After entering the Martial Arts Club's area, which started with a reception hall, Zed made his way toward the reception desk.
His name was already in the database of this university as a student who had just joined today, so Zed registered himself and became a member of the Martial Arts Club.
"Here's the map of the club. All the best and have a good day."
"Thanks. You too."
Zed took the map and started walking while looking at it.
'I want to do more exercise, so I'll go to the gym first.' Zed decided and headed toward the gym.
It was a big area with two halls containing various equipment, and an open training ground in the middle of both halls where students were sparring and giving points to each other.
Zed changed his clothes after getting a pair of robes and trousers from the locker room's random locker that had a [Green] light on it, meaning the clothes inside were washed and ironed.
"Now then…" Zed muttered under his breath as he looked around. 'Give me all knowledge of body and exercise so I know what equipment to use and how to increase my Vigor further.'
[3 U.R points consumed.]
Zed started working out, putting on maximum intensity he could handle on every piece of equipment he used, exercising while literally releasing steam from his body that quietly got sucked into the exhaust system in the hall right above him.
But some students noticed him—and they continued to notice him at other equipment—before some of them realized that he had been exercising for one hour without any breaks, except for going to drink a gallon of water every ten minutes!
Actually, Zed was storing water in his Inventory and then drinking directly from it, or he would have to take a break to drink water every one minute, not ten, based on the intensity of his exercise.
'Fuck, I won't get used to pain, but no other choice.'
Zed grunted as he stood up and moved to the next exercise while releasing crazy steam as he drank water directly from the Inventory while his internal injuries quickly healed and his stamina recovered fast.
He was feeling constant pain as his body was hot like a furnace, and even the surrounding people he passed by could feel heat radiating from him.
The sweat was just vaporizing into steam instead of falling off him, making it such that even his robe was dry.
[You have attracted the attention of the main people already. They will approach you soon, my lord.]
'Good.'
Zed lay down and started doing sit-ups.
He glanced at his stats and smiled. He could also feel his overall physical parameters rising each time he instantly healed from damage and consumed stamina with the crown's passive powers.
'I should take a break afterward. No need to show off too much.'
After five minutes, Zed finally took a seat on the bench and leaned back, his arms spread and head laid back as he looked at the ceiling—or more specifically, his status.
[Zed Tye Iranes]
Vigor: 43.2
Ki: 25.9 (259/259)
Lumen: 10.1
Spirit: 6.1 (61/61)
Blood Rage (B) Healing Hands (C) Thundering Cloud (A) Wind Laced Flurry (B)
'Why did my Lumen and Spirit also increase?'
[Well, the nature of your intense exercise is also affecting your mind. Since you are enduring such pain while exercising, your Lumen and Spirit automatically increase a bit. Of course, there are other ways—better ways—to increase those four stats, my lord.]
'And what are those ways?'
[The stats can be increased by resources from the Playground, and by using different types of methods from Cultivation Manuals.]
'I see. The shop will have these Cultivation Manuals available, right?'
[Yes, they are available in abundance. You will also get some as rewards.]
'Speaking of rewards, can you open the Quest and generate a side quest, Lapis? Let's see what I get.'
[Done, my lord.]
Soon, a side quest interface appeared.
[Side Quest: Follow Desire]
Objectives:
—> Once a certain desire of yours passes a threshold, it will trigger this quest's main objective.
Rewards:
—> 10 x Power-Up Candies
—> 100 U.R points.
[My lord. Since there's no particular situation, the side quest generated is like this.]
'Gotcha. Well, we'll see what it generates.' Zed smiled. 'A desire, huh?'
"Hello, Zed." A feminine voice greeted Zed as it closed in. 'He is not bad looking. The ruby eyes are rare.'
Zed straightened his neck as he looked ahead and saw a pair of juicy melons held behind a sports bra.
He looked up a bit and saw the face—a beautiful face of a woman in her mid to late twenties with a long blonde ponytail.
"Hi, beautiful lady." Zed smiled.
"Quite a session you had," she spoke as her blue eyes scanned Zed. "Follow me if you are interested in becomi—"
"Let's go." Zed stood up before she finished talking. His height of six feet was slightly taller than her frame of five-seven.
"I am Sarah." Sarah stretched her hand, and Zed shook it. 'His Vigor is already way higher than average people.'
"Nice to meet you, Sarah."
Sarah began walking while Zed followed her.
'I've been seeing a lot of beauties in the gym, but this one takes the cake.' Zed internally chuckled as he looked at the girl's hot figure and beautiful face.
"So, Zed. It seems you already know about the secret club here. I guess it is from Lina's father," Sarah spoke as she continued walking. "Were you sent here by him?"
"Nope. Fate decided I should join here, so here I am."
Sarah chuckled. "That's new."
Soon, Zed and Sarah arrived further behind the buildings and entered through the woods.
But shortly after they entered, Zed felt he had passed by some magical field, and suddenly, the forest vanished. An open ground with buildings and people appeared, training and sparring.
Zed's eyes flickered. He could see people performing supernatural feats here.
'Damn, those flaming fists look badass.'
'Is that wind around his legs?'
"Welcome to the Arcane Club, where martial arts and magic meet each other," Sarah said. "For starters, measure your parameters. Come."
Soon, Sarah and Zed arrived at a building.
"Is that a new guy, Sarah?"
"Looks weak."
"Good luck, buddy."
Some people commented as they entered.
"Ignore them," Sarah said. "You see that glass chamber? You will enter there, and it will scan you thoroughly to reveal your stats."
They arrived in front of a row of glass chambers in a cylinder shape. Some were measuring their stats inside, feeling good, while some felt down as they didn't have much progress.
Zed also entered one, and five seconds later, the scan was done.
"Let's see." Sarah looked at the display.