Aiden tossed something at Ryker's feet. The dull thud echoed through the massive courtyard, and Ryker's stomach clenched as he recognized the familiar items.
His trial leglets.
But this time, they came with a matching pair of bracelets.
Ryker gulped at sight of these as they promised a grueling training montage for him. He hesitantly put them dreading the kind of training Aiden was about to put him through. Judging from the wild grin on his face and glint in his eye it was going to be a session to remember.
After putting them on Ryker gathered his courage. His mental realm breakthrough was not for show. He already affirmed his desire to acquire power so that he could gain the freedom and ability to shape the world as he saw fit. Such power did not come easy, and this was just the first to step to acquiring it.
How could he allow himself to buckle at just the first step, was he that weak, of course not, it was just that the look on Aiden's face promised that not only was he going to put Ryker through the ringer he was going to enjoy every second of it
Aiden crossed his arms, his voice filled with a mocking amusement. "Remember these?"
Ryker hesitated before reaching down and strapping them onto his wrists and ankles. He could already feel the weight pressing down on him, but he didn't complain. He wouldn't.
Aiden was on his part was trying to figure out the most brutal way to train Ryker, don't get him wrong, he wasn't some sick fuck that gained pleasure from his own sons suffering. He was actually trying to harden Ryker.
Though it may seem that due to his mental realm break through Ryker had gained a handle or better perception on reality, that was not the case. If anything, he was much easier to break now than ever before. Aiden sought to remove any form of weakness in his sons psyche while training his body to become a weapon on its own.
He felt that the more brutal the training, the sharper Rykers mind and will will become. His heart of cultivation would improve by leaps and bounds if he should endure such training.
So, Aiden closed his heart, steeling himself to treat his son with a level of cruelty he had never used on anyone before. The world would never go easy on Ryker—so neither would he.
Aiden stepped forward and adjusted the bracelets and leglets, setting them to five kilograms each. Then, with a smirk, he laid out the rules.
"Run."
Ryker blinked. "What?"
Aiden gestured to the massive 300-meter courtyard. "Three laps. You have two minutes. Every two minutes, the weight will double. Fail to complete the laps in time, and you'll run two more—under the same conditions. And let me make this clear—" Aiden's smile vanished, his voice turning ice-cold.
"You'll receive no food or water until you succeed."
Ryker's breath caught in his throat. No sustenance until he completed the training?
His arms and legs tensed, but he didn't protest. He simply nodded.
This was the path he had chosen.
Aiden watched his son carefully. This wasn't just about physical training—it was also about mental pressure. Ryker needed to learn how to function, how to excel, under absolute duress.
Ryker exhaled slowly, steadying his heart. He would not disappoint.
Then, he ran.
Ryker began the running round the training courtyard his mind focused, his heart set ablaze by the challenge presented before him. He had every intention of exceeding his fathers expectations. So with a steady but challenge focused gait he run, his legs smashing against the floor, his muscles tensing a relaxing rhythmically, creating an explosive burst that set him off like a rocket.
His mental realm break did more than just grant him mental fortitude and better perception, it also granted him the ability to better control his body, enabling him do things with his body he never could before, like right now his mental clarity and perception allowed him to control his muscles in ways he never thought he could. He run faster than he ever did in his life kicking up dust, pushing his body to its limits and beyond. Within 30 seconds he had managed to complete a lap.
How shocking was that. This bastard without any augmentation from mana or any other source, just run 300m in 30 seconds and this was with weights strapped to his body. If only people like Usain bolt who in the years 2016 and beyond was noted as the fastest man alive could see this he would probably bow his head in shame.
Ryker did not relax he continued to stride forth, his mind had only one goal, to exceed all expectations to break all known common sense. He run, his hands moving up and down in a strange rhythm, his heart pumping blood in waves in other to support the rate at which the body was being pushed. And before long Ryker hand completed another lap within 25 seconds.
This bustard had just beaten his own record moments after setting it, now he was beginning to annoy even the author. What kind of opness was this, it just made no sense. How could a three-year-old with no augmentation whatsoever to his body, run 300m in 30 seconds and then go ahead to break that record and by FIVE SECONDS no less.
This was mind boggling. Even the author was beginning to harbor thoughts of sabotage. With a click the weight of the bracelets and leglets doubled going from 5kg to 10 kg. Ryker stumbled due to the massive increase in weight almost falling on his face but soon adjusted his posture like a seasoned veteran, he recalibrated himself and then he was back striding forward though with much slower strides, his speed reducing by 70%. Still he persevered determined to complete the course on his first try.
Aiden watched the whole spectacle overwhelmed by his emotions. He first experienced shock, then denial then before long acceptance. He had to admit, his son was a monster.
For a moment he felt pity for anyone born in Ryker's generation, they were destined to forever lay in his shadow unable rise or shine. Ryker through grit and great mental fortitude managed to finish the lap just in time. Hist total time I minute fifty-nine seconds and nine microseconds.