The training didn't end in victory.
It ended in time.
When the timer ran out and the arena began to shrink, we were barely staying on our feet. My shield was cracking under constant blows, Mark's blades had lost their edge, and our energy bars were dropping and jumping in bursts—we were chugging potions on the move, without even thinking about what we were doing.
Shield — potion.
Energy — potion.
Cooldown — another hit.
We were moving almost on autopilot.
Angelina was no longer angry.
She was just pressing.
Cold-blooded. Methodical. As if she were dismantling us piece by piece. Sometimes she deliberately pulled back, giving us a second to catch our breath, only to rush in again immediately—faster, harsher, more precise.
"Think," she threw out between attacks. "Or you'll die."
By the twentieth minute, we weren't trying anymore.
We were just surviving.
When the arena shrank to its minimum, the system triggered instantly.
"Training complete. Returning to reality."
The world flickered.
And we were out.
I barely stayed on my feet when the chair restraints disengaged. My body was intact—not a scratch, not a bruise—but it felt like I'd worked a double shift lasting two days without sleep.
Mark sat with his head lowered, breathing heavily.
Angelina stood up first.
Sharp.
Irritated.
"Useless," she snapped. "Absolutely useless."
She walked past us without even looking and shoved the door open.
"Stuffing yourselves with chips, hauling crystals around," she added angrily as she left. "And what's the point? Zero."
The door slammed shut.
Silence hung in the room.
"Uh…" Thor's voice sounded. "What… happened?"
Mark and I looked at each other and almost simultaneously shrugged.
"We tried," Mark said. "Honestly."
Thor smirked, but without mockery.
"So? How was it?"
I exhaled.
"Interesting," I said honestly. "But too much."
"Too many options, systems, nuances. This isn't just 'fight and win.'"
"We need to figure it out. Understand how this even works."
He nodded.
"By the way," I added, "I had a skill at the start… healing. In the form of a sphere."
"But Angelina said that was impossible."
Thor thought for a moment.
"Most likely a training mode bug," he said. "There's no magic in combat arenas until the second block."
"Those kinds of things just don't drop there."
"Got it," I nodded.
He looked at us carefully.
"Let's do this. Think it over for a couple of days."
"If you decide—come back. Tell them to call me."
"I'll talk to Angelina."
"And if we change our minds?" Mark asked.
"Then just don't come," Thor replied calmly. "No problem."
Then his voice grew more serious.
"But don't tell anyone about this."
"Especially your parents. Judging by you, you're way too law-abiding."
"Understood," I said.
We left.
Already outside, Thor shouted after us:
"And remember."
"Living in comfort doesn't mean moving forward."
"Sometimes you have to go against the system."
We walked farther away.
"He's trying to talk us into it," Mark snorted. "They need meat."
"Though… it was still kind of cool."
I didn't answer.
I was thinking about something else.
What does it mean—to go against the system?
Is he really trying to convince us?
Or… hinting?
At home, Mom met me in the kitchen.
"Why are you home so late?" she asked.
"Side jobs," I answered. "And training."
"Decided to get in shape with a friend. Maybe find a better job."
She nodded.
"Just be careful, okay?"
"Of course."
The next day I woke up earlier than usual.
"New quest. Strength."
##########################
Regular physical exercises.
Reward: +1 Strength.
Failure penalty: strength progression locked for 7 days and -2 Strength.
##########################
I frowned.
"Seriously…"
But the quest was doable.
I accepted it—and for the first time received a bonus: an energy potion.
After completing the exercises, I opened my inventory.
Energy Potion.
The description was simple: full restoration of strength and stamina.
I used it and felt the fatigue vanish, as if it had never existed.
"Useful stuff," I muttered.
Next quest.
"New quest. Strength."
##########################
Obstacle course.
Reward: +2 Strength.
Penalty: -3 Strength and a three-day ban.
##########################
I smirked.
"Well, at least it's honest."
After checking in the system what counted as an obstacle course, I went to the local park and completed it.
By the time I checked my stats, my strength had increased noticeably. My body responded better, my movements became more confident.
I had a couple of hours before work.
I opened the charisma quests.
"Sing at karaoke."
##########################
Quest
Sing at karaoke
Reward: +1 Charisma.
Penalty: -1 Charisma and a three-day ban.
Additional: chance to obtain a hidden artifact.
##########################
I froze.
Hidden artifacts were important.
Too important to ignore.
"Fine," I said. "Accepted."
At work, I told Mark.
"Karaoke?" he perked up. "Let's go tonight."
After the shift, we went to a karaoke bar.
And they… didn't let us.
More precisely, they let us in, but banned us from singing.
"You can sit and order," the manager said, looking us over. "But the stage is off-limits."
"We care about the guests' impressions."
We argued.
Not for long.
Useless.
And left.
When I got home, the system was already waiting.
"Endurance quest."
##########################
Run 20 km.
Reward: +2 Endurance.
Hidden artifact.
Penalty: -2 Endurance and a three-day ban.
##########################
I laughed tiredly.
"Of course. Why not."
I went out and ran.
Until midnight.
When I came back, completely drained, the system issued:
##########################
Charisma quest failed.
Penalty: -1 Charisma and a three-day ban.
##########################
I opened my stats and stared at the numbers for a long time.
##########################
Strength — 14
Endurance — 15
Intelligence — 11
Charisma — 3
##########################
Strength. Endurance.
They were growing.
Charisma—wasn't.
As if the entire world was against it.
And then I understood.
Strength and endurance—I can level those myself.
Through pain. Through effort.
But charisma?
It could only be broken there.
In the arena.
I sat on the bed and quietly said:
"Even if Mark refuses…"
"I'll go anyway."
"I need that level."
"I need that stat."
"I'll reach twenty."
"And thirty."
"Not fast."
"But I will."