When Nova's lesson on increasing mana capacity ended, the atmosphere in the gym's rest area returned to a quiet stillness. Only the soft hum of the beverage cooler in the corner kept company.
Owen, sitting on the bar stool, was still lost in thought. He was processing the information he had just received… it was a clearer roadmap to his future, and now he understood why 'Mana Stones' were the most critical resource in the world of the Awakened.
Just then, Nova, who had been leaning silently against the bar counter, stretched her arms out wide, revealing the perfect curves of her body under her sports bra. Her spine cracked with a loud "pop!", a signal of her utmost boredom.
"Honestly..." she yawned softly, wiping a tear from the corner of her eye with the back of her hand, before grumbling to Owen in a weary voice, "I'm getting so sick of working out with the boring equipment in this gym."
She turned to face Owen fully, her gaze completely changed. The composed look of a teacher was gone, replaced by a spark of craving for battle, like a predator that had been caged for too long. An excited smile appeared at the corner of her lips.
"My body is screaming! It's time to go 'warm up' with a target that actually moves and fights back…"
"Owen..." her voice turned challenging and seductive at the same time, "...want to go work out in a dimensional gate with me?"
The invitation was like a lightning bolt striking Owen's heart! He snapped out of his thoughts and looked up to meet her eyes. His contemplation from a moment ago vanished in an instant, replaced by an excitement that shone clearly in his wide, sparkling eyes.
"Yes! Absolutely!" he answered almost instantly, his voice loud and full of enthusiasm as he nodded repeatedly, his jet-black hair flying. The reaction, like a little boy getting a new toy, made Nova laugh with delight. Her laughter was bright and echoed through the area.
"Excellent! That's more like my student!" she said, walking around the counter to pat him on the shoulder encouragingly. "But first… as a novice, you need to know the basics of entering a dimensional gate. It's not like you can just wander into any one you feel like."
She began to explain casually as she walked over to grab a bottle of water from the cooler. "A-Rank gates and above are rare and extremely dangerous. Most of them are booked months in advance by the Awakened Association or big corporations to hunt rare items, mine mana stones, and train their people… But B-Rank gates and below are open to the public. As long as your Awakened rank meets the requirement, you can register at the Association and go right in."
She opened the water bottle and took a large gulp before getting to the point. "We'll start with a C-Rank gate nearby. It's perfect for a warm-up and will let you get used to a real situation without being overwhelmed. You're still a rookie, after all."
A fire ignited in Owen's heart as if doused with gasoline. This was the opportunity he had been waiting for! To step into a dimensional gate again... but this time, it was completely different. He would enter as a challenger, an "Awakened," not a "victim" who had to run for his life like when he was trapped with Rosy. The fear from the past was replaced by an excitement so intense his blood pumped violently, almost ready to burst. He was about to face it again... by his own will.
"Very good!" Nova gave a satisfied smirk when she saw his determined, blazing eyes. She took out her latest smartphone from her pocket. Her long, slender fingers flew across the screen with speed and precision.
Ting!
A notification sounded from Owen's phone on the counter.
"Alright, meet me at the suburban district tomorrow morning, eight o'clock sharp," Nova said, putting her phone away. "I sent you the location. Don't be late."
But before Owen could get any more excited, the thrilling atmosphere was cut short by Nova's flat question. "By the way... do you have a personal 'magic weapon' yet?"
The question was like a bucket of cold water on the fire of Owen's excitement. He blinked. The embarrassing truth hit him... That's right, besides his own power, he had nothing. He shook his head immediately, his handsome face flushing slightly with embarrassment.
"Not yet... I don't have enough money to buy something that expensive."
Nova nodded in understanding. She showed no contempt, which made Owen feel a little relieved. "It's normal for a rookie. I'll lend you one of my old weapons for tomorrow," she said. "But it's only temporary. Fighting with a weapon that doesn't suit you is more dangerous than you think. Next time, you have to get your own. Understand?"
"Got it! Thanks so much, Nova!" Owen nodded quickly. A feeling of sincere gratitude washed over him, and he gave her a slight bow. She wasn't just a strong master, but someone who cared about the small details for him.
After they had settled their plans, Owen said his goodbyes. He took a deep breath before turning to face the small emotional storm that was waiting for him. He walked over to Clara, who was sitting pouting on the sofa. She had her arms crossed tightly, her gaze fixed out the large glass window, pretending that the ordinary view of the trees was more interesting than their conversation. She was clearly sulking from not getting any of his attention.
He knelt down in front of her, gently touching her knee. "Let's go home, Clara~"
She turned her head away but allowed him to take her hand and help her up. Owen led her out of the gym, under the amused gaze of Nova, who watched them go with a slight shake of her head.
It was exactly noon... The sun was at its brightest, its heat radiating through the air.
On the way home, the atmosphere in the SUV was rather quiet. Owen paid no attention to Clara's sulking. His mind was filled with images of combat and the mysterious lands beyond the dimensional gate. He smiled to himself, letting his imagination run wild with thoughts of swinging a magic weapon at a horde of monsters.
Clara, sitting beside him, could only glance at his happy smile with a mixture of annoyance and hurt. She pursed her lips tightly before turning back to watch the scenery rushing past the window.
