"Come on, Master, just one more! You can do it!"
The system's voice rang out, firm yet encouraging, urging Percy to push past his limits. His body trembled, every fiber of muscle straining under the relentless pressure. Sweat poured from his skin in rivulets, soaking him from head to toe, each droplet tracing the carved lines of his physique. His breath came in ragged, uneven gasps, his chest rising and falling in rapid succession. His heartbeat pounded like a war drum, his pulse visibly hammering beneath the surface of his taut, overheated skin.
His arms quaked, his muscles screaming in defiance, veins bulging as if they were about to burst. Blood vessels had surfaced in the whites of his eyes, giving them a raw, almost feral look—only serving to intensify the striking contrast of his blue-golden irises.
Nearby, beneath the shade of a large tree, Angelica sat with a textbook open in her lap. She was supposed to be studying for the entrance exam, but her focus had long since drifted.
Her gaze kept betraying her, drawn helplessly toward Percy as he fought through his grueling workout. The rhythmic contraction of his muscles, the way his sweat glistened under the sun, and the raw, unfiltered power emanating from his every movement left her utterly entranced. A traitorous blush crept onto her cheeks, warmth pooling in her stomach as she quickly averted her gaze—only for it to flicker back the moment he grunted in exertion.
"One... more..."
Percy's voice was strained, filled with sheer grit. Then, with one final, desperate push, he completed his last rep—only to collapse onto the ground, utterly spent. His body lay sprawled across the grass, his chest heaving as he fought to regain control over his breath.
Angelica, snapping out of her trance, slammed her book shut and rushed to his side.
"Percy!" she called, worry lacing her voice. She knelt beside him, quickly grabbing a cool, wet cloth and pressing it to his overheated skin. "Aren't you pushing yourself too hard?"
For the past three weeks, since she had started living with him, she had witnessed this cycle again and again—Percy pushing his body past the point of exhaustion, each day bringing him closer to complete collapse. It wasn't fear driving him. No, it was something far more dangerous. Determination.
She swallowed hard as she dabbed the cloth over his burning skin, watching how his stomach muscles tensed slightly beneath her touch. Grabbing a cold water bottle, she gently rolled him onto his back, careful to ensure he was comfortable.
Then, her breath hitched.
The afternoon sun bathed Percy's exhausted form in golden light, highlighting every sculpted ridge of his torso, every dip of his muscles accentuated by the sheen of sweat. The moisture from the cloth glistened against his caramel-toned skin, sending tiny droplets cascading over the grooves of his abdomen.
A small gulp caught in Angelica's throat as her fingers briefly brushed against his warm skin.
(Oh, my god...)
Her face ignited.
What was she doing?
Her heart pounded like a drum against her ribcage. She felt like an intruder in her own thoughts, her mind waging a futile war against the undeniable attraction creeping into her consciousness.
(Percy has always been fit, but this… this is something else.) The words formed involuntarily in her mind before she could shove them away.
Then, guilt struck her like a whip.
(No, no, no. What the hell am I thinking? He's Cami's brother. She's one of my best friends!)
Shaking her head, she desperately tried to re-center herself, focusing on simply cooling him down. Yet, as he let out a low, exhausted groan—a deep, husky "Aghhh" that sent a strange shiver down her spine—she knew she was in trouble.
Her fingers momentarily faltered against his skin.
(This… was going to be a long summer.)
Despite her internal struggle, Angelica found her gaze inexorably drawn to Percy. His face was tilted toward the sky, his breathing slow and even, utterly serene despite the punishing workout he had just endured. The gentle rise and fall of his chest, the sheen of sweat tracing down the grooves of his abdomen—everything about him at that moment was mesmerizing.
A dangerous thought flitted across her mind, sending a shiver through her. (Maybe just one little...)
Before she could stop herself, she leaned in, her lips mere inches from the taut muscles of his stomach, her breath feather-light against his skin.
Then, Percy stirred.
His arms twitched slightly, fingers curling as if searching for something.
Angelica jolted back to reality, her eyes widening in horror at what she had almost done. She hastily finished wiping him down, then shoved the cold-water bottle into his hands.
