (Legs & Hinge)
Andrew stepped into the Leg Press, adjusting the Gravity-Plates to a crushing 2,000 kg.
"Push through your heels. Use your Thread to coat your femur bones so the pressure doesn't splinter them."
2. The Shield (Chest & Triceps)
Moving to the Independent Press Arms, he performed Incline Chest Presses.
The orange arms hissed under the 10,000 kg capacity. "The Shield protects your lungs from Ribbon-overdraw."
3. The Wing (Back & Biceps)
Andrew grabbed the Lat Pulldown Bar, pulling 1,500 kg toward his collarbone as if it were air.
"The back is your anchor. Without it, you cannot project your Thread forward."
4. The Pillar (Shoulders)
Using the overhead setting, he demonstrated the Shoulder Press.
"Your shoulders are gateways for energy. If they are weak, your arms will go numb in battle."
5. The Core (Rotational Power)
Andrew gripped the barbell in the Landmine Attachment for Rotational Twists.
"The core connects your legs to your arms. Without rotation, you are just a stationary target."
6. The Apex (Bodyweight Integration)
Finally, he leapt to the Multi-Grip Pull-Up Bar.
Even under 5x gravity, he performed Muscle-Ups, his granite-like muscles rippling.
"Bodyweight exercises ensure you stay functional. You need to be a weapon, not a statue."
The Challenge
"You have two hours," Andrew announced, resetting the plates to a 500 kg starting weight.
"If I see anyone using their Ribbon to 'cheat' the weight, I will double the gravity in your lane."
Kaelen looked at the black-and-orange tower. His body still ached, but as he gripped the bar, he felt the Type-1 Serum throb in rhythm with the machine.
The hall hummed with grinding gears and the vibration of Liquid-Carbon cables.
Following the demonstration, the students began their first full circuit.
Jax, who during the holiday was training within his family using natural stimulators like Lunar-Marrow Extract, moved from station to station with aggressive, jagged energy.
He slammed through the weights, matching Andrew's high settings, his blue thread flaring to compensate for the machine's capacity.
The Duel
After the first complete circuit of training, Professor Andrew told the students to take a rest.
But Jax had other plans. The fact that his house had placed second in the year-end rankings made him feel inferior, and he wanted to prove that he was better.
He stepped out from his lane, eyes locked on Kaelen. "Hey, Veyron! All that weight and you still look like a stick. How about we see if that 'Veyron blood' can actually take a hit?"
Kaelen wiped sweat from his brow. "I'm here to train, Jax. Not play games."
"Scared?" Jax sneered, his blue thread sparking. "Or maybe you're just broken after your little stunt in the Capital."
Professor Andrew crossed his arms, his eyes scanning both boys. "You want to test your Sync in a live environment? Fine. I approve the duel. Center mat. Three minutes."
The class formed a circle. Gravity was dialed to 3x Earth standard, and each boy wore a 50kg weight-vest.
Jax lunged forward, his movement unnaturally fast and explosive.
The extract had made his muscles incredibly dense, yet his movements lacked their usual fluid grace.
His first strike—a heavy palm thrust—caught Kaelen squarely in the chest, sending him stumbling.
"What's wrong, Kaelen?" Jax laughed, his voice strained by the 3x gravity. "Can't keep up with real power?"
The Desync
For the first few minutes, Kaelen was purely defensive, his body bruised under Jax's relentless, heavy blows.
Jax prepared a final, crushing blow, channeling blue energy into his right fist. "Go down!"
But as Jax swung, something went wrong. His arm jerked, and his blue thread sputtered like a dying candle.
He missed Kaelen by inches, his feet tangling as he tripped over his own awkward momentum.
"What... what is this?" Jax gasped, his muscles twitching uncontrollably beneath his skin.
Kaelen stood up slowly, his Crimson Thread glowing with a steady hum.
"Your body grew too fast, Jax. Your family's mixture forced your muscles to harden, but your Ribbon hasn't synced with that density yet."
The Integration
"Shut up!" Jax roared, trying to throw a wild hook, but his shoulder joint popped audibly as the muscle outpaced the bone.
"You're a powerful engine on a weak transmission," Kaelen said calmly. "You're fighting yourself more than me."
Jax tried to lunge again, but his body refused; a "lag" had formed between his mind and muscles.
Kaelen didn't strike back with anger. Instead, he practiced the Pressure-Sync Andrew had just taught.
He pulled crimson energy deep into his marrow to stabilize his stance and solidify his frame.
As Jax threw a desperate punch, Kaelen simply stepped aside and caught Jax's arm.
Using Jax's own heavy weight against him, Kaelen guided him to the floor with a firm redirection.
Jax hit the mat with a heavy clang, pinned by the 3x gravity and his own dense mass.
The Lesson Learned
Professor Andrew stepped in, signaling the end. He looked at Jax with stern disappointment.
"A ribbon cultivator does not just lift. Wealth can buy nutrients, but it cannot buy you Sync."
He then turned his gaze specifically to Jax.
"Jax, you had excess energy to fight recklessly because your training weights were too low for your level. You were coasting on enhancements instead of challenging your vessel."
Andrew tapped a command into Jax's neural link, making the Gravity-Plates glow fiercely.
"I have increased your base training weight by another 2,000 kg. If you can trip over your feet, you can lift harder."
He then looked at Kaelen with an approving nod. "Veyron, your output was low, but your integration was 98%. You beat him because you were 'whole.'"
As gravity neutralized, Kaelen helped a humiliated Jax to his feet.
"The second year is a marathon, Jax," Kaelen said quietly. "Don't burn out in the first mile."
Kaelen walked back, his body aching but his mind clear. He realized Veyron blood wasn't about being the strongest; it was about being the most controlled.