The excitement and anticipation for the new adventure that would begin tomorrow was so sweet and challenging… The dawn of his true life as an Awakened was about to begin, and he had no idea that a new storm was quietly brewing in the seat right next to him.
…..
The next morning, at the suburban district designated as a special controlled area, the atmosphere was completely different from what Owen had imagined. It didn't look like a secret military base but more like a large event ground filled with a diverse crowd of people.
In the center of the wide-open space was the "Dimensional Gate of Darkness," a distorted and menacing "black hole." It seemed to suck in all the surrounding light and sound, creating an unnatural silence in its immediate vicinity. The air around it was noticeably colder. The other Awakened waiting around had various expressions. Some were in groups, chatting excitedly as if on a camping trip; some were seriously studying maps, planning their raid like a team of mercenaries; and some stood alone in silence, checking their weapons and equipment with cold, sharp eyes.
But amidst all those people, Nova stood out completely.
In contrast to everyone else who showed some sort of emotion towards the danger before them, Nova was lightly warming up with an excited, hungry smile. She stretched and threw a few practice punches in the air, relaxed. She looked at the black hole in front of her as if it were the entrance to her favorite amusement park, not a terrifying underground tomb.
"Excited?" she turned and asked Owen, who was standing stiffly beside her.
Owen could only give a dry nod. He was trying his best not to show his nervousness.
Nova chuckled softly before leading him to the Association's registration tent. She showed her S-Rank Awakened ID, and the staff immediately processed their request with a reverent attitude. Owen peeked at the information on the staff's tablet screen, which was clearly displayed
…..
[Gate Name: The Catacombs of the Skeleton Soldiers]
[Type: Dark Dimensional Gate]
[Level: C]
[Clear Condition: Destroy the 'Dungeon Core']
…..
When the registration was complete, Nova turned to face Owen again. She reached into her small shoulder bag before tossing two cold, metal objects to him without warning.
"Catch."
Owen flinched slightly but managed to catch them just in time. Their coldness and solid weight surprised him. He looked down at the objects in his hands... they were a pair of "Mana Steel Knuckles." They looked heavily used. The dark grey metal surface was covered in scratches and nicks from countless impacts. A faint smell of blood still clung to each knuckle, a testament to the battlefields they had seen.
Owen could feel a faint mana energy still circulating within them, like the sleeping spirit of a warrior. This was a real magic weapon... the second one he had ever touched. It was a shame the first one, Cole's dagger, had been confiscated by the police as evidence. Otherwise, he would have kept it for himself.
Nova gave no warnings or instructions but instead walked slowly towards him. A seductive and knowing smile appeared on her beautiful face.
"Let's play a little game... Owen," her voice was hoarse and alluring. "Let's compete… to see who can kill more monsters."
She paused for a moment, moving her face so close that Owen could smell the faint, fresh scent of her hair. Her warm breath caressed his cheek, raising goosebumps.
"If… you can kill more than half the number of monsters I do..." she paused again, letting the sweet words hang in the air, "...I'll let you touch my breasts... and kiss me as a reward."
Owen froze!
His mind went white for a moment. His heart pounded like a war drum being beaten frantically. He looked up to meet her eyes, unable to believe what he had just heard. The image of her perfect breasts that he had seen... and her luscious, inviting lips... flashed through his mind until he was almost crazed. His eyes widened with a shock mixed with an unconcealed excitement.
"But…"
Her tone changed instantly… It was cold, sharp, and full of authority. The once-seductive smile vanished, replaced by the look of the demon trainer he knew so well.
"If you can't... you'll have to attend a special training course with me tomorrow, all day... and I promise... it will be a hell on earth you will never forget."
This challenge… was an extreme wager, both sweet and terrifying at the same time.
Fear shot down Owen's spine. He remembered the pain from his first training session that had left him sore for a whole day... How bad would a "special" all-day training be? He didn't even want to imagine.
But then… the image of the sweet reward flashed in his mind again. It was so bright it completely extinguished all his fear.
The fire in Owen's heart had been lit... and it was blazing furiously!
All his nervousness and fear vanished in an instant, replaced by a determination and a fierce desire to "win" this reward. He gripped the knuckles in his hands until they turned white, took a deep breath, and stared back into her emerald eyes, unyielding.
He gave a firm nod, accepting the challenge. His gaze no longer held any hesitation... It was filled with the fiery spirit of a fighter!
Nova looked deep into those eyes… and she smiled… before laughing with delight. Her laughter was bright and powerful. "Excellent! This is more like it! This will be fun!"
She turned and walked towards the menacing black hole without a second thought. Her straight, elegant back looked like that of a Valkyrie, walking into her own battlefield.
Owen gripped the knuckles tightly, quickly slipping them onto his fists. The cool feeling of the metal against his skin made his blood pump even harder. He quickly followed her.
The two of them walked side-by-side through the crowd, which parted for them automatically. The gazes of the other Awakened were filled with interest and awe at the aura radiating from Nova.
Owen knew now… he wasn't about to step into a dangerous tomb…
He was about to step into an "arena"… to claim his sweetest prize.
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