Percy, oblivious to the storm raging within her, instinctively gripped the bottle and took a long, deep drink, tilting his head back as he swallowed greedily.
Angelica scrambled to her feet, her pulse hammering. (What the hell was I thinking?!)
She busied herself returning the cloth to the cooler, but her thoughts were a whirlwind of regret and frustration. (Dang it! If only I hadn't hesitated...) she cursed herself, chewing her bottom lip as she stole another glance at Percy.
Meanwhile, Percy pushed himself up, rolling his shoulders with a satisfied groan. Every muscle in his body hummed with renewed energy, a testament to how far he had come in just a few weeks.
(Damn, I didn't realize the elixir was this potent. My muscle gains are almost double what they were in the first week.)
Reflecting on the past two weeks, Percy couldn't help but marvel at his own transformation. The system's fat-to-muscle regimen had been nothing short of grueling—an insane daily cycle of 1,000 push-ups, 1,000 sit-ups, 1,000 pull-ups, and a brutal 10-mile run.
The first time the system had laid out his training schedule, Percy had scoffed.
"That's gotta be a joke, right?" he muttered.
But the system wasn't joking.
It gave him no mercy, no leeway, no shortcuts. His days were spent relentlessly pushing his body to the limit, and his nights were consumed by studying magic circles, elemental theory, and rune language with Angelica. His only respite came in the form of a few precious hours of sleep before the cycle repeated itself.
Percy grimaced at the memory of his first real lesson in the system's cruelty.
"What happens if I don't complete the workouts on time?" he had asked, half-expecting a warning about slower progress.
The system's response had been chilling.
"If you fail to finish the workouts… you die!"
At first, he had thought it was just an intimidation tactic—until, on one particularly grueling day, he collapsed mid-rep, his heart hammering in his chest like it was about to burst.
The pain had been excruciating. A searing pressure crushed his lungs, his vision blurred, and darkness crept at the edges of his consciousness.
Had Angelica not been there to intervene, pressing her hands to his chest in frantic CPR, he wasn't sure he would've woken up.
Afterward, as he lay gasping on the ground, Angelica had begged him to stop.
But Percy had merely pushed himself upright, wiped the sweat from his brow, and muttered through gritted teeth, "I'm not quitting."
From that day forward, Angelica had made it her mission to keep a watchful eye on him during his training sessions, even if she didn't always agree with his relentless drive.
By the end of the second week, Percy had amassed an unfathomable 14,000 reps of each exercise and covered a staggering 140 miles on foot.
It was then that the system had decided to reward him.
Fresh out of the shower, Percy had noticed a flashing alert in his peripheral vision. When he opened it, the message was simple:
{Congratulations, Master, for your unwavering dedication! You have been awarded a Muscle Growth Elixir.}
A small, mysterious pink bottle had materialized in his hands, its label inscribed with elegant golden lettering.
"Muscle Growth Elixir? No way..."
The system had explained that it would reward him periodically for completing specific milestones, and while Percy had initially set the elixir aside, curiosity had finally gotten the better of him today.
The results were staggering.
He flexed his hands, feeling the raw power coursing through his veins. His muscles were not only more defined but significantly stronger. Even his stamina had seen a considerable boost. While some soreness lingered, it was overshadowed by the newfound resilience surging through his limbs.
A slow, confident smirk curled his lips.
"System, pull up the status screen."
{….}.
{Infinite Omega System...
~Name: Percy Atlas Magus,
~Bloodline: Human
~Potential: Level 4
~Abilities: Eternal Lucky Charm, Life/Death Benefits, Absolute Immunity.
~Stamina: 15
~Strength: 15
~Intelligence: 10
~Mana: 0}
Percy scrutinized the numbers flashing on the system screen, his brows furrowing. I thought my stats would be higher than this. His fingers flexed reflexively, feeling the lingering soreness from his grueling workout.
The system, ever patient, responded, {The full effects of the elixir have not yet taken hold. This elixir is comparable to Grade A potions in the market. Once fully integrated, you'll see a more significant increase.}
A full-body projection of Percy materialized on the screen, displaying an intricate breakdown of his biological status. The system continued, {Originally, the elixir concentrated in your stomach upon ingestion. It took several days to migrate to your heart, and only then did it begin dispersing through your bloodstream, aided by circulation. The process takes time, but it's progressing efficiently.}
Percy nodded, absorbing the explanation. So, it's a slow-release enhancement... makes sense. "So when do I see the full effects?" he asked, shifting his weight onto one elbow.
