Mark of the Fool

Chapter 325: A Special Kind of Training

"You're doing what?" Khalik raised both eyebrows.

"Its very simple! Alexs excited voice rang with a touch of mania as he quickly slid steel plates onto a heavy bar. I'm turning myself into a giant mana generator so I can tear my muscle fibres down and rebuild them stronger, faster and better than ever. In other words, Ill be cracking my limits like eggs for breakfast! His eyes gleamed.

The princes mouth opened and closed like a dying fish before he threw his head back and filled the vast space with booming laughter. Exercisers looked over, their faces in different stages of annoyance which prompted Khalik to muffle his laughterbut only slightly. You do realise that this is quite insane, do you not?

Absolutely!

Clang!

Alex slid the last plate on the bar and secured it. Thats what makes it fun. Besides, what seems insane today might be paradigm shifting in the future. I mean, think about it: imagine how insane the first person to make cheese mustve seemed? Like some ancient barbarian saying to his friend

Alex deepened his voice. Oh yeah, not worry Urgtog! Gorgors plan be big smart! Me take milk from goat and cow and me leave milk in dark place to go so bad it solid. Then it real good to eat! Try some, UrgtogWhy is Urgtog trying to stab me with sharp rock?

Khalik sighed, cupping his face in his hand. Take care how you mock our collective ancestors, Alex. Im sure they are rolling in theirgraves? Funeral mounds? Cairns? In any case, wherever they are in the groundand after-world, they are rolling in some way.

Probably with laughter, Alex shrugged. Why would the ancient dead be offended?

Ask that of the untold enraged ghosts, spectres, phantoms, angry mummies, liches, and other undead who haunt our world seeking to satisfy their rage on the living.

Eh, they dont count. Alex waved a hand dismissively. Weve fought skeletons that tried to kill us. I dont listen to the opinions of shit that tries to kill us. And besides that, our ancestors, Khalik? Really? Pretty bold of you to assume that we humans invented cheese.

Oho? And who do you suppose did, then? the prince placed his hands on his hips. Deities? I suppose some call the food divine, but I have my doubts as to an actual connection there.

Maybe dragons, Alex said. Or one of the beastfolk races

A snort came from somewhere near the prince and young, Thameish wizard. A broad-shouldered bear beastman shook his head as he passed them.

Only humans would be dumb enough to invent and eat spoiled milk, he grunted.

Khalik and Alex stared after him for a moment.

Then the prince shrugged. He has a fair point. And speaking of dumb... He looked at the barbell Alex had set up. Were we actually going to do this special training? Or are we just going to stand here, having the worlds most idiotic conversation about cheese until someone rightfully removes us from the gymnasium.

Yeah, good point. Alex headed to a nearby bucket filled with loose chalk. First he, then Khalik dipped their hands inrubbing the white powder over their fingers and palms.The chalk would absorb moisture, keep their grip on the barbell secure, and spare their palms fromfriction.

So! Alex clapped his hands, kicking up a small cloud of white dust. Could I get you to spot me? Id like to start by recording my max weight for the chest press, then move on to a few more exercises.

Fair enough! Khalik agreed, stretching his chest and shoulders. I shall do the same. Its been some time since I tested my limit.

Alex raised an eyebrow and smirked. You might not want to do that. He flexed a powerful bicep. Ive been building up lately. Youll only end up disappointing yourself.

Khalik gave him a wide, confident smile. I have been training my body for most of my life, my friend. You have come to it only lately. You dip your toe in a pond, while I swim the sapphire sea. So tell me, why should the shark fear the minnow?

Yeah, well see how long you keep talking like that. Alex slid onto the bench, rubbing his hands together while eyeing the bar above him. Ive got my last maximum recorded. If I crush it, then I move up.

Perfect, Khalik said, counting the plates. Three hundred and fifty pounds. Most impressive. Lets begin.

Taking a breath, Alex lifted the heavy barbell off the rack, brought it down to his chest, slowly pressed it back up in one fluid motion, then replaced it while Khalik spotted him.

Well done, the prince nodded in approval.

More weight, Alex said.

His workout partner added a five pound plate on either side of the bar.

Slam.

Three hundred and sixty pounds. Alex took another deep breath, exhaled, and repeated the controlled movement.

Slam.

Three hundred and seventy pounds. He grunted from the increase, his arms shaking from exertion.

Slam.

Three hundred and seventy five pounds. This was where the Thameish wizard began to fail.

Come on, you can do it! Khalik roared, standing by Alexs head. Do not letyourselffold now!

Alex gritted his teeth.

