After changing into the training clothes, I stepped outside and found Celine waiting obediently near the door.
"Celine," I called out.
She turned instantly. "Yes, my lord?"
"Is there… somewhere spacious where I can run? I mean… exercise?"
She tilted her head slightly, eyes curious. "There is a training field nearby, my lord. It's used by the knights for daily drills. Would that suffice?"
I nodded. "Good enough. Take me there."
"Of course, my lord."
Without hesitation, she turned and began walking, her movements swift and precise like she had the route memorized down to each step.
As I followed her, I finally had a good look at the estate.
Holy hell.
This place was huge, like castle huge. Elegant halls, marble floors, intricate stained glass in the windows… this wasn't a mansion. It was a damn palace.
And the staff?
They scurried away the moment I glanced in their direction. Some even flinched.
It wasn't fear.
It was… shame. Disgust. Pity.
Adam, what the hell did you do to these people…?
I could feel it in the air. The weight of his past actions. The sneers. The arrogance. The bullying.
No wonder he got himself killed.
Finally, Celine stopped and turned to me. "We have arrived, my lord."
"Thanks," I said, nodding again.
"I shall fetch water for you." she added softly before disappearing with swift steps.
She didn't even need to ask.
Sharp, reliable, and considerate. No wonder she becomes a main heroine in the novel.
I stepped onto the field.
It was massive. Knights in metal armor swung swords in synchrony. Others dashed around a track, their movements fluid and precise. The air was thick with sweat, shouts, and the clash of steel.
And then… me.
The moment I stepped into view, conversations slowed.
Eyes turned.
And then came the looks.
That look.
Disdain. Amusement. A few smirks. One guy even whispered something to his friend, who laughed like he just heard a joke.
Yeah. Of course.
To them, I'm still Adam Blackthorn. The arrogant, overweight, useless noble kid who's never done a day of work in his life.
Let them laugh.
Let them enjoy it while they can.
Because once I shed this damn weight, once I get my hands on the Harmony of the Dual Spiral…
I'll make every single one of them eat those smug looks.
One. By. One.
I took a deep breath and stepped onto the track.
Alright. First lap. Let's go.
I started running.
Or at least, I thought I was running.
Every step felt like my legs were made of stone, no, denser than stone. My thighs jiggled like pudding, and my stomach bounced with every step like an overfilled water balloon. My breathing turned ragged after just a few meters.
What the hell did this guy eat? Lead bricks? Fried dragons?
This body is heavier than any boulder I've ever touched!
By the time I finished even half the lap, I was already wheezing like a dying cow.
By the time I reached the end of the first lap, I was ready to pass out and meet the truck again.
I bent over, hands on my knees, drenched in sweat.
Damn it, that was just one lap.
I wiped my face with my sleeve, only to realize it was completely soaked.
Then I noticed it.
The gazes.
The knights around the field had stopped pretending. They were looking straight at me now.
Some with disbelief. Others with open amusement.
Like I was a circus animal on display.
A fat pig trying to run among wolves.
Tch. You bastards...
They wouldn't dare laugh like that at the son of a noble lord. But then again, I'm no longer the kind of noble they fear.
Not yet.
If it were the old Adam, he'd probably be screaming at them already. Maybe even order their hands broken.
Heh.
Maybe I'll still break their hands.
Later. When I'm strong enough.
I heard soft footsteps beside me and turned my head.
Celine had returned, calm, quiet, composed. In her hands, a glass bottle that shimmered faintly with pale blue liquid.
"For you, my lord," she said, gently handing it to me.
"Thanks," I said between gulps of air. I took the drink and swallowed it in one go.
It was cool. Sweet. Almost sparkling.
A few seconds later, I could feel the tightness in my chest easing, the soreness in my legs fading just slightly.
Was this some kind of high-grade stamina potion?
Of course it was. Noble perks.
Celine then pulled a folded towel from a small pouch and offered it. "You're sweating too much, my lord."
"Yeah… thanks." I took it, wiped myself down, and sighed.
This girl… she's way too good to be just a background heroine.
No wonder the protagonist eventually wins her over.
But this time... maybe the story won't go the same way.
I threw the towel around my neck, stretched my arms, and took a breath.
Round two. Let's go.
I kept running. My legs screamed. My lungs begged. My pride bled.
But I kept going.
Again and again, until the sun had begun to rise fully and the smell of breakfast wafted faintly through the wind.
After the training, I took a long, painfully cold bath.
I scrubbed every inch of this oversized body with a level of hatred I didn't know I had.
Goodbye, filth. Goodbye, laziness. Goodbye, cursed fat folds.
Once I was clean, I dried myself and started dressing.
Celine, ever the dutiful maid, stood beside me holding a finely embroidered coat. "Shall I help you change, my lord?"
I shook my head. "No need. I can do it myself."
She blinked, clearly surprised, but bowed politely and stepped aside. I struggled a bit with the buttons (why are there so damn many?) but managed to look halfway decent in the end.
Today… was the first day I'd meet Adam's parents.
Technically my parents now.
I wasn't nervous, per se. Just… cautious.
Celine led me through the grand hallways of this oversized mansion. Each corridor echoed my steps. Chandeliers hung like frozen stars above. Servants bowed and avoided eye contact as always.
When we reached the dining hall, she stepped forward, opened the large double doors, and bowed.
I walked in.
The room was massive, like something straight out of a fantasy palace.
At the long table sat two people.
My father, Lord Veyron Blackthorn a tall, imposing man with pitch-black hair slicked back and eyes as pale as cold glass.
He looked like he could kill someone with just a stare.
But then, with a wide grin, he called out, "My son! I heard from Albert that you were running this morning! Is something wrong with you?"
His tone was oddly cheerful.
Next to him sat my mother, Lady Seraphina Blackthorn. She had the same dark hair, but her crimson eyes mirrored my own. There was a soft concern in her voice as she leaned forward.
"Adam, sweetie… why would you suddenly start running? Are you feeling sick? I was so worried!"
I walked calmly to the table, sat down, and looked them both in the eye. "I want to lose weight. I don't want to die young."
For a moment, silence.
Then—
"My son has finally matured!" Father slapped the table so hard the cutlery rattled.
Mother gasped, tears welling in her eyes. "Yes, darling, finally thinking about your future…!"
I stared at them, half stunned.
No wonder Adam turned out so rotten. They spoiled him like a sacred cow.
Father leaned forward excitedly. "Tell me, son, anything you want! I'll buy it for you right now!"
...Yep. That explains everything.
But of course, I wouldn't let that opportunity go to waste.
"Actually, I'd like an elixir. A good one."
"Elixir?" Father nodded thoughtfully. "Of course, of course. I'll have the alchemists send one by tomorrow noon. Should arrive by carriage if traffic's clear."
"Thanks, Dad."
He gasped dramatically. "He thanked me…"
Mother clutched her chest like she was about to faint. "My son! Since when did you learn to say such heartfelt things…?"
I ignored their theatrics and turned to my food.
Eggs, grilled meat, freshly baked bread… not bad.
I sighed and began eating.
This life… is going to be more ridiculous than I thought.