The next few days were brutal. Arin's body felt like it was constantly on the verge of collapse, his muscles aching with every movement. The old man pushed him harder than he had ever imagined. He ran for miles, did countless push-ups, and sparred with others who had been training for years. Every day, he was reminded of how weak he truly was.
But with each passing day, Arin's body began to change. His movements became more fluid, his reflexes sharper. His body ached with the strain of training, but it was the kind of pain that signaled progress. He could feel his muscles growing, his stamina improving.
During one of the sparring matches, Arin found himself facing off against a young man who was taller and stronger. His opponent's strikes were fast and brutal, and for a moment, Arin felt like he was going to be overwhelmed. But something inside him shifted.
As the young man lunged at him, Arin's body reacted without thinking. He dodged to the side, narrowly avoiding the punch, and in the same motion, he spun, landing a blow to his opponent's ribs. It wasn't much, but it was enough to catch the young man off guard. For a brief moment, Arin felt a surge of energy — not magic, but something primal, something raw.
It was as if his body was finally starting to move with purpose, his every action flowing like a river, unpredictable and powerful. The power wasn't magic, but it was something. Arin felt his heart race as the realization hit him — his body could be his weapon, his greatest asset.
His opponent stepped back, surprised by Arin's sudden burst of strength. Arin, too, was shocked by what had just happened. He had never felt like this before — powerful, capable, alive.