Get that bar up! The prince positioned his hands under the bar, ready to catch it if Alexs strength failed. You can do this! You have fought monsters and demons at my side, will you let a piece of metal overcome you?

With a roar, Alex pushed the bar straight uphis arms shaking and his heart hammering in his chestand racked it with a heavy clang. Thats it he said. Best I got.

Well done! Khalik took his friend by the hand and pulled him up. Rest for a bit then it is my turn.

Alex stretched his chest and arms for a few minutes then Khalik took his place on the bench. Are you ready to be embarrassed?

Alex grinned. Thats my line.

A few minutes later, he realised it shouldnt have been his line.

Slam!

Four hundred! Khalik pumped his fists. A new record! Hah!

You bastard. Alex mumbled.

Shark, Khalik pointed at himself. Minnow. He pointed at Alex who swore again. You wouldnt be grinning and gloating like that if Thundar was here.

The princes smile faded behind his beard, but his eyes still shone with amusement as he hopped off the bench. But he is not, is he?

While Khalik enjoyed himself, Alex looked past him.

It could be said that fate had been unkind to Alex Roth in many ways. Hed lost his parents. Hed been branded with a divine Mark that hed never wanted. Hed had to deal with a terrible boss for years. It could also be said that fate had been kind to Alex Roth in other ways. Hed entered Generasi. Hed turned his unwanted Mark into something wonderful. Hed made fantastic friends.

and today?

Today, fate was kind.

Thundar! he called as the minotaur stepped into the gymnasium with perfect timing. Its so good to see you, buddy!

Khaliks smile dropped. Oh no.

Slam!

Thundar placed the bar back on the rack then pumped his fists. Seven hundred and ten pounds! New record!

I hate all things, Khalik grumbled, then cleared his throat. I mean, a fine job, Thundar!

Heh, thanks. The towering minotaur sat up. Hey, you guys did good too! Very strong for humans.

Dont, Thundar, just dontyoure killing us. Alex pleaded. You sound like youre consoling a kid for coming in second at the school track meet.

Pffft, you need to be more secure in yourselves! Thundar clapped both of them on their shoulders. It doesnt matter that Im basically as strong as both of you combined. I mean, were wizards. Whats the use of muscle anywa

I must go to my room, Khalik interrupted mournfully. And write to my family. I must warn them that Ive been mortally wounded, and that my killer is Thundar, son of Gulbiff. Of course, theyll avenge my cruel death at your hands using the Crimson Mantis, King of Assassins and the greatest contract killer in all the realms south of the Udan desert

Alex began laughing, remembering the name as Thundar looked at Khalik sceptically. On a more serious note, this is a good day, Khalik continued. We have gotten much stronger than we were not so long ago. Hmmmand speaking of growing strength: with her life enforcement, how strong is Theresa these days do you think?

Alex looked at him very seriously. I would pay a lot of money not to find out. Watching you and Thundar beat me nearly killed me. If Theresa did too? Wellitd be really hot, in a way, and Id be super proud, but itd also destroy me.

Hah! I get that. Khalik chuckled. And what about Grimloch? I wonder how much he lifts these days.

Silence followed.

Why dont we all pitch in not to find out, Thundar suggested. Thatd destroy all of us.

Fair, Alex and Khalik said at the same time before quickly moving on.

The three young men went from station to station in the gymnasium, testing their strength in the deadlift, shoulder press, squat, and more. On one hand, Alex felt a lot of pride in what he could do, on the other, a bit of envy:

375 lbs. - bench press.

690 lbs. - deadlift.

650 lbs. - squat.

305 lbs. - shoulder press.

1500 - pushups.

The pridewas at how much physical progress hed made.

In about a year and a half, hed gone from being a skinny eighteen year old collapsing on the floor of the Red Siren after a few pushups, to a young man whod be considered one of the strongest men in all of Alric. And it was all due to the Mark's fantastic, hyper-efficient training, diet, and resting tips.

The envy came from Khalik and Thundars max weight being higher than his.

His competitive spirit surfaced; he wouldnt let himself remain in third place for long.

Okay, he said when theyd finished testing their limits. Let me get started. sincethisll be the first time Im trying this process on my entire body, if I suddenly turn green and fall over twitching, just take me to the infirmary.

Well throw you in a ditch, Thundar laughed.

Thanks. Alex glared at him. Alrighthere goes

Taking a deep breath, he cast Warp Flesh, guiding his way through the Marks interference. An unfamiliar feeling came over him when the magic circuit connected to his lifeforce; his body tingled as the spell started warping his physical form.

Carefully, he reached into his muscles, using the Mark and past trial and error to guide him to the fibres. Now came the tricky part. Warp Flesh was a clumsy spell as Professor Hak had warned, but the Mark had shown him several tricks to refine it enough for one simple task.