The system processed his question before replying, {By tonight! You completed today's regimen faster than expected. Once your body adjusts to the elixir, we will begin the second phase of training.}
Percy's exhaustion momentarily lifted as anticipation sparked in his gaze. He grinned, already itching for progress. "Why not start now?"
But the system quickly shot him down.
{It would be unwise. The elixir has yet to fully integrate, and pushing your body prematurely could result in rejection symptoms. Trust me, Master, this is in your best interest.}
Percy sighed, recognizing the system's tone—firm and unyielding. Damn, I was hoping to get ahead...
Accepting that he wouldn't be making any more gains today, he turned his gaze toward Angelica, who was comfortably nestled under the shade of a tree, her focus entirely absorbed in her book.
With a contented sigh, Percy strolled over and flopped down beside her, letting gravity take him. His head lazily fell against her shoulder, and he exhaled in sheer relief.
Angelica didn't even flinch. "Done with your workout?" she asked, eyes still glued to her book.
"Yeah," he muttered, his voice tinged with exhaustion.
For a brief moment, silence stretched between them, peaceful and undisturbed.
Then, with a decisive flick, Angelica shut her book and turned to him. "Let's review what you've learned these past weeks," she announced, reaching for a bookmarked section.
Percy groaned dramatically. "Aghhh! Angel, do we really have to do this now? I just finished training. My brain's as fried as my muscles!"
Angelica arched a brow, unimpressed. "Yes, now. You've been skipping too many sessions because of your workouts." Her voice carried that unmistakable teacher's authority.
Percy rolled onto his back and covered his face with his hands. "Please, have mercy," he whined.
Angelica ignored his theatrics. "No complaints. What are the four basic alchemical elements found in nature?"
Reluctantly, Percy peeked through his fingers and grumbled, "Earth, Water, Air, Fire."
"Good. What about their advanced forms?" she pressed on.
"Metal, Ice, Sound, Lightning," he answered, his irritation creeping into his tone.
"Correct. Now, what are the negative reactions when combining certain elements?"
"Explosions and Obstructions," he said, rubbing his temples.
"And the positive reactions?"
"Harmonization and Synergy," he mumbled, half hoping she'd stop.
Angelica, relentless, leaned forward. "Explain the negative and positive reactions in detail."
Percy groaned, dragging a hand down his face. "Aghhh… Are you serious, Angel?"
Angelica folded her arms, her gaze unwavering. "Dead serious."
A long, suffering sigh escaped Percy before he finally gave in. "Fine."
Propping himself up on his elbows, he began, his voice monotone but precise. "Explosion happens when elements with opposing natures are combined. Like Fire and Water—fire rapidly excites water molecules, speeding up evaporation. If that heated vapor is suddenly cooled, the temperature difference forces an abrupt release of kinetic energy. That's why you hear crackling when you extinguish a fire—it's basically thousands of tiny, harmless explosions."
Angelica nodded approvingly. "Good. Now, explain Obstruction."
Percy rubbed his forehead. "It's when incompatible elements cancel each other out. Like Earth and Air. Earth is a dense, structured element, while Air is free-moving and chaotic. When forced together without proper stabilization, the opposing forces create resistance instead of fusion. That's why combining them without an intermediary element results in a deadlock of energy."
A small smirk played on Angelica's lips. "See? That wasn't so hard."
Percy flopped back onto the grass, exhaling loudly. "You say that, but I'm pretty sure I lost five years of my lifespan just now."
Angelica chuckled, amused. "Don't be so dramatic."
Percy, peeking at her from the corner of his eye, smirked. "Drama's the only thing keeping me sane at this point."
Angelica let out a soft laugh, shaking her head. "Come on, let's finish this review before you fall asleep on me."
Percy groaned again, but deep down, he was grateful. As much as he hated to admit it, Angelica's rigorous study sessions were helping him—both in understanding magic theory and keeping his mind sharp.
