Thomas walks over to a benchpress and leans on it. He gestures to it and says, "Well? What are you waiting for? Lay down."

I comply and lay down on the benchpress. He brings over a bar and sets it on the press. I take hold of the bar and begin lifting.

"Hmm, this is pretty easy," I comment as I continue lifting the bar up and down.

"…Yeah. This is just the bar. It's about 45 pounds, I think. We're here to make you gain strength, so just wait. It'll get harder." I can't see Thomas's face, but I feel like he has an evil smile on his face.

He adds two weights to the bar and it gets considerably heavier, but still manageable. I continue this for a bit, and, while the bar doesn't get any more weights added, it still becomes heavier due to my own exhaustion. This is actually really boring if I ignore the burning in my arms.

[ Due to training, your Endurance has increased by 2 ]

[ Through repeated actions skill: Minor Physical Regeneration(Medium, Passive) has ranked up to Minor Physical Regeneration(Major, Passive) ]

Oh dang. Hmm, what was it we learned back in P.E.? Something about muscles. Uhh. Nope, nothing.

"Hey Thomas?"

"Yeah?"

"My regeneration ranked up."

"You had regeneration? Wait, no, we bought it for you. I mean- That's to be expected. Muscle cells actually die when you exert them too much and then come back stronger. Now, this is bad in large amounts, and is a major oversimplification, but it's similar to getting a blister and having the skin grow back but tougher."

"So will this make training harder?"

"For you, yes. For me, no. It makes it easier to train your cells as it increases the rate of regeneration. Put simply, it makes it easier for me to do this with a clear conscience."

"Do wha-UGR!"

Before I can finish my question, the weight of the bar increases drastically. My arms struggle for a second before I manage to lift it up.

[ Due to training, your Power has increased by 5 ]

"F-Fuck you!" I spit out.

"Yeah, yeah. That's reserved as Sophia's privilege," Thomas waves off my curse. Wait, what was that? You know what. Don't care. I'll get him for this later.

"You know," Thomas speaks up, "you're at 155 pounds right now. Two 10 pounders, two 50 pounders, and the bar itself. You're doing pretty well, but I know you can do better."

He mercilessly finishes his sentence with an addition of more weights. I hear him add four more as the bar presses up to my neck, but I push it up before it can strangle me. I feel like Thomas is enjoying this way too much.

[ Due to training, your Power has increased by 3 ]

Another push.

[ Due to training, your Power has increased by 2 ]

One more…

[ Due to training, your Power has increased by 5 ]

I want to die.

[ Due to training, your Power has increased by 4 ]

[ Due to training, your Endurance has increased by 10 ]

With one final push, I manage to set the bar down.

My arms are noodles. I would definitely punch Thomas if I could.

"Huh, if my math is correct. Then you just lifted 355 pounds multiple times." I glare at him, but Thomas walks past me without a care and effortlessly picks up the bar with a single hand.

He begins twirling the bar like a pen. "Still so much to do though." He smiles an evil smile. I think I know why he's a villain now. Or maybe just a sadistic person in general?

I'm too tired to care.

————————————————————————————————————

With my arms slightly rested, Thomas physically drags me over to a stationary bike.

"Agility?" I ask already knowing the answer.

"Yep!" Thomas is way too jovial for this. He picks me up and drops me on the bike.

I give a sigh and begin pedaling. The monotony of the action makes time pass by slower.

Well, slower until the knives started flying.

"Thomas! Why are you chucking knives at me?!" I shout out as I duck beneath another knife.

"Agility also manages reflexes. Don't give me that look," Thomas comments on my glare. "Listen, there's a main reason that most people still use guns. Endurance can stop forces up to an amount, but that still has its limits. Add on the fact that objects that can pierce also need ridiculous amounts of Endurance as well, and you have a weapon that still kill."

"So what? Become faster, get a skill that negates bullets, or just give up?"

"Preferably the first two. If you can raise your Agility high enough you could dodge bullets. There are also skills, spells, and biological defenses that can protect against them too. Take Nora's dragon-hide, for example, that stuff is tough enough to take a few shots from an Anti-Material Rifle," Thomas casually rants while wielding a crossbow.

Oh, how I wish I could take Sophia's advice and punch him.

"Now, this goes without saying, but," he loads a bolt, "don't get hit."

[ Due to training, your Agility has increased by 2 ]

I am going to die.

[ Due to training, your Agility has increased by 1 ]

Actually…

[ Due to training, your Agility has increased by 3 ]

I'm not going to put up with this anymore.

Jumping out of my seat, I swan dive straight towards Thomas.

[ Through repeated actions skill: Jump(Minor, Passive) has ranked up to Jump(Medium, Passive) ]

I attempt a Beast Transformation, but I'll do something different this time. Let's see if I can just have wolf hands.

[ Through creative actions you have unlocked the skill: Partial Beast Transformation(Active) ]

[ Partial Beast Transformation - Allows to user to transform parts of their body into an animalistic version of their current species. Doubles stats of afflicted part, may become incapable of speech. Limit: 24hr usage, 2hr cool down. ]

Hmm, I could get some mileage out of this.

With my enhanced wolf hands, I swipe down across Thomas's face.

[ Through repeated actions you have unlocked the skill: Claw Swipe(Active) ]

[ Claw Swipe - Allows the user to boost their forearm appendages to swipe at a target. Attacks are more successful and powerful if the aforementioned appendage has nails or another structure. ]

The attack lands, but my Danger Sense is blaring for me to escape, so I jump away.

[ Through repeated actions skill: Danger Sense(Medium, Passive) has ranked up to Danger Sense(Major, Passive) ]

[ Through repeated actions skill: Danger Sense(Major, Passive) has ranked up to Danger Sense(Maximum, Passive) ]

You ever get the feeling that you just royally screwed up?

A low chuckle grabs my attention. Thomas is clutching his face, but I can't really see it. He's looking at the floor for some reason. "Hohoho boy. You know, you are in for a WORLD of hurt!" He looks up at me, his left eye glowing a faint red, a claw mark stretching across his face. On his left is metal plates, but the right side of his face leaks blood.

A drop falls on the floor.

"Huh. Didn't know I had any blood left," he causally remarks before his fist appears in front of my face, already striking towards me.

I duck underneath his fist, and strike at his crotch.

Is it a cheap shot? Sure. Did it work? Hell no.

Apparently that area is metal too. Well, I succeeded in pissing Thomas off further, so…that's something.

I jump back, using my claws to slow my speed once I'm far enough away.

"Hahaha. Wonderful. Just wonderful."

Thomas worries me.