Making entrance and exit pathways in his muscle fibres.

He established paths for mana currents through each of his muscle groups until he touched every muscle.

Then, closing his eyes, he let his mana connect to them.

A grunt escaped as every muscle locked, sending a burst of agony ripping through him, but he focused and targeted, easing off the mana, calming the hyper-stimulation.

The pain faded, dimming until all that remained was a slight burn throughout his body.

Khalik gasped. Alexyour skin!

Yeahit does that, the Thameish wizard looked down and took a shuddering breath. Just like his little toe, his skin had turned a deep red as blood rushed to every muscle at once. Sweat dripped from his pores, trying to cool him.

With another groan, he ran Hsekius technique through his mana pool, then cast Mana to Life. Soothing energy instantly flowed from his pool and spread like rivulets.

The pain faded further, but a new tension filled his muscles. It felt like they were vibrating with each tiny contraction. Alex stretched.

Alright, he chugged a potion of endurance and felt the power settle in, increasing his stamina. Lets train.

Khalik rubbed his hands, I thought wed never start.

The three friends jumped into a brutal training routine. There were heavy weights. Obstacle courses. There was climbing. Running. Jumping.

All the while, current ran through Alexs muscles, hyper-stimulating every fibre. Each of his fitness records was shatteredincluding his max liftswith every repetition torching muscle mass. As the routine progressed, the pain progressedeven through a constant drip of Mana to Lifeand his strength waned.

The micro-tears were multiplying quickly, and after some ninety minutes maintaining their brutal pace, he had to call it a day. Agony was boiling through his body, and his muscles felt like someone had enthusiastically taken a forge hammer to them. Every movement made them scream, ensuring an awareness of muscles he never knew he had. The last straw came when he bent over to pick up his bag and seized up like a rusted hinge; Alex had to instruct Claygon to pick him up and carry him home.

Whenever Claygon took a step Alex groaned, whenever Alex groaned, Thundar and Khalik laughed, eventually doubling over with tears running down their faces. This is the best part of the workout! Thundar remarked between fits of laughter. To Alex, it felt like it took several lifetimes before they reached the insula.

He didnt stop groaning even after his golem had deposited him in bed where he remained, feeding himself with a pair of Wizards Hands while keeping a low-level mana current running through his muscles. Mana to Life fed his lifeforce, and over the course of a couple of hours, he felt the burn subsiding into a low tingle. An oddenergy built as aches and exhaustion decreased enough for him to use the Mark to slip into a meditative state. The world passed him by as his body rebuilt.

Alex was at peace.

He felt serene.

He feltinsistent stabbing pains clawing at his belly. Famished. Really famished. Hunger like hed never felt before. His stomach burned and growled, refusing to be ignored. Alex grabbed his gut. The way youre growling, youd think I hadnt fed you in days! He was starting to feel sick. I guess I underestimated how much fuel Id need. Near Alexs door, Brutus contentedly gnawed on a soupbone, and for a mad, desperate moment, he considered calling the cerberus over and snatching the bone, but quickly dismissed the idea. Youre starving, not crazy, he thought, then weakly called out to Selina and Theresa, begging them to get him a load of meat, fish, vegetables, rice and potatoes from a nearby restaurant: piles of the right fuel for his changing body.

They were gone and back in no time, though it felt like forever to the famished Fool and when Alex had reached the point where Brutus bone seemed to be shouting his name, the apartment door opened and the heavenly scent hed been longing for drifted into his room.

Helpme he called weakly.

A few minutes later, Selina appeared at his door like one of the saviours of Thameland with a heaping tray of food.

Heres your food, Alex. She brought it in, setting it on the bedside table.

Thanks Se-, before he could finish thanking her, Wizards Hands dove into the spread, grabbing handfuls and shoving food in his mouth.

Selina raised an eyebrow as she watched. Does it hurt?

Yes he mumbled between mouthfuls. But Ill surviveWait, what are you doing?

With an evil grin, Selina stalked toward him, her finger extended like an assassins knife. Im gonna poke you.

No! No, no, no!

Yes, yes, yes. She slowly thrust her finger toward his bicep.

No, my darling sister! My wonderful little sister, dont do this, have mercyAaaaaaaaaaargh! his scream ripped through the insula, scaring birds from a nearby tree.

Two days later Khalik gasped as Alex strained on the weight bench, pressing a barbell above his chest.

The Thameish wizards trembling arms were more defined than yesterday. A little largerand much denser.

Slam!

Alex racked the bar.

Three hundred and ninety five! he roared in triumph. It works! It bloody works!