Even if she was a little too enthusiastic about it.
Percy shifted slightly, his mind piecing together the next explanation. "Obstruction also happens when similar yet distinct elements clash. Take Water and Ice, for instance. They're essentially the same in essence, yet when moving water meets solid ice, its flow is completely halted. The transition into a solid state acts as a blockade, but at the same time, it bridges into a new form."
He leaned back, locking eyes with Angelica. "Harmonization, on the other hand, is when similar elements blend seamlessly, despite their differences. Think of it like merging two different kinds of water—salt and fresh—they mix without resistance. But Synergy..." Percy's lips quirked into a smirk. "That's when two elements don't just combine but amplify each other. Like Wind and Fire. The molecules match in speed, fueling the flames instead of hindering them. It's an exponential boost, doubling the energy output."
Angelica nodded in approval. "Good! Now, what about the elemental forms beyond basic and advanced?"
Percy groaned dramatically, stretching his arms over his head. "Angi, can we please wrap this up?" He pulled his shirt over his head and began packing up their belongings, his fatigue finally catching up with him.
Angelica, undeterred, smiled knowingly. "Sure… but we'll keep reviewing as we walk."
Percy exhaled, shaking his head as he slung his bag over his shoulder. "You're relentless, you know that?"
"And you're lazy, so we balance each other out," she quipped, falling into step beside him.
As they walked back across the university's open fields, Percy rattled off the next set of elements. "Aside from the basic and advanced forms, we also have Light, Darkness, Space, Poison, and Psychic."
Angelica was just about to question him further when Percy, already anticipating it, cut in. "And the rare elements—Ice, Sound, Light, Darkness, Space, Poison, and Psychic." He shot her a smug look, hands behind his head.
Angelica's glare was immediate.
"What?" Percy said with faux innocence. "I'm just answering your question before you even ask it."
Angelica, slightly irked, folded her arms. "You're missing two, Percy. You forgot Wood, didn't you?"
Percy clicked his tongue and nodded. "Right, right. Wood magic… It's tied to the power of life, kind of like how Light magic is known for healing. Wood is actually an advanced form of Light magic. But hold on, what's the last one I missed?"
They stepped off the field, the soft crunch of grass shifting into the firm clack of stone as they entered the pathway leading to the dorms.
Angelica sighed. "The Chaos element, Percy."
Percy slowed his steps, brows furrowing. "Chaos? That's an actual element?"
Angelica took a sip from her water bottle before continuing. "Yes. It's the advanced form of Dark magic, but unlike the others, Chaos is… different. Ancient scholars feared its potential. They believed that if it ever fully emerged, it could drastically alter the world as we know it."
Percy wiped the sweat from his forehead, his curiosity thoroughly piqued. "I get why Chaos would be considered dangerous, but why is Wood Magic in the same category? Has it really appeared that infrequently?"
Angelica tucked her book under her arm and pulled out the Runic tome. "The appearances of Chaos and Wood elements are astronomically rare," she explained, flipping through the pages.
Percy tilted his head, intrigued. "Okay, but how rare are we talking?"
Angelica paused before answering, letting the weight of her words settle.
"Less than one in a billion."
Percy's steps faltered, his breath hitching slightly. "You're joking."
Angelica shook her head. "No. Wood and Chaos are considered lost elements. Their last recorded appearances date back centuries. The chances of someone being born with an affinity for either is so minuscule, scholars consider them myths rather than actual elements."
Percy frowned. "So, if someone were to awaken one of them...?"
Angelica met his gaze, her expression serious.
"They wouldn't just be powerful, Percy. They'd be an anomaly."
Percy's stomach twisted at her words, though he wasn't entirely sure why. Something about this conversation unsettled him—like an itch at the back of his mind that he couldn't quite scratch.
But instead of dwelling on it, he exhaled and shook his head with a grin.
"Well, good thing I'm just your average, everyday genius, huh?"
Angelica gave him a deadpan look before smacking his arm with her book. "Focus, dumbass."
Percy laughed, but the nagging feeling in his gut didn't leave.
Something told him this wasn't the last time they'd be discussing the Chaos element.
And that, perhaps, fate had more in store for him than he realized.
Angelica hesitated before revealing, "Historical records state that the Chaos element has surfaced about ten times."
Percy's brows lifted in intrigue. "Ten? That's... actually a lot for something so rare."
She nodded. "But the Wood element... it's only ever been recorded three times."
Percy abruptly halted, his shock palpable. "Only three? That's almost unheard of!"
Angelica shrugged lightly. "I don't have all the answers, Percy. I'm only working with what my books reveal."
Their conversation continued as they made their way back to the dorms, but Percy's mind was still grappling with the weight of this knowledge. Once inside, they naturally split off into their respective rooms to shower and unwind.
Later that evening, over a simple dinner, Angelica carefully broached the topic she'd been avoiding. "Percy... where is Camilia?"
The shift in Percy's demeanor was immediate. His shoulders stiffened, his expression darkening slightly. "I don't know," he admitted, his voice carrying a quiet frustration. "She visited me while I was in the hospital, but I haven't started looking for her yet. I need to get stronger first."
Angelica reached across the table, placing a comforting hand over his. "She's okay, Percy," she assured him. "You know she is. Cami's smarter than both of us combined."
Her lighthearted attempt at humor earned a chuckle from Percy, albeit a faint one. "Yeah... you're right."
As the evening stretched on, the conversation softened. The air between them shifted into something more personal—more vulnerable. Percy turned his hand, intertwining his fingers with hers.
"Angi, having you here… it means everything," he murmured, his thumb gently brushing against the back of her hand. "Waking up to an empty world was… unbearable. But then, you were there."
Angelica felt warmth spread through her chest, a flush creeping onto her cheeks. "You helped me too, Percy," she whispered. "More than you realize."
A lingering silence settled between them—not awkward, but charged. Unspoken emotions hovered in the air, heavier than words could convey. Slowly, they leaned in, their breaths mingling, the heat between them undeniable.
Percy cupped her face, his fingers threading through her hair as their foreheads pressed together. His blue-gold eyes locked onto her silver-crimson gaze, the magnetic pull between them growing stronger with every passing second.
"Percy…" Angelica's breath hitched, her voice barely above a whisper.
Percy's grip on her waist tightened slightly, grounding himself. "Tell me if you don't want this," he murmured, his lips hovering just above hers.
She didn't pull away.
Her lashes fluttered in silent permission.
That was all he needed.
Their lips met in a slow, deep kiss—a moment of exploration, of discovery. It wasn't rushed or frantic, but it held an undeniable hunger, a yearning neither of them fully understood until now.
Angelica melted into him, her fingers sliding up his arms before resting against his shoulders. Percy responded in kind, wrapping an arm around her waist and pulling her onto his lap in a fluid motion. The warmth of her body against his sent an unfamiliar but welcome sensation surging through his veins.
"Mmm…" Angelica hummed against his lips, her fingers brushing against his jawline as she deepened the kiss.
A shiver ran down Percy's spine. "Angelica…" he murmured between breaths, tilting his head to capture her lips more fervently.
Moonlight streamed through the windows, casting them in a silver glow. Angelica's amber hair shimmered under its light, making Percy's breath hitch for an entirely different reason.
She looked ethereal.
Absolutely breathtaking.
Angelica opened her eyes slightly, meeting his dazed expression. "Percy… are we really doing this?" she asked softly, her gaze searching his.
His grip on her waist loosened just slightly as he studied her face, his expression unreadable.
"If you want to, we can," he said gently. "But if you're not ready, that's okay too."
She held his gaze for a long moment before a soft, knowing smile curled her lips.
"Let's save it for a more special moment," she whispered.
Percy exhaled, his own lips quirking into an affectionate smirk. "That sounds… perfect," he admitted, pressing a lingering kiss to her temple.
She nuzzled against him before resting her head against his chest, listening to the steady rhythm of his heartbeat.
There, in the quiet solace of each other's warmth, the weight of the world faded into nothing.
Neither of them moved.
Neither of them wanted to.
Eventually, exhaustion overtook them both. Wrapped in each other's arms, they drifted into sleep, their breathing in sync, as the watchful moon bore silent witness to the moment neither of them dared put into words.